MATT DRISCOLL: BLOGGING THE TASTE OF TACOMA LIVE >>>

If something is worth doing, it’s worth live blogging. At least that’s what I always say. I guess Walter Neary and I think a lot alike on that level.

Today marks the kickoff of the annual Taste of Tacoma fiasco. Food vendors from all around Grit City and beyond will pack the park, serving delightful delicacies to the masses from thrown together tents of all shapes and sizes. It promises to be both delicious, and downright entertaining. And with the weather outside looking good â€" there’s really no better way to spend a Friday morning.

At least that’s what Steph DeRosa and I told the boss. We’ll be live blogging the Taste of Tacoma kickoff staring this morning at 11 a.m. She’ll be stirring shit up with Bandito Betty, and I’ll be acting more domestic than my age with the wife and kids. There’ll be something for everyone here on Spew, and most likely, something for no one, too.

So, join us at 11 a.m. This live blogging will melt in your mouth and your hands.

10:27  a.m.: PAPPI SWARNER: Let's just hope these two get rolling faster than the last live blogging â€" the opening day of the Tacoma Farmers Market. I'm still in vacation mode. Dead space scares me this time.

10:42: STEPH DEROSA: I just scored a killer parking spot. Beat that Matt Driscoll!

10:52: MATT DRISCOLL: I didn't score an awesome parking spot. And the kid crapped her pants as we walked out the door. So predictable.

10:58 DEROSA: Just spotted Word on the Street dude Scott Fontaine in a long-sleeve shirt and jeans. Doesn't he read his own paper's weather report?

11:02 DRISCOLL: That's so Fontaine. I'm not wearing underwear. You can post that.

11:09 DEROSA: The longest line so far is the 770 KTTH booth. They are broadcasting Rush Limbaugh and giving away free Fritos. By the way, is Matt really here? I don't see him.

11:12 DRISCOLL: I'm just walking in. It's official. I have ball sweat already.

11:15 DEROSA: Yuck!  OK, $17 for 20 tickets. Sounds like a good deal, huh? One taste costs seven tickets though. WTF?

11:16 DRISCOLL: Just saw my first bus marked "Taste of Tacoma" packed with guys in Polo shirts and women in extra-large sunglasses.

11:18 DEROSA: Grease is the word! It's dripping from my alligator kabob. Mmmm, just like home.

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11:27 DRISCOLL: I've been here 15 minutes so far and haven't tasted anything yet. I have, however, seriously considered buying an Obama T-shirt from this lady.

11:30 DEROSA: I just saw Matt's parole officer. No wonder he's nowhere in sight.

11:31 DEROSA: Time to break in the fresh porta potties.

11:32 DRISCOLL: Shit! He's here!?!

11:37 PAPPI: So far this is the Bad Taste of Tacoma.

11:43 DRISCOLL: Here's me and Randy Moss at the Taste.

11:44 DEROSA: Inta Juice fruit smoothies have Red Bull in them and my name all over them. Damn good.

11:48 DRISCOLL: First taste: Hawaiian barbecue from Ali and Summo's. Mmmm, I feel fat already.

11:49 DEROSA: Oh my god! Friggen long ass line for a $500 gas card from Geico. That's half a tank in my 1997 Suburban.

11:50 DEROSA: I just won free garden gloves as a result of a computer survey I just filled out. How lame. I don't take care of my garden. I drink beer in my garden.

11:53 DEROSA: Just ran into Fontaine. He told me some dirty secrets but said he'd kill me if they showed up on Spew. He scares me.

11:55 DRISCOLL: I'm not trying to be a hater, but there are a lot of booths here from outside Tacoma. Case in point: Chutney's Grille from Seattle.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

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12:01 DEROSA: They call it the Taste, but I'm receiving plate loads. Heh.

12:14 DRISCOLL: Vinyl windows â€" not so tasty.

12:18 DEROSA: I'm about to dig into some Southern Kitchen Restaurant grub.

12:19: DEROSA: Gumbo! I need a beer to make this complete.

12:20: DRISCOLL: Even my 1-year-old daughter seems to realize this cover of "Brown Eyed Girl" is sub par. It is enthusiastic, though. That's got to count for something.

12:21 DEROSA: This Coors light is the best I have ever tasted. I should go steal Matt's wife and make her drink with me.

12:23 DRISCOLL: People are lining up to win bags of S&W rice. If that's not exciting, I don't know what is.

12:28 DRISCOLL: Scott Fontaine's starter beard looks hot today. I think I saw barbecue sauce on it. Nice.

12:29 DEROSA: This gumbo is killer. Whole shrimp, okra, chicken, and sausage in perfect roux over a bed of rice. I love you Southern Kitchen. Oh, and the guys are cute server it. Bonus!

12:31 DRISCOLL: Here's a peek behind the scenes. It's a rough job dealing with all that tastiness.

12:34 DEROSA: Cinderella's stepsisters are bitching out the doorman to the beer garden. Their license is over a year expired. Stop spending your money on cheap hair!

12:36 DRISCOLL: This picture speaks for itself.

12:38 DRISCOLL: Here is some tasty trash. Felt blog post anxiety I guess.

12:39 DRISCOLL: I think someone may have called the medics for my arteries. It might have something to do with an elephant ear.

12:40 DEROSA: Masa is serving entra parilla â€" a marinated steak skewer, Tijuana dog, which is wrapped in bacon, chorizo asado â€" chorizo peppers and sauce â€" and it all looks yum. The skewer is th emost popular according to the Masa staff.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

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12:49 DRISCOLL: Here's where the former Tacoma mayors are set to rally for Metro Parks later tonight. My money is on Baarsma blacking out after much "tasting."

12:52 DEROSA: Matt, I got the scoop on Fontaine's beard. His beautiful soon-to-be wife bet him that he could not go for 10 days without shaving. The bet amount? $10.

12:55 DRISCOLL: Apparently I'm too big for this ride. Or so says Funtastic.

1:02 DEROSA: There's a guy working the Katie Downs booth who feels the need to scream and applaud at the people in the beer garden.

1:14 PAPPI: Hmmm, seems a little quiet â€" almost too quiet. I bet those two clowns are in the beer garden.

1:16 PAPPI: I knew it.

Taste of Tacoma 2008
June 27-29, Point Defiance Park

LINK: Taste of Tacoma information

LINK: Taste of Tacoma restaurants

LINK: Taste of Tacoma entertainment