10/23-10/26/07 - Away in Florida where the weather is good (sometimes)

Got to Florida on Friday after Thanksgiving.
Of course the internet wasn't free but was $10 a day. Since I wasn't going to pay just so I could use google maps (free on my phone) and update my Myspace (not an emergency) I decided to wait until it became absolutely necessary to get internet access.

Anyway my first meal was at Denny's of course. Even just having a burger there was so enjoyable. Like the cleanest diner you could ever eat at plus the old favorites on the menu.

First trip down to the close softball fields (the velodrome) hung out with our friends, I kept score for a softball game, met multiple softball friends and had fun till the evening.

Since we were there with friends no big events until Sunday night but we still headed down to South Beach in Miami from Ft Laud and hung out with some friends at the Palace right on the beach front and then Twist on Washington Ave. 2 levels, 2 sides and a back bar means 4 different types of club plus 1. The drinks cost about the same as New York (w more ice) but we had our fun, hung out with friends and returned to Ft Laud by 4am.

Saturday
we did not wake up for the first Softball game but did get up to have Denny's Breakfast and then head out to the far softball fields. They had already played the first game so now I just had to fill the afternoon looking for Wendy's on Google Maps (found it) and then heading back to the fields for 4pm game. They did well but then the game after that was bad. So no early game the next day. We headed back to the Embassy Suites and then had a dinner with some softball friends at the sportsbar steak house but while the service was good the food was not that great. Only 1 out of 3 enjoyed their meals as worth what we paid.

Of course we still had places to be so after wishing the boys that had to wake up early well, we headed down to South Beach once again. 45 minute drive down and then we were at the bars once again. Danced in the hip hop room and had drinks at the tiki bar at the back outside. As the go between betwen two groups of friends I had fun with two parties before everyone was ready to go. We had friends staying in Miami and two cars driving up to Ft Laud. We made the drive back ok and even though we lost a car at the airport turnoff a quick phone call and we knew they would make it back to the Suites ok.

Sunday
A wakeup and meet up with friends and then we drove over to the beach front to have have a late lunch and found this great oceanside place to have fresh calamari (House of 100 tequilas) and a great hamburger (order by number). I had wanted to take pictures of the beach and view of the cruise ships before we left the beachfront but everyone headed back to the car before I could take any really good shots (just saved one as a screensaver in my phone). We headed back to the hotel just over the causeway and hung out for a bit. Then we headed back out to hang with Jojo, Julio and friends and head over to Cheesecake Factory. The fried macaroni and cheese was excellent as was my chicken caesar salad. After we hung out with everyone for a bit we headed out and said our goodnights and headed back to the hotel so we could clean up and change and proceed to the final big party of the weekend.

I looked up the address I had saved on my Macbook Pro and we headed down to South Beach and found a parking space on Washington before walking up to Cameo nightclub and asking for our tickets and then we headed inside. The place seemed a little busy at first and the bathrooms small but the party was jumping and DJ Tony Moran was keeping the music pumping. Saw Sean from New York as well as Dante my bud from Roxy. We heard new mixes of "Everybody Dance" by Deborah Cox, "Cha Cha" originally from Offer Nissim and some excellent mixes of "Gimme More" and "Keep your Body Working" by Martha Wash. Russ finally dragged me out of the club at 3:15am and we called up our friends and then headed over to Twist and had a last drink with our crew before we headed back to Ft Laud to sleep.

Monday/Tuesday
Woke up and met up with the Jimmy, Stephen and Russ and I and had a great breakfast at Denny's before we headed back to the hotel, chilled out for a bit before dinnertime and then heading across the street to Chuck's Steakhouse and had a great dinner with the Chris, Chris and Andy. The steak was good, the conversation was funny and we had some cool wrap up stories to tell before we headed back home. After we said goodnight to everyone it was back to the room to watch TV before finally calming down enough from my vacation rush to go to sleep.

