My birthday is the first of June. Do to scheduling conflicts dad & Sharon are unable to make it to town on that day. It was an easy fix though. We celebrated it last weekend instead:
"There he is, the birthday boy," it's a pleasant feeling seeing my seventy five year old father enter my place of employment - It sort of reminded me of the good ol' days - "Hang on for a few minutes and I will punch out. I'll ride with you guys to the condo," I immediately shed my 7-11 attire & out the door I go. The ride home is a short one, yet interesting - "See, this is what I was telling you about. It seemed like yesterday this was a dirt lot and the next thing you know there's another condo project going up." - A building boom in SW Las Vegas is currently underway - "Look," I proclaim as I tap him on the shoulder from the back seat - "There is another complex in the works as well." - The journey home runs north on Durango from the freeway. They're some vivid memories on that stretch of road for me - "It's good to see things going in the right direction," I add as pops turns west on Flamingo towards the condo.
We arrive at the condo & the first thing Sharon says is - "The place looks nice. You know how to keep house." You'd be hard pressed to find a speck of dirt. Especially, if I'm expecting company - We sit down & pour a few drinks - "Heah, I got to tell you guys about something a little birdy told me. The lady who owns the unit above us. Her renter is moving out at the end of September. It would be a good idea to approach her about selling." - Mike Astle has been known to speculate on real estate from time to time - "If you can get it for the right price and do a few things to it. You'd be looking at forty to fifty percent equity in a few years - just like this one," I add as my finger waves around in the air, "Now is the time to get in." - The plan is for me to research things further and report back once I know more.
We spend the first night relaxing with everyone asleep by ten. Saturday is started with a slew of yard sales (new plate set and a couple of XL t-shirts for five dollars) - Afterwards, the first phase of the village idiot street tour begins - "I remember the last time we came here. You told me it was the best Chinese food you've ever had." Hong Kong Gardens is located in the heart of Chinatown. There's some history with me there - "Dim sum is really nothing more than a Chinese buffet on wheels. When they come by with the cart you point at what you want. It's that simple. You'll love this place," I add as we are seated...it was great (as usual) - As we are leaving I say with bravado - "Think about this for a minute. Your boy had all these places in the palm of his hand and let them slip away. The money being made on places like this is outrageous & I am the only guy who can get them." The proclamation didn't seem to impress.
As we are cruising up Spring Mountain toward the condo he says, "What do you think about your idol so far?" - I tell him the same thing I tell everyone - "He's not my idol. The reason he garners my support is his stance on China. I've been saying the same thing for years now. All the other noise I could give a shit less - Come on! I'm starting to sound like an echo chamber." - "Okay," he says with a hint of sarcasm in his tone, "We all know he is your idol though."
We spend Saturday night at a favorite Italian restaurant - Sunday morning we arise; eat breakfast; read the paper; complete a few projects around the place; call uncle Ned & then the second part of the village idiot street tour commences - "Turn left up here. This is where the stadium is going up." Raider's stadium is scheduled for a 2020 completion - "When they play the Chiefs - I will be there!" I add as we cruise the perimeter of the site - "Looks like they are coming along okay on it," he adds as we stare over a big hole in the ground filled with rebar. We turn east on Russell & head towards the boulevard - "Remember after the massacre and how they didn't fix the window for a week or two because of processing & the curtain kept flying out of the shattered window. That's the most indelible image for me of One October." - We are now driving north on the strip passing Mandalay Bay - "He was firing from there into there," I add as one hands points up to the window and the other points to the festival grounds - "Hopefully nothing like it happens again."
We cruise the strip until Flamingo & he turns west - "I would say this is a pretty good place to set up a dispensary," I add with a chuckle as we drive past the Palm's." They're two dispensaries located directly across from the resort. Both are busy. A good part of the business comes directly from the resorts lodgers - We continue the ride on Flamingo west until we reach the condo - just in time to take a six pound hunk of meat from the oven. The three of us enjoy a hearty birthday dinner and then it is time for a nap. After wards, I suggest a trip to the dog park with our newest family member Belle - "She's really timid around other dogs. I don't know how well she will react," Sharon tells me as dad and I load up and head for the park - "She will be fine, I haven't lost one yet at the dog park," I tell her with a smile. Turns out Belle isn't a fan of other dogs. She spent most of the time moseying around the two of us and our bench - "Keep bringing her back. She will get acclimated to things," is my suggestion as we're leaving. "She's still young. She's doing fine," he adds as we exit the park. He then reaches down and pets her on the head.
Monday morning it is time for the work week to begin and the party to end, but not before one last cruise around SW Vegas - "This stood as one of the biggest eyesores in town until the Chinese bought it up and finished it. Now look at all this." Downtown Summerlin is a popular shopping destination located directly behind Red Rock casino - "They've got a lot of nice shops here," Sharon remarks as we are cruising the main drag of the center - "This is another of those things that just seemed to pop up over night," is my remark as we get back on the freeway for my ride to work. Before being dropped off I thank them for the great birthday weekend - "Thanks for everything. Love you both. I will get back to you when I find out more about the upstairs condo." - I then give Belle one last pet on the ears & back to work I go.
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