2024 Mini Blog Run #26: That's A Mini Wrap

I feel like there could be a part 2. But some of the time has been spent getting lost inside the interwebs and I'm afraid as the New Year is approaching I will find myself in other endeavors.

Here's to 2025 and a lot more Asian America.

2024 Mini Blog Run #25: Revisiting John Cho's Op-Ed Article "Coronavirus reminds Asian Americans like me that our belonging is conditional"

I was checking out some other information about John Cho's latest film Afraid, and thought that I wanted to post a little bit of this from 2020 instead and then link out to it.

"It might be a small moment, like a salesperson greeting you with “konnichiwa.” Or it might be a string of moments, like the press tour that Kal Penn and I took to promote “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle” in 2004, a few years after 9/11 [...] Asian Americans are experiencing such a moment right now. The pandemic is reminding us that our belonging is conditional. One moment we are Americans, the next we are all foreigners, who “brought” the virus here."

There's a piece of me that thinks about Selfie and how it was ahead of its time. That now, this would work. People wouldn't necessarily see it as AM/WF--I mean we would, but not in that way--and I could be dreaming, but I think in another world, it just works. 

They had great chemistry--Cho and Gillan.

And yes, I do want to see Asian on Asian love.

But still, this shouldn't have been denied. 

We should have had more episodes.

2024 Mini Blog Run #24: Hikaru Utada - Electricity

How can you deny anything Utada does?

She just....is.

One day I'll have to track down all the lists that left her off...

And write them a very strong email.

I mean I'm not an animal.

 

2024 Mini Blog Run #23: Jon M. Chu x Wicked

Wicked has moved up into the top 6th spot on the worldwide list for 2024.

It just passed Mama Mia to officially be the highest grossing Broadway to film adaptation.

I think you have to start to talk about Jon M. Chu in some different ways now.

His accomplishments are becoming just too great.

2024 Mini Blog Run #22: Sandy Liang x It's Sold Out (AKA You're Not Getting It)

You are not going to get your hands on one of these. 

Sold out.

2024 Mini Blog Run #21: Random Infographic What Rep. Ted Lieu Does For You

https://x.com/RepTedLieu/status/1772658520175096008

If I were a politician I'd want people to know what I've done for them too.

And I'd want to make it easy.

Asians. We don't just do it. We make it easy for you to understand.

2024 Mini Blog Run #20: Maya Erskine x Mr. & Mrs. Smith

 

As I think about the end of the year, I still did want Maya Erskine to have won for her character in this series, because it was new and it was innovative, as well as pure Americana. I didn't want Shogun to win, because it was based on Shogun. People can disagree, but how do we move forward and make people appreciate other things that we as Asian Americans can do if we don't laud Asian Americans in other roles? 

It doesn't mean we have to not like other shows that have things like martial arts in them. It doesn't mean an Asian American woman can't play certain characters--that's the whole thing about this--but it also means we have to laud and give honor to, these other depications of who we can be.

2024 Mini Blog Run #19: keshi, Soft Spots, and Vevo Studios

 

Sounds to sooth even the hardest of hearts.

2024 Mini Blog Run #18: But Kamala Didn't Make It?

Sometimes I just think about what we've lost versus what we've gained, and that loss, it's what helps to fuel the next generation, the next perishable moment that hopefully doesn't rot with the stench of doing nothing.

But nothing stays golden. Robert Frost and S.E. Hinton knew that.

So sometimes we have to take a break too, watch the nightfall and the colors fade.

Because Kamala didn't win.

As much as we wanted that it didn't happen. 

The world wanted nothing to do with us.

I'm not saying there weren't mitigating factors like the assasination attempt, the way it was handled.

But when all was said and done. 

They didn't want her.

A South Asian BIPOC woman who had all the receipts.

We did not get to see that.

I guess I can take a shower later.

2024 Mini Blog Run #17: Jimmy O. Yang x Love Hard x This Really Is A Xmas Classic

 

You know what? I don't care what any of you say. Just like Die Hard is an Xmas movie, so is this.

