Reminder: (a formal) D.C. Holiday Meetup

What's with sorority girls and formals? See, the way these things go, I'd have to call up all the girls to ask them what they're going to wear so that I won't be uncoordinated. And when I get there, I'd still stick out like sore thumb because I'm a strange child and I never get these things right... :)

What's with sorority girls and formals?

I LOVE FORMALS!

This is a bit different, though...I won't be wearing an evening gown to this event. ;)

And when I get there, I'd still stick out like sore thumb because I'm a strange child and I never get these things right... :)

Between Strangelove, Strangeways, Here we come and People are Strange (Echo and the Bunnymen version!), I'm a HUGE fan of strange. Come to Butthead. :)

Pick Me! Pick Me!

Me plus one. Might be more but two for sure!

Do the menfolk have to dress desi too?

Poop!
I was looking forward to wearing a sari and introducing my lurker self to the DC mutineers. But I have to be in NYC Saturday. I hope y'all have fun.

I'm there and am bringing a friend who's visiting from San Fran that weekend.

Are you still trying to get Rasika? I know someone who works there who might be able to help. Just let me know!

I've been told I look like the drag version of Nelly Furtado when I put on fancy clothes...

Being latina, and into shredded muscles, (did I mention the sleeve tattoo?) are just not going to lend well to wearing a sari are they? In my neck of the woods, formal wear for us latinas means lots of big hair ;)

I've been told I look like the drag version of Nelly Furtado when I put on fancy clothes...

Being latina, and into shredded muscles, (did I mention the sleeve tattoo?)

It's really too bad you can't make the L.A. meet-up :)

I'll definitely be there...

It's really too bad you can't make the L.A. meet-up :)

Man, I'm escared of LA. That meet-up sounds too sexy- I'd be paralyzed with anxiety ;)

Show some love to the South. How about a meetup in Big D (Dallas to all ya'll Yankees), H Town (Houston), or Austin?

Being latina, and into shredded muscles, (did I mention the sleeve tattoo?) are just not going to lend well to wearing a sari are they? In my neck of the woods, formal wear for us latinas means lots of big hair ;)

wait.. what.. uh?

and all the while i thought you were a macho camacho lookalike. this is too weird. sweet flaming eggplants!!

Sigh.

I guess I betta go wax my mustache...

Cannot make it, sadly -- I'm committed to other holiday parties that I cannot skip.

i'm down to look brown (in hot pink). count me in!

Please know that I'm in DC in spirit, if not in the actual flesh. Someone have a dessert on my behalf.

Please know that I'm in DC in spirit, if not in the actual flesh. Someone have a dessert on my behalf.

...or a stoli razberi kamikaze? ;)

Cannot make it, sadly -- I'm committed to other holiday parties that I cannot skip.

No WONDER there's weeping and gnashing of teeth in the bunker! Hmmm!

you should come, just to try the bhindi and the saag.

yea i know. i'm a threadhog. i'm out for the afternoon now.

oven bake the bhindi at 400 for 15 minutes in a cast iron pan before frying to get it really crispy and sautee onions separately. the results are bhairy_deliteful

your hostess will not eat bhindi (or anything else with cooked onions) in it. to help you with your threadjack and all.

Is Indian formal wear a must?

What's going on?? Every Podunk li'l city is getting a meetup this week but not Manhattan?? Outrageous! Where are you, my fellow Manhattanites? Alright, fine, the rest of you new yorkers and even you Jersey folks in Edison can be included too (barely). Somebody set something up!

I demand satisfaction! *Glove Slap*

P.S. If it's gonna' be a formal, I'm coming in a formal veshti, that's right, in full Upanayanam regalia, with a tree-branch staff holding a tuft of deerskin. Bare chested to boot. And I'm going to get tasered several times by NYPD as I refuse to get my half-naked sadhu self off the ground, so be forewarned about making any manhattan meetup a formal.

