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tIt begins with that cool air that touches our skin followed by that rain of white particles that surround our parks and streets. Before we know it, Christmas is around the corner. Along with all the merrymaking, gift-giving is another way to feel the joy of the holiday.
During parties and reunions that take place during this season, gift baskets and wine are probably the best gift ideas one can ever think about. Gift baskets and wine are perfect for Christmas parties among friends and within the family. A good bottle of wine paired with good food is the ultimate meal to sort out relationship problems and soothe issues pertaining to matters of the heart. Whether it is that heat that goes with a gulp of wine or the alcoholic spirit in the concoction that brings sets the mood for sentimental moments, this is undeniable a welcome thought during the holidays.
Choosing a wine is not an easy task. Although bottle after bottle of wine might look like each other, there are certain specifications that make one bottle perfect for such occasion while another bottle for another day and time. However, it does not really require a wine connoisseur to create those perfect gift baskets and wine. Knowing the basics is all that you need. Red goes with red and white goes with white. When going to a standard dinner party where the meal will most likely involve red meat such as pork and beef, one should bring a bottle or two of red wine.
For parties that are more likely to involve dishes with white meat, white wine is more appropriate. In case there is no specific indication as to the type of meal to be served, it is probably safest to bring one bottle of each kind of wine. Wine works well with food, certain food items complement well with a bottle of wine. One can choose from a variety of such items. Finger food items that are ready for consumption such crackers, cheese and fruits are ideal partners for any bottle of wine. A box of pizza or any other packed ready to eat meals also go well with a wine.
Wines create a timeless and classic impression. Since it works in any adult parties and get-togethers, it is the answer to every social gathering especially during the yuletide season. Offering a bottle of wine as a gift during special occasions indicates a time to celebrate and have fun. This is the most significant meaning one can get from gift baskets and wine for one.
Wine drinking is usually most associated with celebrations and success. Although gift baskets and wine are a really creative way to present such gifts, a bottle of wine actually does not necessarily have to be packaged in any way. One can just bring it along when getting to the party or deliver it personally.
There are many occasions where plastic champagne glasses are perfect. From holiday parties to a small gathering of friends, there is always a time and place for disposable champagne flute glasses. Picking the right ones for the right event is the important thing.
If you’re celebrating a major milestone like a wedding or major anniversary, you might want to go with some fancy crystal champagne classes to go along with a nice bottle of bubbly. But, there are no rules for drinking sparkling wine. It’s all about the company around you.
Will an expensive bottle of Champagne taste different in a plastic glass? Most serious wine and beverage enthusiast would argue yes. But, those that don’t have a refined palette would probably rather save the money and buy a nicer bottle of champagne with the money they save on buying cheap plastic champagne glasses instead of real fancy and name brand glass.
For big parties where budget is a concern, and many people will be attending, it’s important to be able to cut costs, so that you don’t go broke hosting the event. If there’s going to be a toast and an offering of sparkling wine, a good idea is to try to find bulk plastic champagne glasses at wholesale prices. These will often times be much cheaper because of the quantity you’ll be buying. These can be obtained at places like Costco. But, the best deals will be found on the internet for sure.
If you’re really on a budget or just all about cost saving, you can even save these champagne flutes for later use by washing them. If you’re concerned about the clean up, then you can just throw them away because they’re meant to be disposable. This is one of the main advantages of plastic glasses for champagne. You don’t have to worry about breaking expensive glass or worry about washing hundreds of them after the party is over. All you have to do is toss them in the garbage and you’re done. The price reflects this convenience factor.
Speaking of convenience, it is this convenience that makes disposable champagne flute glasses so popular and economical. There is no hassle with these semi-fancy party cups. Just provide a great bottle of bubbly and you’re set. Then, you can concentrate on what’s really important; which is enjoy time with your friends and family while drinking champagne.
Halloween is fun. Children are excited about trick or treating for candy, parents are planning creative costumes for their children and some adults are planning Halloween parties for friends and family. The adult Halloween parties have been growing in popularity for years. It’s a fun way to step outside your everyday persona and take on a new character for one evening.
Party planning is in full gear this time of year, with elaborate inside and outside home decorations on display and creative menus offered to give their guests a scary good time. And guests are always looking for a memorable hostess gift.
So, how does wine fit into this picture?
Halloween Wines We are all on the hunt for unique ways to entertain our family and friends. Instead of standard party fare, why not offer wines that are fun, in-keeping with Halloween’s theme and offer intriguing possibilities for your guests? In researching this subject, I found that a number of creative and fun Halloween wines are available. As always, I like to focus on wines that offer good value. While these Halloween wines are not complex, they are fun, festive and affordable. Here are some that are locally available:
Vampire Wines The company’s website offers a whimsical description of a winery with Transylvanian roots that produces wines to “sip the blood of the vine.” Binny’s Naperville stocks the Vampire series of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir and will be sampling these wines on Saturday, October 23 from 1 – 4 pm. Fans of Twilight have already sunk their teeth into these wines.