I love it. You can hate it.

But it's not only sweet and cute, but it is something of a boon from an Asian American male sense as well.

Like what other Christmas love story movie do you know where there are TWO Asian American romantic male leads (and A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas does not count)?

Some people still may want to talk about how the Asian guy had to be the catfisher, but I still maintain that this is offset because of Tag.

And that scene where Josh talks about how it was him? Like him all along? You know that gets every damn Asian American man whos sees it.

So yes--this absolutely goes on the list, and it has to be a classic.

Xmas Love--actually, it is Love Hard .-)

2024 Mini Blog Run #16: Lee Isaac Chung

I'll be honest and say I have not seen Twisters yet, but I know it did hella good at the box office, and I will see it...but I'm just happy to see more people out there doing what they want, and I think it's just great to have everyone out there as more role models in the arts.

Do what you want to do. 

Look at some of the others who've paved the way for you.

From Minari to Twisters to the future.

Sounds pretty good to me.

2024 Mini Blog Run #15: Jenn Tran = You Got You!

 

At the end of the day even those who didn't know quite what was happening, when they found out, they weren't happy with how Jenn Tran, the first Asian American and Vietnamese American on The Bachelorette, was treated. 

By the show. And the man she picked (aka what's his name).

But like all great Vietnamese Americans (because we are awesome damn you), she landed back on her feet and became a symbol of VIET ASIAN AWESOMENESS for all incredible women who got duped by a nobody man and made it out WAY BETTER.

Now I don't know what the The Trưng sisters would say about this all, but you know...

2024 Mini Blog Run #14: Yup. I Changed It To A Mini Blog Run

I mean it already was one, especially compared to other past posts, but I thought to myself, it just sounds a little more accurate.

So there it is.

And yes. 

I am counting this as a post.

2024 Mini Blog Run #13: Simu Liu x Boba Tea

@cbcgem This bottled bubble tea business pitches to celebrity Dragon Simu Liu and the rest of the Dragons (📺: Dragons' Den) #dragonsden #simuliu ♬ original sound - CBC Gem

For some odd reason, there are a lot of people I feel like who are just sometimes hating on Simu Liu--and I can only guess why (and maybe it's things like I don't know, seeing an awesome Asian man making it). He was right to call out what he did, and it stirred a lot of emotions. Who doesn't love this man using his fame and fortune to stand on the right side of Asians. And here's a YT clip featuring other BIPOC talking about Simu and how he got it right--and we heard about Taco Bell....MF's!

2024 Mini Blog Run #12: Olivia Munn, Breast Cancer, New Daughter, And Showing Scars

 

There's nothing that I should say here. 

Just listening.

2024 Mini Blog Run #11: Senator Andy Kim AKA You're A First

From the land of the wiki's:

Andrew Kim (born July 12, 1982) is an American politician and former diplomat serving as the junior United States senator from New Jersey, a seat he has held since 2024. A member of the Democratic Party, he served from 2019 to 2024 as the United States representative from New Jersey's 3rd congressional district. His district encompassed Philadelphia's eastern suburbs along southern and central New Jersey. He worked in the U.S. State Department before his election to Congress in 2018.

Born in Boston and raised in South Jersey, Kim studied political science at the University of Chicago before attending Magdalen College, Oxford. Shortly afterward, he worked as a civilian advisor at the Department of State, serving in Afghanistan under the Obama administration. Inspired to run against Representative Tom MacArthur due to his efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Kim defeated him in a close election in 2018. The first Democratic congressman of Korean descent, he served three terms in the House.

