About Deep

Alco blogger, ex-lifestyle/F&B writer for The Star

Freedom Festival?? ‘Freedom’ my ass!

O God, i travelled to a conservative,  alcohol-free party! I hope i can forgive myself. Definitely a first, and the last. But I’ll never forget Freedom Festival.

Although it was a good production technically, the authorities messed things up.

Thank you for making me travel without leaving Malaysia. I thought I was in fuckin Afghanistan – no alcohol, no ‘sexy’ looks.

I also thought I was lost at party for primary school kids – strictly 12-year-olds and below, coz although we adults are allowed to drink, 12-year-olds aren’t allowed to drink.

Last time I checked, I was in fuckin Malaysia and I was a fuckin adult, able to make my own decisions and choices.

It was a new government effort to try and create a ‘new trend’ in partying – no alcohol, no sexy tops, security gorillas all over d place. Next, they’ll try to enforce these rules at club events if no one says anything. I mean, what’s the difference? This event was exactly like a club event, just a different venue.

Why? Are drugs (but not alcohol) acceptable to religion? Instead of legal drinks, everybody can get high on illegal drugs. And dress like Arab women.

Anyway, on Saturday, d second night of the party at Malacca’s A Famosa Resort, we go in about 10pm after a cool pre-party at our villa, where we were drinking ‘illegally’.

My friend Joleen comes out to meet me and pass me my invite & tag. I put it on and we head to “Re-entry”. A fuckin moron taking care of re-entry stops us. He didn’t gimme his name, so let’s call him Mr Freedom. Here’s how it went down:

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Mr Freedom: “Sorry u can’t go in!” (to Joleen).

I: “Huh? What??

Mr Freedom: “She can’t dress like this. Her back is showing”

I: “Watdehell are u talkin about?”

– I’m more confused than anything else –

Mr Freedom: “Showing too much. I saw her go in just now, but now I cant let her in”

I: “”Are u kiddin me?? Why?”

Mr Freedom: “Can see her back. Sorry she can’t dress like that”

– I’m pissed –

I: “What!!?? She’s an adult! She can dress how dehell she wants!

Mr Freedom” “I cant let her in”

I: “We’re with the media, here to write about the fest. U want us to write about this?”

Mr Freedom: “I dont care about that. Cover it up! Got Muslim religious department inside” (Mr Freedom is not even a Muslim)

I: “I dont give a shit about them! We’re not even Muslims!”

Mr Freedom: “Doesnt matter!”

I:” Watdefuck are u talkin about!!?? Where dehell does it say anything about not showing your back in the rules or the ticket?!! Show me now! We paid money for this! What’s your name??

Mr Freedom: “NO! That’s the law! Cover it up. Go buy a t-shirt” (a Freedom Fest t-shirt, which was crap)

– Now I’m really pissed, and start yelling, and get others watching d fun –

I: “Dats bullshit! Dat’s not da fuckin law! She’s a Christian. U got sumtin against fuckin Christians?!! Huh?!! Watdefuck do u have against Christians?!

Freedom: “No thats the law / our rules! (or watever) U dont cover u not going in!”

I: “No, we’re not gonna do that! Let me speak to who’s in charge! Ur wasting my fuckin time!”

Freedom: “I’m in charge!”

I: “Really? FUCK YOU, we’re goin in!”

.

I tell Joleen “Go in now. Fuck dis asshole.”

I barge through. I can hear the puta shouting “Dont let him in!”

I’m not sure what happened, but we get in. Maybe he backed-down as i was so pissed.

I don’t think Joleen said a word. Haha.

Who made him God?

(Joleen wore a top that covered her entire front, with the back exposed, except for the strings to tie the top with. Most of her back was covered by her long hair.)

Should she have worn a black Arabian hijab?

I looked everywhere for Mr Freedom aka Taliban on my way out at 130am, but no luck. Party ended before 2am on both nights, leaving many disappointed guests. Officially, the authorities only allowed it until 1am. It used to be 3am.

