And we're back!!!

 The 'rona tried to keep us down, but we're coming back for one last STBE. STBE 20 (in 2021) will be July 30-August 2. Some of us are coming in early, so we got a cabana at Biff's for Friday. Saturday will feature a cabana at Downtown Grand and a steak dinner high atop Binion's. Sunday will be champagne brunch and some other fun excursion (maybe Top Golf).

And we're still too lazy for theme nights. Friday is Mommie Dearest, Saturday is Golden Girls, and Sunday is our traditional STBE shirt day. All themes are now carried out via t-shirt.

We're too lazy for theme nights

So last year it was so hot that we ditched out on Sister Act night. Our cat theme night mostly consisted of silly cat t-shirts, and our third theme night has been our STBE shirts for a few years now, so we decided this year, it's gonna be all about t-shirts. Bring your favorite STBE shirts from years past, and the third night will be our Time to Shine shirts. Boom. Roasted.

I'll eventually get around to updating STBE.org

We're staying at the Golden Nugget this year, getting a cabana on Friday at the Downtown Grand, and doing our fancy steak dinner at the Binion's steakhouse.

Also, we're milking these next few years for all their worth. Last year was the 18th annual STBE, this year is STBE's 18th birthday. Next year will be the 20th annual STBE, and the following year will be the 20th anniversary. The following year, STBE will turn 21!

Can you believe we've been doing this for so long?

Anyhoo, don't miss out, as these next few years are all going to be milestones in the history of STBE!!!

Oh yeah, since we're all old people now, theme nights are basically t-shirts. Nuns are moving to Reno.

We fancy

Alert! Alert! We're booking a cabana for Friday at STBE!

Also happening: Binion's Steakhouse!

STBE swag preview

We've ordered the shirts. I was able to get such a good deal that I went ahead and ordered extras for people who need a little bit more time to make a decision on the trip.

I also ordered these beauties to go along with the shirts.

STBE 2018 planning is underway!!!

I've updated the home page, hotels page, and FAQ page. Theme nights this year will be Sister Act and Crazy Cat People. We've decided that Sundays are brunch and STBE t-shirts from now on. We're getting older, what can we say?

We'll be staying at Downtown Grand, and as always, bonus night the Thursday before it starts. Dates are at stbe.org.

If you didn't get an evite, email me. You know where to find me. This year, we took into account past attendance and other assorted measurements of interest in the trip, so the guest list is slightly smaller. We're open to expanding, so don't be offended if you weren't on the original list.

How is this my first post about STBE 2017?

I'm a lot busier now that I've got more responsibilities at work, I guess!

Anyhoo, I've finally updated the website with theme nights for this year's trip. And in case you don't want to go there, here they are:

Friday: Snowbirds
Saturday: Sister Act
Sunday: T-shirts at champagne brunch

Meet the Sands

I finally convinced Ryan to walk into this place last year, and we had a blast at the $5 blackjack tables. Well, until Ryan said, "Oooooooooooooooooh! Piña coladas!!!

Anyhoo, looks like they have some interesting packages, including a bucket of beer and food credits. 

https://sandsregency.com/

Halfway STBE 2017 dates are set!

Can you believe it's our fifth annual Halfway STBE already? It is! Jessie, Ryan, and I chose the dates at Jose Cuervo's Tequilaria (as is tradition) at the conclusion of STBE 16, and we decided on February 10-12, 2017.

I know we'll at least be flying back, and I sure hope we take the train in on Friday again, as it's always a good time. More details to come.

STBE Staple closing

Sorry, folks, no more fried twinkies and endless slot-side drinks. Mermaids closed, along with La Bayou and Glitter Gulch (how did we never put together that Glitter Gulch was associated with those fine establishments? It makes sense, doesn't it?).

Theme nights!

