Themed Parties and Events

Since I was a little girl, I’ve always been captivated and intrigued by masquerades, carnivals, inventive costumes, surprise soirées, and signature birthday parties. Additionally, I have a strong interest in concocting recipes for distinctive but tasty drinks and meals with an artistic flair and for sharing various forms of amusement with like-minded individuals. Simply put, I revel in the art and experience of themed festivities. All of those interests play a role in creating a themed event.

I’ve attended many carnivals and I often envision and sketch out fanciful costumes sometimes attached to wacky characters. I am also inspired by Edwardian balls, Venetian carnivals and the attire and masks that adorn attendants of these events. Over the years, my hobby in experimental recipes has led to the creation of a large list of original recipes for both food and drink to amuse myself and others. However, I have yet to carry out the fantasy of actively designing and executing a themed event of my own.

I feel that anyone can come up with an amazing and fantastic idea for a themed party. It just takes a willing mindset, a glowing imagination and an entertaining spirit.

I think many people feel very silly thinking about either attending or hosting a stylized event because by their very nature, these types of festivities encourage all involved to be free and inhibited in ways they usually aren’t. A person must be willing to step outside of his/her day-to-day code of behavior and even, dare I say, pretend a little. I think each and every one of us has some level of attraction to make-believe and pretend play, enough to where we’d like to have fun with some of the whimsical ideas that cross our minds or things that inspire us.

I also think that themed bashes can present a coaxing experience to the individuals that are often overcome by shyness. The leveling effect makes me think back to the old trick that speech instructors use when they often tell their students, before delivering an oral presentation, to imagine everyone in the class naked. I always liked to think that the objective was not necessarily about getting the student to solely desire humiliation for others, but rather to bring the presenter’s perspective back down to earth so that he or she could realize the humanity that was shared between everyone. Decorative get-togethers can offer a similar sensation for those who are socially nervous and rigid thus making the truly intoxicating agent at a get-together not come through in the alcohol served but in the spirit of the party.

A themed party can be designed and hosted by yourself or with a few creative and motivated friends. You have to make time to plan and gather your resources. You can literally celebrate anything. The purpose of celebration doesn’t have to be traditional or grand. In fact the more mundane, odd, or simple the concept celebrated is, the better and more imaginative a party can be.

The first step in planning for a themed party is to create a list of important planning questions.

These would be some questions that you might ask yourself and/or anyone else involved in the planning process:

What kind of theme would you base your party on?

You can come up with all sorts of ideas and incorporate them no matter how bizarre, plain or unlikely they seem. Come up with motif and design arrangements that tie into what you choose to base your theme on.

Celebrate the current season, the month, the day of the week or an anniversary for anything you’ve done for more than a year.

Celebrate by honoring a particular film genre such as Asian horror, cult, black comedy, B movie, film noir, silent movie or 70s vintage flicks. You can also theme a party entirely around a movie series or a single film.

Celebrate by dedicating a theme to Hawaiian cocktail drinks, boba/bubble tea beverages, Asian or African teas, exotic fondues and wines, original pastry recipes, savory sauces and homemade jams, 50s diner foods, a certain type of fruit or finger foods.

Celebrate by designing the party around Venetian masks, RPG characters, astrological signs, colors, patterns and textures, comic book characters, a random adjective, a subculture, or an art period.

Who would you invite?

Think about people you relate best to; people who would be interested in attending a themed party and would possibly not mind helping out in some way to make the event as exciting as it could be. If you are open to inviting casual friends and other acquaintances, this is fine as well. The machination of the invitation list is up to you.

How would you go about inviting others?

In this part of the planning, you can also show your zest for creativity. You might choose to send out invitations in a way that foreshadows the style and intended festive mood for the party. For example, if your party is going to be cop-themed, you might send out invitations that resemble parking tickets, traffic violation citations or badges.

How big or small do you want your party to be and can people bring guests?

