My entire last week was spent counting down the days until I got to Sunday, June 25 â€" the divine day of the Urban Art Festival.
I had first heard about it when the dreamy Choptstix bartender, Eric, handed me a flyer for it a few weeks before the big extravaganza.
I ran into a few of the brilliant minds behind the project at Syren the night before.  Naturally, I started a chant on Syren's deck: "Urban Art!  Fest-Ah-Val!"
I accidentally went on to party until 5 a.m. on Saturday/Sunday.  It was one of those nights where playing Tool's "Opiate" over and over while screaming the lyrics made perfect sense.  BFF Aaron always brings out the best in me.
Obviously, I was dragging my heels a little on Sunday, but that just goes to show that nothing could've kept me away from the function.
I was delighted to find that the Urban Art Festival was just as cool as the posters around town implied.
The first part of my UAF adventure was spent buzzing around getting the lay of the land, while keeping an eye out to see if my homies had arrived.
I shook my tail feather to the reggae beats that Jason Diamond was spinnig at one end. I watched the bands that were sizzling right in the middle of it all.  I checked out the fancy jewelry, the antique furniture from Sanford and Son, live studio glass blowing and martial artists slinging paint on a canvas.
The primal need for nutrients eventually set in.  I knew exactly what would kick me into gear: The Tuscany calzone at Ravenous, or as I like to say, "Ravenous is fabulous," in my best snobby drawl.  Even better, presto, there were my friends â€" Chesty Meow and Bluecifer.
Following Ravenous, we made the no-brainer decision.  Beer garden, yo. It took a little while to get there because the event was a who's who amongst T-Town socialites like yours truly. When we finally arrived, I was happy to see that my precious Swiss bartenders were slinging the brews. Bluecifer and Chestified were busy introducing me to everyone they knew there, while we jointly pondered the fact that it's called a beer garden, but there aren't any plants or flowers.
What was both a bummer and a blessing for the event was the weather.  I personally prefer the mid-70s, and this 92-degree day was a scorcher.  I would've stayed much longer if it hadn't been so damn hot.  Regardless, I'd be willing to bet that the availability of sunshine brought even more people to the party.
Our UAF journey ended with what any red-blooded, overheated American would do â€" We went to Magoo's for booze and air conditioning.
I've got nothin but love for all of the people who organized and sponored the UAF.
I'll be counting down the days until next year. â€" Natasha