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Friends Angela and Steve (of the Ferguson family) invited us out for dinner and drinks tonight. We met them at the local Chopstix piano bar in Tacoma's very hip 6th Ave District. We had an in with one of the security guys who also doubles as Angela's brother. After Sarah and I found a spot to park over two blocks off the main drag, we paid our cover and joined them at arguably the best table in the house. We sat just feet from the platform that held two pianos in front of a wall with a large tilted mirror so we could see every angle of the action. And action there certainly was!

The place is clean and simple with little visual distraction to pull you away from the well-lit piano stage. Once the music got started we immedately understood why Chopstix's popularity is through the roof. The guys that sat down at their benches were amazing -- and not in a classical, black tie, don't clap if it's only a break between movements kinda' way. They were flown in from all corners of the country and put on an energetic, requests-only show that was probably to best night out I've ever had. Really. The food was tasty, the music was completely fun, and the drinks were plentiful and reasonably priced. I opted for the designated driver role and had tons of fun watching Sarah sample various libations. Her favorites were the "bombs" that consisted of one main glass about half full off some brand of spirit that get's mixed in with another once you drop in a full shot glass to mix it all up. The standing rule was it all had to go down the minute the bomb dropped and Sarah and Angela both seemed to have little trouble following suit. They also both really loved the jello shots that were bright red and came served in an over-sized plastic syringe.

Want to be thoroughly embarassed on your Birthday, bachelorette party, or some other special occasion? Drop a request and note to one of the piano players along with a twenty and you're have your fun and sing to it, too! My favorite thing about Chopstix, even if it was a bit loud for my usual taste, is that everyone of any age was having a great time. Groups of middle-aged ladies partied with horny, very drunk chix and studs while a seventy-something guy was pulled up on stage to play Elvis for his Birthday. It was a great place for anyone to have a really great time.

There are already plans in the works to go back to introduce some other friends to a Chopstix good time. I'll also be more prepared with my requests. Anyone for some classic Blues Brothers Sweet Home Chicago? Thanks for the idea Angela and Steve -- you're really keeping us as hip and cool as we should be. ;)

After Lulu was under the weather around Christmas it was Colby's turn to get sick. He's been feeling it since the 1st and, despite still eating, hasn't become completely better. Since he's been sick in the past we've learned that taking him to the vet usually does little especially if he can eat. He's been miserable with congestion and a soar throat all week but only last night and this morning has that changed slightly for the worse. He began to throw up a bit yesterday but kept his dinner and bunch of water down over night. Unfortunately this morning he couldn't keep anything down and was pretty much throwing up stomach goo. So, much to our dismay, we took him over to the nearby North End pet hospital for them to check him out. We never enjoy taking him to the vet but our rule is pretty much if he stops eating, in he goes.

It's always quieter and slightly lonlier knowing he's not around the house. Lu definitely helps but we're a four person house, not three. Hopefully we'll be able to bring him home soon.

Update (11:40am)
According to the vet, Colby is going through his semi-regular bout with an upper respiratory infection. The doctor said they'd get him some fluids, an antibiotic, and something to settle his stomach during the day today. We'll stop by to pick him up after 4pm and will have the fun task of giving him drugs for days to come, I'm sure. The best part about it all, that Sarah pointed out, is he doesn't hold a grudge. Poor guy, he's so good to us -- it's only fair we return the favor.

As Sarah and I drove in late to work this morning I notice some minor mudslide activity along the waterfront on Schuster Parkway. I always notice how steep those hills along the side of the road are and they certainly make me worry from time to time. Having a Geosciences background definitely makes me a little more keen in my awareness of such things. Since I drive that road everyday I'm always on the lookout. Seems the steady, downright tropical rainfall of late has done some work to saturate the hillside and some minor slippage has occured. It looks to be mostly surficial but was occuring in about four distinct spots along the slope. Some of the material actually looked like it partially covered the sidewalk commonly used by joggers and bicyclists.

I reported it to the city surface street and grounds folks who will hopefully find out it's nothing to worry about. Hey, if nothing else, my Geosciences degree is proving good for something!

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