You know it’s a good start to the week when you get to kick it into gear with an exclusive event.



Last Monday was the Doyle’s holiday employee appreciation party, and everyone’s favorite Doyle’s ambassador, Russ, was kind enough to take me as his date. However, I do realize that he’s a man in high demand, so don’t you worry, female felines — Russ and I are just friends, in a non-Biz Markie sort of way.



The scene of the crime was Il Fiasco, a place that I was so excited to go to since I’d never had the pleasure.



All of the beautiful Doyle’s employees and significant others were huddled around a set of tables that were assembled around a charming pond with goldfish in the middle. I was sandwiched between Russ and Daring Dave. There isn’t a place in the world that I would’ve rather been than right there. I giggled the whole time. The food was amazing, and the champagne and wine were flowing like the Mississippi River.



After dinner, we headed to Masa and Asado, then to Doyle’s for the homestretch. To free up all of the staff for the party, two celebrity bartenders were at the helm — Darling Damon from the Swiss and Wonderful Will from Asado. I’m not sure why it was such a novelty for all of us to see these two behind a different bar, but everybody loved it.



My evening drew to a close earlier than the rest because I had to go to work the next day, which was extremely tough to get through — but it was COMPLETELY worth it.



I heart you, Doyle’s.

Fancy earring fun

Saturday was a girls’ night out.  Kake, Female Adonis Renee, Ginger Knoxx, Chesty Meow, The Little Bean, Chi-Town Mandy, Breathtaking Becky and I got together, threw our hair up, and donned our baddest pair of earrings. The evening took our beautiful bodies to Matador, Doyle’s and Magoo’s. Don’t you wish your girlfriends were hot like mine?

Seahawks sadness and skaters

I caught Sunday’s heartbreaking Seahawks game with a bunch of my hombres at the Varsity Grill. It was so tough to watch the season draw to a close with one stupid overtime kick, but man, my taco salad there was the bomb. Let’s get ’em next year, Hawks!



Later that evening, Mizz Mandilicious, Natasha and I headed to another hot ticket item that I’d been looking forward to — The Dockyard Derby Dame’s Good vs. Evil Inaugural Bout. I recently scored my own little spot on the team as a New Bruiser, and after watching this bout, I can’t wait to pass my skills tests so I can rock the rink, too. Approximately 300 people were there cheering on their favorites — Blonde Amazon, Slim Finnegan, Ollie Oxen, Tokyo Rose and Sybil War. Colombia Necktie’s brother was proudly pushing a sign that read “Colombia Mother Effen Necktie.” That’s family love! Team Evil took the win, but the real victory was for the league overall. I’m sure that everyone in attendance would agree — It was exciting and entertaining, and it proved something we all know to be true: chicks really, really do rule.

Movie Monday

My three-day weekend drew to a close with none other than The Husky. He and I took in afternoon breakfast at Shakabrah (so awesome), and we checked out two movies, “Rocky” and “Shut Up and Sing.” “Rocky” was true to form, and it showed us yet again that this will always be one of the best roles for Sly. “Shut Up and Sing,” which was showing at The Grand Cinema, is the inspiring documentary of the Dixie Chicks surviving the relentless and absolutely unnecessary scrutiny that the Chicks endured after lead singer Natalie Maines stated at a London concert, “We’re ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas.” The film illuminates the raw talent of this group and is an impressive testament to their ability to stand by one another, maintain their success in the face of adversity and, more importantly, stick to their guns.

I now have one thing left to say to the world:

I’m not ready to make nice, either, Natalie.

Project:U

Project:U — uniting 20 and 30-somethings to develop, support and serve the Pierce County community under the United Way banner — groups for its first happy hour of the year Tuesday at Chopstix dueling piano bar.  Don’t worry about the drink specials screwing charity; 100 percent of the door goes to United Way.

[Chopstix, Jan. 23, 6 p.m., $5, 2702 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, info@project-u.org]

Liberty Theater

I’m practically counting down the hours until Super Bowl Sunday, but not for the obvious reason of getting hammered on cheap beer. Nope, I love Super Bowl Sunday because while folks are cloistered away screaming at their TV sets, the city is my oyster.  If you are one who likes the football part, check out the Liberty Theater’s Super Bowl Party in front of its 35-foot high definition screen with food, booze and the Bud Girls. If you’re one of those pinheads who watches the S-Bowl for the “cute ads,” roll this paper up and shove it in the orifice of your choice toot sweet. Your presence is no longer required at this column.

[Liberty Theater, Feb. 4, $5, 116 West Main Ave., Puyallup, 253.864.8116]

Rock And Roll Craft Show

Martha Stewart + Iron Maiden + booze + TACOMA = fun 

That’s the equation behind the Rock And Roll Craft Show, a mix of dark, wild, dry, pathetic humor in the form of films and skits about the “Adventures of Transvestite Man and Bowling Ball Boy,” “International Blob Championships,” and “Indigo Manfrato the True Story of a Professional Ass Slapper.” There will be music, too. For more information, keep an eye on their MySpace page.



I’m Carmen, your new chameleon.  Drop me your favorite parties here.