Hung Huynh, Geoduck, And Ramiele Malubay

For some reason I felt like checking in and seeing what was going on in the lives of Top Chef Winner Hung Huynh and Ramiele Malubay (in my blogger/stalker way) and I came across two quick things:

1. Ramiele Malubay has a new song out called "Kaya" which is in Tagalog that you can pick up on her site and from the events listing and her blog updates, she's been doing her thing traveling across the country.

2. Here's a video that Hung did for The Smithsonian Magazine on cooking Geoduck last month.



That's it.

Jelynn Rodriguez And Acts Of Love & Sex

I haven't seen this, but it looks like it could be an interesting Web Series which stars Fil Am actress Jelynn Rodriguez (Grizzly Park).

Set in one of LA's most colorful neighborhoods, "Acts of Love & Sex" tracks a group of friends so close to finding what they're looking for that they can smell how sexy it is. Their relationships may unfold via text message, but they still face the same life-changing decisions about love that have been tripping up humanity since the days when moving in together meant sharing the same cave. This isn't boy meets girl with a tidy happily-ever-after ending. This is love in the 21st Century.

For more on Jelynn check out IMDB, her MySpace page, or this thing called Maxim.

Btw - you can also view the Web series down at Joost.

Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival

Been meaning to post on up about this over the last week or so as I've been getting e-mails, but definitely make sure to get on out to the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival which is in its 25th year.

Here's all the info you want to know about it.

LOS ANGELES ASIAN PACIFIC FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 181 OUTSTANDING FILMS FOR 25TH ANNIVERSARY PRESENTED BY VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS

Festival to Showcase Asian American and Asian International Films from 26 Countries Opening with Sundance Hit CHILDREN OF INVENTION from Tze Chun; Toronto Film Festival Fave TREELESS MOUNTAIN from So Yong Kim as the Fest Centerpiece; and Academy Award® Winner DEPARTURES (OKURIBITO) from Yojiro Takita as the Closing Night Presentation of the 8-Day Fete

Visual Communications (VC), the nation’s premier Asian Pacific American media arts center, announced its program of 181 outstanding films for the upcoming 25th Anniversary Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) beginning April 30 - May 7, 2009 at the Director’s Guild of America (DGA), Laemmle’s Sunset 5 Theatres, Downtown Independent Theatre, The National Center for the Preservation of Democracy, and the Aratani/Japan America Theatre.

As Southern California’s largest and most prestigious film festival of its kind, the LAAPFF launches the celebration of Asian Pacific Heritage Month through this year’s slate of over 181 films and videos from both Asian Pacific American and Asian international directors from 26 countries. Celebrating 25 years, the Fest has presented over 3000 films and videos by Asian American and Asian international artists since 1983. This year, 35 feature films and 146 shorts and videos will be showcased throughout the 8-day fest.

Sundance hit film CHILDREN OF INVENTION from director Tze Chun will open the festival on Thursday, April 30, 2009 at the DGA at 7PM with director/screenwriter Chun, actors Michael Chen, Crystal Chiu and Cindy Cheung scheduled to attend the Los Angeles premiere.

CHILDREN OF INVENTION, which premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival to sold out audiences and critics notices, is the story of two young children: Raymond Cheng (Michael Chen) and Tina Cheng (Crystal Chiu), living illegally in a model apartment outside Boston, are left to fend for themselves when their hardworking mother, Elaine (Cindy Cheung), disappears. This latest predicament seems all too familiar to precocious Raymond who dreams of taking care of his mother and sister with the fortunes garnered from his inventions. Little Tina, however, remains oblivious to their troubles. Meanwhile, lured by promises of easy cash, Elaine finds herself drawn into another pyramid scheme, one that will jeopardize the welfare of the two things that matter the most - her children.

"We are excited to present the Los Angeles premiere screening of CHILDREN OF INVENTION as our Opening Night film,” states Abraham Ferrer, Exhibitions Director at VC and Film Festival Co-Director. “We have been following director Chun’s career since his short, WINDBREAKER, was presented at the 2007 Festival. We are honored to have him return and present his latest effort as his Los Angeles premiere."

