Thursday 25 October 2012

One man's loss is another man's gain

A couple of nights ago I met Cecilie - a Norwegian girl here on holiday - at the No 2 Pub. We got on from the start and have arranged further dates.

 I'm usually quite reserved when it comes to chatting up girls - I'm not the imposing kind of guy - but on this occasion, what led me to start up a conversation with her was that some jerk was imposing on her.

I sat at the bar ten feet away from Cecilie and noticed she was totally preoccupied with her mobile phone, occasionally looking at and sipping her drink. A guy walked in, made a bee-line to Cecilie and stood behind her. He then ordered and got his beer and stayed where he was, leering at Cecilie, eyeing her up in a most blatant way. The bar was almost empty but the fuck-wit decided to impose on the lone girl by standing a foot behind her, breathing down her neck. That set me off and after a couple of minutes I signalled Cecilie and asked her if she would like to join me at my end of the bar, as there was clearly more space. She smiled and asked why don't I join her instead. I agreed, picked up my drink and sat next to her. On my way over I gave the guy the worst possible look I could muster: a look of pure disdain. As I sat down next to Cecilie the ´slimeball´ moved away to the other end of the bar, with what could have been his tail between his legs.

Cecilie and I started chatting and I explained that I felt uncomfortable with the way the inconsiderate bastard   was behaving and  so decided to intervene. I wondered if she thought that was my usual chat up technique. I hope not, as I had no ulterior motive - other than wanting to talk to an atractive woman with long silky blonde hair.

Nothing, absolutely nothing irritates me more than seeing a man imposing on a woman in a predatory way.

I fucking hate it.

If I were a woman, I'd give those testosterone-fueled leeches such a hard time they'd think twice before encroaching into another woman's space.

But I guess, had  it not been for the improper actions of an idiot, I may never have approached Cecilie.

Dear blog friends, I'd like your views on this matter. Please leave a comment.

Thanks

:)











Friday 19 October 2012

When heart and lips are in different locations...

...someone often gets hurt.

My daily quest for conviviality has become an arduous struggle since the closure of the Warm Up Café. It is the place I liked to frequent. I liked it's clientele and atmosphere. Most regulars were, and still are, dear friends of mine.

We have been temporarily scattered, dispersed by the tragic event. We are without a base, an army without camp, or worse, homeless, without warmth and shelter.

You may think I'm being  melodramatic, but I kid you not, this is as serious an event as any I've been through lately.  I know the Warm Up story is not over, by any means, and it is only a matter of time before it re-emerges, stronger and better. But the waiting is unbearable.

But what has this subject got to do with the title of this post?

Absolutely nothing. I´ll get back to the intended topic.

Some days ago I spent an evening and most of the night with a girl I've known a while and have secretly liked. By secretly I mean that my attraction for her remained undisclosed, locked  in my thoughts. I didn't want to let her know my feelings for fear of souring our friendship. I'm sure you all understand.

However, as the night progressed and the beer flowed, I built up the courage to make a move and follow my instinct. I was pleasantly surprised when she responded positively to my advances. She had also told me earlier on, that she had lost interest in some guy - a friend of mine - she fancied for a while.

The coast was clear and I reacted.

He who dares wins!

Or does he?

After that rendezvous, contact between us lessened from what it had been previously, when we were mere friends.

Confused, I decided to be upfront and ask her if there was something wrong. On FaceBook Chat!

"Nothing wrong!" came the reply."But I may not have been completely honest with you that night"

"Please explain."

"Well...my heart is elsewhere. There's someone I really like and he's away at present"

"If your heart was elsewhere, why were your lips on mine?" I enquired

"I don't know...I'm sorry, maybe the drink had something to do with it"

"No need to apologise. I did what I wanted to do"


As the saying goes 'better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved'

Intimacy is a rare and precious gift, to be enjoyed even in the briefest of moments.

:(

Wednesday 17 October 2012

Tragedy or comedy?

I'm in a sombre mood today.

The Warm Up Café has closed - indefinitely. The owner promises to start it up again soon in different premises.

Bad news, as the old place was at the end of my street. Unless it moves into my block. Which is unlikely. But one never knows. I may offer my apartment. Its not as if I use it much anyway. In fact I was often accused of spending more time at Warm Up than at home! I may have just stumbled accidentally on a solution. *sips tea and smiles with smug expression*

Meanwhile, my friends are scattered around Funchal, like busy ants on the hunt, trying to find an alternative venue for our precious soirees.

Another bone of contention at the moment is my effort in trying to make a success of the restaurant. It leaves me frustrated at not having the financial backing necessary to take a huge leap forward. We've also recently lost two key members of staff.

