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Improperly uncorking a bottle of champagne can ruin a New Year’s Eve Party.  Nobody wants to be the guy that gives his date a black eye by virtue of a vintage cork.  Follow these tips for uncorking champagne, and you will be able to avoid bubbly trouble while ringing in the New Year in dignified style.

1) Make sure the champagne is cold

Most people realize that champagne should be served cold.  But, what is the best way to chill your bottle of bubbly?  We suggest placing the bottle in the refrigerator for at least three hours or for at least a half hour in a 50/50 ice-water bath, fully submerged.  Never place your champagne in the freezer, as it could explode haphazardly.

2) Remove the wire cage

First, use a towel to dry the bottle off, so it will not slip from your grasp.  Next, undo the foil around the top of the bottle.  Once the foil is gone, slowly untwist and remove the wire cage secured around the cork.  Make sure you have a firm grasp on the bottle with your other hand while you remove the cage.

3) Pop the cork - carefully

What not to do.

Now, the most important part.  If you do this step properly, it will NOT look like a super bowl locker room celebration or NASCAR post-race jubilation.  First, drape a kitchen towel around the top of the champagne bottle.  Hold the bottle firmly at a forty-five degree angle.  With a tight grip on the cork, slowly rotate the bottle - not the cork.  Gradually, the cork will come free.  Resist the urge to just pull it out with a loud pop; this often causes spillage and decarbonates a good deal of the champagne.  Instead, the cork should come free with a softer pop and a small escape of gas.

4) Pour and Enjoy

Serve champagne in champagne flutes preferably.  First, fill each glass roughly one-third of the way.  Once this is accomplished and the foam has receded, continue to fill each flute roughly two-thirds of the way full.  We won’t tell you how to enjoy your champagne.  But, please hold your flutes by the stem as not to unnecessarily warm the bubbly.

We hope these instructions will make your New Year’s Eve that much more enjoyable.  Now party, uncork, drink and be merry.  Have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve from all of us at Wellcultured.

by pi4arctan1guy on the forums:

As I have been without a job for the past couple months, I’ve had plenty of time for LAN parties. A LAN has occurred every week or two at my apartment since mid January. I thought I might share some of what goes into how I organize my LANs and some of the problems I’ve come up against while doing this. I feel that it would be a good supplement to the recent “Party Hard: How to throw a party that’s worth throwing” article, which only touches on LAN-specific topics briefly. Since becoming a professional man of leisure, I have refined how I execute a LAN through trial and error. I’ve also asked several regular guests how I can improve the LANs. The result is a system that works pretty well for my situation.

What you need

The first topic is the space in which to hold the party. I have an apartment with one large living room, one bedroom, and a bathroom. The LAN is generally confined to the living room, which is set up to accommodate ten computers comfortably. I use regular tables and chairs for this, since tables allow for computers to be packed quite densely, compared to traditional computer desks. They’re cheaper, too. You can draw inspiration for how to set up your LAN from computer labs in schools. Make sure as you set up stations that you test each one for comfort. Put a mouse and keyboard in position and sit down at the space. Move the mouse around and type on the keyboard for a bit. Depending on which tables are available and how much space you have, you may need to sacrifice some comfort to fit more computers. I’ve found that having enough stations is more important than the quality of the stations. You don’t always know exactly who is coming and not having enough space for everyone is very frustrating. Lock up valuables and firearms, if you have them. I have a couple of lockers that I use to store my guns. Not everyone you invite will know how to safely handle firearms, and some guests will probably be drinking, so do not leave them out.

There is some hardware that is absolutely essential for you to provide. You should have, at a minimum, power strips for every station, power cables for monitors and computers at every station, headphones with extension cables at every station, a mouse pad at every station, and spare mice/keyboards. People forget these small things, and nothing sucks more than showing up without the necessary hardware to use your system. I keep these hookups at each station so that someone can just plug a computer in and start using it. I also have a whole bunch of IBM Model M keyboards, which I provide for my guests. As a rule, everyone at the LAN needs to use headphones. This should be enforced in a fairly strict manner. The only exception is everyone watching a video or something (It’s rare). Dissimilar sounds coming from multiple sources can be really irritating to many people. Besides, headphones have distinct advantages over speakers in most computer games. I currently have a bunch of headphones I found at the dollar store. They suck, but they’re better than nothing. My guests know that they will need to use headphones, so many bring their own. Power and ethernet cables are cheap. I keep a shallow box out at LANs with headphones, headphone extension cables, mice, ethernet cable, WiFi cards, and a few other trinkets that guests might need.

