"I don't know why you love that place so much, it's small, there's always a cover and forget about finding parking…" 

After 20 minutes of circling the block, I was convinced Fabi was right about that one.  In fact, this was the specific reason I'd chosen to come alone tonight, opting not to pressure an assuming friend into a night already starting in the red.  Well, after some fancy U-turns I was able to secure a space, and humped it double-time across the street.  Half a block away I could hear music.  The band was already playing (and I'll be damned if most of the clubs around town aren't starting everyone up on time nowadays).  Anyway, I guess it's time to mention that I was going to see Mozella.  Yeah, yeah, whatever, I was bored.  But, I was bored the other day at the airport too, where, waiting for a ride that was running late, I had the luxury to watch this mid-level band negotiate the move of their equipment from the baggage claim, to curbside and then into an old SUV.  Mozella seemed charming to me, and what the hell, her record release show was cheap.  I needed a night out. 

So I get to the doorman who assures me that they've literally just stepped on to the stage… okay, I'll fork over the $5 then.  I get inside and... yeah, the renovation of the place remains striking.  I love the expansion, the vibe, the lighting, and even the tunes they've got on.  I step into the next room where Mozella's got her full band with her.  Now mind you, when I first saw this girl, it was about 4 years ago when she was struggling along doing the whole solo bit and was the legitimately unsigned artist.  Now, she's somebody's baby.  I remember reading about how she credited getting signed to her unique style which I had thought looked a little more Hootenanny B-girl/skater than anything else.  But whatever, she's all pop princess now and she's got the songs to boot.  The crowd was strictly West Hollywood and the Valley... (I'm sure her album's going to be available at Target in the very nearest of future).  I finally had to rush to the bar for another drink when everyone begin clapping and singing along as she 'broke it down' about the love that you… coulda, shoulda.  It all just seemed a little too 'One Tree Hill'.  My masculinity was threatened.  And for all of you who know me, well I have some questionable music on tap, but this was a bit much.

Well, true to the bouncer's words (grrrr) I was there for two songs before they finished.  "Well" I thought "that's that." And so I headed for the door and… wait a minute!  Is that Tom Morello getting on stage?!?  Who the eff booked this night?!?

So yeah, I hung around to see Morello (Rage Against the Machine/Audioslave) go off on both the guitar and the government.  I mean, come one!  It's Morello!  Well, as it turns out, he's got a booming voice, commanding presence and can beat the hell outta a nylon string guitar.  My ears hurt and I liked it.  "If you take one step towards freedom, it'll take two steps towards you!!!" he professed.  Ahhhhh… my palate was cleaned.  I chewed on some ice in peace not wanting to move…  I didn't wanna go home, go to work, answer the phone, drive my car, pay my rent…

And that's when it hit me.  I'd just picked up a money order earlier that day to pay my rent.  And I'll be goddamned if I hadn't just left it sitting on the passenger's seat (at least that's all I could think I'd done with it).  How do you not keep track of important shit like that?!?  Anyway, if you know the back streets around Hotel Café, then you know why I had reason to worry.  So, I finished the last of my drink and headed for the door.  "Good luck, Tom" I thought as I picked up one of the cards from the back.  'Guerilla Food Not Bombs' it read.  I figured I could get behind that…