Passion's Loungewarming

Posted by Charles Fri, 03 Feb 2006 06:27:00 GMT

The reason for the party, because someone said we need to have a reason, was Passion’s official Lougewarming. Not like at a housewarming, where you would expect the place to be ready for display, because it wasn’t, but just to give the place a little physical and emotional warmth. It also served the secondary purpose of providing an inlet for things we needed around here, and specifically in the Lounge. The main reason for having a Lounge is to have a place here for all the Passion passionate to hang out, before or after a ride, while waiting for a repair, or for some after hours play. The Lounge is big, bigger than my kitchen at home. We got a keg plumbed into the fridge, and planted a commercial espresso machine next to that, and bought and scrounged a bunch of the standard comfort items like a microwave, toaster oven, and the rest of the stuff we planned on and put into Passion’s build out budget. We even pointed a wireless router at it so your significant other would have something to do while you shopped. What we lacked were the things I failed to put into the budget. Like dishes. Cups, mugs, and glasses. Utensils for a crowd. Throw pillows and chairs for a crowd.

(I think we had about 70 people here, and this looks like half of that.)

So, it was a Loungewarming, and the call went out for stuff, not store bought stuff, but garage sale stuff, if you had it. We didn’t want to extort our friends out of their hard earned cash in exchange for a beer and a slice, but if it was laying around, Passion was here and had a need. I didn’t expect what happened next. I suspect some did some shopping preparation for the event. You know who you are. You’re lucky the bouncer was late, and he didn’t make you return all that stuff.

(Framed within a very nice wheel. Yes, the spokes are Ti.)

The short of it is about 70 folks showed up, had a good time, gave me their well wishes, had some great pizza, beer, and company, and fully outfitted the Lounge. I saw a lot of it come in, and thanked a bunch of folks then, but want to make sure credit goes where it is due. Thanks again to those named below.

First of all, my sister JC for being the event photographer. She took the shots imbedded here, and a bunch more to be found at (click here) Equine Photo Art.

(Almost all grown up, and choosing wisely. Thalia prefers the Mavic 717 Disc for its light weight, strength, and classic styling.)

But also: Glenn & Linda for the Jeep Jamboree mugs, Rich for the flashing guitars and movie screen, Ford and Amy for the bachelorware, Patrick for the Cabo Wabo, Alex for the pint glasses, Henry for the Bordeaux, Daryl for the wonderful brown camp chair, Linda and Jeff for the coffee maker and travel cup, Joseph and Jenny da Trogs for the box of dishes and stuff, the candle and macaroons?, Judie for the wine rack and glasses and stuff, Adrienne for the card and beer, Mona and Murray for the spice loaf and thread cabinet, Jon and Susan for the combo juggling balls/hackey sacks, Sheila for the Yoga mat, Jay for the margarita mix and knife, Mitch for the iron Norton, Charlie for a nice bottle of Pinot, Ed for the Demo photos, Scott for the Specialized history book, Jeff for the card, Paul for the VCR, Jake for the blender, and for the tool boxes way back in the hoarding stages of Passion, Cindy for the penguin photo, Ted for the crabs. Yeah, crabs, Michael for the beer, Josh for the water bottles, Susann for the mugs,

(Ed really does all his own stunts. No one else would.)

Now there is some other stuff here, from then, some of it embarrassingly enough I remember receiving, even thanking, but can’t remember who from. Stuff like a bottle of champagne, two red camp chairs, and the most colorful beanbag chain ever. There are also a couple more bottles of wine, two red camp chairs, and one black one. If this stuff was yours, thanks, and know it is neither unappreciated nor unused.

(Kicking tires and squeezing brake levers. Just looking.)

(The tables are turned on the regular event photographer.)

Joseph was only able to turn in blurry photos of the floor, his own face, and the inside of Jenny’s purse, but he seemed to have a good time regardless.)

(There were several special guests I did not meet evidently, after viewing these photos.)