Toronto International Film Festival favorite TREELESS MOUNTAIN, from Los Angeles raised filmmaker So Yong Kim, is slated as the LAAPFF Centerpiece film on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at the DGA at 7PM with director/screenwriter Kim in attendance.

TREELESS MOUNTAIN is So Yong Kim’s second feature film and has been an audience and critics favorite on the festival circuit for her touching story about seven-year old Jin and her younger sister Bin who are left with relatives, while their mother goes looking for their father promising that she will be back when their little piggy bank is full of coins. The sisters are forced to acclimate themselves to new surroundings with new guardians as they wait with heartfelt anticipation for their mother. Variety reviewer Robert Koehler praised TREELESS MOUNTAIN and filmmaker Kim: “…drawing out beautifully natural performances from her child actors, Kim once again has a distinct way of letting her camera observe her characters with kind thoughtfulness, allowing for a quiet mood to wash over the scenes.”

“So Yong Kim is one of our newer Asian American story tellers who always delivers her best,” says David Magdael, Festival Co-Director. “We have been watching her since her first feature IN BETWEEN DAYS premiered at Sundance in 2006. Having her with us as our Centerpiece film is perfect as we celebrate 25 years. Looking forward to the next 25 years, So Yong Kim will definitely be among our most important filmmakers.”

Closing out the 8-day fest will be the 2008 Academy Award® winning Best Foreign Language Film DEPARTURES from director Yojiro Takita presented on Thursday, May 7 at 7PM at the Aratani Japan America Theatre in Little Tokyo in Downtown Los Angeles.

DEPARTURES, written by Kundo Koyama and directed by Yojiro Takita, follows Daigo Kobayashi (Masahiro Motoki), a devoted cellist in an orchestra that has just been dissolved and who is suddenly left without a job. Daigo decides to move back to his old hometown with his wife to look for work and start over. He answers a classified ad entitled “Departures” thinking it is an advertisement for a travel agency only to discover that the job is actually for a "Nokanshi" or "encoffineer," a funeral professional who prepares deceased bodies for burial and entry into the next life. While his wife and others despise the job, Daigo takes a certain pride in his work and begins to perfect the art of “Nokanshi” acting as a gentle gatekeeper between life and death, between the departed and the family of the departed.. A story of love, of discovery, of revelation and of the transcending human spirit, DEPARTURES is a delightful journey into the heartland of Japan and is an astonishingly beautiful look at a sacred part of Japan's cultural heritage.

“Filmmaker Takita has a style that is uniquely mesmerizing and DEPARTURES is one of those films that promises to take audiences on an unforgettable journey,” states Shinae Yoon, VC Executive Director. “Presenting Japan’s first Best Foreign Language Oscar® winning film is a perfect conclusion to the Silver Anniversary Festival Week Activities .

Celebrating the 25th Anniversary, the Festival will present the 1988 Oscar® nominated documentary WHO KILLED VINCENT CHIN? from directors Christine Choy and Renee Tajima Pena in a special screening slot on Saturday, May 2 at 4PM in DGA 2. Filmmaker Pena will be on hand for
Q&A following the special screening. The film kicks off a special retrospective series of Asian American films that VC will be presenting over the next 12 months.

Other Highlights of the 25TH ANNIVERSARY LAAPFF include:

Filmmaker Seminars (open to public and filmmakers)

THE THREE WATCHMEN – One of the most highly anticipated films of the year - WATCHMEN – was the closet thing to an Asian Amerian film without an Asian American cast. Join the film’s writer Alex Tse (SUCKA FREE CITY), cinematographer Larry Fong (300) and editor William Hoy (I-ROBOT) as they discuss the creation of the blockbuster from the initial concept and design to the making of and final edit.

