The last gay party had such a positive effect on me that I was looking forward to this boat party of the Gateway of India on a cool night in February. I had tried to look cool and fashionable and therefore had to dig clothes out of Sahaab’s wardrobe. That task is extremely easy as all of his clothes are fashionable and worthy of wearing, unlike mine.
Just to keep my lil’ Vinokur un-anxious, I had invited Sandy for the party. I had actually tried to get one of my gay friends to come with me so as to force shield me away from preying men at the party. But they weren’t free or interested. So I resorted to the option of Sandy. She was enthusiastic from the outset and considered it to be a privilege to be invited over to the party. In fact, when she told her sister that she was being invited, Susy also wanted to come!
So we met at an event at the Sheraton which she was co-ordinating and then took a cab to Gateway. There we spent a few minutes trying to find the jetty that would let us into the boat. We were greeted by Dee, one of the organizers in the party. The others were virtually strangers and to be honest to my blog readers, not even one one interesting guy was there waiting for the boats. Sandy was the only woman at the party and everyone was eyeing us curiously.
Once we took the ferrying boat to the actual boat where the party was happening, we got our beers and went on top of the first of the two boats. There I met my friends Dibs and Sam, lovers for an impressive 17 years. We exchanged introductions and couldn’t sustain the conversation because of the Sandy factor.
The party was just 50 strong by then. But by about 11.30 pm the boats were full and about 225 persons were there. I was surprised and ruing the fact that I had invited Sandy along with me because I wasn’t socially interacting with the other men there in the way that I had wanted to.
Sandy left early because she had to reach home at a certain time and after the time she went, I had a better time hanging out and trying to meet new people. It was a little too late for that and I hardly met anyone new.
Anyway, meeting old friends was a good thing and I was inspired to go for upcoming parties.
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query sandy. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query sandy. Sort by date Show all posts
My first ever 'straight' date
This is going to be one post worth cherishing all of my life. A totally gay guy who has only gone on dates/one-night-stands with men goes to a straight date. Don't fall of your seat! I am not turning straight. I'll explain the situation. Calm down!
I was offered by one of my seniors a couple (straight couple of course) passes to a disco at a plush 5 star hotel in an up-market part of the city. He was offered this from a dealer of Smirnoff Vodka on the occassion of the release of it's 'Green Apple Twist' flavour. I immediately called Sandy, Xander's colleague, and my good friend now.
After finishing my work quickly, I travel in a crowded suburban train. In the train, it dawns on me that my undersized, though well-fitting tee and the jeans that I wear might not be the clothes that you are supposed to wear to a disco for a date. When I meet Sandy in front of the enormous gate of the hotel, I am glad that she's wearing a sweater that's not so tight as to make her breast look humungous. I was very relieved to find that she also seemed under-dressed for the occassion.
We holded hands for a brief period of 2.3 seconds until I realized that I was extremely uncomfortable. After that, through out the date, we didn't even touch each other. The disco was not as cool as I thought it would be; it too seemed under-dressed for the occassion! We ordered for a couple of vodkas and started talking about a lot of different things. I was constantly looking at the crowd and checking out the page-3 crowd and their dressing styles. There were a couple of extremely hot looking power-daddies 'chilling' out with women about 30 years younger.
Apart from the various things we discussed, a couple of topics are worth mentioning. I was almost shocked to hear that Sandy was going to a gym regularly for a few weeks now. That sort of hit me a like a slap on my face. Why wasn't a skinny gay guy going to a gym when his straight girl-friend was? I discovered over my fourth, and her second vodka, that Sandy was a voracious reader. That also inspired me. At around 12 midnite, we decided to call of our unheralded first date.
On my way, I realize that suddenly Sandy had become on of my closest friends and inspirer. Thanks Sandy!
I was offered by one of my seniors a couple (straight couple of course) passes to a disco at a plush 5 star hotel in an up-market part of the city. He was offered this from a dealer of Smirnoff Vodka on the occassion of the release of it's 'Green Apple Twist' flavour. I immediately called Sandy, Xander's colleague, and my good friend now.
After finishing my work quickly, I travel in a crowded suburban train. In the train, it dawns on me that my undersized, though well-fitting tee and the jeans that I wear might not be the clothes that you are supposed to wear to a disco for a date. When I meet Sandy in front of the enormous gate of the hotel, I am glad that she's wearing a sweater that's not so tight as to make her breast look humungous. I was very relieved to find that she also seemed under-dressed for the occassion.
We holded hands for a brief period of 2.3 seconds until I realized that I was extremely uncomfortable. After that, through out the date, we didn't even touch each other. The disco was not as cool as I thought it would be; it too seemed under-dressed for the occassion! We ordered for a couple of vodkas and started talking about a lot of different things. I was constantly looking at the crowd and checking out the page-3 crowd and their dressing styles. There were a couple of extremely hot looking power-daddies 'chilling' out with women about 30 years younger.
Apart from the various things we discussed, a couple of topics are worth mentioning. I was almost shocked to hear that Sandy was going to a gym regularly for a few weeks now. That sort of hit me a like a slap on my face. Why wasn't a skinny gay guy going to a gym when his straight girl-friend was? I discovered over my fourth, and her second vodka, that Sandy was a voracious reader. That also inspired me. At around 12 midnite, we decided to call of our unheralded first date.
On my way, I realize that suddenly Sandy had become on of my closest friends and inspirer. Thanks Sandy!
The Banana Bar experience
After many months, I ventured out to the open - to the world of socializing in gay-friendly venues. As usual, my friend Vik, who organizes a monthly party at the Banana Bar, sent me an SMS invite. I politely responded saying that I had a rehearsal and hence could not attend. Vik playfully replied saying that I could make it after the rehearsal. Honestly, I was not expecting any reply, certainly not such a spontaneous one.