Owen Roe Wines The Sinister Hand wine by Owen Roe, featuring a creepy hand dripping blood on the label, is a Rhone style red wine from Washington. These wines cost a little more, but are consistently good. Wines you can sink your teeth into
Bull’s Blood Wine The name Egri Bikaver translates to Bull’s Blood, and is a full-bodied red wine with black pepper and berry flavors. This is a popular selling wine from Hungary that is a blend of three or more varietals. Offering a guest a glass of Bull’s Blood will add to your party’s festivities.
Toad Hollow Vineyards While Toad Hollow’s Eye of Toad was hard to find, their Chardonnay is readily available. The style of this white wine is unoaked, offering a crisper Chardonnay. Your guests will jump at the chance to have a glass, as this wine will pair well with many party dishes.
Prairie Pumpkin Wine This seasonal wine, available through Thanksgiving, tastes like a well-spiced pumpkin pie with a kick. The label shares that Illinois grows more pumpkins than any other state and we should have a glass to toast our heritage. Pumpkin Wine could be a good choice with traditional Halloween treats like popcorn balls.
Halloween Food and Wine Pairings When we think of Halloween fare, candy immediately comes to mind. For the kids, hot chocolate, apple cider or pumpkin juice are the beverages of choice. For adults, the following generalities may apply for a candy and wine pairing:
- Sparkling Wine pairs well with sweets, making this a good choice with sugary treats like candy corn. - Red Wine and Ruby Port Wine pairs well with chocolate, so this works with candy bars. - Both Tawny Port Wine and Sherry Wine have nutty and caramel flavors, so either will work with caramel apples. - Vin Santo Italian dessert wine has a nutty flavor and will pair well with Reece’s Pieces or peanut butter cups.
Of course, more adult foods like cheese, bread, crackers and apples are a perfect accompaniment to most wines. The trick is to create a food display with a Halloween touch, such as cobwebs, fake spiders and mice nibbling on the cheese, to create a look that will have your guests carefully reaching for food. So, treat your guests to a glass of Vampire Cab or Bull’s Blood, to create an evening they are sure to remember.
Traditionally more popular in America, over the past 10 years Halloween has wormed its way into British culture and is now firmly a part of the UK calendar and not just for the kids either. An increasing amount of “grown ups” are celebrating All Hallows’ Eve with fancy dress fun at parties and on nights out.
A quick search online brings back thousands of recipes for Halloween themed cocktails and party punch, but beware! All may not be as it seems, or tastes as the case may be. Fruity flavours can conceal a multitude of alcoholic sins, and you may be consuming much more booze than you bargained for.
The government recommend that women shouldn’t regularly drink more than 2-3 units of alcohol a day (a medium sized glass of wine), and men shouldn’t have more than 3-4 units (1.5 pints of beer), so to prevent your evening turning into a horror story, follow these top tips.
Avoid poisonous punch Though it might look appetising (or maybe not), drinking party punch is a dangerous game. You don’t know how much alcohol your host has added, and there’s always the possibility that some little monster has added more, making the punch rather potent.
To be on the safe side, stick to mixing your own drinks rather than drinking someone else’s punch. After all, better the devil you know.
If you’re the one hosting the party, it’s still worth bearing in mind how much alcohol you pour into your homemade punch. If you’re too generous with the amount of booze you put in it you could potentially ruin what should be a fun and enjoyable evening. By keeping the alcohol level of your punch moderate you’ll ensure everyone has a great night and avoids feeling like death warmed up the next day.
Beware of killer cocktails A horrifying fact about cocktails, Halloween themed or not, on average they contain two to three units – your entire daily allowance. This is because most contain a double measure of spirits, which you wouldn’t necessarily go for with a standard mixer.
If you want to stay saintly while you’re out, ask the bar man or maid to use a single measure of spirit (25ml) instead of a double. That way you’ll be able to enjoy more than one drink without overdoing the alcohol.
Keep evil spirits at bay This tip is an oldie but a goody – alternate your alcoholic drinks with soft ones or water. Swapping your cocktail for a mocktail will keep you hydrated and prevent a splitting headache the next morning.
If you’re hosting a Halloween party, make sure to lay on lots of soft drinks to give your guests the choice of avoiding alcohol. Providing alternative activities can also be a good way to prevent your guests going to heavy on the booze. This is a brilliant time to get out the party games, with apple bobbing being a Halloween classic.
Make it home before dawn Like any good vampire, you’ll want to make it home to your crypt before the sun comes up. Make sure you do so safely by staying with your mates and not taking any unnecessary risks. If you’re on your own always take a licensed cab. If you’re out in a city you might be able to flag a licensed cab down on the street, but it’s always better to book in advance so you know you have a guaranteed way home.
It’s forecast to be mighty chilly, so wrap up warm in a coat. This will also save you some blushes if you’re travelling on public transport.
Have you been put in charge of organising this year’s Christmas night out for your group of friends? If so, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make sure it goes to plan.
