CONFESSION: So much! (Such words.) The new hair! The new boots! The never-seen-before couch that so many beloved friends have slept upon! The under-appreciated brown suede tote bag from a Banana Republic sale years and years ago, and still it serves me well! Come in, sit down, have a drink. I’ve got so much news.

First things first, the holiday party I threw last night for work went swimmingly. (If you’re ever in town and want to grab a cocktail at a bar that perfectly melds art with liquor, please visit Madrone. Don’t forget to call me so that I can join you!)

On a whim, I popped into Buffalo Exchange and found not just one but two pairs of fantastical brown boots – a dark chocolate pair of riding boots ($16) in lovingly worn leather and these nutmeg suede, pointy-toed wonders. Love. I still have the gorgeous, supple, high-heeled Donald J. Pliners, but these are great for day-to-day traipsing around.

I wore them tonight to a very special scotch tasting, hosted by Glenrothes at Foreign Cinema (which had even MORE great art). It was great! In addition to the awesomely themed Blood & Sand cocktail, they had tastings of the 1991, 1985, 1975 and Special Reserve, and after a few brief and entertaining speeches and a few rounds of hip-hip-hooray, they cracked open an exceptional bottle of 1979 Single Cask (No. 3808, I think, but I could be wrong) and it was well worth the wait. M said she wouldn’t pay $1,000 (the asking price for one of the remaining 13 bottles left in the world – we drank the 14th tonight!), but could see how one very expensive bottle would last one a very long time. My search for the perfect Lowlands scotch marches on with just 29 days left in the year…

After saying goodbye to some fresh new friends, we popped into the adjacent Laszslo for a round of cocktails (M with her Bulleit on the rocks and me with my favorite, Grey Gardens), and I was suddenly STARVING despite an early dinner, so we popped into a taqueria on the way home for some much-needed Mexican fare.

By far the most incredible news of all is that I will be participating in the Impact Self-Defense Basics Course for Women this weekend. My friend is assisting the instructor and I couldn’t be more thrilled to finally, finally be taking this. (I believe an old therapist of mine suggested it way back in 2000-2001, I think, so it’s been a very long time coming.) Of course, y’all won’t judge me if my first thought upon confirmation was, “ZOMG, must go out and get new workout outfits ASAP!” It’s the one weak point in my entire wardrobe! So much to do before classes begin on Friday!

Hope y’all are surviving this freakishly long week after the long holiday weekend! XO!

Here are some pics from earlier tonight – look at that moon…

PS. Also?! THE CURE TRIBUTE AT NEW WAVE CITY THIS SATURDAY NIGHT! Most excellent. I can’t wait.

Confession: Can’t think to confess. Too shocked about American Idol outcome. Too blown away by how awesome everything but the conclusion was. (Cyndi Lauper + Alison gave me goosebumps!) I’m not saying this HuffPo article says it all, but it’s certainly a relevant consideration. I did, however, work myself into a feverish, fantastical froth of excitement over potential Team Glambert duets – Dave Gahan? Robert Smith? Morrissey? RUFUS WAINWRIGHT? – of course none of them would be caught dead on AI, but still. A girl can dream, and she can dream big. BIGGER THAN JESUS, EVEN, BITCHES. So here, take it. The same dress you saw yesterday, with one of your favorite tops on me. I’ve nothing more to give.

FFAF SPECIAL ALERT: Don’t say I didn’t warn you! The tomboy and I are packing up and heading…um, East! That’s it, East. East to Yosemite for a glorious 4-day camping trip full of horseshoe games, exploration of several lakes and nearby creeks, lounging poolside with a 2′ tall stack of books, and chocolate fondue. That’s right. FONDUE. Ask anybody. Even when I camp, I am fancy.

The downside? 4 FFAF-less days.
The upside? Some rugged FFAF posts when we get back!