Suddenly, I felt like taking the plunge. I asked him if he could arrange some daddies for me. He replied saying that some older men are always there at the party. My curiosity was completely aroused - a new venue and the prospect of using my highly polished skills of flirting were too tempting. But I still did not have a date. I tried asking my dear friend Shruts, but she wasn't sure of making it.
I decided to delay the decision until after the rehearsal, which was a boring affair without the drummer. I messaged Shruts to ask if she was making it while waiting for her reply decided to head to the party. Sharing the share rickshaw to Malad station with three other smelly men was the worst part of the evening and made me wonder if I was smelling alright - remember that I was going to party not dressed appropriately after 12 hours of work + rehearsals.
I reached the venue relatively late and was pleased to see Vik come up to me to greet me as I placed an order for a beer. He said I looked more like 'Krishna' because I was dressed in a kurta and had my hair tied up in a ponytail. I replied saying that I was 'Kris' tonight and let my hair loose.
Soon I spotted a couple of friends at the terrace and I walked across the dance floor to meet them. On the way, I ran into a friend who had a very special message for me - I can't divulge the information now, wait for it! Then, the first surprise of the evening came to hug me. Sandy, my friend, whose Dad had rented his apartment to me and Vinokur when he visited me, was there to celebrate her wonderful sister Susie's birthday!
I spent about half an hour catching up with Sandy, Susie, and their gang of friends. Sandy and I go back 5 years, back when I was jamming with Xander and S - that long back, yes! We were so happy to catch up with each other. We reminisced the wonderful days when we would jam with me on the guitar and Sandy on vocals - we used to cover Jason Wade from Lifehouse then!
After that, I set out on my Daddy hunt. I went back to Vik and asked him he had seen any come in. He said he had spotted a few but was not sure where they were. I looked around and all I could see was the one guy that I had already met at a personals site a few months back. But he was busy with his friends.
Thankfully, they were showing the highlights of the Test match between India and South Africa on a big screen. I grabbed another beer and started watching the match. And then, all of a sudden, entered a white daddy with his relatively older-looking Indian friend.
It didn't take me much long me to go over to him and start a conversation. And he turned out to be a great guy! So, Vik kept his promise! And I met a lot of my friends. All in all, it was fun. Looking forward to being there, next time around, hopefully with Shruts!
As for the environment and the ambience, I liked the place better than 'Karma' or 'Let's Scream', where GayBombay parties usually take place. The terrace is a welcome relief to people like me who hate dancing and love conversations. Plus, this place is visited by a bunch of very sexy lesbian girls! So, thumbs up for Banana Bar!
Suddenly, I felt like taking the plunge. I asked him if he could arrange some daddies for me. He replied saying that some older men are always there at the party. My curiosity was completely aroused - a new venue and the prospect of using my highly polished skills of flirting were too tempting. But I still did not have a date. I tried asking my dear friend Shruts, but she wasn't sure of making it.
I decided to delay the decision until after the rehearsal, which was a boring affair without the drummer. I messaged Shruts to ask if she was making it while waiting for her reply decided to head to the party. Sharing the share rickshaw to Malad station with three other smelly men was the worst part of the evening and made me wonder if I was smelling alright - remember that I was going to party not dressed appropriately after 12 hours of work + rehearsals.
I reached the venue relatively late and was pleased to see Vik come up to me to greet me as I placed an order for a beer. He said I looked more like 'Krishna' because I was dressed in a kurta and had my hair tied up in a ponytail. I replied saying that I was 'Kris' tonight and let my hair loose.
Soon I spotted a couple of friends at the terrace and I walked across the dance floor to meet them. On the way, I ran into a friend who had a very special message for me - I can't divulge the information now, wait for it! Then, the first surprise of the evening came to hug me. Sandy, my friend, whose Dad had rented his apartment to me and Vinokur when he visited me, was there to celebrate her wonderful sister Susie's birthday!
I spent about half an hour catching up with Sandy, Susie, and their gang of friends. Sandy and I go back 5 years, back when I was jamming with Xander and S - that long back, yes! We were so happy to catch up with each other. We reminisced the wonderful days when we would jam with me on the guitar and Sandy on vocals - we used to cover Jason Wade from Lifehouse then!
After that, I set out on my Daddy hunt. I went back to Vik and asked him he had seen any come in. He said he had spotted a few but was not sure where they were. I looked around and all I could see was the one guy that I had already met at a personals site a few months back. But he was busy with his friends.
Thankfully, they were showing the highlights of the Test match between India and South Africa on a big screen. I grabbed another beer and started watching the match. And then, all of a sudden, entered a white daddy with his relatively older-looking Indian friend.
It didn't take me much long me to go over to him and start a conversation. And he turned out to be a great guy! So, Vik kept his promise! And I met a lot of my friends. All in all, it was fun. Looking forward to being there, next time around, hopefully with Shruts!
As for the environment and the ambience, I liked the place better than 'Karma' or 'Let's Scream', where GayBombay parties usually take place. The terrace is a welcome relief to people like me who hate dancing and love conversations. Plus, this place is visited by a bunch of very sexy lesbian girls! So, thumbs up for Banana Bar!
Xander's b'day party - a success
Even though Xander's B'day is on the 26th of March, because of our work schedules we had planned for today evening. It was almost totally a surprise. I was ruing the fact that I had to get tied up all day with that Conference thingie. Or so I thought. After attending the first half, I took off hoping to start afresh as to what to buy and how to execute the plan.
And these days, in my life, what better way than to relax watching a good movie. I searched the paper - yeah there was just one show at Regal - The Aliens Return. I was totally disappointed when I saw the poster - looked awfully shabby. And it was a Hindi dubbed version! Yet, my movie-goer-heart thumped on and on. I took a fucken ticket and watched some really stupid action with dishearteningly ridiculouus Hindi Voice-overs.
But the thing was the magic was I was looking for. I executed the rest of the plan to near perfection!
