Hell on Earth: The MGM Grand (Las Vegas)

Posted by Nolan Dalla on Jul 29, 2012 in Las Vegas, Sports Betting | 0 comments

MGM Grand exterior hero shot

In the late 1960s, Howard Hughes’ ushered in a new era — the corporate-ownership of casinos. The Mafia gradually moved out and the bean counters moved in. What a terrible trade-off it turned out to be.

Restaurant Review: The Flame Steakhouse (El Cortez Las Vegas)

Posted by Nolan Dalla on Jul 28, 2012 in Blog, Las Vegas, Restaurant Reviews | 1 comment

Update: The Flame Steakhouse closed its doors for the final time in 2014. The replacement restaurant at the El Cortez is not recommended.

Nolan Dalla Rants: Do Not Tread On Me

Posted by Nolan Dalla on Jul 27, 2012 in Las Vegas, Personal, Rants and Raves | 3 comments

After nearly getting flattened, splashed, covered with discarded bags of garbage, hit by beer cans, spit on, and cursed at over the course of many months, I finally said “fuck it” and sold off my bike.

Betting on the Smog Test

Posted by Nolan Dalla on Jul 26, 2012 in Blog, Las Vegas | 2 comments

I admit, there’s a rush factor you get while waiting for your smog test results, and it’s not from the fumes.

The rush factor is even more intense if – like me — you drive an older vehicle. I have not one, but two older cars, so my rush factor is double.

I guess that sort of makes me the meth-addict of smog testing.

Three Dogs and a Mexican (Part 2)

Posted by Nolan Dalla on Jul 25, 2012 in Blog, Travel | 1 comment

Los Angeles flood zone

I didn’t want to begin this blog with a pretty picture and a fictional narrative of illusion. I wanted it to be real. Here’s Part 2 of my running this week in Los Angeles.