CONTESTS | VIVA LAS VEGAS, TAKE TWO

I knew the Las Vegas Sweepstakes Lady wouldn't call back. So, over the weekend, I trolled for contests for trips to Sin City. I ended up entering these two.

3 DAY/2 NIGHT LAS VEGAS TRIP FOR OSCAR DE LA HOY FIGHT (IF IT’S BEEN CLEARED WITH OSCAR, THAT IS. SEE BELOW.)

To Enter: www.gqconnects.com
(The icon is to the right, under Sweepstakes. It's the first one: "Step-it-up on Cinco de Mayo.")

Deadline: March 31, 2006

The Ineligibles: Residents of California, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and other U.S. possessions (e.g., Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands).

Dates of Travel: Cinco de Mayo Weekend (May 5)

ARV (Approximate Retail Value): $4,500

If I won this, I’d scalp the tickets to the fight and see another show. But get this: The official rules for this sweepstakes, co-sponsored by GQ Magazine and Remy Martin, contain an interesting editorial question. I’ve cut and pasted it saw you can see it for yourself.

OFFICIAL RULES FORTHE STEP IT UP WITH OSCAR DE LA HOYA SWEEPSTAKES [Is this cleared with Oscar?]
CO-SPONSORED BY REMY COINTREAU USA, INC. AND GENTLEMEN’S QUARTERLY

So, is this cleared with Oscar? I’m guessing this insert was on overzealous editor at GQ. You know editors. It’s funny that they let this slip online. Perhaps there are seeds of doubts among the sponsors as to the fight. That would be fine with me, and, I’m guessing, plenty of people, unless some boxing fanatic like Joyce Carol Oates entered and won. Suffice it to say, I abhor boxing, I think it’s barbaric, I think it should be made illegal. I suppose this poses an ethical dilemma, but fiddle dee dee.

The Fine Print: More casting of the editorial doubt in the Official Rules. This time, good catch.

Travel must be arranged to coincide with the scheduled Grand Prize award weekend (March 5, 2006 to March 7, 2006) (May 5?)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
4 DAYS/3 NIGHTS AT PARIS LAS VEGAS FROM SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
To Enter: http://www.swavacations.com/ (scroll down past vacation packages)

Deadline: April 16, 2006

Dates of Travel: By March 31, 2007

ARV (Approximate Retail Value): $2,280

The Ineligibles: Non-U.S. Residents

Odds: Per Southwest’s list of recent winners, no one east of the Mississippi has won in awhile. Southwest, which I flew back in the day when stewardesses were still called stewardesses and Southwest stewardesses wore hot pants, is based in Dallas. Hmm.

This package, sponsored by Southwest Airlines Vacations, includes three nights at Paris Las Vegas (www.caesars.com/Paris/LasVegas/) and comes with some fun perks: A $1,000 shopping spree at The Forum Shops at Caesar’s Place, dinner for two at Mon Ami Gabi (www.monamigabilasvegas.com/) and two massages at The Paris Spa by Mandara. The prize also includes two VIP passes to Risque de Paris ultra lounge and two free admissions to the Paris Tower Experience. (What? The couldn’t get permission to call it the Eiffel Tower?)