Immediately after the damned show, I made my only damned move of the day. I got a call from Xander's number and I heard a voice which sounded like S.'. It was actually Xander in a false mallu accent and I accidentally divulged the plan for the purchase of gift with GS. I was ashamed of myself once I realized that and then I called up Parry and enquired about the plan. Parry was busy at work and was supposed to go out with GS for the purchase of the microphone. He asked me if I could go. I was about 10 minutes away from the shop. I said yes and called GS. She said she would be free in an hour. So, I headed to the musical shop.
There I checked out the microphones on display. I found the one - the Shure SM-58 Vocal Dynamic microphone. It was cute and heavy and had a pro-feel to it. The price was a grand above the budget that we had said to GS. But I felt it was worth buying. You would also feel so if you were to check out reviews of it on Google.
GS came down on time and we bought it in under five minutes. Then I gave her a ride back to the apartment. On my way, we got a message from Xander and S. who were hanging out at the mall asking me to come there. I dropped GS and went to the mall. There, S. was luring Xander into confessing on what he liked amongst the stuff in there. But Xander, somehow knowingly or unknowingly, acted unintetested.
After an hour we decided to head back home. To salvage the blunder that I had commmitted earlier in the evening, S. told Xander that we might go bring a Shure microphone for him as a gift. We left him and hung around the mall waiting for Sandy and Parry to turn up. Sandy came in sometime and we started finally shopping for stuff. We had decided on PS2 stuff, chocolates, the cap and the nokia handfree. We hardly had 1 and a half hours to get all this.
Parry was stuck up at work. So we three (me, S. and Sandy) left to the Lamington Road where we checked out PS 2 stuff and headsets. We bought him a memory card and a PS2 gaming DVD which he wanted badly - the Grand Theft Auto - St. Andrea or something like that. All this gaming lingo rarely stick to my head. Excuse me for that.
Then we headed to the place where I had bought my new handfree. We bought a brilliant grey-market-priced one and bought it. Along with that we bought Acoustic strings for him from the shop we had earlier bought the mic. Then we called Parry and asked him to check out the caps at the mall and to get chocoloates.
By the time we reached the there, the mall was closing. I requested the management to let us in to buy this one cap that Parry had found. We liked it and we bought it. Parry had bought Snickers and Mars before that.
We had completed our list of purchases! Whoa!
And then we had to get Xander dressed and ready for the Surprise Party. But, as usual, Xander was not in the mood... rather, was unwell. Had a splitting headache. He didn't quite get the importance of this party. We tried calling him. He said, going out was impossible because of the headache.
But tonight was my night! I bought him a couple of strong painkillers and we bought an amazing Chocolate cake on which Sumit drew a miniature guitar! Then we went up to the apartment and tried to cheer up Alex. He refused initially. But finally gave into the pills and persuasions.
So we headed to The Hard Rock Cafe Mumbai with all the gifts and the cake. I paide for the might 4 grand entrance fee for the five of us. GS couldn't make it because of her father refusal to allow her to go out.
Then we had a ball! Really! Whoa! I managed to get the DJ play couple of requests for the B'day boy. We had a huge dinner with great music. The feeling was awesome and there are lots of cute snaps that we took. I'll try to post some here.
At the fag end at around 1.20 AM, we cut the cake and at that point, the DJ played 'So Cold' by the Breaking Benjamin, our second request! Picture perfect it was!
Then we went home and jammed. We all felt so happy to have pulled off the amazing feat of planning and executing a b'day party in under 6 hours when Xander was not in a great mood!
And these days, in my life, what better way than to relax watching a good movie. I searched the paper - yeah there was just one show at Regal - The Aliens Return. I was totally disappointed when I saw the poster - looked awfully shabby. And it was a Hindi dubbed version! Yet, my movie-goer-heart thumped on and on. I took a fucken ticket and watched some really stupid action with dishearteningly ridiculouus Hindi Voice-overs.
But the thing was the magic was I was looking for. I executed the rest of the plan to near perfection!
Immediately after the damned show, I made my only damned move of the day. I got a call from Xander's number and I heard a voice which sounded like S.'. It was actually Xander in a false mallu accent and I accidentally divulged the plan for the purchase of gift with GS. I was ashamed of myself once I realized that and then I called up Parry and enquired about the plan. Parry was busy at work and was supposed to go out with GS for the purchase of the microphone. He asked me if I could go. I was about 10 minutes away from the shop. I said yes and called GS. She said she would be free in an hour. So, I headed to the musical shop.
There I checked out the microphones on display. I found the one - the Shure SM-58 Vocal Dynamic microphone. It was cute and heavy and had a pro-feel to it. The price was a grand above the budget that we had said to GS. But I felt it was worth buying. You would also feel so if you were to check out reviews of it on Google.
GS came down on time and we bought it in under five minutes. Then I gave her a ride back to the apartment. On my way, we got a message from Xander and S. who were hanging out at the mall asking me to come there. I dropped GS and went to the mall. There, S. was luring Xander into confessing on what he liked amongst the stuff in there. But Xander, somehow knowingly or unknowingly, acted unintetested.
After an hour we decided to head back home. To salvage the blunder that I had commmitted earlier in the evening, S. told Xander that we might go bring a Shure microphone for him as a gift. We left him and hung around the mall waiting for Sandy and Parry to turn up. Sandy came in sometime and we started finally shopping for stuff. We had decided on PS2 stuff, chocolates, the cap and the nokia handfree. We hardly had 1 and a half hours to get all this.
Parry was stuck up at work. So we three (me, S. and Sandy) left to the Lamington Road where we checked out PS 2 stuff and headsets. We bought him a memory card and a PS2 gaming DVD which he wanted badly - the Grand Theft Auto - St. Andrea or something like that. All this gaming lingo rarely stick to my head. Excuse me for that.
Then we headed to the place where I had bought my new handfree. We bought a brilliant grey-market-priced one and bought it. Along with that we bought Acoustic strings for him from the shop we had earlier bought the mic. Then we called Parry and asked him to check out the caps at the mall and to get chocoloates.
