Evite - Social Crack . . . but with colorful templates

Evite has me hooked something fierce. At any given time these days, I have 6-8 invites on my list. And half of 'em are ones I've sent. It's gotten so that my social engagements don't feel quite real if they aren't on my Evite list. [sigh]

But I'm using my Evite powers for good - I've just helped Linda, the volunteer coordinator for Friends of Francoise, set up the volunteers on Evite. Now we can keep track of who is volunteering for the four big holiday meals for the homeless (New Years, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas) as well as the monthly meals. Plus, Evite provides a sign-up/survey feature that will let us parse the volunteers across transport, cooking, serving and clean-up. The transport part is because, while we cook at St. Mark's kitchen, we often serve downtown or in other areas where homeless folks congregate. It's too hard for them to come to us, so we bring the food to them.

So, yes, somehow I've been shanghai'd into cooking the Easter Dinner at St. Mark's - don't have all the details yet, but something to do with the usual chef needing to leave early and trouble getting the kitchen. I think it's partially due to St. Mark's hosting Tent City during March and April. So the only way we could have the kitchen was if we agreed to cook for two other events - oh, Lawd, what have I gotten into this time?

Anyhow, here's my Evite list for first quarter 2005 (so far):

• Mike & Shari's First Annual Dance Party - 1/22 (they didn't Evite, but told everyone to invite friends . . . so, of course, that meant via Evite for me - live band and lots of fun)
• NWR Knit-In - 1/23 (almost finished my first hat)
• DigitalEve Seattle Potluck - 1/28 - (co-host/Chapter Leader)
• Girl's Movie Night - 80's Guilty Pleasures & Vegan Mexican - Yum! - 1/29
• Super Bowl at Casa de Carne - 2/6
• Chinese New Year Bonfire - 2/12 (had to pass at the last minute - it was raining and I was struggling with a cold)
• Third Annual Casa de Carne (Debi's) Housewarming & Game Night - 2/19 (damn, that was some good jumbalaya, red beans and rice)
• Movie Madness: Ray & brunch at Portage Bay Cafe - 2/20 (hosting)
• Movie Madness: Million Dollar Baby & Dinner at Lotus Thai - 2/21 (hosting with May Leong)
• Movie Madness: Finding Neverland & dinner at The District Lounge - 2/23 (hosting with May Leong)
• NWR Knitfest (aka Toasty Noggins - a cancer charity for which we knit hats) - 2/27 (had to decline due to . . . )
• Ladies Slumber Party - 2/23-24- my contribution was dinner for 8 (roasted vegetables, grilled chicken seasoned with Adobo, and crudites for days). Remember - what happens in Bellingham, stays in Bellingham. 'Nuff said.
• Animation Festival 2005 & Dinner at Chipolte's - 3/2 (Hosting)
• Women's Writers Group - 3/6 (Hosting)
• Spring Happy Hour/Sabra's Birthday - 3/10
• May's Birthday Bonfire - 3/26
• "Surviving the Big One" Earthquake Preparedness & Shake Yer Booty Party - 4/3 (Hosting with Jennifer Johnson)
• Coming Soon: Wylie & the Wild West at the Tractor Tavern - 4/15 - my chosen birthday gathering. Separate Evite for a smaller group for dinner first - maybe at Carmelita? TBD
• Coming Soon: Women's Writer Group - 4/29