This will be an important area to plan for because the size of your party will determine the details for so many other stages of the planning process. You will be able to figure out the size of space you will need to carry out your party, how much food and drink supply will be needed, how many invitations you will officially be sending out and how much money will be spent overall. Furthermore, if you require guests to also contribute food, drink and decorations, your guest list will let you know how to keep tabs on offerings. Guests should also be told how many extra people they can bring.

When and where would you hold the party?

Once you figure out how many people will be attending the party and helping out, you can firm up details about where the party will be. If your party theme is based on mermaids and pirates, you might want to look into outdoor or beach venues. You can also research party locations that feature pools such as hotels, neighborhood gyms and certain resort lounges. Take this time during the planning process to also decide on the date and time of the party. The guest list you devise should give you a clue as to when most people can make the event. Contact everyone on the list after it is firmly made and figure out a time that is workable for everyone.

Keep in mind that whatever location you choose, make sure it is fiscally reasonable for yourself and all invited. If you create themed parties regularly, consider hosting smaller events in familiar, inexpensive and easily accessible locations.

What types of foods and drinks would be served and do others have to contribute any of the edibles?
As mentioned before, making your guest list will let you know how many people you can rely on if the party requires offerings (whether it is in the form of gifts, food, drink, party supplies and paper ware) from everyone. This is a great way to make a party inexpensive and doable. If everything rests on your shoulders, you might start to feel the idea for a party is overwhelming and unfeasible. It doesn’t have to be. In fact, the best parties usually involve guests bringing stuff in to help set up.

Should people come dressed a certain way according to the party’s theme?

Themed parties don’t always have to involve dress up and costuming although those tend be more entertaining and innovative. For example, if your bash involves marathoning through Twilight Zone films, it would be unrealistic for all of your guests to arrive dressed up as Rod Serling look-alikes. It would be cool if you could actually pull this off, but again this would be impractical in most cases. If you really desire any kind of costuming from your guests, you might require everyone to dress up in 50s and 60s attire since the original Twilight Zone series aired during these time periods.

How much money will you spend for supplies and other resources?

Once you figure out who will donate what, what your guest list looks like and where and when you will hold the event, it is time to create a budget and calculate how much of your own money you will be spending for creating invitations (even if they are homemade), buying some food and drink and getting some of the decorations. If you can afford it, if the party will not be held at your place or someone's house or if others have not been required to chip in, you might also consider expenses for where your party will be. In some cases, you could look into renting a space for the day or for a certain number of hours. If you look around well enough, you can get a great deal that can meet your budget. If your party will be held at a club, most clubs require early reservation of a room or table which might include the expenses of bartending and kitchen services.

How long will the party last?

How long will your party be? Will it be from 4pm to 8pm, from midnight to early morning on a weekend, for an entire day or will it take place over a full weekend?

Will you take pictures and create a themed party photo album of some kind?

It is best to have a digital camera present at the party. A video camera would be better so that you can record everything taking place at your event. You can later send copies of the videotape or pictures to everyone that attended or you can use an on-line resource for uploading photos and videos. Over the years, the parties can help create a dynamic time capsule for everyone involved.

The point of planning a themed event or party is to create a new and exciting experience, honor friendships and to appreciate life in as many ways as you can. It’s something that I definitely wish to do someday and eventually often and I look forward to sharing these experiences with good friends.

I think if you are unsure about these type of experience, the first place to start is in attending a themed event that someone else has managed. Try it out for yourself and savor what the experience offers.

Let it enthuse.

"The Way We Live"

A friend of mine made a comment on Facebook through her "25 Random Things" post. She mentioned something that definitely made a strong impression and that I fully agree with. It's a great comment for reflection:

"The older I get, the more I realize that there are many paths to happiness and a million different ways to live a life. I think sometimes we fear those who make different choices because we need to believe that WE have made the RIGHT choices. I think we all do the best with what we have." - Penny McNatt-Devine

It makes you wonder why so many people are almost violently opposed or dismayed when it comes to expressing or having an opinion on the way other people live. They feel like the way they live their lives is the way others should. It's almost like they need a sense of validation for how they've chosen to live because it would only make sense if others chose to make the same commitments and decisions...or even believed the same things.

