A Little Monday Puffy (AmiYumi): Dareka Ga

Monday, August 31, 2009

No It's Not A Hoax But What The Hell Were They Thinking: Sarah Palin Is Coming To Hong Kong To Talk About Finance

Monday, August 31, 2009



Don't worry people of Hong Kong - we've been safely living with Sarah Palin, and so far, not too many bad things have happened (that we know about), but just to be on the safe side I still might take a vacation if I were you.

Former US Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin, who is viewed with equal fervor as an ignorant fool or the voice of the common man by those who either loathe or love her, is coming to Hong Kong to seek international street cred.

Palin, who suddenly quit her job on July 26 as Alaska's governor, is scheduled to give her first major international overseas address as the keynote speaker at the 16th annual CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets Investors forum from September 21 to 25. The decision to bring in Palin as keynote speaker has been met with incredulity from many among the business community in Hong Kong, asking if it might not be a hoax.

Asked if the email announcing Palin's appearance might indeed be a hoax, Simone Wheeler, head of communications for the investment bank, responded: "No, not a joke at all. The CLSA Investors' Forum has traditionally been a platform for firsts into Asia: Al Gore, Bill Clinton, Alan Greenspan. As an independent investment house, we aim to provide speakers of note." [...]

"Honestly? This isn't a hoax?" asked the managing director of a Hong Kong business chain. "It's entertaining perhaps, in a road accident sort of way! Now I've seen everything."
Greenspan, Clinton, Gore, and...ummm...Palin?

Early Believers, Kero One, And The Nichi

Monday, August 31, 2009

Caught this article on Kero One down at the Nichi Bei Times (and if you didn't already know is closing their doors at the end of this month) and wanted to post up on it:

Kero One is not the average hip-hop artist. He is not from the traditional hip-hop hot spots of Los Angeles or New York. He is the son of Korean immigrant parents, born and raised in the Bay Area. His style of music isn’t gaudy like many of his contemporaries, but is still eye-catching.

“My music isn’t in your face,” Kero One said in an interview with the Nichi Bei Times.

Listening to his newest album — entitled “Early Believers,” released in April of this year — his analysis seems correct. To describe Kero One’s style in one word, it would have to be “smooth.” He weaves together old-school jazzy beats with fresh rhymes in a way that seems to have gone all but extinct in the new millennium. Kero One proves that there are still times when less can, in fact, be more.
View the full article here and see the video for "Keep Pushin" from his album Early Believers out now.

Austin Asian American Film Festival

Monday, August 31, 2009



It's never too early to start planning for a good film festival - and if you already don't have plans for the middle of November (the 12th-15th to exact) - the Austin Asian American Film Festival might just be for you:

“It's clear [the] Austin Asian American Film Festival is making an impact...providing an outlet for Asian American voices.” -- Yvonne Lim Wilson,

AsianAustin.com 6th Annual Austin Asian American Film Festival is back to showcase the best in Asian and Asian American cinema!

The 6th Annual Austin Asian American Film Festival will run from November 12th through the 15th at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar. From the more than 300 films submitted from over 20 different countries, the best 50 have been chosen. All films will be premieres and the full line up will be announced on October 5th, 2009.

This year, the AAAFF will include competitions for: Best Narrative Feature and Best Documentary Feature. Both categories will have three judges, including acclaimed filmmakers, industry professionals and celebrated film enthusiasts. There will also be an Audience award, voted on by festival attendees. Prizes will be announced on October 5th, 2009.

Aside from the film screenings, this year the festival has been expanded to include: two discussion panels at the University of Texas at Austin; an exciting Opening Night Party at KTV, Austin’s only downtown karaoke club; a Bollywood themed party at one of Austin’s hottest new bars, Mal Verde; and a concert featuring acclaimed Filipina-American hip hop superstar, Jenro.

Festival badges and tickets will go on sale October 5th. All access badges are $50 until November 1st (regular cost $60). Badges guarantee seating for all films, free entrance to all special events (including a private meet n’ greet with filmmakers) and a complimentary festival t-shirt. Individual screening tickets are $7.

Come join the fun!
For all the information check out www.aaaff.org

Jerry Tao: Maybe The First Federal Judge In Nevada's History?

Monday, August 31, 2009

Got this sent over my way from the AAA-Fund about Jerry Tao who's been put on a shortlist of candidates by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for a federal judge:

From AAA-Fund:

In nearly 20 years, Jerry Tao has amassed a formidable resume worthy of a federal judge. His impeccable record of representing clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to death row murderers to immigrants seeking recourse for civil rights violations has garnered bipartisan respect.

As a Clark County Deputy Assistant Attorney, Jerry has led hundreds of prosecutions, first-chairing more than 60 criminal felonies and misdemeanors, including cases within the domestic violence division. What’s more, he has published important law review articles on patent law. Finally, he brings impeccable legislative credentials, having served as Leader Reid’s Chief Speechwriter and Legislative Assistant.
If you're so inclined you can help Jerry Tao by calling Senator Reid at 702.388.5020 on Jerry's behalf.

A Word From Sam Yoon

Saturday, August 29, 2009



Thanks Sagar

Film: Valor With Honor

Saturday, August 29, 2009



Here's some info on the documentary Valor With Honor which is looking to be finished and screened sometime this fall (also with a DVD release) looking at, and interviewing over 35 WWII vets from the famed 442nd:

Valor with Honor is an independent documentary film based on over 35 interviews of Japanese American veterans who served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team during WW2. This small segregated unit of 3500 men (field strength)is the most decorated American unit in WW2 for its size and length of service (3 years). By the end of WW2, the 442nd would be awarded with 7 Presidential Unit Citations, 21 Medals of Honor (upgraded from DSC), over 500 Silver Stars, and over 9000 Purple Hearts. This small film tells the harrowing stories of 442nd's battles in Italy, the Lost Battalion Rescue in France, the assault up Mount Folgorito, and witness to the holocaust at Dachau, Germany at the close of WW2. The film concludes with the vets bittersweet return home to America. Valor with Honor has been in production for over 3 years and is currently in post production.
Trailer



Check more out about the film at the site and down on Facebook.

White On Rice WORstdate Twitter Contest

Saturday, August 29, 2009

As White On Rice gets ready to open in theaters they're holding a contest which you might be interested in - especially if you feel like twittering on your worst date ever.

Rules: Tweet us your worst date stories. We'll choose the best/funniest tweet, re-tweet from our WHITE ON RICE Twitter account and update our Facebook fan page with your story... not only that, you could win a prize!

Prize: Something in between a poster and a car (probably closer to the poster, but you NEVER know).

Make sure to include the hashtag #WORstdate in your tweet so we can track all entries!

Help us spread the word! And if you’re not already following WHITE ON RICE on Twitter, follow us here: http://twitter.com/WORmovie.

Watch the trailer: http://whiteonricethemovie.com/

Jet Li: Ocean Paradise

Thursday, August 27, 2009

A Jet Li film without him fighting?

Jet Li is returning to Chinese film with a reportedly non-kung fu movie after three Hollywood productions, a publicist said Tuesday.

