ON THE BOARDWALK

Went to Atlantic City for the first time in almost 10 or more years.
The changes were amazing. Besides the Hotels the construction of housing complexes around the area seemed abundant as well.
The Tropicana is a complex with a fun Mall and vaious anchor restaurants. We ate at a Havana Style Cuban place for lunch and then enjoyed the Slots.
Getting to AC was grueling. ALL the people who had a car were en-route to the Jersey Shore. A trip that takes about 2 hours took 4 1/2. We could have flown to Vegas in less time!
It was terrible and frustrating as hell.
Luckily the weather was the Starbucks concession and theLadies room were equally outrageous. The men's rooms were easily accessible and Urinally plentiful.
We left at 10:30am and were there at 3PM!!
After the Tropicana, which was fun and had machines that paid off somewhat and played with you, we headed to the Borgata.
I had seen ads for it and was intrigued. It is about 3 miles from the main boardwalk and on the Marina. The Trump Marina is nearby but looks like a General Hospital before they flood it with golden light in the evening.
The Borgata was overly crowded and we came to find that it was due to a Rod Stewart concert.
The Borgata to me is a Bellagio Wannabe. Ringing the Casino floor are high end Restaurants (Wolfgang Puck / Bobby Flay..etc.) and also a very nice Wine restaurant in a "Cellar" environment a floor or two under the Casino.
All were so overbooked we were told at 9PM that 11PM was the only opening without a reservation.
WOW!
By 11PM the Flood of humanity poured over the escalators into the Casino like a babeling Tsunami. I guess the Concert was over. It was impossible to walk anywhere.
We managed to play some Slots , eat in a minor venue..THE METROPOLITAN..it was OK. and then get out!
Got home in the normal travel time of about 2 hours.
I suggest it as a weekend trip rather than a day trip. TOO TIRING and too much to see. We NEVER got on the Boardwalk.
Wanted to stroll and see the ocean and the various shops and other nearby Casinos, but there was no time for that.
Maybe next time.
Watched the closing OLYMPIC ceremonies last night with about 6 friends. We thought it less than thrilling but some of it stellar and amazingly constructed. It owed a great deal to Busby Berkely.
I cooked a Pasta dinner for all, Very tasty..Artichoke Hearts...Spinach & Fontina Cheese Stuffed Chicken Sausage ...Broccoli..Fresh Spinach..( all thanks to a Costco run with pals a few weekends ago) add Parmeasean cheese and a tomato sause I garnished with red wine ...YUM!
Got involved in a NY Music Festival piece called WARD 9..You might want to check it out.

http://www.ward9.info/

So Summer is almost over and the Olympics are gone . 110 USA Medals..Not bad.
Obama has picked Joe Biden who I think is a great choice for a VP and the DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION opens tonight in Denver.
Life Goes On..
XXx
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TOP O THE WORLD MA

Well TOP OF THE ROCK anyway...
After a full day of busy-ness and auditions. And after I went to the Diamond district in a lower level Watch Repair shop in a "mall" of sellers..I got batteries in my dead wristwatches. That costs me $5 a battery and service..SO for $10 I got 2 watches fixed as opposed to the $10 a Battery in most local neighborhood shops...and NO ATTITUDE.
I then hoofed it to Rockerfeller Center. The thunderous rainy morning had given way to a Miraculously Gorgeous afternoon. The air itself seemed cleaned and crisp and bright to breathe.
I took lots of pictures and then decided to go to the TOP of the ROCK.
That was EXTRAORDINARY adn SUPERB. Made me fall in love with NY all over again.
ALL the hideous building and cramping of real estate (likened only to the squeezing of the structures in TOKYO-and I have been there) was far below and looked insignificant and a mere dot on teh magnificince of this grand city.
The Central Park North View from all 3 levels of that Rooftop was amazing. I actually wept from the beauty of it.
It cost $18 for Seniors and $20 for others..however they GIVE you a $2.00 disount anyway.
Once you go up to the 67th Floor youa re on your own and can stay until the place closes AT MIDNIGHT!!
There is no food only water up there.
The day was clear as one could imagine adn you could see far into Long Island with ease.
It is an adventure I highly recommend and it is cheaper than the Empire State Observation Roof. ALthough that is my next trip upward.
Enjoy this glorious weather!!
hen it rains..go see BRIDESHEAD REVISITED and /or DARK KNIGHT..I have to see MAMMA MIA but all I know who saw it say it is a real FEEL GOOD film.
I would see Streep in anything.
Anyway..
Happy August
XX
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