Takeru Kobayashi Tries To Get His Hot Dog Back

With the 2007 competition bringing in 1.5 million viewers on ESPN, it should be no surprise that this year's battle has the world buzzing to see if Kobayashi can take back his crown...err...Mustard Belt:

Takeru Kobayashi of Japan smashed the world record in 2001 and was unbeatable for more than half a decade until America's Joey Chestnut became the new king of all tube steaks at Coney Island last year.

Chestnut inhaled a world-record 66 hot dogs — including the buns — in 12 minutes at the annual contest at Nathan's Famous in Coney Island, N.Y. The San Jose, Calif., man won the coveted Mustard Belt and waddled off with the $10,000 grand prize.

Doesn't a Hebrew National sound tasty right now?

Obama, Faith Based Initiatives, And The Church Of Bongwater

I'm still coming around on this one - and I'm still not sure (and may change my mind later on) - but right now if $500 million gets him the vote so be it - even if it does muddy the waters even more between the government and faith based groups and the typically conservative base that backs them (and how that will play out in future elections).

In that sense, I'm willing to take one for the team, because you have to do what you have to do to get the big seat.

I just don't want to hear anyone whining when the Churches of I Love Bongwater, and I Have Three Wives, or the Gay Buddhist's Chapter gets some federal funding.

Not a peep.

And I especially don't want to hear squat when the Agnostics On The Fence Maybe It's Just Cheese In The Sky and the Church of I Have A Right To An Abortion get theirs either.

I mean if this goes down, just remember that "faith" doesn't mean anything other than that.

And in more Daniel Henney News

Because this is my third post on him in a week - I watched his movie My Father, and with exception to the really bad acting in the beginning during the first 2 minutes where his family is like "Do you really want to join the Army?" and "Be careful" - it was pretty good.

Here's the synopsis from Wikipedia:

The movie, which is based on a true story, is about an adopted son who is searching for his biological parents in South Korea. During his search he meets his real father, a condemned murderer on death row. Daniel Henney plays the lead role of James, who works as a volunteer in the United States armed forces in Korea. He asks questions of why his father is on death row and finds out things that he always wanted to know. Then he finds more and more truths unravel about his father and his life.

The release of the movie inspired controversy because the family of the father's victims did not support its production. In its first week on release it topped the South Korean box office sales charts

Next up on my DVD list - Seven Days (because I want to see the movie that got Kim Yun-jin her Best Actress Award).

Tila Tequila Goes Bi-Bye

Update: PM5

Favorite finale clip (because I didn't watch it, but thanks to Yahoo News and YouTube I didn't need too):

My only thought on this is that they should have at least given everyone some fake tears to put in their eyes, because nothing says drama like tears -- versus dry crying, because that's like dry humping - and that's just not fun.

More Tila News (because you know you want it):

Tearful Tila Tequila Misses Her ‘Shot at Love’

But Tila herself had a surprise coming when Kristy refused the key. “You love that I’m honest and that I’m true to my feelings and true about who I am,” she said. “If I take this key I’m not being true.”

A Shot at Love 2 with Tila Tequila: Season Finale Recap

Tila chose Kristy, and Kristy turned her down! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Tila cries asking why she would do this to her, and Kristy says she's confused and accepting the key would make her not true to herself. Tila feels humiliated and walks off, crying the whole way. She doesn't understand what she's doing wrong and why she keeps getting her heart broken.

Hot Retro Mashup: Clazziquai And Daniel Henney

I stumbled across this mashup with Clazziquai, from their 2005 Color Your Soul CD, and a ton of Daniel Henney. Check it out - it's pretty tight.

DVD: Miss Gold Digger & Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon

So I sat down and watched two films last night, the SK romantic comedy Miss Gold Digger and the Andy Lau/Maggie Q epic Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon, and while I didn't mind the first, because it was kind of a fun romp through singledom and trying to find the right person - the ending was a nice surprise too, and I can see why it caught Han Ye Seul a New Actress award - I'd have to say that unless you just have to see every Andy Lau or Maggie Q movie, I'd probably wait until you were kind of bored to see the other.

It's not that Three Kingdoms was the worst flick you could see - it had some nice scenes and some good cinematography - but they used this stutter-step filming of the action segments that made a lot of it look like a bad Made For TV movie and at the same time the story moved too fast while it tried to fit in too much. You never really got to feel attached to a particular person in it versus something like The Warlords or Protégé, and in the end when you put everything together - it just wasn't that epic.

Here's the trailer for Miss Gold Digger



Here's the trailer for Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon

Charmaine Manansala: AAPI Vote Director for the Obama Campaign

To be honest, while I think it's great that Obama's sister is helping reach out to Asian Americans, I'm more inclined to find the appointing of Charmaine Manansala from APA for Progress, as the AAPI Vote Director for the Obama Campaign to hold a little bit more weight (because let's face it, you really tune out your siblings anyway).

