Kwok Wai Ho's Killer Gets Sentenced

Friday, October 30, 2009

While the penalty was technically more than the sentencing guidelines, and at least in some ways Kwok Wai Ho's family gets some type of closure - if you can call it that - I still don't know if it was harsh enough:

After hearing pleas for mercy from the 19-year-old defendant, his relatives and former teachers, and after calls for the maximum sentence from Ho's family, Judge Shelley Robins New handed him a 12 1/2-to-25-year term in state prison.

The third-degree murder sentence was harsher than the 72 months to 20 years that state sentencing guidelines allow for a defendant with no prior criminal record, but it was less than than the statutory maximum range of 20 to 40 years.

The defendant, the judge said, "had the benefit of a large, loving family . . . people who tried again and again to guide him in a world that is difficult." But, according to testimony during his August trial, Walker-Williams on July 10, 2007, veered sharply from those influences when he went looking to "catch a body."

That's street slang with a range of meanings, from assaulting to robbing to murdering a stranger. Walker-Williams, according to several friends who testified, asked them if they wanted to catch a body as they walked to a drugstore on Greeby Street near Loretto Avenue in the Oxford Circle neighborhood in the Northeast.They said no, but moments later, Walker-Williams grabbed Ho from behind, got him in a choke-hold and slammed his head to the pavement.
It still doesn't bring Kwok Wai Ho back though does it?

David Chang, Matt Lauer, And Everyone's Favorite - Kimchi

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Mindy Kaling's Subtle Sexuality

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Aziz Ansari + Kanye West + David Letterman

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Advancing Justice Conference: Asian Americans And Pacific Islanders Building New Foundations For Civil Rights

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Even though the online registration is closed you can still get tickets at the door from what I understand for tomorrow and Friday's Advancing Justice Conference.

The Advancing Justice Conference is an inaugural national civil rights and social justice conference, expected to draw several hundred individuals from across the country. The conference aims to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders in one place to address a broad range of issues facing the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. It serves as a unique forum where researchers, advocates, direct service providers and other leaders can meet face-to-face, talk about their common challenges and find ways to work collaboratively.

Taking place over two days, the conference covers a variety of issues including: immigration reform and enforcement, immigrant integration, human rights, civil rights and national security, health care, Census 2010, redistricting, low-wage workers, hate crimes, and LGBT rights. It also includes presentations on corporate and foundation fundraising, new media, community organizing, board and commission participation, capacity building, and intergroup collaboration.

The Advancing Justice Conference is a joint project by the Asian American Institute (Chicago), Asian American Justice Center (Washington, D.C.), Asian Law Caucus (San Francisco) and Asian Pacific American Legal Center (Los Angeles).
Check down at their site for more info.

Coming Soon: The 2009 Austin Asian American Film Festival

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Because it's never too soon to plan for next month (even though maybe you already should have) - here's some updated info on the Austin Asian American Film Festival:

Austin, TX – The 6th annual Austin Asian American Film Festival (AAAFF) is slated to run November 12th through November 15th at the Alamo, South Lamar. The 2009 movie line-up includes 40 outstanding feature films and shorts selections from over 300 submissions from around the world. In addition, we have a wide variety of special events and film-festival related parties to pick from. Click here for a complete listing of movies and events for this year.

The 2009 Film Festival kicks off Thursday, November 12th with a 7:00pm screening of local filmmaker Ed Radtke’s award-winning drama, Speed of Life, followed by a one of a kind opening night party at KTV Silhouette Lounge featuring DJ Chris Klassen spinning Cambodian girl rock and other feet tapping tracks from around the globe.

VIP Badges for the festival are now on sale @ http://shop.aaaff.org/ for $50 (the price goes up to $60 starting November 1st). Use “AAAFF” Coupon code for a 10% discount coupon on badges (until coupons last). Badge holders will enjoy:
  • VIP access to all festival screenings, events and unlimited drinks @ selected events
  • No waiting in line for any screenings or events, guaranteed entry to sold out shows
  • Exclusive opportunities to meet with the filmmakers, actors and special guests
  • Admission to a private brunch - the coveted AWM Visionary Awards will be announced at this event
  • A goodie bag containing an impressive array of treats and surprises including discount coupons to popular Austin restaurants
Films line-up, most premiering for the 1st time in Austin, include:
  • White on Rice (Dave Boyle, 2009), a sleeper hit romantic comedy with lead actress Lynn Chen (Saving Face) in attendance
  • Ramchand Pakistani (Mehreen Jabbar, 2008), a moving story of a young Pakistani boy imprisoned for accidentally crossing the India-Pakistan border
  • Fruit Fly (H.P. Mendoza, 2009), the exuberant and wildly creative musical, which will also be accompanied by a “surprise” viewing
  • Old Partner (Lee Chung-Ryoul, 2008), South Korea’s highest grossing independent film of all-time, the heartbreaking and charming tale of an elderly man and his beloved ox
  • Persepolis – A bonus screening - AAAFF is bringing this Oscar nominated and Cannes Festival winner for a one-time outdoor screening on Town Lake! This captivating animated film about an Iranian girl’s journey from young punk rebel to outspoken political dissident will be accompanied by the delicious cuisines of three Austin favorites (Sushi-A-Go-Go, Satay Thai, and Get Sum Dim Sum), and will be preceded by the phenomenal Iranian band Tehranosaurus.
Other Events & Parties
  • Bollywood-themed party at Malverde
  • Concert at the Music Gym headlined by underground hip-hop superstar JenRo (showcased on VH1’s The Coolest Years and featured in the documentary Rebel Girls)
  • Free student screenings and discussion panels on the UT campus
For more information, interview requests, press passes and general inquiries contact us at media@aaaff.org

Click here for a complete listing of movies and events for this year.

About the Festival: Founded in 2004, the Austin Asian American Film Festival celebrates the best in Asian and Asian American independent cinema. The festival aims to highlight the complexity and vitality of Asian/Asian-American communities through cutting-edge narrative, documentary and experimental films in a world far from home. Visit our website @ http://www.aaaff.org/ for more information.
Cool.

See It Again: Come Together Home

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Just wanted to post up another one for filmmaker Ivy Lin that if you missed out her latest film the first time around - don't worry about it - because you can see it again if your down Portland way.

December 4th, Friday, 7pm
5th Avenue Cinema
510 SW Hall St., Portland, OR 97209
*Q&A with the director following the screening


Synopsis

Block 14 in Lone Fir Cemetery, the first Chinese burial ground in Portland—and site of as many as 1,500 burials—now stands as a fenced off void of gravel after most of the remains were exhumed and shipped back to China in 1928 & 1949.

Sixty years later, Director Ivy Lin follows the footsteps of the missing 1949 shipment in an extraordinary journey from Portland to Hong Kong.

Submit Now: Korean American Film Festival NY

Wednesday, October 28, 2009



Got sent in some mail from the good folks down at KAFFNY, now in their 4th year, and to all the filmmakers out there - it's your time.

A little bit about the festival if you're new to it (or even if you aren't) from one of the organizers:

We are currently in our 4th year and our mission is to give Korean American and Korean communities at large an opportunity to see our ourselves and our experiences reflected on the big screen - to explore the range of perspectives we embody and appreciate where and how we align with others. We believe the cumulative effect of our efforts will allow us to build a stronger, more diverse, collective identity and community, and simultaneously give American and our local New York City audiences an opportunity to gain insights from our thoughts and stories.

KAFFNY 2010 will screen original feature films, short films, documentaries, and other works by artists from throughout the world. We expect to an audience of more than 1,000 during 2 days of programs. With growing media attention, including national and international coverage KAFFNY hopes to attract greater audiences who will follow the festival in New York City and throughout its possible Los Angeles and San Francisco tour.
4th KAFFNY 2010 Call for Submissions

The 4th Annual Korean American Film Festival New York (KAFFNY) is scheduled for February 27th 2010 at TheTimesCenter. KAFFNY is a New York festival screening works by emerging filmmakers. Our program features films of all genres and lengths from a variety of Korean perspectives.

