The date was December 31, 1999, and I was at the coolest party ever: Y2K at my local ice rink. Overstimulated by root beer, fear of death by computer malfunction, and pure 8 year-old ice-skating adrenaline, it was a party, man. The buzz in that small town ice arena when the clock struck midnight and all the machines seemed to be fine? A buzz unrivaled by that of a thousand root beers. And today, twenty-three New Year’s Days later, I still think that was the most fun I’ve ever had (and perhaps will ever have) at a party.
Parties are beautifully infinite in variety. Different groups, sizes, times, places, faces, food, music, activities, and for some of us prone to anxiety, decisions to be made and expectations to be met. What do I bring? Will I know anyone there? How did I already forget this guy’s name when he just told me a minute ago, and do I tell him he has a poppy seed stuck between his teeth?
I now invite you to this week’s party-themed Stack, which, like many great parties, is a casual BYOB gathering among good friends. So grab a drink, pour it into a champagne flute to feel fancy, and cheers: to all the best in the new year for me, your editor, Johnny DiNapoli (and to you and your friends and families, I guess).
Amy Kurzweil
Personally, I prefer my parties to have games, because I like my social interactions to have clear rules and boundaries and I need something to do with my mind’s propensity to compulsively solve problems. But I swear I’m also good fun at a party! Give me a drink and play me this song and I promise I will stop trying to get you to play Avalon.
Hilary Campbell
I truly love parties when I am the one hosting them and my bed is only in the next room.
Johnny DiNapoli
Because really, who doesn’t like some good pomp?
ToonStack NewsStack
Hilary is teaching 2 cartoon workshops in Manhattan this month! Sign up today!
Amy Kurzweil teaches cartoon classes on Patreon! Sign up now to get the recording of every past class!
Join Kendra Allenby’s new online drawing class in January: the Lunchtime Sketchbook Hour
Sofia Warren’s Radical: My Year with a Socialist Senator is out and available to order here. (And it was just named one of the best graphic novels of 2022 by Forbes!)
Pre-order Ellis Rosen’s new book, Dink!: Pickleball Facts, Fictions, and Cartoons
Be sure to check out Shelby Lorman’s newsletter, Please Clap!
The same goes for Sofia Warren’s advice newsletter, You’re Doing Great!
See more cartoons from Ellis Rosen’s weekly Junk Drawer!
"I need something to do with my mind’s propensity to compulsively solve problems." yes, so relatable. we played games at the party i went to last night and it was such a welcome relief from the small talk! everyone came to life, it was great.