Jaime From The Amazing Race: I Just Don't Like You

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

I've really tried to like the team of Jaime and Cara if only to prove to myself that I too can embrace my inner White cheerleader from Florida, but when all is said and done, after I've thrown my pom poms up in the air and given it my White cheerleader all - I still can't.

Maybe it's the fact that Jaime doesn't do "foreign" or "foreign language", and I'm using quotes because when she says it, it really does sound like "I don't like those dirty foreign people who can't speak English - unless they're French, Italian, Swedish, or Norwegian".

Or maybe it's because she likes to scream at people like they're her slaves and while I do enjoy a good S&M scene, there's just something about watching someone from the White Cheerocracy screaming endlessly at the nicest of older Thai grandpa pa's that makes me want to throw the T.V. out the window.

But you know what?

Take all that away and I still don't like her.

Maybe I'm just not in touch with my inner cheerleader...

BTW: Red Cliff 2 Is Amazing

Tuesday, March 31, 2009



While I might be able to go into a lengthy post on why Red Cliff 2 is a must see film including breakout performances by Zhang Fengyi, Lin Chi-ling, and Zhao Wei, or how Woo just edits in the right amount of emotion and tension into every single scene that leads up to the one of the best end games you'll see on screen this year - I probably wouldn't be able to do it justice.



So I'll just tell you that you really need to see it.



As in now.

Like call in sick, go to your nearest rental shop, pick it up, crack open a bottle or two of your favorite libations, and sink on in.

And then after you're done - watch it again.

You Were There: International Secret Agents

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Here are some phone cam pics from winner Diane who won two tix to the International Secret Agents concert this month.





Thanks to Diane for sending these on out - glad you two had a great time - and thanks again to the good folks down at ISA for giving out some free tix.

For more pics and video of ISA head on down to the FM site.

Children of Invention At IFFBoston And The New VIFF Trailer

Monday, March 30, 2009

Just wanted to post this info on up as it's great that the film is getting more play:

Children of Invention," a feature film written and directed by Randolph native Tze Chun, will have its New England premiere at the Independent Film Festival of Boston, where it has been selected to screen in the narrative competition [...]

The film is also loosely based on Chun’s own childhood in Boston’s suburbs. “When I was little, my sister and I followed my mother to countless pyramid seminars," says Chun. The film is a personal story about the world I grew up in – a subculture of immigrant and working class Americans trying to get-rich-quick in order to get themselves out of a financial hole. I didn't foresee the current financial crisis. But with the economy the way it is now, it seems like everyone's living through some version of what the family in the film goes through.”

"Children of Invention" will debut 7:15 p.m. Thursday, April 23 at the Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square. The film is also slotted for 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 24.
In somewhat related news - here's the new VIFF trailer.

It's About Time Wouldn't You Say?

Monday, March 30, 2009



Kaing Guek Eav at the first trial of Khmer Rouge officials.

Secret Identities: Preview 7 of 8 "S.O.S." Pg. 93

Monday, March 30, 2009

Time for another installment of the Secret Identities Preview.

Tila Tequila's Dog: That Dog's On Drugs

Monday, March 30, 2009



So if you watch this video where Tila Tequila is talking about her new reality show, which is going to be online (I'm not sure when but you can check here for updates because you know you're going to at least watch it once) - while I know dogs are supposed to be happy go lucky aminals - that dog's just a little too happy and if in its previous life it was a drug sniffing dog - I think it snuffed too much.

And yes - I do realize I just used the word snuffed for the past tense of sniff.

Just go with it.

Hmong American Artists: Watch Me Fly

Monday, March 30, 2009

From the Center For Hmong Arts & Talent and the documentary Watch Me Fly.



To learn more about the Center For Hmong Arts & Talent, check out their site.

Lyrics Born: "Funky Hit Records" Remix Contest

Monday, March 30, 2009

For anyone that has a beat and dream - this contest is for you:

Presenting the Funky Hit Records Remix Contest.

That's right, we're giving you the tools and want all of y'all to create your own remixes and mash-ups.

Here's the 411:

  • Submit your remix or mash-up to enter the contest and be eligible to win
  • Only one entry per person
  • All submissions must be emailed in mp3 format to lbmusic@lyricsborn.com
  • The deadline for submissions is April 17th, 2009
  • The winning remix or mash-up will be chosen by Lyrics Born himself and announced on April 20th, 2009
  • The winner will receive the following:

    • Their remix or mash-up immortalized on the upcoming Lyrics Born Variety Show Season 4 Mixtape
    • 2 free tickets to any Lyrics Born show as well as a VIP pass to meet LB
    • The entire Lyrics Born Variety Show catalog (seasons 1-4) autographed by LB
To download the instrumental and the acapella hit this link:
http://www.lyricsborn.com/fhr/LyricsBorn%20_FunkyHitRecords_Contest.zip

Here's the video for "Funky Hit Records"

Blue Eyes, Brown Eyes

Monday, March 30, 2009

Got this link sent in from reader Chuck and it was an interesting read from Korean American Corina Knoll in the LA Times (and I honestly forgot about the blue eye/brown eye experiement):

Elliott was the first white person I ever heard who admitted to the privileges of whites, acknowledging that visible differences affect how the world perceives us. Her words sparked a hunger in me for more.

My first year in college, I took courses on race and ethnicity and Asian American history. Race, I learned, permeated everything, and it was OK to say so. I found myself with strong opinions and a circle of outspoken black and Asian friends with whom to share. The world felt bigger, and I felt empowered.

Much of my decision to move to Los Angeles eight years ago was to answer a longing to live somewhere diverse. When I discovered Elliott quietly living nearby, it seemed fortuitous that I had become a reporter. I could interview the woman who unknowingly sent me in a new direction.

Now 30 years old, I am standing in front of Elliott's winter home in Sun City, shaking her hand and looking straight into her blue, blue eyes. It is a day to remember: a sea-colored canvas for a sky, streaming sunlight, whispering breeze. And it is one of those moments when fate flashes in your mind and you know you are exactly who and where you are supposed to be.
Read it in full here.

Chi-Lan Lieu Gives Away The House

Monday, March 30, 2009

In case you missed it a couple weeks ago (because I did) - here's a video of HGTV's Chi-Lan Lieu giving away the dream home from HGTV.



And here's a little more on Chi-Lan Lieu from her bio:

Chi-Lan Lieu — a self-proclaimed karaoke addict and gadget geek — began her career as a TV writer and producer for several cable networks.

Prior to being named host and expert on HGTV's I Want That! Tech Toys, Chi-Lan worked as a products reporter for TechTV's Fresh Gear, a co-host of G4's live daily show, The Screen Savers, a tech writer for STUFF magazine and a go-to tech expert making appearances on networks like E! Entertainment, the TV Guide Channel and VH1. She also enjoys her role as an entertainment reporter for Universal Studios Pictures in which she has interviewed A-list celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Jamie Foxx and The Rock.

Chi-Lan describes herself as "an average, friendly, neighborhood kook" who enjoys spending time with her wonderful family, volunteering, decorating, traveling (her goal is three different countries per year) and, since she comes from an entire family of Chinese chefs, cooking. Other occasions of happiness for Chi-Lan are derived from giving people gadget-buying advice and intimidating boys with her tech knowledge.
More down at her IMDB profile.

On The New UC-Berkeley Admissions Policy

Monday, March 30, 2009

I've been reading about this new UC-Berkely Admissions policy, and first - just for the record - I haven't seen all the data the report was based on - but then again neither has anyone else - and I have some thoughts on this including:

Schools, the workplace, government - they should be diverse and I'm all for creating policies that create that type of environment - because none of us live in a vacuum - at one point or another we have to work with people of different races and ethnicities and we should want to work with people who have different cultures and backgrounds where we don't just "tolerate" others who are different from us, but truly do accept them - because it only makes us better.