By the time we reached the there, the mall was closing. I requested the management to let us in to buy this one cap that Parry had found. We liked it and we bought it. Parry had bought Snickers and Mars before that.
We had completed our list of purchases! Whoa!
And then we had to get Xander dressed and ready for the Surprise Party. But, as usual, Xander was not in the mood... rather, was unwell. Had a splitting headache. He didn't quite get the importance of this party. We tried calling him. He said, going out was impossible because of the headache.
But tonight was my night! I bought him a couple of strong painkillers and we bought an amazing Chocolate cake on which Sumit drew a miniature guitar! Then we went up to the apartment and tried to cheer up Alex. He refused initially. But finally gave into the pills and persuasions.
So we headed to The Hard Rock Cafe Mumbai with all the gifts and the cake. I paide for the might 4 grand entrance fee for the five of us. GS couldn't make it because of her father refusal to allow her to go out.
Then we had a ball! Really! Whoa! I managed to get the DJ play couple of requests for the B'day boy. We had a huge dinner with great music. The feeling was awesome and there are lots of cute snaps that we took. I'll try to post some here.
At the fag end at around 1.20 AM, we cut the cake and at that point, the DJ played 'So Cold' by the Breaking Benjamin, our second request! Picture perfect it was!
Then we went home and jammed. We all felt so happy to have pulled off the amazing feat of planning and executing a b'day party in under 6 hours when Xander was not in a great mood!
Joining the gym
As a part of an ongoing effort to change my looks, I have joined a gym as well. After taking advices from a couple of colleagues, I joined a gym nearby the hospital where professional trainers give advice. The fee is rock-bottom and so the gym is small and sweaty. Lotsa people work out there and most of them are lower-middle class Marathis. I have started okay. Let's see how it goes. This was really inspired by Sandy who started going to a gym recently to trim herself. Thanks Sandy!
Newspaper stories
Today was another bad day for me. I have just returned to my room after spending most of the night doing chores for my professor. I'm disappointed with the fact that I was not able to jam with Xander or hang out with Sandy. Actually, Sandy had invited me for 'Casino Royale' which released yesterday here. Yet, there were sufficient stuff in the newspaper which keeps my life interesting.
The first one is a story in yesterday's Times of India saying that robbers respect/fear the mosutache of a cop more than his gun <click here >. Whoa! Finally, at least, I found a certain set of men, although antisocial, who think like me!
This story was the 2nd page of the Times and it featured a photograph of a 50 something cop with a splendidly elaborate moustache. Cops get upto 50 Rs. per month for 'moustache maintenance' and there is a yearly competition for the best moustache award. Wow! How sexily gay is the Police Department!
The other two were on today's paper. One was a lousy article about Angelina Jolie getting amused by a baby during her movie shoot. The article read that the infant must be the luckiest male alive because he's the youngest to be held close to the bosom of one of the hottest women ever to live. That is cheap! Lowly cheap.
In another article about a starfish like robot which could recognise and adjust itself to bodily injury, there was a definition of self-consciousness in a robot - A robot thinking about the fact that it's thinking - that's pretty interesting. It's been long since I heard of such a line. Yeah, Asimovs and Clarkes are almost 10 years old in my life.
The first one is a story in yesterday's Times of India saying that robbers respect/fear the mosutache of a cop more than his gun <click here >. Whoa! Finally, at least, I found a certain set of men, although antisocial, who think like me!
This story was the 2nd page of the Times and it featured a photograph of a 50 something cop with a splendidly elaborate moustache. Cops get upto 50 Rs. per month for 'moustache maintenance' and there is a yearly competition for the best moustache award. Wow! How sexily gay is the Police Department!
The other two were on today's paper. One was a lousy article about Angelina Jolie getting amused by a baby during her movie shoot. The article read that the infant must be the luckiest male alive because he's the youngest to be held close to the bosom of one of the hottest women ever to live. That is cheap! Lowly cheap.
In another article about a starfish like robot which could recognise and adjust itself to bodily injury, there was a definition of self-consciousness in a robot - A robot thinking about the fact that it's thinking - that's pretty interesting. It's been long since I heard of such a line. Yeah, Asimovs and Clarkes are almost 10 years old in my life.
Amazing Day - Babel
And to think that the day could't get any better...
We went back to Xander's place where we found him and GS (his GF). Not only we talked to them I even started a little bit of conversation in Marathi. And I was loving it. In the fun that I was having, I was able to clear the tension that we had (me and Xander).
After that I and S. went over to a brilliant multiplex to meet Sandy for the movie of the year so far - Babel. It is simply brilliant. Everything from story, screenplay, score what not. The world is so screwed up and it is so well portrayed. I can't describe it better. Check this movie out!
We went back to Xander's place where we found him and GS (his GF). Not only we talked to them I even started a little bit of conversation in Marathi. And I was loving it. In the fun that I was having, I was able to clear the tension that we had (me and Xander).
After that I and S. went over to a brilliant multiplex to meet Sandy for the movie of the year so far - Babel. It is simply brilliant. Everything from story, screenplay, score what not. The world is so screwed up and it is so well portrayed. I can't describe it better. Check this movie out!
The real aetiologies of Depression - part 2 - The Family Scene
Needless to say that I have had tumultuous relationship with my family, things have somehow managed to worsen. As my coming out experiences have always been beneficial, I still firmly root for coming out to my parents sooner than later. Most of my friends agree to this.
I’ve come out to all of my band members in Noise Market and Sandy’s parents, my future landlords have been very supportive. They insist that I should seek for some financial security from my parents after them knowing that I’m not that bad after all. They feel that this has to be achieved through the route of my sister/my uncle who already are aware of my true nature.
