It's been a whirlwind week here in Aruba...except there's no actual wind.  Yes, still hot...but I'm used to it, even though I sweat still (you know me).

I started out with a rousing crowd early in the week-lots of $20 tips, etc.  We had a great time!  Then on Thursday a big crowd from the east coast came in with a few birthday parties...they threw me a couple $100s and were buying shots like crazy.  At the end of the night, all drunk and singing, Mike (the ringleader of the group) says he wants to buy a shot for the entire bar....so we pour about 60 shots and have at it.  How lovely!  This generous man is taking care of a round for the entire bar!  It warms my heart to see that kind of generosity...but wait....it only gets better....

So Friday my friends from Chicago, Julie & Bill, arrived.  Julie told Bill the only thing she wanted for her birthday was to see me sing....so he booked a week in Aruba!  Could that be any sweeter?  They wanted to buy me a bottle of champagne for the night, so I said (TWIST MY ARM), ok!  Man, it was a good evening...they also tipped me about $100....again, true generosity revives my faith in the good nature of humanity....they also asked for several of my songs (they have all my CDs), which is also very flattering.   I drank most of the bottle, had a few red headed sluts (as always), and proceeded to remain drunkenly going out with Ivo & the crew from Soprano's until 5 in the morning.

So I've already had a stellar week at this point....so now it's Saturday night (last night), and I see Julie & Bill.  I tell them I can't handle another bottle tonight...I said they could buy my beers, etc.  Well, that worked until about 10:30p when they were looser and feeling generous again....and I see another bottle come up to the stage.  I give them a chastising look and take a deep breath, ready to do it all again....when I see the east coast group coming....like 30 people at once and I've already got a pretty full bar at this point....but now I know the night's about to get a lot better....I didn't realize how much better though!  So Mike and his brother are competing to see who can take better care of me, basically, and towards the end they were slinging me $100 PER SONG.  I said I had to stop at 1:00am and they gave me another $100 each to play another few songs....so already I have a generously full tip jar - a record night in and of itself.  But here's the kicker: when they paid the bill, Mike gave an UNBELIEVABLE tip on his credit card.... What a lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky girl I am.  Both my wallet and heart are bursting - YIPPEEE!

I don't think I'll be able to top this story....but you never know.  I'll certainly never forget my first time in Aruba.