Partyology

Flash’s surprise birthday bash was a success CHRISTA WITTMIER PHOTO

I love surprises. It’s probably good to have one of those people in every group of friends — the one who loves surprises. In my group of friends, it’s me.

It’s so cute how a milestone can be so downplayed in the nightlife industry. Turning 40 is not something to be ashamed of. The first 40 years include some of the most formative, fun, backward and twisted years of your life. It’s totally OK to mess up and learn. It’s also what seasons the second half of your life — all those crazy times and lessons and memories.

Nevertheless, my best friend and BAMP/The Republik marketing director Flash Hansen thought he had a meeting with Hula’s Bar & Lei Stand owner Jack Law the day he turned four-oh. I knew it was going to be a good surprise because I know how reliable Flash is. If he has a meeting with Jack Law, someone he’s worked with for almost a decade, even if it’s a weekend or his birthday, it doesn’t matter — Jack gets the meeting. Flash was so focused on meeting with Jack that he completely ignored our other friend nearly ruining the surprise. She had let it slip out that she knew it was his 40th birthday — even when NOBODY KNOWS Flash’s real birthday — but just when I thought it was all over and we were caught, he was like, “I have to go; I have a meeting.”

The best part of any surprise is the reaction. Going from serious “I have a meeting on a Sunday” mode, to “Holy crap, everyone I know is at Hula’s the same day I have a meeting,” to “Oh wait, it’s my birthday; this is for me.” There is nothing that can replicate that beautiful reaction of relief and joy when the guest of honor realizes they do not have to work, they simply have to enjoy time with their friends. It warms my heart that he was able to spend such a milestone birthday with everyone who loves him — and people definitely love him to make time on their Sunday to come to Hula’s and wish him the best. That was easily one of the greatest days of my life.

But not everybody is an expert party planner. That’s where Partyology comes in. It’s a smartphone application and website that takes pretty much every detail of party planning off your hands. It has crafted a super streamlined, simple-to-use website that includes categories for every possible occasion. Like Pinterest, it’s loaded with photos for inspiration. But it has much better resources as a one-stop shop to get it all done; certain items even can be purchased right online.

Now that it’s the holiday season, it’s only natural we want to get together more often. Birthdays, Thanksgiving, kids back home, co-worker get-togethers, pink elephant gift exchanges — all that can be organized quite nicely via Partyology.

I am a huge fan of anything that takes away extra stress, and a huge fan of the holiday season (yes, I’m one of those people). There should be no stress, only joy and happiness! Tis the season!

@SUPERCW

CHRISTA WITTMIER IS “SUPERCW” ON ALL SOCIAL MEDIA. FIND HER ON SNAPCHAT, SOUNDCLOUD, TWITTER, VINE AND INSTAGRAM. BY NIGHT, SHE IS KNOWN AS DJ SUPERCW. BY DAY, SHE IS KNOWN AS SENIOR MARKETING DIRECTOR FOR YOUNG’S MARKET COMPANY OF HAWAII. HER NIGHTLIFE BLOG SUPERCITY RUNS EVERY WEDNESDAY ON HONOLULUPULSE.COM