Hey, have you noticed how bad things have been lately, economy wise? Yeah, it's pretty hard NOT to notice, eh?
Everything except for the price of gas is in the crapper. Formerly high flying stocks have spiraled toward the ground, jobs are being lost faster than you can say "where's my darn unemployment benefits" and you'd sooner find a needle in a haystack than get a loan for a new car.
One of the industries being clobbered is the gaming industry. These poor sad sacks are taking it in the shorts every which way but loose. The once flying high MGM Mirage sold for about 96 bucks a share this time last year - now it's bargain basement time at 10. Even worse is the Las Vegas Sands which was near kissing $150/share last year at this time. Now, it's just under $6/share. Can you believe that?
Even Harrah's, now the world's largest gaming company, is swooning. In an effort to save some bucks, they no longer offer "hearty sub sandwiches" for their high rollers; instead replacing them with hummus dip and crackers (let's see if anyone notices). The major problem for all these sin city entities is they are drowning in an ocean of debt; debt once manageable that, in today's chaotic environment, has turned to quicksand and threatens to pull some of these former players under for the final count.
Well, we here at the worldwide headquarters of ShopperCast in Seattle, Washington, have decided we're gonna do something about all this doom and gloom, dammit. We're no longer content to watch as these former billionaires flail about; searching desperately for a way out of the morass. We're gonna reach out and lend a helping hand ala the soon to be coronated Barack Obama who thinks it's a good idea to "spread the wealth around".
And so it is in the middle of November, we're off to Vegas for three days of fun, sin and debauchery to be followed by a couple of days in Los Angeles where our nose will, once again, become acquainted with the grindstone. Then, we will return to our Seattle base, with a tummy full of warm fuzzies knowing that we will have done our part in bringing the economy back to a paying basis and, in the process, we assuredly will have made the Messiah, Barack, damn proud for all the wealth we're likely to lose spread around while on our trip.
In the process of planning this trip we discovered something of which our faithful readers might take note - if you're thinking of going on a trip somewhere fun, NOW'S the time to do it, folks! Your intrepid reporter snagged a flight to Vegas, then to Los Angeles and then back to Seattle for a total of $260 including taxes and fees!! And, while our hotel in Los Angeles ain't exactly dirt cheap, we are getting a room in Vegas for three nights for $140 taxes included (and THAT even includes a Saturday night). And, NO, we arent talking about the Motel No Tell, thank you very much. We aren't going to mention the hotel (got to keep the paparazzi at bay, dontcha know) but let's just say it's a remarkably good deal. And our rental car for three days of fun and sun is just $60 taxes and fees included for a mid size which will probably end up being one of those simply awful Chrysler Sebrings (honest to God, who in the world thought THAT was a good car to build?)
So...the message from the fine folks at ShopperCast is - TRAVEL BABY TRAVEL!! You'll be amazed at the great deals that are out there!
--Contributed by Greg
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