One topic that should not be neglected is setting up computers you already have before the LAN. If you have more than one, make sure you’re done getting everything working the day before the LAN. As far as LAN games go, “Fix the Network” isn’t a very fun choice. I have seven computers that I keep hooked up all the time. Each one has a clean Windows install, all the games, and all the essential software installed. I keep a share with all of the installs for programs like VLC and Firefox on my main computer for ease of building new systems. I also keep the games shared on each box on the network so that the strain of copying the games doesn’t get focused on one computer. Even if you own legal versions of all of your games, you should get the warez versions to play on your LAN. Just make sure to scan them for viruses before using them. All the DRM/CD check/activation crap is just going to cause you and your guests problems. Nobody wants to have to swap around CDs just to play games. That’s stupid. Besides, people forget to bring CDs. Make sure that you test your games. Open a server on a system and connect the other computers to it. Play the games a bit and adjust controls, video settings, and mouse sensitivity. Install Firefox with NoScript, AdBlock Plus, and FlashBlock on all of your systems and hide the Internet Explorer shortcuts. You can remove the IE shortcut from your desktop by going to desktop properties and clicking the “Customize Desktop” button under the “Desktop” tab. Not everyone who shows up will understand safe web browsing habits. You don’t want to have to reinstall after every LAN. I would also advise not letting guests on your main system at all, except to play a game.

Make sure that if you need any additional hardware or furniture you get it before the LAN. You can sort of count on people bringing stuff if you ask, but it’s best to get the equipment a few hours before so you have time to set it up. If you need help setting the network up, try getting a knowledgeable friend to come over the day before to teach you how to do it.

Entertaining your guests

A LAN is more activity-centered than a traditional party, but that does not mean that everyone there will want to game the whole time. I would say that about 1/4 of the people who come to my LANs want to game the whole time. 1/2 want to game most of the time, and 1/4 only want to game a little bit of the time. Alcohol consumption is less common at LANs than at traditional parties. File sharing and web surfing are pretty common LAN activities. The file sharing is pretty great. You can get a month’s worth of downloads in an hour or so. Obviously, this is limited to people who actually brought a computer. Most of my guests opt to leave their computers at home, since I provide enough computers for almost everyone who comes. Some of your guests may bring friends, so make no assumptions about how many people will be there. Try to have space for more people than you expect.

I generally don’t supply alcohol for guests. Some folks opt to bring alcohol, which is fine with me, but a LAN is generally not a drinking-centered event, so you can get away with not supplying alcohol. It impairs gaming performance, anyways. Also, as the host, you should not drink at all. You will probably end up driving people home at the end of the night. You might also have to put your foot down and insist on driving someone home so they don’t attempt to do so while intoxicated. I’ve had this happen a couple times, and it would have been impossible to handle, had I been drinking. You should provide food of some sort. A LAN is typically an all-night event, so it’s best to have something to eat there. I’ve found that frozen burritos are pretty good for this, since you can pop them in the oven during the LAN and have enough food to feed everyone there at very little cost. You also need juice or soda for everyone, along with cups for said juice or soda. Also, make sure you have something without meat, so that vegetarians can eat, too. This is true, even if none of your expected guests are vegetarians, as they may bring vegetarian friends.

You should avoid driving people to your LAN if it’s possible. You are going to be under enough pressure just getting the LAN set up and working. Try to get your car-owning guests to drive ride-needing guests to your LAN. If you must give rides, pick people up early so that you aren’t out getting people while other guests are trying to get in back at the house. Assume that each person you pick up is going to drag his or her feet for about fifteen minutes after you get there. If you don’t account for this, you will end up being behind schedule. It’s best to make this all someone else’s problem if you can. If you can get away with it, you should also have another guest there who knows your network so that you don’t have to fix every little problem during the LAN. With a larger group, those little problems can really stack up. You can also avoid some of them by testing all of your cables and having adequate hookups at each station.

Conclusions

The main thing I’ve learned by doing so many LANs is that you need to streamline as much as you can. Have the stations ready so that someone can hook up his or her monitor, keyboard, mouse, and computer, then be ready to go. Make sure that your network and the games you plan to play work completely on all of your computers before the LAN. Try to secure any furniture, switches, cables, or other stuff you need before the LAN starts. Try to avoid giving people rides to the LAN. If you must give rides, bring people over long before the LAN starts and assume that they will take 15-30 minutes to get ready AFTER you show up to pick them up.

