Mike is currently between jobs...

"My father was born about six blocks from here." I turn to my left. "Vodka-tonic please." I turn to my right. "It was during the war and Japan was occupying Shanghai." I turn to my left. "Oh, six more champagnes."

I'm shouting these words over the booming music at Racks. Standing impatiently on the left is the waiter. He should know our drinks by now -- it's the fifth round. Perched on my right is a galley of beautiful women my friends call friends. Hold that thought. Let us jump ahead to the end of the weekend, so this story makes sense.

It's sometime in the early afternoon and I'm fast asleep. I get a phone call phone call from Ben, my friend at SmartShanghai. Ben shouts in my hung-over ears, "Mike, how was your night?" I'm still not sure where I am. I walk out to the living room and trip over an empty champagne bottle. I manage to mumble, "standard Shanghai weekend." Ben goes on to explain the concept of the weekender article -- how he wants my typical weekend.

Running through the memories of a weekend in Shanghai is like watching a scratched-up bootleg DVD bought on Dagu Lu. The memories start with some clarity then all of a sudden you hit a scratch. You get stuck on one visual. The audio goes out of synch for a bit. Some guy in the front stands up. Russian dialogue kicks in out of the blue. Then, you fast-forward through some blurry images that don't seem to make sense. So here I sit, rewinding in my head.


... more with Mike here




Chinedu Okeke is a project manager with Maersk.

When my good friend Benjamin sprung this idea on me with no notice and no alternative, I first thought that this could the perfect opportunity for those who know me to see the serious side of me. Then I thought why bother, cos you'll all think it's a joke, plus this is "My Weekender", not "My Ideal Day At Work". We all have our ideal weekend and when we would like it to begin but let's be honest, I am sure I speak for most when I say it rarely happens. The reality is that it is very difficult to avoid the fact that Shanghai is bustling with energy and is the Dime of the East that never sleeps.

Without fail my weekend always has to begin with a soothing massage next to One Park Avenue to give me the helping hand I need to start my engines for the weekend. I always try to organize a group for dinner but because of the mad rush at work on Friday, it never seems to materialize. So it's onto Gourmet Cafe with my favourite neighbour, Leo, at 10:45pm for a lame excuse to indulge in a 15-minute bottle of wine and a chef's salad.

As the troops start to mobilize for a rendevouz at Racks, I prepare myself for a few drinks, game of pool and probably the last sensible conversation I'll have 'till the following day. Past midnight, like clockwork, we descend upon Sugar at The Collection, which I believe to be a great start for any Friday night. With beautiful ladies and a strict dancing on the table policy, one couldn't ask for more.


... more with Chin here


Carrie Fang is one of the owners of ESSE model management agency. She's also been crowned "Miss Sugar 2008."

Friday:
I'm getting married soon and I'm excited for my wedding, but I'm trying to spend more time with my girlfriends before I do. I like dressing up and having drinks and diner with friends, and going out on the town. Tonight, after a nice diner we'll hit Sugar around 11pm. Last week I won the "Miss Sugar 2008" ... what can I say? I would like to thank to Sugar at The Collection for this opportunity ... such as it is. I usually take it easy on Fridays, though, going home early to get a good nights rest and prepare for work and class the next day.


... more of Carrie's weekend here