Let's cut to the chase. It's been one tough week: we got the move downtown, tons of coverage of festivalia-galore for follow-up, and well, just sheer exhaustion. Not to the level of "crappy" (though it got damned close) but even Friday doesn't taste as it should.

I'm not one to throw big parties, but a day like today calls for one. And at Metromix LA/HQ, nothing causes sheer giggly delight like Pocky. Yes, I said Pocky. Those rail-thin, chocolate-coated biscuit sticks. You look at those and you know that a culture that daily uses chopsticks was the mad genius behind them. Of course, the Pocky empire expands well beyond the realm of chocolate. 

I hit my local Marukai and cleared the shelves of Pocky varietals and gained some serious lovin' from my colleagues (sorry, dudes, no photos). Come join us on our little Pocky Party (set in two parts), and let's see which creamy-coated dips passed our lips.

DISCLAIMER: In my efforts to resize my photos and with my hateful computer problems today, I realize that the photos are blurry. I'll see what I can do next time.

Bottom row (left to right): Tahitian Vanilla, Honey & Milk, Strawberry, Mango Mousse, White Chocolate Mousse

Top row: Gigantic sack of individual bags of original Pocky, Bittersweet chocolate with cocoa dust

Miss Alie Ward shyly hides her excitment at her first introduction to Tahitian Vanilla.

Oooh....Alie shows off how the pretty bag matches Alexandra's shirt of hotness

Sniff! It smells like cake batter...and tastes delightful! This ended up being the Ward favorite as it tasted like vanilla pudding (and shared the pure snowiness of Alie's skin).

Contributing editor George Ducker isn't afraid to get in on some Pocky action even in his formal Friday attire. "[Strawberry] smells like cigarettes!" Alex cries with surprise. Oh, that was George.

We appreciate guys who coordinate with their favorite Pocky, in this case: Metropolitan white chocolate mousse meet a creamy oxford with a touch of tie (perhaps an "Oxford" knot, if you will)

Alexandra liked the Mango Mousse, which was "enormous!" As she summarizes, the bigger the stick with more frosting, the better. Yes, that was meant to be sexual.

More delights from the party forthcoming—as well as some professional evaluation (I am a serious food editor, after all). For now, enjoy Alie's ballerina flight of Pocky euphoria during the intermission.  

TO BE CONT'D.

The weekend is upon us, comrades, and the last thing I want to see is my beloved allies rumpled on the couch, in a dark room watching golf.

I know you have it in you to be drunk/happy/entertained. There is hope. So please accept these options as my intervention.

Young drunkards, indie rock and Bob Odenkirk: together at last 

Jack daniels and rare beef,

Old cars and campy movies,

Chicks in mini skirts murdering each other,

half-naked pool parties,

7 year Cannibal art itches

Ghettoglossing with crucified bunnies

and maybe even a little bit of peyote dance mania at the Ford.

Now find some pants, lovlies.

Warmest regards,

Dr. WardSpecializing in Non-Lameness

I went to Green Door on Wednesday and it’s all I’ve been able to think about since.

When you walk in, it’s like you’re whisked away to another world, another century even. It has all the fixings of a turn-of-the-century French castle with red velvet couches, green and gold curtains, chandeliers, a stone fireplace, regal portraits, museum-worthy murals and walls that have been painted in earth tones to give the impression of age. It also has a secretive and mysterious vibe; a bit like the game Clue, but instead of searching for “who done it," the impeccably dressed crowd is looking for who they want to do. The other night, most of the girls were in dresses and the dudes were dapper in vests, pinstriped shirts, skinny ties and loafers—very Jude Law in "The Talented Mr. Ripley."

Here's a quick look inside, though my DIY pics don't do it justice!

With regulars like Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Bosworth, getting in is not easy, but I’m pretty sure that a dinner reservation is a ticket past the velvet rope. The food (available until 1 a.m.) looks good too, especially the crepes and the steak frites.

On a side note:
There's a hair iron for use in the bathroom. Confusing, yes, but I kind of love that you can fix your hair on the fly.

Some teens celebrate their 18th birthday by buying lotto tickets and getting lap dances. Not Hayden Panettiere. Her first order of business this week was to register to vote (with a photo op, of course) and on Saturday she’s hitting the kick-off party for the “young professional division” of the Barack Obama campaign.

Want to go? Here are the details.
Where: Falcon

When: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Who: Um, Hayden! And Will.i.am is co-hosting the event with promoter Pantera Sarah. (Barack, however, will be in Florida.)

Cost: $25

Party favor: Sweet t-shirts silk-screened with graphics like this!