For 2 years, DJs Dave Wrangler and LJ Walker have been bringing us the best country hits from the 1980′s each month at our favorite dive-turned-honkey tonk, Leon’s Lounge.

I’ve spend 2 years, and 2 birthday parties with this crew, and it’s been an unforgettable experience.

Join Dave, Lee and all our boot scootin’ friends tonight as we send Vinyl Ranch riding off into the sunset.

See you there, peeps.  I’ll buy you a $1 Lone Star.

Yep, it had finally come. The dreaded 3-0. Thing was, I wasn’t dreading it at all. Every year of my life had been getting better and better, and I didn’t see any reason for that to not continue. I had become excited about turning 30, about being taking more seriously professionally, about getting past some of the train wrecks of my 20′s, and about coming into my own. It was around then that I began the idea for the book I’ve been writing. I had an incredible 10 years in my 20′s, and I wanted a way to document those stories. So the book is in the process! Stay tuned.

Every year I make a pretty big deal about my birthday. I figure it’s the one time of the year that’s it’s OK to celebrate yourself. :-) So when it came time for deciding on a location for this year’s bash, it was pretty much a no-brainer.  In 2006 I had teamed up with Dave Wrangler for Vinyl Ranch at Leon’s Lounge in Houston, and the party was a huge success.  And i figured, if it ain’t broke…

Vinyl Ranch + 30th Birthday Bash – Leon's Lounge

So, we headed back to Leon’s for the second installment of the Cosmopolitician B-Day Bash + Vinyl Ranch. The night was proceed by the Schipul 11th anniversary party, which laid ground for the perfect amount of toasty Schipulites in attendance. I seem to always get teased for having made such random acquaintances over the years, and I LOVE my birthday each year because it is a time to get all the randoms under one roof. This year’s party was followed by an impromptu after-party at my place, where a few of us (Katie + Michelle I owe you big for the thievery!) continued the party into the wee hours of the night, where Andrew played the guitar, Paul took some pics, and Michelle, Wod Wod, Nadnuk, and Sean screamed sang in unison. It was the perfect way to ring in the new decade. With friends and music. And alcohol. Stolen alcohol.

Phil, Katie, Ed – Image: Carlos Meltzer

The next morning, after just hours of sleep, Miggy rallied me out of bed for a day long drinking session at Brian O’Neill’s, where we sipped mimosas, chomped on fish and chips, chugged Blue Moons, met some crazy characters, and may have walked home. (Michelle, do you remember?) Following that, we somehow persuaded Susan and Mandy to bring us MORE beer and held a Reba Karaoke Fest. In my dining room. What more can a girl ask for on her 30th?

View party pics from Carlos Meltzer & PureAmber.

More bad health news came in October. I contracted Salmonella poisoning, along with 4 other friends who all attended an event. And let me tell you, it. ain’t. pretty. I’ll spare you the ugly details. Stomach. cramps. aren’t. fun. For. reals. As I got over the Salmonella, I swear my digestive track still isn’t the same, I learned during a Lasik eye consultation that I had several holes in the lattice of my retina. Of. course. i. did. This year, nothing surprised me. SO after 3 eye surgeries to repair the holes, I could finally be a candidate for Lasik.  I scheduled it for later in November. The better to see you with, my dear.

Ryan Adams – Verizon Wireless – October 14, 2008

The rest of October was a whirlwind of events.  From the debates at Caroline to a 2 week stretch of incredible concerts: Ryan Adams + The Cardinals (i heart you Neal Casal), Girl Talk, Portugal. The Man (thank you, Paul!), The Ton Tons, Ray Lamontagne (2nd row, baby!) and ending the month-o-music with Kings of Leon.

Bandcamp at Caroline (the brainchild of Matt and Philip of  KTRU’s Revelry Report rounded off the end of October, an awesome sidelines visit to the Texans Game with Broadway Bankmann (see goofy video below from Michelle); And finally ending the month with Halloween at 13 Celsius with Migs and Foofers.

Whew! What. a. month!

Did you miss a recap? Check out Jan-September here.

Yes, folks.  They’re baaaaack.  Both of ‘em. 2 greats in 1 night: Mustaches for Kids and Vinyl Ranch. You just can’t make a pairing like this up. Ya can’t.

This year’s Mustaches for Kids Campaign officially kicks off tomorrow night at Leon’s Lounge with the big “Shave-off.”