I'm just reposting her letter in full from the APA for Progress site from a few days ago (hopefully they won't be like the AP and charge me for more than 4 words of the quote):

Leaders, Friends, and Family-Hafa Adai.

I wanted to let you know that I have been brought on board to serve as AAPI Vote Director for the Obama Campaign. The national AAPI voter outreach program is a priority for Obama for America.

I look forward to working with you in the upcoming months as we engage the Asian American and Pacific Islander community nation-wide, as well as in key battleground states. As you all know, Democrats turned out in record numbers during the primaries and caucuses to show their support for all the amazing candidates. We hope to carry that excitement forward into the fall, united for the purpose of turning the White House (along with as many states, Congressional Districts, and state legislatures as possible) BLUE, and, of course, electing Senator Obama as the next President of the United States!

The Obama campaign acknowledges the extraordinary contributions of the nearly 13 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have helped build a strong and vibrant America. As you know, the AAPI community has been no stranger to Senator Barack Obama. It is a community that he became a part of while growing up in Hawaii and Indonesia and living in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. We realize that despite the growh of our community, there are challenges we still face. For increasing numbers of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, the American dream is in danger of slipping away. As President, Senator Obama will work with the AAPI community to ensure that all Americans have access to quality, affordable and portable health insurance that will also reduce the linguistic and cultural barriers that limit access to our medical system. We will make sure the global economy works for AAPIs by fixing our public education system, making college affordable through an annual $4,000 tax credit, and equipping our workers with the skills and training they need to compete. We will invest in renewable energy, which will ease our rising fuel costs while also saving our planet. We will do more to support small businesses, including strengthening programs that provide capital to minority-owned businesses. We will develop comprehensive immigration reforms that strengthen our security while affirming our heritage as a nation of immigrants. We will restore our Constitution and the rule of law, including our commitment to human rights abroad and civil liberties at home. We will forge a more effective regional framework for collective security in Asia and the Pacific to promote political and economic stability, confront transnational threats like terrorism and influenza, and collectively address environmental concerns. Finally, we will restore the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to work towards its original goal of meeting the underserved needs of AAPIs.

But, we must all work together to create this change.

I am grateful for your support of the AAPI community and the Democratic Party. I’d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the incredible efforts of the Obama Campaign’s Asian American and Pacific Islander National Leadership Council, Asian Americans for Obama, South Asians for Obama, Asian Pacific Americans for Progress and other similar groups and community organizations who have done an amazing job in engaging thousands of AAPIs across the country in the election process. We are counting on that support to move us forward into the general election.

I would like to welcome the throngs of AAPIs who supported Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator John Edwards, and the other champions of the Democratic Party. I am looking to you for your leadership and input in this campaign. Our goals for our families and the AAPI community are the same. With your help, input, and engagement, we can get there.

I’d like to extend a personal thank you to Congressman Mike Honda for leading our community within the party and the campaign. I am pleased to announce that Betsy Kim will serve as my Deputy Director. As you may know, there are also many talented AAPIs already in the campaign including Van, Madhuri, Eugene, Miti, Anna, Mario, Hari, Rohan and many, many others who will continue to work on AAPI outreach.

We are excited for this opportunity to serve on an historic campaign.

Again, a big thank you to all for your leadership and involvement. I will be in Chicago starting July 7th.

YES WE CAN!

Maraming salamat po,

E. Charmaine Manansala

There's also an article at ABS-CBN News Online on Manansala's appointment.

Fact, Fiction, Or Just The CW?

I was reading on Watch with Kristin (for some odd reason I found myself there) that the CW show Reaper may get a new character:

The first newbie is Kristen, a beautiful Asian-American girl who is Sock's new step-sister (remember his mama got married?) and who will drive Sock insane with her lack of clothing and insistence on practicing her massage techniques.

Great. Let's hope this doesn't actually play out like it says and there's actually something more to the character than "I give good massage" because that's what we really need - more Asian American massage roles.

Just. Can't. Wait.

Race Roundup

Pat Buchanan Promotes New Book on Racist Radio Show

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL: 2.93, +0.03, +1.03%) today said conservative political commentator Pat Buchanan "stooped into the cesspool of extremism" by appearing on a radio show run by a well-known white supremacist. On June 29, Buchanan appeared on "Political Cesspool," a Tennessee-based AM radio show run by white supremacist James Edwards, to promote his book, Churchill, Hitler, and the Unnecessary War: How Britain Lost Its Empire and the West Lost the World. "While parading himself as a moderate, to sell his book Pat Buchanan has stooped into the cesspool of extremism," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.