Tuesday Russ picked up breakfast and brought it to the room so I could have my bagel and juice and coffee before cleaning up and heading out of the hotel. We looped around the airport after getting on the wrong entrance but after returning the car, and checking our bags we finally got to the gate and realized the delays from the day before our friends had warned us about were still affecting today. Our flight was delayed by one hour and so we had time for lunch (Russ had the cheeburger, cheeburger and I had the ?chicken ribs? at pizza hut). His lunch was ok, mine's was good and we tried avoiding the noisy kids in the airport as long as possible until the flight did board and we got into our seats and I promptly relaxed and fell asleep. I woke up for the soda and the snack mix and then watched movies and videos on my Macbook. The flight was uneventful (good) and then it was back in NY to take a shuttle from the plane to the bag check and then the nice pickup from the car service to bring us back to my side of BK.

The vacation was over but I would definitely do it again. Met a lot of new friends as well my friends down from NY. I think on my next trip I will have more control over which parties I attend and where we get to eat out (Denny's is all that). I will await the next time and see how we do. Keep it hot guys.

11/9-11/11 - Colder the weekend, But hotter the fun

The Friday rolled around and I overbooked.

My brother came over to hang out and play video games. Russ and the Jimmy wanted to hang out and go to Splash. So at least I had something to do. My brother came over and we started watching PS3 download videos and video game trailers and then playing Folklore and Everyday Shooter. Once 11:30 rolled around we called a taxi and got a ride into the city. My brother stayed at home playing games while I rolled into downtown Manhattan and made my way over to Splash. After we got to 17th Street I picked up a Vitamin Water at the pizzeria and then headed into the club.

The DJ for the eve was Joe Gauthreaux but the crowd was downstairs on the coat check line so I volunteered to get our first bar drinks while Jimmy and Russ hung up our coats. Said hello to Garrett and picked up a Stoli Orange and Red bull while the guys got Ketel One and Cranberry. Back upstairs it was warmer but the dancefloor did not fill up right away because of the rain earlier in the evening was keeping the boys from walking and getting wet. Of course once inside you got wet anyway, from dancing to the beats and moving on the dancefloor. I hung out with Rick and Steve and later Rob and Tres until it got late enough to head home around 3:15am. Back in BK my brother was still playing video games and it was time for everyone to shut down and get some sleep. Everyone retired to their neutral corners and it was a nice finish to Friday night.

Saturday morning we woke up to delivery breakfast and sent my brother home with plenty of soda and his own clean laundry that he had left at my place a few months ago. I spent part of the afternoon mixing music and buying new tunes before we headed out for lunch at Wendy's in downtown brooklyn. Double with cheese consumed I finished downloading my online-store bought beats. The rest of the night passed quickly as I chilled out some before preparing to head out by cleaning up and getting the outfit together. Pants from H&M, shirt from military supply and the dog tags (for Veteran's Day). After I said good eve to Russ I headed out to the car service and got a ride into the city. Of course we ran into the traffic on the west side b/c of some accident just above 14th street. Then once up 8th ave I ran into the traffic heading out of the boxing match. Crazy people all trying to get taxi's at the same time. I finally made it to the ATM and then over to the club. I paid my fee and then went through coat check then headed downstairs and into Club Stereo.

The dancefloor was already hopping with people and the place was filling up for a nice party with DJ Eddie Elias. The crowd of friends was already in place and only getting larger. Took plenty of pics with the whole crew and talked to DJ Sean and Pat and all of the friends hanging out and about. Rob and Tres arrived later and the party was truly underway before 1am with plenty of great beats and the crowd truly enjoying the music. I stayed at the party drinking and hanging out until just after 5am and then said goodnight and headed out of the club. Of course the line at Mickey D's was horrendous so I bypassed that place and went to the bodega for a king-size Sinckers bar. Then I hopped in a yellow cab and headed back to BK. Once again the Saturday night was sighted, enjoyed, and completed in record time.