I think some people can become so used to living in one way that their identity, the only one they know of themselves, becomes dependent on that. If choices and life changes, then the way they recognize themselves changes too and that might be scary because then that would make them feel like they've failed...that they were wrong just when they thought they had life figured out or that they have no clue on how to function in the future now that everything has fallen out of familiarity.

We can apply this to so many examples...especially the ones involving religious, political, homophobic and racial fanatics...to name a few.

I do feel a lot of the grandstanding in this context comes from people being dissatisfied with how they live or not wanting to be challenged to reconsider or evaluate their own life choices and beliefs. We all, either at some point or to some degree, wanted/want the security of knowing that we were/are making the right decisions or that the way we see things is the "correct" way. So we look for ways that we can validate that...validate ourselves.

I also don't think people are always aware of the ways in which they seek validation. It might be hard to notice or we might think that whatever we do in a given context is based on authentic convictions or beliefs...when it's all a metaphor for something deeper that we seek or feel that is missing. If anyone here has read T. C. Boyle's "Carnal Knowledge"...this is a perfect example.

This is why I have an interest in occasionally taking a deep look at the things I feel strongly about. Are they really true passions? Are they really things that I feel truly represent me? Are they really things that I want to do in life or beliefs that I want to live by? Are certain disciplines or restrictions that I place on myself necessary or meaningful? What would my life be like if I didn't let some fears dictate how it was lived? What can i do to live more in courage rather than fear? Why do I feel so tied to certain aspects of my identity?

I also don't think people are always aware of the ways in which they seek validation. It might be hard to notice or we might think that whatever we do in a given context is based on authentic convictions or beliefs...when it's all a metaphor for something deeper that we seek or feel that is missing. If anyone here has read T. C. Boyle's "Carnal Knowledge"...this is a perfect example.

I also think, as the quote implies, that we never ask ourselves if we could be happy living life in more than one way. We often feel that is the one golden path to happiness or whatever happiness means to us. We are often too scared or fearful to find out what other paths could provide for us. Sometimes we are forced to see another way of living due to circumstances or unexpected events. Not everyone does well in that event...some people continue to try to hold on to their old way of seeing and doing things because that's all they know and that's what they've based security and identity on.

Creating Secret Maps & Other Wonders...

What would you do if you came across a bright red beautifully wrapped box along a path not far from your house?

Would you pass it up? Do you dare inspect the package a bit and wonder about its contents and its purpose for being there? Would you eagerly open the box with a sharp jolt of curiosity?

If you were to open the box, what would you find? Take some time to truly imagine and revel in what you conjure up.

I think it's very intriguing to be on the receiving or witnessing end of such a scenario, but I also think it's a brilliant feeling to know that you are the one who creates this mysterious and peculiar would-be experience for others.

I have fancied the idea of creating an elaborate map that illustrates how to discover the whereabouts of a fascinating gift of some kind. This idea was inspired by watching a segment of the animated film, Wubbzy's Big Movie, which is based on the animated children's series on Nick Jr. entitled, Wow! Wow! Wubbzy.

In that segment of the film, Wubbzy notices that a folded piece of paper falls from within the book he is holding in a library. This also catches the attention of his best friends Walden and Widget. Wubbzy then sees that the folded piece of paper is actually a map with a big x on it and claims that it is a pirate's map showing the location of hidden treasure. Although his friends are skeptical and tell Wubbzy that pirates and hidden treasure no longer exist, Wubbzy tells his friends that they must go on an adventure to locate the treasure of this map. He tells them that they must believe.

They soon set sail on a an old boat that Widget managed to repair with her usual crafty skills and they come across a number of wacky perils that they eventually find creative ways to get themselves out of. Each time Wubbzy and his friends come across danger, he continues to tell them to believe in the map and treasure. Just when they are about to give up and Wubbzy begins to feel that his friends might be right about there not being any treasure, on their way back to the ship, they all look up and spot a big house on a mountaintop shaped like an x. Wubbzy points and exclaims in excitement that this must be the treasure that they've been searching for and that he was right all along about believing.