In September 2023, Kim announced he would run against incumbent New Jersey senator Bob Menendez, who was facing corruption and bribery charges. Menendez declined to run for the Democratic nomination, and Kim initially faced New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy. She dropped out in March 2024. After successfully petitioning to abolish the "county line" primary ballots, Kim became the Democratic nominee in June 2024.^[1] He defeated Republican Curtis Bashaw in the 2024 general election and was sworn in on December 9, 2024.^[2] He is the first Korean American senator and New Jersey's first Asian American senator.^[3][4]

Here's a quick snippet of the 42 year-old Bostonian from an AP article:

"But it wasn’t an easy path to the nomination. First lady Tammy Murphy launched a campaign that was well-funded and widely backed by insiders. Kim upended politics in New Jersey when he sued in federal court to stop a practice whereby party leaders were allowed to influence how ballots are drawn up, widely seen as helping preferred candidates. The judge, in an initial ruling, sided with Kim. Murphy dropped out and Kim won easily in June."

If they won't give it, you have to take it.

2024 Mini Blog Run #10: Mike Shinoda x Joe Hahn x Linkin Park's Comeback

There were a lot of different, and incredible, performances I liked from the comeback year of 2024's Linkin Park, but I especially liked this one, because there was this juxtaposition of sterile and scripted, against the combined deep emotionally driven self introspective state of the the band's core, and what it had gone through to get to this exact place.

And it was beautiful. 

Shinoda, and Hahn, not sure if they would continue on with a new lead singer, steered the band and the group in the right direction where it led them to Armstrong, who of course was just the right pick to move forward and make new music.

And it's beautiful. 

And with Mike Shinoda as the heart of Linkin Park, there's nothing this band can't keep doing.

2024 Mini Blog Run #9: Giant Robot: Thirty Years of Defining Asian American Pop Culture

 

I have this. I love it. You should get it as well if you are so inclined and don't need to use the money for milk for your baby--because feeding your baby should come first.

But other than that, I'd get this.

It's beautiful inside.

"In conjunction with the great Drawn & Quarterly, we present Giant Robot: Thirty Years of Defining Asian-American Pop Culture, a hardcover curated collection of Giant Robot's best! Jam packed with so many great articles written by + interviews conducted by the passionate and creative Giant Robot contributors throughout the years. A beautiful hardcopy encapsulation of an era that lives on today!"

Check it out here.

2024 Mini Blog Run #8: Speaking of Bruno Mars (AKA Die With a Smile AKA Sexy And Talented AKA That MF'er...)

I mean, when I heard this I was like "for real"?

Don't get my wrong. How can you not be happy for Bruno Mars, but Jesus H. To The Mary Christopher, did one guy have to get all the talent?

Could we have no saved a smidgen for tone deaf MF's like me?

Just so we could get a dance? 

Just one?

Fine. 

Bruno Mars it is.

Who care's about one tone deaf can't dance MF'er?

Don't say I didn't warn you though when I crash into you like it's a mosh pit.

Sexy, talented Bruno Mars....

MF'er....

2024 Mini Blog Run #7 APT: ROSÉ & Bruno Mars

This was a late entry into "SONG THAT VIBES THE WHOLE COUNTRY AND WORLD". 

The collaboration between Bruno Mars and ROSÉ just took everyone by storm and it took ROSÉ to new heights, in many ways, overshadowing her BP member LISA's single's efforts. 

It's tought to beat that collaboration, but even more so, it just seemed authentic. 

Just enough of pop, party, and this cute little back story to it all.

And then to find out as well that it was Bruno Mars who really produced it (and who should be surprised)--how can you ever deny the greatness of the Fillipino American singer/songwriter/producer?

It was just magic. Right time, right place.

 

2024 Mini Blog Run #6: Suni Lee's Comeback

I thought about making this post's title having something to do with the word "gold" in it at first, but I stopped myself, because even though yes, she got her medals, and that included the team redemption gold, it's a lot more about that.

Before this year, she didn't know if she could come back from kidney disease--make a team and go to the Olympics.

But she made it. 

She did it. 

During the trials, in the face of injury, she stuck what she needed. 

She landed without faults.

I think if anything, under all that pressure, because everyone is there to watch and it's a mad house, that's all that really matters in so many ways--

That you get that chance. Win or lose.

