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Originally Posted by MileCruncher Ravvendra / Pulsar 56 please do the honours by writing a report on the Pre Movie Festivities. |
Why me? Poor old me who is labouring under a 7 point infraction! Well, duty calls, so here goes.
This is a quick dekko at the Pre movie meet and the extension thereof which was a BBQ hosted by Arun at his place.
Dire warnings that the pre-movie meet would start at 7.00 P.M. sharp meant that I landed up by 7.15 (in the fond hope that I was merely 'fashionably late'), only to find a deserted venue - even the host was missing! The gracious hostess however let me in, instead of bunging me out for being too early as per HST (Hyderabad istandard time). A few minutes of chatting with Mrs. MC about books, movies, work and food (yummy) saw the host (the better half, of the better half - that I was talking to) walk in. The next to pop in were Absynth & CoolDude. Absynth shared some great insights into the way things were in Arunachal Pradesh where he spends a substantial amount of time. The rest of the gang trooped in soon after.
The conversation(s) flew thick and fast. Each TBHPian talking animatedly to any other who would care to listen, about
: jeeps, cars, heavy cars vs. light cars, the Tata Xen, bikes, (a community bike for TBHP - Hyd!), movies, DVDs, ICE, DIY-ICE.
Soon, Avi and Rajesh, being the good sports that they are, decided to take over the task of keeping the others entertained. Avi playing lead (did he pick up a few tips in Ghanpur or did he pick it up from from cooldude?) Rajesh played the perfect foil to Avi. This duo had the rest in splits till it was time (10.25 for a movie starting at 10.30 about 5 Km away) for the movie buffs to get cracking.
The three sedate people i.e. Arun, CoolDude and yours truly moved to KFC for well deserved nourishment for the body. The entertainment there came in the form of a tele-con by CoolDude where he for a moment thought he was "Yash", he however set things right over the next five minutes, this being the time it took for him to convince his mystery caller that (1) he was not Yash, (2) That he was having dinner, (3) That he was not near any movie hall, (4) That he did not have anyone's car keys! (5) That he was not lying / trying to pull the caller's leg.
The event continued the next evening (including a post-mortem of the first half). The venue this time was Absinthe's place where he most kindly laid out a feast on the BBQ - lovely looking 'bhatti' you have @ Arun. The style and warmth of Arun's place was matched only by the warmth of Arun's welcome and hospitality.
We had a few additions this evening, notably Nag, Dr. Sharif, Jagan (Heyy Nazim get Jagan to register please), Raj and Ravi. Summer is almost here, naturally the talk veered to do-able drives in summer for the TBHPins in Hyd, this sent everyone scurrying to look for long weekends. Seems there are a few - 20th March to 22 March is one with 20th being Good Friday, 27 March to 29 March with Ugadi on 27th is another good bet.
Besides the usual vehicle stuff, the conversation this evening turned to politics, elections, scenic routes, removal of smileys, etc. Arun proved himself adept at the barbeque and dished out somre real yummy chicken. He was helped by cooldude and Bidisha. Bidisha pointed out that men do not live by meat alone - but need bread and promptly rode off into the horizon to acquire some buns for the hungry hordes. Not to be outdone by his spouse, Bidisha's hubby decides to contribute his mite to making the evening a grand success (cf. below).
Avi and Rajesh, who had taken upon themselves the task of providing entertainment and mirth the previous evening, passed on this mantle (reluctantly) to MC. Everybody else played 'streight man' to Ani. If what Rajesh is true - for your next acquisition, maybe you should be looking at a caravan on a Ashok Leyland chassis (also heard that Volvo is good for this purpose, but expensive), if you gonna be in the dog-house - might as well make it a grand one.
Must mention here, that Jagan generously offerred to arrange things for us if we ever decided to go to Araku valley or Anantagiri (Vizag). Knowing the junta in Hyd, esp the Hyd TBHP CUG, we will definitely take you up on your offer @ Jagan.
The meeting finally wound up around 1.30 a.m. Heyy Arun, thanks again and I hope your neighbours haven't chucked you out. We did make quite a racket last nite. If the neighbours ever threaten to dislodge you from that lovely home, just let us know and, we will have back-to-back meetings there - till the neighbours leave!
Cheers and keep smiling while u drive,