1. First of all, how many of you are going on this night out? If it’s just a few, then it may be quite a simple process and you should find that availability isn’t issue. However, for large groups, making sure venues have enough room for you will be something you’ll need to consider.
2. Next, you need to think about what town/city or what part of the city you want to go out in. Th important thing here is to consider where everyone lives and where will be convenient for you all to get from and to.
3. Now think about what everyone’s tastes are. There’s very little point going to an Indian restaurant if half your group don’t like Indian food, likewise if you want to end up at a club, it’s a good idea to choose somewhere that plays the kind of music that will satisfy the consensus.
4. You need to think about what the general plan of the evening will be. Will it be a Christmas dinner, followed by a few bars and then a club? Or, would you prefer to eat somewhere that you can stay all night?
5. Once you’ve decided the above points, you should have a good idea of the type of places you’d like to go to. Now it’s a case of visiting their website to reserve a table or call up to check availability. Their websites should also be able to provide you with plenty of information about what festive menus they’re running with and if there’s any other entertainment that’s on.
For example, if you want to find the most lively party venue London can offer, then make sure they can meet all of your requirements. If you want to eat at a bar in London and stay there to continue your party, then make sure they have a menu to suit all of your friends.
Fellow goblins, here’s your top 25 Halloween songs or music playlist for your upcoming Halloween costume party (costumes optional when listening to a playlist)
For the rockers out there and some classic retro and disco stuff to for the others.
We suggest the following order with no Lady Gaga music,zappa on zappa inserted between songs. Remember, parties have to be safe (see our http://altralto.com/2009/11/the-10-commandments-for-hosting-the-best-party/) and fun so throwing on some Gaga music may cause someone to choke or projectile vomit into the punch bowl.
You may notice some themes like hangin’ out with the devil, midnight hour, some voodoo and spells, you get the idea.
1. Tubular Bells (Opening Theme) by Mike Oldfield
Just stick to the opening theme on this one folks before Mike Oldfield takes you on a trip where you may not find your way back.
Make sure this plays early in the evening (in repeat mode for about 10 times) while you’re giving out candy to the little goblins that come banging at the door. They won’t want to stick around long enough for the bridge.
Anybody who remembers the Exorcist may remember this one.
Time: 3:40
Album: Vol. 3: Horror Movies
2. Abracadabra by Steve Miller Band
This song is good early in the evening while there’s still some laced punch in the bowl
Released as the main single from Abracadabra in June 1982, it became a number-one hit on the United States Billboard Hot 100 chart, and also hit number two on the UK charts. After Chicago’s ballad ended its two-week stay at number one, “Abracadabra” re-assumed the top spot on the U.S. charts for an additional week on September 25.
John Mellencamp’s “Jack and Diane” dislodged the Steve Miller Band’s final number-one hit from the top on October 2. But please readers, no John Mellencamp at your Halloween party.
Time: 5:08
Album: Abracadabra
3. Bad to the Bone by George Thorogood & The Destroyers
Mid-evening – no more punch but the partygoers are into beer? Put this George Thorogood classic on.
This tune isn’t only fit for Halloween but for any party.
Time: 4:52
Album: Bad to the Bone
4. The Devil Went Down to Georgia by Charlie Daniels Band
Don’t know this one? Funny, it often gets overplayed on the Guitar Hero game. Why don’t you connect the Wii or Playstation III and get everyone ready for a TV video game jam session.
The song is a narrative about the Devil, who comes to Georgia to procure souls. He has not obtained any recently, and is willing to “make a deal” (hence the opening lines “The devil went down to Georgia/he was lookin’ for a soul to steal/he was in a bind, ’cause he was way behind, and he was willin’ to make a deal”) out of desperation. He happens upon a young fiddle player named Johnny, who is minding his own business and playing impressively.
The Devil approaches Johnny, and informs him that he, too, plays the fiddle. He then challenges Johnny to a fiddle-playing contest, confident that he is more skillful than the young boy. The terms of the duel are that should Johnny win, he will be given a fiddle made of solid gold, but should the Devil triumph, he gains Johnny’s soul. Although he fears that taking the Devil’s bet might be sinful, Johnny accepts the terms, proudly telling the Devil that the Devil will regret it as Johnny is “the best there’s ever been”.
The duel commences, with the Devil performing a sinister and powerful piece with the backing of demon musicians. Despite this, the Devil is squarely defeated when Johnny takes his turn to perform (afterwards, Johnny said, “I done told you once, you son-of-a-bitch ["son-of-a-gun" in some more recent renditions], I’m the best there’s ever been!”).
The Devil acknowledges being bested and, true to his word, the Devil presents Johnny with a beautiful golden fiddle. Johnny boastfully informs the Devil that he is welcome any time to come back for a rematch.
Time: 3:37
Album: Million Mile Reflections
5. Doin’ the Zombie by Chubby Checker
Chubby did record other non-Twist songs.
Time: 3:10
Album: Cool Ghoul’s Halloween Party Mix
6. People Are Strange by The Doors
Why don’t you play the Lost Boys on the big screen with the volume down to add some audio visual effect to your party?
