Pretty, pretty Mac

I recently upgraded from a PC to a Mac. And I’m still getting familiar with the mac lifestyle – the software, the fan sites etc. Recently, I stumbled upon this software called Desktoptopia – a wallpaper changing software. I’ve seen a few like this and even tried one out (Webshots), but I never thought any of these would actually be worth anything. I mean seriously, who would pay $$ for hi-res waterfalls and half nude models? But once I installed this, I was sold. Outside of the fact that it can automatically change your desktop however often you like it to , it uses actual art and photography from independent artists. And this art isn’t like the routine beaches and nudies, it’s actually stuff that I would’ve actually considered buying to put up in my room (maybe they’ll sell their wallpapers as real framed art?). It’s like that tee shirt that you just try on for fun, but when you check yourself out in the mirror, you know it makes you look like you’re super hot. And maybe this won’t get you laid, but it sure as hell will spice up the conversation!

The snag, though, is that it’s free only for 10 days. And then it’s $20. And this is where the “bechara” part kicks in. Is it really worth $20 to have free high-res good artwork on your desktop? If I would’ve been faced with this a year ago, I probably would’ve said no. It’s a computer, and I can make do with free stuff. But then, I would probably pay more than $20 to buy a good poster/artwork which I would put up in my room – and I know I spend more time staring at my desktop than at the walls of my apartment. Is this just mental justification or is it really worth it?

The attack of the Cupcakeries

First there was magnolia – which became all chic because footface (aka Sarah Jessica Parker) promoted it. (I think their cupcakes are too sweet.) Then they broke up and buttercup was formed. Then Billy (who’s having a sex change, so I’ve heard). Then Cupcake factory. Now Magnolia again – on the uws – according to Eater. I like cupcakes, but am so sick of them being all over the place!

Can someone please get more creative and come up with a new dessert fad? Pinkberry was fun, but it’s oh so Spring 2007. Really.

There’s cheesecakes (Veneiros is no longer the shit – the last few times ive been there, I’ve had to eat stale cheesecake – and Juniors is a definite no go). There’s Tiramisu (yet to find a good, cheap tiramisu). There’s Fruity chunky ice cream (I mean the chinatown ice cream factory kind – we could use some more of those uptown). There’s  so much more. Then why so many cupcakeries?!!

And the Banana Pudding at Buttercup kick’s their cupcakes’ ass!

p.s. Dig the makeover – I’d get one myself if I could afford it. But alas, the salary of a grad student is bare….

Summer of set ups.

Ok, so there were two. Conceptually, I like the idea of it. You know, being gay in India, you’re never exposed to this whole arranged marriage thing where parents try and set you up with random girls. Of course, even if I was straight, I doubt my parents would set me up (they’re not really the arranged marriage type). In anycase, getting back to the story.

So a few weeks ago a post-doc in my lab thought I would be perfect for this upper level grad student in the immunology program, who, she said, looked like “Denzel”. I try not to get my hopes raised with these sorts of things because they’re often over exxagerated. But this guy is a biologist, and I’m partial to biologists (I feel that they can understand me better). In any case, obviously boy didn’t look like Denzel. He was probably a wonderful person, but I was just laughing because of the awkwardness of the situation.

And, more recently, boobsie’s co-worker is trying to set me up with this boy in DC. Come now. really? I couldn’t handle the west village, what am I going to handle DC?! So I’ve agreed to meet this boy now. Under the condition that he’s been informed that I don’t want anything more than friends.

It’s so hard to not be bitter in new york!!

Quality Men

So this link on the best of craigslist actually tells guys why men aren’t finding any quality guys. I’ve come to realize this information 4 years after moving to the city.  I think, growing up in a sexually repressed culture like Bombay, I expected New York to be like a buffet spread of men. And it is. But then the lonliness kicks in and you yearn for more than just sex. Which is why I’m now looking to expand my social circle and develop hobbies and make real friends. I think that queen in SF really tells it like it is!!

p.s. The image is first picture that came up when I google image searched “quality guys”. Evidently a butch man in a skirt is quality. What is this world coming to? *sigh*

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Falling apart…bit by bit

So I’m not really into the stars or anything, but I swear this is probably not the best time for my health. I tested positive for the PPD test – a silly tuberculosis test – which we have to get every year, implying that I have TB. Which is just dandy. Also, I somehow managed to sprain my lower back in the gym on Monday and it took me a good half hour to get out of bed today. I’m walking like I have a lampost up my rear rend and can barely sit down and stand up.

I hope I’m still alive next week!

Restaurant roundup – 1

Since the parents are in town, I’ve been eating out more so than usual, and experimenting with new cuisines. We went for an Ethiopian dinner last night at Awash in the east village – which was, as expected, delicious. Today we decided to try the chowhound hyped croissants from patesserie claude in the west village, and they were great. I wouldn’t call them amazing, and they kind of lacked the “shatter” effect that comes with the crispiness of the kind of croissants that I like, but they definitely tasted delicious.  Of course, there was no line at 10am on a Sunday morning (is there ever a line?) so we got to enjoy a nice quiet capuccino and croissant while watching the world go by – which was absolutely delightful.

We had dinner at a local Italian restaurant on the recommendation of a friend, Portofino Grille. A tad bit expensive, but was good on the whole (I’d probably give it a B-). The Branzino (?)   and canollis were disappointing, while the ravioli and profiteroles were good (not spectacular, though) . Relative to what I ate last week at this delicious italian place on 81st or 83rd between park and madison (I know I should be shot for not remembering the name). The carpaccio was divine, as was the panacotta and the tiramisu. I also realized that when someone else is picking up the tab, carpaccio is not the wisest choice when you’re hungry.

So ever since I’ve discovered this site where I can watch television shows online, I’ve been watching all these shows which I probably would never watch. I saw the 2 part season finale of sex and the city today, and I think I could actually identify with Big and Carrie. (Although, nowadays for the most part I’m very Miranda – I know – how much more gay could I get!).

Anyway, I think I’ve discovered a pattern to my dating – at least based on the last 2 boys I’ve dated. I tell myself it’s not long term, eventually get attached – but keep an arm’s length to avoid getting hurt (it is short term after all), and soon enough the lack of pressure makes me comfortable, so I drop my walls, and before I know it – I actually have feelings for the guy.

Therefore, when I actually ‘break up’, and realize that I haven’t given enough justice or emotion to the person or the relationship, I get hurt, sentimental and regret the way I behaved. So the moral of this whole post, I guess, is that the next time I actually do get involved with someone, I should give it my 100. And I shouldn’t get involved with people whom I know don’t have long term potential.

This all seems so scientific and well thought out, and then suddenly someone random will come and chemistry will happen and ruin this whole hypothesis and I will be left heartbroken – again!

Man, who knew love was so much like research!

Bombay one of the top 10 most expensive cities in the world

OK. So that makes sense, because Bombay has always been mad expensive, and has had polar economic extremes. The poor are really really poor, and the rich are filthy rich. Now there seems to be a middle class forming, which is kind of adapting to this change. But the real question is, why would you want to live in Bombay, when it costs about the same as say, Seoul or New York?

I grew up there, and I absolutely loved it – but given that I’ve seen other pastures – I don’t think I would want to go back.  The city is becoming a film obsessed traffic jungle, and I feel that intelligent conversations are getting rarer to come by. Also, and even though this is getting better, it’s still annoying to deal with corruption at every corner.