How To Properly Entertain Guests...

I just found this website entitled Time Warp Wives . After my discussion on manners a few posts back, I found an article by them on "How To Entertain Guests". SEE PEOPLE... this is the kind of stuff I have been trying to tell you... so courtesy of http://timewarpwives.blogspot.com/... I have posted their article...

How To Entertain Guests

Tips

Looking after guests can be a complicated issue - sometimes even an art. What do you say? How do you act? What should you do? However, there is one secret to keeping your guests happy - keep them entertained. Entertained guests are happy, content and lighten up the atmosphere. This is the ultimate guide to the effortless and easy entertainment of your guests.

1- Use the largest space available to throw your party. Use the largest room, if you're having the party at your house. This may not be the most entertaining space, but the most important thing is the size of the venue. Large and airily spacious rooms make the place seem large and are much better than crammed tight spots. You can bring party items into the room, like a means of playing music, a table for the food and places for people to sit, play games, and dance! Opening the curtains and the windows (if the weather permits) is another way of setting the right atmosphere.

* If you're hosting an event indoors, make sure the venue is clean. Put some hours aside to get to work and make sure your venue is sparkling. Sweep; dust; vacuum; scrub; a clean environment makes an event that much more pleasant.

*If you would rather not use the inside of your home - and if you have a large enough garden - you could host a garden party or a barbecue.

2- Provide drinks and food. Be sure to ask your guests if they have any dietary restrictions or allergies when issuing invitations to the event, and adjust or add to your menu accordingly. Provide food and drink that everybody would like - you don't want to fork out for a long menu and then have one or two people just picking at it. It's best to choose the basic foods and then tweak them according to your guests' tastes and dietary restrictions. Make sure the food is of good quality and is attractively presented, as great meals are one of the easiest ways to please your guests.

3- Play music. Music will add to the atmosphere and get people in the right mood. Choose music that everyone will like - not extreme genres of musical taste. Hire a disk jockey, or if you keep music on your computer, bring it into your entertaining room so people can choose what they want to hear (Vista, for example, has a great party feature in Media Player). If you know your guests' musical tastes, then select some albums or tracks that you know a lot of them will like. If there's going to be dancing, make sure that there are some great tunes for dancing available. Try to create a playlist that suits your desired atmosphere.

4- Provide party games, and if you don't have your own, buy or borrow fun games like Twister, video games, or even dance mats like the ones in the arcade. Just remember to keep things simple - the simpler the party game is, the easier it is for people to get enthusiastic and competitive. Games that require groups of people and are fun, easy and energetic are the perfect type - try to provide games that tap into the competitive spirit.

5- Introduce your friends to each other, if you are entertaining groups of friends from different areas of your life. If you are inviting friends from work as well as friends you know from school or college, for example, then understand that you should make them all feel as comfortable as possible. If the crowd is large, then you could supply name tags, but if it is a small group, then introduce each of them to each of the others. If guests aren't introduced to each other, a lot of them will restrict themselves to groups and the event will not be as pleasant [1]. Mingle, introduce those who you think will get on with each other, and ensure that anybody who looks lonely is chatting to someone soon.

6- Talk to everyone. Thank your guests when they arrive and take their coats if applicable. Listen to what they have to say - try to use little indicators like "I see;" and "That's interesting;" to indicate that you are paying attention and that your mind isn't wandering, which will seem rude. Pay a few minutes of personal attention to each and every guest; if there are too many people, then talk to groups so they'll feel included and happy. Prepare to mingle, talk, listen and party!

Research: Wikihow

So there you have it... thank you http://timewarpwives.blogspot.com for this awesome article... go check em out!

Awwww Yeayyyuhh!!!

I know, I know! Another animation... but this one is for my BFF Sara... my partner in crime... my luvah from anutha motha.... the other half to the Firearm Frankensteins... anyway, enjoy.

(Hope this cheers you up pookie!)

Oh, The Corny-ness of Being A Twin

So, My Boyfriend got me an Anime Creator for Christmas... So you can thank him for what you are about to see...

First, I found this song about being a twin, and nothing could possibly be more lame... so I give you, my Ode to My Twin Sister (Seestor)...

Second, this is my thank you to Rick for getting me this present which will now add to the other thousand reasons that I don't sleep!!!

Enjoy!

Mel

DON'T TALK TO ME! Awkward Shopping...

While shopping with my boyfriend yesterday, we say some friends at our local mall. The funny thing was, as much as we see and talk to these people, it was pretty awkward. This led to a discussion. Think about it... when you run into someone you know while shopping, how superficial is the conversation, if any, until you both go on about your business? I am a pretty social person, and even I find this uncomfortable. Unless it is a good friend that I end up tagging along with, or going to the food court to share a tasty snack, it is just plain weird to see people in this context! I know that friends go shopping together, which is totally ok, but even if I am out with friends and see someone else I know it is weird to stand and talk to them!