At the same time, I'm all for helping poor kids of any color get into college because if you're poor, on a whole, you've had it tougher than everyone else and when you're a high school kid - it's not really your fault you grew up without a college fund, had to skip meals, and work odd jobs to help pay the rent - all of which make it harder for you to be a better student and get into a college of your choice if that's that route you decided to take.

But this new policy isn't really about helping underprivileged kids get into college or making the campus more diverse.

It's simply about racism - and racism that's being directed towards Asian Americans reminiscent of the days when we couldn't testify in a courtroom against Whites, or when Asians were singled out as the only racial group who couldn't immigrate to America, or when Asian Americans were used as a scapegoat for the failings of the U.S. automotive industry (and don't you think it's kind of funny how this new push of Yellow Peril is being served up during a recession? That during harder economic times when studies show that people go back to school to learn a new skill and trade that the ones who are being pushed out are people from our community - a community that has always been looked at as perpetual foreigners?).

People on the other side can try and spin this any way they want too but the bottom line is that the new admissions policy should simply be known as the "We don't want that damn many of them chinky people on our campus" policy because that's what it really is - that's what it's saying.

And it's deplorable.

Call For Entries: Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival

Saturday, March 28, 2009



From the PAAFF site:

The 2nd Annual Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival (PAAFF) is now accepting submissions for the following festival award categories:

Narrative Fiction (70 mins+)
Documentary (35 mins+)
Short Film (1-30 mins)

Earlybird Deadline for submissions: May 8, 2009*
Regular Deadline for submissions: June 13, 2009

Submit online: https://www.withoutabox.com/login/6998

*Filmmakers (Asian and non-Asian) are encouraged to submit their films early to save money on entry fees and to beat the final deadline crunch. 3 DVD submission copies are required.

SXSW Asian Music Roundup

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Just wanted to post up and let you know that blogger Wendy Hsu down at Yellow Buzz has some great writeups and pictures from her SXSW travels featuring a ton of Asian bands and performers which you'll definitely want to check on out.

Go get it now.

Random Made Up Word: Boatada

Saturday, March 28, 2009

I told myself that if for some reason I still had this in my head by the end of the week that I would make a post out of it even though it's devoid of any real substance whatsoever, and while I don't know why I kept thinking this, if you would put BoA and Utada together - you'd get a Boatada.

That's it.

Interview: Emi Meyer

Saturday, March 28, 2009



This is a little old (from last month) but still wanted to post it on up because if you wanted to know more about singer/songwriter Emi Meyer who's working on her new album, make sure to check out the interview down at The Rafu Shrimp where she talks about what's on her iPod, best gig, having a dual cultural makeup, and the future of music.

Find out more at MySpace.

Magnetic North, WAM, Equilibrium, And Changing Identity: Recent Works by Women Artists from Vietnam

Saturday, March 28, 2009



I talked about Changing Identity in a previous post and in conjunction with the exhibition they'll be putting on a special rendition of Equilibrium (the spoken word series directed by writer/poet/artist Bao Phi from the Loft Literary Center) which is going to feature Vietnamese American artists including Jennii Le, Sahra Nguyen, and Magnetic North.

When: Friday, April 10, 8:00 p.m.; galleries open at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Weisman Art Museum
Cost: $5/$3 students, WAM and Loft members; tickets available at the door
Spoken Word Meets Hip Hop Meets Vietnamese Cool.

Nice.

Go Go Cold Tofu Improv

Friday, March 27, 2009



Got this sent out earlier this week (thanks Stefanie) and wanted to make sure and post it on up as it starts up tonight through April 11th:

Cold Tofu Improv presents
Tofu Exposed: An All New Sketch Comedy Show


Cold Tofu Improv, the nation’s first and premier Asian American improvisation and sketch comedy group, presents Tofu Exposed: An All New Sketch Comedy Show from March 27 – April 11 at the Avery Schreiber Theatre in North Hollywood. This is the organization’s first sketch show in more than five years.

"Since 1981, Cold Tofu members have performed comedy encompassing a variety of universal themes that all people could relate. We provide a safe place for artists of all backgrounds to explore the different sides of comedy,” said Artistic Director Helen H. Ota. “Tofu Exposed is the culmination of a year-long sketch writing workshop that allows members to explore their lives through comedy and show the often hilarious side of everyday experiences.”

Want to see a private moment between a husband and wife? Hear the conversation happening behind closed doors between co-workers? Know what he’s thinking while on a first date? Explore the lives of your favorite Cold Tofu members with Tofu Exposed, an all new sketch comedy show written by the cast.

Directing the show is Stephen Kearin. He was a founding member of both Improv Theatre and True Fiction Magazine, and performed with BATS Improv for 14 years. Stephen is currently a member of Impro Theatre in Los Angeles and a founding member of 3ForAll. He’s directed Kirk Ward in two of his shows. First was the critically-acclaimed 3 Stories Tall that premiered in Los Angeles and is being remounted this summer at Luis Valdez's El Teatro Campesino, and Fatherland at The HBO Aspen Comedy Festival.

Tofu Exposed features Cold Tofu Improv members J. Stephen Brady, Denise Iketani, John Lau, Jully Lee, Kevin Ocampo, Helen H. Ota, Michael C. Palma and Aaron Takahashi.

Tofu Exposed runs March 27 – April 11 with performances Friday and Saturday at 8 pm. Tickets are $25 for opening night, $15 general and $12 for students, seniors and groups of 10+. The Avery Schreiber Theatre is located at 11050 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601. To make reservations, e-mail tofuexposed@gmail.com or call (213) 739-4142.

Tofu Exposed is supported in part by Sam Woo BBQ Restaurant, 6450 Sepulveda Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91411, (818) 988-6813.
Comedy + BBQ = good night for everyone.

Available Now: 2009 Chicago Asian American Showcase Program

Friday, March 27, 2009

Just a word out that the full program is now available for the 2009 Chicago Asian American Showcase which is looking to have a great slaw of films (and by slaw I mean slew except that I just felt like using slaw because nothing goes better with a bucket of chicken than good coleslaw and nothing really goes better with a movie than a bucket of chicken and if you truly follow that line of thinking you either read this blog way too much or you're my twin and that means we probably shouldn't have sex).

Check out the PDF program down at the FAAIM website as well as at the Gene Siskel Film Center where you can also get information on getting tickets.

Rocky Mountain High School And Mixed Company Of Yale's "Single Asians"

Friday, March 27, 2009

A semi non sequitur of a post - but only partially because they really do fit together.

First.

The group Mixed Company of Yale singing "Single Asians" to the tune of Beyonce's "Single Ladies".



Second.

From an article from the RockyMountTelegram.com on a panel of students from Rocky Mount talking about their views of discrimination and prejudice from the event "Can We Talk" that happened last night:

Jonathan Kim, an Asian-American student at Northern Nash High School, said he has experienced remarks and hurtful stereotypes because of his race.

“People have made racist remarks at school that I would physically hurt them, or shoot up their school,” Kim said. “Or they think I’m too smart to care what they have to say.”
When you read that one comment it's almost scary how it sums up so much of the way that Asian American males of all ages can be looked at through a far too often racist and stereotypical lens by the rest of society - reiterated by a High School student.

Kind of telling of where we still are isn't it?

Person Of The Year (At Least In One State)

Friday, March 27, 2009

This news is a little old, but still worth mentioning as California's Person Of The Year (given out on the 16th of this month) was Vietnamese American Nguyen Dieu Quyen:

Dieu Quyen was born in Vietnam in 1978 and left the US at the age of 14. Beginning a new life in a strange country, she tried her best and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics and Teaching from the University of Long Beach. Currently, she teaches at the Pacifica High School in the city of Garden Grove in California.

For the past several few years, Nguyen Dieu Quyen has been recognized as a good teacher and an active woman in social activities.

She is also a member of the management board of representatives of Vietnamese language centers for the overseas Vietnamese community in Southern California. In addition, Dieu Quyen also works as a newsreader for the local television station.

