Vegas New Years 2019

February is an opportune time for a New Years post, right?

Over New Years and my birthday weekend, Gio, Brittany, Shawn, and I met up in Vegas for a weekend of shows, good food, and the other things grownups do in Vegas. 

We arrived on my birthday, and spent much of the afternoon walking around, gambling, and enjoying the newly opened Eataly at the Park MGM (loved this hotel for many reasons, not the least of which was the chandelier shrine to my favorite game, see below).

The main event was that night, when Shawn and I went to see Celine (Brittany had seen her for free during a conference just months before!).

Her outfits sparkled.  Her voice soared.  She was the kookiest of kooks.  I was giddy whenever one of my ten favorite Celine songs would start up.

Saving "My Heart Will Go On" for the encore, she pulled out all the stops.  A drawbridge unfolded on the stage as smoke billowed.  The first intense notes hit and then we could hear her before we could see her, humming along to the melody.  She emerged through the smoke as a vision in black and gold lace, with structured shoulders and a full length cape that she whooshed liberally about her.  In the middle of the stage, as the musical bridge built, she began to rise on a platform.  My jaw, already in the dropped position, extended further.  At 15 feet up, at the chorus' climax, rain began to fall, encircling her in patterns that matched the music.  What a finale!

It had always been a dream of mine to see Celine with Shawn, and the event did not disappoint!  On my birthday, no less.

Late that night, Gio, her sister, and her sister's boyfriend got in, and we all met up for a late dinner.

 

We stayed at the Delano, which was lovely because they only have suites!  There were even 1.5 baths which is the most clutch architectural hotel decision I've ever encountered.  It was funny to think of all the shenanigans that have happened in that room, as we elegantly sipped champagne before going out, or played relaxing sleep music to unwind before bed.  We're wild, guys!

During the daytime, we would walk around to various casinos, gamble, and even had a luxurious Aria spa day.

 Gorgeous Bellagio Christmas displays

Dinner at Kumi (Mandalay) before MJ

Brittany and I finally went to our first Cirque show: Michael Jackson One.  The show was cool (especially after quite a bit of sake), but I quickly turned melancholy during a number with a hologram of the King of Pop himself.  Cirque was just no substitute for the man himself.  Still, we had a fun time!

It was a low of 37 New Year's Eve - and you can image how appropriately everyone was dressed for the occasion, rather than the weather. 

After dinner at a steakhouse in New York, New York, we braved the strip for the fireworks show.  The show was coordinated from the rooftops of multiple hotels, and it was awesome to see it all around us.  Plus, the crowds provided lots of frenetic energy and heat! 

The rest of the night was spent at slots and the roulette table.  It was so wonderful to ring in my new birth and calendar year with these loves!