What Bucket List Item Failed to Live Up to Expectations?

[cruisemom42]

58 minutes ago, ldubs said:

 

I'm impressed that Sig Vasari could write a glowing review after being dead for 30 years!  😄

 

[ontheweb]

10 hours ago, ldubs said:

 

I'm impressed that Sig Vasari could write a glowing review after being dead for 30 years!  😄

Tales from the Crypt?

[slidergirl]

Mona Lisa - the Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian of her time.  At least it wasn't a sex tape that made her "famous" 🙀

[cruiseny4life]

I know I'm taking the focus away from Europe and the Amazon with my post. Alas, I seem to be a contrarian...

 

I have one bucket list item that was underwhelming for me - though I argue with myself if it was a bucket list item or just a place to go on a western trip.

 

So, let's talk about Vegas. Has anyone actually left that city satisfied or happy? I'm not a gambler - I did try my hand at a Hold 'Em tournament when the Sahara was on the strip. $60 buy-in got me three hours of entertainment. I much prefer being mesmerized by the fountains at the Bellagio than anything else in sin city.

 

Vegas was a bucket list, because...well it's Vegas. A city in the desert: where no city should be. Thanks modern engineering! Anyway, I've now been to Vegas three times - each time I've left feeling depressed. Not because I lost money. Not because I was mugged. And not because I came away with some nasty disease. 

 

I'm disappointed and depressed due to the hollow eyes and forlorn dreams of those that seek a miracle in the city. It may be the grey haired ladies tapping the bet slot's bet button, hoping for the miracle of riches, only to sink it back into the same machine dreaming for more. Or the guy with a half chewed cigar hoping and praying his horse beats the other beaten thoroughbreds on the simulcast. 

 

My eyes then turn to those seeking to eek out a living in this oasis of a city. The workers that see the same man show up at the roulette table every evening, the housekeeper cleaning up the vomit in the tub for no tip, or those cleaning up last night's party. I cannot love a city where desire holds all the sway. 

 

Vegas is not a city of dreams and lights to me. It is a city of lost dreams. I've depressed myself just writing this. 

[herbanrenewal]

48 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

...

Vegas is not a city of dreams and lights to me. It is a city of lost dreams. I've depressed myself just writing this. 

I agree. I've always gone home with a empty feeling. Not just the gambling but the drinking, party-til-you-drop phony nature of the place. Its glitz without substance.

[mnocket]

5 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

I know I'm taking the focus away from Europe and the Amazon with my post. Alas, I seem to be a contrarian...

 

I have one bucket list item that was underwhelming for me - though I argue with myself if it was a bucket list item or just a place to go on a western trip.

 

So, let's talk about Vegas. Has anyone actually left that city satisfied or happy? I'm not a gambler - I did try my hand at a Hold 'Em tournament when the Sahara was on the strip. $60 buy-in got me three hours of entertainment. I much prefer being mesmerized by the fountains at the Bellagio than anything else in sin city.

 

Vegas was a bucket list, because...well it's Vegas. A city in the desert: where no city should be. Thanks modern engineering! Anyway, I've now been to Vegas three times - each time I've left feeling depressed. Not because I lost money. Not because I was mugged. And not because I came away with some nasty disease. 

 

I'm disappointed and depressed due to the hollow eyes and forlorn dreams of those that seek a miracle in the city. It may be the grey haired ladies tapping the bet slot's bet button, hoping for the miracle of riches, only to sink it back into the same machine dreaming for more. Or the guy with a half chewed cigar hoping and praying his horse beats the other beaten thoroughbreds on the simulcast. 

 

My eyes then turn to those seeking to eek out a living in this oasis of a city. The workers that see the same man show up at the roulette table every evening, the housekeeper cleaning up the vomit in the tub for no tip, or those cleaning up last night's party. I cannot love a city where desire holds all the sway. 

 

Vegas is not a city of dreams and lights to me. It is a city of lost dreams. I've depressed myself just writing this. 

Vegas is one of those places where you need to do what you enjoy.  Some enjoy gambling, some enjoy the shows, some enjoy the restaurants.  If none of these things appeal to someone, then Vegas is a place best skipped.  I can understand why some people love Vegas and I can also understand why some people hate Vegas.  It is certainly a place where fun can be had and dreams can be crushed.

[ldubs]

22 hours ago, mnocket said:

Vegas is one of those places where you need to do what you enjoy.  Some enjoy gambling, some enjoy the shows, some enjoy the restaurants.  If none of these things appeal to someone, then Vegas is a place best skipped.  I can understand why some people love Vegas and I can also understand why some people hate Vegas.  It is certainly a place where fun can be had and dreams can be crushed.

