Happy Hurricane Season, 2013. Now Go Hunker Down
Prepare yourself for the insanity, the hyperbole, and Jim Cantore. Time for Hunker Down!, the Official Hurricane Drinking Game to begin again. Here is your official How to Play refresher:
To play Hunker Down!: simply watch the news weather broadcasts. When the weathermen say the words "Hunker Down" take a drink of your tasty beverage. As the storm gets closer, reality gets farther away.
-----Best played in large groups.
------The phrases "Not Out of the Woods Yet", "Storm / Rain Bands" and "Dodge that Bullet" may be used as supplementary drinking ques if (a) the storm turns (b) you feel you aren't drinking quite enough (c) the storm has already passed you by.
------This game is not recommended for use with any martini.
------God speed on your liver recovery during this active tropical storm season.
------Cheers and play hard.!
Remember to stock up on your hurricane party essentials. Look like the best prepared hostess of all time and handle even power outages with ease with these few simple tips.
1. Peanut butter & jelly: Everyone likes it, really. I suggest natural peanut butter and a high class jam. Serve with scones. Keeps well and still tastes good.
2. Bread: Essential. None of that store-bought-sliced-bread-crap. Baguettes, bagels, muffins, a nice sourdough round. Delicious with or without toppings. Classy and filling
3. Perrier water: Classier than drinking water from the bathtub. Always have enough sparkling water on hand.
4. Candles: Scented is always handy, we all smell a little when the power goes out. It really is more pleasant to lounge about in a house scented with Clean Cotton.
5. Cards & games: Preferably a poker set with chips. Trivia is also a good drinking game. Keep your guests occupied and pacified. Print out directions for various card games while you still have power. Bored tipsy guests are dangerous. Amused tipsy guests are funny. Bocce can be played on carpet, but should only be played by mildly intoxicated guests (saves walls, tables, and trinkets).
6. Tonic & mixers: Tonic keeps the malaria at bay, you know. Mixers help you make the alcohol last a tad longer.
7. Alcoholic beverages: Essential when the water supply just might be tainted. Always assume the worst... it is for your own safety after all.
8. Radio with batteries: Know when it is safe to make a beer run, call for pizza, or pick up more ice. Also, note the drive time to your nearest convenience store should you run low on ice. The average eye of a hurricane really is long enough to get to the corner and back. Disclaimer: You should probably ignore that advice. It is very poor advice. Especially after all that booze.
9. High class long lasting food: You really can get canned hummus, babganoush, and stuffed grape leaves. Add some pita and arrange on a nice tray... don't you look spiffy serving such gourmet meals without power. Always pair it with a good wine for the best effect. Go to the Ethnic aisle at your grocery store and get creative. Everything comes in a can or jar, even food that doesn't suck.
10. Wine: This has a nice calming effect on high-strung party guests who may become disturbed by the horizontal rain, falling debris, and howling wind. Really, it is best to keep such guests very relaxed. Teach them how to play quarters, or set them up with the TV and Hunker Down!
11. Wipes: Any kind of pre-moistened wipe you can find. Keep the bathroom fresh during the party, keep your kitchen sparkling with no water, keep yourself smelling baby fresh, clean up your serving dishes. They make wipes for everything.
12. Hidden water supply: Behind the shower curtain you can discretely keep large buckets and containers of water. Should your water supply be interrupted, you will want your guests to be able to flush (trust me). Two gallons will give you a good, solid flush. Other containers can be kept out of site in the garage, on the patio, or tucked away in closets. Figure four flushes per person at the party. Yes, it is a lot of water but so many things can become a water bucket in a pinch.
13. Attractive Lounge Wear: Khaki shorts or sweat pants and tank tops smack of an amateur hostess. Hugh Heffner got it right with silks. Fine and natural fabrics wear better in the heat. A nice linen lounge set will make you look cool, comfortable, relaxed and totally slick. Keep a few sets on hand in case it gets warm, then you can change and still look amazing as everyone else wilts. The host/ess does set the tone of the party after all.
