Bowl-cationing, Part II: Jump and Bowl

I'm pleased to report that the Addiverse has indeed heard several more times from the sister who is bowl-cationing with the family in Vegas.  She has had much to say about the bowling--I'll get to that in a bit--but the thing that really caught my eye was her mention of the fam damily throwing themselves off a 108 story building....and, paying to do so.


Let me be the first to raise my hand indicating I will NOT be jumping off an 108 story building.  Call me a wuss.  I'm taking my money and going to the buffet, then getting a new tattoo.

In case you've never heard of Skyjump, it's this thrill ride, if you will, for people who must have gambled all their money away in the casinos or are too young to gamble in said casinos.  There are a few of them around the world (I might consider trying the one in New Zealand if Lucy Lawless were standing at the bottom awaiting my arrival), the tallest of which is right here in the good U.S. of A. 

If you can't envision what it means to jump off 108 stories above the ground, this illustration will help you.  It's a comparison of the Twin Towers to the place of which you pay handsomely to cheat death.  If you are old enough to recall the Twin Towers, you can now grasp how high this jump thing is.

Oh.My.God.  That's a mighty long jump/fall/hurl.  The only thing I'd be hurling is vomit.

I am not one bit surprised that my nieces took their turn at the skyjump, as they have been riding roller coasters since the time they were tall enough to do so and are always looking for an adventure.  It is no surprise that their dad also took the jump--he's a roller coaster junkie, too.  Where do you think the kiddies got this way of being?  And, it is definitely no surprise that my sister opted out. I would have proudly stood next to her waiting for the family to return....after I got back from the buffet and getting the tattoo.

I await for stories and photos upon their return.  In case you want to learn more about this ridiculous leisure entertainment, check out http://www.skyjumplasvegas.com/

As for the bowling (after all, they ARE bowl-cationing), it continues as scheduled. I forget that there are all sorts of rules and etiquette in bowling (probably another reason I don't bowl--all I remember is "do not eat with your bowling hand"), so it was with great humor I read what my sister had to say about this topic:

"....how exciting can bowling alleys full of non-rule following bowlers be? I cannot believe the number of people who do not follow written and verbal rules and the officials who don't enforce the rules.  It is just amazing.  It is also amazing how many girls cannot carry their own equipment.  I am not talking about moving  6 or 8 bowling balls around, but one - just one and they have to have someone else carry it.  In between games, Eldest Niece moved 12 lanes.  Now, the rules state only 3 balls are allowed in the bowlers area.  So she takes her three ball bag and rolls it between lanes. Not a problem.  Most girls have their dads or boys moving all 6 or 8 balls right past officials.  Now spectators are not allowed in the bowlers area nor are 6 or 8 balls, but no official seems to care. Amazing."

As one cannot bowl 24 hours a day (well, my family probably could, but most people cannot), a few side trips have been taken away from the bowling alleys.  Being that we are from the same gene pool, my sister is a fan of chocolate; hence, one of the side trips was to a chocolate factory:

"....we decided to get some lunch and check out the chocolate factory.  We stopped at Tommy's hoping for a gyro (Yes, the sign said burgers, but the husband hoped for gyros) what we got were hamburgers and hot dogs with chili. Everything had chili on it.  My chili dog had chili, cheese, pickles, tomotatoes and mustard. a very strange combination.  I am not voting to return there.  Then, we went off to the Ethel M chocolate factory.  They make the chocolate for M&Ms.  Now, we went to the M&M store the other night and have $32.00 worth of M&Ms in the room, but we went for the free tour and free chocolate.  The tour was a let down to say the least.  It was about a block long looking through a glass window reading signs. But, there was a lady handing out chocolate at the end.  Then, of course you are lead out through the chocolate gift shop.  Middle and Youngest niece saw the employee making chocolate covered strawberries and started drooling.  So, thinking all right they at least want fruit, we ordered two. Now they were big strawberries but $8.00 for two seemed a little excessive. They were deemed the best strawberries ever.  Sorry, Addi Warrior Princess, you are not getting chocolate as there are not enough ice packs in the world to keep the chocolate cold to get it home.  It was very good."

Sigh.  No chocolate for me this time. Maybe next time.  As long as I don't have to throw myself off a building, it's all good.

What happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsRbipctKTk