The playlist

I also want to develop an on-going, ever-growing playlist for the night.

We'll worry about the Christmas tunes later, but here's a handful of stuff that is poppy, dance-able, and not necessarily "Christmas" related. In fact - they all feel "New Year's Eve"-esque!

Elvis Costello - "What's so Funny About Peace, Love, and Understanding?"
The Pretenders - "Message of Love"
General Public - "Tenderness"
Marshall Crenshaw - "Rockin' Around in NYC"

We have to have one upbeat (sounding) Magnetic Fields song.
Maybe "Crazy for you (But not that Crazy)" or "When my Boy walks down the Street"

Here's what I want from this party.

I actually *DON'T* want a huge rager/Colorado Cafe/"Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood!" party.
I'm in the mood to have a night that feels like we're having a few rounds at an old Irish pub, talking to new fascinating strangers.
Or we're schmoozing with old friends at a swinging, jazzy cocktail lounge party.

I just think we've had enough funny, unique instances at Rolf's or CC or around Watchung, hanging out with people, that we should try to converge all those fun times into one night (with a little sprinkling of Christmas magic).

There's no reason not to invite Argiris to the party. There's no reason not to invite Asterios to the party. There's no reason not to invite Argiris *and* Asterios to the party.

I see this as a chance to catch up with people we haven't spoken to in awhile/meet one or two new people worth keeping in contact with.
And I'm sure it will be a good release from work/school/etc. and a chance to hang out with co-workers/friends/school mates outside of a pressure situation. Hell, I haven't hung out with Kristina or Chris since the summer.

And... if I can be a little selfish here, I see this as my last hurrah on the east coast (for the time being at least).

Ohhhhh, and before I forget - we need to do something amazing for your parents for allowing us to do this.
And lastly, I'll definitely be there the next morning to help clean up.

The real list of things to do.

1.) I do want to print up fliers. NOT A LOT. But there are people from work that I want to invite, and I can't find them on facebook or myspace, so this is the easiest way to invite them.
a.] Um, what's your address?

2.) We need to set up a budget. There's no way we're not going to spend money: food, drinks, decorations. But we should put a reasonable cap on it. How does 80 dollars sound?
Maybe Joe or Paul or someone might be willing to help chip in and help with the party set-up?

3.) We need to set up a menu. I don't want this be a full blown, sit-down dinner party. But we should know what we're serving ahead of time. My ideas:
cheese spread
fruits
assorted nuts
Your typical cocktail party foods. Nothing heavy in the stomach. Nothing that makes a huge mess. Anything else?
Some kind of Christmas cookie/candy selection?

4.) The liquor situation. I mean, yeah, I want to serve booze. Hell I want to have a few rounds myself. *But I don't want to have people falling down, puking, acting like a mess* Especially in your house - ESPECIALLY IN YOUR PARENTS' HOUSE. So maybe we shouldn't go too heavy duty on the hard liquor. Maybe we could have:
A good assortment of beers. (Winter Lager, Bass, Blue Moon)
Maybe like a rum-fruit punch drink. Something in a punch bowl, with a ladle and the mugs from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Egg nog? (non-alcholic or alcoholic?)
A non-liquor based drink (hot apple cider?)
Some sodas?

And I guess if people want something else to drink, we indicate that they bring it themselves?

5.) Facebook, myspace invites. I want to make those up and send those out by tomorrow.

6.) Decorations. Like I said, I want Christmas lights set up indoors. I want the fire going. We need to buy/wear really tacky Christmas sweaters from the salvation army.