I want to have a party. We haven’t had a party in a long time and I’m feeling the need for a dose of social interaction. I woke up on Sunday feeling especially festive. Jade and I were going to see the Michael Jackson movie and had been dancing to his CD in preparation. Our two-person dancing crew was feeling energized by the perfection of our signature move: the double moonwalk.

I was wishing we had a Smooth Jazz Sunday Brunch to attend somewhere. Or, at the very least, a coffee klatch where I could wear my new boots.

My new boots have zippers and buckles and make me walk with a swagger. I was dancing in my new boots that morning. It felt like the feet I was meant to have.

I needed to go somewhere that felt like a party. I talked the boys into going for pastries at Panera.

Panera has the most beautiful selection of pastries. They are all on little plates that look like stages. Delicate pastries waiting to perform. Each one looking eagerly at you calling “Pick me! Pick me! I want to be a star!”

I chose a beautiful custard-cherry pastry. Jeff got his usual bear claw and Jade chose the gigantic cinnamon roll. Once everyone was duly saturated with sugar, I ever-so-slyly brought up the subject of parties.

I tried to sell Jade on the idea of a game-themed party for his birthday. Twister, Chutes and Ladders, Go Fish, Guess Who, all the classics. He seemed mildly interested. Although in his defense he was trying to eat something that was as big as his face.

I swaggered around Panera a few times refilling my coffee, mingling with a few others by the half and half. We left full of laughter and sugar. I left with hope about my party idea.

Later Jade and I saw the movie, “This is it.” If you are at all a fan of MJ you will love this movie.

It has all the hits. What I found amazing, especially since I was experiencing a sugar crash, was Michael’s ability to dance at 50 and keep up with his professional background dancers. He was incredible.

All the more reason to have the party. I have to keep my dancing up to snuff.

Pastries, Parties and Michael Jackson. Sunday at its best.

By the way, Panera has other stuff too. They have soups, sandwiches, bagels and salads. We’ve been for lunch, which is good too. If you do go for Sunday pastries, try to get there before church lets out. It’s a madhouse after that.

Panera is located on 3140 Peoples Street in Johnson City. For more information, call 423-952-2253 or visit their Web site at www.panerabread.com.

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