We decided on STBE 2016 theme nights a while ago. I haven't updated the website, but I can tell you that Sister Act night was such a hit last year that we're doing it again and will rotate annualy with Red Hat Ladies. We were also inspired by a deep v-neck pantsuit worn at Jessie's wedding that we'll be doing pantsuits as a theme night. For the third night, we'll just wear our annual STBE t-shirts. This year's shirt will likely feature a fictional be-mulleted 80's stand-up comic we've named Loretta Stone (she'll also teach you another language at a discount). A couple years ago, we were too tired by Sunday to even properly pull off mumus. If we can't pull off mumus, it's a problem. Last year, we wore Hawaiian shirts with sweet patches and it was pretty awesome.

STBE 16 dates and location are set!!!

STBE 2016 (the 15th anniversary) is September 9-12. Since Main Street Station was sold out, we're returning to the Golden Nugget!

One thing we're giving up is the ability to roll up to the pool with a cooler full of beer, but apparently the Main Street hotel (actually at the California) sat on the surface of the sun. I guess we can deal with annoying children and having to sneak beers in under a caftan in order to hang out at a classy pool. And maybe Ryan can win enough money in a poker tournament to get us a cabana again!

Sister Act night

If you're like me and haven't bought your nun costume yet, a way to make it cheaper is to use a graduation gown (if you already have one lying around). Instead of buying the entire outfit, you can either make or buy a collar and headpiece. The collar and headpiece can be found for less than $10 on eBay. Or you could always go the "sexy nun" route, which apparently is more common than I thought. Seriously, type in "nun costume" on eBay and marvel at the selection of slutty nun costumes.

Brewery tour?

Apparently, there's a brewery at the end of Fremont Street (other than the one at our hotel) that offers free tours.

Since there will be a few of us waiting around for later arrivals on Friday, is anyone interested? This will serve as a test to see who reads the blog, haha.

The Ninth Island: Las Vegas’ Polynesian experiences aren’t just for Hawaiians - Las Vegas Magazine

The Ninth Island: Las Vegas’ Polynesian experiences aren’t just for Hawaiians - Las Vegas Magazine

Theme nights!!!

Theme nights are set!

Friday: Sister Act

Saturday: Red Hat Ladies

Sunday: Aloha, California!

Main Street Station pool info

The pool is located at the California (there's a skyway that crosses the street, so we don't need to leave to access the pool). I've read some reviews and it seems to be a no-frills rooftop pool, but you're allowed to bring a cooler as long as it's not filled with glass bottles. There is pool furniture that is first come, first served, and there are no cabanas.

If I recall correctly, we had a perfectly awesome time at the Binion's rooftop pool where we brought out a cooler of Bud Light, so this sounds OK for our group. Plus, we'll save a ton on drinks and won't have to sneak them like we did last year.

Bay Area STBE Committee is flying in early

Well, at least some of us are. Last year, we flew in on Thursday night and Ryan had arranged a limo for us. Then Mike was waiting at the airport with champagne!

This could turn into a classy affair, so if you want to join us, we'll be arriving in Vegas at 10:30pm the night before the official festivities begin.

Oh, and Ryan's not allowed near the Denny's. It's in writing now.

hotel discounts

I booked Thurs-Mon at Main Street Station (a group of us is flying in early to save on flights and avoid Friday traveling crowds), and after taxes it was less than $45 a night.

Search around to see if you have your slot card (we signed up for them to save money on the Fremont buffet) - it's called B Connected. If you find it, you can set up an online profile with it and book rooms at a discount. It was an $11 discount on Thurs/Sun and a $15 discount on the two weekend nights. Prices were good for a deluxe room, one king or two queens.

If you can't find it, I imagine you can call the hotel and ask them to look up your account. Once you have your account number, you can set it up (or if you're already on the phone, you can probably just book there). Best part? You only have to put down a deposit for the first night.

STBE 15 dates are set!!!

The FIFTEENTH Annual Sugar Twins Birthday Extravaganza will be Friday, August 14, 2015 - Monday, August 17, 2015 at Main Street Station in Downtown Las Vegas!!!

I'll try to update the blog regularly!