To play Hunker Down!: simply watch the news weather broadcasts. When the weathermen say the words "Hunker Down" take a drink of your tasty beverage. As the storm gets closer, reality gets farther away.
-----Best played in large groups.
------The phrases "Not Out of the Woods Yet", "Storm / Rain Bands" and "Dodge that Bullet" may be used as supplementary drinking ques if (a) the storm turns (b) you feel you aren't drinking quite enough (c) the storm has already passed you by.
------This game is not recommended for use with any martini.
------God speed on your liver recovery during this active tropical storm season.
------Cheers and play hard.!
Remember to stock up on your hurricane party essentials. Look like the best prepared hostess of all time and handle even power outages with ease with these few simple tips.
1. Peanut butter & jelly: Everyone likes it, really. I suggest natural peanut butter and a high class jam. Serve with scones. Keeps well and still tastes good.
2. Bread: Essential. None of that store-bought-sliced-bread-crap. Baguettes, bagels, muffins, a nice sourdough round. Delicious with or without toppings. Classy and filling
3. Perrier water: Classier than drinking water from the bathtub. Always have enough sparkling water on hand.
4. Candles: Scented is always handy, we all smell a little when the power goes out. It really is more pleasant to lounge about in a house scented with Clean Cotton.
5. Cards & games: Preferably a poker set with chips. Trivia is also a good drinking game. Keep your guests occupied and pacified. Print out directions for various card games while you still have power. Bored tipsy guests are dangerous. Amused tipsy guests are funny. Bocce can be played on carpet, but should only be played by mildly intoxicated guests (saves walls, tables, and trinkets).
6. Tonic & mixers: Tonic keeps the malaria at bay, you know. Mixers help you make the alcohol last a tad longer.
7. Alcoholic beverages: Essential when the water supply just might be tainted. Always assume the worst... it is for your own safety after all.
8. Radio with batteries: Know when it is safe to make a beer run, call for pizza, or pick up more ice. Also, note the drive time to your nearest convenience store should you run low on ice. The average eye of a hurricane really is long enough to get to the corner and back. Disclaimer: You should probably ignore that advice. It is very poor advice. Especially after all that booze.
9. High class long lasting food: You really can get canned hummus, babganoush, and stuffed grape leaves. Add some pita and arrange on a nice tray... don't you look spiffy serving such gourmet meals without power. Always pair it with a good wine for the best effect. Go to the Ethnic aisle at your grocery store and get creative. Everything comes in a can or jar, even food that doesn't suck.
10. Wine: This has a nice calming effect on high-strung party guests who may become disturbed by the horizontal rain, falling debris, and howling wind. Really, it is best to keep such guests very relaxed. Teach them how to play quarters, or set them up with the TV and Hunker Down!
11. Wipes: Any kind of pre-moistened wipe you can find. Keep the bathroom fresh during the party, keep your kitchen sparkling with no water, keep yourself smelling baby fresh, clean up your serving dishes. They make wipes for everything.
12. Hidden water supply: Behind the shower curtain you can discretely keep large buckets and containers of water. Should your water supply be interrupted, you will want your guests to be able to flush (trust me). Two gallons will give you a good, solid flush. Other containers can be kept out of site in the garage, on the patio, or tucked away in closets. Figure four flushes per person at the party. Yes, it is a lot of water but so many things can become a water bucket in a pinch.
13. Attractive Lounge Wear: Khaki shorts or sweat pants and tank tops smack of an amateur hostess. Hugh Heffner got it right with silks. Fine and natural fabrics wear better in the heat. A nice linen lounge set will make you look cool, comfortable, relaxed and totally slick. Keep a few sets on hand in case it gets warm, then you can change and still look amazing as everyone else wilts. The host/ess does set the tone of the party after all.