12 years, 8 months, 4 days

Monday, Jan. 3, 1994, my first day working at the Las Vegas Hilton. I was actually hired at the end of 1993 but they thought it would be best to wait until after New Year's to start training. When I first started it was a big change from my sports editor job at the Key West Citizen. I used to be a big fish in a small pond, now it was the opposite. But I adjusted, turned into an avid runner, lost 75 pounds, bought a condo and was diagnosed with diabetes. A lifetime in 12 1/2 years. Everything but a wife and a family. But I had a loving family both inside and outside the Hilton.

Monday, Aug. 7, 2006, my last day at the Hilton. Where does the time go? It seems like only yesterday I started this job as a ticket writer and later an admin operator. Some co-workers like Katherine Mannix, Brian Moriarity and Ramon White have died and so many others have moved on. Art Manteris, Carolyn Evely and Tony Miller to Red Rock, Chuck Esposito and Kathy Bowman to Caesars, Doug Beil to Terribles, Cyril Burger to the Flamingo, Frank who I got Haven from to the Barbary Coast and beyond, there's so many that have left the Hilton and moved on and now it's my turn.

But today there was no sadness, no tears shed, not a moment of doubt or regret, Only peace and joy. That's not to say there weren't a few heart-felt goodbyes. Hugs from Rosemary, the office manager who used to replace me at 5 am when I had the graveyard 9pm-5am shift in 1995, and from Mary Padilla, who exchanged so many books and I was happy to introduce to authors John D. MacDonald and Carl Hiassen. Sincere handshakes from Mike Dindia, my 12-yr control room buddy and Mike Overend who admitted we'd had good times and bad but said I wasn't all bad because I was a Springsteen and a hockey fan. There were many others who wished me good luck. Some I had only known for a week or two but that's the nature of the business. How did I ever last 12 years?

There was no gold watch or going away party. That's just as well and speaks for the current management. In the past many people who had served less time had going away parties but those parties were funded by employees who were no longer here, not the Hilton. Hell, I was only at the Key West Citizen for 7 yrs and they threw a big bash for me. But this new corporation takes away liberties, privileges, flex days offs and does not deal fairly with its employees so it was time to make a break.

Fortunately, Terribles Casino saw fit to invite me to a Pool Party after my last day was done, so with my long-time friend Lynda Collins, who had known me from a personal and business side at the Hilton, we celebrated under a nearly full moon with live music and complimentary refreshments poolside.

Now I must get a good nights rest to start the next chapter at CBS beginning tomorrow morning.

I proceeded on... 

"Let us try to recognize the precious nature of each day."

--THE 14TH DALAI LAMA