Li is due to start shooting the movie — tentatively called "Ocean Paradise" in Chinese — Edko Film publicist Zhang Hongyan told The Associated Press in a phone interview Tuesday. The film, due to be released next year, will be directed by a newcomer, Zhang said, declining to give further detail before the official announcement at a news conference in Beijing on Wednesday.

Hong Kong-based Edko Film is the Chinese distributor for the movie.

The Chengdu Shangbao newspaper reported Tuesday that Li will not fight in the movie, but Zhang declined to confirm the report, only saying, "It's a movie that's very different from his previous movies."

Intriguing.

Ted Kennedy + Immigration

Thursday, August 27, 2009

I caught these two posts on recently passed Sen. Kennedy and wanted to make sure and post them on up.

RaceWire
Weekly Immigration Wire: Kennedy Was Friend to Immigrants

Sen. Ted Kennedy’s death yesterday was a blow to the immigrant community, as New America Media reports. For over 40 years, Kennedy was a tireless fighter for immigrant rights and is remembered for many valuable accomplishments, not the least in making possible the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which did away with the national-origin quotas that had been in effect in the US since 1924. Additionally, Kennedy help bring a close to the exploitive Bracero program, which supplied the U.S. cheap and temporary labor during World War II in the form of Mexican farm laborers who did not have proper protections or rights. Senator Kennedy also helped author the AgJobs bill of 2003, which gave undocumented farmers residency so they could continue working in the U.S. His legacy in the progress of immigration legislation is not in doubt.

The Massachusetts Senator was a vigorous proponent of both Healthcare and Immigration Reform, which isn’t surprising when you consider how much these two issues overlap. In last week’s Wire, we touched on this confluence. Despite the White House’s attempt to compartmentalize the two issues, Immigration continues sit front and center in the Healthcare discussion, often through dishonest argument by reform opponents.
Sepia Mutiny
Ted Kennedy: A Champion for Immigrants

Ted Kennedy passed away today, the third-longest serving member of the Senate in history, and a man who affected the lives of hundreds of millions of Americans. In a family of public servants, he perhaps did the most for our country of any of the Kennedy brothers, and he certainly made a profound impact in almost all of our lives, as immigrants and the descendants of immigrants. Most notably in civil rights and immigration, but also in practically every other walk of life, he has affected the lives of South Asian immigrants.

Ivy Lin & Come Together Home

Thursday, August 27, 2009



I wrote up on filmmaker Ivy Lin when she did her documentary on the disappearing Chinatown in Portland (Pig Roast & Tank of Fish), and now she's following it up with Come Together Home - and from the trailer - it looks pretty damn good.

Death. Disinterment. Reburial.

Discover the remains of early Chinese immigrants, and their extraordinary final journey from Portland to Hong Kong.

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.
Check It Out



Premieres

Sunday October 11th @ 7pm
Someday Lounge
125 NW 5th Ave.
Portland, OR
97209

Q&A with the director following the screening

Free admission, donations welcomed for "Block 14 Memorials Fund", raised by Friends of Lone Fir Cemetery.

The Nip/Tuck China Dolls

Thursday, August 27, 2009

I got sent in by reader Daniela about this Nip/Tuck Season 6 Promo, and instead of writing up something myself on it, thought I would instead just print up what she has to say because I don't think I could say it any better.

Here's the Nip/Tuck Promo



And This Sums It Up

Recently came across a short promo video for the new season of F/X's TV drama show Nip/Tuck, about a pair of plastic surgeons. The promo features women with short black wigs, cheongsam-inspired red dresses, heavily made-up eyelids and chopsticks-in-hair who are sewing, assembly-line style, the "perfect body." You can check it out here.

SO many problems with this promotional ad, the stereotypical use of Asian-female-imagery-- seen as "sexy" China dolls.... but ultimately just cheap labor, exactly identical to one another, framed within the promo as rows of women doing the exact same movements. Why on earth would the directors/producers/etc of the promo use women wearing the black wigs and "exotic" made-up eyes other than to associate such assembly-line work with specifically Asian women?

Cheap, stupid, offensive, disgusting, etc. Sexy all-look-the-same Asian sweatshop workers: way to devalue Asian women. Can you imagine them doing a similarly-themed ad playing on stereotypical imagery of Latina or African American women as identical worker bees?

Let's make some noise about this and maybe we can get this stupid promo canned.
Contact Info

FX Networks, LLC
10201 W. Pico Blvd., Bldg. 103
Los Angeles, CA 90035
CA Tel. 310-369-1000
Fax 310-969-4688

Erick Setiawan: Of Bees And Mist

Thursday, August 27, 2009



I got contacted by Erick Setiawan, computer scientist-turned-author of the new book Of Bees and Mist - a literary fantasy about three generations of women in two families - which has been getting some great reviews (see here and here) and wanted to post up on the book:

Raised in a sepulchral house where ghosts dwell in mirrors, Meridia grows up lonely and miserable. But at age sixteen, she has a chance at happiness when she falls in love with Daniel—a caring and naïve young man. Soon, they marry and Meridia can finally escape to live with her husband’s family, unaware that they harbor dark secrets of their own. There is a grave hidden in the garden, there are two sisters groomed from birth to despise each other, and there is Eva—the formidable matriarch and the wickedest mother-in-law imaginable—whose grievances swarm the air in an army of bees. As Meridia struggles to keep her life and marriage together, she discovers long-buried secrets about her own past as well as shocking truths about her new family that inexorably push her love, courage, and sanity to the brink.

Erick Setiawan’s debut is an engrossing fable that chronicles three generations of women under one family tree over a period of thirty years—their galvanic love and passion, their shifting alliances, their superstitions and complex domestic politics—and places them in a mythical town where spirits and spells, witchcraft and demons, and prophets and clairvoyance are an everyday reality. An astonishing debut, Of Bees and Mist is a richly atmospheric and tumultuous ride of hope and heartbreak that is altogether touching, truthful, and entirely memorable.
You can pick up the book at Simon & Shuster, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, and more - check out the site and make sure to read Erick's bio - especially if you're a budding author yourself.

You've Got An Extension: The East West Magazine Re-Launch Cover Design Contest

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

A couple of weeks ago I posted up on the cover design contest from Easy West Magazine, and I got sent in some news that the entry date for cover submissions has been extended until September 4th giving you a few more days to become that graphic designer you always wanted to be.

Full details here.

Smoking Up Before Watching This Video Might Just Make It Too Damn Good: Lyrics Born "Pushed Aside, Pulled Apart"

Tuesday, August 25, 2009



Featuring Lateef the Truthspeaker, "Pushed Aside, Pulled Apart" is the latest single from Lyrics Born's forthcoming new album, "AS U WERE", dropping early 2010.

The video was directed by Raphael LaMotta from ApSci and features cameos by Joyo Velarde, Zion I, Pigeon John, Trackademicks, Kat Ouano, DJ D-Sharp and ApSci. The track was produced by Lyrics Born and Jake One.

Additional video production by Justin Berger of HKL Films.
Download the mp3 here and get the video (opens up quicktime).

Retro Aaron Yoo

Tuesday, August 25, 2009



From the 2006 short "Dry Clean Only" by J.P Chan.

Michelle Wie And Christina Kim: Beer Pong Pals For Life?

