Travelled out to the suburbs with Chris and Justin, for Rey’s family Christmas party. Got to break out the camera a bit but, partly due to its newness and partly due to my shyness… I didn’t take all that many photos. I knew a handful of work folks at the party, but walking around taking shots of strangers made me a bit more hesitant than usual.
Flashback: I used to work maybe 10 minutes from where Rey lives.
Fireplace shot, living room. This is something I totally miss about living in an apartment: fireplaces. In the house that I lived in in Bloomington (undergrad years, with four other guys), we had a fireplace. Every winter, we’d order up a rick of wood and had a fire going at every opportunity.
BEST_COUCH_EVAR. This thing is comfortable as all get-out. Last year, I ended up spending a lot of time here… mostly because, once down, I couldn’t pull myself up again. Sitting down here, you just sink back into the cushions.
And to make things better, check out this entertainment setup. Rey built all the housing and all the sliding cabinets. Those panels to the left… they slide out, and house 2-3 shelves worth of DVD’s. In addition to the great TV, the sound is piped through two ceiling speakers (and a subwoofer behind the couch). It’s no small travesty that he is without a gaming console of any kind.
Rey’s office. Cushy carpets, and some great windows that provide a view of the yard. Inset bookshelves to die for.
At this point, I decided to wander a bit, and snap a few photos. Here are some Emmis folks, talking shop and hanging out.
Kitchen area. Despite what my initial shots may suggest, the place was *packed*. Tons of folks everywhere, and a lot of talking and mingling. Of course, since all the food was near the kitchen… this was the place to be. Chrissy loves to cook, and from talking with her I learned that she had spent all week prepping and getting this ready for tonight.
There was some pretty fantastic food available. Great meatballs. Some chicken and mushrooms that I loved. And horsídourves everywhere you turned (there was one poofy cheesy thing – I had no idea what it was, but my LORD I couldn’t stop eating them).
Dining room area, complete with main courses and desserts.
Secondary living room, between the kitchen and the office. A cozy area, complete with another fireplace.
There was a lot of artwork that I liked, but this was the only photo that turned out.
Justin, checking out the CD’s, consumate DJ that he is.
A bunch of computer nerds, hanging out. 
L to R it’s me, Chris, Ben, Laura and Justin.