I dont givafuck if d fuckin Pope and the mufti of Saudi Arabia were in there. The idea of an event like this is to relax and enjoy yourself, not get told off by God-wannabes. If u gonna do an event like this, it has to be done well or not at all.

If u wanna party, never dress like Joleen (left). Wear a t-shirt

Girls, if u wanna party, never dress like Joleen (left). Wear a t-shirt. Cover your back. Shoulders too while ur at it

A bunch of 12 of my friends remained in their bungalows the next nite and refused to enter d event. They’d rather party by themselves, stress-free, with a drink in hand.

How ridiculous is dat? A party for adults with no booze. Obviously they did not allow anyone to bring their own either. In fact the put a banner at the entrance to the resort (not to d event) – “No outside food & drink allowed.” Thankfully (for them) they didnt enforce it, or there would have been a riot. What were they plannin to do, search all d cars and people that were checking-in to d resort??

If there was no alcohol, the least the organizers could have done was to issue an early warning: “Alcohol-free event.” A lot of us would have saved our time and money and gone for Steve Aoki’s gig instead. Or had a beer at some pub.

I didnt travel hundreds of kilometres and spend hundreds of dollars to get crapped on. At best, they won’t bother to organize an event like this again. And the authorities need to offer an apology to all guests and all Malaysians.

We were inadvertently sold out to the authorities. And our Constitution shat on. Since d cops are crapping on our Constitution, all the other agencies wanna join in.

What happened to freedom of religion? And civil liberty?

I ask Joleen on d way home to KL “U know, we just wanna relax and have some recreation. Why do some people go outta their way to spoil d good time that others are having?”

She says “Maybe they’re can’t stand others enjoying themselves. Maybe they lead sad lives.” Yea I agree.

Reminds me of Euphoria / MOS. And clubbing in Australia.

OK, we see the DJ. So where's d bar?

OK, we see the DJ. So where’s d bar?

I been told dat all organizers now are bound by the ridiculous terms and conditions that d Federal government laid down. But I definitely did not, and will never agree to these conditions.

So Freedom Festival, though a production-wise and musically a success, did not live up to its name.

So, its best to remove the word “Freedom” from next year’s event. Unless it will reflect what it means.

If such a thing ever happens to u or a friend, make sure you FUCK THEM UP. Dont accept their illogical excuses. There is NO LAW against sexy clothing for non-Muslims.

Yea dats right. U better respect dat flag and the freedom it represents, or gedda fuck outta this country

Yea dats right. U better respect dat flag and the freedom it represents, or gedda fuck outta this country

.

Note: Since the government is making up these new rules recently, the choice is either to accept it, or not. If u think Malaysia should remain a secular nation for multi-religions, and not become like Afghanistan, u can write to your paper. I was told that it’s the work of the Information, Communications, and Culture Minister, Rais Yatim who is on a crusade to ‘reform’ all of us into robotic morons.

And he’s only getting started. Next time u attend a gig or international concert, u can expect d same bullshit. Or worse.

Rais is d guy who last year said: “Local women intending to travel abroad alone may need family consent to leave, in a bid to prevent them from being used as “drug mules” by international syndicates.” Haha!  Right. So u see wat kind of person is in charge?

Next time there’s such an event, call d organizers and ask if there’s alcohol. Then give your opinion, whether for or against, dats your call.

Anyway, groups & NGOs in Selangor as well as the stupid, ultra-conservative & ancient-brained ‘Consumers’ Association of Penang are calling for a ban on beer from 7-11, convenience stores and coffeeshops. BEER. I would assume shandy too, as it’s equally ‘evil’.

The conservatives won this round. The liberals and radicals need to make sum noize too, including our Muslim brothers who are dissatisfied with these government agencies. If you dont, it implies u agree with what’s goin on, and make these dumb conservatives and Taliban-wannabes even bolder. There’s no point bitching in d future when its too late. And women can only go partyin or clubbing dressed in t-shirts! And wear sarongs and not bikinis to d beach. Dat would suck, coz I sure dig bikinis.

And in d future, I dont want our kids inheriting a fucked-up, intolerant, fanatical country coz we did nuthin to prevent it.

