137. City of Sin

RJ returns from Las Vegas bearing at least one gift nobody wants, but still we get a great look at the world of competitive foosball (and a qualified endorsement of discount operation Flair Airlines). PJ is so excited he tries to volunteer to go play in France for Canada’s World Cup foosball team, in spite of an almost total lack of expertise. KJ shares with us some of the fruits of his steadfast attention to US politics, which leads us seamlessly into reflecting on the definitions of the words “psychopath” and “ sociopath”. Finally, we speculate on what the coming summer’s weather may look like, as a way of coping with KJ’s disappointing travel news.

See the bottom of this page for RJ’s gallery of Vegas photos.

Dogs at site of the Hall of Fame Classic

Links: Shed Dogs; homemade air purifier; psychopath vs. sociopath.

Theme music by Voodoo Jazz!

DIY air filter

These work very well! There is a simpler design, but the advantage of this one is it’s less wear and tear on the fan motor.

Psychopath or sociopath?

Listen to the episode and then you be the judge!

Already well up in the air at sunrise

Keepin’ costs low

The Fremont (daytime) Experience

Seedy

A Chippendale spanks a tourist

The coloured rocks of Las Vegas

A place for Clifford to lift his leg

The oldest still open tavern in Las Vegas

They rescued the goose

Charming downtown Las Vegas

Lawyer's office

This particular neighbourhood had several house-like lawyer’s offices as well as some solid-looking edifices

Nevada Supreme Court

Ah, this is why there are so many lawyer’s offices

RJ's lightweight travel coffee system

When all the hotel offers is a filter bag coffee maker you can actually make a pretty awesome cup with this.

Charming view from the Four Queens

I can only imagine that brown cloudy tinge is permanent from the dust storms.

$10 ventured, $23 gained

10 + 23 = 33. Work with me on this people.

First test in Vegas

Negative. Is that bad?!?!

Canadian amateurs against Master players

At right Paul Gee from Regina and Kyle Alexander from Moose Jaw teed up against US masters Blake Robertson and Billy Pappas. Our Canadians won this match. Paul and I played together in Amateur Doubles and placed around the 25th percentile from the top.

Arttu and RJ

Arttu (from Finland) and I did not bad in Expert Doubles, but then Arttu did well in all his events

Canadians in Expert Doubles

At left we have Linda Ly and Brian Loeppky from Calgary, and at right Cam Burrows (Vancouver) and Dan Packer (Toronto) play on winner’s side. They played to match ball, with Linda and Brian winning and ultimately taking first for the event. Cam and Dan took third so not bad for them. Have a listen to episodes 27 and 28 when Cam joined us in the shed!

John Cunningham (Tennessee) & RJ

John was a fun partner in Pro Doubles

Niko Šurina & RJ

Niko and I played in Handicapped Doubles. Not a great showing, but he’s a good partner.

Gerry Meister and RJ

Gerry and I played in Senior Doubles, where we finished a little better than middle of the pack.

Keeping Memory Alive Event Center

Out for a walk I spotted this quirky Gehry-designed building. The event centre is pretty amazing (see link) and is connected to a brain disorder treatment centre (hence “Keeping Memory Alive”).

Dust storm warning

I was checking out a design centre when I got this notice on my phone. These can be super-serious and worse than a snow storm in that they carry, at high speed, dust and other small solid objects.

Award winning photo

Of desolate Vegas. Note how I artfully cut the top off that tower.

The Heart Attack Grill

Where the servers dress like nurses and the customers put on hospital gowns. Only in Vegas.

After returning home

Positively delightful!