Thus always to tyrants,

you're kind of annoying

Sahej,

I love you too dearest.

not yet convinced

Thus always,

awwww. mwah.

your hostess will not eat bhindi (or anything else with cooked onions) in it. to help you with your threadjack and all.

but seriously, where's the love, kids. the hostess with the mostes' put her heart out and it's a limp aye so far.

is it the formal desi gear thing? i dont know about y'all, but the only desi cladding i have is my dermis and my accented hingrezi - and that's vaht i'd bring to the table, clad in a clean y front chaddi sans rips - if i were in dc.

though.. reminds me of the one time in uni when there was this desi function - and my neighbor, a bhadralok straight from kolkotta decided to dress up as in desh ... well there were flurries, and then there was rain. the guy got soaked and gave the neighbors quite an eyeful. poor fellow. Hi Shaiket. it's me!

is it the formal desi gear thing?

Boys are less likely to have such than girls. But boys (well, straight boys), think of this - the women will be looking even more scrumptious than ever, so isn't that a motivation to rustle up some garment from one of your mates?

will definitely try and be there and will most likely be bringing a friend too

i can't make it b/c i'm in the midst of finals and of course... not in DC but

i thought i'd share my new holiday with you: Hanuwali

my boyfriend is Jewish so this year we're setting off fireworks and playing with sparklers on the first night of Hanukkah to celebrate both of our religions. We also plan on lighting candles and eating both samosas and latkas.

:P

have a great one everyone!

Ennis,

It seems North Indian men's formal attire can passably function in the U.S., but what about South Indian men's formal attire such as dhotis? There aren't too many Scotsmen wandering about in kilts in D.C. either.

I thought I might be able to make it but Silver Gloves last fight is at 9pm. Coach has to be there for the shorties.

As everybody knows, I love any excuse to wear a dress ;)

Every Podunk li'l city is getting a meetup this week but not Manhattan?? Outrageous! Where are you, my fellow Manhattanites? Alright, fine, the rest of you new yorkers and even you Jersey folks in Edison can be included too (barely). Somebody set something up!

Dude we just had one a few weeks ago. Where were you?

It seems North Indian men's formal attire can passably function in the U.S., but what about South Indian men's formal attire such as dhotis?

I have a friend who just moved here from Cali and regularly wore dhoties during the summer including to work. He is an architect and gay but that's so besides the point. Boy had balls and he was adorable. When he had a ganesh puja at his house during ganesh chaturthi he had 45 people show up for the puja and at least 30 of them were non Indians. People really appreciate it and not in the "exotic" kind of way. If you do it, they will come :-)

I have a friend who just moved here from Cali and regularly wore dhoties during the summer including to work.

Dressing down or dressing weird is the Cali code. In my high school, many people would show up to class in pyjamas half the time. And now in college, if the weather is nice, you can expect most people to show up to class in various degrees of undress - some guys shirtless and barefoot, some girls in bikini tops, surfboard or skateboard under one arm, notebook under the other. Yup, that's the Cali coast :)

ah... but it can not possibly beat the bhindi recipe shruti posted here. my tweak. oven bake the bhindi at 400 for 15 minutes in a cast iron pan before frying to get it really crispy and sautee onions separately. the results are bhairy_deliteful.

Glad it worked out well for you :)

some guys shirtless and barefoot, some girls in bikini tops, surfboard or skateboard under one arm, notebook under the other. Yup, that's the Cali coast :)

Ha- That's not Cali- that's Santa Barbara! I can't imagine kids coming to UCLA or USC dressed to that extent of undress. I mean I would take my Sector 9 skateboard to class, but dressed in hipster chic, not barefoot in a bikini top. slight nuance. ;-)

I said Cali coast, not Westwood or Bloods territory, silly - although, I know you can easily show up to class at UCLA and USC in pyjamas (I used to, when I took summer school there).

but seriously, where's the love, kids. the hostess with the mostes' put her heart out and it's a limp aye so far.

is it the formal desi gear thing?

Hmmm. The following are comments from a month ago, when I originally announced that desi formal was the preferred dress code. I'm not including the feedback I got offline, which was rather positive:

meenbeen: Nervous first-timer here. Sick this weekend, ready to party by the time Hannukah rolls around. Though I might not bust out the kanjeevaram, I do like donning a festive glittery sari every now and then.

