Llama Vegas?

Yes, folks, that's right. I'm off to Las Vegas.

Ok. You can stop snickering now. I know--the idea of me in Vegas is laughable. Vegas embodies most things that I dislike. Crowds of people I don't know--yuck. (Could there be anything that an introvert dreads more than hoards of unknown people?) Cigarette smoke at a-go-go--yuck. While I don't have any strong anti-gambling feelings, I also don't partake in it. I've never stepped foot in a casino. Ever. (Anyone else who grew up in my hometown knows it was sort of a right of passage to go the casino for your eighteenth birthday, but frankly the appeal was just lost on me. I was just weird that way. But that's part of my charm, right? Hmm. Maybe you shouldn't answer just yet.)

So, why am I going to Vegas?

There's one reason--one fabulous reason. My friend Becky is turning 30 this week! Becky is one of those people that everyone should know. She has a contagious laugh. She is up for just about anything. She is open-minded. She knows how to have fun doing nothing and everything. She's the kind of friend who can go from being goofily sarcastic to serious in the blink of an eye. Amongst my friends, I often consider her the "great equalizer" because when getting various groups of people from different facets of my life together for social gatherings, Becks is the one that everyone universally likes and gets along with, and who can bridge the gaps between groups better than anyone else.

So I am looking forward to Vegas, despite the cigarette smoke, crowds, etc. for the sheer joy of celebrating 30 years of one extraordinary woman. There's a good group of friends gathering, and I really can't think of a better reason to celebrate!

Plus, llama in Las Vegas? This could be fun! Hmm . . .

(Have I mentioned that there is a big rodeo gathering in Vegas this weekend? That's right. The strip will be full of cowboys as far as the eye can see. :D I'm going to hope that this goes in the vein of Lifetime or other made-for-tv movies in the "gal-next-door has big-city fun and adventure in a strange new town" category. Who knows--we could have quite the adventure with the cowboys. Perhaps we'll meet the one cowboy, who, in addition to herding cattle, also herds llamas? What? You scoff? It could happen . . .)