the invitation, sent out monday, december 16:

Warm Up on a Cold New Year's Eve at Halflab

Temperatures are rapidly falling! Come in out of the cold on New Year's Eve and warm up at HALFLAB -- the House Around Lisa, (Neil)Fred, Louise, And Brandon. We'll be all fired up to see you!

It's a Low-Stress Potluck(*), so keep your cool and don't get hot under the collar. Consider bringing a hot dish or a frosty beverage to share. Here are a few ideas to get you warmed up:

  • iced tea, hot mulled cider, ice wine, slushies
  • chili, hot pockets, cold cuts, hot tamales, cold pizza, tuna melts, iceberg lettuce, anything as cool as a cucumber, frozen peas
  • ice cream, hot fudge sauce, frosted (or iced) cupcakes, molten chocolate lava cake, baked Alaska, hot cross buns, cool whip

    • Maybe you'd like to chill out and play some games -- of course, there are the classics: Hot Potato, Freeze Tag, and The Floor Is Made of Lava. And we practically have hot and cold running board games. Or perhaps you prefer to engage in heated debate (but no flame wars or you'll be on thin ice -- cooler heads should prevail). Once the party heats up, jugglers should feel free to throw flaming torches (please, only out in the cold).

    And if you're cool enough to lay down some hot licks in Rock Band, we can offer you a selection of songs that include: Long Hot Summer Night, Cold As Ice, Hot Blooded, Freeze Frame, They're Red Hot, Stone Cold Crazy, Great Balls of Fire, Ring of Fire, Light My Fire, and We Didn't Start the Fire. (Seriously.)

    So here's what you need to know if you want to cool your heels by our warm hearth:

    What?Warm Up on a Cold New Year's Eve
    Who?You, your hot date, the cool kids, etc.
    When?Tuesday, December 31, 2013, from 7:00pm until things cool off
    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 (so we know if you have a burning desire to attend or if you're giving us the cold shoulder)
    Bring?Food or drink in accordance with Low-Stress Potluck rules(*), hot topics, icebreakers, Kindles, thermometers, etc.

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

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