My 1 Year Anniversary @ Dr. Sketchy's Tokyo

Burlesque. Drawing. Party. Drinks. Music. Contests. Crazy. Fun. Tokyo.

I was never good at art or drawing and I wasn't familiar with Burlesque entertainment. Last year, when Lady Elle, the host and organizer of Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School in Tokyo put a post out for a DJ needed at her monthly event, I thought it would be fun to practice my new hobby at something as interesting as a burlesque art event.

Every month the colorful cast hosts an event The Pink Cow in Shibuya, which features a Burlesque model or performer who struts, dances, and poses for the audience during 3 acts of fun contests, music, and sketch challenges.

This September marked my 1 year anniversary as Dr. Sketchy Tokyo's Anti-Art School's resident DJ. I made a special mix CD, The Best of Burlesque Act 1 for those sketch monkey's starting a one year membership.
If you are ever in Tokyo, bring your pencils and pads and come through to the best in
Burlesque Artertainment!

DJ Dai*Light

さようならMichael Jackson

Friday morning, I awoke at 6:30 am and turned on Wendy Williams online and heard The King of Pop was rushed to the hospital. I just knew he was going to be fine. He is Michael Jackson! As we were commuting to work here in the Far East, news of Michael Jackson's death spread through text messages. I couldn't believe it and I sat at my desk dumbfounded all morning. I told my junior high school students that Michael Jackson had passed away, and after they translated what I said from English to Japanese, they gasped and said "What!? Really!" I told them to watch the news and read newspapers. The following week consisted of singing Michael Jackson songs and watching "Thriller" and them learning that Michael Jackson was Black and actually had brown skin and an afro when he was younger. Many of the students grew up on the white skinned Michael Jackson and had no idea. I was happy that the teachers I work with wanted to pass on the legacy of Micheal Jackson, many of which bought in their own CDs and talked about how they enjoyed his music.

The foreign community celebrated his life all weekend. I immediately called for a visit to karaoke singing only Michael Jackson tunes, so friends and I got together to sing and dance. Then we spent the weekend attending clubs and DJ sets of M.J. only.

I am still in disbelief but I know he will live forever. He definitely was the only person in the entire world to bring everyone together of all ages, races, and cultures through his entertaining and music alone. I really hope another Michael Jackson star arises in another generation, even if I don't live to see it.

Rest in more peace than you had on this earth Mike. I hope you find your childhood...

In "The GHETTO"

I went to "The Ghetto" with my friends todai. It was weird to roll up on a building that looked like this, in Shin Okubo, "Korea Town," next to Shinjuku. I didn't know what to expect. I thought it was a biker gang hangout, like in "The Golden Child."

It turned out to be a restaurant & bar-Hells Kitchen, art gallery, shops, and Hip Hop/skater hangout.

This is a cool, Hip Hop, skate haven, with a real ramp built inside one of the rooms, and some of the oldest Hip Hop memorabilia all over the place. "Wild Style," and Fat Boys videos were playing on VHS and projector screens. There was graffiti DJs were free to get up and spin on the tables as the wished.

Upstairs held a small art gallery-HYAKU, and a children's skateboard clothing store-FLAKE, along with a section of throwback figurines and toys.

B-Girl and DJ, Sarasa led us into "The Ghetto" and I can't wait to go back for some live graff, breakin', skating, and Hip Hop!

End of Cherry Blossom Season Haiku

I'm trying to do laundry and hang my clothes outside, but seeing as I am on a Cherry Blossom tree lined street, there are petals falling all over the balcony. These are some haiku I just made.


Blowing pink petals
Swirl as they fall to the ground
Short lived Sakura

Blossoms fall like snow
Outside my window I see
Men sweeping the streets


Grandmom enjoying the sakura from my apartment, while visiting Tokyo.

Fatness First-BBQ Chicken Cafe

Grape Drink-check.
Selection of Sauces-check.
Fried Chicken Wrapped in FOIL-CHECK!

Somebody must have lived in the hood for this one. I have never seen fried chicken sold wrapped in plastic and wax paper, with crispy fried outside, served with potato wedges, and grape drink outside of the corner spots or the Amish stands at the market. It is called "BBQ" Chicken & Cafe but it should just be called Fried Chicken & Sauces. I didn't even bother to see any BBQ sauce options. It served 2 piece combos or additional chicken pieces (over priced) with the option of hot sauce (sort of a Texas Pete flavor or thai sweet chili sauce). Japanese have got this one right. It is all fried in olive oil too. They also offer a large selection of fried chicken sandwiches and chicken fingers.

It was delicious and did cause the itus immediately, which I tried to fight off but I ended up sleeping on my grandmothers shoulder on our bus ride back to Shibuya. Thanks to Mike for treating us to this one!

A Dai in Europe

Photos from my first trip to Europe
Paris, Brussels, London and Amster...DAM!

Destination-Paris
I visited my Soror in Paris from December 20-24, 2008. I went to all of the tourist spots, went inside Louis's crib-The Palace, ate real crepes with real chocolate, had too much wine and cheese, smoked a Cuban cigar-which was nasty, ate official macaroons at THE Laduree, and realized French is really hard to speak and understand! The men are beautiful and they dress fly.


Destination-Brussels
We took a train to Brussels on Christmas Eve to visit Cherie's friend Anne. Her family let us eat Christmas dinner with them. The family is beautiful and it was fun speaking FrEnglish with the kids. I ate official Belgium Waffles and Chocolate. I'm sorry Hershey, but I don't know what American chocolate companies are doing! Too much water I guess? One thing that bugged me to death was the amount of horrible graffiti all over. From Paris along the train tracks all the way into Brussels, the tagging was ridiculous. You will see how they ruined the city's beauty by making a mess all over. If you are going to do it, do it right! Brussels is really chill, more so than Paris. The tourist spots were nice to see, but that Pissing Boy Statue was weird. I'm glad I was able to use the 4 French words I picked up in Paris. Everyone speaks French!


Destination-London
We went to London from December 27-January 1st! We had to bring in the New Year right! We flew from Belgium to London. By that time we had caught a cold, but was determined to go to the club. We had a great time with the party people and got up with our new friends again for New Years Eve. London is super diverse and the speak English-yes. But also many people spoke Arabic. I'm determined to raise my kids in Europe until they know 3 languages then we can move. Shopping in London was crazy and I even caught Harrod's huge sale. I must go back there when it is warm to go sightseeing, to go to more clubs, shop (as long as the pound stays down), and meet more beautiful people! They need to do something about that heavy, old money! Pences suck to carry around! We seen all of the famous landmarks, and I loved our tourguide who was from Chicago-hilarious go figure! I visited the Tate Modern Museum which is huge and excellent. I wish I had more time in there, definitely hit that up if you go.


Destination-Amsterdam
XXX Ain't Neva Lie! I will be going back when it is warm and I can enjoy the flowers and more museums...I'm not going to tell you anymore so don't ask about it! Just know everything is true! The coffeeshops, the girls in the windows, the legal greens, etc. And you think Vegas is the spot-NOT!


Thank you Cherie! You were the best tour guide ever! I can't wait to travel with you again! I love you everyDAI!