“People Are Strange” is a single released by The Doors in September 1967. It also appears on their second album Strange Days which was also released in September 1967. The single peaked at the #12 position of the U.S. Hot 100 chart. It was written by Robby Krieger and Jim Morrison although credit was given to the The Doors evenly.
It was covered to moderate success in 1988 by Echo and the Bunnymen for The Lost Boys soundtrack. It was also covered in 2000 by Twiztid on the album Freek Show. Pianist George Winston also covered the song on his album Night Divides the Day – The Music of the Doors.
Play The Doors’ version, please.
Time: 2:10
Album: Strange Days
7. Elvira by The Oak Ridge Boys
This song works best if the hostess is disguised as Elvira or Morticia Addams and the male party-goers are semi-drunk.
Actually, this was first covered by Kenny Rogers, but we’re calling out for the Oak Ridge Boys version. Imagine a Kenny Rogers song at a Halloween party?
Time: 2:39
Album: Fancy Free
8. Evil Ways by Santana
Released as a single in late 1969, it became the band’s first top forty and top ten hit in the U.S., peaking at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Gregg Rolie performs the lead vocals and plays a Hammond organ solo in the middle section.
“Evil Ways” is about a girl who is spiteful. “You’ve got to change your evil ways, baby/Before I stop lovin’ you.” She tries to make her boyfriend jealous by associating with her friends. “You hangin’ ’round, baby/With Jean and Joan and-a who-knows-who.”
Some radio stations play edit versions of the song, cutting a few bars from the introduction, parts of the organ instrumental portion in the middle, and the coda, shortening the guitar improvisation by fading the song out earlier, part of this reason is to make it more for AM radio use, than for progressive rock use.
Does this have anything to do with Halloween? Probably not, but it has the word “evil” in the title so let’s put it down for Hallow’s Eve!
Time: 3:55
Album: Santana
9. Black Magic Woman by Santana
This is a great late evening tune to get on. Get some dirty dancing going with the costumed women right about now.
Time: 3:15 (5:19 if you throw in Gypsy Queen)
Album: Abraxas
10. Boris the Spider by The Who
Apparently, The Who’s bassist, John Entwistle had to come up with some compositions for some studio work and while Pete Townshend excused himself from the restaurant table to take a leak, Entwistle jotted the lyrics to Boris the Spider on a napkin in about a minute.
“Boris the Spider” was written after Entwistle had been out drinking with Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman. They were making up funny names for animals when Entwistle came up with “Boris the Spider”. The chorus of this song utilises vocals that influenced the vocal style of death metal singers, called the death growl. In this song, the death growl was performed by Christine Hart, sibling of legendary voice-over artist Pat Hart (Tony the Tiger, voice of the Grinch)
Time: 2:29
Album: A Quick One
11. Born to Be Wild by Steppenwolf
This gets the party going after The Who’s near comedic Boris the Spider. This track, like Bad to the Bone isn’t just necessary for a Halloween party, but is required for any party music.
Time: 3:32
Album: Steppenwolf
12. Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr
Bill Murray and Sigourney Weaver in the same flick makes for a comedic horror of sorts doesn’t it?
Time: 4:04
Album: Ghostbusters
13. Love Potion No. 9 by The Searchers
is a song written in 1959 by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. It was originally performed by the Clovers. A must have (or play) for any Halloween party.
The Searchers version
Time: 2:04
Album: The Very Best of…
The Clovers version
Time: 1:53
Album: The Wedding Album
14. Monster Mash by Bobby “Boris” Pickett
The song is narrated by a mad scientist (not Albert Einstein) whose monster, late one evening, rises from a slab to perform a new dance. The dance becomes “the hit of the land” when the scientist throws a party for other monsters. The producers came up with several low-budget but effective sound effects for the recording. For example, the sound of a coffin opening was imitated by a rusty nail being pulled out of a board. The sound of a cauldron bubbling was actually water being bubbled through a straw, and the chains rattling were simply chains being dropped on a tile floor. Pickett also impersonated Bela Lugosi (yeah, the famous horror movie actor) as Dracula with the phrase “Whatever happened to my Transylvania Twist
Named the 9th greatest hard rock song of all time by VH1.
Time: 3:36
Album: Van Halen
16. Super Freak by Rick James
Ok some disco has to be included! Please do not confuse this song with MC Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This”!
The song was a big hit for James in 1981, charting on the pop, R&B and dance charts in the U.S. On the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the song peaked at #16 in the fall of 1981 and spent 10 weeks in the top 40.
Time: 3:24
Album: Street Songs
17. Superstition by Stevie Wonder
Put video here with srv, watley
Believe it or not folks, this song features Wonder on drums!
Jeff Beck created the original drum beat while in the studio with Wonder. After writing the song Wonder offered it to Beck to record, but at the insistence of his own manager Wonder himself recorded it first.
Wonder’s music had been undergoing a marked change from his earlier fit with the Motown Sound to a more personal style. This shift had been evident on his two prior albums, Where I’m Coming From and Music of My Mind, but it was Talking Book and “Superstition” that brought the new style to the awareness of the public in general.
