The Pan Crew hasn’t been around to hang out on weekends for quite awhile. Marie and Gary are still back in Iowa, somewhere, although recent phone calls have disclosed that they are doing a little traveling in a new- 20 something footer -Class C motor home that they bought recently. They were ‘RVrs’ for nine years so it’s not a new experience for them, they just decided to sell their motor home a few years ago and switch back and forth between a home in Iowa and a home in Vegas. Sure wish they were here to hang out now but they aren’t due back until October sometime. Suzanne is busy with work and a new schedule and I’ve seen her at the Rio a few times, even getting in a visit one evening. Nice!

Greg and Amy are busy, Amy has a daytime job – she’s a Dr. – and Greg recently gave up on working at the WSOP and went to Caesars. (It’s that WSOP can’t figure out what they’re doing thing).

Vivienne has been around, she’s playing mainly at Red Rock Station, and we’ve had dinner together recently to hash out old and new times.

Carole and Gordon are busy as hell, they are both working and even though they are busy, we’ve managed to meet for food a few times too. They are my longest running buds when it comes to Vegas-ites. If it hadn’t been for them, when I moved to Vegas to open the Mirage, I never would have made it. That’s what true friends do, they listen to you bitch, share your joys and triumphs, help you when you’re down, and never ask for more than you can give. They are the real McCoy.

Chad is in a new house, working and probably playing a lot.

Mark AKA Kram is somewhere in Vegas, but haven’t seen or heard much from him lately.

Wayne is still burning and turning at the Palms and will be leaving soon for a cruise to Alaska. I was invited to his house a few weeks ago when his family arrived to celebrate his nephew’s birthday in Vegas. David turned five years old. I picked up my sweet boy Riot and we showed up at the proper time. For some reason, David decided to ‘go bashful’ and spent most of his time hiding in ‘Uncle Wayne’s bedroom’. He’s a cutie, and try as I might,or anyone elsefor that matter, wecouldn’t coax him into ‘coming out to play’. We finally got a semi smile out of him at Uncle Wayne’s insistence:

The whole place was decorated for a ‘chip’ party and quite festive. The cake and table set up was perfect for Riot. Being the non-bashful, two year old that he is, he promptly pulled up in a chair, stuck his fingers in the icing and licked them off, then pulled out a candle or two and sucked the icing off the bottom of them and stuck them back in the cake. The beauty of it all was that everyone is quite accustomed to what kids do so no one freaked out over it. The cake:

I had a great time visiting with everyone. It was like being ‘home’ where people are sincere, open, relaxed, and quite comfortable with themselves which makes them quite comfortable with you. Riot and Bill (Wayne’s dad):

Wayne’s sister, David’s mother – Debbie:

And Doris, no need to explain how she’s related to the group.

As Riot and I were leaving, one of them, and I don’t remember which one, said, “Thanks for coming to David’s birthday party Riot. It’s too bad David didn’t come.” *loads of laughter* I hope we all meet again soon.

And Wayne called me a few nights ago, he’d just treated himself to a new car. We took a ride out to Railroad Pass and had dinner. NICE!

And just think – if it wasn’t for the glorious game of poker, I would never have met all of these wonderful people. Never let old – and new – friends be forgotten.