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We know how time-consuming a good date can be, so we've done the dirty work for you. You can even take all the credit.

The rodeo is something inherently Tucson, where thousands of students get two days off school to celebrate the annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. This year the rodeo itself actually stretches from Saturday through Feb. 25, so there's lots of time to surround ourselves with everything Western.

Step 1: Shop, or rustle through your closet. You'd probably get more into the mood if you dressed like a vaquero. That's right, pull out your Wranglers, cowboy shirt, boots and hat. You can even start calling your friends and relatives "pardner" if you want.

Step 2: Watch the rodeo parade (on television or in person). It begins at 9 a.m. next Thursday at the corner of South Park Avenue and East Ajo Way and ends at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds, 4823 S. Sixth Ave. It will be televised on KOLD, Channel 13. You can find a map of the parade route on Page 32.

If you can't make the parade, catch the professional rodeo competition at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds. You can buy tickets at www.tucsonrodeo.com/schedule or at the gates. On parade day, the rodeo action begins at 2 p.m. Call 741-2233 for more information.

Afterward, head north and grab a big steak at Li'l Abner's Steakhouse, 8500 N. Silverbell Road.

Although any steakhouse or barbecue joint would work, Li'l Abner's serves up steak, ribs, chicken and baked potatoes in a cowboy fashion. Li'l Abner's cooks all the food on an open fire out front, and a live band plays on the weekends. Call 744-2800 for reservations or directions.

Ask this question:

If you were in the rodeo, would you be a cowboy or a clown?