Landing in Las Vegas at night is a bit like landing at National Airport in DC: an incredible view of the city beckons you. McCarren International Airport is just south of The Strip. So our first look at the city lights came from our airplane's window. Despite our destination's proximity to the airport it would be two hours before we finally arrived at Treasure Island, our hotel. Baggage Claim, Rental Car, and finally the 24/7 traffic jam of Las Vegas Boulevard took precedence. After our ten hours of airplanes and airports we were hypnotized by the lights of the The Strip. And it wasn't until two days later as we drove north to our next stop in the Sierras that we realized there was a real and quite normal metropolis just beyond these lights.

"Statue" with offerings at the Venetian's version of St. Mark's Square (click for larger view)

Looking out our hotel window the next morning was like taking in a view of each "land" at Disneyland. You had your Italian Renaissance Land courtesy the Venetian across the street, Francoland as seen by the Paris' iconic Eiffel Tower replica, and Ancient Rome Land at Caesar's Palace. My nine year old daughter immediately announced "It's better than Disneyland!"

A cryptic photo-op at the MGM in Las Vegas As a boy family vacations were always an exciting prospect: traveling on adventures to the great unknown in the comfort of our 1953 Pontiac. No seat belts and open windows, the early morning desert air blowing in my face (no air conditioning of course). The 1950s and early 1960s were indeed an era of post-War American expansionism and hegomony over my small world of the San Fernando Valley. It was a prosperous and exciting time for a ten year old. Of course, I didn't have to plan the trip, just totally immerse...

Workmen remove and replace fifty year old windows at Chez Gates. Click on each image for an enlargement. Our fifty year old house was in desperate need of new windows: all original. Nothing opened, picture windows were fogged, and evidence of mildew infestation loomed. By tonight we will have our brand new, energy-efficient and pristine replacements in place thanks to the work of these guys. And we will finally be able to see the neighborhood (and our neighbors). We think of it as Lasik for our house. Related Story: A Cubicle With a View (I may start to specialize in "window photography.")...

Police document gunshot at Chez Gates (inset: point of impact) This morning we opened our living room window-shade to discover what looked to be a bullet hole in our window. Last night, my wife was sitting just inside that window (with shades drawn), watching TV, when she heard a big bang. Tree limbs often fall and hit our roof and that's what she thought it was. This morning the evidence proved otherwise. We called the police and two squad cars arrived within minutes. Upon inspection, the officer determined it was from a BB gun. Luckily, the projectile hadn't penetrated the glass. "A...