That's what I celebrate the most.

2024 Mini Blog Run #5: The Patsy Takemoto Mink Quarter

This is one of the cool products from the year that featured AMAZING people from our history.

"As a Member of Congress, the Honorable Patsy Takemoto Mink fought for gender and racial equality, affordable childcare, and bilingual education. Mink was the champion of Title IX legislation in Congress, prohibiting sex discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Title IX was posthumously renamed the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act.

The coin’s reverse depicts the Honorable Patsy Takemoto Mink holding her landmark “TITLE IX” legislation. In the background, a view of the Capitol Building prominently features the south wing, home to the House of Representatives, where Mink served in Congress. The lei she wears represents her home state of Hawaii. The included inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “PATSY TAKEMOTO MINK,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “25 CENTS,” and “EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN EDUCATION.”

I will say that I think the head should have been the Statue of Liberty, or another picture of a woman on it, but it's still pretty cool that it's a part of the American Women Quarters program. 

And yes - quarters are expensive.

2024 Mini Blog Run #4: More Rock More Dwayne

Wasn't D.T.R.J just everywhere this year?

Red One. 

Moana 2.

The Smashing Machine--and sure, it's not being released until 2025--but you heard about the A24 flick, yes you heard that right, A24, this year.

A return to the canvas in the WWE.

Tequila.

I mean, next thing you'll tell me he's got an infomercial out there for a grill!

All we can hope for is more 2025 Roc.

2024 Mini Blog Run #3: Conan Gray + The 80's

 

First, let's just give it up to mother fucking supermarkets.

They rule.

Second. 

You know what else rules?

The 80's.

Thank you Conan Gray for being bitchin and bringing back kick-ass sounds of the 80's while also making them new, and going like, holy hell, how much more of a genius can you be?

Love,
Superache

2024 Mini Blog Run #2: Miya Lee, Modern Love, And 20/10

One of the joys in life that I've learned to relish, even if I don't read it religiously, is The New York Times' Modern Love column, and its compact cousin, Tiny Love Stories. Interestingly enough this is Modern Love's 20th anniversary.

Interestingly as well, 2024 is Miya Lee's 10th annivesary of work for Modern Love, where currently she is the editor and "evaluates submissions to Modern Love, selects and edits Tiny Love Stories, oversees special projects and is involved in all other aspects of the Modern Love franchise".

How can you not love Modern Love?

2024 Mini Blog Run #1: Let's Go On An End Of Year Mini Blog Run (AKA It's Like A Mini 24hr Blogothon But Maybe For Like 4hrs?)

It's been a while, 2017, since I did a proper X blog posts in 24 hours for APIA month (and then I made it to 200 posts, short of the 250), and while that has passed this year without me doing anything like that (I have execuses just like the rest of you...) I thought I should see what I can do in like 4/5 hours before the new year, and while still being able to have a new year.

Obviously I didn't plan this one out, but as Nava Ravikant says (and I'm not saying I subscribe to the man's ethos)--inspiration is perishable.

And like in the past--sometimes my posts aren't long ones (maybe they should be tweets), and maybe a few will be, maybe some inbetween--so if you have any issues...

Get your own quest.

Counting this as #1.

Smooth Viet Groove Vibes

This is just a nice sweet Viet Groove Vibe.

Smooth Operator indeed (listen at 9:00)

When Asians Go Bad: Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong (AKA Good Journalism Can Be Biased And We Don't Need To Hear From Everyone)

While I haven't been able to blog as much over the last few years, I've kept it going because I firmly believe that putting out your individual voice especially from communities like ours--is just as important now as the first day I made post #1.

Hearing about the LA Times and how its owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong has been gutting the paper's editorial board, killing op-ed stories, seeing the very public entanglement on the endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris, and then also hearing about nepo-time in the newsroom--I think it's fairly easy for anyone who can lick an envelope to say this doctor should not be owning a major newspaper.