New for 2010 is our Narrative Shorts Competition with Jury and Audience Awards with cash prizes. Also new are Web Screenings, submissions received and selections screened on a rolling basis year round, open to all genres, completed by any date.

The submission deadline is Nov. 30th, 2009. There is no entry fee.
More submission guidelines at: http://www.kaffny.com/

Thursday: 9500 Liberty Screening

Wednesday, October 28, 2009



Lot of good people attached to this film including Eric Byler, Annabel Park, and Jeff Man (to name a few). Check it out if your in SF.

When

Thursday, October 29, 2009
6pm-7pm Cocktail Reception with VIPs & the Filmmakers
7pm-9pm Screening followed by Q&A

Where

Sundance Kabuki Theatre
1881 Post St.
San Francisco, CA
VIEW MAP

Prices

Reception & Screening - $25
Screening only - $10

Quick Pic: Wing Luke Museum's Mix It Up

Tuesday, October 27, 2009



Caught a bunch of pics from the robertwadephoto blog from the Wing Luke Museum's Mix It Up reception earlier this month and wanted to re-post one of them up here. Check out the full suite of pics.

See Betty, See Betty Nguyen

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

For all my people in Tennessee - and those who might have huge crushes on CNN news anchor Betty Nguyen - this one's for you.

CNN anchor Betty Nguyen will be visiting the UT campus Oct. 28 to speak about her experiences in broadcasting and issues within the Asian American community [...] This event is sponsored by the Asian American Association (AAA) at UT, an organization which strives to spread Asian American Awareness and diversity issues to campus. According to junior Monica Diep, AAA Secretary, sharing Betty Nguyen's experiences will expand students' eyes beyond the United States.

"The reason we have AAA is to bring awareness of Asian culture, because it is different from the American culture we live in," Diep said. "It is important to have an understanding of other cultures, because the United States is an ever-changing country." [...] In 2007, the Smithsonian Institute recognized Nguyen as the first Vietnamese-American to anchor a nationally televised broadcast in the United States. Since then, Nguyen has received numerous awards including a regional Emmy Award, the Legacy of Women Award and a place in the Philanthropy Texas Hall of Fame.
The event will be happening in Room 27 of the Alumni Memorial Building at 7 p.m. with a Q & A following.

Justin Chon, Leonardo Nam, And The Motorcycle Diaries Meets Lords Of Dogtown

Tuesday, October 27, 2009



So what do you when your Asian, have some success, and are searching for your next role? Easy. Just write it yourself.

“It’s up to us to make something; we’ve decided that we want a movie that doesn’t [focus on our race]...that being Asian-American is just circumstantial and it doesn’t have to be the main focus point of the movie,” explained Justin, who along with another Asian-American actor is currently writing a script that they hope will explode in a similar fashion. “[Things we get offered] are like, ‘Oh, I’m Asian, how do I deal with that?’ Like “My mother, she’s like a nagging Chinese woman!’ That’s not interesting anymore, you know?”

Instead, Justin and "Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants" actor Leonardo Nam are hard at work on a film that won’t go down those same tired paths. “I’m actually writing something with my friend, Leo Nam…he was in the third 'Fast and Furious,'" Justin revealed. “He’s a great actor; we’re writing a script right now.”

“What we’re writing is about a road trip down to Argentina, with three kids that grew up in Huntington; it’s a really cool story,” he explained, saying it’s part comedy, part drama. “There’s a little bit of everything. It’s like ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’ meets ‘Lords of Dogtown.’”
Nice.

More Akufuncture More Olivia Thai

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

From The Kevin So Bulletins

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

*** IMPORTANT TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT ***
TOUR IS EXACTLY 2 WEEKS AWAY !!! The journey begins on NOVEMBER 9th... I'm typing at the YMCA in Green Hills, Nashville, TN. Internet is down at home. Ugh.

Anyways...

Join me as I (with Monk alongside of course) make my way through the Northeast and East Coast this coming November. Yep. I'm goin' to get my scarf n' sweater for real yo, as the seasons change. It's all in storage right now, and I'm planning to bring some warmer clothes down to Nashville, my current residence.

I'll be performing a lot of new songs, too on this tour. Been writing quite a bit down here in Nashville and am looking forward to trying some things out musically, not only on the newer material, but also on some older songs. But I promise you'll recognize 'em. :) The purpose of this tour is definitely to get more acquainted with the new material in hopes of polishing them up and hitting the recording studio once again Spring/Summer of 2010. I hope you'll be able to join me in this process.

"GOIN' TO GET MY SCARF N' SWEATER TOUR"

11/10 ASIAN ARTS INITIATIVE, Philadelphia, PA 7:30p
11/11 THE BITTER END, New York, NY 8p
11/12-11/15 - NERFA, Kerhonson, NY
11/13 TRICENTRIC SHOWCASE @ NERFA, Kerkonson, NY
11/17 Interview/Performance on WUMB 91.9FM, Boston, MA 2p
11/17 JOHNNY D'S, Somerville, MA 7:30p
11/30 JAMMIN' JAVA, Vienna, VA 7p
12/1 BLUE 5 RESTAURANT, Roanoke, VA 7:30p

Because Tokyo Loves Ne-Yo And A Little Tuesday Morning Cover

Tuesday, October 27, 2009



And just because we all need a wake up and wish it were still summer, here's a cover of the ne-yo hilson west cover "knock you down".



http://www.twitter.com/andrewagarcia
http://www.twitter.com/lilcdawg

Ann Mah And Kitchen Chinese: A Novel About Food, Family, And Finding Yourself

Tuesday, October 27, 2009



Books + Food = Warm Goodness:

Former Viking assistant editor Ann Mah left New York for Beijing, took a job as the dining editor for the English-language magazine That’s Beijing, and wrote a novel about a young Chinese-American woman who moves to Beijing in the midst of an identity crisis. Mah spoke to PW from Paris, where she now lives, about Kitchen Chinese: A Novel about Food, Family, and Finding Yourself, which Avon will publish as a paperback original in February.

PW: What surprised you most when you moved to Beijing?

AM: I’m ethnically Chinese; I was born in the States and grew up in the States [in Huntingdon Beach, Calif.]. I thought I knew everything about Chinese food because I grew up eating it every single day. But one of the things that surprised me the most when I moved to Beijing was how different [the food] was. I realized I grew up eating a type of Chinese food from a specific region of China, and there was a whole country of regions of cuisine to discover. That’s what inspired me to start the book.
Check out the full interview here as well as Mah's blog

That's A Cute Picture

Tuesday, October 27, 2009


h/t channelapa.com

Excessive Force: Phuong Ho And The San Jose Police

Monday, October 26, 2009



The above is a video taken from a phone camera (released last week) after police came to the house of Phuong Ho and if you watch the video - and listen carefully - you'll not only see Phuong Ho getting beaten by the police - but you'll also here his screams, his crying - his pleading.

What happened earlier last month was this:

The incident occurred after a Sept. 3 encounter between Ho and roommate Jeremy Suftin that began when Suftin slopped soap on Ho's dinner steak. The two scuffled, and Ho picked up a steak knife, saying that in Vietnam, "I would kill you for this." At least some roommates laughed at the comment, as shown on a videotape of that portion of the incident. But Suftin said he took it seriously, and the police were called. At least four officers responded.

According to police reports obtained by the Mercury News, officer Kenneth Siegel could not understand Ho's accent when he confronted him in a hallway and asked his name. Ho then ignored a command to stand still after officers entered his room to check his wallet for identification.

