(inside the gazebo)
Late Saturday afternoon as I was weeding the weed patch on the side of the house we pretend we don't own, I looked up to see uniformed police officers across the street, knocking on doors and dipping in and out of backyards: a gas leak one street over. Soon we had a front yard full of neighbours. We gathered everyone in the backyard and within minutes we had a bottle of wine open (thanks to a quick-thinking evacuee). It's that sort of street. We're never leaving.
Talk soon turned to the neighbourhood shindig coming up this weekend. Now I don't know at what point a party officially becomes a bash, but I'm guessing this one might qualify. We're expecting 50 or so folks - big and little - but I'm surprisingly angst-free. Or maybe it's just too early in the week. The essential elements (food, music & decorations) are well in hand. We've decided on a cutlery-free menu of grilled corn on the cob, panini and bacon-wrapped chicken spiedini. I'm sure some will disagree, but I actually think food is the least important element at a party. Terrific food can take a good party to great, but it can't save a so-so gathering. An excellent mix of people, great music and a good host who keeps things happy do way more to make merry than fancy food.
With that in mind, here's our iPod playlist:
Beyond the Sea, Bobby Darin
Summer Wind, Frank Sinatra
Sea of Love, Del Shannon
Tu Vua Fa L'Americano, Renato Carosone (there's a good Jude Law version from the Mr. Ripley soundtrack, but I prefer the original)
Girl From Ipanema, Frank Sinatra
War on Sound, Moonbabies
Worst Trip, Dr. Dog
Say Something, James
Red Microphones, The Comas
Ciao!, Lush
Ain't That A Kick In The Head, Dean Martin
Inside and Out, Feist
When You Were Young, The Killers
Theologians, Wilco
Honey and the Moon, Joseph Arthur
Alison, Elvis Costello
Wishing Well, Terence Trent D'Arby
Old News, Dr. Dog
Into Your Arms, The Lemonheads
Do You Want To, Franz Ferdinand
Is She Really Going Out With Him, Joe Jackson
Paralyzer, Finger Eleven
Bohemian Like You, The Dandy Warhols
Stuck Between Stations, The Hold Steady
She's a Rainbow, Rolling Stones
The Lines You Amend, Sloan
Here Comes Your Man, The Pixies
More party prep later in the week!
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