If you are dropping by to read the February Drama, bless you. I am no longer firing it off via e mail to the world. Maintaining a database of 141,000 tastemakers and celebs such as yourself became a full time job, only without benefits! Dexter is not an intern at Crazy Pinoy, if you didn't notice! So cats will have to come back this way once in awhile for their dosage of the column.

In December I made a limited Seattle/Portland announcement about retiring from elements of the game. It's become pretty clear to me that as you get older, the things you do for love have to be balanced with what you do for money. Sad but true. And I did love the game. Anytime you can be on the cutting edge of something, is where you wanted to be, at least in my case. Northwest urban music industry was just all that and more. Today though, I am more dangerous as the behind the scenes provocateur who's there for Seattle when it needs me for special occasions and old skool advice!

In EA Sports news we have run out of space for all the 2005 edition T shirts! If you see Keek Loc The Ghetto Prez tell him you want yours, because he's the one dispensing the inventory. Find out if there's anything left after Jerome James and the rest of the Sonics team gets theirs!

Noc On Wood Records has their video schedule lined up. We will keep you posted on dates for Noc Rage. You may also catch me at a few of Noc On Wood Studio events working their bar, I love that space.

I am confused. If Samuel L. Jackson won't work with "unproven actors" like rappers then why bother with Ashanti either? What has she proved, exactly? Am I missing something? To be perfectly honest, anything between music people and film actors I usually wait until DVD rental time to see. Except "Barbra". Girlfriend has proved herself over last 30 years!

In Seattle business news there is a hot new restaurant row in the making, right in the center of West Seattle. For foodies and tastemakers this is going to be the new place to be! Congrats to restaurants Matador and Ovio for breaking new ground over there. Now watch what happens to the prices of condos in the 'hood! You can keep track of that on a site I have been hearing about, www.GeneDexterHomes.com!

Seattle's own Dove (www.tygereye.net) paid a visit from her new base of NY with her Universal client, Jae Millz, to hype the next single, "Who". Seems all the main Seattle gatekeepers made it over to catch up with the Lordess Sheepish herself! Guestlist included manager Jonathan Moore with Byrdie (www.NFlightproductions.com), KUBE 93.3's DJ's Big Mike and Scene, DJ Lady T, T. Wood Jr. (president, www.NocOnWood.com).

And on the subject of Byrdie, what big Seattle name got on Paul Silva's Sports Talk show on a network affiliate and NOT once mention the Byrd was opening for him at a Tsunami Relief benefit concert that weekend? How droll! Paul Silva, you're guilty too! Although I have to admit it is really cool how he gets Gordon Curvey (www.MusicInnerCity.com) on the show once in awhile, so Paul, you get the ghetto pass for February!

WANKSTERS FOR FEBRUARY: People who think about suicide only to change their minds at the last second, ending up killing people around them instead. Look, it goes like this, suicide is a selfish act to begin with, please limit it to yourselves and leave strangers and everyone else alone. Police and fire departments could use a break as well. They really have better things to do than clean up after your mess!

BUZZ FOR FEBRUARY: 60 Thompson Hotel (NY), Irv Gotti, Bill Cosby as a Mack, Trump plane parking problems, "Democratic" elections, Jamie Foxx, Cristalla condo project (Seattle), Maxim's Hotel/Club sale (Paris), price changes for travel to Asia (think Thailand!).

IS THIS SHOUTING?: All who have been really wonderful by your e mails and calls about our new career direction in the Dexter household. We really appreciate keeping you as friends. Crazy Pinoys never really go away, they just show up at the best parties and clown your call booze list!

Gene Dexter, Urban Referee
CrazyPinoy.com