East Bay
October 5th, 2025
Saturday
I stopped by the Uniqlo at Stonestown. Dark washed denims for an Oakland midnight rave. Unfortunately no dark washed jeans, so I settled on black jeans—an alt slant. Perhaps washing them will fade them?
I met my hiking friend J for Burmese food on Market. It was good. Typically I only hike with J, but he invited himself after I mentioned a rave. I agreed; why not? Usually I rave alone to be a fool, but what the hell.
(To be clear, this isn't my motorcycle friend J, but rather my coworker hiker friend J.)
After eating, we visit my high-rise apartment and take in the beautiful view.
We BARTed to Oakland and walked through a residential area. Number one worst idea in my life; I crossed the street multiple times.
In the club, the venue is dark and hard techno is blasting. My friend immediately asks for ear protection, though I had already warned him ahead of time to bring some. I reluctantly let him lend my extra pair of custom ear plugs.
I started dancing like a fool. My friend was clearly uncomfortable. I hoped alcohol would help; leaving early would be horrible, and honestly there was no way I'd leave for someone who invited themself.
I enjoyed the crowd and moshing around. The DJs were cool, the bartenders were chill, and the bouncer was funny. The audience was hype as hell.
I don't think I'll go raving with J again. After the show, he complained about the DJs. Also, he wasn't enjoying himself and distracted me (during the show) with his talk about buying his bass tomorrow. He's a hiking friend, and I'll go hiking with him—but not raving.
I'll be more silent about my weekend plans.
Sunday
I woke up late around 11:30AM. The rave kept me up until 3:30AM.
Today a baggy cream Uniqlo Airism tee, a cream cap, chunky New Balances, and unwashed pale blue jeans. Denims are a thicker fabric—you can rewear without a wash. I'm on-call, so I brought my black pack.
I was to meet Uncle H today. I took the East Bay BART green line to Berryessa. On the BART, I re-evaluated the Mexico City itinerary my cousins made and added comments.
At Berryessa, I called an Uber to his house and knocked on his front door.
We talked as we always do. Did a short hike around the neighborhood. Then his extended family started pouring in. His wife's siblings and their kids poured in.
I met his niece J. In hindsight, that was probably his intention all along.
She is cute. Very. I feel the spark, but I am pretty in control nowadays.
We talked for a long time, long enough to eat both lunch and dinner.
When the sun set over his backyard, Uncle H drove me to the Milpitas Station. I took the orange and then blue line home.
I got her number. I texted her.