And she regularly acts as a MC for social events that are organized by the overseas Vietnamese community in California, contributing to the development and good of the community, especially as regards charitable activities.

“Dieu Quyen is really an enthusiastic humanitarian activist. She has devoted all her heart, her soul, her timetable and her talent for the community. She is worthy of receiving the “Person of the Year” honor”, stated Jose Solorio a representative for California’s 69 County, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove and Santa Ana.

Dieu Quyen has awarded the honor in a ceremony on March 16th at California’s house of representatives.
Congratulations.

A Boston First?: Your Name's Nguyen And You're Running For City Council

Friday, March 27, 2009

Caught this article down at the Dorchester Reporter and according to the newsbyte 26 year-old Hiep Q. Nguyen has confirmed that he'll be running for City Council at-Large and most think he's the first Vietnamese American to ever run for City Council in the city of Boston:

At 26, he may be the youngest candidate in this year's race. And according to many, he is the first Vietnamese-American ever to run for the council in Boston.

"I was very surprised when I went a community meeting and knew about his running," said Van Lan Truong, a long-time community activist who was also the Vietnamese liaison for Mayor Raymond Flynn in the 1980s and 90s. "I'm very happy to see the younger generation getting involved and doing work for the community."

Nguyen is considered a newcomer to community activism, though he grew up in the area. Reached on the phone Tuesday, March 24, he declined to comment on the race other than to say that he is running. Nguyen immigrated from Tay Ninh, Vietnam, a town 50 miles northwest of Ho Chi Minh City in 1991 at the age of 8. His father was a pilot in the South Vietnamese army trained by the U.S. Air Force.

He attended St. William's Grammar School in Savin Hill and Boston Latin Academy, and then moved on to undergraduate and graduate degrees at Bentley University in Waltham.

Since his recent return to Boston, he has involved himself in efforts to register Vietnamese-American voters in last year's election and also the resurrection of the financially troubled Vietnamese-American Civic Association where he has become the president of the board of directors.
And to all the people that say he may not be able to connect with the Vietnamese American community because of his age and experience - at some point - you gotta make way for the new, so why not now?

Strangers Like To Beat Us Down?

Friday, March 27, 2009

I caught this article talking about race and violent crimes from a 2006 study from the Justice Department and if it does hold true and the trend has continued, it means that out of all the racial groups out there, we're apparently more likely to be the target of violent crimes by strangers than any other group - about 20% higher than anyone who isn't Asian - and while the article doesn't provide any reasons why this might be happening, I think people are just jealous that we're such a good looking people, and when they realize they'll never have that cool Asian vibe like us they just kind of go batshit.

Or they still have issues with Yoko and want to take it out on someone, but beating down an Asian person isn't going to help because Yoko's still going to be there (and I really do think she's an alien from another planet sent here to mock me).

All of this though doesn't mean you shouldn't meet new people and talk with strangers - but it is probably better to be on the safe side and not take lollipops from someone who looks like Rush Limbaugh.

Because he'll eat you.

Amanda Terkel On The Keith Olbermann Show

Friday, March 27, 2009

So I've been reading about Bill O'Reilly stalking and ambushing Asian American journalist and blogger Amanda Terkel (check out Disgrasian and Angry Asian Man for more posts) and wanted to post up the video of her on Keith Olbermann's show, talking about the ambush by O'Reilly's people about a blog post she did which simply pointed out that O'Reilly - in his own words -basically said it was the victim's fault she was raped and murdered because of you know - how she was dressed.

Keith Olbermann Video



The original O'Reilly segment



O'Reilly's Own Words

From the August 2 edition of Westwood One's The Radio Factor with Bill O'Reilly:

O'REILLY: So anyway, these two girls come in from the suburbs and they get bombed, and their car is towed because they're moronic girls and, you know, they don't have a car. So they're standing there in the middle of the night with no car. And then they separate because they're drunk. They separate, which you never do. All right.

Now Moore, Jennifer Moore, 18, on her way to college. She was 5-foot-2, 105 pounds, wearing a miniskirt and a halter top with a bare midriff. Now, again, there you go. So every predator in the world is gonna pick that up at two in the morning. She's walking by herself on the West Side Highway, and she gets picked up by a thug. All right. Now she's out of her mind, drunk.

And the thug takes her over to New Jersey in the cab and kills her and rapes her and does all these terrible things to her. And the thug is so stupid, he uses her cell phone, and the cops trace it back to him and they -- and they arrest him and charge him with murder. He had a prostitute girlfriend with him, and she's charged as an accessory to murder. But Jennifer Moore is in the ground. She's dead.
And The O'Reilly Supporters

And here's a YouTube comment from a supporter of Big Bad Bill on the whole situation who we'll just call dumbMF instead of his YouTube screen name cancerman67 which probably has something to do with the number of children he's "helped across the street" never to be found again:

This dumb b***h can dish it out - but when confronted - suddenly she's behaving like a victim. Did she try talking to O'Reilly before making the accusations? Hmmmm - NO. If she didn't make accusations in the first place - she wouldn't have had to explain herself.
Get a clue - or at least a better screen name that doesn't incriminate you.

Random Post On Nothing

Thursday, March 26, 2009

You'll probably want to skip this post since I'm just going to ramble about nothing, but I figure it's been a while since I've just randomly posted on nothing, and since this is my blog, I figure I have a free pass.

So I tried reading my book again a few nights ago and while I slept with it under my arm and it was actually quite comfy and I felt literate (because I think literate people fall asleep with books), I only made it through the first page before I fell asleep.

The same thing happened when I was watching Obama on TV last night. After he chastised some reporter whose name I can't remember because of a question he wouldn't let drop I nodded off into slantyland - which is a fun place to be btw because I get to be naked a lot (and apparently I have six-pack abs too) - but out of all that I heard when I actually was awake what I remember the most (and I still blame Palin for this) is that people are continuing the practice of dropping their "G's" at the end of words including Obama to sound more "folksy" - and you know what? The G is there for a reason. It's supposed to be there and I'm actually kind of feeling bad for the letter G because it's really getting ignored in the face of everyone trying to appeal to what's becoming my least favorite place of this year which is "Mainstreet".

I mean everyone's trying to appeal to "Mainstreet". Commercials, television shows, politicians - even pizza's trying to make an appeal - and when they make their appeals all of them are dropping their G's.

It's kind of like this new rule that says if you're making a case about anything to anyone who you think is "Mainstreet", drop the G because apparently those of us who are on said street or blvd have never learned to pronounce the G at the end of words because we think it's invisible and if you drop it we'll think you're one of us and then we'll gladly accept whatever you have to say to us.

At the same time, the more I'm typing about this the more I really want to stand up for the letter G at the end of words and start a campaign for it because I'm actually kind of afraid we're going to lose it and never find it again and then I'll have to go through life saying "I can't talk with you right now because I'm masturbatin" and let's face it - that really doesn't sound that good.

AAA-Fund Interview: Judy Chu

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Win A Squier Vintage Modified Precision Bass From The Slants

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Got this sent out and wanted to post it on up:

Portland, Oregon-based Asian outfit The Slants - Simon Young (bass), Aron (vocals), Gaijin (keyboards), Johnny (guitar), and Tyler Chen (drums) ­ have teamed up with Squier Guitar, by Fender. As well as Shonen Jump, Shojo Beat Magazine, and one of the largest anime conventions in the country, Sakuracon, to offer fans a chance to win a limited edition Squier Vintage Modified Precision Bass customized by The Slants' founder and bassist, Simon Young.

The bass features artwork from the band's debut album, "Slanted Eyes, Slanted Hearts", as well as some detail work by Simon Young, which mirrors the custom Fender Jaguar basses that he uses himself. The bass is one of a kind and will be crafted in Fender's custom shop.

