House Party

Halloween

Open House: What Was Your Most Memorable Halloween House Party?

While some people take to the streets for trick-or-treating or block parties, many of us adore throwing — or attending — house parties on Halloween.

While some people take to the streets for trick-or-treating or block parties, many of us adore throwing — or attending — house parties on Halloween. The holiday gives many of us a chance to let loose when it comes to decorating and creating costumes, and I've always enjoyed crafting spooky chandelier accessories and unusual and creepy lighting for Halloween house parties.

A few years ago, when I still lived in an apartment, I hosted what I thought was going to be a mellow costume party. Three dozen guests later, the house was packed and the volume level actually prompted the downstairs neighbors to call the police. Granted, it wasn't the chill vibe I'd been expecting, but it was great fun nonetheless (and we quickly turned the volume down, like good neighbors ought to). My only regret? The number of guests crowding into my space made it impossible to appreciate the decorations I created for the party. Otherwise, it was a successful night of Halloween fun.

How about you? Have you hosted a Halloween party in the past? Alternately, have you attended a house party that's been incredibly memorable? Tell me about it in the comments!

Politics

France's Wine and Cheese Recovery Act

After embittered battles this year over Roquefort, beef, and Coca-Cola, France has decided it needs to show the rest of the world some love.

After embittered battles this year over Roquefort, beef, and Coca-Cola, France has decided it needs to show the rest of the world some love. Concerned that outsiders perceive two of France's top exports, wine and cheese, to be unapproachable, the French government, with the help of local producers, has agreed to spend $2.1 million to sponsor cocktail parties in 19 different countries. While many events around the globe will take place in large convention centers, the program in the US will be different. In an effort to capitalize on the American trend of entertaining at home to save money, the stateside program will be a series of parties subsidized in private homes. On June 4, 1,000 Americans will hold wine and cheese parties, complements of the French Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

The American effort is being organized by House Party, a marketing company that arranges sponsored parties. Hopeful hosts simply apply online; if selected, they'll receive 15 percent discounts on select French wines, a free gift when they order online at specialized cheese websites, and a box of French-themed party gear. In return, hosts are required to throw a party, photograph and blog the event, and answer a survey about the products they tasted.

Considering many parties already revolve around wine and cheese, this seems like a solid idea. Do you think this effort will have an impact on French wine and cheese sales in the US? Are you planning to apply?

Source

Art

Some Perv Makes a SFW Vid

Whereas normal people like to have fun with unnecessary censorship, the "artistic types" (in this instance: pervs) prefer to strip down, throw a party, and play with necessary censorship.

Whereas normal people like to have fun with unnecessary censorship, the "artistic types" (in this instance: pervs) prefer to strip down, throw a party, and play with necessary censorship. Is it art? Or just an excuse to get drunk and (let it all) hang out? You decide.

Humor

If Every Internet Site You've Ever Visited Threw a House Party...

The Internet has become a world in and of itself, so why wouldn't the gang hang out and mingle?

The Internet has become a world in and of itself, so why wouldn't the gang hang out and mingle? Our gal Google finally got it together and threw a long overdue house party. As predicted, Flickr couldn't keep his camera phone to himself, Facebook was annoying as hell, Digg was all up in everyone else's business, Wikipedia ran amok with rumors, and eBay wouldn't quit trying to push cheap shite onto people. But at least MySpace liked to party.