Posts Tagged ‘Las Vegas’

One of My Favorite Places to Visit in Las Vegas is the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens located in the Bellagio Hotel just to the right of the check-in desk.  It is truly an inspiring and breathtaking experience.  What’s even better is it doesn’t cost a dime; not to mention that is a wonderful refuge from the chaos of casino smoke and action.

Upon entering the gardens one is lifted up into a whole new realm of awareness and aesthetics.  You are greeted by the brilliance of flowers, rays of light, the sound of running water, the amazing aromas, the sounds of birds and the oohs and ahhs of the guests as they take it all it.  One cannot help but be captivated by the beauty and the awesomeness the themed displays that change with each season and/or holidays.

The whole garden is surrounded by such a stunning architectural presence from hand-laid tile floors to luminous skylights that it’s almost hard to believe that it’s there.  This is Vegas after all LOL

I find this architectural environment liberating and a renaissance of beauty and art.  It is visually stunning in everyway.  A big Thank You to the incredible designers and workers who create these magical gardens every season.

The most recent theme for the 4^th of July consisted of a huge ferris wheel, the Liberty Bell with an American Eagle perched on top, a carousel / merry-go-round, incredible flowers, water displays and a walk-in cage with live parrots.  Don’t forget to check out Yogi and Boo-Boo as they prepare to fish in the koi pond.

One of My Favorite Places to Visit and every time I go to Las Vegas I always stop by.  As I was leaving I couldn’t help saying: “Bella Bellagio”.

SACRED GIFT by Vladimir Kush

Sacred Gift – Last week my friend Skip and I were in Las Vegas.  We had an incredibly relaxing week thanks to the Qua Spa at Caesars Palace.  We were just getting ready to Leave Las Vegas, but, unlike Nicolas Cage in the film Leaving Las Vegas LOL, when Kush Fine Art Gallery consultant Karyn Anderson called.  “Vladimir Kush is painting down at the Caesars Palace Kush Fine Art Gallery, come on down.”

Many of you have seen my blog Meet the new Salvador Dali and were touched by the incredibly luminous and inspirational art of Vladimir Kush.  I figured I might not have another chance to meet this master fine artist.  So, I twisted Skip’s arm a little and said, “Hey we gotta go see my favorite artist!”  Talk about a golden opportunity!  Actually to me it was more like a Sacred Gift.

Sebastian St. George and Vladimir Kush

Sacred Gift – Vladimir’s art has truly inspired me, so much so that I have become an avid patron of his work.  I found him to be a delightful and playful person; just like his paintings.  One of the things I love most about Vladimir’s work is that it is intuitive, expansive and touches on many subjects much like Luminous ROC.  I love the fact that Vladimir likes to paint about anything, as I love to write about anything.

Vladimir and Sebastian in front of Awakenings

It’s funny one of Vladimir’s friends came up and mentioned that he thought Vladimir and I were brothers.  We bonded and had a great time talking allegory, hidden signs and symbols, Polynesian mythology and the metaphorical journey of his work.

Vladimir has fun embellishing "City by The Sea"

Vladimir and I are standing in front of his painting “City by the Sea.”  He called it “The Squid” as he was embellishing one of the 88 numbered giclee prints.  The inspiration for the painting came to him as he was flying into San Francisco.  The painting reminds me of James Cameron’s “The Abyss.”  It’s spectacular to me in every way.

I felt very fortunate for the opportunity to watch him paint the final details of his new huge panoramic painting “Awakenings.”  To be able to spend some time with Vladimir Kush and talk with him, to me, that was a Sacred Gift.

If you are interested in finding out more about Vladimir’s art work you can contact Karyn Anderson at the Las Vegas Kush Fine Art Gallery:  Karyn@vladimirkush.com  or cell 775-997-8700  Mention Sebastian, she’ll take care of you.  Karyn Rocks!

“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind
is a faithful servant. We have created a society
that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.”
— Albert Einstein

It’s time to get Pete Rose back into baseball!  For several years, one of my hopes has been to be able to sit down with Pete Rose and thank him for all the great fun, thrills and spectacular excitement that has given me and the other fans in the game of baseball.  One of my fondest baseball memories of the 70′s is that of the Big Red Machine and how they ruled the National League from 1970 to 1976.  It was simply amazing to watch true real talent without steroids!

I was in Las Vegas about 18 months ago walking through the Caesars Palace Forum Shops when I spied a line of people outside a sports shop.  I got closer for a look-see and there he was:  Pete Rose signing pictures and talking with fans who sat down with him.

I know what you’re gonna say; “Well, you know, he gets a percentage of what’s being taken in on account of him being there.”  Yes he does and he should!  The Sports Shop gave me a choice of pictures and a frame and I jumped in the long line. Finally, here I was, sitting with Pete Rose and I did it.  I thanked him.  He wrote a line, “Gregg, a great fan.  Pete Rose.”  I walked away on cloud nine.  But I couldn’t stop thinking: “Wow, how great it would be to see him in baseball again.”

I strongly feel, as many others do as well, that Pete Rose should be allowed back in baseball.  The Commissioner of Baseball Bud Selig needs to cut Pete some slack.  It’s been 22 years for God’s sake.  He’s paid for his sins. Actually, he’s more than paid for being in his prison without bars. Come on Bud, cut him some slack.  Pete Rose needs to be on the baseball field.

Why? Pete has just turned 70, but he still has a lot to give to the game, the players and the fans.  He needs Us and we need him.  If you haven’t noticed for the last 22 years, since Pete has been gone from baseball, the game has been stuck in its darkest years of its of history.  I strongly feel we should give him the opportunity to spark us again.  I believe the game, the fans and the players need what he has to offer.  After all, Pete is the spirit of baseball; he is the muse of the game.  Charlie Hustle has the vigor, the drive and the passion that has long been lost in the game.

Outta of my way! Here comes Charlie Hustle!

There is a lot of criticism of Rose: what he’s done blah blah blah.  Not that I’m trying to downplay that but I just feel we need to bring closure to these dark steroidal driven years of baseball.  What Pete did pales in comparison to the last 22 years of steroid record book keeping.  Let’s be real, most of those home-run stats are worthless.  Pete Rose is the genuine article.  He has never been anyone else but himself, warts and all.  What you see is what you got with Pete and unlike many of the players of the last 22 years, Pete earned everyone one of his 4,256 hits.

It was great to meet him in Las Vegas, but, it would be so much better for this fan to see him on the field, in the dugout and involved in the game again… full-time.  Come on Mr. Selig… what do you say?