Racist groups may exaggerate their reach

Racists (sometimes one person with a computer) and organizations that monitor them say the possibility of Obama winning the White House has caused increased traffic at Web sites run by Neo-Nazis, skinheads and others of their ilk. What’s unknown is just how much traffic increased, how many actual members are recruited, and how fervent their activity is.

Harris Co. sheriff apologizes for racist e-mails

Harris County Sheriff Tommy Thomas apologized to a local Muslim group Monday for e-mails containing derogatory jokes about Muslims that were circulated by members of his staff. Thomas also plans to suspend the commander, Chief Deputy Mike Smith, who heads the office's detention command, the Houston Chronicle reported Monday. The newspaper said Thomas did not know when that suspension would begin or whether other staff members would also be suspended.

Racist Threats in US Baseball

US authorities have planned tight security measures for Monday night game in Florida after Latin and black players with the Boston Red Sox received racist threats. WCVB TV channel said Monday the team received a threat mailed from the Memphis, Tenn., area targeting the players and citing at least two by name.

Obama-Clinton contest revealed limits of racism, sexism

To hear some of Hillary Clinton's disappointed supporters tell it, half of America just told her to "Iron my shirt." In fact, two guys did, at a Clinton rally in New Hampshire in January, in what seems to have been a prank to draw attention to their radio show.

Model's 18th birthday party ends in a 'football riot after her millionaire father made racist comments'

The businessman, who has carpet showrooms in London, then continued to make racist comments over the microphone, Guildford Crown Court was told. Moments later a mass brawl resembling a 'football riot' broke out after guests confronted Mr Chopping on the dance floor. As the fighting spilled out on to the drive, a mob of partygoers attacked an Asian caterer.

Kim Yun-jin & Daniel Henny: 45th Daejong Film Awards

Kim Yun-jin accepting the Best Actress award for "Seven Days"

Here's a quick list of the winners from the Daejong Film Festival which was hosted by Kim A-jun (from 200 Pounds Beauty) that also included some names like Kim Yun-jin from Lost who won the Best Actress Award, as well as Daniel Henny (Seducing Mr. Perfect) from the upcoming X-Men flick who won the New Actor award:

Best Actor: Kim Yoon Suk (Chaser)
Best Actress: Kim Yun-jin (Seven Days)
Best Picture: (The Chaser)
Achievement in visual effects: Young Goo Art (D-War)
New Actor: Daniel Henney (My Father)
New Actress: Han Ye Seul (Gold Digger Miss Shin)
Best Supporting Actor: Yoo Jun Sang (Return)
Best Supporting Actress: Kim Hye Suk (Open City)
Best Director Award: Na Hong Jin (Chaser)

Here's the trailer for Seven Days:



Here's the trailer for My Father:

Manny Pacquiao: Greatest Asian Boxer

Caught this via my Gmail alerts and it seems everyone is talking about it. Even though I didn't see it myself it's definitely pretty cool. From the Phillipine News where Reuel Vidal gives a blow by blow analysis:

Manny Pacquiao dominated from the first round, beat up his foe for eight rounds before finally knocking out David Diaz in the ninth round to grab the World Boxing Council world lightweight title. Pacquiao won his fourth world title in a fourth weight category to become today’s greatest pound-for-pound boxer. In my book, he earned the honor of greatest Asian boxer of all time. Going up in weight gave Pacquiao five more pounds of power while keeping his blinding hand and foot speed.

Greatest Asian boxer? It has a nice ring to it.

Aurora Austriaco

Another Asian American in the news who's looking to break some new ground in the Illinois government:

Aurora Austriaco is running to represent Illinois' 65th Legislative District. She's knocking on doors four days a week, aiming to become the first Asian American elected to the Illinois General Assembly. To get there, she'll need to knock off a 15-year incumbent--state Rep. Rosemary Mulligan, who represents voters in a district that includes portions of Des Plaines, Park Ridge, Niles, Rosemont and Chicago's Northwest Side.

The district is a traditional Republican redoubt. That would appear to put Austriaco's bid in Don Quixote territory, but the times, they are a-changin.' The Illinois GOP is looking to the November election as a patient would prepare for a visit from Dr. Jack Kevorkian. A mercy killing might be the order of the day.

Get on out and help make a difference if you can.

DVD That Blows: Cadaver (AKA The Cut)

There's really just nothing else to say.

Leonardo Nam Is In Your Pants

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 is coming out in about a month or so and from the looks of it Leonardo Nam (Korean) who plays Brian McBrian, is hopping into bed with someone in the movie.

Watch for his spikey hair.



He's also in the upcoming films Crossing Over, He's Just Not That Into You, and The Two Bobs.