“Superstition” is immediately recognizable for its opening drum beat, which was performed by Wonder, complete with a noticeable bass-drum pedal squeak throughout the track. Its iconic funky clavinet keyboard riff was performed by Wonder.
Time: 4:26
Album: Talking Book
Stevie Ray Vaughan performs a cover of the song. Vaughan and Wonder had mutual admiration for one another. Wonder would later write the song “Stevie Ray Blues” in honor of Vaughan. Vaughan produced a humorous music video for his cover version in which Vaughan performs several acts that, according to superstitious lore, should bring him bad luck – breaking a mirror, stepping on a sidewalk crack, walking under a ladder, performing on Friday the 13th, and having a black cat cross his path. The cat is ignored by members of Double Trouble, which leads to their demise one by one. Only Vaughan remains standing at the end of the video, whereupon the cat returns to the arms of its “owner” – who turns out to be Wonder himself.
Stevie Ray Vaughan Version
Time: 4:40
Album: Couldn’t Stand the Weather
18. Midnight Special – Long John Baldry
If you can’t find the Long John Baldry version, use CCR’s.
I prefer the Long John Baldry version because it has the haunting New Orleans Dixieland Funereal timbre to it.
Long John Baldry
Time: 3:30
Album: Remembering Lead Belly
Creedance Clearwater Revival
Time: 4:13
Album: Willy and the Poor Boys
19. Thriller by Michael Jackson
Nothing makes a song more Halloweenish than one that features sound effects such as a creaking door, the crack of thunder, and the sound of ghosts or things that go bump in the night walking on wooden planks.
Set is the 1950s, the video opens with a person named Michael. Michael and his unnamed date run out of a mist in a dark wooded area. They walk off into the forest, and Michael asks her if she would like to go steady, she accepts and he gives her a ring. He warns her, however, that he is “different”. A full moon appears, and Michael begins convulsing in agony, transforming into a werewolf (or werecat?)
His date runs away in terror, but the werecat catches up to her, knocking her down and begins lunging at her with his claws. The scene then cuts to a modern-day movie theater where Michael and his date, along with a repulsed audience, are actually watching the scene unfold in a movie called Thriller. Michael’s date leaves the theater as Michael hands his popcorn to a stranger, catches up to her, and assures her that “It’s only a movie”. Some debate follows as to whether or not she was scared by the movie: she denies it, but Michael disagrees.
They then walk down a foggy road as Michael teases her by singing the verses of “Thriller”. They pass a nearby graveyard, in which zombies begin to rise out of their caskets as Vincent Price performs his soliloquy. The zombies corner Michael and his date threateningly, and suddenly, Michael becomes a zombie himself. The zombies then break into an elaborate song and dance number,followed by the main chorus of “Thriller” (during which Michael was reverted to human form), frightening his date to the point where she runs for cover. Michael (who was somehow turned back into a zombie) and his fellow corpses back the frightened girl into the corner of a nearby abandoned house.
Michael then reaches for his date’s throat as she lets out a bloodcurdling scream, only to awake and realize it was all a dream. Michael then offers to take her home, and she happily obliges. As they walk out of the house, Michael eerily looks at the camera, thus revealing his yellow werecat eyes, as Price offers one last haunting laugh.
PHOTO
Time: 5:57
Album: Thriller
20. Time Warp by The Rocky Horror Show Original Cast (Little Nell)
Let’s do the Time Warp again! Get everybody on the dance floor, no matter how pissed and wrecked they are.
Time: 3:19
Album: The Rocky Horror Picture Show
21. Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon
“Saw a werewolf with a Chinese menu in his hand, walking through the streets of Soho in the rain, he was looking for a place called Lee Ho Fook’s, going to get a big dish of beef chow mein”
PUT VIDEO HERE
Zevon spent the first half of the ’70s as the musical director for rock & roll legends the Everly Brothers. That was when Phil Everly suggested to Zevon and his writing buddy LeRoy Marinell that they should pen a dance song with the title “Werewolves of London”—Everly just liked the sound of it. Soon after, guitarist Waddy Wachtel dropped in to Marinell’s Venice, California, home. “I stopped by to pick up a guitar,” Wachtel tells Blender. “Warren goes, ‘Oh, man, it’s perfect that you’re here. We’re trying to write a song called “Werewolves of London.”’”
Optionally, you could play Kid Rock’s All Summer Long, based on Werewolves in London and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Sweet Home Alabama.
Time: 3:29
Album: Excitable Boy
Kid Rock’s All Summer Long
Time: 4:57
Album: Rock n Roll Jesus
Thanks to blender.com
22. Voodoo child – Stevie Ray Vaughan or Jimi Hendrix
101st place in the top 500 songs of all time according to Rolling Stone. Also #12 in Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time.
