Fear and loathing with the 80s gang

We were just outside the Tropicana, on the edge of the Vegas Strip, when the Wild Turkey began to take hold. I remember saying, "Was it Jane or Marissa who poured this last glass" when suddenly there was a terrible roar all around and the room was full of what looked like timeshare salesmen.

Are you ready for the ultimate 80s experience? Because we might have the idea for you. Key members of the Stuck in the 80s nation are trying to organize a Las Vegas get-together centered around the Aug. 2 concert featuring Human League, Dead or Alive, Naked Eyes, Belinda Carlisle and ABC at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. (A Flock of Seagulls doesn't join the tour until later in August.) Click here to read more about the show.

The idea: Get as many Stuck in the 80s fans to Vegas for the show. Possibly get a block of hotel rooms, concert tickets and then we take over the town for the weekend. Stuck in the 80s uber-fan Jane has become the unofficial point person as we try to get a show of hands on who's up for such a trip.

The rub: Vegas isn't the cheapest town, especially when you live in Florida. From Tampa Bay, count on airfare starting about $300. Rooms in Vegas will run anywhere from $100 to $200 a night, since this concert happens over a weekend.

The competition: There's also a great 80s mega-show here in Tampa just three days before the Vegas show. Journey, Heart and Cheap Trick play Tampa's Ford Amphitheatre on July 30.

The up-side: It could be a great chance to meet all the 80s blog stars at once and catch an unbelievable lineup of bands. Their tour isn't hitting too many cities -- this is a rare opportunity. Buy the ticket, take the ride.

So sound off on the idea. And we're open to suggestions on how to make this an even better experience. (No more requests for Sean to do the Dance of the Seven Buttons!)

Comments

[Marissa]

I'm currently reading "Fear and Loathing..." So, I'm totally getting the reference. Go me!

[Mike in Austin]

Unfriggin Real, we have the opportunity now to see the people behind the stories: the hovering, Maryland Eastern shore excursions, hard liquor in plastic baggies, "Mama NO!", the breakups and the list goes on and on and on. Let me see, the last time I went out partying with adults (summer 2005) we ended up losing a friend to a dark alley off of 6th Street (he met a girl on the way to the parking lot, we call him the closer), my cousins rear-end hanging outside of a very prestigious hotel window (first floor) and our car was towed at 2 a.m. We retrieved the family Impala by 3 a.m.
I guess that begs the questions, maybe I should leave the wife at home??
Not a chance!

MinA

[Smilin' Joe]

Dammit! I just got back from Vegas.

[Marissa]

I'll admit that's some steep price for this Midwestern mama. I'm in the Armpit of America. No matter where y'all go it's gonna cost me mucho. Perhaps Cousin Eddie still has that dreamy RV available.

[jane]

Joe, there's no reason you can't go back to Vegas with us -- says the fun Vegas party girl...

Mike, if you haven't gone out partying with adults in nearly three years, then I am thrilled you are breaking that drought with this little jaunt.

And now an organizational word: If this adventure sounds like something you'd be up for and are thinking about joining, raise your virtual hand and be counted here so we can get an idea about what sort of numbers we'll have.

I'm in process of setting up a Google group for trip planning purposes, so we won't tie up Mr. Spears' blog space with minutiae and can maintain some privacy regarding any personal details that might shared (e-mail, travel itineraries, cell phone numbers, etc.)

Once it's up and functioning, I'll let y'all know and we can go from there.

[Marissa]

Jane, you are one groovy chick.

[jane]

Aw -- coming from another groovy chick, that means a lot.

And I'm crossing my fingers that the budget gods will help you get to Vegas town, Miss Riss. I hear you about the Armpit of America -- there are places in this country that are ridiculously hard to get to and from -- I see that here in my neck of the woods as well.

[Marissa]

Yeah, I've given up on finding that sugar daddy with a weak heart of gold -- and one foot in the grave; the other on a banana peel. Plus, I believe I'm a wee bit over the age range for such a situation. Oh, and then there's that pesky dignity, pride, independence.

[jane]

OK, y'all... I'm taking head counts/hand raises at sit80sdoesvegas@yahoo.com. Zip me an e-mail and let me know if you are planning on joining in the Vegas mayhem.

That's sit80sdoesvegas@yahoo.com

And we're off!

