February 7 [B]

We were coaxed into getting into this shady "limo" with some mad Russian lady who kept filling our head with comp'd door fee's and free drinks. Mike, Eric and I were in the back while Brad got shotgun. In this instance...not so good. At one point I was thinking we were going to be driven out to the middle of the desert and murdered. When her scheme didn't work, she tried getting us to go someplace else, but we were over it. However, this is when the whole "it's a small world" thing comes into play. She was doing the typical small talk action and asking us where we were from. We all responded Michigan and she came back with a, "Oh yeah. I know Michigan very well. Where abouts are you from?" We all responded Flint and she came back with a, "NO! You're joking. I lived around Flint for (insert months)." Now, at this point, I'm thinking this lady is a great BS-er. I mean, she almost had me convinced. And then, without anyone saying another word, she bursts out with, "Yeah, I used to live on Seymour and Reid." We all lost it. Not only was this crazy Russian lady telling the truth about Flint, she lived in SWARTZ CREEK! Now tell me, what are the odds. And for further proof we started chatting with her about the area and she knew exactly what we were talking about (even asking if certain stores were still around). Anyway, she ended up dropping us back off at Brad's hotel after unsuccessfully trying to take us to some random strip joints, but we still came away with a hell of a story to tell. A hell of a story. Oh, and at some point during the ride she kept commenting about how, for her age, most women's bodies are destroyed (THE ACTUAL TERM SHE USED) but how she was looking pretty good still. If this story seems jumbled, you now know how we felt the entire time we were in this vehicle. It was surreal. Absolutely surreal.

This morning (after the events of the previous evening), the first thing the guys did was head to the MGM Grand for a little buffet action. Everyone always talks about Vegas buffets, but we hadn't had a chance to try on yet...until then. And let me tell you, for $25 dollars, it was worth it. Anything you could think of was at your disposal. Literally. We all ended up eating about 4 plates worth of stuff. Well, I was more like 3.5. Still, we all tried getting our money's worth and succeeded. I then ran back to the hotel to clean up, change, and meet everyone at Brad's to figure out who's going with whom to the "chapel." We ended up being able to fit everyone into a couple of cars and the limo, so all was well. Once we arrived we hung out in the lobby until it was time for Colleen to head into her room until the ceremony started. Throughout this many different people were logging on to a website where you could actually watch the wedding through a live stream. Not only did you get the ceremony, but you got whatever was going on in the lobby before hand, too. Needless to say we all were getting calls and texts saying "I can see you guys right now" or "Wave" or "This is awesome"" or (you get the idea). We all then moved into the hall where myself along with a few other friends and close family witnessed Brad and Colleen get married 10 years to the day after they first started dating. No joke.

After the wedding, Eric and I decided to take a stroll down to "old Vegas" while other pictures were being taken. It was a small hike but worth it to see this once happenin' spot. It was crazy to see the streets almost completely barren, but that had more to do with the Super Bowl starting than anything else. Still, it was a sight to see. Once everyone was set and the newlyweds had picked out the photos they wanted (that the chapel provided) we went our separate ways one more time. Brad and Colleen went to get actual wedding pictures taken (with Brad's mom) and we jumped in the limo and headed to the Venetian to hang out before dinner at Canaletto. It was 5 when we arrived and reservations were made for 7, so with some time to kill Mike headed to the blackjack tables and the rest of us walked to a cafe to grab some drinks and appetizers to tide us over. It just so happened that the Super Bowl halftime show was getting started, so we got to see that along with some of the 3rd quarter. At around 6:20 or so we got a message from Brad telling us to meet at the restaurant for more pictures, this time with the group. So from then until we were able to get inside, it was pictures on top of more pictures. Good times, though. There was also a really awesome moment where Brad and Colleen walked near a group of stringed instrument performers and had their first dance. When they were finished everyone in the general vicinity that saw what was going on started clapping. Like I said, awesome.

It was finally time to eat a full meal again, and what a set-up. We were on the top level of the Canaletto and had a separate room overlooking part of the shops in the Venetian reserved. A gentleman by the name of Mario came out and described the menu to us (even though we could've saved a lot of time by reading it ourselves and not trying to decipher his broken English translations), but it was good for a laugh. The food, on the other hand, was delicious. Well, there was a general consensus of "pretty good" and when you're dealing with a large party of people, that will have to do. The cake was next and it was great. Remember, this is coming from a guy who really doesn't enjoy cake a whole lot. Even on my birthdays, I was never too big into it. HOWEVER, this wedding cake was amazing. Just ask (insert name). They'll say the same thing.

Shortly after dessert I went over to everyone and said my goodbyes as it was getting late and I still had to get Tori and head to Redlands. When I called she was over at Treasure Island with some friends. Because it happened to be right next to where I was, I walked on over and waited for her. Long story short, we got back to my hotel room, I cleared everything out, and we hit the road to Redlands. We got in around 2:21 which, if you factor out the time it took to go through a terrible McDonalds drive-thru (for Tori, not me) and pumping gas, we made the trip in about 3 hours. Not too bad at all.

Well kids, I'm freaking tired. I really haven't had a chance to sleep in this entire weekend, so I may try catching up now. Needless to say I had a great time and there was no other place I'd rather be than with 2 great friends during the happiest moment of their lives thus far. Can't beat it, folks. Can't beat it.

This is a story about love,
B