Soon a pirate, with a love for sweets and missing front teeth, shows up and tells them that they've indeed come across the treasure. He tells them that he left the map, that true reward was in the adventure of following the map and that he'd like to not only offer them each candy, but that he wants them to place the map back where it was so that others can stumble upon it by chance and also experience the same kind of journey.

Although this animated film and its series is intended for children, I find the cartoon very inspiring and entertaining and watching made me think of doing something similar in the near future. I'd love to create a unique handmade gift of some sort or even design something as simple as a beautiful message, place it in a well-hidden, alluring and attention-grabbing box and leave it someplace that can be discovered through the directions of an also discreetly-placed illustrative map that I'd make from scratch.

I guess the question is: How would one ever know that someone else discovered the map and gift?

The answer is you can't really be sure what happens or if someone will ever find it in the way intended to be found, but it still feels great to be able to do something like this and at least create the possibility of someone coming across surprise and being delighted by it. If you come back to check on the map and gift and it’s gone, you can always imagine that someone did indeed fulfill that mission.

If we look back at history's sentimental yarns and epic fantastic tales, we'll remember some stories which tell of someone coming across a message in a bottle on a remote or long-forgotten seashore. The plot might not always involve epic adventure or even candied merriment. Perhaps it involves a story of grief, forlorn hope and unfulfilled longings.

In any event, people are fascinated by the unknown; of being part of a discovery or a mystery. I think in this vessel of fascination, we can actively and creatively find a way to become purveyors of joy-making; to inspire other people to live more adventurously rather than in fear.

I can understand that the world has come to be a more cynical, jaded and suspicious place where we fear for our safety. We look upon strange and unexpected persons, events, objects with apprehension and concern, assuming that the intent is for us to be harmed rather than be enchanted. We assume that our destiny is to be underhandedly destroyed rather than to be truly charmed. That's understandable when we take a cold, desolate and ultra sober look at the dark side of humanity. But perhaps that's the heart of the problem. We forget about the beauty of humanity and what we can do in our daily lives to become examples of that.

The world needs more magic and imagination where society becomes art and art becomes society. Creating secret maps, concocting surprise messages and scattering sacred awesome gifts is a great way to spread a little of that magic.

On Becoming a Muse

Historically the muses are typically regarded as nine young goddesses of inspiration who personify and embody the arts, poetry and sciences. They were entities of song and grace that inspired people to exert their best efforts and live to their fullest potential. Additionally, they engendered harmony, prosperity and friendships.

What would it mean to become a muse in today's time? Do you have a desire to become a muse of any sort? If so, what kind of muse would you be? How do you normally find yourself inspiring others? How do you purposefully like to inspire others? My belief is that both men and women can be muses, muses can be of any age and muses can possess a number of visual impressions. The stereotype is that muses look like flawless beauties. I think instead muses possess a unique beauty of spirit; a brand of individuality that is magnetic. This might make an impression upon his/her looks or it might at first not be so aesthetically obvious but would be something that people FEEL when they come into contact with him/her.

When I mention a modern day muse, I very much mean in a real sense. Not paranormally. I also think there are muse qualities in all of us, but my focus is more in being a muse in awareness...in a way that is organically asserted and confidently activated.

I've thought about this for some time, but I'd like to consider myself a muse of sorts and I'd like to be more confidently and actively. I think in asserting yourself this way, you as the muse realize, that by natural rule, living as a muse incites more passionate living.

Unbridled passionate living.

I also think a modern day muse feeds off of inspiration in many ways too. They don't just inspire others. Inspiration becomes a fuel of sorts, in both directions. So when a muse ceases to find inspiration and to create or embody it in some manner, the muse identity "dies".

I've exercised my muse powers through Meetup.com recently. I started a group for exercise and fitness which targets women who are curvy, plus-sized and/or plump. I speak to an audience of women who are happy about and find beauty in being thicker and rubenesque in stature but would like to tone up and participate in regular exercise activity so that our fitness levels are heightened as curvy women. Our goal is not to be thin but to be healthy. This inspires a great many of women to redefine beauty for themselves and to see their own loveliness through and through.

