Christmas and Internet has been kind of responsible for no posts for quite a while on this blog. Christmas is over, but the internet continues to remain bad.

So I’m gonna make a post while I have the chance to do so.

I ended the week before Christmas with a wedding mass that we were singing for. As usual, we trooped out to eat after the mass. We chose Domino’s because of its proximity. My opinion that Domino’s is not an eatin was re-enforced.

The service was pathetic, they took a great deal of time to serve us (their thirty minute guarantee should apply to those eating in as well!)

I didn’t go for the Christmas midnight mass, as I prefer the morning masses. Did the second reading as well.

We made last minute plans to go for the Christmas Dance at Bandra Gym.
Picked up The Mouse from her place and then the ticket from a friend of hers. Stopped at Pot Pourii in Bandra for some dinner. I guess that either I don’t know what to eat at the place or the food just sucks there!

We reached the gym before 9pm and jived a good deal until 11.30pm with a small break in the middle.

With a little food in our bellies we resumed dancing until they moved the music inside and started playing stuff I hate dancing on.
By 3.30am we were totally bored and decided to just leave instead of waiting for the slow music to start.
Slept a good portion of 26th which is expected when you don’t sleep most of the night

Had choir practice on 26th evening to practice for yet another wedding mass on the 28th at Dominic Savio. Couples really need to prepare for their masses!

27th was the day of the grand Blogger Christmas party organized by Ms. Voice in Her Head.

I reached there in the afternoon itself to help her to get things in order (little wonder I never throw parties).
Her Mom is a real sweetheart and without her I am sure the party wouldn’t have come close to being as good as it was, especially the food aspect.
Read Melody’s mini post. Sakshi has a small writeup with photos of the evening and Vulturo has a detailed post of his experience.

It felt a little weird as a few there, Melody and Sakshi in particular, referred to me as India’s No. 1 Resident blogger. It’s nice to have that title, but I definitely am not that. And more importantly, I never set my sights only on India
Not being too much of the extrovert I chose to keep to myself and the mouse for a better part of the evening.

Today was an unfruitful day in college. However I did get my HDFC account closed, printouts of the transcripts and gave my bike for servicing, which means that I am without wheels for a day.

The weekend ahead is going to be with the books, with two mocks and classes as well.

Last year, I came back rather disappointed and irritated with the Goan Association get-together. And so actually wondered how things would be this time.

And I’m glad to say that this time was a lot lot better!

The Mouse was here as she has been the past few years and spent the whole evening with her and her friends.

Will confess I don’t understand Konkani, in which the entire mass is celebrated. I do understand the parts of the mass and so participated in English.

Must make it point to mention that for the first time in seven years, we were not singing for this mass. I am not sure of the exact reasons for the same. And the other choir… they messed up the “ginger bread song” (actually it’s a Konkani hymn called Adaraak Pav).

This time the function seemed to be organized “differently”. For one the traditional march didn’t take place. The snacks weren’t served at the tables, which resulted in long lines! Was able to squeeze into the smallest line and get my snacks

The rest of the evening was good. Jived a lot and waltz (or whatever we call that) a little!

The whole function ended a little past 11, but I ended up going home only around 12.30am.

Feet, especially the toes ached, but it was well worth it

Went over to Melody‘s place on Sunday morning to complete the work on her new computer.

Bowling

Elvis loves to go bowling whenever he is down and so after lunch me and Melody joined Elvis, Delilah, Clint and Alisha for a round of bowling at Fun Republic in Andheri W. They were already playing when Melody and I reached there.

Fun Republic is one noisy place. Added to the noise of the people there, you also have to bear blasting music. Telling them nicely didn’t help until we fired the guy.

This was one of the longest rounds I’ve played of bowling, since there were six of us. I suck and bowling and I don’t know why the folks think otherwise. Lost once again in the last round when Delilah overtook me by four points
And when I say lost I meant I don’t consider Elvis or Clint who are experts!
The pic on the side shows our final scores.

By the time we finished bowling it was past 6.30pm and then we started off towards Bandra. But…

Bikes

… Flame (my bike) decided to disagree. I need to get the battery changed and the only option now is to kick start the bike. However after several kicks the bike just refused to start. On checking I found that petrol was leaking. I’m not an expert on bikes and so my dilema!
Took it to a mechanic in the area who got it working. And Melody was really click happy as you can see!
But the problem just wouldn’t get solved. While we were stuck in heavy traffic in Juhu, I once again got the smell of petrol, only to find it leaking again. Thankfully turning off petrol via the lock stops this outflow!