But why? Is it because there isn't a bar, or any other kind of socially encouraging factor in the mix? Is it because shopping is a personal activity? Is it because people just prefer to shop alone? What do you think kiddos?

Either way, I love you, but it is AWKWARD to run into you when I shop!

Mel

Sometimes I Pretend I'm RuPaul...

I have been teaching myself new tricks in photoshop... thought I would share! I really like how I captured Rick in his most common state of refueling! By the way, it's totally ok to make fun of me for taking pictures of myself, even if they were for photoshop training purposes!

Mel

MannErs???

As of late, I can no longer ignore the lack of manners from my generation and those crazy kids that follow. (Don't ask me why I was watching Dr. Phil yesterday, it is not important. What is important is that the nickname of the new generation is "Generation Me".) "Excuse Me", "Pardon Me", "May I", "Please", "Thank You", and other such thoughtful phrases have been lost and forgotten by many. Well folks, I am here to remind you how to behave properly. Sure, I have tattoos and love my yard gnome collection, but my mother would jerk a knot in my ass if I was ill mannered in public!

Here are a few to start...

Going To Someones Home/ Entertaining Guests

• You should always at least offer to bring something when someone invites you over. Never show up empty handed! A bottle of wine is always a great idea. Also, if you are at someones place, and they order food, you should always offer to chip in...
• If you are entertaining guests, you should always provide something to eat and drink. Many people forget this when throwing a party AND I HATE IT! When this happens I'm always mad that I didn't eat first or end up leaving too early.

When In Public

• I don't know where you youngins developed this sense of entitlement BUT IT ENDS HERE! Wait your turn! (Coming from a bartender, wait your turn! Don't throw your money around and/or shout drinks! We don't come to your work and yell STAPLER, STAPLER, PAPER CLIP STAPLER!)
• I don't care how crowded it is, if you bump into someone say "I'm Sorry" or "Excuse Me"! This is a huge pet peeve of mine! When did it become socially acceptable to knock into each other like some sort of mosh pit at a Britney Spears concert! Didn't get it? Let me spell it out for you! All you pop clones with bad highlights and Ed Har-WTF shirts who crowd into each other as if trying to join together into one ultra douchy being can at least say EXCUSE ME!

TATTOOS

• Do not grab someones tattoos to get a closer look. Let them enjoy their own personal space. Don't invade it! Just because it's there does not give you a free pass to grab, tug, feel, touch or pull at it! It's not braille, you don't need to feel it!
• If you don't personally like tattoos, that is all you have to say. Do not ask "Why would you do that to yourself?" or anything else along those lines. I get it, you don't like them, now move on. This was my decision just like you decided to wear that hideous rhinestone shirt! Allow me to demonstrate ..

"Tat"

Tattoo

Tardiness

• Anytime you are meeting friends, make sure that you are on time. If you are going to be more than five minutes late ALWAYS CALL! Big, Big, BIG PET PEEVE OF MINE!
• If it is an event scheduled at a specific time, leave early enough to factor in traffic, getting gas, etc. I, for one, like the previews before a movie!
• Don't call them "tats" or "ink". You think that you sound cool, but it is a big indicator of how unbelievably lame you are. Plus, it's an insult. "Tats" and "Ink" are done in someones crappy basement or prison. Tattoos are done by artists!

I think I have given you enough to think about for one day...

I don't know when selfish became the new socially acceptable behavior, but it is nauseating! I am sick and tired of people who think they are more important than everyone else. I say knock them off their pretty little pedestal! Call them out on their bad behavior and let them know that it is not ok! I don't care how young or "not young" you are, bad manners are a indicator of what kind of person you really are... WORD!

• 
  
• 
  

METAL CHRISTMAS CHEER!

The Christmas music is being shoved into our ears and all the stores and media are decked out, so I dedicate this "different" Christmas material to everyone that hangs out with me... and to Christmas parties of the past at Ricks...

Thanks Be To Count Chocula and Ghosthunters

To get in the spirit of things, since I am not a meat eater... I decided to put up my own list of things that I am thankful for on this Turkey Holocaust...

1. I am thankful for Count Chocula... You have been a delicious friend since childhood. You are tasty, cheap, and you were my first real encounter with a vampire!

2. I am thankful for nights where people do not ask me to smile at work, or when I do not get yelled at by strangers who overheard my friends say my name at the bar. We are not friends, I did not ask you to change your mood, and I do not come to your work and scream at you... enough said...

3. I am thankful for Jello Pudding Pops, and the fact that they are still being made. Also, eating them while wearing a Bill Cosby Sweater.

4. I am thankful that Dave just showed me the Clownvis clip where he played at a retirement home. He sang the Golden Girls theme. I am VERY thankful for the Golden Girls and find this Clownvis Clip GENIUS!

5. I am thankful for Sock Monkeys and Gnomes... Man, I Freaking LOVE GNOMES!

6.Finally, I am thankful for my friends, who are the closest things to Unicorns that I will ever touch...