Mingling with others, sending messages and speaking up is important in cultivating muse power and spirit. Again the aim of a muse is to live passionately, embrace living and embody inspiration.

How do you wish to do this? It can be done in so many ways:

• Join or start a new group based on unique interests, desires and goals



• Cultivate your own sense of style or bring it out again in full vigor



• Explore new ideas and thoughts; challenge old ones



• Define why you are beautiful in your own way apart from what society dictates and begin living in this newfound sense of pride



• Champion a new or long-abandoned cause



• Find a way to help someone realize their potential, their dreams or their value



• Do something new and different each day



• Read, listen to and see curious books, music and film respectively



• Try a brand new cuisine


• Research different lifestyles and viewpoints


• Do something you've always done the same in a completely new way


• Strike up a conversation with a random stranger and ask them thoughtful questions


• Find ways you can make society better, more rewarding and interesting


• Invent something or improve upon an old convention

Be more hands on:

We are a society that is very much out of touch with our instincts. We don't have to use and sharpen then. We live in an automated, highly technical and ever-increasing digital world. I don't put down modern and technical conventions as they have their own appealing qualities, I just think we are greatly handicapped by them through our own ignorance and lack of exploration and awareness.

So how can we really be muses of anything?

How can we really appreciate anything?

How can we really understand and FEEL?

I think it's important to keep old traditions alive because make US feel alive. Our senses remain sharp, aware and functioning. Never at a loss. Never dull.

Rather than go out to eat or buy microwave food, cook sometimes from SCRATCH or learn how to for a particular recipe. The meal will be that much more appreciated. I would even say growing one's own vegetables and fruits gives a different sense of appreciation too. I wonder how many people would consume as much meat as they did if they had to hunt and prepare it themselves.

Rather than typing a letter why not write one. A LONG one...and do it often. Why not a short story or *gasp* a novel?

Instead of drawing something on the computer, why not get the paints, charcoals, pastels, markers, pens or conte out to draw? G further and maybe create and stretch your own canvas, make your own brushes, make and mix your own paints just to see what it feels like? Use natural objects as brushes such as twigs, leaves, flower petals, and hands.

Why not learn how to play an instrument or take some voice lessons for fun to get a different appreciation for music and singing? Even just reading about the history of music can change one's perspective.

Rather than renting a movie for a particular title, why not go read the book?
Rather than seeing a movie, why not go see a theatre production with live actors and music?

Rather than reading about a particular culture, country or city, why not plan a trip someday to visit that region to get a real sense of the area? Learn the language?

Why not look up some craft projects and get busy with them and get your hands dirty? Try to make an article of clothing for yourself, a piece of jewelry, your own sculpture or piece of dish ware or a bath and beauty accessory (creams, lotions, soap, shampoo, perfume)? Include stuff like making your own butter, cheese, wine, spread, jam, jelly or oil?

You get the picture. I love stuff like this. It is important to hone desires for these things and to find ways to incorporate these types of activities and a quality of curiosity into your daily living. Make them a part of your life; necessary, natural and therapeutic rituals to fully activate your muse power and spirit.

Upon further thought, embracing yourself as a muse also inspires more love and appreciation for self. You really start to admire your own brand of beauty in and out and acknowledge how valuable it is in its own right...what it can do, what it means and how it can inspire and compel many.

So my recommendation is to begin embracing yourself as a muse, in the ways it best unleashes and suits the true you regardless of age, gender, sexuality, appearance and so on.

No need to wait.

Begin now. See and explore your beauty in all its glory and OWN and USE it.

Monogamy

Introspective thoughts that come to mind from ponderings of a pool of articles, conversations and forums...

I sometimes wonder how many people can truly commit to a monogamous relationship...not because they will cheat or because they don't put in effort, but because along with those issues, you simply have the reality of every individual evolving over the course of a lifetime. As two people evolve, compatibility must endure with these transformations. A couple who has been happily married for 20 or more years must have been able to grow in similar directions and with similar energies. What a feat.