Tuesday, August 25, 2009



Love.that.pic.

Glad to see Wie and Kim with the win at the Solheim Cup.

Drinks anyone?

SK DVD: Secret Couple (AKA: My Girlfriend is an Agent)

Tuesday, August 25, 2009



Mr. & Mrs. Smith done South Korean style featuring Kim Ha Neul (Lovers of Six Years) and Kang Ji Hwan (Rough Cut).

Please come fast September 29th.

And If You're A Hiroyuki Sanada Fan

Tuesday, August 25, 2009



You might enjoy the news that Hiroyuki Sanada is joining Lost for the last season as an undisclosed character who according to media outlets has a "significant role" - although that's as much information as anyone seems to have right now.

Word to the Chiba.

Netflix: Dim Sum Funeral

Tuesday, August 25, 2009



This is one of those movies that I caught on Netflix a few weeks ago that kind of gives me the 50/50's because while it did have some good parts to it - it just didn't feel as seamless as I think it could have been overall. A little less drama, some more comedy, and the same vibe from the trailer throughout the whole film could have gone a long way.

But it's still worth adding to your collection (if only to have it).

A couple of my favorites from the film:

  1. Steph Song who plays Meimei, and Bai Ling who plays Deedee and their quest to get a monk to give up his "essence" (and yes, if you see it, you'll have to agree that even if you hate Bai Ling, they're two of the best characters).
  2. Chang Tseng who plays Chow Lin - because he just flat out steals every scene that he's in.
For those that kind of want to see it, but have been detered by the bad, or semi-not so good reviews.

Just watch it with one eye closed.

Random Nicole Chen

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

I just like the vibe of the two videos - even the test video from a few weeks ago - but Happy Tears (from the earlier in the year) - that's just kind of trippy.

And cool.

Happy Tears



Tokyo Travel Train Trip (Camera Test)

Another Quick First Squared: Parag Patel

Monday, August 24, 2009

Here's how I get my title for this post - which is kind of random and if I really think about it probably not that accurate.

  1. Parag Patel becomes the first Indian American municipal court judge in Edison.
  2. Is made so by Mayor Jun Choi, who coincidently is the township's first Asian American mayor.
  3. Technically this is the second "first" for Patel who was also the first Indian American elected to the Township Council in Edison.

Which means....

That actually does kind of work itself out.

Nice.

Skankdom At The Port: Technically Speaking The Right To Say Things Anonymously Should Be Upheld Simply For The Sake Of Ugly People

Monday, August 24, 2009

A few minutes ago I happened to catch an article on this whole affair concerning an Asian American blogger named Rosemary Port (and I use the term blogger loosely because there were only five posts) and model Liskula Cohen who tried to get Port's identity known after she kept on calling her a skank (in her five posts), won, where now Port is suing Google to the tune of 15 million for usurping her right to privacy with the argument from her attorney as this:


High-powered attorney Salvatore Strazzullo has taken on Port’s case and is ready to go all the way up to the Supreme Court with it. “Our Founding Fathers wrote ‘The Federalist Papers’ under pseudonyms. Inherent in the First Amendment is the right to speak anonymously. Shouldn’t that right extend to the new public square of the Internet?,” Strazzullo said.
Yes.

Yes it should.

But I believe so for a very different reason - it's not to protect the identities of just people in general - it's to protect the identities of people who are kinda ugly.

Too bad this guy and the people that gave him the show never got the memo.

Granted: It's Not LOTR's Fellowship, But Not Bad Either

Monday, August 24, 2009

Always like posting up on my people and organizations who get rewarded for what they do and their long-term vision:

The Asian Cultural Council (ACC) Philippines Foundation announced recently the names of three Filipinos who were given the ACC Philippine Fellowship grants enabling them to conduct research in the United States in the areas of museology, painting/sculpture, and theater. Teresa Rances, ACC country representative, said the grantees are UP Professor Patrick D. Flores (museology), Lyra Teresa Garcellano (painting/sculpture), and Maree Barbara Tan-Tiongco (theater).

Rances also said that the Ma-Yi Theater Company was given the ACC grant/O’Boyle Fellowship to enable Palanca Awardee lawyer Nicholas Pichay to go to New York for a six-month residency with the theater company under the Philippines Fellowship Program. “We are very very proud to have them. We hope to have more in the future,” said Rances, who is also the Cultural Center of the Philippines department manager for administration.
Read it in full here.

Love Again: A Little Monday Morning Mucho Punk

Monday, August 24, 2009



Courtesy of Clazziquai's new album "Mucho Punk" released last month.

A Lot Going On That You Want To Know About: The Museum of Chinese in America

Sunday, August 23, 2009


Exhibit Images

There's a lot going on - even before the official grand opening of the Museum of Chinese in America this coming September 22:

In its new space, set to officially open Sept. 22, the museum hopes to boost its presence in the Asian-American community and serve as the city's premier spot to honor Chinese-American history and showcase Chinese-American arts and culture. With the additional room, the museum wants to expand its emphasis to include the national Chinese-American experience. "The museum's board has long decided to position MOCA as a national museum," said Alice Mong, executive director. "This country is a country of immigrants. We are part of the fabric of American society. We need to tell our stories." Zia is one of the 10 Chinese Americans whose stories are featured in an installation exhibition titled "Core Portraits" that wraps around the museum's courtyard. Their stories exemplify a particular historical ear in Chinese-American history. The subjects include Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American movie star; Hazel Ying Lee, one of the first Chinese American women pilots to serve in the American military; and Yung Wing, the first Chinese graduate of an American university [...]

The core exhibit, entitled "With a Single Step," is inspired by the Chinese Taoist philosopher, Laozi, who said, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Following the layout of a traditional Chinese house where all rooms are connected through the courtyard, each section of the exhibition is connected with chronological and thematic threads.

The exhibition's script is written by notable Chinese American writers, including David Henry Hwang, Ha Jin, Maxine Hong Kingston and Zia. It is a part of the museum's ambitious summer program leading up to its official opening. "It is about a journey," said Ting-Chi Wang, curatorial assistant of the museum. "But this is not just about a journey from China to America. It is also a journey in the making. It is a continuous story. We are not rushing to make a conclusion to the journey. We are trying to tell a living history." Wang added that there will be an interactive device for visitors to record their stories.
Check out the full schedule of events at MOCA.

Kina Grannis + Colbie Caillat

Sunday, August 23, 2009

And Your Robert Smith Cover For The Week

Sunday, August 23, 2009



Like the wiping of the eyes at the end.

The Cambodia Project

Sunday, August 23, 2009

I got word sent to me from Yong who's down at the NYCAASC about the Cambodia Project who's starting a new initiative - participating in the Global Open Access Challenge 2009 hosted by Global Giving - and it sounds like a great project.

For the next month (until September 18th) the Cambodia Project is participating in the Global Open Access Challenge 2009 hosted by Global Giving. If we succeed, it will be a crucial stride towards fulfilling our goal and bring a better life to the children of rural Cambodia, With the right support, CPI has the potential to benefit over 100,000 Cambodian children by improving the local economy, creating jobs and ultimately undoing the damages done to the Cambodian education system by the Khmer Rouge.

