Last Wednesday we threw an awesome little ghetto house/juke/tracks party called HOE-DOWN at SmartBar with DanceMania AllStars DJ Deeon, Gant-Man and DJ Urban. It was a great time and something totally different from what we normally do. Granted this music wasn't for everyone, but hey it's just House Music sped up! The FootworKingz came through along with some dancers from Phaze 2 and repped the circle hard all night long. (Check out the article I did on the FootworKingz in the October 2009 issue of the magazine.)

Check out video footage of the party... these dancers are getting down!

On Thursday Oct. 8th I was finishing up teaching my House dance class by shooting the shit with Carlos and one of our students. Next thing I know my phone rings and it's Rees crying saying Alejandro my 18+ year old cat was having a seizure. I told him to jump in a cab and to meet me at the Emergency vet on Belmont and Clybourn NOW. While running to my car I call my magazine partner Terry (he lives upstairs from me) and he runs down to join Rees in the cab. The whole time I'm racing to the vet I'm calling them checking to see how Alejandro is. At some point I knew something was very wrong, and in my distress and confusion I kept getting lost between damn Clybourn and Belmont.

When I finally drive up to the vet Terry is waiting outside for me. I'm crying as we go inside the room, and there lay my beautiful Alejandro wrapped up in a blanket on the table. He was gone. He had taken his last breath while in the cab and they wanted to spare me that fact until I got there. This had to be one of the most painful times I've ever had in my life, to watch something you've loved more than anything lay lifeless before you. So I stood there and kept petting him, kissing him on the top of his head and remembering the feel of his soft fur. I didn't want to let him go.

My best friend since I first came to this country, he was a little black cat I adopted from the Evanston animal shelter. He was cranky, very vocal, fiercely loyal and always slept on top of me in my bed. He nearly died on me 5 years ago, first from liver failure then again from kidney failure. He cured himself of diabetes. So now my little miracle cat has had his time. My only wish was that I could have been there with him before he died, but at least I know he was with people who loved him too. R.I.P. my little Alejandro, I love you so much.

On Thursday Sept. 24th (one day before my actual birthday), I had the most awesome birthday party at our weekly residency URBAN'S HOUSE at Betty's Blue Star. The days leading up to it were a flurry of shopping, baking, harassing and Facebook/Twitter/email/text invites. I also spent 5 hours on the phone making personal invite calls, because it's all about being personal. People are so scared nowadays to just pick up a phone and talk to their friends... it amazes me how removed we are from actual human contact.

Early that day I get my hair did (my last day as a blonde), run over to get the gold balloons and decorations (to match the gold spandex dress) and hit the club early with Rees to decorate, set up the sound and put out the food (all vegetarian I might add!) Rees stays and I run home and attempt to dress up as fast as I can, which never turns out to be the case. So people, for those of you who think I plan a grand entrance, I really don't! Bitch is just late! So I get to the club a mere hour late, park in front of the fire hydrant and run on in.

The rest of the night is a blur of friends, shots, gifts and just plain love!!! I so appreciate everyone who came out and supported, even if I only got to give a each one a big hug and then get whisked off. Thank you thank you thank you!!! Big shouts to Rees Urban and Lego for keeping the dancefloor live! Thanks party people I so love you guys!!!!

<3

Last Wednesday the folks at I Love House Music Wednesdays brought out the King of House Music Farley Jackmaster Funk. I got to be a guest host for that event and the night was a whole lot of fun! Especially when they asked me to introduce Farley on the mic, and for some strange reason there was no microphone to be found. Plan B was to use headphones, so as I say "Give it up for Farleeeeeeeeee......" (cheers)........silence....silence......uhm.....I think it was a Serato (or something similar) malfunction, and luckily only temporary. Because Farley bounced right back and ROCKED IT! :) Great night!