Jimi Hendrix version
Time: 5:13
Album: Electric Ladyland
Stevie Ray Vaughan version
Time: 7:58
Album: Couldn’t Stand the Weather
23. Sweet Dreams – The Eurythmics
OK old farts, put on theEurythmics version. We’ll put on the Marilyn Mansion cover version.
Marilyn Manson added some extra lines to the lyrics that are not present in the Eurythmics version: “I wanna use you and abuse you/I wanna know what’s inside you.” and “I’m gonna use you and abuse you/I’m gonna know what’s inside you.”
The video for Manson’s cover contains several clips of Manson and bandmates in what appears to be an old cathedral. In between the clips are a number are surreal shots of Manson wearing eccentric outfits, Manson wandering around an abandoned street in a tutu, and him riding a pig wearing a cowboy hat and covered with grease.
The Eurythmics
Time: 3:36
Album: Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
Marilyn Manson
Time: 4:53
Album: Smells Like Children (Explicit)
24. Midnight Rambler – The Rolling Stones
Catch the Let it Bleed version or if you’re a real wild bunch, upgrade to the live Get Yer Ya Ya’s Out recorded in New York’s Madison Square Garden, 1970 – Rock the roof off the house (make sure it’s not raining first though).
Studio version
Time: 6:52
Album: Let it Bleed
Live Version (really rockin’ for a party)
Time: 9:04
Album: Get Yer Ya – Ya’s Out
25. YMCA by Village People
The 25th song on our list, the list’s finale, serves to end the party by getting everybody down and just creating a mass exodus. When the party’s over and you want people to leave, play anything by the Village People. Seeing that some of you would dress up as a Village Person at Halloween, what would be the problem in playing this song to create a few laughs?
When things begin to get out of hand at your part, put on the brakes by putting this song on. If you want certain lampshade wearing party buffs to go now, then oblige them to dance (or if they’re uncomfortable with this song offer them the Macarena, even though it’s not a Halloween song – then again, make it everyone’s Halloween song)
It’s sad when people fall out of love. But dissolving an unhealthy, unhappy marriage is a good thing, and it takes a lot of courage to stand up and say, “We deserve better.”
Divorce parties not only let us close the door on that misery, these rites of passage provide the ritual we need to help us heal. They offer us a way to celebrate a new independence, to thank those who have stood by us through the muck, and to announce to the world that we are ready to move on in life. Finally, it’s official.
Save the Date
It’s tempting to set a date for your party as soon as divorce proceedings get under way. But muster up all your patience and wait until things are just short of being finalized. Like any social gathering, your party will require some preparation ahead of time, and you don’t want to be thinking about guest lists and napkin rings in the throes of legal negotiations. You’ll be in much better spirits if you show up at your divorce party with decree in hand.
The Guesting Game
Divorce party guest lists come in all shapes and sizes, and the only factor that determines who you invite is personal comfort level. Would you feel better surrounded by guests of the same sex, or does a co-ed event feel more like a celebration? Do you want to just hang with other divorcees? Does it feel right to bring together only the people who have stood by you through this many-monthed mammoth of a nightmare or are you hoping for something more inclusive, with coworkers and neighbors? Are you on really (really, really) good terms with your ex and feel that they should be there? The only right answers to these questions can come from you, so put some thought into it and — if it helps — start with a long list and whittle it down.
Deck the Halls
The intensely organized go so far as to print up invitations, arrange a gift registry (ideal for those who lost it all in settlement) and announcements for their party. Some get a kick out of decorating the party space (rented-out restaurant, bar, friend’s house, etc.) with streamers, obscenely decorated cakes, voodoo dolls, piñatas, balloons and bowls of snack food. Get some ideas from Christine Gallagher, a writer from L.A., who published a book in 2003 called The Divorce Party Planner: How to Throw a Divorce or Breakup Party and has sold thousands on her website, http://www.revengelady.com/.
One word to the wise: decorations, catered food and other props can ring up a hefty tally, so be realistic about what you can afford with your new single-income earning status and stay within that budget.
Pieces of the Action
Besides the usual telling of (hopefully by now) funny stories and making plans for the future, the activities at your divorce party can be as uneventful or as coordinated as you like. I’ve read of some recently divorced folks who have hired officiates or asked a close friend to perform a short, meaningful sermon about healing and the joy of change, and about a woman who asked her mother to lead a renaming ceremony in which she symbolically gave her daughter back her maiden name.
Others still have projected First Wives Club or War of Roses in one area of the gathering and had a ceremonial burning of the marriage license in another area. Don’t feel pressured to include any of these aspects if they don’t feel right to you. A low-key gathering of a few close friends can be just as momentous as one that takes months to organize. The details of your party should reflect your mood and own personal style.
And Just Don’t…
Even if your divorce party is lush with hot and horny singles, it’s probably best not to fool around with one of them at or just after the gathering. After all, this is an event intended to celebrate your newly reclaimed independence, and bringing a sexual interest into the picture now complicates your newfound simplicity of lifestyle.
Other experiences to avoid at your fete include getting totally trashed (you don’t want to want to get all weepy or confrontational), destroying any tangible memories of your marriage’s happy times (your wedding album and keepsakes from your courting days might mean the world to your kids), and making plans to do anything of importance the next day.
