This past Wednesday, I left to take my mini jaunt to Las Vegas. Coincidentally, it was the same day that all the Southwest airline systems and computers crashed causing a horrible delay for all the flights. It was very frustrating but I managed to finally get to Vegas about three hours later then planned. When I touched down in Vegas, I immediately went to the MGM Grand Hotel to check in. After waiting in the check in line for about 45 minutes, I FINALLY got my room key. I was so exhausted and was very happy to get to my room where I watched “Deadpool,” on the movie station and ordered myself a lovely room service dinner. It was a nice relaxing evening after a long hot day of traveling which should’ve been a very short and easy trip.

The next morning, I woke up early and treated myself again to room service, a delicious breakfast then got dressed to start my day. About fifteen minutes before ten am, I took a cab over to my friend and amazing artist Dirk Vermin’s tattoo shop, “Pussykat Tattoo,” to get a new tattoo on my rib cage, which was a beautiful Bettie Page portrait that I had chosen. This was to be the highlight of my trip. It was so nice to see him and we talked for a bit before he actually got started on my piece. I had already sent him the exact image I wanted and he and I came up with a great way to do it as well as the right placement on me and look and style of it. We then got started and for the next few hours, Dirk and I had our fun ink session. A few times we had to take breaks, not because I was in a lot of pain, but because of other things, including  fans coming into to meet him, a consultation, and other things. I met some of the other artists that worked at his shop and friends which was fun. Finally about five minutes before my piece was finished, I told him I needed a break because of the pain but it ended up being perfect timing because during that time, Dirk’s fiance’ (and my new friend), Erica came in. I was so happy to finally meet her in person and I instantly loved her. We chatted for awhile and then Dirk finally finished my Bettie Banger piece which turned out beautifully. I was so happy and was immediately in love with my new ink. When we finished, Erica drove me back to my hotel.

That night, Dirk and Erica picked me up to go out and we went to the new “Wahlburgers” restaurant where I met one of Dirk’s friends who worked there who was very nice. The three of us sat the bar and had some yummy cocktails (and shots) and delicious food. I also showed my lovely Bettie off which everyone seemed to like, talked and compared stories with Erica about our men, had one of the bartenders talk to me about different psychobilly bands, and take photos. It was a really fun night and even with the 109 degree weather outside, I had an absolute blast with them. When they later dropped me off at my hotel, I fell asleep because I had an early flight back the next morning.

When I was dropped off at the airport in the morning I was really upset to learn that Southwest was still having a lot of problems and had canceled my flight home. I was able to get another one but into LAX which is not closest to where I live. On top of that, my flight was almost two hours late because of waiting for one of the flight attendants to arrive from another destination. The plane was so hot and uncomfortable that  I was glad it wasn’t a long flight. Finally when I touched down and arrived in Los Angeles and got my ride, I was so happy. It was so nice to get home after what felt like days in the airport.

Besides the airport problems I had, my mini trip to Las Vegas was a lot of fun and I was very happy I had gone out there. Getting my Bettie pinup girl and seeing and going out with my friends was definitely worth the trip. I can’t wait until Dirk and Erica come out to California next and hopefully they will get to meet my man and talk about getting him a new tattoo as well on our next Vegas vacation. A huge thank you again to Dirk!