Ewan McGregor with BIG hair
.
Flashback to the 80’s, Ewan! All he needs is a tape with Flock of Seagulls, some parachute pants, and some Aqua Net!
.
Orlando Bloom cleans up quite well
.
Here’s Orlando Bloom arrives at the Raisa Gorbachev Foundation Party in Stud House, Hampton Court on June 7, 2008 in Richmond upon Thames, London, England.
Heaven met Earth
.
It was suppose to be a long boring family reunion at my sister’s place. Please don’t mistake me for I love my family more then anything else; it is just that I hate the so called rituals to show my love to my family. It has always been the same over the years; my sisters exchanging notes on their latest jewelry purchases, their husbands upping the ante in the race to be the best son-in-law, and their children braying for my blood, each determined to have a piece of their only uncle. It isn’t that I don’t love my nieces and nephews; it is just that I love my solitariness more then anything else, and secretly, I don’t liked being called uncle by so many children because each time they call me I am reminded of my advancing age, lol.
So began the journey toward my sister’s place just outside Imphal with cars full bright excited eyes including mine. This was my second visit to her place since she moved in some weeks ago, but the first visit was just that, a visit and nothing else. This time as I neared her house I felt the magic of the place. As the meandering, ascending road led us toward my sister’s house the misty blue hills from afar turns into various shades of green, like a slow motion magician’s performance in progress. We could actually see white pieces of heaven kissing the ever so eager hill tops; a brazen love making act suitable for all to watch and appreciate, from my two and half year old nephew to my seventy year old father. The spray of tiny droplets of drizzle was the perfect welcome for us dusty city folks.
As the day progressed I never expected any meaningful topic to come up in all the chatter-chatters. But somehow one conversation led my host sister to say… No parents should expect anything from their children. Of course, children should always be prepared to be there when their parents need them. And parents should find satisfaction in that and should expect nothing more. I am so glad my sister said that and I am even gladder that my mom fully agreed with her. I will now feel a lot less guilty if I never get married or if I decide to live a gay couple life.
As we drive back through the same meandering road, the food that we ate was having an effect on all of us, and I saw sleepy faces all around me. They are faces I have seen a zillion times, and yet I never get bored looking at them. They are faces that make me who I am; I am their son, their brother, their brother-in-law, and their uncle. I love them all. It was a moment where I can easily get carried away and say that I will give up anything, even my gay life, to make them happy. But the question is: do they really want me to give up anything in my life to make them happy?
For Granny, but…..
.
I had in the past shared with you emails, which I felt needed to be shared, that I receive from readers/friends. Nishant from Mumbai has been such a friend and reader who always shared with me his struggle of being closeted gay. Following is the reproduction, with his permission of course, of his recent email in which he told me about the latest twist in his life. It tells us why marrying a girl is not the easy option, as many might think, to get out of our closet mess…. it can only lead to an even grater mess. 
Well, First of all I was always there on your blog and never missed a single post. Glad to know that you are alright. I hope all your friends and family members are doing fine.
Now, about me disappearing for so long, there’s a story behind that.
Last few months, or rather, more then seven months ago, I was going through a very challenging or I should say the most painfully depressing moment of my life, my granny was seriously unwell. Our family doctors said that she could not survive more then 48hrs. She is a heart patient. I have a very small family. Me, Mom my Granny and my puppy Labrador Bitch. My Dad had passed away about 3yr back due to kidney failure. It was a very big loss for us, so since we all are attached to each other very much. Getting back to seven months back, my Granny was suffering from heart failure and she was on her lungs only. So doctors said that she could only survive only till her lungs are functioning. But miraculously doctors found out it was not her heart that was not functioning properly, it was her lungs. Lucky within those last 48hrs our family doctor decided to take an x-ray and found out that her left lung was filled with water. Then they removed the water from her lungs and within 3/4hrs my granny was fit as she was before. Now the tension part was that doctors said they have to send the water removed from the lungs to the pathological-lab for testing purpose. Doctors said it could be malaria, flue, or might also is cancer. Everyone was happy that she was fine but when reports arrived we found that she is suffering from last stage cancer. All the happiness was evaporated cause last stage cancer is non curable. Doctors said she could only survive for 2/3 months. We decided not to tell her about cancer. The last stage is very painful.