.

Write to:

The Star: editor@thestar.com.mymetro@thestar.com.my

or The Sun: fred@thesundaily.com & citizen-nades@thesundaily.com

or NST: news@nstp.com.my & mailed@nstp.com.my

or all three separately. Hopefully they’ll publish it.


Include name, IC n address

Attn: Letters to Editor

I have already done so.

U can state that we adults don’t need the Information, Communications, and Culture Ministry or religious authorities or the government telling us how to dress or what to eat or drink.

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“How can you have an alcohol blog…

..without mentioning Frontera’s Agave Margaritas?!!”

That was d mail i received from Larry Martin of Frontera Bar & Grill (at Jaya One, PJ. 03 7958-8515) after he checked out this blog.

Hmmm.

Frontera, a Tex-Mex joint, is one of few places where u can get REAL tequila – which is those that are made of 100% blue agave, a plant. The others are mixed, with minimum 51% blue agave, the rest sum other shit. Maybe gasoline. Coz the stupid plant takes 8 damn years to mature.

Real tequila is a lil similar to mezcal, which is also 100% agave. Great way to take your vegetables huh?

Whoever told u tequila is made from cactus has had too much tequila.

The natives in Mexico, the Aztecs, were brewing dis shit many centuries ago before d Spanish arrived and raped their women and stole their booze.

Not one to back-out of a booze challenge, i was at Frontera pretty soon. And got fucked up. Wingman Henry had to take medical leave the next day.

Larry was merciless. But we took it for d team. Mehican style. No salt, no lime.

The best relief for them hot days

The best relief for them hot days

Two shots of tequila as soon as we arrive (the panel was made up of me, Sargeant Henry & Private First-Class Joleen (who reviewed d food here once), d high-ranking officers from the Drinking Army), followed by a pitcher of margarita. And countless more tequila shots, and another pitcher, as well as one of the world’s hottest chili! Crazay.

Anyway, Larry start us off on the fine Monday evening with a shot of this:

Dont fuck with da Don

Dont fuck with da Don

Great choice. This is an anejo, meaning it’s been aged for between one to 3 years. (The most common one is the reposado label, aged 2 months to a year. The others are blanco or Silver (clear, unaged) and oro (gold, mixed, with caramel usually).

The Don Julio has the aroma of caramel, and the flavours of caramel and a hint of vanilla. Real smooth, and no need for lime.

Then Larry asks d bartender for a shot of Patron Silver. This is unaged, and served chilled.

Clear plant juice

Clear plant juice

This one is more tangy. I prefer d Don Julio, and Henry prefers the Patron (pronounced par-tron).

Then comes the pitcher. Larry, who’s from Houston, says margarita aint a girl’s drink. He says over there, its common for guys to go out and “get fucked-up by having pitchers of d stuff”. Few places serve pitchers here.

The ritas served here are well-made, with generous amounts of tequila – 7.5 shots per pitcher, but u dont really taste the liquor. Its made with Sauza Hornito, a reposado. It goes down easy, and is definitely one of the best i’ve ever had. They use agave nectar rather  than sugar syrup as sweetener, as well as only fresh limes.

Larry, a very gracious host who was determined to get us thoroughly fucked-up, serves the pitcher into rock glasses, rather than the normal wide-rim glass, cos he says

"This is what i call a fag glass"

"This is what i call a fag glass"

Then things turn bad for Henry. Larry asked “U like chili?” and i point straight to Henry. He’s some sort of chili junkie. Freak.

Straight from Mehico, appears the habanero, a very effective stomach-remover.

When u swallow a bomb, u get hurt

When u swallow a bomb, u get hurt

Henry eats the whole damn thing! Chews on it too! Nutcase. RESPECT.

Nothing happens for d first 20 seconds. But then he pays for it – it’s hot as hell! I thought his head was gonna explode and splatter some brains into my drink. He starts shaking and quivering.