However, you often find that most people just do not make it to that many years of marriage...in quality that is. This can be so for many different reasons, but one of those reasons is because at first...hell maybe even during the first 6-8 years of that relationship, the couple shares a similar walking path which is essentially a package of things including mutual interests and desires, but after those years have passed, one or both people might evolve in such a way that it shifts the balance out of that relationship. The things that were valued or shared at first either no longer apply or don't apply as much so that causes a change in that connection and that might lead to a divorce of "irreconcilable differences" as it is often formally put.

Just what does that mean when people list that as a reason for divorcing? I would assume it means as I previously described, but perhaps I am being too formulaic about the supposition. Who knows?

I've been reading a few discussions forums lately and I've been talking to a few people who have been sharing their relationship or dating woes, conflicts and rantings. One thing that was told to me was that in this day and age, so many people just do not know how to date or what to expect from others for courtship...that it's a confusing time where so many feel lost and feel they are destined to be happily "unpartnered" for the rest of their lives.

Is this so because now many in this society have too many choices of what they can do with their lives whereas before we followed stricter rules about what was expected during courtship and within a committed relationship? Are we spoiled and overexposed to too many things?

If so is that a bad or good thing? If it's bad, the devil's advocate question would be, "How do people really discover the core of themselves without having a wealth of experience and options? Who are they really and how can they develop this sense of self and awareness over time?" Why define yourself through a list of indefinables or rather limitations/unfulfilled desires (but then when do we ever stop desiring which begs the question of monogamy)?

If this is a good thing, I guess you already drank the cocktail provided by those questions and fall more in line with the implied reasoning...which is go with experience and constantly seek, evolve and realize...never committing, never settling and never staying contained in any manner or form.

I guess this is a scary and odd existence for so many...to be so far out there in this world full of options and the ability to establish freedom of being (supposedly). Those who are single long for what attached people have and those who are attached are wishing for some aspects of single life or single life period. Everyone is doing the splits. Each side wants something the other has and no one can find a damned way to exist harmoniously. Some have...more so as single people than attached I would guess. But then again it is MY guess because I am thinking there are far more single people out there than long-term committed and especially married.

Life...the ultimate game...you can make your own rules or follow someone else's set but do you ever really know how to play?

Late night mental ramblings of course put into the form of word...indeed this is.

The World of Surprising Faces

I am getting some disturbing images and thoughts about faces.

My mind is imagining a young woman who has encountered an irreversible, startling and/or disgusting reality in the faces of others. This is what she sees:

• Faces that possess the texture of the bottoms of very dirty and filthy shoes.


• Faces that are teeming with a million worms living inside of pores


• Faces that are filled with pulsating juicy blueberries embedded underneath the skin


• Faces that cast off double expressions where twisted smiles are half-way engulfed by shriveling sad mouths and where widened happy eyes are infused with pairs that are covered heavily in white film and signs of massive infection


• Faces that, upon closer inspection, are really illusions created by the clustering and bonding of extremely tiny multi-colored squeaking creatures


• Faces that are frozen in an expression but emanate the most lively and animated voices and sound effects.


• Faces that are hideous to look at for a few seconds but soon become interpreted as profoundly beautiful visions


• Faces that contain extrusions of many bone-like growths


• Faces that appear to have depth but really are very flat surfaces that exist only in theory


• Faces that look normal from a distance but reveal themselves as twisted and gaping portals into unknown realms once they are closer in view.


• Faces that are entirely parasitic entities and traps that wait for engaging conversations with others but devour and take on the look and entity of their victims once they are fully consumed.


• Faces that explode into a violent storm of sand and smoke once certain key words are spoken to them


• Faces that enlarge into the massive size of planets at certain times of the day which immediately alters the existence and and reality of any current spectators

I am not sure why these images are flooding into my mind. Some of them are very unpleasant. I think they might be coming to mind as somewhat synesthetic interpretations of impressions I've gotten from various people lately. Yeah I think that's it.