THE NEW HOTNESS – APA SEXUALTY IN MEDIA - Aside from Russell Wong’s watermelon scene in JOY LUCK CLUB, Asian American men rarely get a chance to flaunt their sensuality on screen. Join this candid conversation with some of today’s hot talent who are now doing more than just being the take-out delivery boy. At press time Leonardo Nam and James Kyson Lee have been confirmed with more to follow.

DIRECTIONS IN TV – Indie filmmakers are beginning to straddle both the feature film world and the television director sphere with great success. For our Asian American filmmakers, the options seem to be opening up. Special guest directors will explore these possibilities and share personal insights into the unique environment of TV directing. Sponsored by the Director’s Guild of America.

WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH ASIAN AMERICAN FILM? – In the spirit of the 25th anniversary, join the discussion as we acknowledge, celebrate and criticize the past, present and future of Asian American film with two generations of media makers: the legendary Spencer Nakasako (A.K.A. DON BONUS) and up and coming new school filmmaker Tadashi Nakamura (A SONG FOR OURSELVES).

HOW TO WRITE A SCREENPLAY – SUCKA FREE – So you want to be a screenwriter? This is one of the Fest’s most popular panels for new and veteran filmmakers lead by Kris Young, Weiko Lin and special guest Alex Tse. This panel is always an exciting 90 minutes where these pros discuss the story writing process from idea to finished script to the studio and beyond. Sponsored by Writer’s Guild of America, West.

ASIAN AMERICAN FEATURE FILMS

NARRATIVES

CHILDREN OF INVENTION – Tse Chun
DIM SUM FUNERAL – Anna Chi
ALL ABOUT DAD – Mark Tran
I AM THAT GIRL – B. Hayward Randall (written by Grace Rowe)
KARMA CALLING – Sarba Das
SHIRO’S HEAD – Don Mun; Kel Muna
TREELESS MOUNTAIN – So Yong Kim
WHITE ON RICE – David Boyle

DOCUMENTARIES

CLOSEST MEXICO TO JAPAN – Shinpei Takeda
MANILATOWN IS IN THE HEART – Curtis Choy
PATSY MINK: AHEAD OF THE MAJORITY – Kimberlee Bassford
THE REAL SHAOLIN – Alexander Lee
SOMEPLACE ELSE – Kai Duc Luong; Avisheh Mohsenin
TIGER SPIRIT – Min Sook Lee
VIETNAM OVERTURES – Stephane Gauger
WHATEVER IT TAKES – Christopher Wong
WHO KILLED VINCENT CHIN – Christine Choy; Renee Tajima Pena

INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILMS

100 – Chris Martinez (Philippines)
ALL AROUND US – Hashiguchi Ryosuke (Japan)
BURMA VJ – Anders Ostergaard (Denmark)
THE CONVERT – Yasmin Ahmad (Malaysia)
DAYTIME DRINKING – Noh Young-seok (South Korea)
DEPARTURES – Yojiro Takita (Japan)
THE EMPEROR’S NAKED ARMY MARCHES ON – Hara Kazuo (Japan)
FUJIAN BLUE – Robin Weng (People’s Republic of China)
GRANDMOTHER’S FLOWER – Mun Jeong-hyun (South Korea)
JAY – Francis Xavier Passion – (Philippines)
KOLORETTE – Ruelo Lozendo (Philippines)
KANCHIVARAM – Priyadarshan (India)
LALA’S GUN – Ning Jingwu (People’s Republic of China)
LEFT HANDED – Laurence Thrush (Japan)
LOVE EXPOSURE – Sion Sono (Japan)
THE RAINBOW TROOPS – Riri Riza (Indonesia)
WINDS OF SEPTEMBER – Tom Shu-Yu Lin (Taiwan)
YAMAGATA SCREAM – Naoto Takenaka (Japan)

NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT – JAPAN

Japanese Cinema is once again becoming one of global cinema’s important story makers. This year, the LAAPFF is proud to present the following six features hailing from Japan including the first non-honorary Oscar® win for a Japanese feature film – DEPARTURES, winner of the 2008 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and the brand new four hour epic LOVE EXPOSURE.