 

A few years ago after visiting the Grand Canyon we spent a night in Las Vegas.  It happened to be Halloween.  Holy Moly, it was like I was on another planet.  In a sense I guess I was.   

[ldubs]

Back to the topic.  Years ago on our way towards Yosemite, we drove by the perpetual motion machine in Planada California.   It wasn't in motion, so pretty disappointing.  

[donaldsc]

On 6/3/2022 at 6:40 AM, cruiseny4life said:

I know I'm taking the focus away from Europe and the Amazon with my post. Alas, I seem to be a contrarian...

 

I have one bucket list item that was underwhelming for me - though I argue with myself if it was a bucket list item or just a place to go on a western trip.

 

So, let's talk about Vegas. Has anyone actually left that city satisfied or happy? I'm not a gambler - I did try my hand at a Hold 'Em tournament when the Sahara was on the strip. $60 buy-in got me three hours of entertainment. I much prefer being mesmerized by the fountains at the Bellagio than anything else in sin city.

 

Vegas was a bucket list, because...well it's Vegas. A city in the desert: where no city should be. Thanks modern engineering! Anyway, I've now been to Vegas three times - each time I've left feeling depressed. Not because I lost money. Not because I was mugged. And not because I came away with some nasty disease. 

 

I'm disappointed and depressed due to the hollow eyes and forlorn dreams of those that seek a miracle in the city. It may be the grey haired ladies tapping the bet slot's bet button, hoping for the miracle of riches, only to sink it back into the same machine dreaming for more. Or the guy with a half chewed cigar hoping and praying his horse beats the other beaten thoroughbreds on the simulcast. 

 

My eyes then turn to those seeking to eek out a living in this oasis of a city. The workers that see the same man show up at the roulette table every evening, the housekeeper cleaning up the vomit in the tub for no tip, or those cleaning up last night's party. I cannot love a city where desire holds all the sway. 

 

Vegas is not a city of dreams and lights to me. It is a city of lost dreams. I've depressed myself just writing this. 

 

Did you go to Red Rock or Valley of Fire or Lake Mead and Hoover Dam?  Did you go to Death Valley.  Did you go any of the very interesting museums in Las Vegas?  Did you go to the Pinball Hall of Fame.

 

My point is that w a bit of research there are lots of interesting things in and near Vegas that don't involve ever entering a casino.

 

DON

[ilikeanswers]

On 5/31/2022 at 8:39 AM, cruisemom42 said:

 

Sorry, but I have to challenge that. This is one of those internet "tropes" that people read and believe.

 

The truth is that Leonardo's painting was highly regarded even in his lifetime and shortly thereafter. Other artists copied it directly, or copied his approach (the pose, the background).

 

Only 30 years after his death, the pre-eminent art critic and historian (actually he was probably the first modern art historian) Giorgio Vasari wrote in glowing detail about this specific painting. And what's more, he never even saw the painting at first-hand, but read about it in accounts from others praising it. (There is an earlier written source from a Spanish cardinal who visited da Vinci in France before his death, was apparently shown the Mona Lisa and two other paintings and declared them "Bellissimi....perfettissimi!"

 

So, no....not buying it that only its theft made it "famous".

 

I think when people say the Mona Lisa became famous after its theft they mean to the public conciousness not the art world. Prior to the theft outside of the industry few people had ever heard of the Mona Lisa, it wasn't the go to painting when visiting the Lourve or reproduced enough that people instantly knew what it looked like. In that respect the theft did make Mona Lisa famous in the way Star Wars is famous rather than critically acclaimed in the industry but never on anyones playlist famous 😂. 

On 6/3/2022 at 2:06 AM, slidergirl said:

Mona Lisa - the Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian of her time.  At least it wasn't a sex tape that made her "famous" 🙀

 

Paris and Kim are famous but I don't think many people know who Lisa del Giocondo is😂. 

[ilikeanswers]

22 hours ago, donaldsc said:

Did you go to Red Rock or Valley of Fire or Lake Mead and Hoover Dam?  Did you go to Death Valley.  Did you go any of the very interesting museums in Las Vegas?  Did you go to the Pinball Hall of Fame.

 

My point is that w a bit of research there are lots of interesting things in and near Vegas that don't involve ever entering a casino.

 

DON

 

I think sometimes places won't always agree with you despite what activities you partake in. It is something I experienced after my New York City trip. I did great things that I really enjoyed but overall it doesn't rate as my favourite place I have visited. IMO there is something intangible an overall vibe or atmosphere that can make you love, like or hate a place despite how much you research or do the things you enjoy. 

Edited June 5, 2022 by ilikeanswers

[cruisemom42]

15 minutes ago, ilikeanswers said:

Paris and Kim are famous but I don't think many people know who Lisa del Giocondo is😂. 