"I've had a lot of people been interested in my basses," says Young, "but there's never been a chance to get anything like them until now."

No purchase is necessary to enter. Fans must simply fill out the entry form, available at http://www.theslants.com/basscontest

Contest rules and regulations are available at the site. Fans may enter until April 12, 2009, when The Slants will give away the bass on stage during their concert at Sakuracon; runner up prizes are being graciously donated by Shonen Jump, Shojo Beat Magazine, and Fender.

The Slants are currently riding high on the emerging popularity of their debut full-length, "Slanted Eyes, Slanted Hearts", an album full of new wave, synth, pop, and danceable rock, all with an Asian flavor. The album has catchy hooks, smooth harmonies, and anthemic choruses - everything that a solid record should have. And it has been catching the support of a new breed of fans: anime watching, video game playing, manga reading kids who are in love with the band's sound and show presence.

Due to popular demand, The Slants are returning to Sakuracon 2009. In addition to The Slants, this year's musical guests will include Girugamesh, Smile DK, and Hagry and Anrgy.

The Slants have an extensive tour schedule throughout 2009 already on the books. Look for them at a club or anime convention near you.

Obama, The Administration, And More Asian American Nominations

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

More Asian American nominations straight from the White House Press Release:

Dr. Howard Koh, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Health, Department of Health and Human Services

Dr. Howard Koh is the Harvey V. Fineberg Professor of the Practice of Public Health, Associate Dean for Public Health Practice, and Director of the Division of Public Health Practice at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH). At HSPH, he has served as the Principal Investigator of multiple research grants related to community-based participatory research, cancer prevention, health disparities, tobacco control, and emergency preparedness. He is also Director of the HSPH Center for Public Health Preparedness.

Koh previously served as Commissioner of Public Health for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (1997-2003) where he emphasized the power of prevention for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, which included four public health hospitals and a staff of over 3000 professionals. Koh graduated from Yale College, Yale University School of Medicine and completed his postgraduate training and chief residencies at Boston City Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital. He has earned board certification in internal medicine, hematology, medical oncology, and dermatology, as well as a Master of Public Health degree. He is an elected member of the Institute of Medicine and Chair of the Board of Scientific Counselors for the CDC’s Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response.

Koh has published over 200 articles in the medical and public health literature. He has received numerous awards and honors including the Distinguished Service Award from the American Cancer Society. President Bill Clinton appointed Koh to the National Cancer Advisory Board (2000-2002). In recognition of his contributions to early detection and prevention of melanoma, the Boston Red Sox designated Koh as a “Medical All-Star” (2003), and invited him to throw the ceremonial first pitch at Fenway Park. He and his wife, Dr. Claudia Arrigg, are the proud parents of three children.

Rhea Suh, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Policy Management and Budget, Department of Interior

Most recently, Rhea Suh was a Program Officer at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, where she managed the program’s portfolio of grants designed to protect the ecosystems of the western part of North America. Suh has served as a consultant for the US National Park Service where she wrote educational strategy & developed educational programs for under-served constituencies (such as low-income communities) to bring National Park lessons to a broader audience in public schools. She served as Senior Legislative Assistant to Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell where she drafted & developed legislative initiatives, staffed the Senator at meetings & events, and regularly met with constituents.

Prior to her work for Senator Nighthorse Campbell, Suh was a high school science teacher in New York City. Rhea serves on the board of the Environmental Grantmakers Association and is on its inclusive practices committee. She is also a member of the Asian-American Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy Association.

Rhea holds an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science and Education from Columbia University and a masters’ degree in Education from Harvard. Suh’s graduate school project at the Kennedy School of Government focused on helping the US Park Service think through the options for how they could create a formalized educational program that could help bring the parks into classrooms around the country.

Cool.

Free Traxx: DJ GEOMETRIX

Wednesday, March 25, 2009



Got this sent out to me and wanted to make sure to post on up:

DOWNLOAD EXCLUSIVE TRACKS from DJ GEOMETRIX'S Latest Mix CD "MY BITTER SWEET 16" Promo release available @ PLUNGE Miami, FL (March 26th) & ULTRABAR Washington, DC (April 10th)

Jay-Z vs. Robin da Hood - I Just Wanna Luv U (DJ Geometrix sMASH edIT)

http://www.djgeometrix.com/remix/dj_geometrix-just_wanna_love_u_remix.mp3
http://www.zshare.net/audio/57472729b3bfaf5b/
http://drop.io/djgeometrix/asset/dj-geometrix-just-wanna-love-u-remix-mp3

Wu-Tang Clan vs. Daze of Thunder - C.R.E.A.M. (DJ Geometrix sMASH edIT)

http://www.djgeometrix.com/remix/dj_geometrix-cream_remix.mp3
http://www.zshare.net/audio/57472587700e398b/
http://drop.io/djgeometrix/asset/dj-geometrix-cream-remix-mp3

Wale vs. DJ Mujava vs. Scottie B - Township Dig Dug (DJ Geometrix sMASH edIT)

http://www.djgeometrix.com/remix/dj_geometrix-dig_dug_remix.mp3
http://www.zshare.net/audio/57472601584eb880/
http://drop.io/djgeometrix/asset/dj-geometrix-dig-dug-remix-mp3

Notorious B.I.G. vs. Cold Blank - Hypnotize (DJ Geometrix sMASH edIT)

http://www.djgeometrix.com/remix/dj_geometrix-hypnotize_remix.mp3
http://www.zshare.net/audio/57472734070ec92c/
http://drop.io/djgeometrix/asset/dj-geometrix-hypnotize-remix-mp3

Common vs. Cadence - Lazy Love H.E.R. (DJ Geometrix sMASH edIT)

http://www.djgeometrix.com/remix/dj_geometrixi_used_to_love_her_remix.mp3
http://www.zshare.net/audio/57472724f434a5a7/
http://drop.io/djgeometrix/asset/dj-geometrix-i-used-to-love-her-remix-mp3

MV: BoA - Look Who's Talking Behind-the-Scenes

Wednesday, March 25, 2009



Caught this up on YouTube and you definitely want to check it out.

DVD+Showing: A Song For Ourselves

Wednesday, March 25, 2009



Three notes on A Song For Ourselves:

1. You can now pick up the DVD. Go to the blog and check the side button.

2. It's going to have it's NY premiere this Friday:

Friday, March 27th at 7pm
Manhattan Country School
7 East 96th Street (Between Madison & 5th Ave.)
New York, NY 10128

Unfortunately it's sold out (but still cool).

3. There's a good article down at Asia Pacific Arts along with some video.

It's Soy Good?

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Sorry - I couldn't really help that after I read this article on how soy intake during childhood might help Asian American women reduce the risk of breast cancer - and while they can't say for sure - if they did a study that said eating two buckets of chicken a day could reduce the risk of prostate cancer (and I always want to say prostrate for some reason) - I'd be doubling up on my chicken intake.

Unfortunately that study hasn't come out yet, but if it does - I'll be ready.

Gary Locke You've Been Confirmed

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

While in some ways we knew there shouldn't be anything precluding Gary Locke from becoming Commerce Secretary - it's never official until the confirmation (especially as of late) - and now we can say that Gary Locke has officially joined the Obama cabinet:

The third try is, evidently, the charm for President Obama’s appointments to lead the Commerce Department. The Senate has just voted to confirm former Gov. Gary Locke of Washington to the post.

Mr. Obama’s first two nominees withdrew: Gov. Bill Richardson because of a pay-for-play investigation in his home state of New Mexico, and Senator Judd Gregg, a New Hampshire Republican, over philosophical differences and a dispute about control of the Census Bureau.

But after all that controversy, Mr. Locke breezed through, with the Senate approving his nomination by voice vote.
Taking.Over.The.World.

Or at least the White House.

O.K., maybe just the cabinet.

Well...a portion of it.

You know what I mean.