At the same time, my sister and my brother-in-law have practically disowned me for being what I’m. They think that me falling in love with a man is an aberration and I’m going to be doomed to move into an apartment and start living with the love of my life. That shatters me. I’m glued together by my wonderful lover, great friends, music and the antidepressants that I have started.
I’ve come out to all of my band members in Noise Market and Sandy’s parents, my future landlords have been very supportive. They insist that I should seek for some financial security from my parents after them knowing that I’m not that bad after all. They feel that this has to be achieved through the route of my sister/my uncle who already are aware of my true nature.
At the same time, my sister and my brother-in-law have practically disowned me for being what I’m. They think that me falling in love with a man is an aberration and I’m going to be doomed to move into an apartment and start living with the love of my life. That shatters me. I’m glued together by my wonderful lover, great friends, music and the antidepressants that I have started.
Tomorrow's gig
FYI, Noise Market is headlining at NM College's Umang 2008 tomorrow night. The details are given here. The band has been given about 10 - 15 guest invites and there are a few left now. I am in a fix. I can't invite people from the hospital because there are just too many people. I could have invited my gay friends but most of them are busy attending the Queer Azaadi march in the afternoon and after that, the GB party in the night.
I tried inviting a few people from my real life (Parry, Sandy etc.). But no one is free. Dr. T is the only friend of mine who has agreed to come (along with a colleague of hers). Ergo, I could still get a couple of people in. I never imagined that I'd be doing this, but here I am ... Anyone interested?
If anyone happens to be, I would need to know that by tomorrow morning . So, hurry up.
I tried inviting a few people from my real life (Parry, Sandy etc.). But no one is free. Dr. T is the only friend of mine who has agreed to come (along with a colleague of hers). Ergo, I could still get a couple of people in. I never imagined that I'd be doing this, but here I am ... Anyone interested?
If anyone happens to be, I would need to know that by tomorrow morning . So, hurry up.
Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer
Marvel Comics! I have crazily posted about how cool the Marvel Comics are and how exciting it is for me to watch a Marvel Comic movie. Therefore, today morning, when I got up, there was a shine on my face.
No, I was not smiling in front of a mirror after chewing a HappyDent White chewing gum (referring to the wonderful ad that's on the TV these days).
Just that I was so excited to realize that F4:RotSS was being released today. And as usual, I picked up my morning Times and went through the listings. I rang up E-boi once I finished. He wasn't free early evening. Therefore, I decided to go for a 7.45 show at the Sterling Cineplex. I called Sandy as well as it had been a long time since we met. She agreed as well.
My routines were over early evening. I had to visit the Musician's Mall to pay one of the installments of my bass guitar. I drove all the way on a fantastic Mumbai evening with all shades of colour in the sky. I really felt like taking photographs. But I didn't.
At the Mall, I checked out an amazing Variax Acoustic guitar from Line6. It can play custom tones of 14 different guitars with customizable presets. Add to that, the ability to tune to any possible tuning. I was very surprised when the guitar player at the shop gave me an invite for the bassy in his band. Apparently their bassy had quit and they wanted someone like me. The only problem with me being that I won't be able to tour all over India in the coming months as they had a tour in view.
Then came the Ultimate disappointment. The movie. I still remember that I was so hopeful of what I was about to watch as I kicked myself for missing a turn on the way to the movie hall from the Mall which eventually delayed my arrival by 10 minutes. Alas!
This post was actually meant to be a satirical one. But then I ran into this Rolling Stone video movie review which just beat me at the satire part. Hence, I'm just going to put up a link to it. Watch it and you'll understand why the line 'Remember, you have a choice.' makes so much sense.
And for the people who can't watch the video, here's the text review.
A single star? Or does it need one even? How about just one Sun? ;)
No, I was not smiling in front of a mirror after chewing a HappyDent White chewing gum (referring to the wonderful ad that's on the TV these days).
Just that I was so excited to realize that F4:RotSS was being released today. And as usual, I picked up my morning Times and went through the listings. I rang up E-boi once I finished. He wasn't free early evening. Therefore, I decided to go for a 7.45 show at the Sterling Cineplex. I called Sandy as well as it had been a long time since we met. She agreed as well.
My routines were over early evening. I had to visit the Musician's Mall to pay one of the installments of my bass guitar. I drove all the way on a fantastic Mumbai evening with all shades of colour in the sky. I really felt like taking photographs. But I didn't.
At the Mall, I checked out an amazing Variax Acoustic guitar from Line6. It can play custom tones of 14 different guitars with customizable presets. Add to that, the ability to tune to any possible tuning. I was very surprised when the guitar player at the shop gave me an invite for the bassy in his band. Apparently their bassy had quit and they wanted someone like me. The only problem with me being that I won't be able to tour all over India in the coming months as they had a tour in view.
Then came the Ultimate disappointment. The movie. I still remember that I was so hopeful of what I was about to watch as I kicked myself for missing a turn on the way to the movie hall from the Mall which eventually delayed my arrival by 10 minutes. Alas!
This post was actually meant to be a satirical one. But then I ran into this Rolling Stone video movie review which just beat me at the satire part. Hence, I'm just going to put up a link to it. Watch it and you'll understand why the line 'Remember, you have a choice.' makes so much sense.
And for the people who can't watch the video, here's the text review.
Rise of the Silver Surfer is the perfect summer movie, that is if you're eight years old or under. For the rest of us, the sequel to the first Fantastic Four that miraculously amassed more than $150 million in 2005, is a plotless, brainless, witless bore. It's not egregiously awful like the first film. Just plain awful in that formula way that kills your spirit and all hope for summer movies.
This time the Fan Four -- if you need their origin stories just Google them for pity's sake -- are out to stop the evil Galactus from destroying the Earth. Jeez, aren't they always? The Silver Surfer is the new wrinkle -- he's sent by Galactus to give Earth a head's up. Go figure. There are two sleek, shiny special effects: Jessica Alba falling off a building naked (OK, you don't see much, the flick is rated PG) and the Silver Surfer himself -- the computers designed him as the coolest surfing trophy ever. The rest goes quickly to rust. With all due apologies to the Marvel Comic that started in the 1960s, the Four hardly cut it as Fantastic onscreen.
