cold turkey

thanksgiving in vegas. now that's rich. the intersection of family values and legalized gambling & prostitution. i wonder what the traditional routine is. after saying grace and breaking bread with the family does dad saunter over to the crazy horse for some light ("hard") entertainment? while mom blows junior's lunch money on slots at the tropicana? while junior retires to an evening of playstation "grand theft auto" and impure thoughts about 15-yo jennie who dirty talks to her boyfriend while babysitting?

fyi folks, nevada is a "red" state.

straight drivers only need apply

inane observation on the road to vegas: exactly how does one obtain the "oversize load" driver gig? to the uninformed, there are individuals who operate a standard-sized car that trails extra-wide trucks with a sign appended that indicates "OVERSIZE LOAD", a very helpful reminder to those of us who are otherwise inclined to tailgate 20-ton 18-wheelers as a matter of course.

is it a fulltime position--does every shipping company have a specific "oversize load" driver? are they truck-driving school dropouts? do they lack the self-awareness gene that occasions the onset of pride, vanity, and shame in the rest of us, when they regale others about their chosen profession, or when they're alone with their thoughts cruising down I-5 at 55.3MPH?