When Ho tried to follow Siegel into his room, officer Steven Payne Jr. attempted to handcuff Ho. According to his report, Payne pushed Ho into a wall and then forced him to the hallway floor when Ho resisted being handcuffed. Ho said his glasses fell off then, and as he attempted to pick them up, the officers struck him.
Out of six experts that saw the video - even though shaky and not at a high resolution - four of them said it raised serious concerns - as it should - and one expert even went so far as to say that it took him back to the day he saw the Rodney King video on T.V.

I've Heard That Voice Before

I don't have to be an expert to tell you that the voice you hear in the video - the cop shouting at Ho - is the voice of an out of control person - someone who just snapped. If you've ever been in a situation where you've been cornered and you have nowhere to run - you know what I'm talking about. If you've ever heard that hint - that start of that voice - you know you don't want to be there. And if it's from an officer of the law - someone who's supposed to bring a situation down - not escalate it - you know the bravado and the entitlement - and you know you don't want to get caught into it because you probably won't win.

I've Heard That Other Voice Too

Like I said at the beginning of this post - when you watch the video - you can't help but notice a few things including the sound of handcuffs, Ho on the ground, and that one final baton strike - and I don't get it - I don't understand people who want to keep on beating my people down when it's clear they're not a threat.

Don't Know About You But I Can Understand Him Pretty Damn Well

It's funny to me that the officers in their report said how they couldn't really understand Ho because of is "thick accent" - and while I'll give it up that if you don't hear different languages, or anyone with an accent - ever - maybe it might be tougher for you - but gimme a break. Watch the video of Ho describing what happened down at the Mercury News (the second video) and tell me, even if you imagine him talking fast, that you wouldn't be able to understand him.

It's Tough To Turn Over When You're Getting The Shit Kicked Out Of You

Just a quick FYI. If you've been in the unfortunate position of being on the ground while someone's kicking your ass - you can't always just snap to their commands right away.

Like "Get on your stomach".

If you're getting your ass pounded - repeatedly - you don't really know what to do until it stops. You might eventually get on your stomach - but - it might take a moment.

In part because you're getting your ass kicked.

That command works better when you stop beating the shit out of someone by at least taking a breather and at the same time - if you're getting your ass kicked and you're getting a command to do something or to move your body in a different way - the first thing that really comes to your mind is "How much more am I going to get my ass kicked if I do that".

Bottom Line

These cops don't deserve their badges. They have no right to protect and serve. They saw Phuong as being something less than human.

And they treated him like it.

--Thanks for sending this in David

Q & A, The People I've Slept With, HIFF

Monday, October 26, 2009

The People I've Slept With Q&A #1 from HIFF on Vimeo.

Apparently Selling Skulls Makes A Tidy Profit

Monday, October 26, 2009

I really don't know the legalities of this at all - selling skulls that is - but I do think having 1,100 skulls at your own home might be a little overboard even if you can get them at 23 dollars a piece and then turn them around and sell them for a tidy profit.

I figure you should at least get a warehouse or something right?

Daniel Chun Goes Back To North Korea

Monday, October 26, 2009

This is just a really interesting article I caught about a 69 year old engineer who escaped North Korea and now, years later, went back:

Last month, a group of academics and entrepreneurs from the U.S., South Korea, Canada and Europe had a rare chance to visit the North Korean capital to see the construction of the new Pyongyang University of Science and Technology. Chun was among them.

Chun escaped North Korea with his family by jumping on a South Korean fishing boat when he was 12 and made a new life in South Korea and then in the U.S. This is his first trip back to the city of his birth.

“It’s like going home,” he says, his eyes shining as he grapples with a mix of emotions: excitement, nervousness, curiosity.
Check it out in full.

Get Your Vote On: Jackson & Lori And The Ultimate Thailand Explorers Travel Competition (AKA Help Them Beat The French Team)

Monday, October 26, 2009



So here's the deal. Lori (on the left) sent me out some e-mail that her and her husband (newlyweds btw) are semifinalists in the Ultimate Thailand Explorers Contest where the finalists are selected by popular vote with one team from each city moving on to the final phase of the competition in Thailand itself. Teams will then be judged by their ability to blog, photograph, video, and document a week's worth of adventures in their chosen destination in Thailand (if they become finalists).

This is where they need your help (and yes, they do make a great looking couple, but let's try and stay on task here).

In order to become finalists - and beat out the French team who's apparently kind of kicking their ass a little bit in votes - they need your vote to make it to the finals and compete in Thailand.

And it's easy too. Just go to the site, register on up, and then you can vote for them once every 24 hours until November 12, 2009.

Need some proof that they'll represent? No problem. Check out their video below (and their Facebook page over here).



And still yet, here's even more.

We are a newlywed couple from Long Beach, California. Jackson is a UCLA graduate and Lori graduated from Cal State Long Beach. As college sweethearts we first went to Thailand to volunteer doing humanitarian work and fell in love with the country and Thai culture. Since then we've been back several times to visit friends and for vacation. Every time we come back from a trip we always tell our friends and family that they need to visit - it is time to tell the rest of the world why we love Thailand as well!
So let's quickly recap here.

1. Put in a cool Asian American team into the finals.
2. Help them beat the French.

What more do you want?

Kid's Stuff: Ni Hao, Kai-lan Pic

Saturday, October 24, 2009



While I really don't have any uses for these myself - Wired tells me that Dora the Explorer is out, and Ni Hao, Kai-lan is in.

Nini Bautista And The 100 Most Influential Filipina Women In The United States

Saturday, October 24, 2009



The above is a picture of Nini Bautista who is listed as one of the 100 Most influential Filipina Women in the U.S. by the Filipina Women's Network:

Charlottean Nini Bautista has been named one of the 100 most influential Filipina women in the United States by the Filipina Women's Network. Bautista is chairwoman of the Asian-American Chamber of Commerce, a published author and award-winning scientist. The network's 100 Most Influential Filipina Women awards honor Filipina women who are "changing the face of power in America."

"I am honored and humbled at the same time for being selected," Bautista said. Bautista will be honored along with the other winners at a formal Filipino gala Oct. 30 during the sixth annual Filipina Leadership Summit in Berkeley, Calif.

Did Rayoung Kim Die From Religion?

Friday, October 23, 2009

I don't know much about this except for the article that I read down at foxdc about Rayoung Kim who died last year in July from blunt force trauma and asphyxiation - and while I don't believe in forgoing medical treatment, counseling, or therapy in lieu of religious beliefs - at all - I do have a couple of questions:

1. Does race have anything to do with how this is perceived? If true, does the fact that the family's Asian contribute to the "I can't believe they did this factor?" versus if they were a White family who held steadfast in their belief that faith and spirituality would cure their daughter (along with some exorcism and a Priest)?

2. How much does the perpetual foreigner - the mystical perpetual foreigner stereotype - play into the perception of what was right and what was wrong - especially regarding law enforcement, and if any of the family members are charged?

3. What does Seung-Hui Cho have to do with this news story whatsoever?

Random Photo: Lisa Wu Hartwell

Friday, October 23, 2009

So You Think You Can Dance? Apparently You Can (Because You're In The Top 20)

Friday, October 23, 2009

Pauline Mata



Nathan Trasoras

That's Not The Way To Motivate Your Team

Friday, October 23, 2009

Even though I never played football in any school I ever went too I always thought the pep talk and the pep rally was the standard way to get your team hyped up for the big game.

Who knew racist fliers were the new pep talk and instead of "Get out there and do it for your school" - or whatever the hell football coaches say - a simple poster stating "I will take my big Polish kids over your fast (N******) any day...." and "What are you going to do when my BIG Polish kid runs right over your little (N******)?" would suffice?

Yup.

Someone's rightly getting their ass kicked for that one.

Chuyen Tinh Xa Xu: Passport To Love

Friday, October 23, 2009



This film by Victor Vu came out earlier this month, and while I missed posting it up on the release date, still wanted to make sure and put up the trailer so you can keep an eye out for it when it comes around again to theaters. Check more out at the film's site.

