Which actually started Friday. I spent a nice day with Kira, dropping her off just in time for #EVFN. We tried a new place this time, Flanny’s, and though we ran out of room in our reserved area, it worked out just fine. From there some of us had an impromptu #DNPP. What a great bunch of friends I have!

Saturday I woke late, did some work, took a nap and headed out. Went to a friend’s backyard party where the only people who talked to me were the few I already knew. Which was fine – lots of little kids to watch (when they’re still cute) and interesting food I wouldn’t eat.

After that I headed to the Torch Theater where my friend Tyler joined the improv group to tell a few stories. Now that was fun.

It wasn’t that late so I went to Max and Krystal’s to hang out by the pool and have a late dinner. Came home and went to bed at 4 and slept til noon today.

I love my life.

Though yesterday’s activities started later than I’d expected, it was well worth it.

First we had to wait around for someone to come get Kira. There was some miscommunication there, but eventually they came and then Sheila and I went to Lunch at Liberty Market (YUM!!!) and then headed to Sheila’s house for day-drinking around the pool. A pleasant couple of Strongbows later we gussied up and went to the brand new Mellow Mushroom where I had a The Caesar pizza (AWESOME!!!!) and then we walked the block over to Robbie Fox’s for the #evfn / party.

Oh Mr Deity! Yeah, I was a bit cranky because the space they put aside for us only had a small bar and they had to go inside every time I ordered another Strongbow. But once I hit about halfway on that drink, I was fine. And the regular #evfn evening progressed as usual with a bit of birthday wishing included. It was a combined Jana (tomorrow) and Jack (next Thursday) and my (next Friday) birthday celebration and I didn’t have to drive anywhere so I indulged. Oh did I indulge. Kathy bought my second drink, Vinessa and Patrick bought my third (I think) and Jana wanted to kill me with my 4th.

At some point the #evfn ended but the partying continued, there were cans of whipped cream introduced and much squirting and licking on everyone on the couch. I thought I’d have a hickie on my boob from Jana, but the mark faded. Evo went right to the point of it if you know what I mean. Might have been 10 of us with whipped cream residue somewhere by the time the cans died out. All this on an outdoor patio! Then I started flirting with one of the band guys unloading nearby and it was time to leave. I HAD SO MUCH GODDAM FUN!

Today has been busy too. Nice breakfast, nice lunch, nice ImprovAZ event where we dressed up sort of like Waldo and converged on Tempe Markeplace to screw with the natives. My friend Jeff was the actual Waldo and pics will start showing up soon. I posted a couple on my Facebook. Then I had Casey take me to get a new car battery (because apparently mine mysteriously died while I was gone for the night) and when he replaced it suddenly the A/C that has been dead since last summer came to life again. Sure at first there was a lot of clunking and grinding in the dashboard area which eventually settle down to a rhythmic thunk but even that stopped after a few miles/minutes. But the new battery took most of my set-aside-for-shopping-for-Vegas funds so I only got one new outfit and came home.

Now I’m going to take a long hot bath and crawl in bed for a while.

Social events nowadays aren’t quite like they used to be… though some things never change.

Whereas our parents would group up and socialize with a small group of people they knew and with an agenda (bowling, pinochle, or specific celebratory events) we tend to gather just to hang out. #evfn has no agenda. Tweetups for breakfast have no agenda. We just go to hang out with our friends for a while and catch up, tease or whatever. And there’s always new people included.

We don’t seem to have that cattiness or gossipy thing that people used to have. Maybe it’s because the groups now are so transient, you’re not sure who is friends with who like those old fixed groups used to be.

We still mentally label people but not usually in a negative way. I for instance, am probably labeled to most people as mid-40s single (and likely a couple more labels besides) because humans tend to do that. That guy is mid-20s, buff, web designer, and gay. That girl is mid-30s, Realtor, Mom and so on.

But the thing that never changes is observation. Someone is always watching at these group events. I was at a breakfast and someone leaned over and asked me about another woman’s new wedding ring. I hadn’t noticed or heard anything about this couple getting married. Another time I was asked if the woman on a popular person’s lap was his wife. In fact no, but if you knew them all, you’d know it was just to be funny. I was at an event recently when the gentleman sitting next to me was a little over-close and when he went to the bathroom, half the table asked if we were together. People notice things.