One other piece of advice I’ll give is to ask people how you can improve your LAN for next time. They might come up with things that you didn’t think of.

further thoughts by Gwinthor on Console gaming

I have planned, hosted and been a part of a ton of console LANs, generally to play the Halo games, over the years. I can offer a few tips on hosting those types of LANs.

1. The more TVs and Consoles you have, the better. If everyone has a TV to play on, and no one has to sit and play 1/4 screen on a 17″ tv, then everyone will be happier. This rule applies across the board to this generation LAN shooters. I know you can’t do this with the original Halo, you can only have 4 boxes hooked up.

2. Food and drinks are a must. Having pop, usually Mt. Dew, is necessary. Most gamers that I have met love the stuff, and drink it like crazy during games. Also, ordering Pizzas and collecting money from the guests is a great Idea too.

3. Basements are best for LANs. Finished basements, which are free of clutter are the best. Set up a bunch of tables and folding chairs, and it’s on. It’s also easiest to connect everything together when you are in a big open space, because all the TVs can be in the middle, and everyone else around the outside.

4. Extension cords and Power Strips are also very important. Every console and TV will need a spot to plug in, so you will need at least that many open outlets. That’s why Power Strips are the best.

5. Having multiple routers, and backup routers is important. I have had problems before, like the router doesn’t work, or that port on it doesn’t work, so we need a new one. It sucks when you have hardware problems, and can’t fix them. Then you have to find an alternative. That’s why having extra routers is important.

6. Count spaces and Controllers when you invite people. I’ve been to LANs with one extra person, and it sucks for that guy, because they don’t get to play as much. My dumbass friend brought his girlfriend, and expected her to play, and it ousted someone else for several games. That sucks. So know your guest list, and stick to it. Also, have everyone bring all the controllers they have. If you are a controller short or something, that sucks too.

That’s it, I hope this helps my console gamer friends out there.

One question fairly prevalent on the forums and in e-mails I’ve been receiving is a rather simple, but very complex question: how to throw a good party. While I obviously can’t magic up answers on how to make an ideal party to suit everyone, I can tell you some general planning tips if you do intend to throw a bash- some of them that may save your rear in the long run.

Know what you want and make it clear beforehand.

This is the number one thing about parties: Know what you want to do and prepare for it. Want to do an 80s party? Then prepare for everything in advance. Try to sit down and get a general idea of who you want to show up, how many people (in general), how much you can spend, and the like. This sounds excessively formal for something fairly simple, but the reason you want to do this is to ensure that you don’t go overboard in any respect. If you live in a house that can only happily accommodate 20 people, then don’t invite 30. If you overcrowd/underfeed/underprepare in any fashion, people will be uncomfortable.

Naturally, this depends on your age and status level. If you’re a teenager, more than likely you’ll be able to get away with cramming a basement. Those around the 20+ range tend to get sick of that and want a little bit more personal space. Once you hit about 21 or so, that childish thrill of “hur hur gotta get together with my buds and drink some beer holy crap we’re hardcore” dies away fairly quickly.

Watch alcohol/noise laws, and make sure you don’t violate them.

Touching on the youth thing noted above, you aren’t 16, your parties do not need to end when the police arrive, so don’t piss ‘em off. Most cops won’t get angry or show up unless someone specifically calls them, so make sure that you don’t piss off neighbors/flatmates too much. For example, if you want to blast music, try to doing it relatively earlier (6p-9p) and then quieting it down when the initial energy dies down- that way, you won’t be pissing off too many neighbors too much. Depending on where you live, you could even tip them off and ask permission- but in general, try not to be a dick in this respect.

So far as Alcohol goes, watch your rear. Here in the great state of North Carolina, you will be essentially martyred if you give underage kids alcohol (or otherwise have them drunk on their own accord or some similar situation), so avoid it it all costs. If a buddy gets wasted at your party, keep him at your place and let him sleep it off- it will be infinitely better than sending him off to an inevitable DUI/DWI. If your group may have underage kids in it, have someone (your unofficial “bartender”) keeping tabs on the alcohol at all times, and try to avoid purchasing kegs or other forms of alcohol that are relatively easy to “steal a sip” from. As gay as this sounds, it’s much better than being hit with a fine or being arrested.

