Philip and I spent much of the day doing errands, including buying him some pants to wear to two functions... one is a surprise for him, tomorrow... the other is Saturday night when we go to see PHANTOM OF THE OPERA with radio-talk-show-host David Tyree.

Boat boy Allan (his hubby Mike is up North with his Yankee family for the holidays) came over and joined us for dinner at La Madeleine (I knew my breath would smell of garlic the rest of the night) then over to Le Chat Noir (my gracious... what a French night this is turning out to be!) to see Varla Jean Merman's HOLIDAY HAM cabaret act. This was the first time Allan ever saw Varla do a stage show!

My pen-pal Corey and his gorgeous wife Claudia (just in from California) were also there! I always used to think that I was Varla's biggest fan, but Corey and Claudia sure give me a run for my money. I just love that they appreciate Varla as I do...

I drank another Manhattan tonight. Since I don't really drink (although I'm also a vegetarian that seems to be eating meat more and more lately) I shouldn't have had a second Manhattan... but the waitress mistook my smile and nod as a "yes" (what was the question?)... far be it from me to waste good booze. But I should have because I felt a tad out of control. Sure, control is an illusion anyway... but my illusion seems so much more real when I ain't drunk. This is the reason I don't drink. I honestly hope I don't drink, not even a sip, anymore.

That hot guy that I sucked off in the steam room at Le Club was also at Varla's show. I don't remember his name, but I've admired his beauty for years. He's porn-star handsome... or I guess that would translate to "soap-opera handsome" if I were telling this story in polite company. I guess I'd have to leave out the steam-room-fellatio-part if I did that, now wouldn't I?

Donna was looking radiant as always. I cannot believe that it has been a whole year and a day since I watched her marry Jeff (the guy who portrays Varla) in that little chapel in Las Vegas.

Ricky Ritzel (Varla's pianist since 1995) and Maggie Moore (who does a hilarious Ann-Margaret impersonation in HOLIDAY HAM) were also their usual fun-selves. For years I wished I had stuck with those piano lessons my mother warned me I'd regret giving up... just so I could accompany Varla on stage. But Ricky and Varla have a priceless rapport. I'm glad there is a Ricky. And oi, Maggie got to interview one of my favorite John-Waters-alumnae Liz Renay last year while we were all in Vegas for that wedding I mentioned earlier... but I digress.

So after the show, Philip and I came home and watched EQUILIBRIUM starring the sexier-than-he-should-be Christian Bale. The movie was kind of a Matrix meets 1984. I liked it... not just because I was drunk.