"You are invited to help me celebrate my intro to decade numero tres! Plan to arrive at the Gypsy around 7 p.m. for a party bowl kick off. From here, we'll board the BIG Ass 30th "Birthday BUS" promptly at 8 p.m. and depart for a fun-filled evening of luscious liquor surprises in Polynesian paradise…and then some. What 30th birthday party is complete without cocktails festooned with foofy fruit and paper umbrellas? In lieu of gifts, please bring cold, hard CASH for your drinks, in addition to a $15 contribution towards transportation fees, cover charges, and beverages en route." **Tropical Hawaiian attire is non-negotiable.** Please RSVP early. Seating is limited to the first 50 people to respond.
Thank you friends and loved ones for the best birthday party ever. It would be impossible to recap all the magical moments, but I thought I'd highlight just a few...


Pick up spot #1! What a way to start the evening! Over 60 friends gathered at The Gypsy, a well-known neighborhood hangout on NW 21st. Several friends gathered here to say hello and that weren't brave enough to board the bus. My old neighbors Courtney and Nate were all smiles. My co-worker Krista and her boyfriend Brad came to say hello before heading back out to their new home in wine country. BJ made an over due appearance and Hilary had to leave to deal with drama before the bus even arrived. My oldest friend Cindy and her husband JD came for dinner and virgin cocktails. With a baby on the way, a bus ride with a bunch of intoxicated hooligans wasn't a good option. I enjoyed the purple martini purchased for me by the Olympia/Camas/Seattle crew and LOVED the Adios Mother $%^&*@ party punch bowl.

Our festive luau attire wasn't exactly welcomed at our second stop, however, we ultimately won the hearts of several cowboys. The "Cross Country Band" rocked the house as we arrived tardy at Jubitz Truck Stop's Ponderosa Lounge. This place is true country. A couple of two steps, a group attempt at the Electric Slide, and a rum and coke later, we were headed back to the bus. A BIG thank you to Bob and the cocktail waitresses for holding our space. Those boys mean business. It was a little somethin' outta the ordinary to add somethin' special to the evening. I bet no one guessed that was on the agenda.


The Alibi Room was the featured destination for the evening. This Portland landmark is perfect for a group of wasted American Idols. Here, we enjoyed fruity drinks (my favorite being ohIwannahumpya) and sang our hearts out. Even I belted out the words to "Total Eclipse of the Heart." The staff here was fantastic and treated our drunk asses with respect and enthusiasm. The decor is incredible and the free late-night food was exactly what our liquor saturated belly's were dreaming of.
The final stop of the evening was my all time favorite spot when everything else is closed-- Yur's. They make the world's best chicken strips and fries...just like you used to get in high school! The fries are Criss-cross-cut and are heaven on earth when dipped in some ranch. If you ask for it, they will serve them in little plastic baskets with red and white checkered wax paper. They have a pool and a dart board and really stiff drinks for cheap. Do you need to know more?
Thanks to everyone who joined the celebration. I look forward to another decade of memories.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE PICTURES and the whole collection can be found here: http://www.razorotika.org/matt/elaina/
Thanks to Matt Tangvald!


