The After Party

Did Hurricane Irene knock down the trees in your front yard? Are you still without power after yesterday's storm? Is your basement now an indoor swimming pool complete with a dirty laundry island and decorative sump pump water feature? Well if so, it sounds like you need to throw an after party. Not only will it be a fun break from your post-hurricane cleanup, but you might also be able to convince some of your party guests to help pitch in and bail out the basement...

And so today I'll offer you a few of my favorite post-hurricane party ideas. They might sound a little crazy, but they sure are fun.

• If your street is flooded, now is as good a time as every to host a regatta. So bail out your canoes, your kayaks, and even that giant pumpkin you have growing in the backyard, and challenge your friends and neighbors to a friendly speed race down the watery block and back.
  
  
• Bon fires are always a good time. So start chopping up that tree that fell down in the front yard and light her up. In no time, you and your friends will be toasting marshmallows, singing songs, and perhaps even roasting a pig or two over your very warm and comforting bon fire.
  
  
• Since your basement is flooded, why not host a pool party? Inflate a few inner tubes, throw some water noodles down there, and let the kids go crazy. And to keep the big kids entertained, hire your sexiest neighbor to play lifeguard...
  
  
• And if all else fails, dig out that camp stove, that cast-iron skillet, and that 10-pound crate of bacon, and host your neighborhood's first bacon tasting block party. After all, nothing makes all your troubles fade away faster than a big ol' plate of bacon...