YoDad: Anna: as I remember if I had not reminded, MsIchana would not have put on that beautiful light blue sari on your last meetup here in DC. This time around I guess you have sold the idea to all the ladies. Make sure you take lots of pictures and post them.

Lizzie: I'm new to the DC area, and was kinda hesitantly awaiting a meetup here...And I hardly ever get a chance to wear a sari! I hope I'm well enough in December.

Msichana: However...I am SO down for Dec 16th. I'm going to start ironing out the sari already! Cannot wait!!

Look- it's not that big of a deal if any of you are THAT uncomfortable with wearing brown clothes. I will be in a sari; I will be equally thrilled to hug any and all of you, no matter what you're wearing. It is an evening event (vs. our usual afternoon/coffee shop joints) so I hope people look nice...if the men of DC want to wear vestern apparel, that's fine. The point of this is to let girls get dressed up in their saris and go out to something that isn't boring or religious. ;) Anyone else interested/questioning?

our charming hostess can be appeased by substituting onions for ... hmm.. how does she feel about mushrooms...

She's terrified of them. ;)

No, seriously, I find them slimy, suspect and far too meat-like (portobellos especially). Also, hairy_d, you are the sveet and I am lowing you right now. What a kind comment. :)

Anna,
Since you opened up the sari conversation, I have a question. (this is sort of off-topic since I live nowhere near DC but I someday hope to have an occassion to wear my one sari which is an absolutely GORGEOUS purple color and the blouse is cream and silver) Um, I don't know how to tie it so that it will stay on and look nice. The last time I wore my sari, someone else tied it up for me. Do you have a foolproof method?

Janeofalltrades,

Dude we just had one a few weeks ago. Where were you?

Darn! Keep me appraised of these things! A few weeks ago, eh... just about time for another, wouldn't you say? We can't let little tinsel towns like D.C. one-up us.

I have a friend who just moved here from Cali and regularly wore dhoties during the summer including to work. He is an architect and gay but that's so besides the point.

Besides the point? I don't know. There was this guy at my high school who always wore a purple skirt (not a mini-skirt, a decent, no-frills, long skirt). He was gay and it was at a private boarding school, and that *does* help. The circumstances change everything. Were I in S.F., I could conceivably wear a Halloween outfit to the Castro valley each and every day and not gather any stares. I'm surprised your friend was able to move from Cali to here without any issues. NY seems the place where I'd feel very, very, very unsafe wandering about in a veshti. The only way I could possibly feel more unsafe would be to wander about in Harlem with a swastika T-shirt until I eventually have to scream as I'm beaten to a bloody pulp, "No, no, it's a Hindu symbol! It's peaceful!" Of course, in the privacy of my home, I have a prayer room in which I wear a veshti and have swastikas among other symbols. (Although, the plumber started looking at my funny when he saw the swastika)

Look- it's not that big of a deal if any of you are THAT uncomfortable with wearing brown clothes. I will be in a sari; I will be equally thrilled to hug any and all of you, no matter what you're wearing, though it is an evening affair so I hope people look nice, wherever their clothes come from...if the men of DC want to wear vestern apparel, that's cool too. The point of this is to let girls get dressed up in their saris and go out to something that isn't a boring or religious. ;) Anyone else interested/questioning?

Yay! I am not going to dolled up by myself! Now to make El Capitan dress the brown threads too..

Since you opened up the sari conversation, I have a question. (this is sort of off-topic since I live nowhere near DC but I someday hope to have an occassion to wear my one sari which is an absolutely GORGEOUS purple color and the blouse is cream and silver) Um, I don't know how to tie it so that it will stay on and look nice. The last time I wore my sari, someone else tied it up for me. Do you have a foolproof method?

Awwww, cho chweet! :) You know what y'all should do? All the ladies should just go to one person's house and get dressed there. If that doesn't work out, just experiment with different tying styles at home. Gujrati style is a lot easier to keep in place than then modern Tagore style. Unless you feel yourself beholden to a particular regional style, I say go for the style that flatters your figure. If you have a nice tummy, bring the pallu over the shoulder from the back and leave it draped on one side. If you've got a nice arch in your back, bring the pallu over the shoulder from the front, so that your back is exposed.