ALL AROUND US – Hashiguchi Ryosuke
DEPARTURES – Yojiro Takita
THE EMPEROR’S NAKED ARMY MARCHES ON – Hara Kazuo
LEFT HANDED – Laurence Thrush
LOVE EXPOSURE – Sion Sono
YAMAGATA SCREAM – Naoto Takenaka

For ticket and program information, a complete listing of sponsors and partners, and to purchase tickets, log on to www.vconline.org or contact Visual Communications at (213) 680-4462 x68. Tickets will go on sale on April 6 online.

Sponsors of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival include: Official Vehicle Sponsor – Toyota; Premiere – Directors Guild of America, Gilead Sciences; Gold – Verizon Wireless; Official Beer Sponsor – Stella Artois; Official Domestic Airlines – Southwest Airlines; Government Support – City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Los Angeles County Arts Commission, National Endowment for the Arts; Media Sponsors – angryasianman.com, KPCC, LA Weekly, LA18

ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES ASIAN PACIFIC FILM FESTIVAL - The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival presented by Visual Communications is the Southland’s premier showcase for the best and brightest of Asian Pacific cinema. Since 1983, the Film Festival has presented over 3000 films and videos by Asian international and Asian American artists, and additionally features seminars and panels, in-person guest appearances, and filmmaker awards.

ABOUT VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS - Visual Communications (VC), the nation's premier Asian Pacific American media arts center, was established in 1970. The organization has established a lengthy track record of pioneering achievements in producing, presenting, and preserving more honest and accurate representations of Asian and Pacific Islander communities in America. Visual Communications is also recognized as an incubator of emerging Asian Pacific American cinematic talent. The organization's works have been exhibited in numerous venues and broadcast outlets around the world. The mission of Visual Communications is to promote intercultural understanding through the creation, presentation, preservation and support of media works by and about Asian Pacific Americans.

Cool.

Hmmm: Look For A Star

So I actually just got around to watching Look For A Star and you know - it had its moments, but not a spectacularly great movie - it was just so so. At the same time maybe I'm just biased because from the outset I wasn't really sure how Andy Lau and Shu Qi would be on screen together chemistry wise - and by the end of the movie - I got my answer.

Just lukewarm.

I almost think if they would have re-wrote it to focus more on the other two couples it would have been better, but I guess it is what it was - a vehicle for two stars to be in.

If You Are The One is definitely better.

NewsBytes

Word from around the way:

Journalist Held in Iran

Saberi, whose father is Iranian and mother is Japanese, is being held in Evin Prison, just north of Tehran. The prison is known for its tendency to hold political prisoners. Her parents visited her last Sunday, and on Thursday her father called for his daughter’s release, saying he will not leave Iran until she is free.

Racial Breakdown In US Sports Including MLB, NFL, NBA, & MLS

I stumbled across this very interesting diagram illustrating the racial breakdown of professional sports organizations in the US. The diagram includes the breakdown for Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Basketball Association (NBA), Major League Soccer (MLS), and the National Football League (NFL).

Here’s the breakdown...

Singh: Reclaiming My Roots, And My Name

My whole life Singh has been my middle name, often amounting to just a middle initial. The last name passed down by my father was always much more predominant and visible. About a year ago, I started making an intentional effort to always use Singh in my name, followed by my last name. And now I have decided to drop my given family name all together.

You're damn right she's english proficient

A little more on the good news we heard the other day... Lori Phanachone, the Laotian American high school honor student in Iowa who faced suspension for refusing to take the school district's mandatory English language exam, will indeed be reclassified as an English proficient student.

Gaysian = Fun

Vermont joins Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Iowa--which legalized gay marriage last week--in recognizing same-sex unions. New Hampshire and Maine are apparently considering similar moves, and Washington D.C.'s City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to recognize same-sex marriages performed outside the district. Even though equal marriage rights in our state of California are in bad shape right now, this is progress, people.

Of course, not everyone thinks so.

