The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace.
I've become accustom to receiving and filling requests for photos of poker tournaments, players, Las Vegas, whatever...providing I have the time. I locate, prepare and send off many of these requests at no charge to the user. They go out under our Creative Commons License requiring only the inclusion of our predetermined credit line and remaining within the rules of the CC license agreement. Basically, this means I don't sell the images, but do provide them to the community at large based on need and usually without fees. Often I give away 8x10 prints to total strangers for nothing more than the good will it generates for the poker media community as a whole.
I've received some criticism that my "photo business model" precludes making a profit, often costing money. But, isn't sharing one of the prime elements of being a blogger? Isn't that what we do, share our opinions, knowledge, emotions, experiences, sometimes baring our soul and anything else we deem may have value to someone. As a niche community we have taken on the appearance of some of the current groups that have ancient beginnings, starting out as a loosely organized community of people with similar interests. Through networking (read linking) and interacting, the needs of peers are filled from within, we generally work at sharing ourselves and sometimes our resources.
The Fashion Show Mall sits under the big aluminum 'cloud' on the las Vegas Strip.
The Poker Prof has been researching and writing a White Paper that will attempt to define and organize the contemporary poker blogging community. What originally began as a rather modest effort to categorize poker blogging has become a major task with considerable research, collating, editing and updating of material from a community that is best described as fluid. A constant state of flux that redefines and rebuilds the collective. That's one of the things I like best about blogging. I have a voice that can influence the architecture for the future.
Las Vegas is a great spot for photographers like this Rockwell scene at the Mirage Resort.
We are the pioneers of this virtual world, boldly moving into the unexplored regions, staking our claims for a piece of this digital real estate. Applying good business acumens, forging alliances, acquiring contributing partners and all the while never forgetting that this is a new world with new rules, a world that produces people whom are rich, well connected and powerful. This new virtual world has already produced the richest individual in the world and many more that are true movers and shakers in the real world, so decide what you want to be and go get it. I don't think there's ever been so much opportunity available for the taking. A digital version of the old land rush days when this country was becoming settled. The Prof hopes to have the paper completed soon.
Now you know why I usually give away photos for a link, a link that's really a sign pointing the way to my piece of this new world. I've included some photos of real world Las Vegas businesses that don't give away anything.
Fremont Street Experience puts on a patriotic look.
Now for something a little different. The recent trip to East Texas was an enlightening experience about life outside of Vegas. I've forgotten about the inconvenience of having restaurants close at dark and driving without any visible landmarks to use as navigation aids and being greeted like a long lost relative by total strangers in line at the grocery store. Mention you live in Las Vegas and you're an instant friend.
East Texans are passionate about politics and don't mind sharing an opinion or two about the country and the world in general. From my very un-scientific opinion poll they believe the country is in worse shape than at any time in their lives and they also believe America's image has suffered irreparable harm. They don't appear to drive as many foreign vehicles as I am accustom to seeing in Las Vegas, instead, preferring full size American made iron. There are also certain things everyone in East Texas knows so I've made a list of these facts. This weeks Nines List...
Top nine things every East Texan knows for a fact.
9. Every destination has a shortcut that includes a section of dirt road.
8. Never ask a group for driving directions. They will argue among themselves for a half hour about the best way to get to a place that is four blocks straight down the road.
7. People from New York talk real funny.
6. Texas Hold'em is a card game that's somehow about Texas.
5. Vegetarians are people that eat bacon instead of meat.
4. Speed Limit signs are only suggestions.
3. Dr. Pepper outsells Coke because it just 'flat' tastes better.
2. The best poker player in the world is a guy that looks like Jesse James and calls himself Jesus.
1. Armadillos are born dead alongside the road.
Hermes located at the Bellagio on the fabulous Las Vegas Strip.