Select the length of your pallu before wrapping it around you, and keep it separate. Also put your shoes on BEFORE the sari, otherwise it will throw off the measurements. The bottom hem of your sari should be evenly parallel with the floor, and no more than an inch off of the ground. And then walk, walk, walk, walk until you're able to carry yourself upright without shuffling or fumbling. Wearing a sari requires a different, more slow and elegant stride than one would normally have.

Ok, that was a sloppy explanation. I'm sure someone else can do a better job of it. If not, I'm sure there are good directions you can find online. Good luck!

Also, the hardest part- for pleats, make sure your sari is ironed, or somehow smoothed out before you put it on, otherwise the creases will mess up your pleats. Just go slow, get 5 or 6 of them all the same length. Use your middle and index fingers to measure and fold. Always tuck in the pleats a little deeper than the rest of your sari. If you're having a hard time keeping them pleated after you tuck them in, you can use a hair straightening iron (on very low temperature) to give a more defined look.

sic semper tyrannis, why are you perpetually choleric?

This site has cool directions on tying a sari...have fun semi desi Masala!

I have to say that a woman who can wear a sari with grace is so freaking hot. Hai, I'm going to faint.

pax et bonum,

How, good heavens, do you see me as anything other than the peacefully good-natured soul that I am?

No von Mises,

A sari is truly one of the last remnants of an ancient era of beauty. I'm quite glad that it survives. I'm saddened that the ornamental arm-piece worn high above the elbow has fallen out of fashion. What is the name for it? It's often brass and helps maintain the upper portion of the arm in a flattering shape. Another iconic style lost from that era is the heavy eye-makeup worn by men up until the seventeenth century.

Also, the hardest part- for pleats, make sure your sari is ironed, or somehow smoothed out before you put it on, otherwise the creases will mess up your pleats. Just go slow, get 5 or 6 of them all the same length. Use your middle and index fingers to measure and fold. Always tuck in the pleats a little deeper than the rest of your sari. If you're having a hard time keeping them pleated after you tuck them in, you can use a hair straightening iron (on very low temperature) to give a more defined look.

so guys... there's going to be a bunch of luminous-eyed beauties at the shindig... and they're going to be vaiting for YOU!!! ... just show up ... not that i'm saying it's a biggie, but the dress 'code' matters naught as long as you dont show up in a ron jon surfing tee ... besides, lions wear beige.

NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

DAMMIT! I AM IN NORTH CAROLINA THIS WEEKEND!

AAAAAAAAARRRRGH!

WHY GOD WHY?

Dear Shruti and Msichana:

Thank you so much for the tips!!! I think I will have to practice a bit before I really get it right, but that helps alot. I think that a sari is THE most beautiful piece of clothing ever made and I wish I had occasions to wear them often. I totally think that a sari is the way to shine at a dressy shindig. Thanks again! ;)

...or a stoli razberi kamikaze? ;)

*look of horror*

WHO TOLD??!!?!?! No one is supposed to know about those!!!

I totally think that a sari is the way to shine at a dressy shindig. Thanks again! ;)

agreed. and i cant wait to see the pix ... !!!!!! ... another few Bangs for the heck of it !!!!!

NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

DAMMIT! I AM IN NORTH CAROLINA THIS WEEKEND!

AAAAAAAAARRRRGH!

WHY GOD WHY?

Salil...why you did not block these dates huh?

the sexy sari can take down the little black dress any day of the week, month, and year.
i wear it to all dressy shindigs, non indian included.
it makes all women look amazing.

p.s. and yes... momma bean and i wear them everywhere ;)..

Second the sexy sari comment. Although I have yet to have a sudden downpour develop when Asha's mom and dad are running toward each other in field with dramatic string and flute music in the background.

Momma bean looks like she's wearing Burnt Orange by the way (Hook 'Em Horns)

Second the sexy sari comment. Although I have yet to have a sudden downpour develop when Asha's mom and dad are running toward each other in field with dramatic string and flute music in the background.

