After taking a cab to run errands and paying out $15, I alternated between being pissed at the cons and recognizing and appreciating the pros.  I would have spent $5 on gas, stressed about my expired tags, kept a sharp eye on the side mirror for cops, raged at slow traffic and the pathetic driving abilities of others and probably sworn out loud at the four empty handicapped parking spaces in front of every store I went to. Instead, I sat nestled warm in the back seat, talking away on the phone without a care in the world.  That, my friends, is the way to spend a Saturday afternoon shopping and well worth the money.

Thursday, Jan. 6

GO MUSIC went to Olympia's BARCODE without me and pulled a groin muscle riding the mechanical bull.  No matter what lame thing I may do in my future, I will always have this to use as a comeback.

Friday, Jan. 7

BLONDE GODDESS KATE BENDER and I had a sumptuous little nibble at OVER THE MOON CAFE. BRIA MCBRIA made her latest squeeze come to our table for slow circle inspection.  Nice choice, McBria. Well done.

Saturday, Jan. 8

LOCAL ART SCENE HERO LYNN DI NINO's birthday party was fabulous, darling. It was a huge potluck at SANFORD & SONS. Just as the buffet table (feeding trough) started to look thin, in came my CAVALIER EDITOR RON SWARNER with captivating wife LOVELY LORI on his arm and pizzas from the new PUGET SOUND PIZZA (did I mention they deliver?) for the masses. The hearty slices went fast. Acclaimed PHOTOGRAPHER DUNCAN JAMES LIVINGSTON had a slew of his dazzling "everyday" photos on display. I was amazed at how many of these I had seen before and not realized they were by him. Really stellar work! While Mr. and Mrs. Ron mingled; SMOOTH AND SAUCY GIRLFRIEND NATASHA hooked up with me, PANAMONICA'S KRISSY and DOUG "HOMETOWN CELEBRITY" MACKEY, who was about to perform. We hustled him upstairs for a "pep talk" before we let him go on stage.  A happy Mackey turned it into a music and comedy show, cracking jokes and just generally being goofy.  After slugging down the rest of the "good" wine, Smooth declared it time for "LOVE SHACK, BABY!" We tromped down Commerce to the stairs, cutting up to Broadway and Seventh. My NEW POINTY TOE, HOT PURPLE, SPIKE HIGH HEELS actually left my baby toes bruised, but man, they looked hot. THE FLYING BOOTS had Smooth's siren song.  Once inside, it was water all around. The bartender de jour (it's been a different one every time) probably thought we were nuts.  My mouth was like the desert. Re-hydration re-captured, Smooth and I belted out The B52's "Love Shack" to stunned onlookers.  It wasn't the most flamboyant we've ever done "Love Shack," mind you, but Smooth - wow, he nailed it! Doug finally arrived with LOVELY LADY FRIEND in tow, who just so happens to be LYNN PAGANUCCI, the mother of KUMA'S keyboardist/programmer (Kuma plays The Crocodile Jan. 28 with local boys UMBER SLEEPING).  Naughty Natasha did a rousing version of Nancy Sinatra's "THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKING" complete with sexy strutting. We wobbled out onto the sidewalk and realized there's nowhere in Tacoma to get a good (emphasis on good) meal after 1 a.m.  If anyone knows of an after-hours that has decent grub, e-mail and let me know.

P.S.: FISH FACE MEANIE is still swimming along fine; thanks to everyone who e-mailed and asked.