Did ya miss me? Did you grab the paper last Thursday, feverishly flip through the pages looking for your Ginger Fix, and then when you couldn't find me was the pain so great you had to go on a three-day bender?  Apparently most of the South Sound felt this way, if the amount of super trashed people I saw over the weekend is any indication. Either way, it's a good excuse.  How do I explain why I was among the tipsy talkers and saucy walkers?  Oh, that's right - it's my job.  How silly of me to forget.

Thursday, Jan. 20

JAMES WHITON & THE DOWNTOWN APOSTLES rule. They played JAZZBONES after this WHACK BAND THE DISCLAIMERS for the Counter-Inaugural Ball. I GULPED CRISP COORS LIGHT like there was no tomorrow with INDIE RAWKER BOY.  By the time Whiton came on I was feeling a mellow fineness and went upstairs to smoke, saying hello to KIMBERLY MY FAVORITE BATENDER du jour.  Her sunny, smiley face went well with my buzz.  James and his band play again tonight at Jazzbones. It's free. You have no excuse.

Friday, Jan. 21

THE CROSSBONES played their first show at HELL'S KITCHEN. Not to say they're new. They are not.  The 'bones rocked the place, selling outta most of their merch. Strangely enough, the GUYS WERE BUYING THE PINK GIRL SHIRTS. Is pink the new punk?  RYAN L. was suh suh suh sloppy and licked my face.  Eeeeewwww.  He kept tipping his beer, so it slowly spilled as we talked. I swear I righted it five times before giving up. The DUCHESS OF PUNK was gorgeous in her intoxication. She had the absolute best red tights that I have ever seen and brilliant lipstick to match.  KATE BENDER looked ultra fab in a shiny red flight jacket. Hell's was packed, hot, and the floor was all slushy with spilt beer.  STEPH DAWG AND RAINBOW were in the house.  Steph's supremely lovely these days what with her new job making her work her ass off (literally). We rehashed New Year's, and I pouted over her new (too far away) apartment in Auburn.  GO MUSIC and I treated each other to rounds of shots till closing.  Don't ask why we later made a dozen devilled eggs at 3 a.m.

Saturday, Jan. 22

LONG TIME FRIEND HEAVY E called me up out of the blue, suggesting dinner and cocktails.  Who am I to say no? We headed over to SIX OLIVES. My cran-raspberry Stoli Cosmo was sensational, but it could have been colder. The place was packed.  HOT WAITER BENJAMIN scored us a table mid-room. Someone must have told him I like being the center of attention. Heavy E ordered this double Stoli extra dry martini.  I looked on in envy when it arrived with ice skimming the top.  Go to Six Olives for killer drinks. They're spendy, always a double and worth it.