BRING ON THE WEEKEND >>>

Oh, fuck yeah, dude! The weekend is soooooo close. Not sure when quitting time is in your cubicle, but this hack writer has t-minus three hours until freedom, with shorts, flip-flops and a frosty adult beverage waiting for him at home. And, yes, by "him" I mean "me" - perhaps a little Bobble Tiki has rubbed off.

Anyway, before I can get to the aforementioned shorts, flip-flops and frosty beverage, I have to provide you - faithful reader - with yet another installment of The Prefunk - a primer for you and your liver for the coming weekend (with a photo of an alcoholic household pet thrown in for pure comedic value).

Pacific Northwest Nationals

July 23-25 @ the Puyallup Fairgrounds

Not many things go together as well as a beautiful weekend and classic, tricked-out, pimped-out hot rods. Luckily, the Pacific Nationals hot rod show - presented by Goodguys Rod & Custom Association - will rev up at the Puyallup Fairgrounds this weekend, going Friday through Sunday.

If you're into classic cars, or simply hanging out with a bunch of people that are REALLY INTO classic cars, this could be your bet.

Sweetening the deal, the Weekly Volcano has learned none other than Melanie Rushforth of Rushforth Wheels - voted Tacoma's Sexiest Local Business Owner in the Volcano's 2010 Tacoma's Most Sexy Issue - will be there with her husband, Jason - the other half of the Rushforth Wheels puzzle. They're also reportedly bringing their 1964 Buick Skylark, so that should be pretty awesome.

Now, I know what you may be thinking: Cars are so yesterday, bro. And aren't tricked out wheels just for Fast and Furious d-bags?

Wrong, laser breath. Melanie Rushforth spoke about misconceptions like this and more in March, as part of the Tacoma's Most Sexy Issue.

"I own a custom wheel company with my husband, Jason.  Wheels, you ask?  Like Pimp My Ride?  No.  Not at all.  That shit is not sexy.  Our wheels are classy and timeless," said Rushforth. "When I'm not pushing wheels, I'm pushing Tacoma!  I'm the founder of the Tacoma City Kids Marathon, and one of the founding members of one of the most fun events in all of T-Town: Tap into T-Town.  It's coming up soon - you should join me."

She didn't mention spending time in Puyallup for things like the Pacific Northwest Nationals, but you can find her there too.

As well as the fantastic Rushforths, according to promotions those that mosey on down to Puyallup for the Pacific Northwest Nationals will find, "over 2,500 1972 & earlier rods, customs & classics, vendor exhibits, indoor car show, Builder's Choice awards by Art & Craig Morrison, a giant pin stripers brush bash, a swap meet & cars for sale corral, Friday Night Drags at Pacific Raceways, nightly stage shows and parties, cruising - you name it it's happening at the 23rd Pacific Northwest Nationals!"

Vroom. Vroom.

PREFUNK: Nothing beats the high that comes from filling up the ol' tank with petrol - and it's even better if you get a good deal. Sadly, there are no good deals left to be had on gas, so you'll just have to settle from the momentary buzz that comes from dropping three dollars a gallon to juice up the Explorer. It's a bummer, but it still beats walking - at least until nations are run by eye-patch wearing warlords that trade what oil we have left like babies on the Shanghai black market. Then we'll walk.

Right now, drive to Puyallup and see some hot rods.