Livin' Devil May Care…

November 12, 2018

 

Double Down Saloon

Livin' Devil May Care…

Las Vegas is the city of broken dreams for many, but I have always loved it and I visit there at the very least every other year as the Dive Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) convention has been held there every other year on a rotating basis with Orlando for years, Since I have been working for RPM Nautical for just over the past decade a group of us has been going every year to check out the latest in Scuba Diving gear, check in with those in the dive industry who support our work and to attend seminars related to our work.

Howard and Michael 

This year, I met my colleague and friend Howard there as we sent s smaller contingent than in recent years with just the two of us on hand to represent RPM. Another friend who has often worked with us in the past was also on hand so the three of us got to hang out and reconnect when we were not attending the conference. For the past few years we have been staying at Mandalay Bay and we once again had a suite there.

 

It was my first visit to Mandalay (and Vegas) since the tragic shooting last year at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival and I must admit I felt a little strange especially since our suite was the exact same suite as the shooter used only two floors below, so our view of the area was pretty much the same as his was on that tragic day. I almost changed our reservation because I knew that may be the case, but then I thought that I was not going to allow the actions of one crazy idiot change the way I lived my life.

 

The DEMA show is the largest Scuba industry show in the world and it fills the massive North hall of the Las Vegas convention center. The South hall was hosting the largest Marijuana convention in the world at the same time so it was an interesting mix of people. The convention features all of the scuba related industries from dive gear manufacturers to dive tourism destinations, certification organizations and all manner of related industries represented. A lot of walking and schmoozing is involved as Howard and I met with various people to let them know the important work that RPM is involved with. We have had a ton of support from various dive related companies and are always open to more assistance.

Howard and Derek 

Since neither Howard nor I are gamblers, we find other fun activities in Las Vegas to entertain us in the evenings after the show has closed. There are so many options of shows, food, shopping and other entertainment options that we really wanted to do something different. So our first night in town, we found ourselves at the Thomas and Mack center where we watched a college basketball game between the hometown UNLV Runnin’ Rebels and UC Riverside. 

Howard 

It was an early season match-up and UNLV clearly had a significant advantage, pulling away to win the game by more than 20 points in the final tally, but it mattered not to us. It was great to get to see a college basketball game live, something it seems like it has been some time since I had done. It was fun hanging out with Howard as well as we both enjoyed the game.

 

After the game, we made the short walk to my favorite off-strip Dive Bar, the Double Down Saloon. Recognized as one of the best dive bars in the US, I must agree as it has a classic seediness, yet welcoming atmosphere where anyone and everyone is welcome. Dark and Sketchy and home to a few dozen denizens of the underbelly of Vegas, the place is a real treat for anyone bold enough to hang out and engage the locals, who may seem scary on the outside are actually for the most part really interesting and accommodating people. I love going there and try to stop in for at least one evening every time I am in town. 

 

With the holidays upon us, Vegas is in the process of transforming from fall to a winter wonderland and we checked out the atriums at the Bellagio, where they still had massive autumn-themed decorations on display as well as the lobby of the Wynn, which was already full of the Christmas spirit. The amount of time, money and effort that goes into decorating Vegas for the holidays is unmatched from anyplace I have been with the possible exception of New York City.