Testing out my localization skills

Localizing sound is something I get to re-learn now that I'm bilateral. The Grand Sierra Hotel in Reno had six elevators in the lobby area. What a golden opportunity to do some aural rehab every time we went up or come down from our room. I stood in the center, closed my eyes, and pointed to the "ding" of the arriving elevator. Observers, I'm sure, thought I was a bit "dingy".



How did I do? After 4 days, I was at 80% accuracy. Not bad for less than 2 months of surround sound, don't you think?

HLAA Reno, 2008

The older one becomes, the less likely it is to experience something for the first time. Our trip to Reno was filled with "firsts" and, therefore, most memorable to us. Come to think of it, it is surprising that we've never done some of these things, yet I dare say that we've also had some unusual overseas experiences that most people would say, "I've never done that.". In addition to this being our first time in Nevada, this was the first time that we:

• Saw an airport with slot machines at the gates and in the lobby area.



• Stayed in a hotel that charged a fee to print an airline boarding pass. Talk about "nickel and diming" - - - give me a break!



• Ordered room service.



• Ate chocolate-covered strawberries. We've had the opportunity on other occasions but always thought those 2 flavors would not go together. We were so wrong. Yummy!



• Stayed in a hotel with a TV in the bathroom. I hear that our pastor back home has one in every room of his house.
  


• Were in a bowling alley together. I'd never watched Gerry bowl. We've been married 18 years, for crying out loud!
  
  
• Ate elk meat (Gerry says it tasted like beef and not at all like alligator.)
  
  
• Saw an intersection with 6 crosswalks.

• In downtown Reno, saw the largest bowling alley in the world - - - 78 lanes and the world's longest video screen.