The Igloo

After the last heavy snowstorm we had on 2/10/10, we decided to build an igloo. I started off by myself but eventually got some help from my nephew, my cousin and a good friend. All we used was water, an igloo cooler, a rectangular garbage can, and 3 toy bins. It took a total of 14 hours in 4 days, and that is only because 2 of the walls fell and we need to fix them. It's big enough to hold about 3 to 4 adults and it even has a wifi single = )...

The Re-Session

Akai Lounge & DJ Lingo are bringing you the "Re-session" every last Friday of every month starting January 29, 2010 @ Akai Lounge in Englewood, NJ

The economy is hurting everyone these days, so why pay the toll to cross the bridge/tunnel, look for parking, wait on line, deal with door politics, or be stuffed in a crowd of hundreds of people. With that time and money spent you could be chilling in a more comfortable and chill atmosphere.

Akai Lounge & DJ Lingo want to provide that place where you don't have to deal with the NYC madness. "The Re-session" will rebirth NJ nightlife with its reoccurring sessions of diverse crowds, special guest DJs, and wide range of musical treats from, hip-hop, R&B, reggae, funk soul, 80's, house, and more.

So please tell a friend to tell a friend that Akai Lounge will become the place to go on a Friday night.

Doors open @ 10:30PM
Feel free to come earlier if you would like to have some dinner, the food is excellent!!!
check out:http://www.akailounge.com

RSVP: djlingo1@gmail.com
21+
NO COVER
Dress is casual but neat

The Down Low

Day 10 Sunday 1/17/10

Since my trip was coming to an end, I wanted to keep it light. My friend however had more partying in mind, so we hit up another reggae spot called Shattuck Down Low. On Sunday nights they bring you Kings of Kings Reggae with resident DJ Smoky and rotating guests. There was a $5 cover, again the crowd was diverse. The reggae that they were playing was just as good at Milk Lounge. I was too drunk to even get my dancehall on, but it is definitely a place I would go back to. We hit up some mexican trucks for some late night grub, but was already KO'ed from drinking. The last 2 days of my trip consisted of me doing laundry, packing, and just getting ready to go back to reality. I want to shout out all my people out there who made the trip happen for me, good looks and see you all soon.

It’s got to be the shoes

Day 9 Saturday 1/16/10

Saturday was a perfect time to do some site seeing. We started the day with some fresh dim sum from King of King Restaurant in Oakland. Then we went to the Japanese Tea Garden. Being that it was winter there weren’t too many things to see, but we made the best of it. I’m sure that during the warmer weather the garden would be really beautiful. After the garden we drive down the famous and very curvy Lombard St. then head to Coit Tower. It’s located in Pioneer Park atop Telegraph Hill and has an excellent view of San Francisco. We later had dinner at Max’s restaurant of the Philippines, and then hit the club again. This time we went a spot called Manor West. If you like dressing up and listen to top 40 this is the spot for you. I tried to get in with timberland boots on and even had the group circle around me to block my shoes. Right before I was about to get in, I was pulled from the line. I asked what the problem was and the bouncer said, no boots allowed. I was impressed by his ability to spot out my shoes in a sea of people. I should have told him that he was really good at what he does for a living, being a doorman LOL. Fortunately for me I was prepared, I just so happen to bring a pair of wallabees with me in the car. Although the walk to the car was a bit of hassle, I did manage to get in for free as a result. When got back to the door I told them that I just had to change my shoes and that someone already paid my entrance. The girl recognized me gave me a ticket, and I just walked right in.

201 son what!?

Day 8 Friday 1/15/10

I was in the mood for chicken and waffles. I asked if there was a spot like Roscoe’s and my homey suggested the Merrit Restaurant & Bakery. The only difference between Roscoe’s and Merrit is, Merrit serves belgian waffles and Roscoe’s serves a regular waffle. Both have good chicken so I recommend trying it if you are in Oakland. Later that night we went to the Heights Lounge on Van Ess Ave. I walked in and gave a $20 bill at the door thinking it couldn’t be more than $10 to get in. I was mistaken, the cover was $20 and as I had my hand out waiting for my change, they took my wrist turned it and stamped it. I was taken by surprised by the amount, but it was all good and what could I really do about it? The club wasn't too crowded but it was still popping. The music was just ok if you like hyphy and west coast hip-hop. They did play a few more other tracks but I was too drunk to remember. Now, I’ve noticed that outside the tri-state area people are a lot nicer and more relax. I was chilling by the bar with my drink when someone bumped me trying to pass through. I politely pardoned myself thinking I might have been in his way, but the dude was sorrier than I was. He went out of his way to even shake my hand and apologize. I was like, damn, really, it is like that out here. People outside the tri-state seem to be more polite and civil. Maybe it's because there is a lot of sunshine over there. Back home, Jersey aka the swamp, people are more aggressive, defensive, and have a chip on their shoulder. If this were NYC club that person probably would of been rude enough to bump me and then keep it moving like I wasn't even there. Now being that I was with people from back home, it didn't take long for that aggressiveness to come out. We were all on the dance floor in our dance circle, which is like a soul train line but in a circle. Since you really can't just dance with strangers like that, I was told that the dance circle allows you to dance freely with anyone within it. All of a sudden this drunken guy comes shimming his way over trying to dance with one of the ladies. The drunk guy stumbles over my friend while my friend was dancing and the Jersey attitude came out with the quickness. Instead of excusing himself and squashing it, he instinctively pushes the guy away. The drunken guy gave him a confused look, he probably was expecting the handshake of peace like I got earlier but instead he got shoved and ice grilled. The bouncers quickly broke it up and we all continued to party like nothing even happened. My friend was in Cali mode, to Jersey mode, back to Cali mode in a matter of seconds. That night really demonstrated how different people really are outside the tri-state area, thanks for the reminder LOL....

It's a bird

Day 7 Thursday 1/14/10

Day 6 is a blurrrrrrr, too much Oaksterdam brain is mash potatoes and forgot to write stuff done. Day 7, Thursday night, we went to Club Waziema. It’s an Ethiopian bar located on Divisadero St. I linked up with my homey, Erwin, had some drinks. He was celebrating a going away party for a friend who was moving to New Orleans I believe. The place is small and doesn’t have music unless you rock the jukebox, but it definitely a chill spot. The most entertaining part of the night was this lady standing outside the door. According to the bartender, she was kicked out earlier for being too drunk. This lady had to be out there for at least 30 minutes flipping everyone the bird.

Milk

Day 5 Tuesday 1/12/10

Tuesdays at Milk Lounge is reggae night. It's located on Haight St. and there was a $10 cover. The Jah Warrior Shelter Hi-Fi brings you ”BLESS UP“ w/ resident DJs JahYzer, Ivier, and Irie Dole. The crowd is very diverse, and the DJs played all the hits. If you really want to get your dancehall on, you have to check this spot out. Just be sure to holla at the lady you want to dance with first. Unlike the east coast its disrespectful if you roll up behind a girl and start ya na meaning....don't say I didn't warn you.




DJ, DJ Ja Warrior along with other guest DJs were on the set. Every Tueday night is reggae night, and they play hits. I mean some DJs can’t play the same genre the whole night, but Ja and company had the crowd going all night. I don't dance like that, but I still got my dancehall on.