American Independence Day

Whenever Americans say the date, they always state the month first and then the day.  They never say the 5th of January, or the 19th of April, or the 23rd of October.  They always say, without fail, January 5th, April 19th, or October 23rd.  But there's one date on the calendar when, for some reason, they turn this rule on its head.  It's the 4th of July.  American Independence Day, the day of the signing in 1776 of the Declaration of Independence.

It's great to be here in the US today of all days.  I had thought to say 'happy birthday' to Americans we meet.  But I overheard one American woman at dinner the other night say "happy fourth" to someone she knew.  So, I've followed suit.  "Happy fourth!", I've said to some folks, and the instant reply comes: "Happy fourth!"

There are noticeably more people in town now, given the 4th of July long weekend.  The crowds have swelled somewhat, and the number of $10 minimum bet tables are fewer.  The $5 tables are virtually non-existent.  Martinis and all other drinks, though, are still free if you're at the gaming tables.  If you don't want to gamble, but instead just sit in the bar in the rotunda (at the Paris Casino) or admire the fancy layout, just hang near a table and pretend you're gambling.  Then, holler a waitress, and say "Make mine a Martini, please".  Then, when the Martini arrives, slip the waitress a $1 tip, and just disappear again.  The waitress either doesn't notice you're not gambling or doesn't care.  She's running off to get or deliver the next lot of drinks.  She's probably earning a minimum of $60 an hour in tips anyway.  The croupiers at the tables never notice.  They're focusing on the playing cards being dealt, or the chips on the table, or where the roulette wheel ball lands.  No one cares.  Sometimes someone orders an expensive cocktail, but before it arrives, they cash in their chips and take 'em elsewhere.  The cocktail arrives and no one claims it.  The person who wanted it will just ask for another wherever they've gone.

This morning, we had a buffet breakfast in Le Village Buffet at the Paris Casino.  Shortly, thereafter, we watched Germany defeat France in the World Cup.  We then popped over to the Cosmopolitan Casino for coffee, where I knew I could get lactose-free milk in my coffee.  There, we started to watch the Brazil v Colombia game.  A Black Jack table was opening up, so we decided to play.  I popped to the 'restroom' quickly, and returned to find Jean completely surrounded by six young, Indian women madly  engrossed in Black Jack and the free cocktails.  They'd not long arrived and loved 'Vegas.  Eventually, I got to play too.  As we left the Cosmopolitan, we spotted some idiot bringing his dog into the casino.  I said maybe the dog wants to play 'Black Jack Russell'!

After that, we returned to the Paris Casino.  I had a required Martini-free day yesterday, but that was yesterday.  However, I'm taking it easy.  The other night, I was drinking Cosmo-Martinis.  I'm now imbibing another kind, with raspberry in it.  So sweet, and so moorish.  I had thought to say 'shaken, not stirred', but I reckon they probably hear that one all the time.

The above and the following six pictures depict Le Village Buffet in the Paris Casino.

The rotunda, where I relax over free Martinis while I write my blog...

The glamourous lobby of the Paris Casino.

After dinner, we proceeded to the roof of the Marriott's Grand Chateau to watch the fireworks.  They were due to commence at 9pm.  On the horizon in all directions, fireworks were being let off in the far flung corners of Las Vegas.  Just not on the Strip.  The minutes ticked by with nothing happening.  Many American hotel guests were camped out with us waiting.  Finally, after 9.15 pm, the fireworks limped into action, erupting above the Caesars Palace Casino.  They were a bit of a let down really, there being no comparison with the fireworks in Sydney at New Year's Eve.

We returned to the Paris Casino.  Jean did quite well on the roulette table in the Etoile section.  She lost a little on Black Jack, and a little more on the chocolate wheel (Big Six).

I had a grand total of six Martinis today.  Two days ago, I felt quite affected by approximately five Martinis.  But tonight I was fine.  That seems to be the secret.  Have an even number of Martinis!  And I discovered French Cosmo Martinis!  A waitress brought me a Martini, but she thought I might like to try one with champagne in it too.  So, I was walking round with two Martinis at once!  Even better!

Jean and I on the roof of the Marriott's Grand Chateau watching the 4th of July fireworks

The 4th of July fireworks, 2014.

Celine Dion and the Martinis

Last night, we went to see Celine Dion at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace on the Strip.  She was fantastic.  Her voice is one of the best in the industry, so clear, so penetrating.  She entertained the audience throughout the show, which lasted for two hours from 7.30 pm.

Celine sang all her hits.  Fairly early on she launched into The Power of Love, which I used to hear regularly on the radio where I worked 20 years ago.  She was backed up by other musicians and singers.  One young African American, who performed with her briefly, also had a great voice.  The stage was flexible and the sets changed constantly.  Celine herself changed her dress five times.  Four of them stretched to the floor, and she showed a bit of leg through those star-studded outfits.

Celine actually showed a little more.  She surprised us when video images were displayed of her in intimate moments with her children.  And her much older husband.  While these displayed, the gentle, French-Canadian Celine sang her heart out.  A star takes a risk sharing their children with the wider world.  But she did this.  I think it really endeared her to the audience.  

The show had all its special effects, flashy lights, glitz and illusions.  At one moment, the curtain lifted to show Celine centre-stage in outfit number four singing yet another song.  On the two large auditorium walls left and right of the stage, screens displayed her image as she sang.  But it was all an illusion.  The three images of Celine were pre-recorded.  The real Celine emerged from the back of the lower-level audience, walking slowly towards the stage, singing and touching people as she moved forward.  While the real Celine sang a few notes, the pre-recorded images paused and waited for the real one to finish.  Then, the Celine images resumed, while the real Celine paused, greeting people in the front rows.  Soon, the three images of Celine plus the real one hit the notes together, becoming a charming, simultaneous Celine Dion quartet.

I said already that Celine Dion has a clear, penetrating voice.  Her ability to hit the really high notes and still sound magnificent commands awe and respect.  She does this in the Power of Love.  And her finale was, you guessed it, Titanic.  As she sings this greatest of her hits, you think of Jack and Rose, played by Leo da Caprio and Kate Winslet.  In your mind's eye, you see them on the ship's deck when the sun sets on Titanic for the last time..14th April 1912.  In this song, Celine's high voice almost hits the very stars in the sky that chilly night, above a ship sailing towards promise and glory, but above an ocean whose agenda was more sinister. 

For more than a century, the world has been captivated by the story of Titanic.  For more than 20 years, fans the world over have been captivated by Celine Dion.  She will continue to win hearts in the years ahead, I have no doubt.

We saw Celine Dion at Caesars Palace.

Inside the Colosseum, where Celine Dion sang

The stage where Celine Dion sang - you could pay $200 extra to meet Celine in person.  We didn't.

After the show, Jean and I returned to Paris.  That is, we returned to the Paris Casino.  Being gluten-intolerant, I shouldn't really have beer.  I had been drinking gin n' tonic, but I thought these were a bit boring.  I'd never had a Martini before, so I ordered one from the waitress.  Here in 'Vegas, if you're at a gaming table, drinks are free.  You just slip the waitress a $1 tip.  My first Martini tasted great.  I really didn't feel affected.  It was like lolly water, really.  "I'll have another Martini, please!", I often said to the waitress last night.  I had about four or five free Martinis.  Finally, Jean said I shouldn't have any more.  This turned out to be very good advice.  I'll say one thing though.  If you want to avoid hangovers, just drink Martinis!