2 AM: Club life with Meme Hsu

It has been a couple of days since the last time I went out, so I am really excited about going to Bikinis at the Rio on Saturday night. I walk with my buddy, Matt K., from the parking garage to the casino shivering with excitement. Entering the casino, I can hear the sounds of the bass pounding against the walls like a seductive voice calling me. The music is booming and I begin to "two-step it" in front of the VIP line. I am waiting to be let in by my new friend, SW. Matt and I stand there as the feeling comes over me...as it has so many times.

It starts in my veins, warming me like a blanket on a cold winter night. It shoots up from my feet, caressing my legs like the touch of a good lover. The beats will my limbs to move to the music hidden behind the club doors. The walls and music beckon me to enter, as my body begins to flow with the melody. I move to the beat almost unwillingly, as if my body is possessed by the music, only to be interrupted by the sounds of distant voices.

"Meme, are you ready to go in?" Matt asks. "Follow us."

I'm thrown back into reality. "Of course," I say with a smile.

Flush with embarrassment, I follow the crew through the doors of Bikinis and I am in my element. Walking up the ramp to VIP, I only follow because I want to see where our seats will be for the night.

Rocking to the bass, SW's friends, all male, walk up. They are gorgeous! Smiling and trying to hide my astonishment, I introduce myself. They are well-spoken, successful and incredibly hot--I feel as though I am standing in front of a "man" buffet. I don't know what I want...so many choices! I try to converse with the guys but the music pulls me out of the conversation again and again. My eyes are scanning the floor. Bikinis is packed. I start to plan my escape from the VIP area to the dance floor.

With everyone's eyes fixated on the waitresses dressed in the bare minimum, I make a mad dash for the floor but only after giving props to Darryl McDaniels (DMC) of Run DMC, who is chillin' in the corner with his people.

Sliding between warm bodies, I enter my world. Dancing with anyone who knows the beat, I move with the best of them. I spend almost two hours on the floor dancing and grinding, leaving me in complete ecstasy. About 2 a.m. I walk back up to VIP exhausted, sweating and completely satisfied. I fall into the booth with a frozen smile and feel better than I have in days.

Kicking back, I sit in awe as DMC, DJ Hurricane and crew perform old-school songs on stage and take us all back to a time when life was a little easier and modern rap was only a concept. I talk to SW and her friends a while, only to be drawn back to the floor a few more times by her friends. What can I say--I can't say "no" to a hot guy, especially when there's dancing involved!

Gotta love Vegas...home sweet home. (Bikinis at the Rio, 777-6582)

Where am I going?

Who knows where the week will take me. I've been meaning to stop by the Hard Rock to see what's up with Baby's. Wednesday night at Baby's is now called "Interlude." Might be worth checking out. It is open from 11 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Baby's, 693-5000)

Of course, there is always the weekend and I hear there are some fun things going on at Ice. On Friday, April 9, DJ Red Alert will be gracing our presence and on Saturday it will be Doc Martin. (Ice, 200 E. Harmon, 699-5528)

If Monday is harsh I will probably head out to Prana for Martini Mondays, ladies appreciation night. There will be live entertainment by the Crazy Girls at Midnight. Prana is in the Desert Passage mall in the Aladdin. (Prana, 480-4821)