And remember that this event is not about badmouthing, trash talking or hurting the person you’ve fallen out of love with. This is an occasion to commemorate your personal path of healing and newfound independence.
My wife and I have different opinions about the types of gifts should be given at birthdays and Christmas. I think that you should get someone “what they need” for their birthday and “what they want” for Christmas. I thinks it’s okay to give someone a 6-pack pair of socks for their birthday, while on the other hand, a vintage Gibson Les Paul is quite acceptable for Christmas. My wife thinks that a pair of socks on your birthday is okay, while a pair of Christmas themed boxers or a pair of driving gloves is also appropriate at Christmas.
Traps husbands fall in
When your better half says, “honey, now don’t go out and max out the credit card for me this year. I really don’t want anything, let’s save our money…” this actually means the opposite. Believe me, I took this literally one year
(Thank God I didn’t get her anything on her birthday, not Christmas).
Did she explain this “opposite” concept (or trap) to me? No. Thankfully, some women at work were gossiping about their moron husbands falling in the same trap. I jumped in and said that generally we guys don’t try to act stupid or thick on purpose. We just don’t know better sometimes. That’s when they called me a bastard. Let me qualify that: My wife insisted she didn’t want anything and that I should save my money for the kids. I obeyed. I’m a bastard.
The following year I splurged and spent $1000 more than usual on her. The reaction was of surprise, but not of disappointment. Less than a week later she was in line at the Boxing Day sales (Boxing Day in Canada is like Black Friday in the US, except it’s the day after Christmas, not Thanksgiving.)
Ever been engaged in a conversation at a party when, all of a sudden, you find yourself knee-deep in a subject you know nothing about?
Or maybe you’re going full steam ahead when you abruptly blank and have no idea where to steer the conversation next. It happens to the best of us and it doesn’t exactly impress the pants off of that hottie you’ve so far managed to charm into hanging out with you.
Thankfully, authors David Matalon and Chris Woolsey have come out with the cure for awkward silences, empty talk about the weather and worst of all, embarrassing conversation faux pas. Their book, The Concise Guide to Sounding Smart at Parties: An Irreverent Compendium of Must-Know Info from Sputnik to Smallpox and Marie Curie to Mao, is a humorous and very informative read that they say will “transform you into the supernova of the party universe.”
Co-author Matalon talked to Click Magazine recently about the book, how smart is the new sexy, and gaining the confidence to talk.
Click: One thing I found extremely troubling with the book is that it makes it sound like I won’t be able to rely on my stunning good looks anymore. Is that the case?
David Matalon: I think your stunning good looks will always come in handy. That’s just an extra bonus.
Click: Phew… Why did you feel that this book needed to be written?
DM: Well, I had been going out to parties and I had found that there were certain names and events and things that I thought were pretty much common knowledge that I would mention that people didn’t seem to remember. I remember growing up, people knew who Franz Ferdinand was. They knew who Nietzsche was and they could actually say something about them. So I felt that probably what was happening was that everyone was so busy cramming all that information in their heads at school that they had just forgotten it. And it’s really fascinating cool stuff to talk about if you approach it from the position of ‘Oh that’s interesting.’
Click: Who do you think will gain the most from reading this book?
DM: When we started out we thought it’d be great for people who are socializing a lot and going to business parties and stuff like that, but it’s amazing because I’ve sat and watched people of all ages and both sexes laugh out loud and say “Oh my God I need this book.” At the end of the day, the book doesn’t make you a genius, but it gives you the confidence to have conversations.
Click: This may sound sexist, but do you think that there’s less pressure for women to sound smart?
DM: That’s an interesting question… there are more women executives, more women in professional roles, the competition’s higher and you have to have something to say, especially if you’re trying to get the attention of your boss or someone you’re romantically interested in. If there are two women of equal beauty, but one’s got a great personality and is smart and the other isn’t… I think the smarter one’s going to get more attention.
Click: Do you see a shift in thinking that makes intelligence a higher commodity than looks or money?
DM: I think definitely for men there is. I think women have always been attracted to intelligence. But I do believe there is a shift now, especially with shows like Sex and the City, which shows that you can be beautiful and sexy, but you can also have a great job and personality and you can be more. And that archetype of that powerful woman becomes very attractive.
Click: Now… if I’ve convinced someone that I’m smart at a party, how do I keep it up at subsequent meetings?
DM: Being smart is being part of a dialog and taking an interest in the other person. There’s an awareness to see when those eyes are glazing over and stop and listen. That’s part of being smart too — listening. If you find that there’s a subject of particular interest that the other person had shared with you, go read about it. Also, go read about something that you’re not an expert on and you can talk outside your realm of usual conversation. What happens then is that you become interested in what you’re saying. I think, very often, we tell our same stories again and again and we get a little tired of ourselves. So if you’re learning things that you’re excited about, I think that’s part of what makes someone smart — their passion for the subject.