Not So Fast, Justin Lin!

I have been a long supporter of creative arts by minorities in this country and will continue to do so because I feel it is my duty, especially works by Asian Americans. Yes, I was one of those Asian folks that went to go support Justin Lin's growing popularity as a mainstream silver screen director. I could've waited till the DVD release, but since I'm such a nice fucking guy I spent 20 bucks helping out a brother. I've seen all of his movies, from Shopping For Fangs, Better Luck Tomorrow, all the way to last week's release of Fast and Furious. But as I've seen his progress develop over time, I am by no measures impressed -- to say the least.

Blake and Eric Make an Action Flick

Editor’s note: Please click on comments below to hear from the Producer of Dogs of Chinatown, Blake Faucette and lead actor, Eric Jacobus.

Eric: Dude, let’s totally make an action movie!

Blake: Dude! How did we NOT think of this before?

Eric: Dude! Let’s start a movie company called Contour cause I like the contour of my Asian girlfriend’s back!

Blake: And I totally DRIVE a Ford Contour!

Eric: I know! Right? Let me try writing up the plot. *PUFF* *PUFF* *COUGH* Alright. I got it. Here goes:

Contour’s Eric Jacobus stars as Jack, a down on his luck dude who thinking of ending his own life one night, steps into a mob hit and saves the life of a young woman, Jin (Thi). She turns out to be the mistress of a local Chinese kingpin who is impressed with Jack’s nerve and people killing skills. He offers Jack a position in his ‘family’ sending him to train in the arts of martial, war and murder. Adapting to his new lifestyle with vigour, Jack becomes an elite killing machine but cannot stop his growing feelings for Jin. Soon the two are lovers and torn between his loyalty to his new ‘family’ and that of his woman, Jack sets out on a deadly course of action which will see the city’s gangs turning violently against one another and Jack and Jin fighting for their freedom and lives.

Blake: But Eric, we need like, race wars, violence and nude Chinese bitches, you know what I mean? My frat boys back at BC ain’t gonna watch it if there’s none of that.

"I'll Have the Double Double Standard, please."

Last weekend, I was at a bar in Palo Alto with a friend who was set to go back to his home country of Canada. The bar was filled mostly with Stanford folks (read: male and awkward) and as I was scanning the bar to see if there was an empty table, I got stopped by a white dude and his friend.

White Dude: I like your scarf. I like your bracelet.

Me: Thanks.

White Dude: What's that bracelet made out of?

Me: It's called wood.

It's Kind Of Like Monster...Well Not Really, But You Still May Get A Job Out Of It

Just though I'd post this up for any of my job seekers - see cpc-ny.org for the fair updates and flyer information - and even if you don't get a job out of it - it could at least be good interviewing practice for you (and it helps you see what's out there and who you might have to be competing against).

Stage: American Hwangap

This picture alone makes me want to check this play out called American Hwangap playing down at the Magic Theatre:

AMERICAN HWANGAP
April 4 - May 3, 2009
A world premiere comedy by Lloyd Suh
Directed by Trip Cullman

This touching and surprisingly funny world premiere play is a quintessential homecoming story. On the momentous occasion of his sixtieth birthday, a Korean immigrant returns to Texas to reunite with the family he abandoned 15 years before. As the birthday celebration unfolds, his wife and their three grown kids must traverse their own broken past to allow for the promise of a future.

View more about the show and at the Magic Theatre site.

Japanese American WWII Vets Get Some Recognition

This was a nice story out of the Seattle Times about the famed 442nd mostly Japanese American Regimental Combat Team that was paid tribute too by the MN National Guard's 34th Division (which they served under) and where April 10th was also designated as Nisei Veterans Committee Day and a documentary was shown telling the history of the 442 and its 100th Nisei Battalion:

It has been more than 60 years since the soldiers of the 442nd earned distinction as the most decorated unit in U.S. military history, given its size and length of service. The feat — including 21 Medals of Honor — is all the more notable considering the circumstances: After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, many of their families had been herded into detention camps.

