Oh yeah, baby. Getting outta work early today to hit up the opening-night party and screening of the film. Tomorrow night is the bowling get-together and costume contest.

This is my first fan fest of any kind, and I gotta say -- now I know why people go to these things. It's all about the excitement. If you can find something that you're passionate about, how cool is it when you find out there are other geeks like you?

So they do this every year in Kentucky, and then the past couple of years they've had a West Coast fest. The movie's been out for 10 years now, and the cult following is bigger than ever.

The best part: the 10th anniversary DVD comes out Tuesday, and they're giving away copies as prizes (fingers crossed -- not that I need another copy).

Second best part: Jeff Dowd, the real-life inspiration for The Dude, will be there. (Jeff Bridges attended the first Los Angeles one and even performed songs from the film.)

• Also in San Francisco right now is the SF Fringe Festival, featuring Fresno's own Rogue 2007 production of "Tale End" (the cast is blogging about the experience here). I won't be able to catch a performance of that, but my plan is to hit a couple of shows Saturday afternoon.

Here's what I'll be wearing, btw:

That's me on the left; and crazy-haired former Bee employee Bryan Z. on the right. But he's not going. Are any of you?