10th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival Call For Entries

Wednesday, March 25, 2009



Posting this up for the good folks down at SDAFF:

This is just a friendly reminder that the San Diego Asian Film Foundation's Call for Entries Early Deadline is approaching.

10th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival
Oct 15-29, 2009

Call For Entries

We're looking for the Best in Asian and Asian American cinema
CASH prize for Jury Winner
Early Deadline: April 30, 2009 ($25 fee)
Late Deadline: June 10, 2009 ($40 fee)

Rules, entry forms, and festival info at www.sdaff.org

For more info: 858.565.1264 Info@sdaff.org
So for any of you budding filmmakers out there - you still have time.

Lineup: Japan Film Festival–Los Angeles 2009

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Got word down from the folks the JFFLA that they've come out with their full lineup. Info from the press release:

The Japan America Media Association, presenter of the Japan Film Festival–Los Angeles, is proud to announce the line-up for this year’s Festival. The Japan Film Festival–Los Angeles 2009 will be held from Friday, April 10 – Sunday, April 19 in Santa Monica and Downtown Los Angeles and will feature both North American and Los Angeles Premieres. We will be showing 22 feature films in total.
Here's a list of some of the films that will be playing as well as more information on venues and ticket prices from (go to the site for the full updated list).

Films

Opening: The Sky Crawlers LA Premiere
Director: Mamoru Oshii
Starring: Rinko Kikuchi, Ryo Kase, Chiaki Kuriyama, Syosuke Tanihara

“Kildren” are ageless fighter pilots who live in adolescence until they die in battle.
 They were created to fight in an endless war to “entertain” the peacetime people.

Closing: Vacation
Director: Hajime Kadoi
Starring: Kaoru Kobayashi, Hidetoshi NIshijima, Nene Otsuka, Ren Osugi, Syuji Kashiwabara

Hirai, a veteran prison guard who is getting married to Mika, a single mother. 
Hoping to make time to be with his new family, he finds that the only way to be entitled to a week's vacation is if he acts as the execution assistant during an execution.

Always: Sunset on Third Street 2 LA Premiere
Director: Takashi Yamazaki
Starring: Hidetaka Yoshioka, Shinichi Tsutsumi, Koyuki, Maki Horikita, Hiroko Yakushimaru

The scene is set four months after the previous movie in the Tokyo Shitamachi area. The story continues with the human drama of the residents in Yuuhi machi 3 chome.

252: Signal of Life US Premiere
Director: Nobuo Mizuta
Starring: Hideaki Ito,Masaaki Uchino, Takayuki Yamada, Yu Kashii, Yuichi Kimura

The biggest monster Typhoon ever to hit Japan, people try to survive while in a furious panic.

ICHI
Director: Fumihiko Sori
Starring: Haruka Ayase, Shido Nakamura, Yosuke Kubozuka, Akira Emoto, Riki Takeuchi, Takao Osawa

New, female version of the famous sword hero “Zatoichi”.

The Gift From Beate
Director: Tomoko Fujiwara
Starring: Beate Sirota Gordon

Ms. Beathe Shirota Gordon makes every effort to build “essential equality of the sexes” in the Constitution of Japan after WWⅡ. Supported by her efforts, Japanese women devote their energies to establishing a gender equal society.

Campaign
Director: Soda Kazuhiro
Starring: Kazuhiko Yamauchi, Sayuri Yamauchi, Junichiro Koizumi, Junko Kawaguchi

Documentary film about “a political amateur” who is transformed into “a candidate running with the official support” of the big political party. Making full use of strategy and methodology while developing an electoral
campaign.

Tribute for the prolific actor, Ken Ogata

A Long Walk
Director: Eiji Okuda
Starring: Ken Ogata, Saki Takaoka, Kana Sugiura, Syota Matsuda, Eiji Okuda

A middle-aged man who suffers from remorse in his life meets a girl who has blocked out her emotions after being repeatedly abused by her mother. While being chased as a kidnapper, he decides to take off on a journey of redemption.

Vengeance is Mine
Director: Syohei Imamura
Starring: Ken Ogata, Rentaro Mikuni, Chocho Miyako, Mitsuko Baisyo, Mayumi Ogawa

A story of a man who kills five people and runs away through Japan. His life is full of accumulated crimes from his upbringing, love affairs and antagonism from his own father. 


Date and Venue

April 10 (Fri) to 16 (Thu)
Laemmle’s Monica 4-Plex (Santa Monica)
1332 2nd Street Santa Monica, 90401

April 17 (Fri) to 19 (Sun)
Downtown Independent (Downtown Los Angeles)
251 S. Main Street Los Angeles, California 90012

April 25 (Sat) and 26 (Sun)
Starplex Cinema (Irvine)
4626 Barranca Parkway, Irvine, CA 92604

Ticket Prices

General Admission $10
Students / Seniors (60+) / Matinee(before 4:30pm) $7 (ID is needed for students and seniors)

*Advance ticket (3 tickets) $20
(*This ticket is valid for Santa Monica and Downtown LA only. It is not valid in Irvine. This is a voucher only and will need to be exchanged for the actual ticket at the ticket office.)

Released: Utada - This Is The One

Tuesday, March 24, 2009



So you know I was going to pick this up and listen to it non-stop and it's almost exactly what I expected - straight up everything I love about Utada - depth, soul, pop, r&b, hot beats, and that vibe that only Hikki can bring with her music.

You definitely want to pick it up (get it down at Amazon or from iTunes where you get the album plus the "Come Back To Me" video as well as a digital booklet).

Hot Tracks

  • Come Back To Me: Loved the slow r&b/pop vibes when it first came out and still loving it now (and it's definitely cool that you get the video as well with the album).
  • Me Muero: Leave it up to Utada to put this track on because there aren't a lot of artists who could pull this off and while at first I thought it was a little out of place it's seriously grown on me and I think has some of the best lyrics and vocals on the album. Loving this track.
  • Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence - FYI: One of my favorite tracks hands down because it's just a slick slick vibe.
  • Apple and Cinnamon: Strong deep mid-tempo gooey beats and an infectious hook. What more do I want? One of my favorite tracks.

  • This One (Crying Like a Child): Its just got a good r&b pop feel to it that I just can't help but like.
  • Automatic, Pt. II: Automatic is always going to be a classic (and who doesn't love the Unplugged acoustic version?), but Pt. II is kind of like when Batman Begins came out - it made you rethink the franchise.
  • On and On: Certifiable pop with the Utada stamp and that's the only way I can explain it.
All the other tracks are pretty solid as well and I'm sure are going to grow on me the more I listen to them.

$7.99 for the latest Utada?

Can't be beat.

And On Dirty Desire

I guess I have to post at least a little something on this right?

Far be it from me as someone who has a blog named "Slant Eye For The Round Eye" and who signs correspondence with "Slanty" from saying what a musician, artist, and Asian woman meant when she has the line "Love You Long Time" in her song - especially when she's already said the verses in the song are tongue-in-cheek and she's already talked about how people say she speaks great English - not gonna happen.

At the same time I'm going to point you to David Henry Hwang and Margaret Cho who said this in an MTV article last year:
" 'Love you long time' comes out of a fairly stereotypical situation, and it's recycled itself back into the culture," said playwright David Henry Hwang. "Now it's being used as an empowerment phrase, like to deny it — 'I won't love you long time' — or women who take the phrase and use it to assert themselves."

[...]

"It's so many different kinds of slurs in one," comedian Margaret Cho said. "It's instantly putting you in the position of being a foreigner, an outsider and a sexual stereotype. It's an all-in-one combo."

[...]

"I was walking down the street and this guy yells from his car, 'Love you long time, me love you long time,' " Cho related. "And I was so horrified. Of course he's talking to me, to the Asian woman walking down the street. And he left.

"I don't mind it when it's used in songs, like when women use it," Cho continued. "Fergie uses it, that doesn't bother me. But when it's shouted in the street and they don't wait to hear the response? What if I was actually going to go, 'Oh, OK'? They never stick around to hear the answer."