Click: We’re always told to ask lots of questions when you meet someone new and put the focus on them. Do you think that’s right?
DM: Don’t be afraid to make statements. One of our intentions with the book is to make you confident. It’s good to ask questions, but you’ve got to be careful that it doesn’t become an interview. So, I prefer statements to questions in a dating environment.
Click: Are smart people finally getting the respect they deserve?
DM: There used to be a social taboo against being an egghead or a geek, but it’s coming back. And people really respect smart people. Who doesn’t want to be as successful or as smart as someone like Gates or Trump or Jon Stewart? There’s a lot of respect for intelligence.
By Ambrose Diaz first seen on http://holidays.canoe.ca/Relationships/Lavalife/2009/12/02/12007576.html
Is Karaoke passé? Apparently not in Asia. Don’t even think of organizing a karaoke party for a group under thirty here in the US or Canada. I don’t mean thirty people. I mean thirty year olds. Aim for the Karaoke crowd around fortyish.
Another good spin on a karaoke party – making sure everybody has adequate spirits in them so that they loosen up – is to select commonly known songs but in a different language. Yes you can sing Abba’s Dancing Queen in Spanish if you rent a Spanish pack. Dean Martin or Michael Jackson in Mandarin or Vietnamese is also a hit as long as they have the English spelling on the screen (My Mandarin Chinese Pictograms computational system isn’t working very well with eight beers in me, let alone none).
Following our Top 10 Background Music to Play at Every Party we received many additional comments for songs and artists that didn’t make the list. We also got requests from you suggesting things to play that would make the neighbors and in-laws leave.
Here’s when you know the party’s over and the host wants you out. Now.
1. The Bird Dance (It’s a German Beer Garden Oompah song)
German Oompahpah
Anything Polka and/or German Oompah even played during Oktoberfest will drive me to a drinking binge. You know the expression “drink to forget” or “water down your sorrows”? Well the inventor of this expression was in Baden Baden or Hamburg stuck listening to this crap. What is it about German drinking music and the goddamm accordions?
2. Wake Me Up Before You Go Go – George Michael/Wham
Nothing needs to be said about Wham! No, really. Nothing. Please bury the tapes.
Wham! WTF?
We wanted to show a video to sober everybody up but youtube says “this video cannot be played in your country…” Thank God for Canada! No Wham! here! Too bad we couldn’t say that about #3 just below.
3. You’re Having My Baby by Paul Anka
Paul Anka When Will You Retire?
I can just picture Anka (this is where I’m not proud that he’s Canadian. But it’s understandable, he hails from Ottawa, doesn’t he?) him singing this as she’s lying there in the 32nd hour of labor, epidural worn off, and awaiting a C-Section without anasthesia.
4. Sometimes When We Touch by Dan Hill
Don't Touch Me!
The only thing I want you to touch is the volume knob or the on/off switch.
Check the video for yourself
5. You’re Beautiful James Blunt
So let me look at you while you shut the fuck up Jimmy!
James Blunt
6. The Little Drummer Boy by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Tabernacle!(subtle French Canadian word)
When I hear this version, I’m reminded of why Helen Keller must have been happy being deaf. I also wished I could be listening to the David Bowie/Bing Crosby version where I can’t tell who’s who. Thank God that Christmas music is only played 2 weeks months a year
7. Hopelessly Devoted to You by– Olivia Newton John (Neutron Bomb, ha ha)
Didn’t her moniker “Olivia Neutron Bomb” appear as a result of this song?
Olivia Neutron Bomb
If it weren’t for Grease and John Travolta, or that Physical video in the early eighties, I guess the only thing that would have come out of Australia would be Paul Hogan and the Crocodile Dundee movies. Oh wait, we’ve still got that piss-beer called Foster’s. Oh yeah, and Nicole Kidman.
8. Gimme Dat Ding by The Pipkins (1971)
Just check out the album cover art. Says it all. Check out the video if you want to bring up your lunch.
9. Come on Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners
I thought this tune was catchy when I was in my teens
Dexy Midnight Runners - Remember Eileen? I'm trying not to
but upon careful thought this is when I thought I looked pretty cool with zits all over my face. When I thought Eileen was a pretty good radio song, nobody else did.
10. Even In the Quietest Moments by Supertramp
I admit some Supertramp is classic and “listenable”.
SuperCramp!
But some of their material delves into the evil unlistenable and is apparently regularly heard in Guantanamo Bay. Even the Cubans have asked Obama to stop playing this shit. Would someone make sure Roger Hodgson and the Tramp never play this in public.
Honorable Mentions
Anything by Wutang Clan
You’ve gotta admit it. This makes you want to shoot somebody or get in the car and do a drive by.
Wutang Clan
In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida by Iron Butterfly
One acid trip too many or gone wrong? Guys make music we can all enjoy.
Iron Butterfly
Ornette Coleman – Freejazz
Ornette Coleman Free Jazz
Chinese torture music even for true Jazz aficionados. Miles Davis reportedly punched Coleman in the face for making such noise and tried to put a hit on him.
