Hello I'm Rich Brown and this is my personal website and blog. I'm just your simple, average, down to earth, professional, out gay man and aspiring circuit boy, living in Phoenix, Arizona with a few things to say while trying to find my place among all the scary, conservative, religious nuts in this sick and twisted world.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
A Party or Not? What's Different About This Year?
Every year for the past 4 years Justin and I have thrown a pretty fun Holiday bash. Usually one that involves a ton of food, a fully stocked bar, too much drinking, jello shots and ultimately people passing out all over our house. In past years we've always enjoyed getting ready for the party, stocking our bar, planning the food and organizing the guest list.
This year is different.
Our Bar Stock from the 2005 Holiday Party
I can't put my finger on it but we're just not into it this year. We still haven't even decided if we're going to have a party at all or not. After the party each year we've always said we weren't going to do it again but that usually passes very quickly and by mid November we've already sent out the Evite. Now here we are and it's already Dec-3 and we're still thinking we aren't going to have it. I just don't know. I was pretty firm all year about not really wanting to do it this year. For the past few weeks several people have asked me when we were having our party. I've had to tell them I didn't think we were doing it this year.
"What? You're not having it? Why not?" was the typical response to my answer.
Well there just seem to be so many more reasons against it then for it. First it's always very expensive for us. It's also time consuming, somewhat of a hassle, stressful, messy and did I mention expensive. Let me tell you the boys in Phoenix know how to drink, especially when it's free. The only good part of the whole thing is that we enjoy hanging out with friends and acquaintences and showing everyone a great time.
But now as we approach the time when we usually have the party I'm almost feeling guilty. I'm feeling as if I'm breaking a holiday tradition that I started. I know it's not really a big loss for anyone if we don't have the party, but I guess in the end I always did enjoy people coming over and having an awesome time. I still don't know, I mentioned it to Justin tonight. Maybe we'll just have a small one this year, we'll see.
The way I see it is this: if you've started a tradition amongst (and with) your friends, who says the tradition includes the party always has to be hosted by you and Justin? Perhaps it's time some of your friends took the time and money to host one of these parties and you and Justin can have a turn at "just showing up" for a good time.
From what I can gather reading between the lines, you thoroughly enjoy the good times you have socializing and partying with your friends, but there have been so many changes in your life recently (ie: working out, becoming healthier, your Mom moving close by) that maybe you need a bit of change up in how and where things happen. That probably didn't make a lick of sense.... but I know what I'm trying to say. LOL
Ah well, if you decide not to host this montrous partay again just remember that your friends aren't your friends just for the parties you throw Rich, so don't feel bad. ;-)
|______________________________________________________________________ posted by Jude @ Sunday, December 03, 2006 9:03:00 AM
Don't feel bad, Rich. If you are not into it this year it's OK and not that big of a deal! My partner and I threw large holiday parties a few years in a row, and you know what? For us the planning was always more fun than the execution - it's really hard work playing host! So, we decided to back off and had no party last year, and are only having a very small one (about 6-8 people) this year, and we're keeping it simple - wine and cheese and close friends! Plus, I think I'm getting to old to enjoy having my house trashed, spending 2 days cleaning up!
|______________________________________________________________________ posted by J. David Zacko-Smith @ Sunday, December 03, 2006 10:48:00 AM
wait..you had a party last year? Funny...I don't seem to recall that.
|______________________________________________________________________ posted by Darin @ Sunday, December 03, 2006 2:59:00 PM
I'm in the EXACT same boat. Always have a huge shindig -- except I always handle the food and let the people bring their own booze. But because of work and everything else, I just wasn't feeling it -- and all of a sudden it's December, and I have no time for the party. And I didn't feel like decorating so only 1 of the 4 trees went up this year.
Hmm, wonder what caused that.
|______________________________________________________________________ posted by Six Shooter @ Monday, December 04, 2006 7:14:00 AM
They sounded like much fun! But I think you should maybe take it easy this year, do something smallish.
I want an invite if you ever do one again however, I've always wanted to visit Phoenix anyway!
:)
|______________________________________________________________________ posted by The Persian @ Monday, December 04, 2006 10:43:00 AM
I say go with your gut instinct. Maybe you just need a breather. I'm skipping the parties myself this year! :)
|______________________________________________________________________ posted by Steve @ Tuesday, December 05, 2006 8:32:00 AM