Nature's climaxes require foreplay too. You had to have danced around a tree first. Was there a tree? Yeah, that's what I thought. You're not trying hard enough.

asha's dad.

it's red and GOLD
heck if crimson comes near the bean family ;)...

p.s. when you're ready for your bollywood scene, i will provide the rain and hell even the swanky backdrops like the alps or heck what about the venitian gondolas... now that is some true european improvisation..(remember you must wear GAP gear nonetheless..produce endorsement is key in these productions)...rain will consist of a few sprinklers and a few hoses going wild..hell maybe we can add a scene with slip and slide on it.. now that would be true bollywood greatness.

shruti:

forget the tree, how about them rosegardens?

p.s. and yes... momma bean and i wear them everywhere ;)..

Holy shit! I've never before seen a woman donning her team's colors on a SARI!!! USC burgundy and gold never looked so festive :)

Man, this makes me wish I lived in DC. Keep this up and I'll have to move out there for school.

Seriously though, does the Mutiny ever plan to dock in Lake Michigan?

Holy shit! I've never before seen a woman donning her team's colors on a SARI!!! USC burgundy and gold never looked so festive :)

in the bean's world...never say never ;)... you should've seen the stares we got from the brown trojan folks who were tailgating at the game.. hehe..

Amidst all the talk of sari-wrapping and excuses for being absent, I may have missed it but what time are we meeting again?

Please don't violently thrash me for missing the last two but I genuinely hope to attend this one. I'll probably bring a friend along too.

Seriously though, does the Mutiny ever plan to dock in Lake Michigan?

We have had a meetup in Chicago already, and will hae another one in the spring (the consensus of people present seemed to be that nobody really wanted to leave the house much during the depths of winter).

If you're elsewhere on Lake Michigan, we really can't help you though. I'm solely responsible for maintaining the Chicago branch.

Ennis please by "ever" I meant "within the period of time that I started reading the site and was motivated enough to search back in the archives". Clearly that is less than one year.

jk jk I'm looking forward to spring for multiple reasons now.

FYI, the Chicago meetup was October 28, 2006, so only around 6 weeks ago.

I'm looking forward to seeing you equally enthusiastic in the spring :-D

forget the tree, how about them rosegardens?

And the fountains with the colored water? Cmon! You've got to have those!!

Are you taking notes, Asha's dad? This is very important. And if people you're crazy, tell them this.

if people tell you you're crazy*

Moutains, colored fountains, and gondolas. Got it. We actually have gondolas in Irving

At the behest of one of the bridesmaids we did get the Bollwood Tree Photo, along with a fountain. We did cheat a bit since we had already changed out of the

Unfortunately the Fire did not set off the sprinkler system, thus ruining my dreams of a wet sari scene since they are quite popular

Ughh post call...little sleep from pestering RTs and nurses...can't think (or spell).

Should say we cheated since we changed into the tux and wedding gown for the second wedding.

Are you still trying to get Rasika? I know someone who works there who might be able to help. Just let me know!

I'm letting you know. Since I have no way to reach you, holla at me; my GMail is "suitablegirl".

Wow, a meetup near me? I'm still too aprehensive about meeting internet people. Have fun though!

Also, someone have a damn' Mandarin cosmo for me.

I'm still too aprehensive about meeting internet people

despite the amount of time we spend online, we're real people too, I promise...and given DC/MD/VA, you'll probably end up knowing someone there (2 degrees of separation max). Drag a friend and show up :P

LAST CALL FOR RSVPs--- I'm about to make reservations/finalize the venue/discover what time we're eating. Please let me know asap if you'll be there on Saturday. :)

Yeap!

ANNA: As "Yo Mom" is in India, and I have my younger son with his (girl)friend visiting over this weekend, I am not sure if I could make it. However, if I can, I might just drop in to say hello to everyone, and hug a few and leave. If I show up I will remember to bring that East African "Chevda" for KD. Don't forget to take lots pictures.

ANNA...me plus one for sure.

A N N A K K A: I can't make it! :(

I think a 4 hour drive will be totally worth this. I'll be there.