All I know is this.

Leave it up to Utada to push the boundaries on her "mainstream" album - because if you do a search on "Utada+love you long time" the conversations are already out there.

Support Asian American Music.

The 6th Annual Kundiman Asian American Poetry Retreat Needs Your Help

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

I caught this up at poeta y diwata by author Barbara Jane Reyes via Sarah Gambito of Kundiman and am just going to post it up on in full here as it seems like a great resource for Asian American poets and a worthwhile cause to help out.

Please Help: The 6th Annual Kundiman Asian American Poetry Retreat

by Barbara Jane Reyes

From Sarah Gambito of Kundiman:

As you (may) know, Kundiman is playing an important role in the literary world of the U.S. By initiating a summer retreat for Asian American poets five years ago, it has opened doors of opportunity that were previously closed to young poets of the Asian diaspora. Through intensive workshops with renowned poets and the enthusiastic support from staff and peers, the amount and excellence of their output is phenomenal.

Kundiman Fellows have published poems in The Virginia Quarterly Review, The Colorado Review, Pleiades, Black Warrior Review and Crab Orchard Review. They are attending MFA and doctoral programs at The Iowa Writers’ Workshop, New York University, Stanford University, The University of Houston, and The University of California, Berkeley. Three Kundiman fellows have gone on to publish full-length collections of poetry.

What you may not know is how important this program has been in the development of lives of the poets themselves. I’d like to share quotes from just two of the Fellows and I invite you to read the testimonies of others on our website www.kundiman.org. Also, please see Janine Oshiro’s essay on her experience at the Kundiman retreat here: http://www.oregonhum.org/i-spy.php

“Months after this year’s Kundiman retreat, I am still left wondering whether the most intensely beautiful experience, short of falling in love, was an accidental happenstance of a meeting of more than 20 poet-minds at various stages of our writing development; or the intricate design of the driven and artful, purposeful and generous, tactical and loving staff, guest faculty and board of Kundiman. The camaraderie, peer review, professional insight and instruction, mutual support, lack of sleep and utter kindness and friendship fired up the most remote synapses of my brain and my deepest heartstrings. But why qualify the impact of Kundiman? I did fall in love—with my fellow poets, their exquisite analyses of my work and each of their unique poetic voices. I’m both humbled and proud to be a small part of this growing family of writers who even today, are shaping the poetry of tomorrow.” –Debbie Yee

“As soon as I arrived, I was greeted so warmly as if I was among old friends! I felt at home among complete strangers. Here was a group of dynamic people who shared both my struggles—being a writer of color in America—and my passions: a deep devotion to the art of poetry. I’ve always heard, read, and spoken about the importance of community in any artistic endeavor. The poet’s road can be a lonely one; the drifting heart needs its anchors. But I never realized how empowering a community of artists could be until I spent four days at UVA with the Kundiman staff, teachers, and fellows. I found there what I failed to in any other poetry workshop I’ve taken: a deep respect and honor among poets; a desire to talk about race, identity, and history, in conjunction with one’s composition process; and a willingness to be brave.” –Brynn Saito

We are turning to you to ask for your help in insuring that the 6th Kundiman Summer Retreat can take place, to replace funds that we received in the past but that are not available this year because of budget cuts. The $4,000 we need will go toward direct costs of the retreat—faculty and staff travel and faculty honoraria. Again this year, Kundiman staff members will donate their time to coordinate and administer all the stages required to carry out the five day session. What we ask, we ask for the program itself and for the brave and gifted poets it serves.

Poet by poet, Kundiman is helping to change the face of American literature and what it means to document an important part of the American story. We need the certain light of poetry all the more in these uncertain times. With your help, we will continue to light the way for the next generation of Asian American writers.

Please click here to donate:
http://www.kundiman.org/%5BCLB%5D_Brightside/1.Source/donate.html

Please, also, do forward this widely.

Sincerely,
Sarah Gambito

P.S. Your donation is tax exempt to the full extent of the law as you have received no goods or services in exchange for your gift. Thank you!

Role Model: Lieutenant Dan Choi

Monday, March 23, 2009

I've been seeing this around - and seriously - when you have someone who says "I loved being in Iraq" and is an Arabic linguist and a graduate of West Point and you wanna kick him out because he'd rather get $20 lap dances from guys - well - that has been, is, and will continue to be a huge problem - and you really have to give it up to Dan Choi for getting out into the public eye and taking a stand.

Check the video below.



Cool.

Tammy And Victor Take First Place And Thoughts On The Amazing Race Episode 6

Monday, March 23, 2009

Was it just me or were Tammy and Victor one of the only teams that didn't shout at their cab drivers like they were pieces of meat in this episode while at the same time seeming to be (at least from the edits) one of the few teams that didn't look down at the people or the culture?

If you compared their outlooks on the people and where they were to the team of Cara and Jaime you got two totally different views. One was about seeing the beauty of where they were, the pride in the people, even how great it was to see the animals just chilling out doing what they do (versus say being a zoo where they just get stared at).

The other was about how sad it was, almost how in a way there was no beauty whatsoever in the place or the people - and I'm not denying that they didn't see poverty - but we have it here too - and I can't help but think of the mindset - even if unspoken - that says "If it's poor (or perceived as poor) and brown or black versus poor and white, it's somehow worse".

Video Clips

Here are some videos from the CBS site after Tammy and Victor took first place during the Moscow to India lag - and

A Tour Of India



Sibling Cooperation



On Being Stressed In Moscow

Declare INDIEpendence! 2: April 15th

Sunday, March 22, 2009



I got word down from Dawen Wang that Declare INDIEpendence! 2 is going to happening next month April 15th featuring some great Asian American artists, so you'll definitely want to clear that day on your schedule and head on down to catch some cool music. Cool vibes go out to Dawen for making the connections and getting this together for the second year in a row because like I've said in the past - sometimes you gotta push and if we don't do it - as well as support the people and events - who else will?

Check out the info below:

DECLARE INDIEPENDENCE! 2 CELEBRATES ASIAN AMERICAN MUSIC
DURING 14TH CHICAGO ASIAN AMERICAN SHOWCASE


Singer songwriter Dawen Wang and COCOHEADmusic, in association with the Foundation of Asian American Independent Media (FAAIM) present:

DeclareINDIEpendence! 2: A Showcase of Asian American Music. April 15th, 2009 at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave. Show starts at 8:30pm. Doors open and DJ set at 8pm.17 and over. $10 cover.

Celebrate the diversity of independent music in the Asian American community with performances by: Spark*Shop, Lanialoha & Kupono, Cynthia Lin and Wallet-Sized Photo.

Hosted by Narciso “Seeso” Lobo with DJ Huu T. Ly and special guest Dawen.

Declare INDIEpendence! was created in 2008 by singer songwriter Dawen Wang and COCOHEADmusic as a concert to showcase Asian American music in Chicago during the July 4th weekend.

This year they have produced the show in collaboration with the Foundation of Asian American Independent Media (FAAIM) so that DeclareINDIEpendence! 2009 will coincide with the 14th Annual Chicago Asian AmericanShowcase, April 3 -16th at the Gene Siskel Center.

