Vegas Memories 7: The Guys

While in Vegas, we met many guys. First, there was Jason’s 3 roommates (Favian, Luis, and Edgar), who were all super cool. Then I met a guy named Ike, who was was visiting from North Carolina. Through him I met Paul, who was visiting from England. He owned a hair styling place there, and was also visiting Vegas with his friends.
Then I met Eric, who was totally amazing. We met him at Free Zone, which I have already written about. I then bumped into him again at Goodtimes, totally by fluke. Sreng, Veena and I weren’t going to go out that night, but thankfully we did. The same night, Sreng met a guy named Mike, who was super sweet. I didn’t talk to him too much then (I was at the bar with Eric and his friend Tom), but we've kept in touch. Later that same night, we went with Eric to the Rainbow Bar and Grill (please, click to see pics of it), a cool Rock restaurant/bar.
Veena and I met up with Eric once more, and had a fun time bar hopping with his friend Scott. I got to meet some of Eric’s friends too while at Scott’s place. They were all really cool dudes.
Oh, and there was some strange man that followed us around to a few bars one night, but I left him with Sreng and Veena. He was odd, and didn’t make a lot of sense when he spoke. I think his name was Manny, and he served in the Marines (but doesn’t, I didn’t understand).
Anyways, we got very lucky in meeting so many new people. Hopefully we carry on friendships with some of these guys, and will get to see them again sometime.

King Kong

After Kyle's, we got some sleep, and then my friends went home. Later on, Sreng and I went to the movies with Michelle, and her friend Diana. We saw the film King Kong. I kinda wanted to see this film after JT at worked raved about it. In the end though, I thought it was crappy. That guy from that film School of Rock (Jack Black) totally ruined the mood of the film. I honestly didn’t know if I was supposed to laugh at what he said, or take it seriously. If you have seen the film, the best example of this is the last line that closes the film. Sreng and I burst out laughing when he said this, but I’m sure we were not supposed to. How the hell did he get the role?
All the special effects were kinda cool, but went too far too. There were so many that sometimes it felt like I was watching the newest Dreamworks film or something. Most of the time they were totally unnecessary too. Not only that, but they didn’t look all that realistic, almost like they hadn’t been totally polished up. I wonder if the film was rushed out.
The best part of the film was the first 45 minutes or so, after that there was no story. Oh, and if plot holes bother you, don’t see this film! There are so many, such as:
How the hell did they bring King Kong home from the island?
Why didn’t that girl (Naomi Watts) freeze her titties off? It was winter, she was wearing only lingerie, and she was on the top of the Empire state building! What the Fuck?
And, where was all the blood? Hell, don’t have a film where bodies get ripped apart, and leave out the blood!
Oh, and good god, why was this film over 3 hours????! There was about half an hour of story, and a ton of useless characters. I didn’t connect to any of them, and felt nothing when they died.
Well there’s my review. If you want to go see a good movie go see Brokeback Mountain. This site gave it 5 out of 5, and gave King Kong 3 out of 5. Sorry Peter Jackson, but I hope your next film is something totally different that this.

Hello 2006!

The New Year is here! Yesterday was a lot of fun. Sreng and Veena came over, and we ate and drank. Wings, pizza, spinach dip, chips, martinis, wine, Champaign, etc. Actually, we didn’t get really drunk or anything, we just drank a bit of everything.
After we rang in the New Year’s, we went on over to Kyle’s place, jello-shooters in hand. Troy was there, along with Kyle’s regular crew. We played ping pong, some darts, listened to some cool music, and had a drink or two. It was fun. We stayed there until about 430, and then headed back to my place.
Hope all the rest of you guys had a fun and safe time. Remember to reflect on the past year, then go full steam ahead into the new one!=)

