parties

Newsweek asks design firms to "resurrect the Republican brand"

A somewhat unconventional yet challenging task: Newsweek invited four "hot (and nonpartisan) design firms" to provide ideas and design direction for "resurrecting the Republican brand," featured in this week's (December 29) print issue. The full-page feature presents concepts by frog design (full disclosure: my employer), Pentagram, Razorfish, and The Groop.

The article is not available online so check it out at a news stand (and support print media!).

Better drinking through chemistry (cocktail set)

As party season ratchets up to full swing, those with an appreciation for the sciences might enjoy this novelty Chemistry Cocktail Set. The chemical composition of drinks won't be affected, but for the mad scientist in all of us, this cocktail set glows with (hopefully nonradioactive) whimsy.

The set includes four glass test tubes, a glass beaker, a stirrer, a cocktail shaker, and a metal tray. It is hand washable.

Fun is fun and all (and we all know science is fun), but I am a little confused by this product. I can imagine it sitting on my kitchen … Read more

Looks good, less filling

Cocktails recipes may be the sustaining purpose and anchor for the bartending application Party Pro, but the drinks library isn't the only character in the cast. An international unit converter, basic bartending tips, and a blood alcohol calculator make up the other three-fourths of the application, along with those recipes for the Lady Love Fizz and the Bloody Brain.

While the library is excellent, the application's organization could make the recipes more readily accessible. Instead, it favors a list-like architecture. The search function would be better were it predictive, and the application's bar locator misses an opportunity … Read more

WiiWare and Virtual Console releases for this week

This week brings us the next episode in the Strong Bad saga, a kahuna part, and a classic arcade racer from Sega. WiiWare Strong Bad Episode 5: 8-Bit Is Enough (Telltale Games, 1,000 Wii points): Is it episode 5 already? The fifth installment of the game based on the lovable flash cartoon characters is ready for download on WiiWare. Big Kahuna Party (Reflexive Entertainment Inc., 700 Wii points): Big Kahuna Party is a family-oriented collection of minigames with a kahuna theme. The game offers more than 100 levels to play through, all with varying difficulty. Virtual Console Enduro Racer (… Read more

Heat up the party with a warm dip

I like parties. Maybe not so much hosting them, but going to them. At first, the reason for party-hosting-avoidance may seem obvious, as nobody enjoys the day after clean up, but there is more to it than that. I like going to parties to check out the spread.

I am always appreciative of the party treats as I table graze. With an endless assortment of snackable treats out there, the combinations can be truly overwhelming (deliciously overwhelming, that is). As I make my way past the obligatory crackers and occasional veggie, I keep my eye open for the one thing … Read more

Party season rolls on, but we pay for our drinks now

NEW YORK--I hereby insist that we all stop using the "Recession? What recession?" line, which seems to be used every time any company has thrown any moderately lavish party in the last two months. Not only is it overused, but I think folks have caught onto the fact that things have legitimately changed.

Here in New York, the last blowout launch party in the city was for T-Mobile's Android phone in October. Company holiday parties have been scaled back like mad, leaving fewer opportunities for that great New York sport known as party-crashing. But socialization hasn't … Read more

The 404 244: Where we're knee deep in Heavy & Flo

Today's show features a new recurring guest segment featuring our two favorite ladies, codenamed Heavy and Flo! They'll join us once a month to bring a very refreshing female presence to this bromance. We're testing their ability to keep up with the dudes, and they pass with flying colors, discussing stories like Bill Murray's spot-on Bruce Wayne impression, Indiana's strict driver's license rules, Heavy's visit to the Playboy mansion, and Rock Band's foray into the Country music scene.

Last week, the dudes and I realized one glaring downfall to our show: all … Read more

Everyone's happy with the PizzaDome

San Francisco is not well known for its pizza. It's sad, but true. And while there is a smattering of decent pizza available, the options are few and far between. As a result, I did what any rational pizza-starved adult would do: I formed a pizza club.

So far this 'club' consists of just me and a fellow pizza-hungry buddy searching about for delicious area pizza. There's not much to it; basically, we find a promising spot and go eat there. No pictures. No arguing over thick or thin crust, to fold or not to fold; just a … Read more

Serving sporks with style

The holidays represent different things for different people, but for many, they provide a ton of opportunities to entertain. In the month between Thanksgiving and New Year's, from family gatherings, friendly dinner parties, and office holiday bashes, we spend a lot of time eating and drinking.

If you want to buy someone a gift that you'll get to take advantage of next year, then consider these Moscardino Sporks from the MoMA design store. You can use the scoop and fork ends, so they're perfect both for spearing meats and cheeses and for spooning salsa and dip onto … Read more