But I don’t think it is in a catty or gossipy way anymore. We just cannot seem to shed the need to  label or pigeonhole people. I know I can’t. Seems like everyone I meet I check off a mental checklist so I can put them in the right slot in my mind. Though a lot of times with me it’s available/not. Maybe we’ve been trained to avoid offending people so we gather information to avoid our own faux pas. You don’t want to flirt with the not-so-obviously-gay dude, or make snide anti-Republican comments while chatting with the lady on John McCain’s campaign committee.

So just remember, people are watching and don’t be a dick. Right?

Well maybe just a little. I felt I needed an interesting title.

Monday night was a really great night. I went with Ladawn to Yucca Tap Room for open mic night and we had a really good time. I swear Ladawn is my lucky charm. Every time I go out with her I end up getting laid. Tuesday night we recorded Evo at 11. But Wednesday night was THE CONCERT EVENT OF MY LIFE! Really, the last concert I went to was George Michael back in Florida years and years ago.

Hmmm, went to Sheila’s work and we went from there to the Yard House right next to the arena. About 4:30. To drink. Oden and Rachel showed up and around 6:45 in we went. We I was not impressed by the opening band Dashboard Confessional. I didn’t recognize any songs.

Then Bon Jovi started up and I loved it. The band was great, the music was great, the energy was great, but the fat-ass big-haired bitch in front of me was NOT great.

CONCERT ETIQUETTE: IF EVERYONE AROUND YOU STANDS UP TO ROCK THE HOUSE, IT’S OKAY TO STAND UP AND ROCK THE HOUSE. BUT IF EVERYONE AROUND YOU (AND ESPECIALLY BEHIND YOUR FAT ASS) SITS DOWN TO ENJOY THE CONCERT, SIT YOUR ASS DOWN!

Just sayin. I know you paid good money for a seat and so did I.

So anyway, good concert even though I had to watch most of the concert on the jumbotrons. Lots of middle-aged women with big hair, boots and plenty of make-up. Too many screaming women like any of them stood a chance. Fanatics both amuse me and creep me out.

Fun week and tonight is #evfn back at Whole Foods in a couple of hours.

The Jonathan Coulton and Paul and Storm concert was MARVELOUS Thursday night. Absolutely and totally worth the bullshit we went through before it actually started. MadCrap MadCap Theaters is THE most horrible venue I’ve ever ever been to. It’s a testament to how much I love JC and the boys, that I’d EVER go back there again.  Why would anyone want to go there? They don’t give a shit about the customers, they have extremely lousy organizational and communication skills, and I’m guessing they spend hours wanking each other off rather than cleaning up the theaters. The whole experience is practically abuse and we’re paying them to do it.

Friday night was the usual #evfn, except E and Sheila weren’t there and neither was the guy they had organizing it in their absence. So of course I take up the slack and try to make sure everyone is taken care of and the newbies are introduced around. I don’t think I did a very good job as certain people walked out. Oh well, there’s always next week.

Kira and I hung out Saturday night and this morning we wandered over to a new (for us) McDonald’s, shopped at WalMart and took the light rail to downtown Tempe (yes, I live here but I’d promised Kira we’d take the train one day) to check out #comiccreate.

And tonight I get a following notification on FourSquare (a social geolocation application) for Earl Newton! Now I’ve met the man at D*C a couple of times, and maybe he would friend me on twitter where you’re getting occasional light-hearted updates/comments from people. And maybe on Facebook which is pretty much the same thing. Likely because of my connection to Evo and less on my own merit I think. Twitter/Myspace/Facebook are places you “friend” anyone you’ve ever met and then some. But wouldn’t you only follow people on a location-based application that you might, maybe, kind of EVER thought you’d actually want to know where they are? Earl Motherfucking Newton wants to know where I am? That’s soooo fucking cool. I feel like somebody now.

And Earl? If you’re a googling fool and come across this post, please don’t explain or get freaked out or delete me or anything. This is me after a couple of drinks – FREAKING THE FUCK OUT because someone of your caliber clicked on me as a connection somewhere, that’s all. Let me have this. Carry on and I’ll never bother you again.

Oh yeah, I got paid for work I did! Actual money instead of possibilities.

What a great weekend.

Every week I go to #evfn and gather with 20-30-40 people. The body count differs every week but there’s a core group. Some people come and go and some come back every time.

The problem is I don’t like every one of them, and I’m sure there are some that don’t like me. For the sake of the social situation we appear friendly at best and civil if there’s a real dislike. I think I can tell when someone doesn’t like me and I give them plenty of space.