The so-called "Go For Broke" unit suffered 600-plus casualties, with more than 9,400 wounded. As President Clinton said at a June 2000 event for Asian-American Medal of Honor recipients: "Rarely has a nation been so well-served by people it has so ill-treated."

After the war, many Nisei found they were unwelcome in veterans groups such as Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Undaunted, they helped form Nisei Veterans Committee, which made Friday's lunchtime brotherhood all the more special.

Check it out in full here.

And In Case You Have A Free Saturday Night

Pork Filled Players' Spam*o*Rama:

This Saturday!

AT 8 PM * 8 PM * 8 PM * 8 PM * 8 PM * 8 PM * 8 PM * 8 PM * 8 PM *

Theatre Off Jackson
409 7th Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98104

(which DOES have a bar!)

With
Ubiquitous They!
And the burlesque trio of
Atlanta Summer!
Whisper!
EmpeROAR Fabulous!!!

Love.That.Spam.

Just A Little More On Betty Brown

Via mails and across the wire:

Boston Mayoral Candidate Sam Yoon Denounces Texas Lawmaker's Remarks

During House testimony on voter identification legislation this week, North Texas state legislator Betty Brown said that Asian-descent voters should adopt names that are “easier for Americans to deal with.” In response, Boston City Councilor-at-Large and mayoral candidate Sam Yoon, the first Asian American to hold elected office in Boston, released the following statement:

“It is insulting and simply wrong to suggest that Asians should deny their heritage in order to participate in the electoral process. Asian Americans have a proud and diverse ethnic heritage that prominently includes our language and our names. I join John Liu’s call for a full apology for the insensitive remarks of Representative Betty Brown.

“As this incident in Texas shows, there are many obstacles in the way of racial tolerance. I’ve been fighting a battle in Massachusetts to ensure voting rights for Chinese Americans who are denied a fully transliterated ballot. Unfortunately, we have a long way to go before Asian American citizens in this country are treated equally.”

From Ramey Ko via AAA-Fund Blog

In my conversation with [Texas Rep. Brown’s] Chief of Staff yesterday, she explicitly said that they were releasing the statement through [former Texas Rep.] Martha [Wong] rather than making it publicly because they didn’t want it to be in the press anymore.

I’d also note that the apology doesn’t address her use twice of language that implies Asian Americans aren’t Americans:

“Do you think that it would behoove you and your citizens to adopt a name that we could deal with more readily here.”

“Can’t you see that this is something that would make it a lot easier for both you and for people who are pollworkers, if there were some means by which you could adopt a name just for your poll identification purposes that would be easier for the Americans to deal with?”

I think that implication is reflective of a lot more than just misspeaking about names.

And regardless of whether she is talking about explicitly changing Asian names to Westernized ones, she clearly is asking Asian Americans to shoulder the burden and cost of somehow “streamlining” our names in order to vote.

“Alright, I see a need here for young people like you, who are obviously very bright, to come up with something that would work for you, and then let us see if it will work for us.”

And finally, it shows a lack of appreciation for the fact that whatever solution she might come up with, millions of Asian American voters today will be affected by the legislation.

Betty Brown's Response

Statement from State Representative Betty Brown
Thursday, April 9th, 2009
Contact: Jordan Berry – 903.288.7581

State Representative Betty Brown apologizes for her remark in the Elections Committee on Tuesday, April 7th. Representative Brown appreciates Ramey Ko’s testimony which made the Elections Committee aware of experiences Asian-American’s have when acquiring identification. Representative Brown appreciates the diversity of Texas and the enrichment that the Asian-American community has brought to our great state.

She would like for you to be aware that the quote that is being circulated is one sentence out of a conversation she was having with Mr. Ko, who represents the Organization of Chinese Americans, while he was testifying. The conversation was regarding possible difficulties in translating names. Later in the conversation Representative Brown explained what she had meant by her comment. “I’m not talking about changing your name. I’m talking about the transliteration, or whatever you refer to it, that you could use for us.”