 

There has always been speculation about who the sitter for the portrait really was. A very good recent paper suggests that rather than being the wife of a Florentine merchant, it represents someone else entirely. 

 

....and then there are those who say it is a self-portrait of da Vinci -- in drag!

[ilikeanswers]

40 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

There has always been speculation about who the sitter for the portrait really was. A very good recent paper suggests that rather than being the wife of a Florentine merchant, it represents someone else entirely. 

 

....and then there are those who say it is a self-portrait of da Vinci -- in drag!

 

Based some of Leonardo's "anatomical research" drawings I would be very surprised if it was the last option😜. I really hope it is Lisa del Giocondo. The idea of the most famous female portrait being a nameless unknown woman to me would be sad☹️. 

[DarrenM]

3 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

There has always been speculation about who the sitter for the portrait really was. A very good recent paper suggests that rather than being the wife of a Florentine merchant, it represents someone else entirely. 

 

....and then there are those who say it is a self-portrait of da Vinci -- in drag!

If this is true he was an ugly fella then.

[mnocket]

4 hours ago, ilikeanswers said:

I think when people say the Mona Lisa became famous after its theft they mean to the public conciousness not the art world. Prior to the theft outside of the industry few people had ever heard of the Mona Lisa, it wasn't the go to painting when visiting the Lourve or reproduced enough that people instantly knew what it looked like. In that respect the theft did make Mona Lisa famous in the way Star Wars is famous rather than critically acclaimed in the industry but never on anyones playlist famous 😂. 

Thank You.  This is exactly what I meant when I said the Mona Lisa became famous after the theft.  

[rkacruiser]

4 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

There has always been speculation about who the sitter for the portrait really was. A very good recent paper suggests that rather than being the wife of a Florentine merchant, it represents someone else entirely. 

 

....and then there are those who say it is a self-portrait of da Vinci -- in drag!

 

I have read that and found what I read interesting. 

[ldubs]

I wonder how many of the expert's list of top 20 paintings would still be appealing to everyone if they were not worth a ton of money.  Just sayin.   

[cruisemom42]

1 hour ago, ldubs said:

I wonder how many of the expert's list of top 20 paintings would still be appealing to everyone if they were not worth a ton of money.  Just sayin.   

 

Do most people even have a list of top 20 paintings?  

 

Velvet Elvis doesn't count....

[ldubs]

Just now, cruisemom42 said:

 

Do most people even have a list of top 20 paintings?  

 

Velvet Elvis doesn't count....

 

The "experts" might have.   There are some paintings by artists of much renown that simply don't appeal to me, other than what I could sell them for.  To be fair, I am not an art devotee.   It is quite likely that I might find unappealing paintings by an artist without fully understanding their influence on the art world.  For me, Goya might be an example, IDK.   

 

BTW, Dogs Playing Poker is definitely on my personal list!  

[cruisemom42]

7 minutes ago, ldubs said:

BTW, Dogs Playing Poker is definitely on my personal list!

 

Oh my......er......ummm.......(puts down mouse and backs slowly away from computer.)

 

[ilikeanswers]

6 hours ago, ldubs said:

I wonder how many of the expert's list of top 20 paintings would still be appealing to everyone if they were not worth a ton of money.  Just sayin.   

 

Isn't it usually the opposite, the experts claim it is the best and the price magically goes up😜. 

[ilikeanswers]

4 hours ago, ldubs said:

BTW, Dogs Playing Poker is definitely on my personal list!  

 

One of those 18 paintings sold for $US658000 so they seem to be popular than people give them credit for. 

[cruiseny4life]

Thankfully I have seen my two favorite paintings...well, it's actually five. The first is Voyage of Life by Thomas Cole and the below painting by Monte Dolack. I know I don't have a fancy palate when it comes to paintings, but I was never one to spend a bunch of time in the Louvre - actually, I don't feel my life will be enhanced by even going there (gasp). 

 

So, my art bucket list is done - now take me back to Brookgreen Gardens in South Carolina and I'll wander those beautifully landscaped acres for days on end. 

 

 

[ldubs]

12 hours ago, ilikeanswers said:

 

Isn't it usually the opposite, the experts claim it is the best and the price magically goes up😜. 

 

Yes, that is likely true of just about anything.   And, those art experts on the cruise ships sure like push that concept!  😃

[ldubs]

12 hours ago, ilikeanswers said:

 

One of those 18 paintings sold for $US658000 so they seem to be popular than people give them credit for. 

 

I was selling a print of one at a garage sale years ago.  Maybe $5, I don't remember.  I tried to convince a young guy he needed to buy it while he was still single because once he was married it wouldn't probably end up in the closet.  His fiancé, who was there, agreed!  Sadly for me he had enough sense to not buy it.   😀