Featuring:

Spark*Shop is the brainchild of singer songwriter Show Pow Kid. Armed with guitars,synthesizer, conga drum, laptops, and a loop pedal, Spark*Shop combines live musicwith video resulting in one alternative pop multi-media experience. The album Almost There and No Where Near It is available now. Spark*Shop is currently working on a new album.

myspace.com/sparkshop

Lanialoha & Kupono continue to share the music of Hawaii and Polynesia with Chicago audiences. Lanialoha Lee-Sumberg is the founder and Executive Director of Kupa`a –Pacific Island Resources, whose mission is to make Pacific Island cultures accessible to all. She teaches ukulele, dance, and percussion at Old Town School of Folk Music.

http://www.kupaa-pacificislandresources.org/

Cynthia Lin combines a love for retro jazz with the lyrical poetry of acoustic folk.Cynthia has released two albums independently and toured nationally, appearing with artists including Vienna Teng, and Emm Gryner. The title track from her debut album Blue and Borderlined was featured on NPR, and her recent album Doppelganger wasnamed Top 5 of 2007 by AsiaXpress.com.

http://www.cynthialin.com/

Wallet-Sized Photo is Joe Mason and Derek Wu, key players with Recent Photo, a Chicago pop troupe whose live and recorded offerings have since 2003 generated blissfulconfusion, garnering comparisons to XTC, Magnetic Fields, Denim, David Bowie, TheKills, Husker Du, Einsturzende Neubaten, and Galaxie 500.

myspace.com/recentphoto

Dawen is an LA based producer, and singer songwriter. A former Chicagoan, he co-produced last year’s “Declare INDIEpendence” showcase with Show Pow Kid. Dawen’snew music video Wake Up was selected for screening at this year’s 14thChicago Asian American Showcase at the Gene Siskel Film Center. He is currently finishing up his newalbum, American Me.
myspace.com/dawenwang

Narciso “Seeso” Lobo is a YouTube sensation with over 1 million hits for his original song, Thank You For Leaving Me. Check out his music at youtube.com/seeso and myspace.com/narcisolobo. Seeso hosts the open mic nights at Subterranean every Monday.

DJ Huu T. Ly has been in the Chicago circuit for a few years after transitioning from hiscollege top 40 DJ days. Now, Huu weaves the melodic sounds of progressive house with a touch of electro house, tech-house and trance to shake things up!

Support Asian American Music.

That's A Wrap: La Petite Salon

Sunday, March 22, 2009

I heard from Cat D, a Co-Producer of the short film La Petite Salon - which you've heard me talk about in a previous post - and they've finished wrapping up shooting of the film, and should have some cast/crew photos up on their official site in the next few days.

Definitely sounds like a great film and hopefully it will get some great showings once it comes out (or on DVD too?). Check out their Facebook Fan Page here (where if you're also a budding filmmaker you can check out the camera they used to film the project).

Cool.

Hope You Have 8 million

Sunday, March 22, 2009

If you've been following the saga of Rain and JYPE, the verdict is finally in:

Korean pop star Rain and his former agency JYP Entertainment were ordered to pay ~USD8.1 million in damages to a Hawaiian event promoter for cancelling a concert in June 2007.

The judgement was made by a federal court on March 19th in Honolulu; both Rain and JYPE have stated their intention to appeal against the decision.

Rain’s Hawaiian concert at Aloha Stadium was cancelled a few days before the scheduled date; he is facing another lawsuit in LA for cancelling a concert just hours before the show (same tour as the Hawaii concert).
Hopefully that Speed Racer check was big.

You're A Girl At A Startup

Sunday, March 22, 2009

I happened to stumble onto this blog called "Girl At A Startup" where the latest post is about being a non-dude screenwriter (see post Being a Non-Dude Screenwriter) and somehow I just kind of got caught up into the blog and especially liked this video of Kathrien Ahn (who's a techie, actor/writer/blogger and a hip hop karaoke performer) following around her dad in a grocery store in K-Town.


Korean Food Shopping with My Dad from girlatastartup on Vimeo.

And really - who doesn't like Wasabi Green Peas?

Ang Lee And Anna Wu

Sunday, March 22, 2009



Just wanted to post up that photographer Anna Wu has a good write up on the special screening & talk at Berkeley with Ang Lee on her site as well as great pictures which you definitely want to make sure to check on out.

Here's a quick snippet from the post:

i was so excited to see ang lee that i would have been happy even if the movie was terrible and the talk was superficial. but my shoddy expectations were blown away. actually, the most impressive part of the night was ang lee’s talk. how many times have i heard artists give their evasive and superficial responses– ‘oh, it is whatever you think it is’? to the contrary, ang lee was candid, open, passionate, and revealing with his depth of thought behind his film.
Read it in full down at her site.

SECRET IDENTITIES: Preview 6 of 8 - Pg 56 - "THE CITIZEN" -

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Here's the latest installment of the Secret Identities Preview "The Citizen":

Books: Barrow

Sunday, March 22, 2009



Bryan Thao Worra - who's the first Laotian American to receive an NEA fellowship in Literature - is coming out with a new book of poetry called "Barrow":

It's official- my new book, BARROW, coming out from Sam's Dot Publishing in the next few weeks will feature the cover by Laotian American artist Vongduane Manivong.
Check more out down at BTW's blog and also learn more about Vongduane at her site.

Hyphen Magazine Turns Six

Sunday, March 22, 2009



It's hard enough making it in the newspaper and magazine business if you're a for-profit organization and you cast a wide net over the news that you cover - so the fact that Hyphen Magazine has stood the test of time is a testament to their staff (all volunteer) as well as the community of readers who make sure that what they cover remains important.

Check out Hyphen for what'll be going down at the their six year anniversary party.

Free Promos And Advance Copies: NYC Utada Listening Party

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Don't have anything to do this Monday? You're an Utada fan? And you like free stuff? I think this is for you:

Utada - Album Release Party
Mar 23, 2009


Monday, 6 pm - 9 pm
Angels & Kings
500 East 11th Street, at Avenue A
New York, NY 10003
Subways: L to First Avenue, 6 to Astor Place

Presented by Angels & Kings with proceeds benefiting Asian American Arts Alliance, Japanese American pop/R&B singer Utada, a multiplatinum seller in Japan, will be on-hand for the release of her new English-language album. Available digitally Tuesday, March 24, the album, which includes her new hit, “Come Back to Me,” features the work of producers Stargate (Ne-Yo, Rihanna) and Tricky (Britney Spears).

Utada fans, here is your chance to get free promos items and win an advance copy of the album!

Open bar sponsored by Ciroc from 6 pm - 7 pm.

Tickets:
$10 Donation at the Door, benefiting the Asian American Arts Alliance. To find out more about the Alliance, visit our website at www.aaartsalliance.org.

Contact:
Angels & Kings
www.angelsandkings.com

Check out more cool stuff at the Asian American Arts Alliance.

George Takei And MTV

Sunday, March 22, 2009

If you're interested here's a clip from MTV's Movie Blog with George Takei on John Cho who's playing Sulu in the new Star Trek film (and no, I don't control the advertising on these embedded clips):

Documentary: Richard Aoki 1938-2009

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Saw this video down at RaceWire and wanted to make sure and post it up on here as well as it chronicles out the life of Asian American activist Richard Aoki. The documentary should be getting released this year.

Current TV Journalists Detained In North Korea

Sunday, March 22, 2009

I heard about this coming on my way to work on NPR this week and whether or not they didn't heed the border warnings or there's some NK spin on the story (and a lot of the news is conflicting as to even where they were taken) - you just hope for the safe return of the two Current TV journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling:

Two American journalists were missing Friday after they reportedly were detained by North Korea for ignoring warnings to stop shooting footage of the reclusive country.

Journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee, reporters for former Vice President Al Gore's online media outlet Current TV, were seized Tuesday along the Chinese-North Korean border, according to news reports and an activist who had worked with them. Their Chinese guide also was detained although a third journalist with the group, Mitch Koss, apparently eluded capture.

U.S. officials expressed concern to North Korean officials about the reported detentions and said they were working with the Chinese government to ascertain the whereabouts of the Americans.

"When you have two American citizens who are being held against their will, we want to find out all the facts and gain their release," State Department spokesman Robert A. Wood said Thursday in Washington.
Lings family (who's sister is Lisa Ling) hasn't commented on the situation, and neither have Lee's, which seems understandable, and the last that anyone heard from Ling was updates from Twitter which wrote "Missing Home".