Let me ask you: what is there about these F4 flicks that turns good actors into rank amateurs. Take Ioan Gruffudd, the Welsh newcomer who was so impressive this year in Amazing Grace. He's stiff as the Surfer's board in the role of Reed Richards -- Mr. Fantastic to you -- the workaholic brainiac who can stretch anything except his talent. Even on his wedding day to Sue Storm (that's Alba) -- The Invisible Woman to you -- he's more into designing the Fantasticar. Talk about your eight-year-old mentality. Alba, who has one playful scene in which she makes a zit on her forehead invisible, has more chemistry with Chris Evans as The Human Torch, which is a little creepy since Evans (named the third hottest body of the year on Gay.com) plays Sue's brother Johnny Storm. That leaves Michael Chiklis -- Emmy winner for The Shield -- to play a brick wall named Ben Grimm. Everyone calls him The Thing. I call it stupid to bury an actor with Chiklis's chops in brick latex. Kerry Washington is back as the blind sculptress who has a thing for The Thing. And so is Nip/Tuck's Julian McMahon as the dastardly Doctor Doom.
But it's hard to imagine you or anyone out of grade school giving a damn about the lame shenanigans director Tim Story keeps throwing at the screen in the hope that something will stick. In truth, one line from the Surfer (voiced by Laurence Fishburne, no less) has stayed with me. "Remember you have a choice," his silver tongue intones. If you get the choice to see Rise of the Silver Surfer, by all means choose to stay home.
A single star? Or does it need one even? How about just one Sun? ;)
Searching for Safety
Now that Mr. Vinokur and Mr. Bass have planned to live together in Mumbai, the onus was on me to search for a beautiful little apartment. I have found what I was looking for! And I’m very thankful to my dear friend Sandy’s parents who were very kind to listen to my story and let me and Alan live in a 1 BHK apartment near theirs which they own.
This is a fucking incredibly beautiful apartment is tastefully furnished and located in a quiet locality. But most importantly, I can be secure in an apartment where the landlord understands the situation perfectly.
The actual search for the apartment stretched for a couple of weeks and was a very mixed one with disappointment and surprising revelations. I was so worried after the first week that I had to type in the following message to the Gay Bombay support group seeking help.
The whole scene looks brilliant. It seems like I and Alan will be living together in our wonderful new apartment from mid February.
This is a fucking incredibly beautiful apartment is tastefully furnished and located in a quiet locality. But most importantly, I can be secure in an apartment where the landlord understands the situation perfectly.
The actual search for the apartment stretched for a couple of weeks and was a very mixed one with disappointment and surprising revelations. I was so worried after the first week that I had to type in the following message to the Gay Bombay support group seeking help.
Hello friends,
It's been a long time since I participated in the discussions actively. That can be attributed to my hectic schedule in the past few months of life. That includes finding the love of my life online on a personals website as well!
I would like to introduce myself once more. I'm a 28 year old orthopaedic surgeon living in Mumbai for the last 3 years. I have always been an admirer of older men. So it shouldn't be as shocking as it would have been otherwise when I introduce my 64-year-old lover/boyfriend/partner/spouse/husband who is a linguist/photographer from NYC. We are committed to each other and are planning to settle down in Mumbai.
For that, we are looking for a 1 - 2 BHK apartment in a good locale in Mumbai and I've already seen a few. To my dismay, almost all of the housing societies would pose the question 'Are you married? or ‘Are you a bachelor?' before even getting into the details of the apartment.
On the first exposure to such a derogatory remark (in the terms of marriage defining moral righteousness), I was shocked and outraged. But as always, as we’ve all had to do our entire lives, I took it in my stride and have formulated an answer: 'I'm a bachelor. My friend who is sharing the apartment with me is, too. And we can't afford to have two apartments. We've similar interests which would make it convenient for us to be living together.' That has worked sometimes now. Another thing that has worked is to let these housing societies know that I'm a practicing surgeon/doctor. That somehow salvages a lot of respect in these circumstances.
And then, I had a talk with my sister and an uncle, a father-figure, the only two people in my family whom I've come out to about our plans. Both had their views regarding the 'safety' of settling down in India. Would we face ridicule? Would we be ostracized? Would we be asked to vacate should the reality come to the fore? My boyfriend also suggested that families living in the neighborhood would be curt towards us and be scared of letting the children see us together thinking that they might be 'exposed' to immoral issues. To top it all, would somebody tip us off and would we be legally punished under Sec. 377 IPC? Add to that this hyperbolic age difference between the two of us, the chances of us being discriminated vis-Ã -vis the 'pedophilia scandal’ which hit the media in a wave of movies like 'Page 3'.
All this has led me to write this letter/request to all of the GB members. I want to ask you for some advice or suggestions regarding a place in Mumbai where we could live. Would anybody know about gay-friendly apartment complexes or dealers/agents who would be gay-friendly? I guess there are at least few gay couples in Mumbai who live together.
I would be grateful to anyone who would like to comment on any aspect of this peculiar problem of ours.
Thanks to all of you for spending your time reading and hopefully, responding to this message.
Regards,
Kris
The whole scene looks brilliant. It seems like I and Alan will be living together in our wonderful new apartment from mid February.
Our birthdays!
Wow, I had a ball! I’m going to have more! It was mine and Vinokur’s birthday on the 6th/7th of November.
I had gifted my little Vinokur using the wonderful powers of the internet a couple of Tantra T-shirts, a couple of Indian classical music CDs, a bouquet of flowers, a chocolate birthday cake. He was so happy as the gifts arrived one by one on the 6th of November!!
His gift to me was obviously pre-dated; my spanky new P1i phone and a brand new Yamaha acoustic guitar! I love you, Al!
