First it was Independence Rock 2008, then this.
OK, I'll elaborate...
We 20 somethings develop this outlandish theory that we are 'old'; as in, 'I am too old for all this', 'That far!?... nah, am too old for all that now', 'arre forget it, we're too old now, you shouldn't either' etc.
Their reason for retiring to a life of mediocrity is varied. Some go out only with their better (or worse) halves, some are 'bored' to do something fun, then there's
A-One-Shoe-Man (of the 'I do not have a good enough reason to not come' fame).
I am old too, what with being 24 and single in Mumbai. This was not much of a problem earlier. Until Aphrodite suddenly started being generous to Chhedanagar-ites(ees/ians?).
So there I was all alone on a Saturday afternoon contemplating traveling to Borivali for Resurrection 8, one in a series of extreme metal gigs. Borivali!
I am one that strongly believes that anything north of Goregaon should be declared not part of Bombay. But Borivali, I could settle for it being declared a different country altogether.
But then this had to be done. What was started by Mood-I a few years ago (me deciding to venture out alone even if no one agreed to join me in my insipid quests) had to be continued. I had attended all other Resurrection gigs and I-Rock hadn't quite quenched my 'thirst' for metal.
And also I had to go to Andheri to check out my new
workplace (Don't get me started on Andheri!).
Being an Eastern suburban-ite (ian? Damn! What is it?!) the Western suburbs was always a place of awe - the sea-front, the chics, the cool places to hangout at, the chics. Not to mention the transport.
I am not sure what I was tripping on, or if at all I was tripping, during the next few moments, when I decide that the best way to reach my place is taking the bus.
So I turn to the Information Super Highway (pun intended) to help me reach my destinations. After a bit of Wikimapia-ing,
BEST shows me the way. And I set off to
uncharted territory.
So I leave at about 5 for the gig at 7:30. At about 6:30 I am still on the second bus (out of a potential 637 I would have to change) when this Burkha clad lady sitting in front of me turns around and starts staring at me. At first I pacified myself thinking she was probably just looking at someone (thing) out of the window, behind me. But after her repeatedly trying to ogle (or whatever) at me for about 15 minutes, I wasn't so sure about that hypothesis. I just sat still, trying to talk away on the phone with someone or the other. By this time Andheri is out of the itinerary, it's just too late to make it and then go for the gig. So I decide to continue on the same bus upto Borivali. The 20 Rupee ticket is a godsend.
Suddenly the female turns around again and asks me if I work at Andheri, I say no.
She continues
'Aapki aawaz jaani pehechani hai'. I smile.
Ek bandha tha koi call centre me, jo mujhe call karta tha. Aapki aawaz ussi ki tarah hai. I just about start to freak out.
Turns out some guy who works in a call centre in Andheri (and sounds just like me, you should have guessed by now) keeps calling her up and tells her that he wants to talk to her cos he likes her voice. Now it's time to panic.
Add to that the fact that I kept mentioning 'Andheri', 'office', etc. on the phone earlier. I try best to convince her that I don't work in Andheri nor a call centre (mine is a call centre FOR a call centre, so it doesn't count). After discussing about the perils of entertaining such calls, she's finally relieved that it's not me.
After that I couldn't help being conscious every time the phone rang.
So my journey continues, fortunately uneventfully. And I reach Borivali at about 8:30, a total of about 3 and a half hours of travel, and 1 hour late for the gig. Am I bad at time management or what!? All this wearing an Emperor hoodie that chotu got from the UK, and that too not on the coolest day of the season. It's about as thick as er... um.. ..hmmm a sweater (Am not particularly good with metaphors, eh?).
Shanbag who had left after I had, reached well in advance, for he was smart enough to get out of his bus and get a rick.
In between all this happened the 'Reconciliation' with her. But little did I know about Monday then.
About the venue, it's bang at the Gorai jetty, the place you take a ferry to go to EsselWorld. It was a small place with about 2-3 A/Cs. Was once again reminded about my wrong choice of clothing. The whole place WAS the mosh-pit.
The show more than compensated for my harrowing day. One of those days when you just let your hair loose. There's not enough hair anymore, though.
Missed
Demonic Resurrection with their new 17 year old Lead Guitarist. Caught the end of their last song.
Devoid was good. A couple of Slayer covers did it for me.
Have always liked
Exhumation. Was good to see the crowd ask for more as they were about to leave.
Myndsnare, I don't need to comment on. Got a free CD of their new album,
Conditioned: HumanWorth all the trouble after all.
Headbanging away at the speed of sound, a can of 'ale' in my hand.
The pain in my neck is still there as I type this out. But know what? I just don't mind.
Feels good. Feels younger!
So as my 'old' peers are relaxing at their old age homes, playing Bridge or whatever, I can't help thinking about their self-imposed bondage and smile.
Truely, Resurrected!!!