Happy New Year

Happy New Years to everyone!
At the end of the year, it’s a good time to look back on the past year and see how it went. For me, it was a very interesting year.
It began off badly. The Tsunami really put life in perspective, and made me feel really sad for a while. There was no one to blame, no crazed president, no war, no terrorists. It was just a blameless act of nature that killed so many people.
Even at a personal level, the year began badly. I discovered that my parents would never accept me as I am, and would rather continue believing I am as they want me to be. I granted this wish for them, but it was the nail in the coffin of our relationship. It was never great, but at least I used to think that it could be good one day. I also despise lying, especially to people I love.
Thankfully, the rest of the year was totally different. So much so, that I think it tops all years previous. This past year I worked harder than I ever have at school, while still working part time, and seeing friends and family regularly. It was a great feeling, and I even got an A in Marketing, and hopefully another in Developmental Psych. During the year I also met many new people, and had some great conversations with them. They enlightened me, and hopefully I was able to do the same.
Also, I began the year with an almost obsession with news, politics, culture jamming, and a desire to live a life in totally opposition to commercialism. Thankfully, over the year I have found a balance again. It was a fun ride in which I learned a lot about the world and myself, but it’s nice to like society again;). A big thank you to you all for bearing with me through it =).
The year was topped off with an awesome trip to Vegas where so many experiences were had. Overall, this year I really learned what my life motto means:
The struggles always made you stronger, and nothing perfect lasts. But that’s okay, because the pursuit of perfection only leads to the discovery of flaws anyways, which are also okay to have.
(If that made sense to you, then you truly have been around me too long!)
So, what’s in store for the new year? Who knows, life throws so many curve balls, eh? But, I think 2006 has these in store for me:
-I will graduate from University.
-I will continue studying to complete my Marketing certificate, or get another degree.
-I will probably keep working at BP part time.
And, that’s all the certainties that I can come up with. That’s it for me, now it’s time to start drinking!
Happy 2006 to you all!

Vegas Memories 6: Jason

Our trip would have been half as great if it wasn’t for my friend Jason. He took us out almost every night, showing us the coolest clubs, restaurants and bars. Through him, my friends and I met many new friends, and we’re all grateful for that.
I met Jason three and half years ago in Vegas, and liked him immediately. He made my trips to Vegas with my parents much less boring. We kept in touch, and I then tagged along with him and his friends to New York this past summer. Not only that, but he helped me find direction in school studies, and life in general. Although nothing more came from our friendship, I am super grateful for it all the same. I’m sure I’ll see him again this Summer in Vegas (when I return with my parents=P).

Brokeback Mountain

My friends and I saw this movie last night. I didn’t know much about it, but Sreng had told me about it before. I’m glad that he got us to see it, as it was great.
It was a story about forbidden love. These two cowboys meet while working together, and fall in love. Only problem is that they live in the south USA, and it’s the sixties. I won’t tell anymore of the story, just that you should all see it. The theatre was filled, and everyone seemed to like it. It’s the first romantic drama I have seen since........well, a very long time! It was a refreshing break from the ordinary as well.

Happy Chanukah

To anyone who will be celebrating over the next few days, all the best to you. Open gifts and play lots of dreidel (someone has to show me how to play). Please leave a comment if you do celebrate, and tell us what you did.
To everyone else reading this, it’s Boxing day! What are you doing at home, go shop shop shop!
You know you don't like the gifts you got, and want to buy something for yourself. Remember that our role is that of consumer, so make sure to consume or else someone will lose their job!=P

Today is also the one year anniversary of the tsunami that hit Asia last year. Watch CBC Newsworld (ch 26) tonight for a show about it. It was the most tragic event occuring in my lifetime so far.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate!
Open gifts, eat lots, and have fun with friends, family and loved ones.
I'll be at my Aunt's house with my Nonni, cousins and parents. I should be stuffed when I return at night.
If you do celebrate, leave a comment telling us what you did.

Vegas Memories 5: Krave

Krave was the second coolest nightclub that we went to. Jason brought us there with his roommate and Joel. It is at the Aladdin casino, which is a very cool.
At the club, there were stripper-dancers, a cool DJ, and even a puppet show that featured Canada as a story line. It was really fun. Out of all the gay nightclubs we went to, it was the most extravagant. Actually, they call themselves an “alternative club,” but whatever. The music wasn’t memorable, but the overall experience was.

I learned quickly not to stray to far from my friends though. One man called my tie a cock-ring, tried getting into my shirt, then tried getting my hand in his pants. “What can you get for ten dollar?” Nothing buddy! Then I met a women with the largest breasts ever (yes, even larger than pregnant Hungry Judy's). A nice, well rounded evening.

