Princess, Bandito and Daughter

Had a jam-packed weekend planned. Not everything turned out as intended, but all's well that ends well, I suppose.

Friday night was Libby's Princess Party. It began with an awesome festive atmosphere and a ride in a 22-seat Hummer limo. It ended with a less festive atmosphere, a couple of pukey drunk princesses (which, incidentally, isn't allowed, per Section II Article V in the Princess Handbook.) In between there was music, dancing, cute bar guy, a Mexican wedding (which some of the princesses seemed to find more fun than our party) and an invitation to the stairwell. If I may say so myself, we all looked resplendent in our Princess Finest - Angel with her sparkly shirt, Amber in a black halter dress that complimented every curve, Libby looking like something straight out of a storybook, and I in the killer heels. I wore a dress, too, so don't get any ideas.

Callen and Scooby were our doormen, and they were the perfect gentlemen all evening. Callen's intensely sweet nature made the evening very special.

I slept in a bit Saturday and then headed home, because Cute Brian and I were going to Joe's Bar in Chicago to see Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers.

Best. Concert. Ever.

They played everything. 2 1/2 hours straight, with no break, they played. I have never seen four more hard-working musicians as these guys. The atmosphere was electric, the beer was ice cold, and we turned it into a party with old friends who just met.

The opened with Mexico, closed with Nada, and in between played stuff from the old Refreshments days intermixed with newer stuff. They played Banditos, and Down Together, and Contraband, and Plenty, and Better Beautiful than Perfect ... and MORE!!! Watching the crowd, you couldn't help but marvel at the cross-section of society these guys attract. Some more familiar with the old stuff, some the new, but everyone enjoyed every song.

Green & Dumb made me cry a bit, and I tried to do it subtley. The tears faded quickly when Brian put his arm around me, and his other arm around Blonde Woman who was one of our new best buds, and the next thing we knew we had a line of people, arms around each other, swaying in time to the music. In that moment, I felt fortunate to feel so alive. I have a hard time describing it. Brian summed it up in two words: Cowboy hats and beer. I added tequila, sweat and tears.

After the show came the best part: I got to drive the Jeep home. Not my Jeep - Brian's, the sweet little open-top slice of automotive heaven, with the top down, of course. I smiled the whole way.

From there, my weekend got a little weird(er), with family and Dad stuff and real life needing my attention, but this was a weekend I will remember for a long time to come.