Doc1647545523

Views from my room: http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2010%20Vegas/PICT0002-1.jpg http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2010%20Vegas/Pict0003.jpg http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2010%20Vegas/Pict0004.jpg

I've been going to Vegas since 1962 (when I was too young to gamble) and was a little puppy trying to run with the big dogs at the Baccarat table at The Sands by 1980. I figure I've made over 30 trips there and have stayed at grungy low-end downtown rooms all the way up to the best high-roller suites. I've done Tahoe, north Vegas, the Boulder Strip, and of course the Las Vegas strip. I really love the experience, love to drive the surrounding desert, love the climate except in the summer, and always have a great time. Last week my great niece was married at The Wynn, and I got an invitation to sample complimentary hospitality for the week at Aria, a new hotel at City Center. I was really knocked over! It's a hard area to describe--no real "theme" or eye-popping visuals. It's just really comfortable, everything is super-convenient, lots of flowing water, and a roomy, airy atmosphere. The room was plush and high-tech. A room card that you carry tells the room you're in what to do: curtains open/close, music/TV comes on to your favorite channel and volume, lights dim/raise to preset levels for the time of day. Lots of marble and natural stone elements in the walls and flooring. Everything was comfortable and ergonomic. Nothing seemed garish or artificial. Unlike most Vegas hotels that you feel you need to escape from after 3 days, I didn't want to leave this place. Witness to that is that although I rented a new Mustang, when I returned it at the airport, I had only put 13 miles on it for the week! The hotel has 4000 guest rooms and suites and an 80,000 square foot, 62 room spa. It is part of City Center, which connects the new hotels Vdara, Mandarin Oriental, The Harmon, and Veer Towers, along with the shopping area Crystals and the older hotel Monte Carlo. Looking up at it from the entry drive: http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2010%20Vegas/Pict0007.jpg Another wing as seen from the tram: http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2010%20Vegas/PICT0017.jpg Attached residential towers: http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2010%20Vegas/Pict0018.jpg Walls of water at the entry: http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2010%20Vegas/Pict0006.jpg

Since it seems that all the other suggestions in the thread so far except for KickAss's are in the northern hemisphere, I'll throw one out as well: Thailand. It's sunny and in the 80's in Bangkok in November .... plenty of adventurous nightlife (discos, pick-up bars, strip clubs, and wilder things) ..... great beaches, plenty of cultural sightseeing & nature tours. Lately there's been more violence in Bangkok, but it's nothing like visiting Juarez (across from El Paso), and if that kind of thing scares you, you can just stay away from the larger cities. The U.S. State Department is currently advising tourists to avoid areas of anti-government protest (common sense), but I would hope this would be resolved before November. If you can get away a week or so earlier, the Fantasy Festival goes on in Key West the last week of October, and it's a pretty wild party and always warm weather. For the southern hemisphere, check out Fiji, but unfortunately in November it's cyclone season, but temps are in the 80's usually with high humidity. Mancora, Peru is supposed to be the next-big-thing for surfing and beach partying ex-pats. Warm temps and crystal clear water. New Zealand is beautiful country, but most parts of it are pretty cool (50-60's) in November. It's pretty lacking in nightlife, too. You mentioned possibly avoiding Australia, but the weather is favorable in November and freinds tell me that Sydney and Melbourne are party central for the beautiful people. You also wanted to generally avoid Rio, but if you decide to get a head-start there, the Ipanema district is supposed to be a great place.

I'd suggest calling Kevin Clifford at Clifford Automotive (a sponsor on here) for a good estimate. His work is top drawer and he'll save you a chunk o' change. http://www.columbusracing.com/forums/member.php?u=341 His shop number is 614-522-9742

I'm guessing that they bought it when you were about 6, thinking they'd give it to you as a reward for good behavior at some point, then never found occasion to use it in the ensuing dozen or so years ...

Some very good advice in the above posts. My first bike? 1968 Bridgestone 350 GTR, two stroke, British engineered, made in Asia. Electricals were pretty much weather-dependant....it sounded like a popcorn popper at idle and smoked like an insect fogger. I don't recommend you start with one of those.

Fixed

Around 8 tonight, just getting dark, forecast to be 50 degrees around then with a 20% chance of rain -- sounds pretty good to me. If the radar doesn't show rain moving in, then I'll be out with the Toyota Century. And, just so you beeches know, I'm set to take on any stock bottom end VG40 4.0L 5V-EU in this area, dig or roll, anytime. And don't forget to bring a few Yakuza minions to help you load into my trunk the money that I'm going to win from you. Consensus on a location? Any interest in meeting for grub at some point?

I take it that it's Sonic on Steltzer then, 8:30 and later .....

Here's your guy: http://www.columbusracing.com/forums/member.php?u=249

Ouch! Well, I guess the truth hurts. I admit, my stuff seems kinda odd to most .... but I hope what I have is in better taste and better condition than that monstrosity.

Good times, Eman, thanks for the invite. It was good meeting Kaitlyn and Ethan and getting to see the crew. Mebbe 15-18 of us? Good choice of bar ..... I had never been there before. Kentucky Bourbon ale ... smooth, strong & cheap. And I'm afraid I started Zac on the road to Scottish Egg addiction. We need to do this again soon. Maybe on a night without the bagpipe brigade.

Getcher butt up there 2nite, mister. First two drinks are on me. If you want me to buy any more liquor after the first two, you better put out.

By "practical" I mean that a car would spend the majority of its time in running condition, not straining the owner's finances with purchase price nor with upkeep, and would be dependable with regular use. All of my vehicles meet those conditions ...... have any of your own vehicles met those conditions since you joined CR? If so, why are you always driving a borrowed car? A 40-50 year old import, purchased from 2000+ miles away, with performance swaps, driven by someone who doesn't work on his own cars ....... seriously, Mike, how long do you figure you'd have this before it wasn't running and needed to have time and cash poured into it? You asked for an education .... get it for free now or else pay a high price for it later. But I would add that if this is what your heart is set on, go ahead and get it, practical or not.

Here are the basic ones: http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/m_f226af194e2048e6805d16a2adacce8c.jpg http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/m_fecb3399a6fc4997910a0d6290eabd1d.jpg http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/m_c2c67ce0110e41bd8de00d56275f7aa0.jpg

It's Eman's birthday -- pub @ Polaris around 8 or 9

I get the feeling that I might be your designated driver back to Delaware.

not practical for someone of your skills and in your situation /thread

Tuks! You're better than having Lo-Jac for my Mitsuoka! Make another post to the thread and I think you'll be out of the Oven. + rep

About a dozen guys there when I left a little after 9. Good to meet you new members. Somehow, I made it from Delaware and back and the car stayed dry. Did you end up going to a bar to shoot pool?

Welp, I'm gonna head down even with some of the roads wet. I'll see a few of you lames at 8.

If it's a bike race from here to Florida, I'll take on both of ya, and give you odds. The triple niner needs to stretch its legs a little. Wagers, gentlemen? And let's not go light--we need to make this worth the time and trouble. You certainly aren't afraid of losing an endurance bike race with a crippled-up old man, are you?

Good intro. The Marauder is one of my favorite cars, in fact I've recommended it to people but still haven't owned one myself. Welcome to CR. I hope to see you at some of our events. + rep

Great visual effect, especially on the hood and front fenders. :thumbup:

Glad to see you finally found your mate, but do you have any pics of him without the helmet?