Apparently Republican Sen. David Vitter Also Wants To Create A Master Race Of White People

Thursday, October 22, 2009

When asked about Keith Bardwell who makes it a point to not marry people of different races, Republican Sen. David Vitter only had this to say to blogger Mike Stark.



Who knew Republicans could be at a loss for words?

If Octomom And Jon Goselin Were To Really Get Together And Then They'd Make A Parody Porno Out Of It - I Just Wouldn't Watch That

Thursday, October 22, 2009

I think the title of the post speaks for itself, and while in some ways we can say that it could be one of the most amazing couples we'd ever be witness too because of the sheer Holy Fuck Factor - if they do make skin flick out of it - which isn't likely since JG has already said he's not interested - I'd just have to wonder about those sick sick MF's who would watch it.

P.S.

I completely reserve the right to go back on this statement and break out the lube at my own discretion.

You Could Be A First: Paul M. Yee Jr.

Thursday, October 22, 2009



I keep on getting amazed at how many firsts are going on this year - in part because in a way, you just really never know how many barriers we've never broken, until we step up - until we hear about it - and you know what?

It's pretty MF cool when we do.

A Brookline lawyer who grew up in Chinatown could become the first Asian-American judge assigned to Quincy District Court.

Paul M. Yee Jr. told the Governor’s Council on Wednesday that his background and sense of fairness and impartiality would “help contribute to Quincy.”

The council will vote next week on the appointment.

Gov. Deval Patrick nominated Yee to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Gregory R. Baler.

John Brothers, executive director of Quincy Asian Resources, applauded the choice.

“We feel (Yee’s) employment would be a great step forward,” Brothers said. “We hope he will serve as a role model for Asian youth in Quincy and show public service is a great career option.”
Read it in full here.

Mr. Hyphen 2009 Contestants

Thursday, October 22, 2009

I'm not saying anything about the past contestants for Mr. Hyphen - but this year - they're looking pretty damn good - like they each have a story you really want to know about. Get your tickets and check more out down at the Mr. Hyphen page.

Aziz Ansari And The Channel APA Q&A

Thursday, October 22, 2009



I actually ended up watching Parks & Recreation for the first time, and while I didn't get to see a lot of Aziz, and it's really not like Transformers 2 (you have to watch the video to understand) - I think I may have to tune in a little more.

Dawen, Jay Sean, And Going Accoustic

Thursday, October 22, 2009



Nice.

It's Thursday. You Want Some Retro Cam Ly

Thursday, October 22, 2009

The Ghosts Of Disney's Racist Past

Thursday, October 22, 2009

I was reading this post on all of the Disney - let's say - innappropriate characters - and even though you may know some - it's always fun to revist.



From the YouTube Page:

This is the second of 3 scenes originally produced for the 1940 release of Disney's Fantasia. It wasn't until a 1960's theatrical re-release of the film which such scenes were censored from the film due to the characters being considered ethnically offensive during the civil rights movement.
Check out the article here.

Global Auditions: Become The Next S.M Entertainment K-Pop Phenom (Yes You)

Wednesday, October 21, 2009



That's right, you too could be the next S.M. K-Pop star - if you've got what it takes.

Do you?

Auditions

NOV. 15 (SUN) LOS ANGELES
1PM-7PM
Wilshire Plaza Hotel
3515 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010

NOV. 22 (SUN) TORONTO
1PM-7PM
Toronto Korean Center (Hanin Center)
1133 Leslie St. North York. ON. Canada.M3C 2J6

NOV. 22(SUN) VANCOUVER
1PM-7PM
Executive Plaza Hotel in Coquitlam
405 North Road, Coquitlam, British Columbia V3K 3V9, Canada

NOV. 27/28 (FRI/SAT) NEW YORK
NOV. 27 (FRI) 3PM-8PM
NOV. 28 (SAT) 1PM-7PM
Korea Village (At Open Center, B1)
150-24 Northern Blvd. Flushing, NY 11354

CATEGORIES
Singer, Actor/Actress, Model, Dancer, Composer/Lyricist

REQUIREMENTS
All Asians (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, etc) residing around the audition areas may participate regardless of nationality, age or gender.

AUDITION FEE
None

HOW TO APPLY
* E-mail Application: 2009sm@smtown.com

*AUDITION INQUIRY CONTACT
2009smhelp@smtown.com

Because you may want it in Korean too

09’ S.M. Entertainment Global Audition 온라인 홍보 문구 한국어>

2009 S.M. Entertainment Global Audition
“Stars of Asia will become the next Global Stars!”
아시아 및 세계무대로 진출할 수 있는 Entertainer를 선발합니다.
Los Angeles, Toronto, Vancouver, New York (November, 2009 )

BoA, KANGTA, 東方神起, Super Junior, 天上智喜 The Grace, TRAX, 장리인, 소녀시대, SHINee, f(x),고아라, 이연희, Yoo Young Jin, H.O.T., S.E.S., SHINHWA, Fly to the Sky 등 최고의 가수 및 연기자, MC, 개그맨을 발굴, 배출한 S.M.Entertainment가 미국과 캐나다, 총 4개 도시에서 「09’S.M. Entertainment Global Audition 」을 개최합니다.
오디션에서 최종 선발되신 분에게는 S.M.Entertainment와 함께 세계무대에서 아시아를 대표하여 활동할 수 있는 기회가 주어집니다.

- 오디션 일정 및 장소

NOV. 15 (SUN) LOS ANGELES
1PM-7PM
Wilshire Plaza Hotel
3515 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010

NOV. 22 (SUN) TORONTO
1PM-7PM
Toronto Korean Center (=Hanin Center)
1133 Leslie St. North York. ON. Canada.M3C 2J6

NOV. 22(SUN) VANCOUVER
1PM-7PM
Executive Plaza Hotel in Coquitlam
405 North Road, Coquitlam, British Columbia V3K 3V9, Canada

NOV. 27/28 (FRI/SAT) NEW YORK
NOV. 27 (FRI) 3PM-8PM
NOV. 28 (SAT) 1PM-7PM
Korea Village (At Open Center, B1)
150-24 Northern Blvd. Flushing, NY 11354

- 지원부분
가수. 연기자. 모델(패션.CF). 댄서. 작곡가(작사가)

- 참가대상
모든 아시아인(중국, 일본, 한국인 등)을 대상으로 국적, 성별, 나이제한 없이 누구나 참여가능

- 참가비용
없음

- 접수방법
* 이메일 접수: 2009sm@smtown.com

-오디션 문의
2009smhelp@smtown.com

오디션에 대한 자세한 사항은 www.smtown.com에서 확인해주세요.

-특전
참가자중 우수한 인원에게는 S.M. Entertainment와 전속계약 할 수 있는 기회가 부여됩니다.
최종계약자는 ENTERTANER로 데뷔하기 위해 필요한 제반 비용을 S.M. Entertainment에서 100% 투자합니다.

Asian American Businesses File Civil Rights Complaint With The FTA

Wednesday, October 21, 2009



A group of business owners in St. Paul have filed a civil rights complaint with the Federal Transit Administration against a proposed light rail system which they say will have a disparaging impact on the 30 plus businesses, many of them Asian American owned.

"They cover, they hide all the negatives that comes with it," said Lysa Bui, who owns the Vietnamese restaurant Saigon and is a spokeswoman for the business group. Bui has been lobbying the Met Council and the city to provide loans or other forms of financial assistance for small businesses like hers so they have a better chance of surviving construction [...]

Gen Fujioka of Oakland, Calif., is with the group National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development. His organization provided an analysis for the Asian business group's complaint. Fujioka said the Met Council's analysis fell short on several levels. "It's hard to conceive of an economic analysis that doesn't even count the number of minority businesses in the neighborhood," Fujioka said. "What you have is a whitewash of the potential impacts on minority businesses."
Connecting people with cheap transit is good.

