Sunday, July 05, 2009

Tracing the arc of a party


"Those were some of the nicest people I've ever met. There wasn't a single asshole in the bunch"

-My mother, describing the people who showed up for our 4th of July party last night
A party has a life of its own. You try and create the right conditions; you hope you've got good food and good booze, and you try and set up comfortable spaces for people to hang out. If you're lucky, once your guests arrive and start to interact with each other, things take off and all you have to do from that point is ride the wave.

We love our party guests. They call and email and ask what they can bring, they pitch in and chop vegetables and clear plates and bring wine and delicious baked goods. They help MizBubs pass food into the dining room when she can't get through the crowd; they tell stories, they re-light your tiki torches, they show up with extra people in tow...in short, they make your party. We are especially blessed to be surrounded by good people.

This year's party started right on time with people showing up at 4pm, while it was still raining. By 6 we had a good crowd, and they were hungry. The food got devoured, a good portion of the crowd left by 9:30 or 10, and then a few of us got to sit and socialize until almost 1. It was very relaxing.

Before



Early (it was still raining when the first people showed up)



Later (nothing like seeing your breath fog in July. I can't wait to move south)



Sunday morning: fine weather for a 4th of July party, huh?



After



The Sunday afternoon cocktail is Ska Brewing Pinstripe Red Ale, and whatever is left in the coolers.

14 comments:

Mnmom said...

I think we had the same party! Time/space warp or something? Right down to the canopy tent. Did you have hummus with homemade tortilla chips?

Gifted Typist said...

sounds like a good ole time,
we partied to celebrate the fourth with some Americans on the third, just a few days after the first which is our big day

bubbles said...

I agree with your mom, not having any assholes in the group is a great aspect to throwing a great party! Great guests make it happen, don't they!

I'm with you, if you fulfill your role to prepare the environment, but allow everyone to pitch in and participate - the party is better for it. Everyone "owns" it and it makes a better time for all.

Sorry about the rain. We were at the beach in So. Ca., and when it was foggy and cold when we woke up on the 4th I was very worried. My oldest was very pissy about it! But by 10am the sun came out and we managed to get home with sunburns!

Happy belated 4th!

dguzman said...

Went camping in the Alleghenies (at Blue Knob State Park) and we could see our breath in the daytime, and it got colder at night! Summer up north is so cold!

Glad you had no assholes at your party.

Dr. Monkey Von Monkerstein said...

If you want to fill your 'asshole' quotient at next years party, invite me. I can be a real huge party asshole. ;0)

lulu said...

It was a great party! Thank you again!

okjimm said...

//There wasn't a single asshole in the bunch//

I like your mom! :)

okjimm said...

//There wasn't a single asshole in the bunch//

I like your mom! :)

Dena T said...

Joe's mom is swell, indeed. I'm glad I had some nice, long talks with her.

I butchered people's names as I will do, but I do love seeing some of the same faces every year, along with a healthy smattering of new folks. Not an asshole among them, it's true.

Anonymous said...

In case anyone was wondering what happened to all the assholes, they were at the party I attended.

Megan said...

I love it when a party comes together.

Johnny Yen said...

It was a wonderful party, and it was a particular delight to meet your mother. I can see where all the "nice" comes from in your family!

Randal Graves said...

The yard doesn't look like Baghdad. I don't think you had a real party at all!

GETkristiLOVE said...

Man, if there was one party I wish I could have made, it was this one.