The Palms threw their Stuff magazine weekend the past few days, and I finally managed to check out one of their events. Sure, I wanted to see the VIPs and score free booze, but my main goal was to take advantage of my 2-person VIP status and score a couple of Gene’s new chips.

Overall, it was a disappointment. There was a lot going on in Vegas this weekend (Springsteen show, rumors of a possible Bruce show at the Hard Rock, Eminem ,etc) so the only thing I made it to at the Palms was the final party at Rain. I picked up my 2 VIP laminated passes and elbowed my way to the door of the club, then elbowed my way to the VIP room, only to find that the booze ain’t free unless you drink Sky vodka. OK, we can drink Sky, but that first round cost me $25 bucks. The party was cool, but I’ve been to Rain, and it’s a bit too meat-market for me. Very hip, and very chic, and a must-see on your first trip to Vegas if you like dance clubs, but not enough to keep my attention for more than an hour or two, even with free vodka. Nor did I see any of the VIP guests, despite being in the VIP room. Heck, for a glimpse of Carmen Electra, I’ll hang out anywhere. But I didn’t see her.

OK, onto the chips. Gene says something like 1200 of them went to guests of Stuff (feel free to correct me Gene). Well I was a guest of Stuff – but I didn’t get one. I’d love to know how they were handed out. When I didn’t get mine for free, I figured I’d get a few at the cage. Fortunately, they were able to dig me up exactly one. Sounds like a hot chip to score, and I’m glad I have one. Personally, I like the artwork a lot, and my wife LOVES it. I’ve heard some people complain about the preliminary designs, but I think they did good.

All-in-all: free booze, a paid-for cool ship, and the chance to see half naked drunk non-celebrity women . Not bad, but not what I’d been hoping for.

Oh well, off to bed.

If anyone knows whether Bruce jammed at the Hard Rock pool party tonight, please let me know, I had to bail on it.