Mad Tea Party

Posted on by Thor

On February 8th, Kathryn Sullivan celebrated a very happy not-so-un-birthday at her Winter Park home with family and friends.  I was one of the first to arrive at the Alice in Wonderland  themed party. Kathryn and her boyfriend Mike Underwood know how to throw a party.  Kathryn was in a fabulous Victorian red dress with black lace and Mike was dressed as the mad hatter.A long table was set up for guests.

At the head of the table was a large flat screen TV with a digital camera above it. Mike explained that this was a  PhotoMingle that he had invented from scratch in his garage. The TV interface was just like the touch commands on an iPhone. Images on the screen could me moved, rotated and sized with the swipe of a finger. It was also possible to draw on the photos with your fingers. Mike is marketing this device for weddings, parties and all social gatherings. The uniqueness of the interface makes it an instant hit with guests. This device is pure genius and Mike is bound to make a fortune if he can increase his market before others create cheap knock offs based on his idea. As guests arrived they would pose before the TV for a fun photo session. This thing should make photo booths obsolete.

William Mabery trumped every one’s costumes when he arrived as Alice. Derick Taylor took a seat next to Alice with his Top hat and a bright red ascot. LeAnn Siefferman Busdeker wore a pillow case adorned with black spades. It was an ingenious and quick way to become a playing card. Her husband John’s costume had me stumped for a while. He hopped into the room in a sleeping bag. I later learned he was a caterpillar.

Playing cards were placed on the table to play, Kings, a drinking game. I had never played a drinking game before in my life, but since I was sipping coke, I didn’t mind playing as I sketched. One card involved everyone at the table raising three fingers. The person who drew the card had to mention something that they never did before. If you did that thing then you could fold a finger down. Once someone folded all three fingers down then the next person picked a card. I never fully understood the rules but it was a fun way to get to know people.

Libra Party

Posted on by Thor

Every year Kathy and Eric have a Libra party because both their birthdays are on the same day. I work for Kathy at Full Sail helping teach traditional animation to a packed room full of new students every month. Eric’s hobby is home brewing and every year he experiments with new flavors of beer for the party. At the far end of this outdoor patio there is a gong and Eric gives it a resounding ring whenever a keg of beer bites the dust. Kathy and Eric also have an outdoor fire pit and they keep that fire burning bright for the duration of the party. I always meet interesting people at this party this year I met a ballet instructor and a fashion designer. Someone showed up with several homemade Didgeridoos and they were fun to try and play. The trick is to keep your lips vibrating but I never figured out how to circle breath to keep the note going indefinitely.
Later in the evening after I had a few beers I decided to try out the Jacuzzi which was fired up and ready to go. I sat on the ledge and removed my shoes and socks then dipped my feet into the soothing bubbles. I had a tall glass beside me and since no one else seemed to want to join me I decided to sketch. So if you have ever wondered what I might draw like when I am drunk, this is it.
The group seated in the foreground are mostly teachers and they talked for some time about students and university politics. I didn’t follow the conversation closely I was to busy relaxing with my beer, sketchbook and watercolors.