But, on the music front, the situation  is rosy. Last night, The Hole In One Pub was an absolute gem of a gig.

The crowd were boisterous and appreciative and I gave it my all. Two and a half hours of playing and singing later, I reluctantly shut down the equipment - much to the indignation of the audience. My brother's attendance made a hell of a difference, as always. His singing both pleased and surprised the crowd and after four songs bro' left the stage to a tumultuous round of applause. We went on a bar crawl until 6am.

The last couple of hours bro' and I spent in the Space Rocket Club. For the benefit of the uninitiated, this club is a place where lots of ladies wearing little more than smiles, dance around poles (as in fireman's poles, not as in Polish men...come to think of it I heard the odd  "cześć kochanie"... whatever that means). Anyway, I digress.

The scene was something like this, I think, though I can't be sure
as I wasn't looking. Honest!

Betty, a Colombian friend who also happens to work at said club, (not as a dancer, as barmaid)  was kept busy shooing away her eager, scantily-clad and heavily made-up colleagues from us. Waving her arms wildly and saying in her Spanish accent  "they are my friends.Customers but not customers!"

Perplexed by Betty's contradicting statement, we carried on sipping our beers and wondering what would happen if we had wanted to be "real" customers. Betty wouldn't have let us, I know. The surreal situation felt like being in a gentlemen's club with our Mother as chaperon.

:)



Monday 15 October 2012

Friends...who just happen to be female

I've never had so many female friends as I do now.  I do mean friends, in every sense of the word, not mere acquaintances.

Friends, as in people I spend hours socialising with and who make me feel good, alive and happy.

This post is dedicated to all those wonderful women, whom I adore.




Carla  The more I know you the more I like you. Fact. I can't wait to see you again. But no more tequila shots! I mean it.

Carla, oh the shots we consume!

Lisandra   It is no secret I have always admired you. I love your musical talent, your unique style, your grace and beauty and your kind heart. I could never tire of seeing or speaking with you.


Lisandra and I with the Johnnie Walker glasses

Nadia   Probably the friend I spend more time with. Our endless conversations always leave me wanting more.

Sofia  Your charm,femininity and wit makes me glow inside. I simply love being with you. A true Madeiran beauty, in every sense of the word.


Mimosa  The sweetest girl I know. I love the way you unburden your troubles onto me. Anytime, Mimosa, that's what friends are for.

Nadia, Sofia and Mimosa - absolutely wonderful people


Magda  The ever so elusive Magda. Mysterious, interesting and so alluring. When I feel down all I have to do to cheer up is remember the night in Rosario.

Magdaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!


Joana  Arty, chic and interesting. And a great photographer!

Joana doing what she does best

Claudia  You are a constant source of positive thinking and by far the most potent anti-depressant I've ever known. Your ability to make me feel good is truly remarkable. Pity you've moved to the UK. It's down to FB chat for now.


Claudia, I miss you :(

Sonia  Life and soul of any party. Shy and demure to begin with but as the night wears on turns into the most energetic dancer around.

Sonia in one of her quiet moments


Monica  I'm always available for a chat. You make perfect sense to me, if not always to others. It's their problem, not yours. You're perfect as you are and I hope you never change.

Aline  You're funny, sweet, a beer drinker and a great pool player. What more can a man possibly want in a female friend?

Aline and Monica - two great pool players

Oh the irony of it all! So many esteemed and beautiful female friends and yet...I still wake up alone!

Well, most of the time...

:)








Friday 12 October 2012

100 Words: Me, myself and I

Try as I may, romance continues to be just beyond my reach. Brief encounters do happen from time to time, but not romance.

I have been exiled from Loveland. Cast adrift from Passion Island.

Quite frankly, between you and me, it's beginning to piss me off.

My apartment, like myself, continues to lack feminine attention. It feels like I'm living in a motel, an impersonal lodgings where there are no Loreal products in the bathroom or a lingering Chanel fragrance with every breath.

On the bright side, there's no squabbling over wardrobe or shoe-rack space.

:)

Wednesday 3 October 2012

100 Words: When I left you were sleeping

I loved the whole evening. I am glad I agreed to your suggestion of going to the E bar around 3am.

You were happy, you were dancing, you were making me laugh.

I've known you a while and have always liked you.

Sometime later I woke up and you were sleeping, with you head on my shoulder. I kissed your face repeatedly and gently, so as not to wake you.

And I couldn't stop hugging you.

I loved waking up with you by my side.

The indescribable sense of comfort and well-being is still within me, several  hours later.

It's what you do to me...

:)