In Las Vegas before noon. There's not a cloud in the sky and it is hot. I can't believe how many new super casinos have been built in the last two years -The Belagio, The Venician, Paris, Mandalay Bay, and more. Spent over three hours walking the strip. Checked out the new casinos, saw the lion enclosure at MGM Grand, explored New York, New York (it hadn't opened last time I was here), and checked out room prices. Something else has changed in Vegas - it's expensive. You used to be able to count on cheap lodging and food - not anymore. Apparently the legalization of gambling in most states has caused Vegas to realize it's in demand and the incentives have gone away. Cheapest room I could find was the Motel 6. Decided to splurge and stay at Treasure Island - got a very nice room on the thirtieth floor.

I was sick of walking around in the heat (and in fact have blisters on my foot) and for some reason I didn't feel like gambling so I decided to catch a movie. Saw "Sixth Sense" - excellent!

I was hoping to see the Cirque du Soleil's new show "O" (eau) but it's been sold out through the end of October so my only chance was with cancellations. The movie didn't get out until seven and the show started at 7:30 at the Belagio - a ways up the strip - so I didn't have much of a chance. Got to the box office ten minutes before curtain and... got a ticket! Third row even, though nowhere near center.

I tried to think of how to describe the show. It's a combination of acrobatics, dance, theater, special effects, synchronized swimming, gothic horror, romance, high diving, ballet, opera, clowns, symphony, and pretty much everything else. Even now five hours after the show my mind is buzzing try to figure out what I saw. Whatever you call it - it was excellent. Well worth any price.