[My Weekender] with Def-Jon Peng

Straight-up good times with Def-Jon - Oct 10, 08

Def-Jon Peng is a former internet forum staple, a current bar tender of I Love Shanghai, and a future captain of international marketing and commerce. Perhaps famous novelist too it seems.

I know what you're thinking... 21... American-born Chinese... and in college. This dude's weekender is going to be all about the Fuxing Park circuit. In actuality I've never been to any of those places...

Except for this one time at Richy with Da Admiral whom destroyed me with his famous "absinthe and tequila" one-two combo. Unfortunately -- or fortunately -- I don't remember a thing about that night.

OH! Also I was there that one time when I fell into Guandii's moat... moving on!

In the past I used to scream into chicks ears over deafening sound levels. But now I deliver my terrible pick up lines at audible-friendly levels. I used to jump up and down to the build up. Now I nod my head with a silly grin when an old school classic comes on. What is the moral of the story?

I just don't do clubs anymore. Not to say that I don't enjoy that scene. It's just that I have not been impressed by any of the new spots. That, and going to any other club feels like I am cheating on my deceased lover. My beloved DKD... truthfully my clubbing heart left when she passed away! Rest in peace!

Top that off with the fact that I'm simply beat. As I am currently pursuing my degree in marketing the days have become busier and busier. My weekdays begin at 8am and usually end at 9pm or later with work at night and school during the day. But I'm not complaining. An old proverb goes "I wish not for a lighter burden, but for broader shoulders." But no matter how tired I am this week, I am determined to give as much energy as possible as it is ILS's last weekend on the Bund before our big move!

Friday nights always end different but begin the same way. Before any partying can commence I must have my ritual steak dinner. City Shop in Hong Qiao sells great cuts of Rib Eye & Sirloin in the 30 – 40rmb range. Bake up a potato, stir fry some spinach and you sir have yourself one hell of a meal.

After the lovely food coma comes to an end its time to lock and load. Friday night will be the infamous DJ Sexy Paul's graffiti party at ILS where guests are encouraged to bring markers and tag the place up! I can see the messages now: "James so and so is the Absinthe King," maybe a "Here lies my seed!" -- positioned above one of our couches.

Or a "Def-Jon is the reason I went yellow! xoxo DJSP." Sky's the limit... hopefully C's doesn't sue us!

Whenever work ends or when I can't dodge anymore of Paul's graffiti love letters I'll be heading down to Windows Underground to check out their re-launch party. The bald one Steve Bamford -- world renowned for his Zidane like head butts and manager of Underground -- has put together a party that should be as epic as its line up. 6 DJs each amazing in their own right rocking till dawn. Keep up the good work Baldy, I may move on from DKD after all! Good tunes, some end-game drinks, and hopefully some hotties will be the perfect way to end Friday night.

Saturday afternoons always begin with push ups, sit ups, and some sprints to rid the body of Friday night's toxins no matter how hung over I am. After all, life is to short to be hung over!

This is followed up buy some Korean soap operas on CCTV *Chinese dubs* for an hour or two... You know you've been in China to long when you can tolerate and enjoy CCTV.

Saturday nights are always a big one as it is open bar at ILS. With that in mind I need to prepare with a mighty man meal with some buddies to counter all the drinking for the battle later on. The cuisine of choice? Korean BBQ! All you can eat and drink of it at a place called 炎日式烤肉 on Hong Mei Lu. All you can eat Japanese is for the birds, real men eat beef and drink Soju!

When the meals over its time to head over to the bar. Open bar can get intense at times, especially since there are only two of us serving the masses. But we have a lot of fun. I enjoy drinking with our guests, talking a lotttt of shit, and of course having some good ol' genuine laughs. It really is a different world behind the bar. If you're good you really can conduct the orchestra from back there. Plus I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy watching people get absolutely smashed from my heavy hands. Problem is sometimes they outlast me and I'm the one hammered!

By the time the things wind down at the bar me and Chinaman -- better known as gay Jeff -- and whom ever else tags along will head to our next destination: maybe Scoreboard to have a couple Tigers with our buddies Matt and Danny, the dual managers of Scoreboard. I imagine Dojo Master Matt will be applying his rear naked choke to some unsuspecting frat boy whilst Danny will be chatting up some lovely gal three times his size. Pair that up with their omelet and a salad and you got your self a good time. Keep up the great work guys.

If not Scoreboard maybe we'll round up some more drunkards to participate in Shanghai's grandest competition where only the strong survive! Yes you guessed it! I’m talking about The Julu Lu Iron Man Games! Each contestant must down a beer in every single bar on the road! Buyer alternates when proceeding to the next bar. The first contestant to get a crush on a Julu girl loses! Or wins... you be the judge. Make sure to sign up for the winter games!

Or we may just call it an early night and head straight down to guilty pleasure City Diner. Say what you want about the place, but nothing beats the "Cowboy Steak & Eggs" at 4:30am. The current renovations upstairs means you have to dine in The Blues Room downstairs which is a welcome treat! Say thanks to those guys if you do get good service -- they take a lot of crap at that hour of the night. City Diner is also great because it’s right down the street from Manhattans where I get free shots every time I dance topless there. You da man Lance!

When its all said and done my day of peace will have finally come. Sunday's a day to analyze, relax, and get back into the motion of things. No matter how late the party went on to, being up by 1pm is a must. This is followed up by some routine house cleaning and then to lunch. Hong Qiao has a lot of great choices but Sundays are always reserved for Haya's Mediterranean for their delicious schwarma or Johnny Moo's Famous "Moo Burger" with a side of curly fries so good you'll feel like your back in the states ordering everything off the Jack in the Box menu.

This will follow up with the best part of my weekend which goes down at Starbucks. Armed with a journal, some literature, an Iced Tea & a phone card it's the time where I'll write down thoughts, ideas, and most importantly call all of the family back in the States. The End!

Living here for 4 years now I like many have realized how monotonous life here can be. But it doesn't have to be. This city -- especially for Westerners -- is filled with so many new things to learn and experience. Take some time to discover something new! Take a subway to a random destination, learn about your ayi's home city, get in on a pick up game of football at the university and so on! But of course, attempt those things when your hangovers long and gone...

Have a great weekend guys and maybe I'll see you around!

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