Here's a short video of Euna Lee from her Current TV page just having some fun (and if the video isn't showing up you can get to it here):



Here's a video from Laura Ling's Current TV page titled "A Jail in Juarez":

LOWRIDIN X FETISH

Sunday, March 22, 2009

"LOWRIDIN" - FAR EAST MOVEMENT x ORISUE x ALPINE



Got this sent out to me last week from the FM team and wanted to make sure to post it on up as it's pretty cool. Here's the e-mail/release:

FAR EAST MOVEMENT, ORISUE CLOTHING, AND ALPINE ELECTRONICS COLLABORATE FOR "LOWRIDIN X FETISH"

The internationally known, Los Angeles based hip-hop group- The Far East Movement (FM) who have reached national radio success with their hit singles "Lowridin" and current single "Girls On The Dance Floor", have teamed up with street wear company Orisue Clothing and mobile electronics giant Alpine Electronics for an innovative collaborative music video and limited edition t-shirt project titled "LOWRIDIN x FETISH". This project showcases a recent fusion that has taken place between the lowrider/import culture, the ever-popular streetwear phenomenon and the indie music scene and how these 3 industry leading brands are finding new avenues to expand their reach in new markets.

Produced by Iron Brothers Entertainment, the videos commemorate FM's 1st major radio single titled "Lowridin" and street wear anthem "Fetish" off of their sophomore album entitled 'Animal'. Featured in this video campaign are Alpine Electronics' one-of-a-kind concept show cars equipped with their newest mobile electronics and Orisue's 2008-2009 clothing lines along with the limited print "Lowridin" t-shirt from the Far East Movement and Orisue, only available at http://www.orisue.com/fareastmovement.

The video will be released through international music video channels and websites in April 2009.

View "Lowridin x Fetish" at http://www.fareastmovement.com/st/lowridin-x-fetish/
"FETISH" - FAR EAST MOVEMENT (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)

Free Performance: BoA at Universal CityWalk (Tonight)

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Late notice, but you still have time to make it tonight:

UNIVERSAL CITYWALK
CELEBRATES ASIAN POP SENSATION BoA
WITH A FREE OUTDOOR CONCERT PERFORMANCE


WHAT: Universal CityWalk, Hard Rock Café and KIIS celebrate Asian pop sensation, BoA’s first English album release, “BoA” with a FREE mini-concert performance, including the popular songs from her new album, including “I did it for love” and “Eat you up”.

COST: FREE!

WHEN: Saturday, March 21
6:30 PM – BoA Concert Performance

WHERE: Universal CityWalk @ Cinema Plaza Stage
1000 Universal City Plaza
Universal City 91608

Yes - Even Utada Gets Those Comments

Friday, March 20, 2009

Checking out an article at ohnotheydidnt on BoA and Utada - which is a good read detailing out the new albums and - I happened to stumble on this snippet:


“I grew up in New York,” she said from Island Records’ Manhattan office earlier this week. “In Japan, I’m seen as a bit of a foreigner, but in America, I get comments like ‘Your English is so good.’ So in both places I’m a bit of an outsider, but I think that comes out in my music, and everyone feels like an outsider on some level. If people can connect with me there, that would be great.”
Hopefully soon those comments will be "Your new album is so good."

Utada in stores March 24th.

Lee Chol-soo

Friday, March 20, 2009

There's a good article up on Lee Chol-soo, a Korean American who was wrongfully committed of murder back in the 70's and the new book "The Song, We Are Singing Together'' by Yoo Jay-kun who was a former lawyer in the case:

Twenty five years ago, a Korean-American immigrant Lee Chol-soo, who was wrongfully convicted for the 1973 killing of a San Francisco gang leader and sentenced to life in prison and then sentenced to death for the self-defense killing of another inmate while in custody, was finally freed.

But the memory of the heartrending struggle for justice to exonerate the innocent individual who served 10 years in prison after being wrongly accusation is deeply etched on Koreans' minds.

A new book ``The Song, We Are Singing Together'' written by Yoo Jay-kun, a former lawmaker and lawyer, unveils the stories
based on the records he wrote of the six-year trial process.

Yoo worked for Lee's exoneration for about six years when he was a law school graduate in the United States, along with Lee Kyung-won known as K.W. Lee, a Korean investigative reporter of the Sacramento Union, a key contributor to the case.

The former lawmaker said that he decided to publish a book about the unfair case of the young innocent boy when he was finally set free in 1983.
Read more down at the Korea Times.

SFIAAFF Awards

Friday, March 20, 2009

So the SFIAAFF Awards are out and I just thought I'd post up the article in it's entirety from the festival website. Congratulations to all.

Here it is.

Of the six films in competition, all were noteworthy and deserve to be seen. But of the six, one in particular captured our attention and deserves to be awarded the 2009SFIAAFF Best Documentary Feature Award: THE MOSQUE IN MORGANTOWN.

This film demonstrated an exceptional skill with camera, editing and the ability to objectively respect—rather than objectify—its subject. The narrative was given room to speak and not deified or vilified, which is often the case with such an obvious and volatile political subject—that a director will choose to draw conclusion, rather than draw out the story. This patience by which the story is revealed reflects directorial maturity, and the use of music as a contextual and transitional modifier speaks to this, both underscoring the emotional and cultural location of a “mosque in Morgantown,” and serving as an intelligent metronome to the unfolding conflict.

The MOSQUE IN MORGANTOWN is a powerful, visceral reminder of what makes a film “good,” but it is also an insightful revelation on the sometimes painful reality of what it can mean to be “Asian American”: that identity and existence are not always defined by external factors, but often by the conflict within one’s own community. Most importantly, it captures a small piece of what is soon to be American—not just Asian American—history and reminds us how the smallest dose of power and perspective—whether in front or behind the camera—has the colossal strength to change, inform and sometimes, destroy lives.

**********************************

Although only one film can be designated the “best documentary,” another work presented in competition—through sheer audacity, energy and spectacular visual presence—demands to be recognized with the 2009 SFIAAFF Special Jury Award: DIRTY HANDS.

This is a film like no other about an individual that has no comparison. And it is what every artist working with film hopes to experience and achieve: a perfect, almost sublime, match between camera and subject. Stimulating, profane and sometimes uncomfortable, both move in step with each other, screaming and dragging the audience into an insanely energized and zig-zag narrative that is impossible to separate from the artist, or his wildly kinetic art. Entirely refreshing, beneath the intoxicating pace and intensity is a noteworthy choice to frame the individual first through his work, rather than through his Asian American identity.

Dirty Hands is the result of seven years devoted by a filmmaker to understanding and participating in the life of his subject, his friend. With this in mind, it’s easy to say the film required no discipline to create and discover, and that may be true. But because it does work against every grain of objectivity and distance that is often the hallmark of documentary film, it is true to the reckless and rebellious ‘life and times of David Choe.’ In its intimate understanding, its knowledge of knowing when to pull away and when to draw focus, it paints a true and truthful image of its subject, unfinished, undone and wild. And that truth is what every good work of art strives to achieve, and the backbone of any good documentary—Asian American or otherwise.

**********************************

NARRATIVE COMPETITION

The Best Narrative Award is presented to the best feature-length narrative film by or about Asian Americans or Asian Canadians, as selected by a three-person jury. And the winners are…

BEST NARRATIVE
HALF-LIFE
Dir. Jennifer Phang

SPECIAL JURY AWARD
CHILDREN OF INVENTION
Dir. Tze Chun


DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION

The Best Documentary Award is presented to the best feature-length documentary film by or about Asian Americans or Asian Canadians, as selected by a three-person jury. And the winners are…

BEST DOCUMENTARY
THE MOSQUE IN MORGANTOWN
Dir. Brittany Huckabee

SPECIAL JURY AWARD
DIRTY HANDS: THE ART AND CRIMES OF DAVID CHOE
Dir. Harry Kim
Cool.