I asked the moderators to lock the old thread. This is the official countdown thread, so please keep this thread updated and let me know if there are any changes. I know at least 2 people have rooms booked at Harrah's on The Strip but I'm not sure where everyone else is staying.
I copied this list from the old thread, but I removed some names of people that said they can't make it (but I think they should re-change their minds and come!)
Vines - CONFIRMED
Christina - CONFIRMED
Michelle (staying at Harrah's) CONFIRMED
Hostess DeLarla & Chris (that's me, Lisa) BOTH CONFIRMED
Terri (coyotegirl) (don't need a room) TERRI CONFIRMED
Francesca & SO (staying at Harrah's on the Strip) CONFIRMED
Bushbaby - CONFIRMED
Vegas Angie - confirmed for Saturday but can't be at Buca
Vegas Christina - confirmed for party and dinner
Jenna -CONFIRMED
Rica and DH (no room needed, staying at Orleans)
IS THIS ACCURATE? PLEASE POST ANY CHANGES - thanks
I'll write a separate post with directions to my house. I'm sorry, but I can't offer rides to and from airports or hotels this year because there's only one of me and 20 of you (I learned the hard way last year!) But I am offering rides to anyone with special needs (wheelchairs, crutches etc.) but only if I'm not intoxicated yet. If anyone is driving and doesn't mind giving rides, the airport is 5 minutes from my house, and as of last month cost $14.00 to get to my house. The strip is 7 miles away. Last year people paired up and shared cab fare (about 10 minutes to Harrah's.)
Friday night at Buca di Bepo (corner Flamingo and Paradise.) Dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. It's a busy place so we won't wait for late-comers, but you will NOT go hungry at Buca once you finally show up. Buca serves food "family style" which means there will be huge platters of food all over the table and will be plenty for later folks. However, try to show up at 5:00 p.m. for drinks. I will be there at 5:00 p.m. I will post a separate thread with the menu and directions to Buca. Please bring $15.00 - $20.00 cash per person. I think last year was around $13.00 each, but there are more people this year and I think I'm going to order an extra dish or two. Everybody will pay for their own drinks separately (either walk up to the bar or ask a waiter.)
Last year we spent several hours at Buca, then some of us walked across the street to Terrible's Casino, while everyone else hit The Strip. I will probably hang out at Terrible's for an hour then go home to get well rested for the next day.
I'm not setting a time for Saturday. If you want to "ease in" to the whole Bash experience, come over early since I'll be up cooking, chopping, mixing my famous Ice Tea's (DeLarla's Ice Teas, that is, so hand over your keys.) You don't have to bring anything, but if you want to bring your famous dish or the ingredients, please join us in the kitchen, which ended up being the heartbeat of last year's party. My kitchen leads to the pool and all areas of the house, and it was great to have us all their preparing and cooking together. If you really want to contribute something but can't pack the ingredients in your suit case, there are grocery stores within minutes that I can bring you to.
Games:
DeLarla's Famous Name Game: I'm going to put a label on your back with a famous name, and you have to figure out who you are. Now that I have my own business, expect a very tasty treat from my inventory for your prize.
Please bring a White Elephant Gift for an exchange. I have no idea what that means, but it was fun. I think it's supposed to be something new you have lying around the house, but last year there were candles, photo albums, crystal, etc. The gifts all get set on the table, and we can pick numbers to see who goes first, and this will start at 1:00 then lead into other games (but only if someone else comes up with games and can run them.) Then we'll start the clothing exchange so nobody gets left out. If you want to participate in the games, you have to be there on time.
Clothing exchange: Bring all clothing you no longer wear, regardless of size. This will be the last year for the clothing exchange because I don't have room to store the stuff. Ladies, I don't have half of what I had last year, so start shipping boxes if you wish to donate. All left over clothing goes to Opportunity Village, which offers employment opportunities to physically and mentally handicapped folks (they actually work at the stores where the clothes will get sold.)
If anybody else wants to set up some games, please do so. I will donate a handful of items from my awesome inventory as prizes.
There's no set time for eating Saturday - it's an all day munching thing.
You can stay as late as you want, but most people cleared out by sunset because everyone wanted to party in Vegas - I won't let anyone intoxicated drive, so if you plan on drinking a lot, plan for a cab fare (or mooch a ride from someone.)
I have no plans for Sunday, but if anybody wants to see the beautiful side of Vegas, I can fit 4-5 non-gamblers in a truck and would love to take you on a breathtaking scenic ride through Redrock Canyon (very historical; original Vegas settlers, Indians living off the land, potential for wild mustang & burro sightings - MAJOR PHOTO OPS.) We can leave early and be back within less than 2 hours. Or I'll just lie on the couch and nurse my hangover, or meet for Bingo or Brunch.
What did I forget? Directions to my house and to Buca will soon follow.
P.S. I planned the Bash a year ago, but I just starting my own business this month, so this is not a plot to sell you anything and I won't be offering demonstrations or turning the Bash into work. However, there are "adult themed" products on display in my office. If this offends you, I can throw sheets over the table or you can avoid entering my office. It's just too much work to break down my display every time company comes over, so please PM me if you really want me to pack everything up. A lot of it is normal G-rated bath-type products, but I don't want anyone shocked if they accidentally wander into the office thinking you're going potty. THE BATHROOM IS ON THE LEFT, so don't open the door straight down the hall and you won't see my Coochie! Ha Ha, that was totally innocent because Coochie is just a shave cream that prevents red bumps! See, I'm totally innocent!