Project Needs and Beneficiaries

The Cambodian government, NGOs, and UN agencies, while focusing on primary education, do not expend much energy on secondary education. Our programs, with the right support, will directly and indirectly benefit over 100,000 Cambodia children over a 10 year period by improving the local economy, creating jobs and ultimately undoing the damages done to the Cambodian education system by the Khmer Rouge.
Activities

The funds will be used to begin constructing our first school in Kep/Kampot. Part of the funds will help build clinics to provide health-care & regular vaccinations to children/staff. Pilot plan will have 30 students, growing to 980 students in 1yr.
For more information and to donate, see the Global Giving site as well as the Cambodia Project.

See The Video

That's A Cool John Cho Picture

Sunday, August 23, 2009



A still from Cho's new show Flash Forward, and from what Gabriel Union says - should be a great pairing:

"The cultural differences with our families, not only blending families in the middle of a recession but blending families that come from different cultures and races and backgrounds, will definitely be explored," Union said in an exclusive interview last week in Pasadena, Calif. "And, I love John."

In the series, based on Robert J. Sawyer's SF novel, everyone in the world blacks out for 2 minutes 17 seconds, during which time each person has a glimpse of the future and their lives on a specific date: April 29, 2010. The show's characters, played by Joseph Fiennes, Sonya Walger and others, will spend the bulk of the first season figuring out what will come true and whether they can alter the predictions. Union said her scenes with Cho focus on their relationship.
The show airs September 23rd at 9:30 ET on ABC.

Mei-Ling Hopgood And Another Country, Not My Own

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Interesting read from Chinese American Mei-Ling Hopgood who was adopted from Taiwan and her views on race, heritage, and being Asian American:

My way of life is culled from so many places and influences, including where I was born, where I grew up, and who raised me, but also where I’ve lived and the people I’ve loved and admired. I’m hoping my own daughter will inherit her Midwestern grandfather’s hard work ethic and passion for learning, and the good health of her grandmother. May she also love languages and all kinds of food, from mac and cheese to Chinese dumplings and Korean bibimbop. I hope she’ll enjoy spending Sundays visiting long into the night with her extended family, like they do in Argentina.
Get the full story.

On Caster Semenya

Sunday, August 23, 2009

I've been hearing a lot about teen wunderkind Caster Semenya from South Africa, and I've checked out the videos, the pictures, the birth certificate, the nanny who said they changed her - and who says without a doubt that she's most definitely a girl - and I do have to question whether or not some piece of this inquisition is in fact due to race, not necessarily on a personal level, but in a global sense, the way rich countries try and control poorer countries - making every effort to try and keep them in their place, because invariably, for someone to move up, someone else needs to step down (or at least that's what we've sometimes been taught on an implicit level).

I like this quote by Leonard Chuene who's head of South African athletics:

"If gender tests have to take place, they should have been done quietly. It is a taboo subject. How can a girl live with this stigma? By going public on the tests, the IAAF has let down this young child, and I will fight tooth and nail to protect her."

Describing the speculation about Semenya's gender as "racist", he added: "Who are white people to question the makeup of an African girl?

"I say this is racism, pure and simple. In Africa, as in any other country, parents look at new babies and can see straight away whether to raise them as a boy or a girl. We are now being told that it is not so simple. But the people who question these things have no idea how much shame such a slur can bring on a family.

"They are doubting the parents of this child and questioning the way they brought her up. God has his say on what people are. He made us all. A young girl has no input as she enters the world on what she will look like. It is outrageous for people from other countries to tell us 'We want to take her to a laboratory because we don't like her nose, or her figure.'"
Well said.

Caster Semenya - keep your head up.

Good Read: Asian American Women And Health

Sunday, August 23, 2009

There's a really good post by Jen at Disgrasian on a study recently published talking about Asian American women and the statistics dealing with attempted suicide:

But if you're an Asian-American woman who has struggled with depression her whole life like I have, it's not unclear to you, is it? You don't need this study, published in 2007, to tell you that we own some of the highest rates of depression and suicide because we're pushed to achieve. Or this one, published in 2008, to tell you that Asian-Americans are less likely than any other group to seek treatment for mental health disorders. You know this already. You know it in your bones. Personally, not scientifically.
Definitely great to see someone like Jen come out and write about the normalcy of just talking about it - not giving a fuck - and letting it breath.

Check it out in full here.

Tintin Is Racist, But Should It Be Banned?

Sunday, August 23, 2009

No doubt the images and character portrayals in Tintin are racist - that should go without saying, but I do have to question whether or not it should be banned. Taking something off the shelf at a library, which is a different type of institution than a private bookstore - I don't know what it really solves.

To me libraries are meant as a place that serves to archive information for the public, untethered by the constraints of a typical for-profit organization which has to run with the bestsellers and hot authors. While libraries do have constraints of space and budget, it's a public service.

Part of its purpose is to educate.

And if you're going to be true to history you have to take everything, good and bad. It doesn't mean the book needs to take center stage on a pedestal with the words "Best Ever", but it needs to be accessible.

Somewhere.

Call The President A Racist Who Hates White People And See Your Ratings Soar

Sunday, August 23, 2009

In some ways this isn't a huge surprise looking at the number of people that have come out since the Obama election airing what they really believe about a Black President, POC, and anyone else who hasn't fit the old school mode.

Just supporting their own I guess.

Glenn Beck may be the subject of an advertiser boycott, but as long as his ratings remain high, he's probably not going anywhere soon. As Mediabistro's TV Newser reported yesterday, Beck's 5 PM Fox News show had record high ratings last week with nearly 2.5 million total viewers tuning in to see his highly theatrical take on current events.

Major advertisers like Walmart, Best Buy, and GMAC have pulled out of Beck's show after the Web site Color of Change drew attention to the pundit's race-baiting statement that President Obama "has a deep-seated hatred for white people." Sites like Fox News Boycott and Jack & Jill Politics have all gotten in on the campaign.

Fox News brass issued an almost immediate statement, distancing itself from Beck's comments which they deemed "a personal opinion which represented his own views, not those of the Fox News Channel." It's probably worth noting Beck has his supporters as well in the form of Support Glenn Beck, which was created last week to promote a petition endorsing Beck's Values and Principles, which include "America is Good."

Some commentators like Business Insider's Henry Blodget have called for the network to fire the host, stating, "This is the sort of rhetoric and attitude you might expect at a bigoted religious revival or KKK meeting. It's not the rhetoric or attitude you expect from the host of a talk show broadcast by one of the world's largest media companies." In early August, the Washington Post's Reliable Sources columnist Howard Kurtz asked his CNN guests "Should there be a line you can't cross without getting fired?"
Again - great that advertisers are pulling out of the show - but what does it say about the rest of the people tuning in?

