Travel Diary

Got to sleep in a little bit. We then loaded up the car and headed out to the casino. We were getting there quite early around 2:30 PM. Once we went inside, we found the performance area and it was great to see: a huge venue with tables all around and some nice decor. The place included a stage, but we weren't really going to be using that. The first thing we did was my mic check and the sound system was excellent. It was wonderful to have excellent acoustics once again. After the sound check, we checked into our rooms, and I was on the third floor. After entering the room, I discovered it to be exceptionally clean and in great condition. It might've been more “accessible” focused as there was no bathtub, but that was fine. There also was no microwave, but there was a coffee maker. I didn't have my espresso machine anyway. I sat down and made a video or two and then relaxed for a bit. Then went down for the main mic check.

The other actors arrived and we got ready to go. I went upstairs one last time to take care of my hair and get ready to perform. Then we all met in the green room and I explored the stage space…literally. I figured since the stage was there, my character could come out from behind the curtain when the music started. So I planned for that. Then the crowd slowly started to arrive. It was pretty exciting doing a casino show once again. I do miss those days. Finally it was time to go.

The music started and my character exited through the curtain and it went really well. I then went onto the performance area and mingled along the crowd, handing out my extra scarves after the opening song was done. Then we did the rest of the scene.

The show gets much easier for me after the opening scene. Most of the work for my character is now and I could just relax. The following scenes all went great. Our post show wrapped up was incredibly fast, but that's normal at the casinos. I just suggested that the actors are always introduced at least to some degree, and the playwright is acknowledged. But that's just me. Their dime; their call.

We greeted the crowd for a while and watched them do their raffle where they gave away $1,000…then $2,500 and finally…$5000. Yeah, the members do get some nice benefits there. In fact, I think their entire dinner and show was comped for them.

Once out of costume, we met for some food at the Asian noodle place. I got the sweet-and-sour chicken, but I think something was wrong with it, like it had been cooked hours prior or something. Oh well, not every meal can be exceptional. And I think most people are drinking too much to notice. I was going to wait till midnight to have my first drink, but I decided to wait even longer. No rush to return to booze.

Some neighbors of Serena had come out to the casino. They didn't attend the show but they were gambling. We watched them a little bit and I think Serena did some gambling. I of course did zero gambling. I don't think I've even waged over a quarter in well over a decade. It's just not something I ever really enjoy doing all that much. But it's fun to watch other people gamble. Although the slot machines get a little dull after a while. And nobody was on the tables.

We chatted a bit people drank some wine and beer. And finally just went up and went to sleep.