Sayonara Erin-chan
Saturday, we had what looks like it was the final party in our apartment. It was bittersweet, because although it brought together all Erin's friends from every walk of her life here in Orlando, it was the last time she would see most of them.
Of course, because it's Erin and I have had some experience throwing parties, and we want to make sure that everyone is taken care of and has a great time. She spent a lot of time preparing for it, and the results were both impressive and delicious!
Erin's Deli tray, her point of pride. Check out her home made olives on the upper right hand side of our bento box. DEEEE-lish!
If you didn't know, she started her own blog here, and will tall you all about her olives, as well as her Japanese adventures, too.
Caprese Skewers!
Chocolate pretzels!
The part also doubled as a chance to sell extra stuff and make some money to help the cause of getting us to Japan. It's a fairly expensive process for tickets and luggage nowadays.
Some of these items for sale...
Yes, this could be yours!
Sorry, the robot roach is sold.
Living room layout. We sort of invited 40 people or so to fit into this 2 bedroom apartment.
Taking a cue from Erin's idea for my birthday, I set up this "farewell message board" for any guest to sign.
A quick picture of "Anime Erin" and what translates as "Sa-yo-na-ra Erin." Money well spent!
Handed down to me from my brother Bob, this is indeed a blueprint-style instruction sheet on how to make many popular cocktails.
Some toys and stuff of mine
Videos and a figure case for sale
audience area for the Game Room - formerly my studio
Opposite view - Get your Christmas Tree before the rush!
Formerly the bedroom, now the karaoke lounge
Because Camelot can be confusing to newcomers and the infrequent guest, so we have made it standard party procedure to post these signs to help everyone get to the apartment.
Erin is ready to welcome the peoples, and we contemplate who will be the first to arrive.
Some of the spread... check out the real sushi and the banana sushi dessert! SO GOOD!
Warming up the Dance Dance Revolution with Lee
The part is in full swing here: The back of Jen Oliver, Joel Carroll, Hugo Giraud talks to Mike Wagganer, Tracey Wagganer laughs with Joel, Chris Bunch dines and Ron waits for a second helping.
Collection of Erin's teacher friends: Beth, Rebecca, Lee and Jennifer.
Aisha pauses for a drink and a photo.
Susie and Lyndsay and Tommy Grimes.
Some newcomers to Camelot and the E&E party pad: Cowoorker Adrienne, my boss Jessica, co worker Lisa, and Jessica's BF Sunta. Well, his finger anyhow.
Take 2
Take 3: Sunta is elusive!
Once Maggie arrived, we got the karaoke lounge up and running right away.
Dante is the barber/hairdresser of myself, Erin and Maggie, and loves the K. I don't think he left the room that night :)
Hugo warms up the Guitar Hero
Erin on the mic
Band of teachers
Then something unexpected happened... This is Erin's painting from Sip n Sketch...
Here's mine from the same night.
The latest painting that Erin did of our hanging plant.
Our friends Tommy and Lyndsay Grimes collect their friends' artwork and hang them in their home. The bought all three paintings, and Erin threw in this one for free. I was flattered, Erin was thrilled to now be a "professional artist," and Tommy and Lyndsay were excited to gain more pieces to their growing gallery.
Hugo seen from the Red K Lounge
Me, Maggie and Chris. You may recognize them from their eHarmony.com commercial!
Tra, Susie, Lyndsay, Tommy
Uh oh. Just when I thought all of my friends had seen and gotten over the comic anthology, True Porn and TP2, new folks at the house pull it from the bookshelf... Tracey finds something not too horrible in it, apparently
Of course it finds it's way to Lisa and Adrienne...
This says it all
Bunch O Blondes
Adrienne talks with Sunta
Daryl raids my books and Bryan hangs out
ROCK!
Erin's back in the K Lounge
One night only...
Lee adds her sentiment to the best wishes poster
Hugo, Chris and Jen.
My hostess with the mostess
The final poster
We had a great time, and we think every one else did, too. It was pretty cool for Erin to see all the people from almost every section of her life in one place, and everyone got a long just fine. For those who missed it or couldn't make it, we are sorry you couldn't be there and we missed you. Hopefully we can hook up in the next week or two before Erin flies out on the 16th. Yes, that soon!
To follow Erin's Japanese adventure in her own words, her blog can be found here: Japandemonium!
If you see anything here that you may like to own for yourself (kitchen maces, Pope clock, Star Wars toys, old books), we'll be having a yard sale this Saturday at Mike and Tracey Wagganer's in the morning. I'll post again about it and highlight some of the items for sale, and where exactly it will be.
Thanks to everyone that could make it, and we hope you had as good a time as we did!