Thoughts.com Blogs - Viva Las Mr President

Come 6am on Monday and we were both wide awake and ready to go. It didn't 'feel' like 6am though so our minds probably hadn't caught up with our bodies yet. We ventured out around 8am to wander down and explore the strip but rather than go through the Casino to get out, we went the other way and headed towards Caesars Palace casino and hotel.

Even at this time of the morning, it was quite hot in the sun and we walked in the shade as much as we could. We also tried to ignore the many ticket touts who had also opted for an early start. These guys try to give away 'free' tickets to this, that and the other but we never accepted any and never waited around to find out what the catch was either!

Before getting to Caesars Palace, we had a brief stop in two other casinos where we won a total of $12 dollars. 'Third times the charm', they say and so we headed into Caesars palace full of hope, prayers and disbelief. Of course, the latter proved to be the strongest and Caesars palace got our $12 dollars. Still, we had had fun and we walked on a little way, taking photos here and there, before heading back to the hotel.

We went along to the 'conference' with the thoughts.com team in Ben's room proudly wearing our pastel blue "Thoughts.com" T shirts. As the last to arrive (oops) everyone else was there and ready to go. At this point, we also got to meet ben's mother in law, Rownie who was looking after the baby.

Both she and the baby were very nice and it was so cute seeing Danielle playing 'high 5's' with Ben's son almost as soon as we entered the room. He is a bright eyed boy with and intelligent, enquiring look and seems to be so full of fun, "into everything" as we would say in Scotland.

Ben 'volunteered' Ben (beneventure) to start the show by offering his comments and, as the meeting progressed, I hardly uttered a sound as I quickly discovered that all my deep thinking on ideas and suggestions had already been thought of by Roe.

Like a true professional, she had cleverly brought along a laptop with a list of points and every time she mentioned one, I mentally ticked another one off of my list. That suited me fine though and just shows how 'in tune' we all are. Poor Joe may have thought the Vegas trip would have meant a break from the site, but Roe had other plans....!

Andrew and Bryant (?) the tech guys took notes on everything that was said and even offered on the spot advice. I was quite impressed when, at one point, Ben mentioned some glitch and Andrew said he knew exactly what line of code caused that. Now THAT's the kind of memory I'd like! lol

Both these guys were from Canada and had actually built the site and they attend to any problems that might arise. It was great to see who the technical support were becasue usually these folk are hidden, anonymous and, in some cases, not even human but only automatic responses. Both were really pleasant guys too with a down to earth chatty approach. Definitely not the type to talk jargon at you, which always helps. Danielle and I had actually met them and shared the limo with them on our arrival but, at that point, had no idea who they were. By the end of the time, we knew they were two of the nicest guys you could meet, and the two that keep Thoughts.com heart beating. Well done and a huge 'Thank You' to them both for that too.

As the meeting drew near to its end, we were suddenly suprised by an announcement that a 'guest' of the hotel wanted to speak to us. It turned out that, coincidentally, Mr George Bush was also staying at the hotel and popped in to share his thoughts on Thoughts.com with us. After giving us one of his infamous speeches, he went on to serenade us with a used guitar before pausing for a few photo opportunities.

At that point, we all headed off to dinner with Mr Bush, ushered there in limos. As we arrived at the venetian, there was time for a few more photo opportunities and a wander around the building with its highly ornate painted roofs. I was asked to make a toast at dinner but I was pipped at the post, which was probably just as well as with my quiet voice (apparently), the other end of the table would have never heard me anyway.

The after dinner show was improvisational comedy wiht Wayne Brady, which was excellent and made me wish I had half the instantaneous brain power to think like those guys. By coincidence, we noted that some Scottish guys had turned up for the show - wearing kilts - and that made me wish I had worn mine too. It would have added that 'dashing' touch to the "Thoughts.com" T shirt. It would also have made for a great photo opportunity for "Mr President".

As we left the theatre, it was comical to see the passers-by looking in awe as 'The President of the United States' wandered past. One Japanese guy (I think) actually asked if it was him and the president, being the polite courteous chap he is, told the man he was just out with some friends for the evening. If I'd been faster I would have caught the priceless look on that guy's face with my camera.

We split up then, some going to see the water show at the Bellagio hotel - a symphony of music and fountains of water - while some of us headed back to the hotel in the limos instead, wearied by the exciting day we'd just had. The following day was to be the last and we didn't have to meet until later in the day, for dinner and a show but, as a certain lady blogger would say - Thats another story - which will be in the next post.