Keep it in your age group/maturity level as much as possible.

Like I mentioned above, know your age group and maturity level, even beyond the alcohol issue. People in their later 20s will typically enjoy alcohol and messing around, but also are going to not want the traditional “cram people in and blast music” junk that teenagers like. Even more so, 30somethings tend to be even more relaxed- to the point where some just enjoy quiet music and wine. You should know your friends and your target audience, and use this to determine your party in general.

For example? If you have some 20somethings, there’s nothing wrong with having video games out- it lightens people up, and it’s an age group old enough that isn’t going to take it too seriously. In general, no matter the age group, you should never presume that people are going to want to show up for the sake of booze and talk- so always have something on-hand. Depending on the group, this means you could do anything from costumes to Twister.

As much as I promote these ideas, don’t ever plan obsessively too much for the “activities” or it will feel like a 6 year old’s birthday party. Have stuff available, and go with the flow, never schedule.

A little bit of good alcohol is always better than lots of bad alcohol, if any at all.

This should have been the title for this article. I don’t care how many kegs you can afford- a little bit of good beer is going to go a hell of a lot better than a whole lot of junk. You are (probably) not 16 years old, you do not need to get excited over alcoholic sludge. As referenced in a current topic on the forums, don’t try to throw a Corona party with Pabst. Don’t buy cheap Margarita mix and expect everyone to think you’re  cultured. Try to buy as best you can for your budget- in general, if it’s a small group, feel free to get good stuff, they will love you.

Oh, and a quick note- if you throw a classy party, boxed wine is not classy. Boxed Wine is like walking into a formal ball with a tuxedo t-shirt on. Actual bottles of wine are cheap now, do not skimp, ever.

Secure your stuff.

This is an easy one: if you have people coming you don’t know/trust, secure your stuff, lock away your valuables, and most importantly, try to keep your bedroom door locked. Nothing is more disgusting than having people doing things in your bed without your knowledge- and trust me, some idiot partygoers will do this at first opportunity. Sure, make couches and the like available, but I would sincerely recommend against providing available rooms. Your choice.

Know your guests.

This is exactly what I’ve said above, but I’ll reiterate: know your people. If you can, try to know everyone at the party in some fashion, even if it’s just as “____’s friend”. For one thing, it will allow you to be sociable- but more importantly, you’ll be able to know people if something goes wrong, or just to ensure people are happy. If a really introverted friend decides to come, you’ll know to make an effort to let them enjoy themselves- and if a really extroverted pervert shows up, you’ll know to keep an eye on them. As silly as it sounds to consider yourself a “host”, some of the best parties are where the “host” knows how to get rid of problems quickly and let people enjoy themselves.

Have something to do (PLEASE).

Talk and booze do not equate to a good party. Even if you make it a “theme party” like a 70s party or some random crap (you could always go geeky and call it a “video game party”), have something available. Like I said above, overplanning feels childish, but don’t underplan: have something to do and everyone will be entertained. For smaller groups, consider watching a movie or playing a stupid game like Twister- for bigger groups, you’re very limited, but can always do preplanned stuff (for example, a contest of some sort, or the like- though typically, for bigger groups, you have to have readied this ahead of time).

It’s hard to tell you what to do, but you know your friends best. Some of the best parties I’ve ever had were 100% alcohol free lan parties, as gay as that sounds- geek is getting more chic nowadays, and most guys (even those of us who consider our lives/work SERIOUS BUSINESS) enjoy screwing around on oldschool video games now and again.

Know when to end (if ever)

This is sometimes the number one rule: know when to end. Too many parties go on until they naturally die out, which absolutely blows. One of the best things you can do is set a natural time limit (say, three hours) and keep it within that range- and maybe whittle it down to a group of friends after that to just hang out. By all means, you don’t want to end it prematurely, but it’s a hell of a lot better than wearing your guests out and watching them get bored. From a mental perspective, they’ll unfortunately consider your party a bore (as people typically only remember the last hour of a party, unless they get wasted)- which absolutely blows.

On that same note, if you’re worried about guys who attempt to hit on girls, don’t- typically, time limits allow opportunities for your aspiring partygoers to invite the girls elsewhere.

Well, there you have it. Feel free to comment with more ideas, or post on the forums if you have any other questions, comments, or concerns.