The Asian Search Engine Algorithm And Not Being Suitable For Work (Which Should Tell You Something)

Saturday, August 22, 2009

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

See: Kevin So

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Just wanted to post up on some ways that you can see Kevin So at a City Near You:

Fri 8/28 CLUB PASSIM, Cambridge, MA 8p *For tickets/reservations, visit http://www.passimcenter.org

Thur 9/17 THE BLUEBIRD, Nashville, TN 6p *For tickets/reservations, visit http://www.bluebirdcafe.com

Fri 10/2 ROOM 5, Los Angeles, CA 9p *CD RELEASE PARTY !!! http://www.room5lounge.com

No Word For Art: 8th Hmong Arts And Music Festival

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Definitely short notice for people, but got word sent down about the 8th Hmong Arts And Music Festival that is happening today/tonight, so if you're still looking for something to do - you might want to check it out:

CHAT’s 8th Annual Hmong Arts and Music Festival:
“NO WORD FOR ART”
Saturday, August 22, 2009


CHAT's 8th Annual Hmong Arts & Music Festival will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2009 from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm at the Western Sculpture Park on Marion Street in Saint Paul (across the street from Sears).

There is no Hmong word for art. Although the truth of this statement is startling and can trigger a stream of questions and assumptions about the culture, the reality is that there is a rich tradition of art weaved into the daily lives of the people. Center for Hmong Arts and Talent (CHAT) is proud to announce that the 8th Annual Hmong Arts and Music Festival's theme is "NO WORD FOR ART" and, with or without the word, will speak in its universal language to celebrate the artistic soul of the community. The Festival will be an illumination of the Hmong American experience with displays of creativity and talent in multiple forms that everyone can enjoy.

Highlights at the Festival:

* A Visual Exhibition Tent, showcasing a collection of artwork created by Hmong artists
* The Master Gallery, an exhibit of juried artwork selected by local professional artists
* The Main Stage, which hosts a full days worth of traditional and contemporary musicians and performers
* The IN SESSION: Singer/ Songwriter Competition, rewarding original compositions of the highest quality
* The Community Art Project--"WE ARE ART," is a powerful display of artwork created by the community for the community
* "The LOUNGE" Youth Tent, a gathering space for youth to create and showcase
* The Cakes by Fhoua Cake Decorating Contest, Parade, Games, Family Arts Activites, Vendors, Food, Resources--something for everyone!
And if you can't make it this time around - at least you know what's happening for next year!

Go Blog: William Wong And Bao Phi

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Some random news on writers gone blogging that got sent in my way including Bao Phi who's got a gig down at the Star Tribune (see the blog here) and William Wong down at SFGate and CityBrights.

Here's a little from the new Bao Phi blog:

As much as I am grateful for what I have, I can never escape the feeling that I’m one misunderstanding away from being abused by police. Money anxieties are still frequent, and I’m close enough to poverty that I don’t romanticize it. I certainly don’t want to go back to the hours upon years I spent working at a multitude of jobs for low pay and no benefits. I have daily guilt that I can’t support my family the way they’ve supported me. And there is that horrendous feeling that my people, Asian American people, are not taken seriously at best and are hated at worst.
Both voices should be great to hear and I'll be looking forward to reading what they have to say.

Don't Lie And Tell Me You Haven't Actually Wanted To Be The Director of Community Initiatives For The CAA - Because That Would Just Be Wrong

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

If I already didn't have a job where I got my ass kicked each and every day purely for the love of what I don't even know, I might actually check this out myself, but since I apparently do like a little S&M in the office - consider me just one less person you don't have to go up against.

Check the job info:

CAA Director of Community Initiatives
Job Announcement

Position: Director of Community Initiatives
Salary: DOE + competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, sick leave, 403b plan, and vacation
Hours: Full-time, exempt

About the Organization

CAA was founded in 1969 to protect the civil and political rights of Chinese Americans and to advance multiracial democracy in the United States. Today, CAA is a progressive voice in and on behalf of the broader Asian Pacific Islander (API) community. We advocate for systemic change that protects immigrant rights, promotes language diversity, and remedies racial injustice.
At the grassroots level, our community building work nurtures the ability of immigrants to participate fully in civic life. These activities include leadership development for monolingual public school parents, employment services for limited-English proficient (LEP) newcomers, outreach for immigrant legal services, and community and voter education underscoring issues that impact our constituency.

In addition to our community engagement, CAA leads advocacy to improve public policy and inform public discourse. This includes producing community-based research, publishing policy analyses and recommendations, shaping opinion through ethnic and mainstream media, and organizing the community to engage and conduct advocacy with elected and government officials.

Lastly, CAA spearheads initiatives to grow and sustain a progressive API movement. These multi-strategy and multi-constituency change projects consist of efforts that strengthen the API civil rights movement, promote lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender inclusion within the API community, and support emerging progressive leaders and activists.

About the Position

The Director of Community Initiatives is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Executive Director with shared responsibility for managing and leading the local San Francisco community building, policy and analysis, and advocacy programs. These programs focus on CAA core issues including language diversity, immigrant rights, and racial justice.

The Director of Community Initiatives plays a leading role in helping to manage and build relationships with key local stakeholders including funders, individual supporters, and elected and government officials. The Director of Community Initiatives directly supervises two staff members, including a Community Organizer and a Community Advocate. This position also oversees the activities of stipend-ed parent organizers and research consultants or interns on special projects. The Director of Community Initiatives works closely with the CAA Director of Community Development to ensure local program activities are-well integrated and achieving maximum impact.

The Director of Community Initiatives also serves as a member of the organization’s senior management team, which is together responsible for developing new efforts to strengthen the organization’s broader movement building work. This includes participating in quarterly convenings with other partner organizations from throughout California, and ongoing internal coordination to ensure CAA’s various local and non-local projects including API Equality and Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality are as effective as possible.

This position is an exciting opportunity for an experienced, self-directed, and entrepreneurial person who is passionate about advancing social justice, building progressive movements, and addressing API concerns in San Francisco. The Director of Community Initiatives will be a leader in local immigrant rights, language diversity, and racial justice advocacy and a key team player with committed and passionate allies working for social change.

Responsibilities

Community Leadership and Constituency Relations

· Articulate and provide strong progressive analysis and leadership on civil rights issues impacting Asian Pacific Islanders in San Francisco.

· Communicate CAA’s progressive vision to members, supporters and others in the community through public speaking, media outreach, and community education.

· Represent CAA to our diverse local constituencies and stakeholders that include partner organizations, the general public and the media, and elected and government officials.
Program Development, Implementation, and Evaluation

· Play a leadership role in the San Francisco civil rights and social change movement community.

· Effectively leverage CAA’s multiple local programmatic strategies including community building, policy research and analysis, and advocacy efforts to advance CAA’s mission.

· Work with the program staff to develop short and long-range work plans with clear objectives and timetables for achieving results;

· Work with staff to draft local legislation or public policies and develop strategies to bring them into effect.

· Participate in the development and implementation of local media strategies to promote CAA’s civil rights agenda and respond to press inquiries.

· Coordinate efforts with and provide support to other local community-based organizations and individuals to achieve shared goals.

· Supervise and coach two community advocates, organizers and volunteers to carry out program activities. Supervise consultants as needed for specific projects.

· Participate in the preparation and management of budgets, ensure timely submission of progress reports

Fundraising Responsibilities

· Work with the Executive Director and development team to implement fundraising strategies

· Participate in developing and maintaining relationships with local foundations, major donors, members, corporations, government agencies, and other supporters.

· Help develop, draft, and review institutional proposals and reports.

Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.

· 8-10 years of increasing responsibility in social change or social justice organizations.