The thing is, I really don’t want to hurt your feelings even if we didn’t click. Not every has to like everyone else. We’re not in kindergarten, we’re adults and we should realize and recognize when we aren’t connecting.

There are a couple of people who attend I actively dislike. There’s no hope for a connection or friendship and I can’t even be civil to them, but they still seek me out for conversation. Get a couple of drinks in me and I get downright rude. So far I’ve held my nasty comments, but should I? Are we required (as adults) to be at the very least civil to those who completely irritate or worse, creep us out?

What’s the best way to let someone know they should avoid you without being the real downer in a social group situation? Some people are so obtuse. I could be really nasty (which is my instinct) but then I’m the group bitch. While I’m naturally going to be a bitch, I don’t want to be THE BITCH.

By the way, don’t respond with a bunch of whiny “is it me?” shit. If I talk you you, I like you. If I smile politely and nod for short conversations but don’t hang around, we’re not connecting. If I see you coming and head the other way, duh-you.

Damn, I’m going to be soooo busy this month! Even though I’m missing Dragon*Con this year, I won’t be sitting at home feeling sorry for myself.

Friday evening there is the usual #evfn. This week we’re back at Studio 5C. It’s a nice little gallery type place with a great patio for socializing and it’s right off Mill Ave if we want to carry on for the rest of the night. Plus, lots of people I kind of know through podcasting (and some I really do know) are gathering this weekend for…

The Deadpan BBQ Saturday afternoon-evening at my friend CJ’s house. Those are always lots of fun, and with no kids around this time I’m pretty sure it’ll be even better than before.  Sunday evening is another Deadpan party, this time at the Tempe Palms hotel.

Tuesday evening I’m helping someone set up their recording studio and Wednesday night is our usual Evo@11 recording at Gangplank.  Friday (11th) I’m going to my friend Dani’s for another “Slumber Party.”  This time it’s a different presenter so we’ll have to see if she’s as funny as the last one.

My Dad turns 73 on the 13th. I wish he didn’t live so far away. He called me today while I was at IKEA so I was a bit distracted, but I had the hardest time explaining to him how my cell phone number stayed the same even though I’d moved. He just doesn’t get it. He wanted my new address so I’m standing there in the middle of the stupid store practically yelling it out for everyone to jot down. I was one of *those* people!

There’s a Brand-X T-Shirt Tweetup the following Thursday night. I’m still debating that one.

On the 18th I’m joining friends for my very first major league baseball game at Chase Field. I’ve never been so I can’t pass up this chance. After that I’ll be going to my very first Rocky Horror Picture Show! Thanks to the light rail I won’t have to do a lot of driving as everything is on the rail.

Yet another Can’t Stop the Serenity showing on the 19th. I don’t care what anyone says, it never gets old. Plus there’s a sing-along to Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog, so there!

And Kira’s 3rd Birthday is on the 29th. I don’t know what’s planned for that yet, but I’m sure we’ll do something. She’s excited. Practicing her three finger thing and asking where her birthday cake is already.

Busy, busy month and I’m sure there will be more adds to my calendar as I go along.

Plus that certain someone has said that September is a good possibility for a visit. We don’t communicate much so I’m not sure yet. Everything (except the slumber party) is something I could actually take him along and have fun. We’ll see.

Went to a live (was it really live I wonder) nationwide show by the RiffTrax people last night. Met up with Dan and CJ, Dan and Michelle, and Jack and Oden. I don’t have an and. Anyway, there was a live showing of Plan 9 From Outer Space – they were in Memphis – and Jonathan Coulton opened with a couple of songs. It was great. I hope to see that HD performance on YouTube before long. He looked so adorable. The movie was classic Ed Wood with plenty of stuff for the Rifftrax guys to riff upon.

After that I went around the corner from my new apartment to a dive bar called either The Yucca Lounge (all pointers or reviews online call it thus) or The Yucca Tap Room. OMG this will be one of my new favorite hang outs. Imagine karaoke with an actual LIVE BAND. You get up and sing on stage with a BAND. And they’re not bad. One girl absolutely could not sing along. She was so off tempo we were all screaming the proper rhythm at her to no avail. Most of the singers weren’t half bad but it was fun cuz everyone was having such a good time. Tonia did a great job, though we sabotaged her by yelling Birthday just before she started her song, so they played They Say It’s Your Birthday and she had to stand up on the stage and enjoy that attention.

Casey called me a while ago, everyone he went out with last night got arrested except him. Is this a sign of growth? But one of the arrestees left his wife sans car now and she took Casey’s car to work, so now I have to go pick him and Kira up and take him to work. That I’m taking the time to write this first shows you how thrilled I am about that.

