Since the day the song "London Bridge" by Fergie started getting airplay -- not only on the radio mind you, but also the million of times its music video has been aired on MTV -- it has just been annoying me. Increasingly.

Quoting the Black Eyed Peas (of which Fergie is a member) from the recent 2006 MTV Video Music Awards, after winning the award for Best Hip Hop Video, ..."This is for all those who said that Positive Hip Hop is dead!"

Now, back to Miss "Fergie Ferg" and her "London Bridge."

For those of you that aren't up to snuff with street, hippity hoppity lingo... In the song, when she sings about her "London Bridge" wanting to come down, she is referring to her underwear.

Shocking? No. Controversial? Eh ... Not in this day and age. Positive Hip Hop? My arse.

Yes, I would love to know how a bunch of little pre-teen girls, who make up most of the MTV audience, singing about their "london bridges" wanting to come down, is such a positive message.

But, thats an ancient argument ... and yes, I am quite aware that nothing is going to change, so why bother right? Then again, let's not forget the time, not too long ago, when dear old Fergie still wet her dear London Bridges onstage.



That London Bridge has sunk.

So, I've been told that this guy, Chris, has a crush on me.

He came to my birthday party last month. Big Head Rob said the guy was all about jumping my bones.

So, I Googled him. Interesting bio.

Chris was named one of Wired magazine's 10 sexiest geeks and he has a blog (who doesn't?). He also wrote a NYT best-seller, which he recently talked about on The Daily Show.

This is not a scientific poll or anything, but what do you all think: Is Chris sponge-worthy -- or not?

- I tripped on my way home from Starbucks yesterday and almost became a socialite sandwich, smooshed between a Metro bus and a Toyota on Connecticut Avenue. I blame my funky platform shoes ... and imaginary robo-dog.

- Is your shampoo making you fat? Parabens might just be the devil. Keep an eye out for them. [Green Guide]

- Chris Matthews' party is coming soon. Big Head Rob is going to be my "date" for the evening (he's married, people, don't worry -- no funny business). Just got word that Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and John McCain are on the list. Yay. We *heart* Hillary.

- The District Sample Sale was last night in G'town. Shoppers for charity included former Congresswoman Susan Molinari and Philanthropist Cindy Jones. Media included Annie Lou Bayly, Daily Candy's D.C. editor. Alexandra Stephanopoulos, wife of George Stephanopoulous, was also there. She worked at the booth of her sister, jewelry designer Sissy Yates. [districtsamplesale.com]

- The WWW realizes: Christina wanted Britney at the 2003 VMAs. "I was up for kissing Britney, but Britney wasn't. Although she had nothing against kissing Madonna," Christina said. [idontlikeyouinthatway.com]

- Trying to prevent getting sloshed and pinching your co-workers butt at the next company function? Make sure you eat some food beforehand. And then, try having two glasses of water for each *real* drink you have. (OK, right, I know ... that's a stretch. If you cannot do two, do one.) Oh, and ladies, trust me on this one: Don't try to keep up with the boys. You'll lose. [my friend dave]

- Uh, so what cha gonna do with that old cell phone? Well, you donate it, silly rabbit. Most mobile service providers have have drop boxes for used cell phones in their stores to collect old phones for charities that provide phones programmed with emergency contacts for domestic violence victims. [wirelessfoundation.org]

- Saturday is the Capital Club's Swine on a Vine event at Potomac Polo Club. Last year's raged like a wild beast. Wait a minute ... are you guys really roasting a pig this year? [Capital Club]

- A big yahhhoooo to DCist, which celebrates it second anniversary this week. Congrats!! [gmail from Mike Grass]

- Also this week, the British Forces come to town to try to out-polo us. There is a big VIP after-party afterward at an undisclosed location (sorry). This will be a great event. Prince William, dahling, you have no idea what you've been missing. [USA vs. England] [invite.pdf]

Surely you remember Romeo and Juliet's tale of woe -- unless of course you dozed off during high school English class or missed the offbeat film version with Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes.

(Is it just me or did DiCaprio look ENCHANTING in that hauberk?)

You see, Shakespeare's young lovers were doomed to fail (a.k.a. "star-crossed") because cosmic forces predetermined their destiny. Well, I'm here to tell ya that the alignment of Mercurial's stars may be equally cataclysmic.