It was the world’s hottest chili until 2007, rated in the Extreme category on the Scoville scale. Way hotter than birds-eye (cili padi). I try a little slice n immediately spit it out. And my mouth burns intensely for 15 mins. So Henry is really about to explode. The good part is u get a trip after that, like a drug. “Extremely intense, extremely euphoric!” is what Henry said when he could talk again. “Like u just came” and “Thank you for d experience Larry” were his other words.

I never knew u could trip out on chilies man. Maybe i could be a dealer. That sure would be a first.

The capsaicin in chilies makes your brain release endorphins. Hence da trip. Nice.

“Eat five more and u’ll break the record at Frontera” Larry says. Henry decided to pass. Good. He’s my ride home, so i didnt want him to die. He warned that Henry will suffer a “second attack” in d morning when he craps. “There’s a solution,” Larry says. “Dont shit for four days.”

The next morning Henry was up at 7am crapping. He didnt stop, so went to the doctor had d day off.

Larry gets fresh habaneros and jalapenos from Mexico for Frontera’s kitchen. And to torture customers.

Frontera should serve habaneros with free butt-plugs.

Next was the Don Julio Reposado. This one had more neutral flavours. Then a shot of Jose Cuervo 1800 (anejo). I thought this one was awesome! Sweet and smooth, almost like a cognac. Then Larry serves us a shot of jalapeno-infused tequila, which is done in-house. Not as spicy as i expected. We also had the Gran Centenario Reposado. This one is low on flavours.

Lined-up for execution

Lined-up for execution

Pure yummy

Pure yummy

We end the nite with a shot of Two Fingers, described by Larry as cheap shit coz its a mixto, meaning not 100% agave but 51%, like many common tequilas.

Prices for the 100% agave tequilas range between $18 and $28, while the regular tequilas are at $12. Pitchers cost from $110.

Take your pick

Take your pick

We were wasted by the time we left. An explosive nite in many ways. And an explosive ass for Henry in the morning.

.

Brain damage rating: 8.5/10

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One or two drinks…

was d plan. We were doin some absinthe cocktail sampling at Wabisabi. So we sampled. And according to eyewitness reports, were eventually staggering outta there. Haha

We bar flies

We bar flies

There was absinthe + Blue Curacao (Smurf), absinthe cranberry (Ms Hyde), and absinthe + mint liqueur (Dr Jekyll). D cranberry one turned out d best. As it was a sampling, portions were small.

Dr Jekyll's medicine

Dr Jekyll's medicine

Select your potion

Select your potion

So me n Henry decided to ‘top-up’ (konon). We each had three pints of black shit, and The Hulk – absinthe mixed with Guinness (downed that), and three shots of Jose Cuervo, and ended with three shots in a row of absinthe, neat.

Vincent of TWE, d absinthe distributor, showed up at our spot. And probably regretted it. We made him light up his absinthe instead of adding water. Poor guy was shocked, but he downed them neat anyway.

We told him to screw d “French style”, “Swiss style” or watever white-man style that he was showing us and do it KL style. He seemed to like it. Not sure whether he still liked it in d morning.

The Hulk. There's a shooter glass of absinthe in there somewhere

The Hulk. There's a shooter glass of absinthe swimmin in there somewhere

Henry does not remember d lok-lok we had. Does not remember puking at Mad Max’s car. And didn’t know whose traces of puke was in his sink. Well, now u know man.

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Roboalco

Steve Webster (only 18) should be DEAD, according to the doctors! A crate of beer, plus 1.5 bottles of Absolut and one bottle of Sambuca?? And still walkin around??

Daam. Alien.

Steve will need 10 kilos of bacon for d hangover! He probably holds d world record for most drinks consumed by an individual (that survived).

Scientists should cut him up ASAP. And clone his liver. Hardcore shit.

The most I ever drank alone is….  hmmm.. Don’t think I’ve ever gotten totalled by myself. Normally need teammates / cheerleaders. Coz i’m not an alco.

My max for beer is probably like a dozen. Guinness maybe 10, liquor not sure – at least half a bottle, wine probably 2 bottles, cocktails – 1.5 jugs (Long Island).

But i tend to mix em up n create cocktails – in my stomach.

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