Tonight is #evfn at Geisha a Go Go so that should be fun. Sushi? No. I’ll eat before I go, thank you very much. Plus I’m broke again. I think I have enough cash for gas to get there and back. Should have money tomorrow.

Cavaticat, I mailed that package out to you day before yesterday so you should get it soonish. And I don’t care what you all decide to pay. Whatever, just have a good time at Dragon*Con and don’t get stuck in the Weyrfest room ALL the time.

Well, I suppose I should get dressed and get out there. Have a great day!

While wandering through Myspace I found out my sister’s step-son’s wife had her baby and they named it Kaydence Renee’ – complete with apostrophe. Yes, my eyes rolled. Why do people feel the need to fuck their kids up forever? She’s gonna need to carry name cards for the rest of her life. Or maybe a tattoo would be easier.

Sister’s daughter Brittany (the only one of that family I actually have contact with) is due in a couple of weeks. Though I’m getting reports that she may deliver earlier as everything seems to be in perfect arrangement for it. She’s planning on naming her son Damien Gabriel. Interesting and yet spelled within normal limits. We laugh that he could turn out either way, evil or good. I don’t know if she’s planning on using her real last name (Stephens) or the one she goes by (Kinney) or the father’s last name (I’m clueless).

Mom was upset she was specifically uninvited to Brittany’s baby shower. Poor Brittany had to chose between her selfish bitch mother or her whiny obtuse Grandmother. What nice people I come from. And her perpetually broke Aunt Debbie wasn’t even mentioned.

Whatever.

_________________________

This Wednesday is Ignite Phoenix. It’s organized by friends of mine and the whole program consists of 5 minute/20 slide presentations of whatever you’re passionate about. As long as you’re not selling something. I think Jeff said there were 18 presentations this time. The last two IPs were at GoDaddy’s local offices but we’ve outgrown that venue and this time it’s at Tempe’s new Center for the Arts. Lots of people have been wanting an excuse to check out that venue so it should be pretty packed.

Friday night #evfn (East Valley Friday Nights) is meeting at Studios 5C Gallery in Tempe. I love #evfn. It’s our local twitter meetup every Friday night at a different location throughout the east valley and it’s expanded beyond twitter people. We’re averaging 45 people so it’s getting harder and harder to find places that can accommodate that many people. Apparently this one is sponsored (free food and drink). A couple of weeks ago we held it at a brand new W hotel called “aloft” and they provided a tour and a drink/bar snacks at their lobby lounge “w xyz”.

(I don’t know about this trendy naming shit with all lower case letters. I feel like I need to show they’re proper names somehow.)

And Saturday night is booked, too. I’m not sure if I can talk about that til it’s over but I have lots to do to get ready for it. I have PLANS. Think Mardi Gras and boobs.

I’ve got Kira today and she’s whining for second breakfast. I’m yelling YOU JUST ATE over her screeching and she ain’t buying it. Pause goes Gullah Gullah – which usually shuts her up. Consequences for whining. Let Grammi finish her stupid post and she’ll get you a snack. Patience grasshopper.

Wednesday.  Humpday.  So much fun day.

I sold my old computer to Casey for the $160 that owed him.  I told him the old flat screen didn’t work.  I told him the power button didn’t always work which is why I never turned it off.  I’d forgotten a couple of power cords and his babysitter left her purse here so I needed to deliver that stuff to Casey’s work at 3.  Wandered over to Gangplank after that and managed to get some work done before Evo finally showed to record Gangplank’s podcast and then Evo@11.  And that was fun, we had Jeff on again and he’s always a hoot, but the real fun came after.

A couple #evfn friends showed up (too late) for the recording and somehow the semi-drunken conversation quickily deteriorated.  Jeff mentioned some online site that censored wristwatch because of the word in the middle and talk morphed into which is worse: pussy, twat or cunt.  Now everyone agrees cunt is the worst and most insulting but one particular person thinks pussy is worse than twat.  I’ve never known anyone who thought that.  And even funnier, if you knew the young and proper lady involved in this conversation you’d laugh your ass off.  The whole thing was so sureal.  She’s so prim and seemingly straight laced, and constantly worried about getting into trouble at work.  And even funnier is the company she works for is well known for their super-extra-naughty advertising.

I laughed so hard tonight I almost couldn’t breathe.  Damn near wet my pants.