Join your most excellent hosts Dave Wrangler and LJ Walker for DOLLYWOOD, a celebration of Dolly Parton’s “hits” (film and music) this Friday evening! Vinyl Ranch hosts this super fun, FREE and unique even that is taking place at the quaint and charming Leon’s Lounge.

The party begins at 9pm with a “Shave-Off” mixer for the Houston chapter of “Mustaches For Kids“. MFK is an organization which grows mustaches to raise money for children’s charities. Read the “2008 grower’s information” here so you are adequately prepared for what you are about to get yourself into should you decide to grow!

At 10pm, the DJs fire up the turntables with heavy emphasis on Dolly Parton’s solo and duet recordings. As usual, they will also be spinning your favorite VINYL honky-tonk classics from Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty, Merle Haggard, Hank Williams Jr., Loretta Lynn and more! catch a few different flicks starring Dolly Parton on the tubes! Again this event is free-so please come out and take part in the fun!

Dollywood – Friday, November 7th
Leon’s Lounge
1006 McGowen
Houston, TX 77002
Vinyl Ranch MySpace
Mustaches for Kids Houston

If you were in attendance at last year’s bash, you’ll remember more than I do, we hope to see you back again. If not, don’t miss out this year.  Oh, and fellas, Vinyl Ranch was just voted “Best Place to Meet Single Women” by the Houston Press.  So paint on those Wrangler’s and get your Stetson steamed. See y’all there!

This weekend is shaping up to be NUTS!  Nuts I say!

Let’s just get into it:

Friday

Hey you artsy fartsies, if you’re looking for a night out of openings, tonight, check out b.s. artblog’s recomendations for an itinerary.

Discovery Green hosts the 10 Year Anniversary of Wes Anderson’s Houston-filmed, Kevin Menchaca-starring (ok, starring is a strong word) Rushmore. 7:30pm at Discover Green Park, free.

Boot Scootin’ Boogie your way over to Leon’s Lounge for Dave Wrangler’s monthly Vinyl Ranch. I can’t believe it’s almost been one year since my last bday bash there. Geez, time flies.  10pm-2am, free.

Saturday

Here’s where things get sticky.  Stay with me.

Start your day off at the new Montrose Farmer’s Market in the La Strada parking lot. An awesome KSG write up on Houstonist here.  God, I love me some KSG.  (not to be confused with MSG).

Head over to Caroline Collective for the Save Ferris…Save Lives Leukemia Lymphoma Society fundraiser, for screenings of 2 of the 80′s best Breakfast Club @ 8,  Ferris Bueller’s Day Off @ 10.  Don’t forgot your 80′s costumes!  $20 adults, $10 kiddos.

The Orange Show, with the help of our favorite local brewery, Saint Arnold, hosts the Annual Foamraiser.  7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and will feature music by the Sideshow Tramps and The Grass Skirts. Tickets are $20 pre-sale, $25 at the door and include unlimited samplings of Saint Arnold brews. Proceeds benefit the Orange Show Concert Series. Um, did i mention BEER?
Get Kristin2Go’s preview of the event here.

If you are still standing, don’t miss James Pants’ exciting Houston debut at the MFA’s Mixed Media Series. If you’ve never been to one of the Mixed Media Series. WTF? do it do it do it do it.  Art Crowd members get into the VIP, so see ya in there!  Not an Art Crowd member? Become one!  It’s only $25 more to your yearly MFA membership.  worth it, i tell ya. See ya in VIP? :-)
Admission:
$15 General Admission
$10 Students with ID
FREE FOR MFAH MEMBERS
18 and up

Sunday

Rumored that Ms. Spears will be making an apperance on the VMAs.  I’ll be speanding the day hoping and praying this it true.  Oh gawd Britney, this is what we’ve been waiting for.  Don’t screw it up!!!!

Have a good weekend, peeps!

p.s.  so this seems trown together, it was. no pretty pictures. :-(   DEAL.  But if you MUST see pretty pictures, check out brentabousko’s post on the weekend here.  And he’s so  much cooler than me.

Vinyl Ranch One Year Anniversary, originally uploaded by CosmoPolitician.

join me this friday at leon’s lounge as we help dave wrangler and lee celebrate one year of vinyl ranch in houston! and what a year it’s been!

check out some of the great pics from over the past year here.

It’s where I spent 29 last year, and let’s not forget when we broke Gwen Bell into Leon’s at Vinyl Ranch in June!

hope to see you there!

Leon’s Lounge
1006 McGowen
10pm-2am