· Track record of effective leadership on civil rights issues.

· Complex awareness and analysis on issues impacting API communities.

· Strong organizational and analytical skills. The ability to analyze data and produce effective analysis and reports.

· Excellent interpersonal skills, including proven ability to work effectively with a diverse set of stakeholders and community leaders.

· Demonstrated ability to take initiative, use sound judgment and solve problems effectively.

· Strategic and detail oriented.

· Excellent written and oral communication abilities.

· Commitment to the mission and programs of CAA.

To apply

Please send resume and cover letter to the Executive Director at employment@caasf.org. For more information about CAA, visit our website at http://www.caasf.org/. To learn about some of the projects we lead, visit http://www.aacre.org/, and http://www.apiequality.org/.

Random After Hours Chae Yeon

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Bicoastally Speaking You Really Should Get Your Bitch On, Help End Human Trafficking, And Maybe Get Some Free Recycled Rice Bag Totes

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Sure, I did forget to mention that you might also win an Adrian Tomine autographed copy of Shortcomings, but really - can that compare to a recycled rice bag tote?

I think not.

So if you're looking for somthing to do this Friday, support a good cause, and maybe win some cool free stuff - look no further and help celebrate the one year anniversary of the blog BicoastalBitchin through both a party and a fundraiser for the Nomi Network:

I just wanted to remind everyone that bicoastalbitchin.com, your favorite Asian American blog, is throwing a fundraiser/party this Friday at EZ5 Bar on 684 Commercial between Kearny and Montgomery in the City of Saint Francis (Chinatown!). Party starts at 10pm, ends when the lights come up. Entry is free, and we're raffling tickets for $5 to win an AUTOGRAPHED copy of Adrian Tomine's opus on interracial dating/losers from Berkeley that moved to Brooklyn: Shortcomings.

All proceeds go to Nomi Network, a non-profit with a goal to end human-trafficking. To hear more about this NGO and its work in helping young girls steer clear from being a sex slave (in this case, Cambodia), check out this YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WWO4GvPAJQ.

If you can't make it out, be sure to check out the Nomi website to buy a cool tote that can only be purchased at www.nominetwork.org for $20 or at local boutiques in NYC for $25. The tote bag reads: "Buy Her Bag, Not Her Body".

Thanks, and hope to see y'all out there this Friday! And for those of you that asked for it, I'll bring the Vegemite and Tim Tams I brought back from Australia. You can take as many Vegemite/Tequila shots as you can handle.

aznheartthrob

An Evening With: Kamala D. Harris, Lisa Ling, and Kollaboration Acoustic 3 Performers

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

A little short notice, but if you're looking for something to do - you want to check this out - and just for the record again I ask - does these people from Kollaboration EVER sleep?

Probably not - and that's a good thing for you. Check the info:

The current District Attorney of San Francisco Kamala D. Harris, award-winning correspondent and television host Lisa Ling and Kollaboration’s Acoustic 3 performers will be presenting “An Evening With: Kamala D. Harris, Lisa Ling, and Kollaboration Acoustic 3 Performers” at the festively lit Wokcano restaurant in Santa Monica on Wednesday, August 19, 2009.

An Evening With will be a mixer featuring guest speakers Kamala D. Harris, Lisa Ling with live performances from Kollaboration Acoustic 3 performers A.J Rafael, Mike Isberto, Megan Lee, “Afraid of Everest” Gerald Ko, and Jinah Kim to address key issues regarding the Asian Pacific Islander community.

An Evening With will be moderated by Roy Choi, the executive producer of Kollaboration, the largest grass-roots organization to promote API artists that brings more awareness and presence back into the community and will feature live acoustic performances throughout the event.

Kamala D. Harris will also be speaking to reach out to the API community about her commitment to justice and her campaign to become the next California Attorney General. San Francisco District Attorney Kamala D. Harris is currently the front-runner for the California Attorney General seat in the June 2010 primary election.

Having raised $1.3 million dollars and counting from thousands of donors across the state, Harris is being hailed as the “female Barack Obama” by journalist Gwen Ifill on The Late Show with David Letterman, while being featured on Oprah as one of “America's Most Powerful Women" and recently named one of The New York Times “17 Women Most Likely to Become the First Female President of the United States.” A half-black and half-Asian Indian Californian, Harris attended Howard University and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. With over 20 years of prosecutorial experience, she has been a tough prosecutor on fighting violent crime in San Francisco since her inception in 2003 as the first female to win the District Attorney seat in San Francisco.

An Evening With will take place from 7pm to 12midnight, located at Wokcano restaurant on 1413 5th Street, Santa Monica.
Cool.

US Census Bureau + No Multilingual Material = Huh?

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

I'm not going to talk about the issue of language, knowing English etc. - that's really not a part of the this conversation, but what I will say is that if you want to do a Census and count everyone - everyone doesn't always know English so if you only send out material in say...English - the bottom line is that your Census might not reach the intended demographic - nor the goal of the project.

Which is counting people - who speak all types of languages.

Glad to see then that this issue is being brought up.

From the SF Examiner

With the 2010 United States Census process now underway, some San Francisco officials are concerned that the decennial survey will neglect city residents who don’t speak English as a primary language.

Unlike years past, an advanced letter notifying families in San Francisco of the 2010 Census is being issued almost completely in English.

The lack of language diversity has drawn the attention of City Attorney Dennis Herrera and Board of Supervisors President David Chiu, who want the U.S. Census Bureau to return to their normal practices of printing multilingual advance letters. A handful of the advance copies in San Francisco feature Spanish as well as English, but none have Cantonese or Mandarin writing.

Herrera and Chiu have already sent out a letter to Census Director Robert Groves asking him to take heed of their concerns, and today they will host a press conference, along with Vincent Pan of Chinese for Affirmative Action, to address the issue. The meeting will take place at Room 234 in City Hall at noon.
Read it in full and get in the know here.

The Most Memorable Person I've Slept With Video Contest

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

To help celebrate the fall premier of the film The People I've Slept With, they're putting on pretty cool video contest (sponsored by Blacklava and HIFF) where the grand prize winner can snag $500, their video will be shown before a fall festival screening of the film, and their video will be included on the DVD release of The People I've Slept With as well.

What do you have to do?

Just make a short two minute video with your phone, camera or webcam that answers the question: Who's the most memorable person you've slept with?

Submissions need to be received by 11:59 pm PST September 18, 2009

For the full/official rules go here.

Watch the Video

All About Maya Lin

Tuesday, August 18, 2009



If you wanted to know what Maya Lin is up to these days - best known for being the designer of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C - here's the article. From her most recent works to her environmental passions, to giving back to the community it's definitely a good read.

Japanese American Citizens League Comes Out Against "The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard"

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

I have some thoughts on this myself but wanted to throw up this post about the JACL and what they had to say about The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard:

The Japanese American Citizens League said Piven's character also used the racial slur "Jap" in the movie and, acknowledging it was a hate crime, asked employees to say the Asian American was attacking them with a samurai sword.

Saying the film showed a "shocking lack of judgment," the group said the producers "need to apologize because they crossed a line in thinking they could use a racial slur simply for the sake of a laugh."