One day I was just chatting with my granny and she asked me whether she could ever see my bride. And I guess you understood the situation. I was in intense pressure, at one side there was my granny who has always loved me so much and its time for me to do something for her and at the other end “I am gay”. I didn’t think for a single moment and said mom that I am ready for marriage and she can start looking for a right girl for me. I decided that I’ll stop all the web surfing that included the gay bloging or anything that would make me think or remind me I am gay. I didn’t wanted to be selfish person who is married to a women and seeking men in the dark. I am sorry for not posting comments, or, at least for not showing my concern in your bad times in the past few months.
So now as my mom was looking for a right girl for me. I always thought I am marrying for my mom and granny so I wanted a girl who is more of a housewife. And in the second week I got engaged with a sweet girl. She was a very simple Gujarati girl who puts a bindi on her forehead. She was very soft spoken and cute. I thought I could get along with her. Being a gay we are always blessed with tenderness in our nature. So I was always very caring and calm when ever I was with her. I wanted her to feel very comfortable; she was from a very low profile family located at the outskirts of Mumbai. And my family is very well known in our community; my Grandfather and my dad were always known for their kindness and had a good name. I am always into high life. Whether I am at restaurants or hanging out with friends or at shopping expensive things. So I never wanted her to feel that I am showing off and have an ego for my wealth. I hate it. I am a very down to earth man. But I always notice bit rudeness in my fiancés behavior. She never saw any care or concerns towards me. I thought it might be because she is new to the family so that’s why she must be feeling awkward to show care.
But as time went by, her rudeness was starting to annoy me. I, mom and my fiancé had gone to my native place in kutch for some religious function. The whole journey she never left any chance to bully me to irritate me. Even my mom noticed the same but she kept quite because there were few more relatives with us. Now I was like– what the fuck man. First of all I am trying so hard to like her and trying so much to make her feel good. There is always an extra effort from me and she was behaving like a bitch. Seriously, she was behaving very badly not just with me but she also insulted my best friend (the one I used to love so much but he is pure straight. But now he is just my best of the Best friend). So that was it. Even my mom didn’t like it. My mom also cares about my best friend as he is like her younger brother. We decided to call the relationship with the girl off (there are more reasons for the breakup. I will tell them later). But now my fiancé didn’t want to breakup. Now all of a sudden she was totally changed and she was like I am so sorry and all…
I understood, she wanted to marry my wealth and she thought I am a sissy and she can control me easily. She underestimated me. And then you know the “samaj” and bullshit. In our Kutchi Gujarati Samaj we have to place a meeting where we could discuss and announce that the engagement is off. So since then I am stuck with all these tensions.
I feel like a joker you know. Saala zindagi main (In my life) for the first time I was in a meaningful relationship, which was meaningless, and you saw the end. I think I am more then happy for that, you must be wondering what happened to my granny? Well she is a fighter. I can’t say she is fine but she is doing OK. She has lost all her memory and can hardly recognize anyone. It’s her bonus life that she is spending with us. My mom said she is always going to support me in any of my decisions. Let’s hope if I could open up to my mom some day…
Your posts always inspire me to write to you. I could have never shared this space of my life if you would have not started your blog.
P.S. Nishant, I thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Vanessa Hudgens Takes Over Radio Disney
.
Heads up - Vanessa will be on Radio Disney this afternoon!
Starting at 6pm ET/3pm PT, she’ll be taking phone calls, answering questions, and have a mini-interview about what she’s been up to lately!
David Beckham Blogs About England Training, Galaxy
.
