So Saturday night a bunch of my family ended up at Pattison's after falling prey to Aunt Faye's nostalgic yearning to lace up a pair of roller skates. Pattison's was a place I frequented during my junior high years (decked out in Seattle Blues and Jordache, thank you very much), but I swear we were nowhere near as brazen as the 'tweens whizzing around the rink Saturday night. Back in my day, the sleaziest ensemble on the floor was a Flashdance-inspired off-the-shoulder sweatshirt (worn with coordinating legwarmers, of course). Apparently times have changed (although I don't think the roller skates have – still the same flesh-toned boots with bright orange wheels ….). Teeny-tiny shorts paired with thigh-high tights seemed to be the theme of the evening, and all I kept thinking was, “None of these girls are old enough to drive here, which means someone's mother had to see that get-up and deem it appropriate for public consumption.” And then I thought, “Cripes, maybe I'm just getting really prude.”

We were the only group that included skaters over the age of 20. The rink was infested with hormone-heavy middle schoolers (and a few horny highschoolers). I couldn't believe all the tonsil hockey going down. Gag. I don't think I'd want Kegan going there without a pre-emptive shot of penecillin. That place is a den of 8-wheel debauchery.

The DJ played only one song from back in the day – Journey's Faithfully – to which Eric and I clasped hands and swooned. Otherwise it was all semi-current stuff you hear in the meat markets – Sir Mix-A-Lot, Rihanna, Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas, Pitbull and Lady Gaga … you know, all the latest crunk hits. You won't hear me complaining about the music because that's the stuff I typically listen to when I work out (and, yes, this was exercise!), but some of the kids seemed a bit uncomfortable watching an old lady shake what her mama gave her, on wheels. Tough crap, kids. I just saw you slipping each other the tongue. We're even.

  

It’s Thursday afternoon, the time when everybody starts tittering about all the great stuff they plan to get up to this weekend. Tailgates. Guitar Hero marathons. Hunting excursions (run, Bambi, run!!!).

And there you sit, with absolutely nothing to contribute to the conversation. True, lounging on the sofa and catching up on laundry is a splendid way to pass an afternoon, but who wants to admit that’s how they plan to spend an entire weekend? Not you, that’s who.

Don’t fret, my pets. I’ve come up with three totally cool things to do this weekend that require almost no planning and will get your butt up off that sofa faster than you can say fabric softener.

Friday night: Head to the Knitting Factory to take in local boy gone good, Tyrone Wells. Wells cranks out soulful pop/rock that’s surprisingly catchy and almost-instantly recognizable, probably because in addition to major air time it’s been featured on scads of popular TV shows, including Rescue Me, Gray’s Anatomy, and One Tree Hill. This local Guitar Hero’s show starts at 8, with help from Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers, and Matt Hires. There are still a few tickets available through TicketMaster ($13 in advance, $15 day of show), but they’re going fast so don’t dawdle. Click here for more info on the show: The Knitting Factory

Saturday: Lace up your skates, pop some pre-emptive ibuprofen and spend the afternoon at Riverfront Park’s Ice Palace. Saturday’s skate sessions run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 7-10 p.m. Admission is $4.25 for skaters 13 and over; and $3.25 for kids aged 3-12, seniors over 62, and members of the military. Group Health is graciously covering everyone’s skate rental during Saturday’s early session (usually $3/person), which means you’ll have an extra $3 to put toward your post-skate urgent care co-pay. (Come on, admit it. Ice skating is a total blast, but it’s one of those activities you go into knowing full well you’ll pay for it in the morning.) Click this link for a full list of skate times and other free skate rental days: Riverfront Park Ice Palace

Sunday: In case you haven’t heard (been hiding under a rock or something?) Disney’s The Lion King is in town through December 6. Get psyched for the show with a stroll through the lobbies of The Davenport Hotel and Tower. Replicas of the elaborate masks and puppetry are on display in both lobbies, and there’s a full costume on display in the Davenport’s hotel gift shop. Make an afternoon of it by plopping on one of the Dav’s comfy overstuffed lobby chairs (this may be the only place in town where sitting on a sofa can be considered an event) and sipping something from the Peacock Lounge. Click here for more info on the Broadway production: Spokane’s Best of Broadway

So there you have it. An entire weekend of super cool things to do. The laundry will wait, trust me.

Head downtown to The Knitting Factory and get jiggy with Dropkick Murphys. This Irish-American Celtic punk band from Massachusetts is rumored to put on one hell of a high-energy show.

Kilts, tattoos, banjos, accordians and bagpipes – how could it not be a party?

Doors open at 7 and the party starts with The Flatliners, The Insurgance and Random Noise, at 8.

I just checked and Tickets West is SOLD OUT of tickets; but the Knitting Factory box office opens at 5 … feeling lucky? Tickets – if you can get ‘em – are $25 at the door.

Really? Could this day get any better?

Ordinarily I’m not a pre-game show kind of girl but by the grace of God I tuned in early to Game 2.

Wow. Wow. Wow. Jay-Z and Alicia Keys rocked that game opener with their new collaboration, “Empire State of Mind.” And those wicked pink boots? Hell yes!

Just when I was about to declare that the Yankees should begin every home game with that song, John Legend stepped up to the mic to belt out the National Anthem. One word: Yummy.

I don’t even care who wins. This is already my favorite game. Ever.

But, for what it’s worth: Go Phillies!!!