"Japanese Americans are particularly offended because we painfully recall how slurs were used during the 1940s to vilify and demean our community, resulting in a forced eviction from our homes," it said [...]

Paramount Pictures, owned by conglomerate Viacom, said the film -- distributed in the United States by its division Paramount Vantage -- "satirizes and exaggerates the extremes of the sales and celebrity culture."
More thoughts later - read the article in full here.

Wong Fu Productions On CNN

Monday, August 17, 2009



Caught this down at channelapa.com and wanted to make sure and post it on up as it gives another shot in the arm to the Asian American presence online versus "traditional" media.

Roger Fan + Red Dawn

Monday, August 17, 2009



Been seeing links up to this post by Roger Fan a lot lately and definitely wanted to post it on up as if you haven't read it yet it's a great read on being an Asian American actor in Hollywood, why he turned down a "read" for Tom Cruise, and his thoughts on the new remake of Red Dawn:

So this past Friday my phone rings and it’s my agent. My agent tells me that the Red Dawn production wishes for me to be present for the studio, all-cast table read. Big budget, Hollywood movies usually have a studio, all-cast table read a few days prior to the beginning of principle photography…it’s a very big deal. It’s usually the first time all the stars get to meet and be in the same room as the heads of the studios (it’s also the last time until the world premier). Needless to say I was very, very excited. I thought I was being offered a role in the movie. Now, just FYI…I’m not a big fan of the Red Dawn remake and after reading the script I am even less of a fan. That being said, it’s pretty damn cool to be offered a role for a movie even though you don’t think much of the project. You can always turn it down, right? Well, to my surprise, it was an offer – an offer to sit in and read for the main Asian bad guy (already cast but he’s in Africa on another project and can’t make the studio, all-cast table read) and to read every other Chinese role in the script (all my dialogue would be in Chinese). Totally, totally retarded.
Check the post out in full here.

h/t TMM

So Ji Sub, Zhang Ziyi, Peter Ho, OST, And Sophie's Revenge

Monday, August 17, 2009



Check out the above OST from the new Zhang ZiYi film Sophie's Revenge.

You Got Job (Back): Hao-Nhien Vu

Monday, August 17, 2009



In case any of you were were wondering and didn't know already, Hao-Nhien Vu, who was fired from Nguoi Viet Daily news for running the controversial foot spa pic, was hired back:

"Certainly, it feels surreal," he said. "But overall, it just feels like destiny to me, like this is what I'm meant to do."

Vu has joined the paper full-time as an editor, part of the many changes the newspaper is going through, said Giao Pham, Nguoi Viet's new editor-in-chief. Pham said he worked several years as a reporter under Vu and left in 2007 to work for Radio Free Asia. He was hired back by the paper last month.
Read more here and check out Vu's blog Bolsavik.com.

Tiger Loses And Drops The F-Bomb, Yang Wins And Smiles Like The Happiest Mofo Ever

Monday, August 17, 2009



While I feel bad for the Tiger especially after his quote of "I should have won this fucking thing." you just can't help but love that Yang smile after he completed the sports "upset for all times":

He did that yesterday on the day when he went toe-to-toe with Woods and won. He made the back-nine, chip-in eagle that Woods is supposed to make in these circumstances. After his one wobbly moment - a three-putt on No.17 when he had a chance to take a two-shot lead to 18 - Yang came back and hit one of the most memorable last-hole shots in major-championship history, a hybrid from the first cut of rough that rolled past the cup and set up the short birdie putt that meant he had beaten Woods by three shots to win the Wanamaker Trophy.

All afternoon, as Woods kept hitting putts the announcers said should have gone in, as he kept making swings they said were marvelous and then produced shots that didn't set him up for easy birdies, you still kept thinking that the next putt or the next swing would turn things around against Yang. Because Woods had always made his living off guys like Yang.
Here's hoping a rivalry ensues and we get to see the two wrestle each other naked on the back nine cursing each other out sometime in the near future (and don't tell me you wouldn't be glued to the T.V. watching - because I know you would).

WikiFiles: Noureen Dewulf

Monday, August 17, 2009



Who: Noureen Dewulf

Stats: Indian American born in NYC, raised in Georgia.

What: West Bank Story, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, Maneater, The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard, The Back-Up Plan (2010).

Photogenic: Maxim, Nylon, Zink, Giant, Complex, East West Woman, Audrey.

Factoid: Wasn't allowed to watch the Cosby Show because they had dating in it.

Does McDonalds Really Need This Guy To Sell Hamburgers In Japan?

Monday, August 17, 2009



Just curious about why McDonalds in Japan decided to make this guy one of the faces of their four new burgers. Does weird white guy for all love of things in Japan and McDonalds = good burgers? I don't know, but if I think about it and put an Asian American guy in the commercial and run it here speaking crap ass English, I wouldn't probably like that commercial, but since it's a white guy in Asia and the tables are turned - maybe he does = good burger after all.

18 Mighty Mountain Warriors, Asia Pacific Arts, And Soapy Massage

Monday, August 17, 2009

I caught an interesting interview down at Asia Pacific Arts with the sketch comedy group 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors talking about the transition from SF to LA, where they cut their teeth, being together for 15 years, the artistic values of being all-Asian American, and soapy massage.

Definitely a good read.

Hit up the 18.

Roxana Saberi's Video Post

Monday, August 17, 2009



This video was originally shown for "Journalists in Jeopardy" at the Asian American Journalists Association's National Convention in Boston a few days ago where Saberi talks a little bit about her imprisonment (and those still imprisoned) as well as offers suggestion and advice for journalists/freelances looking to work abroad.

This Just Seems Like A Sunday MV: Ayaka - Minna Sora No Shita

Sunday, August 16, 2009



You know what I think I really like about this - it's that in the begining there's no beat, no electronic sound - just what's around and the voice. I mean you know I like my beats, but sometimes you just have to vibe to the a cappella.

Just A Very Random Post On Ketchup

Friday, August 14, 2009

All I'm asking is this - is it really that hard to remember my ketchup and barbecue sauce in the drive-thru? One day no ketchup, the next day - no barbecue. What's a nugget without some barbecue sauce? What's a fry without ketchup?

Why can't the two actually be in the same bag?

New law I didn't know about?

I know.

I should look more carefully.

Like I said - just very random.

Vienna Teng Twitter Q & A

Friday, August 14, 2009

Calling all Vienna Teng fans - now's your chance to hang out and ask some questions via Twiiter this Saturday from 6:00 - 9:00 PM PDT.

The Bulletin

ONLINE Q&A THIS WEEKEND

It's that time again! Bring your queries, silly or serious, and I'll do my best to answer.

To make up for last year's radio silence, I offer you not one but two flavors:

+ FAST: This Saturday evening I'll be on Twitter, using '@' a lot and aiming for snappy 140-character responses to your questions. Likely will be a big messy free-for-all multi-way conversation, in a good way.

Saturday, August 15, 2009
6:00-9:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time
https://twitter.com/viennateng
hashtag: #vtqna

+ SLOW: Want a more thought-out answer? Post your question in one of the following places:

http://viennateng.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=20851
http://www.facebook.com/ViennaTeng

I'll be posting journal entries here:

http://viennateng.com/scrapbook/

all weekend and over the next few weeks, responding to as many as I can. They'll also show up in the forum, Facebook and MySpace.

