I can report that I had a decidedly "good" week, a seven out of 10 if you will.  Besides mild irritation with Tacoma Power for charging me late fees for the same two months six times or my bank's withdraw limit of $300 per day that effectively kept me from buying a vintage '50s living room suite from an old lady moving out of her apartment. So yeah, I had a pretty good week.

Wednesday, Aug. 18

Let me start by saying that I absolutely hate parking fees and only 15 curbside spaces for the BLUE OLIVE ULTRA LOUNGE is weak.  Waiting for my SECOND WHITE CRANBERRY STOLI VANILA COSMO, I had a minor local celebrity spotting.  CHRIS LUND was with a large group on the outside patio engaging everyone in what appeared to be riveting conversation. The LUND BROTHERS (with his brother Sean) have a new CD out titled Tangents (get it at Borders, www.notlame.com or local record shops).  After an exquisite dinner of pan-seared rare Blue Marlin and blueberry mud pie for dessert, I dipped out to JAZZBONES for PURE FUSION by GLE and IN THE BIZ APPRECIATION NIGHT.  HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY WORKERS receive HALF OFF all drinks.  Beautiful CHRIS WOODS was there with MILITARY PILOT GUY on her arm, a nice hunk of beefcake.  Hot DJ MIKIAH spun a luscious set and then dashed out the door, but not before giving yours truly a kiss on the cheek. DJ PATCHOULI, LADY KATHERINE and SWEET LUCAS were also in attendance.

Friday, Aug. 20

Being escorted around town all night by GORGEOUS TALL BLONDE STUD SMOOTH is nothing to complain about. Smooth picked me up at 7 p.m. and zipped us to 21 COMMERCE for their VIP ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY.  Holy cow, KILLER BUFFET: lightly battered prawns with mango, red pepper chutney, exotic fruit and sweetened spreads, skewered marinated spiced steak and mini cheesecakes, cocoa dipped berries and truffles. Oh my.  Endless glasses of CHAMPAGNE called to us like sirens on alcoholic seas.  Feeling hot and sultry, I suggested CLUB AMP in the WHISTLE STOP.  DJ SLAP spread out old school jams by the Gap Band, Cameo and even the Commodores' "Zoom," all transporting us back to the day.  Then we set off to find the worst bar we could and ended up at the FLYING BOOT for painful karaoke and a bartender boasting no signature drink after 16 years of tending bar.  Something bit my ankle, Smooth's Corona came with a LEMON already crammed down the neck, and the drunk karaoke was in the other room - This place has all the beauty and fun of a tuberculosis ward.

Smooth and I pulled up at PANAMONICA'S to get down with Seattle jam funk band MARMALADE.  Grooving on the now DOUBLE-SIZE DECK, we worked up a hunger. Co-owner ROB ANDERSON prepared a tasty chicken garlic white sauce pizza, and we chatted with cool cat HIPPY DAN.  I out-drank Smooth, which is good 'cause he was driving.  Hiccup!

Saturday, Aug. 21

Saturday totally blew.

Sunday, Aug. 22

I was a BAD GIRL and slept in until noon.  Then I was a GOOD GIRL and went bike riding on the RUSTON WATERFRONT.  With a super-duper fruit smoothie down the hatch, exercise done, and steaming hot shower behind me, I read all the local papers and bootleg mags I could get my hands on until time to take THE KID to PEARL DJANGO at THE BONEYARD (Jazzbones).  I love Gypsy jazz like cats love milk, Goth girls love black eyeliner and CUTE SLACKER MATT DRISCOLL loves the Broncos.  Right before leaving, I grumbled to the Kid, "Not drinking any liquor tonight, at all.'' To which he laugh/snorted and quipped, "WINE ISN'T LIQUOR, SO YOU'LL BE FINE."  Ahh, he knows me so well.

FYI: The cartoon caricature doesn't even remotely look like me, so Matt Driscoll can relax.