To make matters worse, I was on reserve so was hoping I wouldn’t run out of petrol. Filled up two litres at a pump and managed to get the bike started again. Petrol continued to drip! But, atleast I wouldn’t run out of it.

Traffic, bike woes ensured that we reached Bandra only by 7.30pm.

I had plans to meet up with school friends, but had to cancel them

Bingo, Booze and BBQ

Bandra Gym had the 3Bs night running, viz. Bingo, BBQ and Booze?
Didn’t get the Bingo, the BBQ wasn’t tempting enough and I don’t booze. But, I love to dance and so did jive a bit. Melody was in her “irritate Ajay” mood (as usual) and refused to follow!
Alisha says she was new, but followed well enough.
I didn’t have my regular jive partner. Plans on for Wellingdon soon (?).

Independence Cafe

After Bandra Gym, we went over to Independence Cafe on Hill Road for dinner. I haven’t been there before and seems like a nice joint.
Food was good but the Sun Shine Splash was watery!

Ate almost a complete roast chicken. Was helped by Melody, Elvis and Delilah to finish the mashed potato and vegetables surrounding it

Well, I’m exhausted!

It’s been a week and once again I haven’t had the time to blog. Last Saturday, the 4th was a rather eventful day. Something that will remain in my memory for a long long time. And I won’t mention why

In the evening had the “Fiesta Night” in church. The legendary band Crimson Rage were called to play. The only reason I went was because I heard that they mainly play ballroom music. They didn’t give me reason to complain.

The music was simply fabulous. Unfortunately only till 10.30. Food was horrid, but then you can’t expect much for 150 bucks, can you?

Took a walk with Anjali (who was my date for the dance) after the dance before saying good night.

Sunday was devoted to the love of my life. Yes, you are right my darling Flame. Had neglected her for quite a while and made sure I made up in full

Got the bike serviced locally (I was totally fed up of Sai Service) and the guy did a fabulous job. Got the bike diesel washed, polished and also got the seat cover changed and laminated (the pic is before I did that).

This took up pretty much the most of the day. Went for the wedding mass in the evening and then went out with Austin, Grenda, Anjali and her cousins and some friends to Bandra. Went to Adi’s near Mt. Carmel’s for kababs. It’s a small joint but good stuff.
Dropped Anjali home after this and went to bed in preparation for a long week ahead.

The long week was long indeed. Couldn’t make it for choir practice or prayer meeting. Took an off on Wednesday, was able to go home early on Thursday and stayed past 8pm on Friday!

Went with Melody to watch Fun with Dick and Jane. Visited the Pizza Hut in Lokhandwala before the movie for a quick pizza. And I finally found someone who eats more pizza than me! :O

Reach home at 2am and was so zonked that I actually thought I would fall asleep on the bike! I-)

Woke up around 8am as usual. Anjali came over in the morning for a while and after she went I fell asleep again. Slept for more than four hours. And finally got down to blog.

No clue on what I will be doing tomorrow. I really need get up and go out !

Brought in the New Year yesterday with mass at 10pm. Decided to chuck my regular black jacket for an older but more formal blue blazer (unfortunately forgot to take a pic of me in it!)

Mass was normal. Our church is celebrating the year 2006 as “Year of the Youth and Children”. Father gave a powerful sermon on how the youth today are so misguided. Will agree with him on many points, however I think he generalized a bit too much.

Left with Anjali immediately after communion in order to make it before 12am to Conrads place. We were the first there and it was already a little past 12!

Had made it a point to carry my digital camera and so grabbed the opportunity of being the first and immediately got to taking snaps of the decorations.

Here’s a picture of their crib:

And this is the bar in their house (tempting, but I don’t drink)

We had a good amount of jive before A. Anita served us our food. As usual we had a wide array to choose from and I made it a point to sample everything. The picture below definitely pales in comparison to real thing!

And also took a nice pic of my dear choir master and his wife.

Danced the rest of the morning. Made sure I danced with every girl out there. Being one of the few guys who dances helps
I have moved from the guy who never stepped onto the dance floor to one who is first on the floor. Got a nice pic of Anjali and me while we were still less zonked.

We left by 3.30am (I know early) because Anjali was leaving for Goa with the rest of her family. We did make a quick stopover at one of her pals places before I dropped her back home.

Had a great beginning this new year. Am hoping the rest of the year just gets better

So how was your Christmas?

Mine was fabulous!

