His motor is always running, and it goes in style

With his 30th birthday bearing down on him fast (as in Saturday), rapper-actor Xzibit has to feel pretty good about his burgeoning career, particularly at such a calendar crossroads. He’s just released a new album, “Weapons of Mass Destruction,” and his popular auto-makeover show, “Pimp My Ride,” continues cruising right along on MTV.

The X-Man even has a couple of movies coming out this year, including “XXX: State of the Union” with another rap crossover star, Ice Cube.

But the “very single” Detroit native, who now makes his home in Woodland Hills, likes to play as much as he enjoys his work, and a weekend can barely contain what Xzibit is up to once he builds up a head of steam.

Steak lover’s night

On a Friday night, I’ll start making plans to go out to dinner. Taking all the homies would be too expensive, too many mouths to feed, so I’d hang with them on Saturday and take a date out on a Friday.

I’m a sucker for a steakhouse. I eat at Ruth’s Chris more often than McDonald’s. I like the one in Woodland Hills, but I also like Morton’s in Beverly Hills. I’d order the Cajun rib eye and asparagus, a bottle of wine and maybe some crab cakes. No dessert though. I’m a wine guy, not a sweets guy.

What happens next depends on how the date is going. I could be going home early or it could just be a drop-off. The Los Angeles nightclub scene really [stinks], so if the weather’s good, I’d take my date anywhere up Pacific Coast Highway for a nice drive and some good conversation.

Rapper on skis

On Saturday morning, if I’m not dealing with too much of a hangover, I’ll go down to Jumpin Java on Ventura and Laurel Canyon boulevards and get the No. 1 breakfast. It’s got eggs with jalapeno, cheese, bacon and potatoes. After that, I’d be on my way up to Big Bear to a rented cabin, and then I’d hit the slopes.

I’d stay over until Sunday. I think I may be one of the only rap guys around who can actually ski. I’d probably take my drunk homie from USC along with me, and maybe some other friends too.

After skiing, we wouldn’t go out. You don’t know what you’re getting into with the restaurants, so we’d stay in and just make tacos. I’d probably be listening to my new record too. It’s got Busta Rhymes and Strong Arm Steady, and Timbaland produces a track.

Winding down

On Sunday we’d get up and eat the rest of the tacos, finish up the beer and start thinking about heading back home and getting back into the workweek. Maybe make it a Blockbuster night with some friends.

I might take a date and have an early dinner over in Brentwood, Peppone’s Italian restaurant. I’d have the eggplant parmesan with a meatball on the side, vegetables and a small bowl of pasta, and a nice bottle of Stags’ Leap 1999 Cabernet.

Then it’s up and at ‘em on Monday.

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-- Mark Sachs