Pushing out all the Asian American owned businesses to get it done?

That's not so good.

Candy Girl: Wednesday Night Mika Nakashima

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Albert M. Chan And Fate Scores

Wednesday, October 21, 2009



Got word sent in from Albert Chan (who you might have seen in the film Ghosts of Girlfriends Past and who will also be in the upcoming Helen Hunt flick Every Day) about the new film he wrote, directed, and produced called Fate Scores and wanted to post up on the film.

Vancouver, BC - October 20, 2009 - FATE SCORES, a film by Chinese-Canadian director and actor Albert M. Chan, will have its Canadian premiere on Friday November 6th, 2009, at 5pm at the Cinemark Tinseltown Theaters (88 West Pender 3rd Floor, Vancouver, BC) as part of the 13th Annual Vancouver Asian Film Festival (VAFF). The film is also in contention for the National Film Board Best Canadian Short Film Award, which will be presented at the VAFF Industry Luncheon at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden on Sunday November 8th, 2009, at 11:30am.

FATE SCORES has also screened this year at the Asian American International Film Festival (New York City), the Boston International Film Festival, the Wisconsin Film Festival, On Location: Memphis International Film Festival, and the Southeast New England Film, Music & Arts Festival.

FATE SCORES focuses on a lonely guitarist (Albert M. Chan) at a city park bench and the quirky characters around him, including an introspective young woman (Heidi Rhodes). The film, which explores themes of isolation, connection, and chance, was inspired by Chan's experiences observing ordinary people interact in impersonal urban environments. "One can witness a wealth of human drama everyday at a place as mundane as a city park bench, but only if one pays attention," says Chan.

As part of an underrepresented ethnic minority in film and TV, Chan cast actors to reflect the ethnic diversity he's accustomed to seeing in his hometown of Toronto. "I'm proud to say that ethnic minorities make up about half the cast," Chan said. "Filmmaking can be such a powerful tool when it comes to changing people's perceptions and the stereotypes they're used to seeing from typical Hollywood fare. As an Asian male actor in North America, instead of portraying a professional (like a lawyer, doctor, or accountant) or yet another gangster, I basically said to myself, 'In this film, I want to be an indie rock musician and I want to get the girl in the end,' and I went out and did just that without having to explain myself to anyone."

Chan's hoping that the success of FATE SCORES, his first film, will help with funding for his upcoming film DESCENDANTS OF THE PAST, ANCESTORS OF THE FUTURE. "It's a very personal story about the migration experiences of my mother and my grandfather," Chan reveals. "The film follows a young second-generation Chinese Canadian man as he seeks to discover his family history to ease his apprehension about his impending fatherhood. In the process, he begins to understand how his identity is framed by his family's past and the extraordinary sense of kinship that binds him to his ancestors and descendants." Already on board for the project are Emmy-nominated cinematographer Cira Felina Bolla (BIRTH) and composer Ryan Leach (THE DARK KNIGHT, BEE MOVIE, COLD CASE).

But Chan has not always exploited his creative talents. In fact, he's had a more traditional Asian upbringing. "My parents immigrated to Canada from Hong Kong in the 1960's," says Chan. "Growing up, acting was something that I always wanted to try, but I was too preoccupied with academics. I finally decided to give acting a try years later when I was getting my Ph.D. in Engineering at MIT. It started off with a couple of musical performances on campus, and soon afterwards, I was doing student films and local independent films, and over the years my acting career has progressed to where it is today."

Chan's film and TV acting credits include GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST (Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, and Michael Douglas), LAW & ORDER SVU, Showtime's BROTHERHOOD, CW Network's I'M PAIGE WILSON, and Disney's feature film UNDERDOG. Chan also recently finished wrapping up film roles as Dr. Lee in EVERY DAY (Helen Hunt, Liev Schreiber, Brian Dennehy, Eddie Izzard, and Carla Gugino) and as Richard in LIFE OF LEMON (Dan Lauria, Mimi Kennedy, Rachel Miner).

FATE SCORES is produced by Chanal Productions, in association with Aaron Howland and Seth Howland of 7 Fluid Oz. Productions LLP. For more information about the film, visit http://fatescores.com/.

Now in its 13th year, the Vancouver Asian Film Festival is Canada's oldest festival dedicated to exhibiting films and videos by North American artists of Asian heritage. Tickets are available at http://www.vaff.org/boxoffice.
Cool.

Yul Kwon As Deputy Chief Of The Consumer And Governmental Affairs Bureau?

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Yup - you read that right:

Today, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski announced the appointment of Mindel De La Torre as Chief of the International Bureau and Yul Kwon as Deputy Chief of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau.

“The FCC has an important role to play in empowering and protecting consumers and ensuring that they have access to world-leading communications networks and technologies,” said Chairman Genachowski. “These talented individuals have vast public and private sector experience in communications policy and I am delighted to have their expertise at the agency.” [...]

Deputy Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Yul Kwon. Mr. Kwon’s diverse career spans across law, technology, business, and media. His government experience includes lecturing at the FBI Academy, drafting science and technology legislation as an aide to Senator Joseph Lieberman, and clerking for Judge Barrington D. Parker on the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals. In the business and technology sector, Mr. Kwon has held positions at McKinsey & Company, Google, and the Trium Group. He also practiced law as an attorney at Harris, Wiltshire & Grannis and at Venture Law Group. In 2006, Mr. Kwon became the first Asian American to win the CBS reality show, Survivor. His subsequent media activities include working as a special correspondent for CNN and as a co-host for the Discovery Channel. Mr. Kwon obtained his B.S. degree in Symbolic Systems from Stanford University and his J.D. from Yale Law School, where he served on the editorial board of the Yale Law Journal.
Does the madness never end?

Is there anything Yul Kwon can't do?

If I wasn't a better person and we didn't need people like Yul Kwon around I'd kick him in the shins (because I'm not that mean...and then I can outrun him).

The Sisters of Kappa Phi Lambda And ARISE: Standing Up Against Domestic Violence

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

You definitely want to go to this and you definitely want to contribute - there's just no other way to put it - but if you can't make it - I'm sure the Kappa Phi Lambda crew will take donations.

*Only one quarter of all physical assaults perpetuated against females by intimate partners are reported to the police*

The Sisters of Kappa Phi Lambda invite you to join them on October 24, 2009 at our annual benefit show - ARISE: Standing Up Against Domestic Violence. Buy your ticket now to enjoy a night of Columbia talent and performances while supporting victims of domestic violence. All ticket sales will be donated to Becky's Fund, a non-profit organization devoted to ending domestic violence through support and education. In addition to providing resources to local domestic violence organizations that serve battered women in marginalized and immigrant communities, Becky's Fund also implements a variety of national direct-help and awareness programs.

Roone Arledge Auditorium, October 24 2009
Dinner starts at 7PM
Performances start at 8PM
Tickets: $10 for both CUID and non-CUID

*For non-CUID tickets, please rsvp at columbakpl.ARISE@gmail.com*

Tickets include dinner, 2 raffle tickets, and free entry to our afterparty!

Raffles include gift certificates from Havana Central, The Heights, and Jade Spa!

This year's show will feature performers such as

Alice Hu Onyx CU Raas Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/ Lambda Pi Chi Sorority, Inc and many more!

Special guest performances by:

ill-Literacy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQZwZVBDAHI&feature=related
FR3SH, featured on America's Best Dance Crew http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEoI69kAtOE

Buy your tickets here! https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/pe/7594375 or at the Tic Booth in Lerner!