Yi and Yao News

In what's looking to be a busy summer for the NBA, one of the trades that just happened was the swap of Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons for New Jersey's Richard Jefferson which gets Yi into a bigger market (and he can at least say he lives close to New York, at least closer than Milwaukee):

In a deal first reported by ESPN.com's Marc Stein, New Jersey sends forward Richard Jefferson to Milwaukee for forwards Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons. No draft picks are involved in the trade. The swap creates an estimated $10-plus million in long-term savings for the Nets as they continue to reshape their team after trading another mainstay -- point guard Jason Kidd -- to Dallas in February.

In Yao news, apparently he's set to start training with the Chinese national team and seems adament on playing (there was a collective sigh in China):

With pressure on Yao to perform, some have questioned whether he would be pushing himself so hard were the Olympics not being held in Beijing. Yao dismissed such speculation, saying that there were "no 'ifs' about the Olympics, there are no 'ifs' about me."

Yao said he would start light training with the national team on Friday, giving him time to learn tactics and strategies worked out by China's Lithuanian-born coach Jonas Kazlauskas. The Chinese men's team is in a tough group at the Olympics, facing the United States in its first game.

Blog Notes

News from around blogosphere:

JYP Thinks Rain is a Failure?

The Clouds (Rain's fans) were upset when JYP said, "If you compare the Wonder Girls vs Rain, 1/3 of Wonder Girls music income is more than half of Rain's music income." He continued, "Wonder Girls profits are high with low promotional costs and they have a hit song. On the other hand, you have Rain with high promotional costs and no hit songs at all."

New Asian American Cartoon Premieres on Nicktoons Tonight

Described by the New York Times review as "somewhere between 'Flower Drum Song' and 'Scooby-Doo,'" "Three Delivery" promises to deliver. Apparently, the storylines and characters are set in Chinatown, San Francisco, featuring two boys and one girl who were orphaned and now work at a Chinese delivery (bear with me), but their Asian background almost seems incidental.

DISGRASIAN OF THE WEAK! George W. Bush

We know what you're saying. President Dubya is DISGRASIAN OF THE WEAK? SNOOZER! The man is a walking, never-ending, spit-in-your-face, embodiment of disgrace. What the hell took you guys so long?

Chae Yeon the boss

Korean pop star Chae Yeon has opened her own fashion store at Seoul Fashion Centre on June 24, selling her own brand Bequem (German word for ‘comfortable’).

Kim Sharma - Hungry For Fame?

How far would you go for a photo op? How about posing while eating falafels? What?! That's right B-Town actress, Kim Sharma was out in Lokhandwala at the opening of Falafel Veg Hummus House.

Shuffled! Leonard Shek

Leonard Shek is a product of his environment. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, his politics, life, and language are all a strange multi-cultural hybrid of the famously left and diverse region. As a jack-of-all-trades and a master of none, he juggles life as a writer, cook, graphic designer, restaurant consultant, and filmmaker.

Everyone Has to Play Ball -- Jindal's Latest

It’s dangerous to put politicians we like on a pedestal. Anyone closely watching Barack Obama’s carefully packaged campaign over the past few months must have noticed that he’s not some kind of liberal messiah, but rather a very astute politician, making some difficult pragmatic choices to win — without seeming to sell out entirely.

"It's the Questions...That's What It's All About"

If I can't ask a question on an Asian American blog without pissing off non-Asians, then where can I? Even my close friend (who is white) thinks I was overreacting by asking this question. But I meant to ask it. I wanted to ask it. And I don't think I should be vilified for asking it.

Shekhar Kapur: Second coming

After a decade, Shekhar Kapur is back in India for the long haul to finish his next film. In extensive interviews with Lounge-Mint, he talks about why he’s raising a $1 billion media fund.

Kenny Eng: Self Centered

Indie pop guitarist and singer Kenny Eng just dropped his new CD yesterday at a release party, and while there's no word on when it will be available in stores for the general public (from what I can tell) definitely check out his MySpace page for updates, a sample of his new CD, and some smooth tracks.

DJ PMX featuring MACCHO, GIPPER, KOZ, HI-D, Foxxi misQ

That's Fly: Sung Kang

Caught some new pics of Sung Kang and decided to post one, because it's pretty slick.



Check out more down at MySpace.

A Letter To White People Who's Cars Break Down

Dear White People:

If your car or pickup truck breaks down in the middle of the night and you happen to be in my neighborhood, if I stop and get out of my car, it's not to jack you. It's simply to help you.

Now I know you see movies about getting jacked by people of color, but let's get real here and just be honest and say that white people jack as many cars as non-white people, and just like white people who get out of their car to stop and help, so can Asian Americans like me.

I don't want your brokedown pickup truck.

I just want to help get it out of my neighborhood.

Slanty