I'm back from my fabulous trip to Vegas, where I got to meet beatnikside, bohunk, and doctorgogol, three of my very favorite LiveJournalers. I wasn't surprised to learn that I like them in person every bit as much as I like them online. I was there from Thursday to Sunday, and here's the day-by-day lowdown.

Thursday, I arrived at the airport to discover that my flight had been canceled. I only call to check on such things beforehand about half the time, and of course I didn't this time. Ah, well—the delay until I could catch another flight was about two hours, just enough time to stand in lines for two different airlines and sneak outside for cigarettes. When I finally arrived, I was whisked away for drinks, much to my delight. After checking into my hotel and grabbing a bite to eat, we all went to beatnik's Mad Pad to chat and learn how people react when someone says, "Look at meee! I'm a flying pig!" in a crowded room.

The next day, after a delightful lunch, we all met up at a vinoteca to dine, drink wine, and listen to music. I had the eggplant, which was delish, but I wish I had ordered the risotto. A perfect risotto is a sublime thing, but I'll just have to keep that in mind next time I eat there. Afterward, we migrated to the Hookah Lounge, where I kept thinking of myself as a hookah-smoking caterpillar.

Saturday was picnic day up at a meadow in the mountains, where the air was much cooler and the beer tasted just right. I contently munched on cheese and crackers while enjoying the conversation and thinking that the field would have been perfect for kickball. I didn't suggest it, because my other friends always laugh and make "slow and bouncy" jokes whenever I bring up the subject, and anyway, we had no ball. I suspect I might be only "about thirty" person I know who still harbors such a love for that game. As it was, the relief from the heat was welcome, the scenery was gorgeous, and I was surrounded by people I adore. Later, I even got to see the laboratory of the good doctor—who, incidentally, dresses exclusively in white lab coats—and his lovely wife, who became my partner in Gradual Lung Destruction.

The evening brought a trip to the palatial estate of a man who is funny by nature and owns the best couch I have ever seen. If I tried, I might be able to fit everyone I know on that sofa. The doctor went mobile with his talents, mixing potions (add two olives, and it comes alive!) at his Lounge Away from Home, and I met a whole bevy of very cool people. One of them now has me wanting to make myself a dress out of duct tape.

On my final day in Vegas, bohunk was safely back at home, but I met up with beatnik and the good doctor for lunch, and then went shopping for used books and for souvenirs. I found a wonderful book dedicated to the Little Black Dress, some Dryden I'd been trying to track down for a couple of years, a fistful of great cards, and a lunchbox with drawings of the "World's Strangest Freaks" that would have been perfect for a friend, but which I just can't bear to give up to her.

My flight home went considerably better than the flight out, and I arrived back at the new homestead to find a husband and dogs who were very gladdened by my return and who know just how to make a tired woman feel rested and glad to be home. I am so happy I was able to meet the faces behind this fabulous cross-section of my LJ friends list, and I hope to repeat the experience some time soon. In the meantime, maybe I can get some of you fine folks out to the OC to do LA and marvel at the Very Orange Tile that adorns a fair portion of a couple of our new walls.