Doh! I've been wishy-washy because I have a friend coming into town, and now it appears I've missed the deadline. It still might have been a "Sorry all, see you at the next one, someone have a lychee/mango/something similarly exotic-tini for me!" anyway. Sigh... I'll have to bust out my bejeweled sari elsewhere, but I dont think NYE in New Jersey calls for such a thing.

Well, CoffeeFace never contacted me so I'm continuing to have issues with Rasika but I'm also not in a position to push back b/c some of your comments sound far more tentative than I can handle right now-- it's hard to negotiate when I don't have solid numbers.

I know that the following people will be there:

Msichana + Mr. Msichana
Sriram + 1
Kenyandesi
Me

...which is six but another six of you "expressed interest". Rasika wants to hold my credit card for a party of eight or more and they're not being very pleasant about this entire thing. Right now I have a "tentative" reservation for 8 at 10pm.

Should we tell them to GFT and choose a different venue?

Sorry to threadjack, but this from Yo Dad:

his (girl)friend

Should we tell them to GFT and choose a different venue?

Net is, I think GFT is a good sentiment. Keep it.

I'm extending the RSVP deadline-- aside from the six I listed above (Msichana+1, Sriram+1, Kenyandesi, me) SEVEN MORE OF YOU HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN ATTENDING. We can have up to eight more people for a total of 14, so if you want to come SAY SO. I need to know TODAY if you are actually going to show up.

This is starting to stress me out, so have some mercy on me and dispense with the "I think maybe kinda sorta possibly"s, please?

Anna,

I won't be bringing an extra, just me.

I say tell em to GFT...Anna, I know that you want the ambiance of Rasika, but honestly maybe it's not worth all the stress they're giving you. We'll be a glittery group that brings our own ambiance to ANY venue we roll to :P

If I show up I will remember to bring that East African "Chevda" for KD.

awwww YoDad you're the BEST!!

I already said 'Yeap' - thought that counts as a Yes. What am I missing?

yes, i plan on attending.

I already said 'Yeap' - thought that counts as a Yes. What am I missing?

Nothing-- the stern call for serious RSVPs is probably meant for comments like these:

will definitely try and be there and will most likely be bringing a friend too

Please don't violently thrash me for missing the last two but I genuinely hope to attend this one. I'll probably bring a friend along too.

While it's great to meet any and all of you, at any time, this is a bit different from the other meetups; you can roll in to those whenever with whomever in tow. Those meetups are flexible, casual affairs at coffee shops and the like; this is at a restaurant and it's not unreasonable to desire an accurate headcount before making reservations.

Restaurants aren't big fans of "okay, DEFINITELY a table for seven...but...three others said they PROBABLY would show."

haha, well now that i've been quoted..
Put myself and my friend in for 100%

We're up to eleven confirmed-- there is space for THREE more and that's it. :)

I'll be +1 so only 2 more spaces :P

I wish I could make it as I finally have desi formal wear since I had to wear something to my sister's wedding. (ANNA, you know the items of clothing in question.) Oh well, I guess the "outfit" will just have to sit in the closet ...

I am sorry guys; I won’t be able to make it. I am stuck in bed with the worst cold ever, I have been in a comma like sleep for the last couple of days and I definitely don’t want you all to get it! Have fun, I'll be in bed with chicken soup thinking of you. The sad part is I finally had an occasion to wear my black and silver sari with its sexy halter blouse, it goes back in the suitcase. :(

SO sorry for the late reply Anna, I just emailed you! Do you still have place for two more?

I have been in a comma like sleep

I'll be in bed with chicken soup thinking of you.

but... jokes aside.. hope you get well soon cinnamonrani. iam recovering from a bug myself.

Ten pm, right?

I have my niece's b-day party and a friend's b-day party, so put me down as a "no" for dinner reservations but I'll to meetup with you all at some point in the night.

Ten pm, right?

That was the earliest that Rasika was willing to accomodate us, which is part of why we are no longer going there-- details are getting confirmed within the hour, but the new reservation is for a much more suitable 8pm. More soon!

Do you still have place for two more?

Yes! We had exactly two spots left, they are yours. :) Can't wait to meet you!