Check out the facebook event! http://bit.ly/kplARISE
Read more on Becky's Fund! www.beckysfund.org

*We all have the right to live without fear of violence and abuse*

Support A Good Cause. Celebrate A Birthday: Jay Legaspi @ The Bitter End

Tuesday, October 20, 2009



If you're looking for some cool to do this weekend, you definitely want to check out Jay Legaspi down at the Bitter End who'll be playing a birthday show (his) where all of the proceeds go to the Ayala Foundation USA to benefit the victims of the flooding in the Philippines caused by Ondoy.

The Info You Want To Know

10/22/2009
Live at the Bitter End
147 Bleecker St.
NYC, NY
$5 cover

Tim Jo, Gaelan Connell, Jay Mitsch, Ellen Ho, Anthony Bui, I'm In A Box, And The Balloon Boy Parody

Tuesday, October 20, 2009



You knew someone would be doing this sooner or later - but who knew it was going to be this soon - and that it would be this damn funny?

Nice.

From The YouTube page:

Director/Writer: Anthony Bui (www.vimeo.com/anthonybui)
DP/Co-Editor/Co-Song Writer: Mu Sun (www.musunone.com)
Production Design: Courtney Raney (www.courtneyraney.com)
Camera Rental House: Bishop Park (www.bishoppark.org)
Wardrobe: Tim&Gaelan Styles donning Bishop Park Clothing (www.bishoppark.org)

This video would not have been possible without the help of: Mu Sun, Courtney Raney, Daniel Ahn, Thai Vo, and the acting skills of Tim Jo, Gaelan Connell, Jay Mitsch, and Ellen Ho. THANK YOU ALL!
P.S. - I've overlooked the reference to the Celtics and KG. Laker's fans...

MANAA's Letter Regarding "The Weapon"

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

I wanted to re-post up the letter from MANAA that they sent on in regarding the casting of "The Weapon":

Randy Greenberg
Platinum Studios, Inc.
11400 West Olympic Blvd, 14th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90064

Dear Mr. Greenberg:

I’m writing on behalf of the Media Action Network for Asian Americans (MANAA) because we heard about the recent casting news for your film adaptation of “The Weapon.” We are a non-profit organization dedicated to monitoring the media and advocating for balanced, sensitive, and positive depiction and coverage of Asian Americans. Since 1992, we have consulted with movie studios and met regularly with the top four TV networks to convey the importance of diversity. To the point, it was extremely disappointing to learn that Tommy Zhou, the Chinese American main character from “The Weapon,” is being made into a Caucasian lead for your movie, and we would like to request a meeting to talk about these concerns with you.

You might be familiar with the controversy over the movie casting for the live-action adaptation of Nick-elodeon’s “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” While the original show was clearly inspired by Asian and Inuit influences and populated with Asian characters, Paramount cast three of the four main characters with Caucasian actors (initially it was all four). There has been a tremendous backlash from fans of the show, resulting in lost goodwill and support for the movie (e.g. www.racebending.com). Although The Last Airbender will not be in theaters until 2010, we’ve already seen one other movie tank at the box office after deviating from the source material and ethnic characters: Dragonball Evolution.

There have been signs of progress over the years. For example, Disney includes an Asian American character in the movie Up, and in various Disney Channel programs. Nevertheless, the Asian American community, as well as the movie-going public at large, are generally used to seeing Asian men depicted as villains. We rarely have the opportunity to see Asian American heroes we can celebrate.

We urge you to reconsider the decision to turn Tommy Zhou into a Caucasian character. Audiences do support diverse casting, as well as compelling stories of minority heroes like Tommy, whose Asian heritage is integral to the plot itself. You have the opportunity to break down barriers and do something historic. Platinum Studios can also avoid doing a disservice to the fans, as Paramount has done with Avatar.

We are more than glad to be a resource to you, and invite you to have a meeting with us. We would like to have a dialogue and help make The Weapon a movie that comic book and superhero fans will be excited to see.

Sincerely,

Phil Lee
President

Chicago's Chinese American Museum Back From The Ashes

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Last year - actually almost one year ago - I posted up on the Chinese American Museum in Chicago that was rebuilding after the fire, and over the weekend, they re-opened up their doors, so I just wanted to post up and say congratualtions - because if there's one thing we need more of - it's places like that.

Ken Choi Is Everywhere?

Tuesday, October 20, 2009



Is it just me or has the cool Ken Choi pretty much been everywhere in 2009? I spotted him on Glee, he's been on Crash, FX's Sons of Anarchy, and he's even filming for 2010.

I think I just answered my own question.

Susie Suh + One Tree Hill

Tuesday, October 20, 2009



While I don't watch One Tree Hill myself, some of you may, but even if you don't you still might like to know that Susie Suh's "Feather in the Wind", off her EP The Bakman Tapes was playing on last night's episode.

A Quick Letter To LUMINA The Web Series

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Dear LUMINA The Web Series:

So I'm seriously getting into the show and I'm dying to know what the hell happened to the Little Rabbit - but I do have one simple question.

Isn't it Tuesday yet?

Slanty

IBU Sophomore CD Release Party

Tuesday, October 20, 2009



When: Sunday, November 08, 2009
9:00 PM to 1:00 AM CST

Where: Heat Nightclub
616 E Golf Road
Schaumburg, IL 60173

Finally! IBU's sophomore CD Release Party is going to happen! Party with IBU, the media and the music industry. Live performance by IBU. Guest performers. We're giving away free CDs to the first 400 to arrive, so early arrival is recommended. This event is open to everyone ( 21+), so Invite your friends! NO COVER CHARGE.

For questions, email us at infoibu@aol.com.
- IBU

Dumbfoundead Collabo Contest

Tuesday, October 20, 2009



From the YouTube page:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=E3WWEJYH

You only TRULY have that which you can give away.

I'm fortunate to receive messages from fans all over the world and a lot of them seem to be aspiring musicians so I thought I'd have a contest as a way to give back.

The contest is my way of showing love for all those that have supported me. I just want to provide the same type of opportunity that a lot of Los Angeles legends blessed me with when I was a young artist trying to come up.

Contest

1. Download the instrumental from the link above
2. Record your original song to the track
3. Submit your track to funwithdumb@gmail.com

Rules

1. Participants MUST be 18 or UNDER
2. All submissions must be in by November 20, 2009
3. Be creative (Don't be afraid to think! - Creative Concept)

Prize

1. Contestant wins TripMaster Monk's beat
2. Dumbfoundead will collaborate, on the winning song.

Winner will be notified and announced on my channel.

Grace Kim And The Spiders From Mars

Tuesday, October 20, 2009



GRACE KIM & THE SPIDERS FROM MARS (Nov 14-Dec 20, 2009) A new comedy for anyone who's ever felt like they were born on the wrong planet. Presented by Lodestone Theatre.
Cool.

From Across The Pond: Undercover - Hate on the Doorstop

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

I definitely want to check this out:

Two Asian reporters were subject to racist attacks and insults when they spent two months living undercover for the BBC’s Panorama programme. The pair moved on to an estate in Bristol earlier this year and used hidden cameras and microphones to record more than 50 separate incidents of abuse. Reporter Tamanna Rahman pretended to be a housewife with little command of English while Amil Khan played the part of her husband.

In one scene, to be shown in tonight’s programme called Hate on the Doorstop, Ms Rahman has stones thrown at her and is told to get out of the area. In another, a young boy threatened to kill her and tried to steal her purse. Other clips showed her being called “Raghead” and being told “Go away. Iraq’s that way.” Another person threatened to slit her throat and kick her “back to Paki land”. In another incident, Mr Khan is punched in the head by a man in the street.
Let's just say it all together "I'm not going to Bristol."

It's Not Just About Numbers: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Implements Hmong Studies Certificate Program

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

I gotta be honest, at first when I read the headline, I was thinking to myself "Wow, that's great. Good for them, I need to do a quick post." And then - being the honest person that I am I'll also tell you - when I read about the numbers (600 Hmong students) and why it was instituted in Milwaukee versus Madison I was like - shit - that doesn't seem like a lot - but you know what?

