I’m incredibly happy to start this week’s column with some of the most excellent news that I’ve ever received in my whole life.



After an eventful Fourth of July weekend, I eventually stumbled up to my front door and collected the mail that had amassed.



Within that stack of stuff was an all-important envelope that I had been waiting and waiting for.

Ladies and gentlemen: Your very own Carmen Jones has been formally accepted to The Evergreen State College’s Master of Public Administration program, starting this fall!



All of the hell that you read about while I was taking that Statistics prerequisite class (I still can’t believe that I scored an A) definitely paid off, along with the hard work through professional and volunteer work that I’ve poured in during and after my bachelor’s degree.



I really, really can’t wait to start this program, meet my professors and cohorts, and get back into the higher education environment that I adore where you can get any question in the world answered.



This acceptance means so many things to me, but most of all, it’s a strong indicator that my life is continuing to forge onward and upward, and even better, that it’s heading in the right direction.



Now I’m looking at one more summer of freedom before these weekend-intensive courses start for the next two years of my life.



That just means that my usual summertime party stories might be even better.



Take, for example, one of my favorite holidays, the THIRD of July. I love this day because no one has to work and everyone’s down to have a good time.



That was certainly the case for Pappi Swarner’s surprise birthday dinner. He thought that he was just going to get a private dinner for two after a busy week, but instead he was surrounded by Kake, me, Natasha and Steph DeRosa. Ginger Knoxx even flew in from the United Kingdom for his birthday, and some other Fourth of July crap.



After a PERFECT meal at the Pacific Grill, we headed to Puget Sound Pizza and sang karaoke to Pappi.



I snuck out early to party down with Flarry and the Silver Foxx at Engine House #9, which was off the hook.



What a great night!



On the Fourth itself, I joined Little Lizzle and Y-yo for a private party at the Ben F. Barcus and Associates law firm on Ruston Way.  Barcus and his crew were so incredibly generous with food, beverages, great people, music and karaoke, stellar views, and they were celebrating their 20th Fourth of July throw-down. It was such an honor to be there, and a sweet VIP experience.



When nightfall settled in, we headed over to Little Lizzle’s house and were joined by Alexis, Gretchen, Tam Tam and Laura as we ate Lasagna and watched fireworks blow up throughout the region from Lizzle’s deck.



Thank you so much Lizzle, Y-Yo and the Barcus crew for a truly memorable and wonderful 4th.



Carmen’s Hot Ticket TONIGHT!

Don’t miss the free rock show at the Top of Tacoma Bar and Café tonight at 10 p.m. featuring Pioneer: West! and Blanco Bronco at 10 p.m.



Tell me where you like to party at permanentlipstick@hotmail.com.