What do Shaun King and The Mag's Monica Lewis have in common? They both prefer to look off Keyshawn Johnson.

Partying with the big dogs. Yes, I could get used to this.

The national holiday we call the Super Bowl is officially underway. Last night, The Magazine held its launch party for the brand-new TV show, The Life, and there couldn't be a better description of what it's like to be here.

Just a few blocks away, mighty-mouth Keyshawn Johnson hosted his Second Annual Super Bowl Gala. He even had Grammy-nominated newcomer Jill Scott performing. Star Jones told me she just had to attend Keyshawn's bash. I worried our crowd would be a little thin. But then I saw the enormous line outside Tampa's Rain Lounge and began wondering if even I could get in.

It wouldn't be an ESPN function without the likes of Chris Berman, Stuart Scott and Dan Patrick. Then there was Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper, Saints Pro Bowler La'Roi Glover, Cowboys RB Emmitt Smith and Ravens man-about-town Tony Siragusa. Jim Kelly and Marcus Allen also showed up, in the city of forgettable Super Bowl moments (remember "wide right" in 1991?). "They all want a piece," grinned NBA2Night's Jason Jackson. "People can't get enough of those four letters."

Knowing my company role -- there's no "I" in ESPN -- I didn't hesitate to whip my notebook out and ask Patricia Smith, a.k.a. Emmitt's wife, what living "the life" means to her. With her left ring finger in full bling-bling (platinum band and many karats), the former Miss Virginia told me she can fly her Virginia-based family (full of former Redskins fans) to Texas three or four times a years to attend games. Nice.

But before I could venture a follow-up, Mr. Smith shut it down. "Why you interviewing my wife at a party?" he snapped, quickly grabbing her hand and heading off to the VIP section.

Welcome to the life.

You can e-mail Monica Lewis at monica.lewis@espnmag.com.