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BHP VIII
AKA “The Off Year”
1998: Chelsea Lobster Company, Chelsea, NYC

Marc, Aimee, Gigi, Bonnie, Darryl, Ian, and Alan move the party to the Chelsea Lobster Company, which has enough space to accommodate the more than 250 guests. Sick of paying for everyone else’s good time, they decide to start charging admission.

And true to Ian’s strange prophetic mumblings, 1998 turns out to be the big Year of The Breakup, with three hosts and many guests terminating relationships. Not a pretty sight.

Precious Memories:

At the whim of the venue the party is held on the Sunday before the somewhat-celebrated President’s Day, giving it a decidedly unpleasant "school-night" feel. Ian single-handedly attempts to pump some life into the party by flinging out "Kiss Me Now" cards with wild abandon, kissing as many people — guests, staff members, random passersby — as time permits. Other than this, it was pretty much business as usual.