Monday, January 1

Party Like it's 2007

Happy New Year!

I wasn't going to go out. The Packer game started, Grossman threw 3 interceptions and fumbled a snap all in the first half, I was feeling a bit tired. Then Noah called during half time and told me to still just come by. So I did. And I had more fun than probably any new year's since high school.

When I got there we watched the Bear's continue to embarrass themselves well into the third quarter. Then Noah's brother JP and three of the other people there decided to go out back and build a bonfire. (Yes there's a fire pit built for this purpose, they weren't just going to start it on the lawn.) Now I assume if you're reading this you know that I build a pretty great fire. But I also am fairly amused by other people's bad fire making skills.

So Tom and Andy grab an old christmas tree, douse it in gasoline, use a tiki torch to light it and whoosh! 12 ft tall fireball. It was ridiculous. Thankfully everyone was far enough back that no one lost an eyebrow or anything. This of course leads to lots of stories about people I don't know and a few about people I do. I laughed so hard my face still hurts this morning.

Well by now the guys figure out this probably wasn't the best long term fire building plan and it's awfully smoky so they wander off in search of more wood. I took the opportunity to fix the fire so me and JP threw a bunch of kindling in there and some cardboard and got a pretty good fire going.

Notice how I haven't mentioned my friend Noah? Yea that's cuz I have no clue where he was. I didn't see him until probably close to 1130 :D But that was fine because his friends were hilarious and really friendly.

So we stand around drinking for a while, laughing, waiting for the new year. If you've been to my house in IL and remember how there's lots of trees and undergrowth at the back of the yard, you can picture Noah's backyard. Tom and Andy go out there with a tiny litttle flash light and a dull axe trying to gather whatever more wood they can. This makes the rest of us a bit nervous, but they did all right. And of course it leads to more ridiculous "this one time in the woods..." stories and more laughing till I cry.

Once the New Year hits everyone's shaking up and spraying their beers and JP is running around "topping" everyone's bottle trying to get it to explode. Then I hear, "Oh crap I'm bleeding." So not only did NYE 2006 involve a 12 ft fireball, but now it's going to involve a trip to the ER. Poor kid shattered the neck of a bottle and sliced open his index finger. 4 stiches and an hour and a half later they return with one still drunk JP and a couple great ER patient stories.

Like I said, probably the most fun I've had celebrating in years! :D I just wish I had taken a camera....

Hope you had a good time as well!