Talk of the Town - Missing in action November 25 2000

Continuing search for the elusive Puffy is sidelined by the flu

Fall is definitely here. I was relying on an extended Indian Summer to keep me going to December. But the weather changed, and now I am sick. So sick that I was unable to attend a long list of parties I had planned on checking out. No one seemed to notice my absence, and the parties and gatherings continued on. I unfortunately missed the Most Model Ball last Saturday, thrown by Karma’s Pablo “King of Clubs.”Another thing I missed was a sighting of Tammy Faye at the Lenox Square Rich’s Oct.14. She was spotted shopping with a teenage boy in the junior department for girls. Her signature mascara was in full effect, but her sweet demeanor was gone missing. She reportedly appeared to be a little bitchy and annoyed by her young companion. Maybe he was telling her she was too old to wear teenagers’ clothes.
I missed that spectacle because I was at my very first Hawks game. They played the Portland Trailblazers at Philips Arena, also my first time there. I found myself getting into the game against my weak will. No longer was I complaining about how the Hawk dancers looked like they were auditioning for an ‘N Sync video, but I was mad when the female referee fouled Dikembe Mutombo. And I jumped up and yelled when we scored in the last couple of minutes on the clock and won the game.
While exiting the stadium, I ran into Buff Bagwell, wrestling superstar, who humbly greeted fans and looked very attractive and toned in a denim get-up. Now, I have to wonder if I was the good luck charm or was Bagwell? I like the former idea, but I don’t want to seem like an egomaniac.
What could have been an ego fest but was actually a pleasant, elegant event was the Fashion and Music Expo show at Swissotel Oct. 17. Designer Wayne Van Nugyen staged a fashion show and Lotustar performed a brief set opening for the newly reformed Arrested Development, who gave the kind of performance they were loved for in the beginning of their early ’90s success. The affair was hip and sexy. I hadn’t seen that many well-dressed people in the flesh this year.
Barely dressed was Chris Chameleon, lead singer of Boo!, who performed at MJQ’s anniversary party Oct. 17. The South African band kept the audience mesmerized with their gender-bending, tongue-in-cheek handling of pop, rock and love songs. I had a great and graphic conversation with Chameleon and his fellow bandmates, Princess Leonie and Ampie Omo about sexuality and defying labels. What fun and deviant lads they are.
My last excursion this past week was on that busy night of Oct. 17 when I stopped by Justin’s in Buckhead to catch, in progress, what Puff Daddy’s whole Bad Boy weekend soiree was about. Well, at Justin’s the party was on, on and more on. It was the best (somewhat) private party I’ve ever been to. All of the liquor was free and so was the food. You could get your hip-hop groove on, warm-up outside near a fireplace or get your smoky smoke on in the VIP lounge. The bartender made my drink entirely too strong — a wine glass full of vodka with a splash of tonic, which was not what I ordered, but I didn’t complain. I’m not stupid. Near the entrance, standing behind a group of afro boys, one with a comb stuck in his hair (how retro), I got a chance to see and touch Jermaine Dupri, who I swear is no bigger than one of my Buffalo platform boots. He had presence, though, no doubt about it, as he coolly entered the restaurant, turned club and greeted fans and friends. But there was no Puffy. Word has it he jetted to catch a Sean John fashion show at Vegas Nights in Cobb. I was all pumped up to attend the finale party at Club 112, but by then the flu had settled nicely in my chest.
I swear one of these days I’m going to see Puffy and when I do, it better be good. I feel as if I’m Alice in Wonderland chasing the white rabbit. Once I’ve recovered, I’m sure our paths will cross. Maybe I should get in touch with the Benjamins.