What happens in Vegas...

It's been almost 22 years since I graduated from Arizona State University.

A simple time with no rules or restrictions. When life's problems could be solved with a hearty "YEAH" screamed at just the right time.

Each year since the pomp and circumstance, a group of friends has gathered together at various points around the country to tell stories and relive our youth for a couple of days.

And each year, the weekend has carried a greater toll.

I'm not an old man, but then again, I'm not 21 anymore.

That's a fact my wife Lori enjoys pointing out every once in a while.

For the past five years, my buds and I have descended on Las Vegas for a couple days of golf, gambling and what not. (Let's leave it at that)

This year's expedition landed us at the Luxor and thanks to an early reservation and low occupancy, my best friend Dave and I got bumped up to a suite on the 30th floor.

Livin' large, baby!!

We began with a pre-tournament reception for 15 guys, followed up by tickets to see "Linkin Park" at the Joint inside the Hard Rock Casino.

The Desert Pines Golf Club (beautiful course) played host to our golf outing this year with a trip to the Orleans to see the Condors BEAT Las Vegas.

By Saturday night, it felt like Monday morning.

An old college friend who's stationed at Nellis AFB drove down to Vegas to see Dave and I on Saturday night and thanks to his connections, got us into "LAX" inside Luxor.

This is where I really started to feel old.

A large gathering of good looking young people standing around paying premium drink prices to stare at each other.

We hung out for about an hour, did our share of looking, then retreated to the casino for a little more privacy.

It was after we left that we heard Paris Hilton had shown up to tell everyone the club was "HOT".

A couple of young ladies standing near the craps table squealed with delight.

I didn't have the energy for a hearty "YEAH". Then again, she's not worth it.

Maybe next year.