GoodStorm

Here’s a cool online store/charity called GoodStorm. They sell t-shirts with neat and meaningful messages/images on them. They then donate a part of the sale to a charity. Check it out!

Chocolates!

Yesterday we did it again, now the fourth year in a row. It was the annual chocolate truffle making party at my house. This time Veena, Sreng and I called in help from Sheehira, and Vicky. Before that, Jackie came by and we played a few video games. I introduced her to Resident Evil 4, which I think she enjoyed, or at least gave her nightmares (eh Jackie?).
Today I met my group at school, and I think we finally worked out a project to do. I went to the gym after that, and then I did some homework at the library.
Oh, and my blog is constantly being improved. Now anyone can leave a comment, you don’t have to join Blogger. There’s no excuse not to leave a comment now!

Vegas Memories 4: Ka

A few days after seeing Mystere, Veena and I went back to see another Cirque Du Soleil, Ka. How was this one? Different from Mystere, but also amazing. This one had more fighting, and a more emotional story. I didn’t follow the story, but it was something about two twins, they get separated, and then people fight to get them. The stage in this one was even more versatile than the one in Mystere. The stage changed from a boat, to a beach, to an ice wall, to a vertical fighting area and then to this fantastic sight:

(Yes, it is verticle, with people walking up it!).
Then, through the use of lighting and music, the set was transformed into a sea, with people sinking and swimming from the ceiling of the theatre, to below the stage. Sound unbelievable? It was. Oh, and each person’s seat had built in speakers in the headrest, giving you true surround sound.
After these two shows, I’m totally spoiled. I swear we would have seen the other 3 Cirque shows in Vegas if they hadn’t been on hiatus.

Vegas Memories 3: Mystere

The third memory is of seeing the Cirque Du Soleil show, Mystere (click to hear some of the music). It was absolutely breath taking. The opening scene with a big fat baby and an even bigger ball was hilarious. The costumes were out of this world, with creatures that stood about 5 meters high, walking across the stage. The stage would rise and fall, bringing these creatures up, or sending them below. The performances by the acrobats seemed out of this world, they climbed up bars with their legs alone, then would swing from the ceiling. The production gave me shivers, more than once. Everyone should see this show. The music was perfect too, so much so that I bought the soundtrack afterwards. Actually, the performance was so good that we went back for a second serving of Cirque a few nights later.

Vegas Memories 2: Studio 54

Going to Studio 54, period. It was the most awesome club ever, and that’s saying a lot since I don’t really like clubs that much. But, the clubs in Vegas were so great, and Studio 54 was the best one out of all the ones we went to.
There were dancers everywhere, even hanging over the dance floor. And these were real dancers, who could dance very well (and were extremely hot, yet classy at the same time). There were acrobats flipping on the walls, and the most incredible DJ’s ever.
Now, there is a back story to this one, which makes it even better. The night before, Jason and his roommates (Favian, and Luis) took Sreng and I to a bar/club called Free Zone. It was a cool little place with a wicket drag host, and alright music. I lost the other guys for a few minutes as I toured the place. While near the bar, I heard someone call out ‘hey’. At first I just kept walking, thinking that they probably were not calling me. But then I thought, “what the hell,” turned around, and sat at the booth with these two guys I didn’t know. We started talking, and I discovered that they were both really cool and smart. Scott was 22, and Eric was 25. They were best friends, and were out after a day at work. Eric invited me to studio 54, and said that he’d get me on the VIP list. Then we were interrupted when a confused looking Jason found me at this booth (okay, I had left him and our friends, and that wasn’t very nice. But, thank god I did, as I got to meet Eric, who turned out to be an amazing guy). I left with Jason and Sreng then. The next night I told Sreng we were going to 54. I called up Eric, he put us on the list, and we skipped the cover (which I believe was $40) and the line. We didn’t get to meet up with him that night, but I did bump into him again at another bar. That’s another story though.

Vegas Memories 1: Wine Night

Who wouldn't love me, eh? I had bought a bottle of wine for the three of us to enjoy. But it turned out that Sreng and Veena don’t like wine, so it was all mine. I was a little tipsy after that, and I think I made a bit of a scene on the bus that night. I was good once I got to the club though. Wait til you see the "drunk Veena" video though! More Vegas memories to come.