Gunshots in Vegas

I was in Las Vegas this week for a conference. Monday morning, I went to the lobby to find some breakfast and found a crime scene. I could see a person on the ground about 50 feet away surrounded by various officials. The whole casino area had been roped off and closed down including the restaurants. All I could think was 'Man, I hate Vegas'. Apparently some poor guy was shot to death trying to intervene when some other guy pulled a gun. The gunman shot two guards who ended up in the hospital and a third 'Good Samaritan' who tackled the guy and probably saved some lives, but ended up sacrificing his own in the process. I was really impressed by the man's courage when I learned the details, but also feel sad for him and his family. It was a little crazy to think that I was awake in my room when the shootings happened. I could just as well have been in the lobby area, though it's very unlikely I would have been very close to the incident. It happened right outside a night club. But the restaurant where I was hoping to eat wasn't very far away ... crazy, huh?

I don't understand Las Vegas. I just don't get the appeal. There's so much filth there, I can't understand how it continues to draw so many people and so much money. Maybe I'm just weird. But I hate it. I got away from the strip a couple of times and felt so much better. It's actually a very pretty city once you get away from the garbage.

It struck me as really odd that I was in Vegas in the same hotel as an incident that made national news. Reminds me of my experience with an earthquake in DC. That was weird too. How often does an earthquake strike DC? And I got to experience it. And then I was in town when Hurricane Sandy was coming ashore. I drove out of town just before the hurricane struck since the airports had all closed down just as I got there. So now I'm wondering - am I naturally attracted to newsworthy disasters or does my presence somehow cause them? :)

The conference was good. And thankfully it won't be in Vegas next year.

It's good to be home. I missed my family and I missed normal life.