David Beckham updated his blog today. He wrote about the draw the Galaxy had against the New England Revolution–what a well-fought game that was!–, training with the England squad for the World Cup, and more.
David also congratulats John Terry for being awarded the English captainship. As always, David is appreciative of the contributions others bring to his sport, and humbled by their excellence as he works beside them. David always impresses me with his class and grace when talking about teammates and competitors. You can tell he really loves soccer and everything about it.
You can read what he wrote for yourself here.
Zac’s Teen Vogue Cover Shoot
.
As I mentioned the other day, Zac will be on the cover of the October issue of Teen Vogue magazine!
The video above has some behind the scenes footage of the shoot, and Zac talks about how laid back it was and how he loves just being in sandals and t-shirts, High School Musical 3, and how he’ll always be singing and dancing.
Check out the cover here!
Victoria Beckham: Fashion is Like My Child
.
Victoria Beckhamshe’s openly admitted she has no time for another child. She tells OK Magazine that a big reason for this is that her new dress line (premiering at NY Fashion Week this month) is like another kid.
That, and she’s convinced that it makes her look crazy. She openly gets excited about stuff that David and her boys do not understand.
“I think sometimes David thinks I’m a bit nuts,” she told the magazine. “I get very excited about rivets and buttons and fabric that he doesn’t really understand.”
However, despite his lack of understanding, Victoria says that David’s been nothing but supportive throughout the entire process.
I think the Beckhams have a really solid, understanding relationship. They need to, considering how jam-packed and crazy their schedules are!
Win a copy of “Shine a Light”, a documentary about the Rolling Stones from Martin Scorsese!
.
Man! I almost don’t want to give this movie away, but I’m gonna. Here’s the info:
They have been performing together for over 40 years and have earned the title of “greatest rock band in the world” through talent, charisma and sheer staying power. And now Academy Award®-winner Martin Scorsese, one of the most respected directors in American cinema, pays tribute to the extraordinary phenomenon that is The Rolling Stones with an up-close-and-personal feature film that will enthrall rock-and-roll fans from every generation with its raw energy and startling immediacy. Called “one of the most thrilling films in years” (Jeffrey Lyons, “Reel Talk”), SHINE A LIGHT features archival interviews with Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ron Wood and Charlie Watts, as well as electrifying guest performances by Christina Aguilera, Jack White and Buddy Guy.
Arriving on DVD July 29 from Paramount Home Entertainment, SHINE A LIGHT was captured by a team of award-winning cinematographers including Oscar® winners Robert Richardson (The Aviator), Robert Elswit (There Will Be Blood), Andrew Lesnie (Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring) and John Toll (Legends Of The Fall), as well as Emmanuel Lubezki (Children Of Men), Ellen Kuras (Summer Of Sam), Stuart Dryburgh (The Piano) and Declan Quinn (Leaving Las Vegas). And for the first time ever, fans can experience The Rolling Stones in high definition with the SHINE A LIGHT Blu-ray disc arriving day-and-date with the DVD.
Awesome! And here’s the trailer:
Wouldn’t you like to win a copy? Of course you would! Here’s what you need to do to win a copy of “Shine a Light”:
Leave a (one only, please!) comment giving us your favorite Rolling Stones song.
The contest starts, um, NOW, and will run until next Wednesday, July 30. GOOD LUCK!!!!
image courtesy Paramount Home Entertainment
Tags: martin scorsese, Rolling Stones
Fun Friday: The Muppets do the classics
.
Hey there! I’m glad to see that so many of you are having fun with the new contest! Here are some fun Muppet videos for a fun Friday.
First, Beaker doing Ode to Joy:
More Muppets after the jump:
A little bit of Classical Chicken:
Habanera:
Tags: jim henson muppets, manamana muppets, Muppets, muppets animal, muppets beaker, muppets characters, muppets christmas carol, muppets from space, muppets take manhattan, muppets wizard of oz, the muppets