I had a wonderful party thrown by my friends at a fantastic restaurant in town. I was gifted by all of my friends; things ranging from wonderful headsets for my mobile phone and my mp3 player and a bottle of champagne.
Thanks Sandy, E-boi, Xander, Parry and the others whose names I wouldn’t want to reveal in this blog.
And I did one of my social rituals-necessities. I came out to a couple of colleagues from my hospital. One of them was dumb-struck!
This was also the last birthday that I'm going to not celebrate without Vinokur!
I had gifted my little Vinokur using the wonderful powers of the internet a couple of Tantra T-shirts, a couple of Indian classical music CDs, a bouquet of flowers, a chocolate birthday cake. He was so happy as the gifts arrived one by one on the 6th of November!!
His gift to me was obviously pre-dated; my spanky new P1i phone and a brand new Yamaha acoustic guitar! I love you, Al!
I had a wonderful party thrown by my friends at a fantastic restaurant in town. I was gifted by all of my friends; things ranging from wonderful headsets for my mobile phone and my mp3 player and a bottle of champagne.
Thanks Sandy, E-boi, Xander, Parry and the others whose names I wouldn’t want to reveal in this blog.
And I did one of my social rituals-necessities. I came out to a couple of colleagues from my hospital. One of them was dumb-struck!
This was also the last birthday that I'm going to not celebrate without Vinokur!
Weekend bash in Pune
This weekend, we had some free time in the hospital. It was a conference weekend and therefore, we were off duty from the major OT on Saturday. This Wednesday night, when I was jamming with Xander, his friend Shri had called from Pune. This weekend was Shri's future fiance's birthday and there was a big party. Xander and I were invited as well.
On the pretext of attending my father's birthday function back in Kerala, I and Xander left on Friday evening in a cab. It was a nice ride. Had lots of fun. We reached Pune in the early hours of Saturday. In Shri's apartment, we spent some time jamming and then slept by 6 AM.
On Saturday, we got up in the afternoon. After having food and things, I was sleepy again and I dozed off. Meanwhile, Xander and Shri bought decoration material. By evening, we were decorating the apartment.
The party started at around 8.30 PM. About 20 people. The strangest thing was that I was missing my gang (Xander, S., Parry, Sandy etc.). The people there had strange tastes. They preferred 'Bigg Boss' (a reality show on Indian TV) to anything else on TV. They like Bryan Adams more than Alice in Chains and they only knew of the Hell Freezes Version of 'Hotel California'.
In the night, we had a ball with jamming (me, Xander and Shri alternating on guitars and some percussion with the rest of the crowd chipping in with vocals. At the end of the night, I was tired again. Xander got drunk and went into one of this bad mood phases.
On Sunday, I got up mid afternoon and watched most of the 5th ODI between India and SA. Then I went to sight-see Pune with Shri. We went to a mall and I was again feeling the pinch of Pune sort of. The crowd seemed to be self-conscious and seemed to be older and less enthusiastic.
In the night, we went to the perennial hangout of the Puneites in Xander's older gang - Apache the lounge/pub. Listening to some awesome music, I got drunk on beer.
Here's one snap in which I look like Stevie Wonder while I was wearing Xander's shades.
I should have known not to laugh too much On the way back, I threw up. My first throw up ever after getting drunk.
Then Xander's friends drove us two back home to Mumbai. In the night there was some serious scare as we found our apartment's lock changed. Only in the morning, we found out that the neighbors had found our door not locked properly and the water was leaking from inside. So they cleaned our place and locked it with their lock.
That was scary!
On the pretext of attending my father's birthday function back in Kerala, I and Xander left on Friday evening in a cab. It was a nice ride. Had lots of fun. We reached Pune in the early hours of Saturday. In Shri's apartment, we spent some time jamming and then slept by 6 AM.
On Saturday, we got up in the afternoon. After having food and things, I was sleepy again and I dozed off. Meanwhile, Xander and Shri bought decoration material. By evening, we were decorating the apartment.
The party started at around 8.30 PM. About 20 people. The strangest thing was that I was missing my gang (Xander, S., Parry, Sandy etc.). The people there had strange tastes. They preferred 'Bigg Boss' (a reality show on Indian TV) to anything else on TV. They like Bryan Adams more than Alice in Chains and they only knew of the Hell Freezes Version of 'Hotel California'.
In the night, we had a ball with jamming (me, Xander and Shri alternating on guitars and some percussion with the rest of the crowd chipping in with vocals. At the end of the night, I was tired again. Xander got drunk and went into one of this bad mood phases.
On Sunday, I got up mid afternoon and watched most of the 5th ODI between India and SA. Then I went to sight-see Pune with Shri. We went to a mall and I was again feeling the pinch of Pune sort of. The crowd seemed to be self-conscious and seemed to be older and less enthusiastic.
In the night, we went to the perennial hangout of the Puneites in Xander's older gang - Apache the lounge/pub. Listening to some awesome music, I got drunk on beer.
Here's one snap in which I look like Stevie Wonder while I was wearing Xander's shades.
I should have known not to laugh too much On the way back, I threw up. My first throw up ever after getting drunk.
Then Xander's friends drove us two back home to Mumbai. In the night there was some serious scare as we found our apartment's lock changed. Only in the morning, we found out that the neighbors had found our door not locked properly and the water was leaking from inside. So they cleaned our place and locked it with their lock.
That was scary!
The tiring day - executing responsibilities
Post emergency days are driving me tired these days. This weekend was a special weekend without the major OT on a Saturday. But we had an academic event lined up for that. I wasn't in the mood for that. With Xander's b'day looming and with all the plans that we guys are making, I was more interested in that.
We have stuff lined up to buy for him
But still, I don't know what's wrong with the academics here. There is no real interest. That's probably because we don't get any time to relax and then to study. My life as a busy registrar who's actually interested in staying at the wards and doing work with my alter-life as a bassist certainly adds to the cause.
