last week somebody asked me why i haven't gone back to working out of las vegas. i told him that in my time there, the mob, the teamsters, and a coalition of their close associates ran the city. it worked. it worked well.
but steve wynn and the corporate types have taken over now and the place is a hollow imitation of packaged and sanitized "sin light," that really doesn't appeal to me.
going back mostly makes me homesick for my tawdry, wicked old home.
although, i must admit it was a rare hoot of an experience to visit the art collection at the ballagio in my board shorts and flip flops.
only in america bitchez.
Back in '90 I had a Soviet Georgian exchange student staying with me in NJ for Thanksgiving, so I took him into the city for some sightseeing. After the UN, we walked across town via 42nd Street, and found the spicy stores as we neared Times Square. He was skeptical as to whether they were for real, or whether we could go in if they were, so we did. His jaw bounced several times on the floor, and then he did the sensible thing and started checking out the print merchandise.
Giuliandrews certainly cleaned up TSQ and much of the rest of the city...at the expense of the city's soul. "The Deuce" is now just another loaf of Disney white bread.
i lived in ny before they cleaned it up...never had the guts to go into any of the live sex shows, but i always got a kick of walking around times square...the place had life....it was what nyc was all about...i was back about 5 years ago, i wont go again....its one huge tourist trap...same thing has happened to fisherman's wharf in sf....god, i hate getting old, cuz its harder and harder to deal with change
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