Winning Karaoke at Stonewall

Last Tuesday night, I joined Linda for her birthday party dinner that was being held in the restaurant ''Commons''. It was nice to meet her - all male - friends. I guess she is a boy-kinda girl. I had so much fun and the vibe was really nice. It was nice to be part of a group of friends eating out. (Instead of watching a group of friends eating out, while you're sitting at a table for one: Hong Kong flashback.) We went to a pub afterwards, and had a few beers. As it was a weekday I was on my way back home, via the Garvan to grab my bike, round eleven-ish. However, again I succumbed at Oxf. Str. when I passed my favourite bar Stonewall. I told myself initially that I wouldn't go in for ''one drink'' - we all know what that means. But when I heard karaoke blasting through the speakers; I was tempted. Also, because I remembered a promise I made myself during my first week in Sydney, when I visited this Stonewall karaoke session on my first night out. I was jet-lagged then, insecure, and intimidated by everything. But I promised myself, that night, that I would come back strong, confident, and crazy and would sing the song Faith by George Michael. I wanted to challenge myself, to feel free and limitless. As my time here is ticking away, I justified my temptation by that promise and spontaneously entered the pub with confidence. The night had come. It was crowded, a drag queen was glittering while hosting the karaoke, and the spotlights were brightly lit on stage. I quickly socialized with some Swedish girls at the bar for moral support. (By the way, to my satisfaction I happily noticed that I really have learned to make social contacts so easily). Upon entering, I immediately signed in my song request. I would not allow second thoughts. I was getting nervous as time was passing. I kept thinking:

I am alone, in a crowded gay bar in Sydney, just signed in a request to sing a Karaoke song in front of mean judgmental gays, and I am not even drunk!

Though, I think doing crazy stuff and challenging yourself keeps the soul young. But all I could think of then was: Why am I doing these things to myself. Finally, the drag queen announced my song and there was no going back. The intro was being played and I was shaking my bootie like George Michael in his tight jeans. I loved every minute of it. I knew the song quite well. It had a nice up-tempo beat. I was using the entire stage, and I think I didn't even sing off-tune ....for most parts that is. I was feeling like a superstar!! My performance was inspired by Jessie J, whom concert I went to see last week. She just has this amazing vibe of: FUCK IT. HERE I AM. LOVE YOURSELF. EMBRACE. I was aspiring to get that vibe across to the audience. They seemed to like it! Everyone was cheering, dancing and I did not get booed away! (Unlike some other participants. Tough crowd). I really connected with the audience. At the end of the night, the drag queen re-announced the potential winner names of the initial, more or less, twenty participants. The amount of cheer volume by the audience would determine the winner. I did not think I was going to win, because I did not bring any friends to cheer for me. But upon hearing my name, the crowd just went crazy! I felt so happy, confident, strong, and sexy. My personal victory achieved. Just the way I imagined it would be when I made that promise, on my first night in Sydney as an insecure, naive boy with big dreams in a big city. (Ok, fair enough, karaoke is more like a medium-sized dream.)

Nevertheless, it felt good.

p.s. the price included 100 dollars. I actually earned money while eating out and drinking beers, which did not involve taking my clothes off. Awesome!!

p.p.s. Next day I was walking on Oxf Str. to go home from work, when this guy approached me: ''Hey, didn't you sing Faith yesterday!? You were awesome!!'' I was recognized on the streets! :D