Can you believe it – I feel like last year’s birthday party was just last month, and yet it’s already another year. And so on Saturday I had another small birthday gathering of 50 or so close friends. The venue this year was Velvet Lounge, a nice little lounge bar that I used to go to a lot, many years ago. And it’s still a surprisingly good place to spend a Saturday night.
The bar is split in to 4 sections and I basically reserved one whole section which included 3 tables plus lots of standing room, so what you’re looking at above is basically is my section and some of the guests – that’s actually me in the bottom middle with the grey jacket. The only drawback with the bar layout is that the section is not enclosed, so we had the occasional stranger wander in to our party (and in to some of our photos) from the other sections.
Lisa and Johan, all the way from Sweden
What I’ve always liked about Velvet Lounge is that they’re not snotty about silly minimum charges to sit at a table. And they kindly gave me two bottles of Prosecco on the house which was a nice gesture I thought. I don’t think I’ve ever had that at any other club or bar.
Yanni and July all the way from Beijing
Minnie, Carrie and in the background Baltic Ninja (Nick) and Lucy
Cute Kari and WoAi (back to camera)
I had to be a bit selective with the invitations from work, because the guest list was spiralling out of control.
A few people from the office
The party in full swing by 11.30pm
For the last 2 years, the after party has been at M1NT and this year I couldn’t think of any reason to be different. Despite the huge amount of alcohol consumed at Velvet Lounge, we still managed to finish TWO 4.5 litre bottles of Moet (I think that size of wine bottle is called a Rehoboam) and a 3 litre bottle of Grey Goose vodka at M1NT.
The girls wrote a birthday message on the window behind us @ M1NT
Just after 3am - the girls getting down @ M1NT
Party people in the house tonight ....
There were several incidents at last year’s party and by contrast, everyone was well behaved this year, but things were spoiled right at the end when one of the idiot managers at M1NT came over to tell me to stop taking photos with my DSLR. It’s my birthday and we’ve just spent over 10,000 RMB on 3 large bottles and you’re telling me I can’t take photos so I can remember the event? He gave a lame excuse about it being the club policy and suggested I use my cell phone to take photos instead. WHY WOULD I USE A CELL PHONE TO TAKE PICTURES WHEN I HAVE A PERFECTLY GOOD DSLR? I was so upset I told him to go fuck himself. When you do that to a staff member in a club, there’s a good chance you can get swiftly ejected by several very large bouncers. But he just responded “fuck you too” and walked off, never to be seen again. It really was the only incident of the entire evening and it’s a shame the idiot had to spoil an otherwise perfect party.
Looks like quite a party. Hope you had as much fun as the pics suggest. Don’t worry about the jealous hater at M1NT. I’d have sent him out onto the balcony with Mark.
Happy Birthday WoAi!
Looks like a fun night, apart from the idiot at M1NT – as they say, There’s always one!
Happy birthday for another year Woai. I have to hand it to you mate, the girls are not getting any older.
btw, did you tell him off in English or proverbial Chinese?
happy birthday woai! was that Jet Li in the 2nd photo?
@Lil bro – We were 24 floors up so that would have been interesting!
@Kim C – Thanks. Yes, there’s always one. Sometimes there’s two!
@b – My gosh, where have YOU been hiding? Haven’t heard from you in at least a year. I hate to say this but the girls ARE getting older. Many of them hit 30 this year. But there were just 2 guests out of 53 that were older than me.
I was so wasted !!! Peter … I think I’m still drunk now~~~hahaha..when is your next birthday party ?? Can’t wait!!!
BTW… the girls are getting OLDER??
what do you mean?
Oh I love the photo you holding 3 girls in the white sofa. It’s as hot as the movie poster of “Sex and Zen” 3D.
@Kari – What I mean is that you are older this year than you were last year. The next birthday party is Wednesday night since that’s my actual birthday.
@Flutter-by – Very flattering, thank you. I haven’t seen the movie unfortunately as it’s not shown in mainland China and the DVD would be a bit pointless in 2D. And I’m only holding TWO girls. My arms aren’t THAT long, LOL!
@b – The discussion was in Chinese but I said “fuck you” in English. I think most people understand those two words!
@N – Yes, Jet flew in specially. Are you a fan?
Your parties on one of the main reasons I would like to be living in Shanghai! I can see you had a great time…hope the partying continues in the same vein on weds
no not really..
@Wiseman – That’s quite flattering. Yes, on Wednesday the same 50 people are all coming out and we’re going to do it all over again!
@N – Me neither, but he keeps asking if he can join my birthday party so what can I do!
I can’t wait till I move into a major city…. For now I guess these photos will suffice.
If a party doesn’t end with a big fight over something insignificant, I always rate it a disappointment.
So what with fake Lady Gaga and no DSLRs allowed, M1NT officially sucks bottom. Scantily-clad women always a positive though.
@Pudding – Don’t be like that. I envy the peace and (relative) tranquility you enjoy. And you still have Starbucks!
@Kingbadger – To be fair, it was just the one silly waiter / manager spoiling an otherwise great evening there. And you’re right about the fights. At least last year’s party won’t ever be forgotten.
I think you are mistaken. In all seriousness it’s not fun here. For some reason there are fireworks all the time. Not making that up. All the time. 3 am everyday. Seems weird right. The other non-local Chinese think this place is insane. The mentality is mind blowing.
Anyway I could go on. I guess the thing that kicks me the most is that, I get no interaction. None. No Western style bar, no dance bars, I haven’t had a proper Western meal in months. And before that almost a year. Anything and everything that is Western does not exist. Concerts, art galleries, gatherings, camera markets, anything and everything creative.. Doesn’t exist. In fact, there was a stint where I didn’t see another foreigner for almost a year. Yeah, that long. So.. I guess it’s peaceful. But not really.
Oh and girls. Well, they are super traditional, close minded small town girls. I have never had a girl approach me in the 2 years that I have lived here. The week I head to a different city. I make up for lost time. It’s that bad.
Well, in anycase, the grass is always greener I suppose. But if you feel the bug, by all means head down to Shaoxing. I’ll by you a fake import beer or something.
Cheers.
44 ? no way !! – come on now. what’s the secret ? lol
@Pudding – are you related to dingle ? lol
I am not.. however, I probably look like him. At least from the photo’s I’ve happen to see.
Why?
looks like the gang of 3 is making a comeback
with new member Pudding !
Happy bday WoAi, i have to admit my initial reaction was something like “man this [old] guy ages supernaturally fast” because it can’t possibly have been more than 6 months since your last bday blog post. Obviously after cross checking i realized i was wrong, but still. Looks like you had a blast anyhow.
So what’s the reason for mingling more or less exclusively with younger people WoAi?
@Heinrich – you’re only as old as the woman you feel!
@Pudding – Do you speak Chinese? Because that will have a big impact on how you interact with the locals, obviously. A good friend also lives in an isolated, small city and he’s loving it. Girls are bored and love having an interesting foreigner to hang out with. It’s all about the attitude. Up to a point at least!
@Anthony – The secret is to hang out with people younger than you!
@Heinrich – It’s just the way it turned out with my friends. But maybe also because the older people are married and socialise MUCH less, so since I am not married, I gravitate to other singles and they tend to be younger.