[Jeff in Cuba]

Jane/Riss,

Believe me, I'd love to be in the "Armpit of America", because that's still a lot closer to Vegas than the "Butt Crack of Cuba"!

[Marissa]

Ah, I believe the Butt Crack of America is located somewhere called Bubba, Alabama.

[Spears]

Don't forget Jacksonville, Fla., when compiling a list of buttcrack cities.

[Jeff in Cuba]

Fine choices, indeed. But I believe the last time Mother Earth needed an enema, the tube was inserted just outside of Rock Springs, Wyoming.

[jane]

Not so sure about that -- I've seen postcards from the Armpit of America and they were postmarked from Columbia, South Carolina. At least that's what my dad, who was stationed at Ft. Jackson there back in the '50s has always alleged.

[Marissa]

I'm tellin' you, Kankakee, IL is the sweaty, hairy armpit sans deodorant. Well, Decatur, IL is pretty bad with the soybean manufacturing...

[Marissa]

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you The Dead Kennedys: Viva Las Vegas Fear and Loathing style.
http://adette.imeem.com/music/8hUZYhTx/dead_kennedys_viva_las_vegas_wintro/

[Spears]

Can I say right now -- once and for all -- that I absolutely love the Dead Kennedys?

[Tonianne]

Sweaty hairy armpit of America? Try Lawton, Oklahoma.

To wit:

The OB-GYN examining table on the sidewalk in front of the local pawn shop. A sign reading "Today's Special, $25" affixed to one of its stirrups.

The perpetual sound of artillery.

The tornadoes that blow your windows in and take the roof off the local IHOP.

The brown recluses and black widows that make their way into your shoe boxes. The rattlesnakes basking in the sun on your front doorstep. The low flying bats that crash into the hood of your car at dusk.

The Korean restaurant you take your folks to not knowing it is renowned for its Happy Endings as much as it is its bulgolgi.

I'll take Kankakee over Lawton any day of the week.

[Bassnote]

Sounds like too much fun to pass up, but I will probably have to. Got the house on the market, and the finances are not good.

I mentioned this trip to my wife, and she said,"Forget Vegas, let's all go to a show in Tampa."

[Marissa]

OK, I think you have me there, Tonianne.

[Marissa]

Bassnote, you and the Mrs borrowing Cousin Eddie's RV?

[chase]

Yo, I'm in, are we going or not??

[jane]

You betcha, baby. This thing is on.

[Carla]

Not sure I can do the Vegas trip! Oh, how I'll try. But with trying to get ready to move to California late this year... money is going to be beyond tight! I'll see what I can't do.

Too bad the concert isn't closer to the 'move date'... I could swing by on my way through!!

The Tampa show may be a bit easier on the pocket book!

[Marissa]

I had a dream ... the force is working me in my sleep.

[Spears]

Bassnote -- I'm open to the idea of doing a get-together in Tampa, especially for that Journey-Heart-Cheap Trick show. I just wish it was a different time of year -- further away from that Vegas date!

[jane]

Organizational pimp: if you'll all in on this Vegas adventure (regardless of whether it's on the flop, turn or river), e-mail me at SIT80sDoesVegas@yahoo.com.

Carry on.

[Jeff in Cuba]

As much as I love Vegas, Tampa on the 30th would work out better for us.

It's a better concert too.

[Spiky Sandy]

OMG! This sounds like tons of fun, but I'm going to have to pass because of the money situation. I have a child starting private high school and the cost is going up quite a bit from middle school. I'm so sorry that I'm going to miss this trip.

[Spears]

Anyone else prefer Tampa to Vegas this year?

[Spears]

One other pro in Tampa's favor -- probably easier to get Daly sprung from lockdown for the Tampa get-together.

And the Tampa concert venue is right across the street from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

[Marissa]

::Raises hand with slight enthusiasm:: Tampa might be more financially feasible for me. I figure I can hitch a ride with The Bassnotes in Eddie's RV.

[Darren]

Sounds like a plan. I'm pretty sure Nevada's statute of limitations will make it possible for me to return to Vegas without any worries

[David-b]

"The Bassnotes"
That's funny!

[Ray]

Love the idea, but I don't think that I can make the Vegas trip given the time frame.

Like we say about the Braves here in Atlanta... "Maybe next year"