What we're doing:

When we're doing it:

Where we're doing it:

At my power-plant.

Fig.1

The view from Lincoln Street

This is the building that my brother & I bought for our company's new offices, and half of which is still under construction. It's got a lot of room inside and out for mingling and hiding. Hopefully the weather will cooperate for milling about outdoors. The actual address is 618 E. Lincoln, Normal IL. Here's a google map of the location, with markers for the building and where to park. Remember DO NOT PARK AT THE BUILDING. Park in the lot to the north-west of the building, as indicated on the map (you can zoom in on the map to clarify this). Click on the blue markers on the map to get specifics

• Head to Bloomington, and get to route 55 on the North side of Bloomington/Normal.
• Take the 51 South/ Business exit. Head south into Normal.
• Continue on 51 South through several sets of lights (2 or 3).
• Take a left on Summit or Shelbourne (it turns from the former into the latter).
• You'll follow this winding road through some neighborhoods.
• Take a right at Beech St. (a 4-way stop).
• Go down Beech, passing one street on the left, and take a left onto Lincoln.
• The power plant building is down Lincoln almost all the way, and on the left. The parking lot is accessible by turning onto Cole St., which is before you reach the building. Lincoln Street is a big U shape that curves around and eventually dumps you back onto Beech. It's hard to get lost.

How we're doing it:

1. 12:00 (or slightly before/after) When you arrive at the building, you will be approaching it from the northwest corner (because you parked in the appropriate location, not in front of the building). There is a bedroom at this corner, with a sliding glass door that exits onto the concrete back patio. This door will be unlocked, and depending on the weather, might be open. This is the room you'll be hiding in with a bunch of other party-goers.
2. 12:30 - 12:45 At some point during this time I'll be calling a person on "the inside" to "check something." This call will indicate that I'm going to be heading to the power plant with The Package (that would be my wife). An ETA of 10-20 minutes is likely from that point. At this time we need to sweep the main area of the apartment for any stray people or cups or party-like indications, and herd everyone into the back bedroom. Cell phones set to vibrate, the time to party grows close...
3. Arrival of The Package: A spotter will be watching for our arrival. When they see us pull in, they will return to hiding and indicate THE TIME IS NIGH. Everyone will begin holding their breath and playing the quiet game.
4. I will bring Sally through the FRONT DOOR of the apartment. HOLD YOUR TONGUES. This is where we're smarter than Ms. "3 Masters and a PhD". I am bringing her to the building to Look At Something. The Something isn't in the apartment when we walk in. She also sees there are no people or party in the apartment.
   
5. I then tell her we should check the other side of the building (the unfinished office side). We go through the side door, and I close it. As soon as we exit the apartment, people should quietly exit hiding and fill the apartment's main room. I will keep The Package distracted on the other side for about a minute, still pretending to Look For Something. Steady now, as your moment is close at hand.
6. Failing to Find Something on the unfinished side, I give up in disgust and return, Wife in tow, back to the apartment. We re-enter via the side door, and YOU UNLEASH THE WRATH OF 1,000 BIRTHDAYS UPON HER. Yell surprise or something.

How to help

Presents

HELP!