It took two years to recover from FDPB 1997. By then, Thomas and Trystan had finally moved into our own place. This basement flat wasn't big enough for a party like the previous years. So we called it something like a cocktail party and christened it FDPB 4.5, in recognition of both the skipped year and the scaled-back event. None-the-less, it was a rousing success with many creative costumes. We even had performances! There were ghosts, many dead rock stars, another dead concept, a pair of Joplins, and historical figures too. The Invitation: A geek-inspired invitation. Yes, that was back in Silicon Valley's boomtime! You can also read the invitation text. Pictures: Click on any image for a larger version. (above) The King (Elvis) and the King of Kings (Jesus) (left) Bela Lugosi shooting up (left) Max Schreck as Nosferatu (right) Sir William Wallace (above) a duet by John Denver and Elvis (left) Janis Joplin and James Dean (left) Jane Austen (right) Timothy Leary and Bloodletting with Leeches (left) General Robert E. Lee and Lady Jane Grey (right) the ghosts of Charles Dickens and Marilyn Monroe (left) John Denver (right) Jim Henson (left) H. P. Lovecraft (right) a vampiric Mozart (left) Elvis (right) Janis Joplin Salome our graveyard entrance