See you online!

Vote: Olivia Thai And ETTV

Friday, August 14, 2009

There seems to be a lot of contests going on (especially this eve as I'm making some quick updates) but Olivia Thai is in the ETTV Top Idol Contest Online portion (and by the numbers seems to be doing pretty good running second) but can use your vote if you're so inclined.

Here's the video and the instructions/info from YouTube below



Please help by voting for me in this contest!! I'm very grateful for having the continuous support of all of my wonderful viewers. Thank you so much for believing in me :)

Voting Instructions:

1. Click here: http://www.ettvamerica.com/programs/topidol2009/e_onlinevoting.asp

2. Click my photo (Olivia Thai)

3. Register & confirm e-mail address (they won't spam you, i promise)

4. Vote for me... hopefully, as many times possible ;)

Again, thank you for all of your support. YOU motivated me to pursue my passion instead of what everyone else wanted me to do. I'm couldn't be happier. Thank you so much.

Vote For Seriously In Test-Drive 2009

Friday, August 14, 2009

If you like the band Seriously and have still been listening to their '07 EP release (with a plan for a full album out this fall), check out their band profile page at the Test-Drive 2009 contest which hooks up good bands with cool gear and the winners with some studio time.

http://testdrive.taylorguitars.com/BandProfile.aspx?c=9086&p=325

Dumbfoundead And The Bar Exam MC Battles

Friday, August 14, 2009



Definitely short notice, but if you're still looking for something to do tomorrow night, check out The Bar Exam Emcee Battles hosted by Dumbfoundead at Rehab Records from 5:00-11:00 (entry is $5).

LA: White On Rice

Friday, August 14, 2009

Just a quick post in case you didn't know that White On Rice will be getting its premiere on September 11th in L.A. and Orange County:

Director Dave Boyle (“Big Dreams Little Tokyo”) returns with WHITE ON RICE, the comedic story of Jimmy (Hiroshi Watanabe, “Letters from Iwo Jima”), a misguided 40-year-old divorceé trying to navigate his way through a new life in America and out of his sister Aiko’s (Japanese Academy Award winner Nae) basement. Disgraced by his disgruntled brother-in-law Tak (Mio Takada, “Late Night with Conan O’Brien”), the immature yet adorable Jimmy spends his nights searching for a new wife who shares his love of dinosaurs and geology. Things go horribly wrong when Jimmy falls desperately in love with Tak’s niece, the beautiful Ramona (Lynn Chen, “Saving Face”), and vows to steal her away from his co-worker Tim (James Kyson Lee, “Heroes”). Meanwhile, Bob, Jimmy’s nephew and bunk bed-mate (newcomer Justin Kwong) harbors a secret talent that holds the key to rekindling the passion in his parents’ marriage. Hilarious and heartwarming, WHITE ON RICE is a Japanese-American comic treat.
That's it.

Late Night Vibe: Jay'ed - Cry For You

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Good, Bad, Don't Know: Gong Li Goes Chow Yun-fat On Ken Watanabe And John Cusack

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Honestly, I really don't know anything about this film, but I kind of just wanted to post on it simply because I got to use Chow Yun-fat as a verb - and really - that's all I need.

"Shanghai," starring John Cusack, Chow Yun-fat, Gong Li and Ken Watanabe, is their first Asian production. The Weinstein Co. gave the time frame for the release of the World War II-era thriller "Shanghai" in a statement sent to The Associated Press.

The project has been hit by several delays. Chinese movie officials blocked filmmakers from shooting in the country because of concerns about its script [...]

"Shanghai," directed by Sweden's Mikael Hafstrom, is about an American intelligence official (Cusack) who investigates his friend's death in the months before the Pearl Harbor attack. The production moved to London for interior shots and to the Thai capital, Bangkok, where film crews built an elaborate set that reproduced 1940s Shanghai. Filmmakers said during a set visit in August 2008 that the movie was aiming for a U.S. release that Christmas, but those plans were postponed.

The Weinstein Co. said in its statement Thursday that it is "looking toward opening the film in Asia this fall," but an American release date has not been set.

So while it could suck - or be really tasty because it does have some great people in it (and yes, that's the word I'm going for right now if only because I'm very hungry) - I make no judgements.
I'm just happy that again, I got to use Chow Yun-fat as a verb.

Some Kollaboration Acoustic 3 Updates

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Just wanted to post up a few quick notes on Kollaboration Acoustic 3 - the afterparty is going to be down at J. Lounge (1119 S. Olive Street Downtown LA) - so you definitely want to hit that after the show - and that if you needed another reason to go - they've added another guest performer Jane Lui. One other quick lineup change is that Applesauce (David Tran) won't be performing.

That's it. Get your tickets if you already haven't - 'cause time's running out.

Next Generation Remix 2009 Outdoor Concert

Thursday, August 13, 2009




For more info (and videos) of the artists that will be playing the show including Bambu, Taiko Project, EyeASage, Sibrian, Kate Yoshida and Camile Velasco - down at the JACCC Plaza August 22nd - check out http://www.ngremix.com/.

Trailer For The Show



Some Camile Velasco To Get You In The Mood For The Concert

East West Magazine Re-Launch Cover Design Contest

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Got this sent out my way and wanted to post it up for any of you aspiring, or already graphic designers who want to get the cover of a magazine:

To celebrate a fall re-launch, East West magazine has announced the East West Exhibit, a cover design contest for the October/November issue, available nationwide on October 6. East West is welcoming submissions of original artwork interpreting the meaning of East West and the merging of cultures. The winning design will be featured on the cover, along with a profile of the winner in the magazine.

East West is the first and only lifestyle magazine with a pan-Asian American focus. Launched in 2003, the publication went on hiatus last year to retool operations. “During this time, we maintained an online presence, and realized the East West audience was anxious for the magazine’s return,” said Anita Malik, founder and editor in chief of East West. “We are excited to re-launch the magazine with a cover contest that involves our readers.”

All contest entries will be posted at EastWestMagazine.com for online voting from September 2-16, 2009. Based on online vote totals, the top five designs will be announced at the end of September. East West staff will choose the final cover from the top five, and the final decision will be made public on October 6, when East West officially returns to print.

Entrants must submit original artwork—including photography, painting, graphic design and drawing—and a signed authorization/consent form. Contest rules include:

All entries must be original artwork created by the entrant(s) and answer the question: “What is your interpretation of East West today. What does the merging of cultures look like to you?”
  1. No black and white.
  2. Entries must be postmarked by August 31, 2009.
  3. Digital artwork must be 300 DPI and at least 9.25”x11.125”.
  4. Non-digital artwork will be accepted via mail and scanned for Web site/print use.
  5. Only one entry per person, team or company.
  6. Entries will not be returned. Any or all materials/information may be published.
  7. A signed entry/consent form is required for an entry to be valid.
  8. All entrants under the age of 18 on August 1, 2009 must have a parent/guardian signature.

    For complete contest details, visit EastWestMagazine.com. Submissions, as well as questions about the contest, can be emailed to: TheExhibit@eastwestmagazine.com.