It’s always liberating do to something by yourself, completely on your own, especially when you haven’t been independent in a long time. Vegas by yourself though, that’s a whole ‘nother enchilada…
The Chainsmokers were playing at Wet Republic, a.k.a. the BEST POOL PARTY in Vegas. Due to my love of the band and anything having to do with partying poolside, I knew it was the perfect event to attend. However, it had been a while since I had really gone on a signature “Kyle Adventure”. Remember the Golden Globes sneak attack? Having food fights with celebrities in the Hollywood Hills? I needed to rediscover my joie de vivre and Vegas was the venue.
Without any kind of plan, I put on a bathing suit and tank top, then a pair of jeans and button-down shirt over top of them. I threw on some kicks, stuffed my phone charger, wallet, keys, and iPhone in my pockets and headed to the bus station, which was a tad less glamorous than even my low expectations could have dreamt up. I had no hotel booked nor friends I was meeting there. I just picked myself up and went, knowing in my gut that no matter what happened, I’d have a crazy story to tell.
Six grueling hours and three issues of Angeleno Magazines later, I arrived in Vegas and launched myself onto The Strip. Before I knew it, bouncing in and out of eateries, I found a new friend to grab a bite to eat with before heading to XS, where my friend Mike was working. Mike’s generosity allowed me to skip the hour-long wait to enter the club with a VIP ticket where Avicii was performing. While inside, I met Tony and Leanna.
Turned out, the Tony and Leanna were in town to see The Chainsmokers as well so we quickly bonded, made friends with some traveling Brits (who liked and shared their tequila WAY too much), and had a ball. Before I knew it, they invited me to crash at their hotel room. Having had a feeling my accomodations would work themselves out, it was the perfect solution to playing the penny slots until 9am on zero hours of sleep.
The next morning, I drank an entire bottle of champagne for breakfast and headed to Wet Republic to cover the show. While inside I only made about 26 new friends, one of whom was a girl who had dated one of my friends from HIGH SCHOOL while the two of them were in college. This “small world realness” immediately excited me and the two of us drunkenly facetimed just about everyone I ever graduated with. A sprained toe, champagne shower, and one mosh pit later watching The Chainsmokers perform, it was one of the best pool parties I had been to in a LONG TIME…probably since my last excursion to Wet Republic, to be honest.
After one more walk around The Strip, Tony and Leanna offered me a ride back to LA because they are a pair of absolute gems, and we took off speeding into the night on barely any sleep. It was a wild 36 hours, but ones that I wouldn’t trade for anything. Random adventures are my specialty and I encourage everyone to do something that scares them, even if it’s only once; don’t plan anything, don’t think about what could happen, just smile, know in your heart you’re going to have fun, and just go for it.
1 Comment
I’ve done that a few times myself Kyle. Got in my car and headed out. I was young and scared but had a great time. You can’t beat adventures!
I also like to go to a restaurants myself. I enjoy the food, wine and my own company. People would ask if I wanted them to join me, I would tell them nicely “No I’m fine” they said that’s “weird”. Maybe. I wonder how come they always need to have someone with them!