Ball’s series is based on the series of novels by Charlaine Harris.

not crazy about the books.

Take a bottle of something or flowers or something for the host is pretty common at most gatherings or parties at a house I've been to in the city, but the only time there has been a charge has been when someone rents out a place for a big party.

caught up on some more tv.

Nip/Tuck continues to disturb, but also seemed clunky.

VM was enh.

I think bringing a gift versus "You have to pay me $10 to walk through this door" are completely different vibes, even if gift could concievably cost more than the cover charge.

For me, part of the difference is that the gift is not required, even if it's somewhat expected in some circumstances.

All this kind of makes me want to check out a paid party, only the one I described is the only one I've ever heard of before. Consuela, if you think about it, I'd love to hear how it turns out.

Like I said, it may be more common among some people than others. Midwestern usians? Newp. Food, sure. In excess. But not money. I wonder if you could extrapolate from the Puritains, or if it is a scandanavian thing. We did food among the swedish relatives as well. Of course, it was either jello or disgusting fish stuff.

Of course, in the rare instances I've been to a place where they washed my hair, it was done by the stylist.

See, I've been following my stylist, because she rocks (I just let her do what she wants, because I have no clue. She finds it fun to experiment on me. It's been something like 7 years now. I've never been disappointed.) She started out at a chain place (where she washed my hair) and is now at a classy salon that does weddings and spa stuff with the bigger prices and more people who do stuff (like having shampoo girls.) I now get scalp massages that make me cry, in a good way.

And I still don't know what the standard tip for them is.

Nip/Tuck has been disappointing this season. VM worked the best for me it has all season, and I chalk it all up to Percy Daggs being motherfucking brilliant.

I tried to read the first book, and put it down 70 pages in. I can think of lots more books more worthy of an HBO series. Even a vampire novel more worthy. Tanya Huff's vampire novels are fun.

I've also heard of rent parties, which can either be roomates pooling cash for a keg or a good DJ then charging X per head to get in.

VM worked the best for me it has all season, and I chalk it all up to Percy Daggs being motherfucking brilliant.

I've been a little meh on VM this season up to this week, and agree with your assessment. Last season I didn't like it so very much at first either. Interesting. Or, perhaps not.

I think that if you put a charge on an event, you should let people know what they're paying for -- food? music? drinks? -- then they have a way to gauge if it's worth it to them. That seems more like a pot luck to me. I can decide if it's worth my time/effort to be there with an entree.

I have. If there's too much lag time before the tickets arrive, I'd print out the confirmation e-mail from Expedia and take it to the airport just in case.

It's an e-ticket, so I'll be bringing some printout with me anyway.