That's right. I, like most humans with a heart and soul, hope to find my one true love. Yet my relationship resume reads more like Scarlet and Rhett's than Nicky and Terry's. (Now THAT was an affair to remember.)

I've been a relationship jumper for most of my life, leaping faithfully from one long serious affair to another. And when in each relationship, I ponder, self-reflect. I see the best in him and the worst in him and try to accept them both. I listen to my inner voice intently. And I refuse to settle.

Because I learned long ago that you can't change anyone but yourself.

I pay close attention to the reaction of my dreams, or the messages hidden in my nightmares. And before I beat the bones of the affair into dust, I choose to walk alone. And once I decide to leave, there's no turning back.

A civilization crumbles.

I've owned about four beds, five sets of flatware and one dog. (Leaving the dog was the hardest part.)

Why do my relationships fail, you ask? Perhaps I am a wandering star, destined to roam the universe alone. Well, I certainly hope not.

Because even Mercurial wants to settle down -- SOME DAY. (I think.) And these violent delights have violent ends.

So, I prefer to think that it's because I'm too damn honest -- or insightful -- depends who you ask. I reveal nothing but the truth. The humorous (yet frightening) quirks. The delicate combination of panic and fearlessness. I'm bold, I speak my mind, and I never lie about my preference to not sleep alone.

And despite my track record of broken hearts and dreams, I'll never stop believing in my ability to love. Honestly. Deeply. Without regret -- unless, of course, I need to pretend to be the conventional woman perceived to be the perfect wife. I can only hope that such archaic convictions are gone with the wind.

Jamie Foxx likes to Play hard. Really hard. And that's why we like him.

After he was out, painting the District red as he serenaded young clubgoers at Play Lounge Saturday night, Jamie was still up for more fun and games.

Here he is at Monday night's football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Washington Redskins with Tom Cruise.

Katie Holmes was there as well. She was very happy and sweet (as usual), standing by her baby's daddy on the sidelines.

By the way, Tom: get a freaking haircut. >:-p

Who was at Play Lounge Saturday night?

Dan Snyder, owner of the Washington Redskins and multi-platinum-selling R&B singer and comedian Jamie Foxx.

As soon as we saw Dan we wanted to ask him about his cheerleaders. But then Jamie grabbed the DJ's mic and started serenading the crowd! No joke.

We were having so much fun we forgot to ask Dan if he could pump up the Redskinette's budget. Ergh! Sorry, girls.

For those of you that just need to satisfy the urge to see and be seen, we've got a new hotspot for you.

This Saturday bears witness to the grand opening of "Chroma," the latest entrant to the D.C. lounge scene. Chroma, on the penthouse level of UltraBar (formerly Home Nightclub) has been newly renovated and designed -- and, in my opinion, looks like a hybrid of Lima and EyeBar.

And of course, my instincts were right in thinking so, since the architects are one and the same as those who designed Lima Restaurant and Lounge. All that wood and green just made it obvious.

This Saturday's Grand Opening Party is hosted by Absolute Addiction -- the former local, now nationwide-expanding promotion group, that offers incentives for members who RSVP on the AA website.

We hear there will be complimentary admission before midnight and VIP Access, along with drink specials to boot. Priority entrance will be given to those with table reservations. To book a table, visit the AA site or call 703.751.8563. (Oh, and rumor has it that Miss KAC is on the guestlist. She is one of those people that likes to see and be seen on the scene in her chrome high heels).

See more sneak preview shots of the new lounge here, here, here and here.

Thank you and have a nice day,
Management

P.S. Is it me, or are venue names becoming pretty redundant sounding?

Ever feel like chilling out, 1960's Hong Kong lounge-style? Now you can. Right here in D.C.

In fact, one of the hottest parties of the week happens right upstairs from one of the hippest sushi bars in the area: Dragonfly.

Read more today @ STYLE ...

Join us in The Steeplechasers' tent on Members' Hill Oct. 21 at the International Gold Cup @ Great Meadow.

Get your tickets now. Visit Steeplechasers.net, which is finally up (sorry guys, my fault ... I've been slammmmed). ;-)

We've been wondering: what happened with the whole 29E complaint? We hope he at least got a letter of apology. Ick.