the invitation, sent out sunday, december 19:

(This is) Neẅ Year's Eve -- December 31st at Halflab

HALFLAB -- the House Around Lisa, (Neil)Fred, Louise, And Brandon -- has hosted many parties, but this time, it's going to be epic. Yes, this one goes to '11.

Come on by and enjoy tasty comestibles, play games, or if you like, just sit on your big bottom. Discuss all manner of geekery or just shut up and eat. As usual, Low-Stress Potluck rules apply -- see the website for details (link below). But don't stress over it. Except maybe a little if the rules indicate you should.

On New Year's Eve we're going to rock you on New Year's Eve. The latest version of Rock Band includes keyboard, a new fake plastic guitar which more closely resembles a real guitar (with six "strings" to strum and a full grid of string-shaped buttons for every fret/string pair), and three-part harmonies. And we'll have a fire extinguisher on hand for those who brave playing the drums.

When does it start? 7:00pm. When does it end? Well, I don't really think that the end can be assessed as of itself as being the end because what does the end feel like? It's like saying when you try to extrapolate the end of the universe, you say, if the universe is indeed infinite, then how - what does that mean? How far is all the way, and then if it stops, what's stopping it, and what's behind what's stopping it? So what's the end, you know, is my question to you.

Quick reference:

What?(This is) Neẅ Year's Eve
Who?You, your friends, sweeties, druids, etc.
When?Friday, December 31, 2010, from 7:00pm until the end
Where?Halflab - 1174 Fremont St, Santa Clara, CA 95050-4816
Where?? Consult http://www.halflab.com/map/ or call 408-248-HALF
RSVP?Optionally and probabilistically to rsvp(at)halflab(dot)com
Bring?Food or drink in accordance with Low-Stress Potluck rules(*), games, anecdotes, scale models of prehistoric monuments, etc

-- Lisa, (Neil)Fred, Louise, Brandon

(*) The term "Low-Stress Potluck" is explained in far too much detail at http://www.halflab.com/party/