Sunday was pretty much a day of recovery. I had breakfast that I made myself (a nice egg salad sandwich) and after watching some DVR programming I chilled out and then fell asleep. Of course I had to wake up because I had places to go. But I had already cleaned up and dressed so I just had to head out and down to car service and get a ride into the city. Of course my driver was practically ready for the autobahn so I got into the city in record time. I was over to Rush and then upstairs to say hi to the people already in attendance. DJ Sean and the rest of the crew had planned a cool night for everyone that was coming but of course they all arrived at different times and not all at once so the place never got really full but was always pretty fun. From fun beats, to a nice space and then once Eddie and Chris and Joe arrived we had tri-level lasers to reflect off of the mirrors on the dancefloor. Was a nice effect and along with the great beats it was cool fun. I stayed at that party until around 11:30 when I had to go get something to eat, so I said goodnight to everyone and then headed down the block. Mickey D's was open but took forever to make my Angus burger but once that was done I headed over to 14th and got my taxi ride home. The driver took the long way back to Canal street instead of going down Broadway but I finally made my way back and still was able to give the driver a nice tip because once in Brooklyn the lights were all my way.

Another weekend completed and I lived to tell the tale. Still some great days ahead. See you then guys.

10/27-10/28 - Oh what a web we weave, on the day of webs.

Saturday



Breakfast delivered. Check

Final Adjustments to Wings for Saturday Night. Check.

Car in Bklyn. Nope.



So we had to take a car service into the city so that we could retrieve the car.

On the way over I stopped in at J&R and bought batteries for one of my finger lights. Uses 3 batteries and is very bright. Then we walked down to Rector street and picked up the Murano. A quick stop for lunch at Wendy's and it was all good. Of course we were stopped by some lady on the street asking for money but unlike the other people around we are not tourists and we knew better.



Back in Brooklyn I chilled out for most of the afternoon and actually fell asleep on the couch before waking up to do the quick clean up and then dress up (as a SWAT officer) and head over to Smith Street and have dinner at Apt. We met Seema and had a nice dinner (grilled chicken on thin bread for me) and then head on over to the end of Court Street near Red Hook and the SoFo bar. The place was small but the people were friendly and we were able to start drinking. Pretty soon I got the call from my sister that they were both on their way and needed directions. After I walked outside and looked at the highway I was able to tell them which exit to get off and they got there shortly after. Shaunn in black playboy Bunny suit with ears and tail and Jan in witch outfit with thigh high boots along with Shameek in her greek mini-dress and gold slippers. The girls took pictures had a drink and then headed out to their party in the city.

We stayed a little longer, finished up our drinks and then we headed out ourselves. We dropped Seema off in her neighborhood and then headed home for my final costume change. Off with the black SWAT and on with all white for the ghetto Angel (by Nike). White headband, White dri-weave shirt, white basketball shorts (with white fanny pack under the shirt). With the Columbia coat and black pullover pants I was ready to head out. Until I realized I had forgotten to bring the wings and had to go back upstairs, put the wings in a bag and brought them with. Over the car service and it was then on to Alegria.

The ride over was OK except for the limo that stopped in the middle of the street in front of Marquee to let out the passengers 2 lanes from the curb. Once I got to 28th street I headed down the block waited on the line (15 minutes) and was ushered onto the ticket holders line and made my way inside. The pat down took a moment as I had to empty so many pockets and then the ticket guy forgot me and thought he had not ripped my ticket in half (I yelled at him) and then I was inside. Over to coatcheck where I said hi to Chris and then changed all my gear to head inside. I forgot the light on my head first but then found it on the floor before I left coatcheck. Once downstairs I ran into Dion and Dale and then Andrei before heading onto the main floor. The main floor was a mad house with large muscular men dancing and moving to quickly through the crowd to be able to move out of the way. I managed however to spin and dodge well enough to make my way to the bar and get my drinks. I then made my way to the dancefloor and said hello to Pat, Steve and Joon along with the rest of the crew. The music was great with a great mix of classic Rosabel mix hits along with current beats. From "Love Revolution" to "Make It Last". The crowd was too big to keep still for too long so I delved through the crush to get drinks and just to move around. I finally shed my wings (in the trash) and shirt (on my waist) around 4:30am and then ran into Rob and Tres and Maurice and Martha. We hung out and danced and watched the performance by Amuka (Sheila Brody) singing 3 songs including "Appreciate Me". Back to the music and more dancing until I found myself on the stairs and watching the costume contest. While the crowd danced to "Put your Hands Up" we watched the group of costumes get moved down to the final three (who all seemed to have wings) and then finally the smallest of the wings but best costume won in the end. I stayed dancing with my friends until around 8:45 when I knew I had to head home and rest my self for the rest of the weekend.