Happy Holidays...

Mel

This Is How Unicorns Get Their Horns Off

This is how my friends and I celebrate a birthday... as demonstrated through imagery!

Anyone who knows me will agree, no night is complete without a drunken picture of me making this face!

Good Night Cyber Cit-ayyyyyyyyyyyy!

Alice in Wonderland and Skin Chizzling

So, I got more work done on my sleeve today... My elbow, where the Mad Hatters Hat is, hurt like a bitch! Here are some pics for your viewing pleasure. Brandon at Ink Well is AMAZING... and so is Jay for drawing it up... still not done but one step closer.

Lady Wood

I have just been introduced to this new phenomenon and I just had to share... The term "Lady Wood" has been "popping up" around me so I figured that I would take the time to share with my friends...

I first heard the term from my twin sister. Also, Rebecca Romijn used it in an episode of "Eastwick" on ABC, as seen here:

The term is described by the Urban Dictionary as - "When a woman gets turned on by another woman or a gay man"

So, ladies and gentlemen... take this as your Melissa vocabulary word of the day. Try using it in a sentence. For example...

"Oh, Megan Fox looks hot in that swimsuit. I think I have some lady wood!"

Enjoy!

Halloween Hits

YOU'RE WELCOME!!!

Pumpkin Punkin!

In the spirit of the season... here are some of the creepiest, weirdest, funniest pumpkins that I have found on the web... Each one is NOT MINE and if you click on them, it will take you to where I found them... so it links back!

Sweet Guitar Tricks

Gilbert's Guitar Tricks

He-Man... What's Going On???

Wait through the first 30-40 seconds... lol

We Brought Our Evil To Another Country... AGAIN!

It's The Great Pumpkin, YO!

My friends and I went to a Pumpkin Farm for some good ol' fashioned pumpkin fun... enjoy!

Warty Pumpkins... need I say more?

My New Friend... I'm Such A Kid!

Wagon Ride To The Pumpkins! YEAY!

Old School Filtering...
The Camel Licked All Over My Hand...
Shortly After... I Made Friends With Soap...
Corn, Corn, Corn, Corn!
Shhh... We're Hunting Punkins!

Glory Hole Pumpkin...

Eskimo Harvest

D. Waiting For The Great Pumpkin... He Didn't Come...
R. and His New Bud!
Friendzy Funzies!
Um...

Harvest Love...
Pretty in Punkin!
Sigh... Maybe The Great Pumpkin Will Come Next Year!

Infomercials Are Making People Crazy!!!

So... It is my normal 5:56 am... and I just saw a paid commercial by Jack Van Impe that claimed that human implants are the sign of the beast. For those of you that are not familiar, this is a guy who buys his program through donations to spread the word of Jesus Christ. (The money could be spent on feeding the homeless, education, or various other things in the community, but that is a different blog). The thing that struck me on this particular night is that they were talking about human micro chipping and how it is the sign of the devil. Let me state the obvious first... people micro-chip their dogs in case they are lost, not little Timmy or Mary Sue.

Apparently it stems from the Book Of Revelations which claims that a human implant is the "Sign of the Beast", tracking their position for government rule. (And they spent all that time handing out pamphlets outside of Manson concerts!). The misinformation is that these devices (which have been done to humans on rare occasions) can track the individual like a navigation system, or that the government doesn't have more important people, groups or issues to track other than Christians.

The weird part is, there is no real reference of computer or digital tracking in the Book Of Revelation... and even Jack Van Impe's article on the subject has no scientific research backing over half of what he says, and there is no actual reference to this device actually being the sign of the devil, or the end of the world.

Do I want an implant that will one day track everything I say or do? Of course I don't. However I use basic reasoning to defend this right. I do not have to make nonsense remarks that have no scholastic measure to push my agenda. Let's bring intelligence and rational thought back people, and stop making up lies to push your beliefs!

Brian Posehn is Pretty Damn Nifty

So my friend Sara and I went to go see Brian Posehn do stand up a week or so ago...



and we talked about comic books...

and he was wicked nice...

and it was RAD!


That is all...

This Is Not My Wonderland

I have fallen down the rabbit hole as of late, only to find that the Mad Hatters, March Hares, White Rabbits, Lions and Unicorns have all turned into bro's. The Mad Hatter has traded his spiffy tailed jacket for an Ed Hardy shirt and has replaced his tea with Bud Select and Jager Bombs. All of the places that I longed to hang, to learn, to be creative have transformed from magical kingdoms to douche bag filling stations...
Enough of the puns... when did guys start to wear rhinestones on their shirts and jeans? When did the sun stop setting on cool, giving permission to wearing sunglasses in a dark bar? More importantly... where did manners go???
"Excuse me", "Pardon me", "I'm sorry", "Please" and "Thank you" have become a thing of the past... and it breaks this Wrath's Heart.
Bottom line: Stop Being a Douche!