With great talents comes great responsibility of managing them I feel (LOLz at the RottenTomatoes.com article title on Spidey 3 picture galleries.
Anyways, I was so tired despite having to do nothing basically, that I slept and I overslept in the process. Thereby, I denied my gang to get in touch with thim despite their earnest efforts.
What eventually transpired was that Parry, Sandy and S. went out to town to buy gifts for me. The masterplan of letting GS buy the microphone for Xander didn't quite work. But there is a tomorrow ahead for converting 'talents' to 'responsibility' executions!
We have stuff lined up to buy for him
- A Shure vocal microphone
- PS2 Stuff including memory cartridges and controllers
- Nokia handfree; his was lost
- Imported Liquor
- Sweets, chocoloates
- Corduroy cap that Xander adores which went missing last month mysteriously
- T-shirts, Cigarette lighters and other stuff
But still, I don't know what's wrong with the academics here. There is no real interest. That's probably because we don't get any time to relax and then to study. My life as a busy registrar who's actually interested in staying at the wards and doing work with my alter-life as a bassist certainly adds to the cause.
With great talents comes great responsibility of managing them I feel (LOLz at the RottenTomatoes.com article title on Spidey 3 picture galleries.
Anyways, I was so tired despite having to do nothing basically, that I slept and I overslept in the process. Thereby, I denied my gang to get in touch with thim despite their earnest efforts.
What eventually transpired was that Parry, Sandy and S. went out to town to buy gifts for me. The masterplan of letting GS buy the microphone for Xander didn't quite work. But there is a tomorrow ahead for converting 'talents' to 'responsibility' executions!
This time, last year
This time last year, I was at a great restaurant in Bandra having a party with almost the who's-who of my life then. Life was great. Vibrant, full of hopes and expectations. My friends Dr. R., Sandy, E-boi, Xander, Parry, his girlfriend - all took turns to wish Vinokur his birthday.
Tonight, I sit at my computer trying to wonder what really went wrong. I feel like run-down by a train - a train of responsibilities and challenges that I was not able to keep up with.
Today's exam was the worst ever in my life. Apart from being reporting about half an hour late for the exam thanks to a slow wrist watch, I couldn't answer even one question out of the 9 ones with any semblance of quality. I think any of you (non-medicos) would have fared equally with me in this test. Needless to admit, but my confidence and self-esteem, upto the barest of minimums, has been deflated. Anyone, any fucking person in this world can defeat me now.
As expected, the only fun of this month has passed. It was the gig at Not Just Jazz by the Bay - Shoonyas gig, that is. These are a few pics.
Tonight, I sit at my computer trying to wonder what really went wrong. I feel like run-down by a train - a train of responsibilities and challenges that I was not able to keep up with.
Today's exam was the worst ever in my life. Apart from being reporting about half an hour late for the exam thanks to a slow wrist watch, I couldn't answer even one question out of the 9 ones with any semblance of quality. I think any of you (non-medicos) would have fared equally with me in this test. Needless to admit, but my confidence and self-esteem, upto the barest of minimums, has been deflated. Anyone, any fucking person in this world can defeat me now.
As expected, the only fun of this month has passed. It was the gig at Not Just Jazz by the Bay - Shoonyas gig, that is. These are a few pics.
Live Free or Die Hard OR Die Free after watching it
E-boi's outta town visiting a friend of his he always refers to as 'Didi' (meaning 'sister' for those who are not well-versed in Hindi). That meant that I didn't have anybody to go with for movies. I had tried my patience on Friday night and Saturday afternoon. On Saturday evening I sent out an SOS to Parry, Sandy etc. but no one was willing to join. My roomie, who is neck-deep in his USMLE preps, refrused as well.
Today afternoon, I had vowed to go watch Live Free or Die Hard. I had a lot of silly chores to wind up as well. Chores like buying Marvel Comics, going to the bank etc. Uhh well, sorry for passing the Marvel Comic thing up as a chore. I know it isn't. But still, it had to be done.
So after a careless nap watching the Alien 3 (about which I'll write elsewhere), I jumped out of bed, slapped my chest with both upper limps like a gorilla and screamed 'I wanna watch Die Hard.'. That didn't help convince my roomie though and I left alone. I like that actually.
In the process of reaching the Sterling Cineplex, I learnt a few lessons in life. One thing, I travelled in the Central lane south of Parel for the first time in my entire life... or so it seemed. It did seem a lot less congested and somehow easier to travel in (as compared to the Western line). Then came the lesson of a life time. Never, ever, get into the Fort ICICI branch on the 2nd of a month at 6.22 pm. I had to complete a transaction for my roomie. It took me, to the minute, 1 hour 13 minutes to set out of the bank after completing a lousy 30 grand pay-in transaction.
In the process, I ran out of battery on my Zen Micro, I ran out of patience again trying to outwit my own predictions as to when my number on the token is going to be announced. It was a heavy ordeal. Something totally unexpected. It also left me short of time to search for Marvel (Gotham) comics on Fashion Street. But I eventutally ended up buying a few old comics out of a store which seemed a lot smaller than the other shops.
At the cineplex (I love the name), I was greeted with pleasant surprise as I got a fantastic seat despite coming late; somebody wanted exchange for getting a pair of seats close by. And I was so happy to get into Screen 1 (the best screen by far at the Cineplex) and to find that it's an awesome seat.
The trailer of Transformer, for which I'm eagerly waiting for, set the tone. But the movie was fantabulous. Really! Screw Spidey, Fantastic Four, Jurassic Park etc. Bow to amazing special effects and animation! And to top it all, a very very funny script! The whole movie theatre was in raptures through out! To top it all, Bruce Willis!!!!
Even without the Bruce Willis in the equation this movie is 4 star. Maybe even 4.5 stars! Go watch it... cuz you can Die free after you watch it!
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