Hadn’t gone for midnight mass so began Christmas day with the 9.30am Mass. The church was pretty much empty because I guess most had gone the previous night. Ended up doing the Prayer of the Faithful.
Had planned on wearing my coat but thought I would be overdressed. When I got there saw many in coats. I am sure if I wore the coat, no one else would have done the same?

Spent a good deal of the day at home, but for sometime when I visited the saloon in a desperate quest to look even more handsome than I already am (I know that I am really really vain!)

Dressed up in my new maroon shirt and Anjali and I left together by rick to Bandra. Got stuck in such horrible traffic that it was really very irritating. Thankfully I know all the roads on the way to Bandra and was able to bypass a good section of the traffic.

Reached there way before the others and so just walked up and down the road waiting for them to come!

Finally got in around 9pm and realized we were early!

Took some pictures of us. Am not going to post all, but here is a good one of Anjali and me.

Well we jived a good two hours at a stretch until we were really exhausted and decided to take a break. Well, I’ve improved. Have progressed from a guy with two left feet to one who could dance to one who can dance with the music!
Havilah sure was shocked to see me jiving well (I won’t boast about my dancing skills).

Here’s another pic of the group when we were well exhausted and sleepy!

We partied on till 4am. Anjali and I missed a good part of the slow music because we were busy sipping down some hot coffee. Needed when your throats are in a mess and its early in the morning!

Got the last slow number because they shut off the music. We headed off home. Had some trouble getting a rick in the morning. But we reached home around 4.45am and since all of us were there did some timepass till 5.30am.

Perfect end to a great Christmas night! One of my best Christmas’ so far

Last Tuesday, the 13th was the 22nd birthday of the most special person in my life, my beloved girlfriend Madam C.

It pouring really really badly and so had planned not going there. However, I was convinced otherwise (though not by her!).

Anyway, left my house around 9pm and reached her place around 10pm very much to her surprise !!

Took a lot of snaps on my new Nokia 6681. Must confess that Melody was the trigger happy one.

Danced a bit with Madam C, had dinner & managed to catch up (a little) with the guys there..

Before we left, Melody took this nice snap of us:

Aren’t we a cute couple??

Had a great time. Wasn’t there for long but I know I made her day and vice versa.

Yesterday Anjali had her party for her birthday. She turned 21 on 8th September.

Got ready after I got home from work, packer her a gift and reached her place around 9.30pm. Thought I would be late, but wasn’t that late

She had hired a DJ, which was unexpected and different. He started off with jive music, which was good and I picked up the Li’l White Mouse for the dance and then Melita and Shavon. Being one of the few guys there who jives, finding a girl to dance with wasn’t really very difficult , much to the ire of my girlfriend

Anyway, the DJ decided to switch to Hiphop thanks to request by certain people who don’t dance which was a big put off.

Besides he started playing Hindi numbers which I here way too often on my bus rides to and fro office that they start to get really boring.

Thankfully, he switched back to jive after a while and so I was back on the floor.

We were there till 2.30am which is much later than I have ever been at any party

Got dropped home by Sean since it was pouring, so remained pretty dry.

It has been pouring out here since yesterday and a good amount of places got flooded scaring a good deal of people with memories of 26th July flooding back.

Anyway, woke up around 11am today. Spent a good deal working on my Connections Reloaded theme.
Have a major release planned.

Played a while on my PC as well as got around fiddling with my Nokia 6681.

That’s it for the day.

Have had a really active last four days.

It began with Melody celebrating her birthday on 14th.
After work and a quick stopover for a change at home, I headed off to her place. Was there by 9pm much wondering how late I really would be. Was rather shocked to find that I was infact one of the first :O

Pretty soon folks from the prayer group started trickling in.

Madam C wanted to jive and so Melody kindly obliged her by playing some music. She kicked it off by picking me up to dance. Surprising, since this is the first time that I have jived with Melody. :O (She doesn’t dance with people who don’t know much jive, but still takes credit for teaching me)

Danced quite a bit with Madam C after this as well as another of Melody’s pals.

Jived quite a bit until I was pretty much ready to drop. Was “saved” when Melody decided to start a game. Weird game indeed because I definitely didn’t figure out (as well as many others) the game.

Cut her cake. As expected there was variety. The main birthday cake was a really delicious chocolate cake (yummy)

Had dinner soon after this and amazing desert (lots of it) and then headed back home. Was back by 12.30pm and immediately went to sleep.

Work the next day left me with no option.