Saturday at The Big Smoke 2009
Saturday morning broke with a crash, as I slowly tried to shake off the hangover caused by too many rum drinks the night before. Totally worth it- it was only a 2-asprin hangover, but I took three to be safe.

What to do to kill a few hours in the morning in Vegas? Start drinking again. A $1 Michelob at Casino Royale was the last little bit of medicine I needed to be back on top of my game. I went to wake Tony at about 10:30.
We started by making our way over to RhumBar where, the night before, I had lost my 3-finger cigar case. I had a one-year-old Master Blend 3 and a Paul Vato cigar in it, both of which are now gone forever. Lady Luck demands her occasional sacrifice, and while I spoke to the staff and security trying to find it, Tony won $300 at a slot machine. Typical.
To assist in the waking-up process, we headed back to Casa Fuente for coffee and morning cigars. A beautiful pot of French-press coffee, a cigar, some old friends and being recognized a few more times was a wonderful way to start the day. That morning, I set a dangerous precedent. A friend and I decided that it was about time we smoked something new, and so, purchased two Don Arturo Fuente Gran AniverXario cigars. For $75 a piece. I’ve smoked a lot of premium cigars in my time, but I can honestly say that this cigar was one of the best cigars I’ve ever had. I would recommend it without hesitation- next time you’re there, treat yourself and splurge a little.
Feeling hungry, we headed upstairs to Sushi Roku in Caesar’s Forum, in the rotunda. Raw fish in the middle of the desert- better living through technology! After sitting down at the bar, the chefs began to slowly warm up to us. Tony ordered the sushi combo, and I ordered a few a la carte items- raw scallop, freshwater eel, monkfish liver and sea urchin. Yes, I’ve eaten sushi quite a bit! Halfway through our meal, the chef we were speaking with carried out a live flounder, and it was hideously ugly. We watched, mesmerized, as he put a tea towel over it’s head, and proceeded to break it’s spine with one huge chop of the knife. She (he later removed the egg sacks) curled up almost into a tube before laying flat. From there, he removed its’ fins and tail, while the gills moved sporadically. Finally he began cutting the skin off of the fish, finally ending up with one massive, perfect, beautiful fillet. He held it up for us to examine, and we could see shimmering- the electrical impulses of the muscles still firing. The then held up the severed head and, with a flick of the point of the knife, cut open the heat sack, in which the heart continued to beat. Best. Show. Ever.
After lunch Tony and I split up to go do some shopping. Nothing exciting happened for a few hours.
Finally, it was time! We headed over to the Big Smoke at the Venetian, and arrived just in time as the doors were opening. You’ve probably heard that The Big Smoke wasn’t as well attended this year, and that there weren’t as many goodies. Well, it’s true, but who cares? Unlimited scotch and beer, 24 cigars, pictures with beautiful bikini clad women and Turtle Soup- sounds like a party to me! While walking the show, reconnecting with old friends and networking, we were actually stopped several times by people telling us that they loved our work! How cool is that!
The evening ended up back at RhumBar, where rum drinks were consumed, UFC was watched, waitresses were flirted with, and Jerry Springer was smoking a Tatuaje, hanging out with Pete Johnson.
Eventually, Sunday dawned, and we packed up, checked out, and headed for the airport. For our last surprise, we stopped at the store in the airport before security that sold cigars. As we’re looking, the woman who owns it suddenly says “I know you guys from somewhere…” After seeing our card, it becomes evident that she’s a reader! Small, small world!
After a $20 burger, fries and milkshake at the Airport Ruby’s (highway robbery!) we walked over to Brookstone where we proceeded to hog the massage chairs for about 30 minutes. I swear I’ll buy one of those stupid things some day. The head massager, however, I can do without.
The grand total? I smoked 12 cigars in 2 days, got 10 hours of sleep for the whole weekend (pretty good, actually!), and I’m scared to actually total up the credit card receipts to see what I spent.
I realized on Tuesday, speaking with a friend who was heading back after doing some business after the event, that even if The Big Smoke were half its’ size and half as well attended, I’d still go. For me, it’s not about the event itself, but rather being surrounded everywhere by likeminded people- to feel like part of a bigger group. I’ve made new friends every year I’ve gone, and am anxious to continue the trend. Go, if you can, in 2010, and we’ll see you there.