Made It!

It took 23 hours and it wasn’t completely smooth (lost my luggage for a day) but it was still pretty good. For one thing, even with a delay leaving Dublin of an hour, I still made my connection in Atlanta and that was the main thing I was worrying about.

Las Vegas is a sensory overload…right now I’m sitting in the lobby of my hotel and I’m surrounded by flashing lights, beeps and bells. Anywhere with the smallest amount of space has a slot machine squeezed into it. The workshop doesn’t start until this evening so I took the day to go catch a bus and see a bit of the town. The casinos are amazing but what’s struck me most is the amount of run-down, decayed old buildings you see butted up next to these enormous gleaming towers.

I’m in character heaven though…the little old ladies with the buckets of coins, the old guys with cowboy hats on their motorbikes, the tourists…but I’ve not taken any photos just yet. I think it would take a whole new level of courage for me to ask for portraits here!

12 Responses to "Made It!"

Add Comment

  1. Ann

    March 12, 2008 at 6:59 am

    Go for it! I’m not sure how thick your accent is, just lay it on as much as you can. No American can resist an Irish accent, especially this close to St. Patrick’s Day.

  2. ryan

    March 12, 2008 at 9:42 am

    screw the photos, lets go gambling!!

  3. red mum

    March 12, 2008 at 10:22 am

    When in Rome, go for it. You’ll never see these people again except on your computer screen after you have taken their pics. The worst they can say is no and you just go off and get the next person.

  4. Grannymar

    March 12, 2008 at 10:48 am

    The ladies with buckets will say yes!

    Do it now, or regret it for the rest of your life! They are just people like those you flashed in Greystones!

  5. Dave

    March 12, 2008 at 10:53 am

    i’ll look forward to this! if it has meaning and fun, then call it work. just do it!

  6. John Mc

    March 12, 2008 at 6:30 pm

    If memory serves me the Casinos can be a bit prickly about photographs in the gambling areas. Or maybe it is only if you are already gambling.

    Question: I notice that you blog from flickr; as do I. However your photos often come out much clearer than mine. I often lost clarity and get pixelisation when I do, especially if the photos have been cropped. This is despite the fact that the photos will not have these problems on flickr. I preserve the 1:1.47 ratio of the photos. Any tips on how to get around this?

  7. Melissa Koehler

    March 13, 2008 at 3:41 am

    I think on the casino floor it isn’t allowed. I could be wrong but I think that’s what I heard

  8. McAWilliams

    March 13, 2008 at 1:11 pm

    Yeah go on go for it Claire and have a ball, its horrible back here in Ireland if you are worried.

  9. gingerpixel

    March 13, 2008 at 3:14 pm

    Well, whatever shyness I had, I overcame it yesterday that’s for sure!! Photos will be coming…they may not be what you expect but they’re definitely different. Don’t worry, I wasn’t arrested, although we did come close. I will post more when I get a chance, I’ve barely had time to eat let alone log on and post photos!

  10. Davy McDonald

    March 13, 2008 at 4:04 pm

    Hey Claire,
    Sounds like you’re having a great time there, sensory overload indeed. Have fun, take them thar’ pics, you may not get back there again/soon.

    Looking forward to seeing your photos, from Vegas generally and the Anti-workshop too.

    Definitely play up the Irish charm, St. Paddy’s Day is the best excuse!

    Cheers.

  11. ellen

    March 13, 2008 at 4:05 pm

    Have fun. You lucky thing;)

  12. Nathalie

    March 13, 2008 at 11:22 pm

    Hope you’re having a brilliant time, can’t wait to get a look at the pics!