At the end of the day (and yes I heard I should be retiring that phrase...) good journalism doesn't have to be completely neutral because it just needs to tell the truth. Yes, some things can be more opinionated, like Op-Ed, but sometimes two plus two just equals four.

We don't need an article debating if 2 + 2 in fact does = 4.

Just like we don't need to bend the knee to people who think the earth is FLAT.

It's not.

What if Upton Sinclair, Ida B. Wells, Nellie Bly, or Maria Ressa bent their knee to accomodate food companies, lynchers, medical companies, and political organizations?

What if instead of the pillars of truth and accuracy and accountability we replaced those with echo chambers, owner bias, and selective viewpoints that obfuscate the truth?

I feel like the good doctor is helping to answer that last question.

MOANA 2 Keeps On Top Of The Waves For A Second Week

As stated by boxofficepro, the record breaking movie MOANA 2 is still at the top of the list for the 2nd straight weekend:

Disney’s animated sequel Moana 2 maintained its top dog status for a second weekend as it brought in an estimated $52M from 4,200 locations (n/c) for a PSA of $12,381.

It looks to be at about the $600 million mark standing in 5th place overall for 2024.

Nice work if you can get it.

Hannah Kobayashi Story Takes A Turn

According to multiple reports it sounds like Hannah Kobayashi, the 30 year-old who went missing, with a large search for her didn't turn up anything conclusive, has now taken a turn in that authorities have stated they saw her cross the border into Mexico.

[...] Kobayashi traveled to Los Angeles Union Station – the main train station in the city – where she used her passport to buy a bus ticket for a destination near the California-Mexico border on Nov. 11.

McDonnell said Kobayashi traveled from Union Station to the San Ysidro district of San Diego the next day and crossed the border into Mexico at 12:13 p.m. on Nov. 12. Officials added that she was alone and carrying her luggage.

--https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/12/03/hannah-kobayashi-missing-person-case-update/76727694007/

So what has really happened--I'm sure there will be a Netflix movie pondering this in a few years (if not sooner)?

I think everyone wants to know, but at the end of the day, they have classified this as being Voluntarily Missing, and with what happened to her father, we may never know what truly happened.

The story continues, but at the same time--it's kind of done as well in some ways unless the Mexican police find her and send her back to America because of time/visa, etc. because I just don't think we'll be hearing more from her voluntarily.

There are some things I want to say about family, shame, no differences, just letting people go, not talking about things we don't know because no one knows what truly happens in life...but I think in this case, some things are just better left unsaid.

Here's to hoping there's peace somewhere for everyone left involved.

GIVING TUESDAY: If you can + CAAM

Not everyone can give on Giving Tuesday where typically there are some great matches for the non-profits you love, but if you can, check them out and give a few dollars if you are able and are so inclined.

“CAAM gave me that confidence… to tell me that not only can you do it, not only can you do it great, but the world wants to see it.” - Kevin Truong, CAAM Fellow 2022 At CAAM, we are committed to advancing untold narratives about the Asian American experience through impactful storytelling. This essential work thrives with the support of dedicated individuals like you.  By contributing today on Giving Tuesday, you’re strengthening the potential of Asian American stories in this watershed moment. Thanks to two anonymous donors, up to $10,000 of contributions made today through December 31 will be matched!

Donate today and double my impact!

This Article Here...

Even though this article is about Black Women and their POV on the election I feel this: https://apnews.com/article/trump-black-women-democrats-harris-base-votecast-0c646e888c999b03d1798e1aa1331937. 

I've had that conversation with others, where at times, we just need to step back and do self care.

No matter who you are, especially if it's not a part of your work/job, etc. and even then it still needs to be said--you can't go full throttle all the time.

We all need breaks.

It's okay to let another generation, or group within our own communities, take things on that we've been fighting for, but also get bruised and beat by.

Because it gets hard.

So rest up when you can and do what you can do, even if it's just tipping back a drink while you contemplate your next move, or even if there is one.