SOME UPDATES

Lots of milestones since I posted last year. I mentioned that my oldest daughter was starting College and my son was entering his last year of high school. Well. Olivia is now in her Sophomore year at Reno and my son decided to stay in town and is attending CCSN. We are very proud of their accomplishments while the triplets will be turning 7 next week. They are of course in first grade and looking forward to celebrate their birthday in Disneyland. A tradition going back to when they were 2.

Work is keeping both Melissa and I busy. 

My brother in law will be fighting in a boxing/MMA event next week too. Something he embarked on about a year ago when he decided to join a specialty Gym to just get back in shape. I wish him well.

Las Vegas, Sunday October First

Today we woke up to very bad news. Not personal but for our city. As usual I woke up about 5:30 in the morning on Monday. First part of the day involves opening phone to look at time and the News app. Maybe I'm still dreaming of something awful but my dog scratching at the door to be let back in tells me that it is Monday morning and Social media and news are exploding about 50 people being shot by someone from a high floor at The Mandalay Bay Casino.

This individual shot at a crowd attending a country music concert so he pretty much discharged his weapon at will into the crowd while people were huddled and hiding since none wear sure were bullets we're coming from. Outdoor concerts tend to set up glaring lights shining onto the crowd and some others onto the opposite side of the stage, so it's hard to make anything out past the lights. I saw a video on Facebook and all I could see was people huddled on ground. I wondered why they were just there instead of running or getting to a safe place. This was outdoors so there was nowhere to run. Surrounded by fencing and with only the stage to offer some form of protection, people were at the Merck of the shooter.

First thing you wonder is, Do I know anyone there? The only way to find out of course was through social media. I used to work at Mandalay Bay, MGM and Tropicana, so a lot of my contacts were posting the previous night as shooting was happening. 

It started with establishments being locked down where no one could leave or enter. Staff and people didn't know what was going on other than by whatever was being shared on social media. Eventually the whole picture emerged.

Our people responded with open arms to all those hurt and everyone united for a common cause. These episodes of unity only happen after this kind of tragedy and this time it was our turn.

I have heard of some acquaintances who knew someone who died in this incident. Only one of my fellow coworkers suffered some fractures, probably while people were rushing to escape. H is alright and checked out of hospital on same day.

All of us who were not affected by it are grateful of course. As we all get back to our routine we notice that tragedies will continue to happen, particularly in our second amendment loving country. Rare to see this in other countries as often or in these numbers.

Hopefully Some form of legislation will pass to curtail these type of incidents. Who knows, it's happened before without much change.