alacrity [&-'la-kr&-tE]
cheerful willingness; eagerness; speed or quickness; celerity
Synonyms include: alertness, avidity, briskness, cheerfulness, eagerness, enthusiasm, expedition, fervor, gaiety, hilarity, joyousness, promptitude, quickness, readiness, sprightliness, willingness, zeal

So I’ve been kinda worn out these last two weeks. Since June 30th, I feel like I haven’t had any time to take a breath. That family reunion (which I have yet to write about) wore me out, and then when I got back here, there was barely any time to unpack and clean up before another crazy week began.

One highlight was last Tuesday night when Fernand took me, Ate Tin-Tin and Ben on a “Gay Bar Tour”…at least that’s what he called it. Before this “tour,” however, we stopped by the Grove so I could show my cousin around and then, to get our tickets validated, we had drinks at Cheesecake Factory…well, THEY had drinks. I had an iced vanilla latte with soy from Coffee Bean. After that, Fernand took us to this place called Eye Candy.

So we walk in there and Fernand’s talking about how the company he used to work for had a party there. We get in there and it’s FULL OF CHICKS. “Oh shit,” Fernand says. “It’s lesbian night. Sorry guys.” Hahaha! We laughed, had a few drinks and then headed to Bar #2 - the Abbey. Drank some more...even I drank. And then just to sweat off our slight tipsyness, we headed to Bar #3 - Micky's, to dance it off. Dude, it was SO ON over there...ON A TUESDAY NIGHT! Who parties on a Tuesday? (apparently everyone in West Hollywood cuz it was pretty busy up in there!). They played "Sexyback" and "Promiscuous Girl" twice, and then they played this random Brittany Murphy music video. WHT? FYI, by this time, I’m the most sober one. Ate had had 2 drinks and Ben and Fernand were on their…6th or 7th? Geez! Anyhow, it was so much fun! I think the fact that all of us were so ready to party made all the difference. The only thing I wasn’t down for that night was the gay porn store. “No way!” I said. “Not unless I’m drunk!” If you all saw the pictures from Fernand’s birthday, you’ll know I totally ate my words 2 days later!

The ride back home was fun…for Ate and Ben anyhow, because they chattered all through it! We didn’t get home until 2:30 and I had work the next day, but my cousin was yammering away until I turned off the lights (he slept on a fold-away in our room). “Okay Ben,” I begged, "I have to get up in 2 1/2 hours. GO TO BED!"

Okay, Fernand, what time does the next tour take place?