Fuck me and Fuck Me again because that's 600 Hmong Asian American students who decided to not let their voices be drowned out. That's 600 Hmong Asian American students who told their administration that guess what - they wouldn't go unnoticed - and that's pretty damn cool.

Btw - here's someone from Madison - who doesn't have a Hmong Studies Certificate program:

Ger Yang, a UW-Madison junior and facilitator for the Hmong American Student Association, said the program should have been done when they started talking about it in 2007.

“There’s a general misconception about Hmong people — where they’re from, what they’re doing now, what issues are current with the Hmong American community,” Yang said. “There needs to be a new perspective.”

Vang said she was surprised UW has not started a Hmong Studies program but believes they are moving in that direction. Without adequate resources and tenured track professors, however, Vang said it’s almost impossible. “It would be great to have a Hmong Studies program at Madison. There’s a lot of resources that could benefit not only the Hmong American students but also the community,” Vang said.
Numbers? Sometimes numbers don't mean shit - it's what you do with the numbers that count.

Call for Submissions: Kartika Review

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Posting this on up:

Kartika Review is accepting submissions for upcoming issues of our online Asian American literary magazine.

We accept: fiction, flash fiction, creative nonfiction (memoir, reportage, essays, letters), poetry and visual art by Asian American artists.

We are a quarterly journal We read submissions all year. Simultaneous submission are okay, but please notify us immediately if your work has been accepted elsewhere.
Full submission guidelines, including the email addresses for submitting work, are available at our website: http://go2.wordpress.com/?id=725X1342&site=bjanepr.wordpress.com&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kartikareview.com%2Fsubmit.html

Kartika Review serves the Asian American community and those involved with Diasporic Asian-inspired literature. We scout for compelling Asian American creative writing and artwork to present to the public at large. Our editors actively solicit contributions from established virtuosos in our community in hopes their works here will inspire the next generation of virtuosos. We also want to promote emerging writers and artists we foresee to be the future powerhouses of their craft. Ultimately, Kartika strives to create a literary forum that caters to and celebrates the wordsmiths of the Asian Diaspora.

Spoelstra Says The Heat Are Counting On Its Young Stars

Monday, October 19, 2009

You know what I probably like the most out of this whole post? It's just the fact that I get to use an APA in the name who's heading out an NBA team (even if I hope they completely implode this season and the summer of 2010 is also a bust):

As most elite Eastern Conference teams spent their summer adding key pieces, the Miami Heat stood pat — and are taking heat for it.

"Fans and the media are hung up on changing your team for the sake of change," second-year coach Erik Spoelstra says. "There are teams that improve with change, but you can also improve with continuity and commitment." [...] Spoelstra expects teammates to step up and ease Wade's burden — in particular second-year players Mario Chalmers at guard (the first Heat rookie to start every game) and Michael Beasley at forward.
I should probably qualify that above statement by saying that I hope they don't implode enough to send Spoelstra out the door (by implode I'm just thinking they go out in the first round, barely limping in, like last year). Because when a team implodes, the first one to go is usually the coach and if that happened, I wouldn't get any more joy out of posts like this.

Conducive Magazine

Monday, October 19, 2009



I got sent in some e-mail a few weeks ago about Conducive Magazine who among other things looks at race, Asian American visibility, as well as Asian transnational adoption:

The media widely reports on celebrities adopting Asian babies and sometimes about trafficking of children through adoption. But, we rarely hear from those Asian adoptees. Read what they say about adoption and trafficking.
Dicey. Provocative. Definitely sure it's worth a read or two.

Almost There: Nguyen, Gee, And Chen

Monday, October 19, 2009

From the MNE:

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Jacqueline H. Nguyen and attorney Dolly Gee—both named to the U.S. District Court for California’s Central District—cleared the committee without opposition on a voice vote along with Northern District nominee U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard Seeborg, while U.S. Magistrate Judge Edward Chen, also named to the Northern District, was approved on a roll call vote of 12-7 that was split along party lines.

If confirmed by the full Senate, Nguyen and Gee would be the first Vietnamese American woman and first Chinese American woman, respectively, to serve as a U.S. district judge. Chen would be the first Asian American judge to sit on the Northern District.

Currently, only eight of the nation’s 875 active Article III judges are Asian American or Pacific Islander, Sen. Dianne Feinsten said in a statement.

Feinstein, a member of the Judiciary Committee, praised the nominees and urged swift confirmation by the Senate to help alleviate judicial caseloads.

“The courts where these nominees will be sitting…have unacceptably high caseloads,” she said. “The confirmation…will be a first step toward ensuring that the courts are able to administer justice in a timely and appropriate manner.”
Read it in full here.

Late But Worthy: 2009 Hawaii International Film Festival

Monday, October 19, 2009


Maggie Q in The Warrior And The Wolf, the festival's closing night film

Yes, I am a little late in posting this up as HIFF runs from October 15 through October 25, but better late than never right?

HIFF, the premiere global film event in the Pacific, presents another exciting line up of eclectic movies from around the world. This year, more than 170 films from 36 different countries are featured at four different venues; the Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 Theaters, Hawaii Theatre Center, Royal Hawaiian Theater and Sunset on the Beach.

Since its humble beginning, the film festival started out as a quaint event. Now 29 years later, it has grown into a full fledged affair attracting more than 80,000 people from all over the world.

Scott Kaalele of Honolulu has been coming to the festival for years. Kaalele says the Hawaii International Film Festival is one of the best in the world to see Pan Pacific films. He looks forward to seeing some Korean movies this year but will settle for any movie with “edgy and weird story lines.”

“Anything off the norm, there’s enough norm in Hollywood so it’s kind of cool to see things, people spreading their wings and push the envelope a little bit," said Kaalele.
Check out a full review down at the Examiner.

Yes It's True. There Really Will Be A South Korean Musical Based on Legally Blond

Monday, October 19, 2009



Thought you may want to know.

You didn't?

Stop lying to yourself.

Pacific Citizen's Q & A With Kalpen Modi (AKA Kal Penn)

Monday, October 19, 2009



Just wanted to post up a quick link to the Q & A With Kalpen Modi down at Pacific Citizen where JACL members asked about a typical day, his biggest challenge, the benefits of health care reform for APAs - and more.

Slanty People + Nobel Prize For Literature

Monday, October 19, 2009

I was reading an article in Newsweek from a couple of weeks ago about how the Nobel Prize in Literature doesn't really mean much in the long term and also carries with it a curse (unless you were Faulker apparently) - and while I don't really agree or disagree - I did wonder who were the winners of the Nobel Prize in Literature who had the Slant since it's been given out in 1901 (102 times).

Here's the list starting in decending order (all info taken from the Nobel Prize site). I don't think I missed anyone, but if I did, feel free to add it in below.

  • 2001: Sir Vidiadhar Surajprasad Naipaul

    "for having united perceptive narrative and incorruptible scrutiny in works that compel us to see the presence of suppressed histories"

  • 2000: Gao Xingjian

    "for an œuvre of universal validity, bitter insights and linguistic ingenuity, which has opened new paths for the Chinese novel and drama"

  • 1994: Kenzaburo Oe

    "who with poetic force creates an imagined world, where life and myth condense to form a disconcerting picture of the human predicament today"

  • 1998: Naguib Mahfouz

    "who, through works rich in nuance - now clear-sightedly realistic, now evocatively ambiguous - has formed an Arabian narrative art that applies to all mankind"

  • 1968: Yasunari Kawabata

    "for his narrative mastery, which with great sensibility expresses the essence of the Japanese mind"

  • 1913: Rabindranath Tagore

    "because of his profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful verse, by which, with consummate skill, he has made his poetic thought, expressed in his own English words, a part of the literature of the West"

Shigeru Miyamoto: One Handsome MF

Monday, October 19, 2009



Sure. We can't discount the fact that he's got on a t-shirt featuring the pixel designs from the original Mario Bros. game - which helps accent being a handsome MF - but I bet even naked he still looks good.

