Unfairly young/talented author Kevin Roose wrote one of the best books of 2009--this according to Barnes & Noble and Las Vegas Weekly. It's called, "The Unlikely Disciple" and it's about the author's time at the ultra-religious Liberty University.

Well, here's what Mr. Roose had to say about my upcoming book, Fool Me Once:

"Rick Lax embedded himself with Vegas's most notorious magicians, call girls, and wheeler-dealers and emerged with a funny and fascinating cautionary tale for the rest of us. Anyone who's ever been scammed, bluffed, or lied to should read Fool Me Once."

Thanks for the kind words, Kevin!

Jim Steinmeyer is the top illusion creator in the world. He’s designed and consulted for David Copperfield, Lance Burton, Ricky Jay, and the Walt Disney Company. If you’ve seen a stage magician perform in the last 20 years, you’ve probably seen a couple of steinmeyer’s tricks.

Here’s what Mr. Steinmeyer has to say about my upcoming book Fool Me Once: Hustlers, Hookers, Headliners and How Not to Get Screwed in Vegas:

"Rick Lax has written a wry, laugh-out-loud love letter to the world of deception. And we get to read it. It's a great book."

Hi, Gang. 

I started a new blog on Las Vegas Weekly.com. It's called Cleverboy, and you can read it by clicking RIGHT HERE, or HERE, if you would prefer. The choice is yours and yours alone. 

-Ricky

I spend a lot of my time in bookstore cafes, and over the past few years, I've noticed that the most frequent topic of conversation is Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP). I think the topic is fascinating....but for a different reason than everybody else: I think it's fascinating because for the life of me I can't figure out whether NLP is bogus or not. 

I suspect that it's rooted in truths and that the claims are exaggerated after that. But here's my big question: if NLP supposedly gives you such advantages in life (i.e., the ability to control people's thoughts and decisions), then why are so many people NLP proponents I meet aimless, directionless, unemployed "businessmen"/"entrepreneurs"?

NOTES FROM MY WYNN STAYCATION

3:30PM: As I type this, I’m wearing a bathrobe, which, according to its label, was designed specifically for the guests of Wynn Las Vegas. Behind me is a flat-screen TV showing a montage of nature photographs and playing “Clair de Lune.” I’m 52 stories up, and I’m peering over the top of my laptop at the Wynn golf course. Intellectually, I knew the course was big, but didn’t really understand how big it was until this moment. It’s huge.

2:OOAM: I’m sitting in the parasol Up bar. I’m drinking a “Pear-A-Sol,” a cocktail that combines Absolut Pear Vodka with pear liqueur and pear puree. I really like pears, so the drink works for me. Now I’m drinking an Acai & Kiwi Smash (kiwi vodka, acai liqueur, agave nectar). And now I’m doing a shot of tequila, Granny Sour Apple Schnapps, and Goldschlager. And now I’m doing a shot of Grand Marnier 150 Year Anniversary.

If you want to read about the rest of my calorie-packed staycation, you can do so by clicking HERE.

I have no clue why I waited so long to get Netflix. Worst mistake of my life—waiting so long. I’ve already watched movies about extraterrestrial ghettos, Japanese schoolchildren killing competitions, and tiger thefts…and I’m still on my free trial membership. Life changing.

When I told the worker at Blockbuster that I just got Netflix he admitted to me that he got Netflix too. 

This is a photo of the lobby of Aria on opening night, right after they let the public in. Before they did, they had a private opening gala. You can read my notes from the Aria opening gala by clicking HERE.

I haven't been kicked out of a club...yet. But I've seen it happen a lot of times. Sometimes I agree with the kick out, other times I don't. I wrote a story about the 'real' reason people get kicked out of clubs, and you can read it by clicking HERE.

PS, thanks to my fantastic friend Sheena for posing for the picture!