Category: Nightlife (Page 2 of 3)

Rich and Famous Lifestyle Comes With Consequences

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Most people would say that celebrities are blessed with fortune and fame, but are these two elements really all they’re cracked up to be?

The Downsides of Celebrity Status

According to a recent Huffington Post article, high-profile celebrities are faced with much more than just adoring fans and Hollywood red carpet events, as evident in the following examples:

1. Drug/Alcohol Dependency

“…Brush my teeth with a bottle of Jack, ’cause when I leave for the night, I ain’t coming back.”

Ah, the poetic song lyrics of celebrity train wreck, Ke$ha. Though her talent is comparable to that of an amoeba, fans worship her “live fast, die young” mantra, which happens all too often with high-profile celebs. The rich and famous lifestyle knows no bounds, particularly when it comes to substance abuse.

I’m all for a messy night out every now and again, but celebs’ constant access to a bevy of designer drugs/drinks will inevitably take its toll. Just look at all those who succumbed to the “27 club” as a prime example.

2. Security Measures

All the fame in the world can’t buy you peace of mind.

High-profilers are on constant watch of potential threats, from invasive paparazzi encounters to the obsessive fan base. Even with implemented security measures, celebs – and their families – are constantly at risk.

3. Tabloid Rumors/Gossip

Fame doesn’t pardon cruelty. An active face in the limelight guarantees hurtful, negative remarks from the peanut gallery. Such constant berating is likely to penetrate even the thickest of skin. While celebs rank high on the media’s pedestal hierarchy, they’re not exempt from the sting of biting words.

4. Bankruptcy

Money management is a major concern for high-profile entertainers, who often utilize poor, financial judgment. Over the years, top-paid celebrities have been forced to file for bankruptcy as their savings depleted faster than their sales.

*Both fame and financial successes are noteworthy achievements, but they still come with costs. The limelight doesn’t just showcase beauty and talent; it can also extract the negative aspects induced by a high-profiler lifestyle.

Entertainment money pours back into Las Vegas

Las Vegas is still having some issues following the economic crisis of 2008. Things have changed a lot in the city, and as a result we saw a collapse in the local real estate market. While visitor numbers are creeping up, gambling receipts are still a problem as Macau attracts so many of the world’s high rollers.

You wouldn’t be able to guess, however, if you pay attention to the shows and the nightclubs. Celine Dion just signed a $100 million extension with Caesars. and now there is speculation that Britney Spears could easily top that figure if she completes a deal as well.

Meanwhile, the biggest, newest casinos are killing it. Places like Aria and the Cosmopolitan are packed with the beautiful people, while the hottest clubs are packing them in again.

So Las Vegas continues to evolve. It still attracts the big time poker players, so it’s a mecca for that sport. As more people play online, it just creates more and more players who want to test their skills in person against the best in Las Vegas. If the feds ever get their act together and set up a federal regulatory system for online poker, the popularity will probably explode even more, and that’s very good for Vegas.

The key, of course, is dealing with all the distractions when you get there. Of course we all want to live like a high roller, but living that life has its costs. The booze, the women and the all-night parties make it a lot harder to be effective at the poker table for long stretches of time.

So the real key is discipline. Are you serious about being a winning poker player, or are you more concerned with bringing a hot babe to the Britney Spears concert? These are the choices you have to make. Win first, and then enjoy the festivities.

NYE Celebrations: Is Bigger Really Better?

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New Year’s Eve is one of the most celebrated days of the year. People from all over the world gather around bars, TV sets and city streets to honor the end of one twelve-month chapter, and embrace the prospect of a new one. Resolutions are made, drinks are spilled and loved ones are nearby as “Happy New Year!” is chimed across countless time zones, and in even more languages.

When it comes to NYE celebrations, many party-goers define their upcoming year in accordance to their celebrations, but I can’t help but wonder: does a big blowout really equate to a bigger and better year?

For the fortunate millionaires equipped with a fortune, New Year’s Eve is the night to ring in yet another year of prosperity. Take L.A.’s “The Bazaar,” for example. A NYE event hosted at this premium nightclub offers entry at a minimum of $250.00. For the Big Kahuna treatment at this year’s “Spanish Masquerade” NYE theme, amenities including private dining, a lavish buffet, one pound of caviar and endless cocktails are available for a whopping $15,000 for one evening. While the extravagance is hard to ignore, I’m skeptical to believe that 16oz. of caviar consumption is ever really necessary in any setting.

Then you have average income folks like myself. For the mid-twenties’ Joe Schmoe, New Year’s Eve is celebrated with a nominal pub fee and cheap shots taken at the stroke of midnight. Some opt for venues that are easy on the wallet and effective by the tipple, while others settle at home with cheap-and-cheerful boxed wine and noisemakers.

To conserve my post-Christmas bank depletion, I’ve planned a NYE Netflix date with my Pomeranian and two bottles of Pinot Noir.  While I’d never turn down an opportunity to celebrate NYE in the French Riviera, I’m quite content with this year’s low-key simplicity. I tip my hats to the billionaires and their boat parties, but I have a humbling evening of Twilight Zone episodes to enjoy; an inexpensive evening far more satisfying than any thousand scoops of caviar.

VIP lounge at new Horseshoe Casino in Cleveland

Here’s a photo of the new VIP lounge at the new Horseshoe Casino in Cleveland. Bullz-Eye.com has a review of the new Cleveland casino that is located in the heart of downtown. There are plenty of perks for high rollers, so if you’re in Cleveland make sure to check it out!

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