Freddie Lee Takes It To The Man At Northwestern University (Because 'The Man' Is A Buffoon)

Sunday, October 18, 2009



Damn straight Chinese American Freddie Lee should be filing a racial discrimination claim against Northwestern University:

Freddie Lee, 27, who was hired by the department in September 2005, has been on paid administrative leave since Sept. 10, with orders to stay off campus. He filed his claim last month with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In the complaint, Lee wrote of being the target of racial slurs and further harassment in retaliation for filing internal complaints about the comments.

"Since 2006, I've been racially discriminated and retaliated against," he said in an interview [...]

Lee said the racial discrimination began in 2006. He said a fellow officer who since has been promoted to sergeant loudly referred to Chinese people by a common derogatory slang term, knowing Lee could hear him but then feigning surprise that he was there. From there, Lee alleged, other officers joined the harassment. A female officer would repeatedly say "ching-chong" to him and make stereotypically Asian faces at him, he said. A male officer would call him "Fukudome Lee," a reference to Cubs player Kosuke Fukudome, who is Japanese. Lee also alleged that a lieutenant made racially charged comments during shift changes.
Ching Chong + Chinky Eyes + Being Called Fukudome?

Can you say what a pile of bullshit?

Dumbass people fucking it up for Asian Americans that just want to do their job still never cease to amaze me.

FM, Animal Remix, New Mixtape, MTV

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Here's a clip from the FMonyourdial channel featuring Far East Movement shooting an exclusive performance of "Girls On The Dance Floor" for MT and Subway at the Nightengale Studios in Burbank. You can check out more pics here.



And then here's the Party "Animal" Official Remix (by Cyberpunkers) that is going to be featured on their upcoming mixtape Party Animal.

The AJ Rafael Music Video Contest And Your Sunday Ukulele Cover

Sunday, October 18, 2009

If you want a free iPod Nano, like making music videos, and you like the music of AJ Rafael, this is the contest for you.



From the YouTube page:

make a music video to one of my songs and win an ipod nano (ONLY ONE lol). just to show my appreciation =) thanks for supporting me through the years. seriously you guys are the best. shoutouts to edbassmaster who recently reached 100k too!

GUIDELINES:
be creative! make a music video, you have about a month! must be to one of my original songs, and the winners will be chosen by Jennifer Chung, Victor Kim, Chris Cendana, and myself. download some of my songs here:
http://glowing-vision.net/music.htm

DEADLINE is NOVEMBER 12th!

PRIZES:
First Place - Signed iPod Nano & free CD(s)
2nd & 3rd Place - Signed CD's

love yall, good luck and have fun x3

POST YOUR MUSIC VIDEO AS A VIDEO RESPONSE
BACKGROUND MUSIC by AJ RAFAEL BAND
"Showstopper" (c) 2009
And as promised, your Sunday ukulele cover

Keith Bardwell Part Two

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Just in case you were wondering btw what Keith Bardwell's actual issue is with interracial marriages - here's a clip of him talking about his "problem":



So let's follow the logic here real quick.

He's not a racist, he just doesn't want to marry people of different races.

He doesn't want to marry them because he apparently doesn't like children of mixed raced marriages - albeit the only conclusion that you can come up with is because he doesn't want mudbloods around because it ruins the purity of race (and most likely he's thinking about the White Race). That last statement though would insinuate that he's racist, and as we already know, so boldly stated by Bardwell himself - if he's anything, he's definitely not a racist.

Hmmm, I wonder what the Tooth Fairy does with all the teeth...

Getting Married To White People, The Amazing Race, Brian + Erika, & Poker Stars Maria and Tiffany

Sunday, October 18, 2009

I was reading in the news about the Louisiana justice of the peace Keith Bardwell who turned away two people - a WM/BF couple - who asked him to sign off on the marriage, because he doesn't sign marriage applications for interracial couples.

He doesn't believe in them.

Are you fucking kidding me?

In this day and age someone lets this go on?

And it's not the first time he's done it either. Apparently he's turned down at least four other couples.

If he ran the world we'd never have the first married interracial (W/B) team on The Amazing Race of Brian and Ericka.



If it were up to him, there probably wouldn't even be a team of Maria and Tiffany - and they're just a team of friends who met each other on the Poker circuit (Maria Ho is currently ranked 33rd in the Top 100 Women's All Time Money list).



Get a clue Keith Bardwell. Get a MF clue.

My Skin Whitening Treatment Post

Sunday, October 18, 2009

So I go to this place, it's kinda my place right. We all have them. It's where no one bothers me, it's not chatty. I go there to get good food, check my mail, send out some txts. It's my Zen place.

Maybe I just never noticed it before today, but as I was walking in, there was a flier in the entrance for Skin Whitening pills and I was kind of like "What the...", and at the same time a couple came in who was white, and during one of their conversations while they were waiting for their food, I heard them talking about the flier (as well as mocking it).

This turned my Zen place into the "Your fucking kidding me place" and I was thinking to myself that I didn't really know what I wanted to do here. I was just like "Why the fuck is there a Skin Whitening flier up in this MF?" and "WTF gives the White People the right to talk about it and mock it." (you know what I'm talking about).

I get people gotta run a business. They're just trying to help other folks who come on in and say "Can I put this up?". They care about how many tickets they can serve in a given day, not necessarily the social implications of a flier - I get that - and who knows, maybe most people don't see it, or no one actually cares.

But does it have to be the Skin Whitening flier?

I mean I know this shit exists, it's not new, and that someone put this in some people's minds both in Asia proper and here that the Whiter they are the better they are - both in terms of White Euro-centric standards of beauty as well as the implications of social class - but don't believe the hype - it's just not true.

Brown is down and every shade in between - you don't need to Whiten It Up.

Did You Know That October Is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month?

Sunday, October 18, 2009

I had no idea either.

Big Big Honda

Sunday, October 18, 2009

I think it's great to read articles where you have people talking about Asian American politicians like Mike Honda as movers and shakers - kingpins of the community:


U.S. Representative Michael Honda (CA-15), chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, today joined Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula (D-Union) and Asian American leaders from across New Jersey at several cultural celebrations across the state of New Jersey to campaign for Governor Jon S. Corzine, Senator Loretta Weinberg and New Jersey Democrats running for office at all levels to solidify support among New Jersey’s Asian American voters.

“I am honored to have Congressman Honda in New Jersey today,” said Corzine. “He is a national leader and a prominent member of the Asian American community and his efforts today will ensure that even more Asian Americans who call New Jersey home will recognize the hard work of New Jersey Democrats who are dedicated to working for the issues that matter most to all New Jersey families. I am proud of the support I receive from the Asian American community, which is one of the fastest growing segments of our population, and the Democratic Party, in our state.”
Be my friend Godfather?

AAA-Fund’s 2009 Blogathon Winners

Sunday, October 18, 2009

People voted. Winners were announced. Congratulations are in order.

By popular acclamation, Rose Wei takes first place, with “Concerns of a Young Adult“. The first choice of 73 percent of all voters, Rose has won One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150), 2 free tickets to the 2010 AAA-Fund Gala (a $200 value), and an exclusive invitation to become a featured AAA-Fund Blogger. Congrats, Rose!

Jenny Jiang takes second-place honors, with ”Higher Cost of Inaction“. Jenny wins 2 free tickets to the 2010 AAA-Fund Gala (a $200 value), and an exclusive invitation to become a featured AAA-Fund Blogger. Congrats, Jenny!

Micah Weinberg wins third place, with “A Healthcare Story“. Micah wins lunch with a AAA-Fund leader, along with an exclusive invitation to become a featured AAA-Fund Blogger. Congrats, Micah!