Representative Brown expresses gratitude to her Asian-American friends for their demonstration of support by her during this misunderstanding.

At least this is going to make anyone else think twice about bringing this idea up again.

Betty Brown, Naturalization Certificates, Changing My Name, And We Don't Refer To Ourselves As Oriental Anymore

Been reading and getting some mails on this today about Rep. Betty Brown who basically said that Asian Americans with those hard to pronounce chinky names should change them, so that everyone (see White people from Texas) will be able to better pronounce them - and in effect - keep a more watchful eye over us - kind of like a self contained Big White Panopticon except for with really bad hair:

The Republican lawmaker raised some eyebrows Tuesday when she suggested Asian people in the United States adopt more American names to help poll staffers, the Houston Chronicle reports.

The comments came during a the Texas House of Representatives Elections Committee hearing during which Ramey Ko, a representative of the Organization of Chinese Americans, lamented that many Asian people in the United States face voting challenges because their legal names and Americanized names don’t always match. To that, Rep. Brown suggested Ko urge his peers to find more familiar monikers:

Rather than everyone here having to learn Chinese — I understand it’s a rather difficult language — do you think that it would behoove you and your citizens to adopt a name that we could deal with more readily here?

She later asked whether Ko and company "could adopt a name just for identification purposes that’s easier for Americans to deal with?" Democrats seized on the comments and accused Brown of using race-based rhetoric. Brown’s office insisted that she was not being racially insensitive.

I like that..."insisted that she was not being racially insensitive" - sure.

But Betty doesn't need to worry because I've already changed my name so that it's easy to remember - and while it's not that original I figure that since I drop the F-bomb in casual conversation "Fuck You Old White Lady From Texas" just seemed kind of natural.

I'm Getting Deported

I found it interesting when they brought up the naturalization certificate (check out the video down at AAM) - because let me just tell ya - if someone would ever ask for that from me to prove I'm a citizen - even though I have a passport, driver's license, and multiple free coffe punch cards - I'm still getting my ass deported because I have no idea where that MF is - although if they do want to deport me - I'm saying it now - they'll have to pry my naked chained body off the Statue Of Liberty first (and btw - I just realized the Statue Of Liberty shortened is SOL, so maybe I'll hit on down to the Lincoln Memorial instead).

One More Time People

It's cool that the snippet from politicker.com tried to bash Betty, but when tried, they also said:



Just want to put it out there again - totally in goodwill - that no one really uses the word Oriental anymore to describe us (it kinda went out of fashion around the same time as "fucky sucky railroad buildin' motherfuckers").

If you say just though "How about them R'entals" - and you roll your R's - while I'd still give you a good swift kick in the ass (at the very least) - you would however get some points for being somewhat original.

Again - just putting it out there.

Antebellum And Chay Yew

Here's a snippet from an interview with playright-director Chay Yew about Robert O'Hara, Antebellum, being in the military, and colonization:

MW: I've read you have little interest in film or TV. Is that true?

YEW: Once in a while, I think it would be great, but I realize I can do a lot more in theater. I find my voice more clearly in the theater. As much as theater can be difficult to produce, I think films are more difficult to raise money for. For me to say something -- this is gay, or Asian, or even American, the way I see it -- it's easier to find it onstage than in film. In film, it takes a lot of people to raise money for that one story that you have, and all these producers will have some take on what the story should be. I'm just not sure I want to share my voice with people who have money. I'd rather share my voice with artistic collaborators and get my work done more frequently.

MW: You're afraid of being colonized?

YEW: Yeah. [Laughs.] There are many different types of colonialism. As much as I can get unfettered to do my work, I will go that route.

Read it in full here.

DVD Fun: The Gene Generation

I've been meaning to post up on this, but I ended up catching The Gene Generation with Bai Ling (who's in Crank 2) and Parry Shen a little while ago and it's a pretty fun flick. Guns, assassins, futuretech - cool fight scenes - a little drama, a little romance - all in all - not a bad way to spend a couple of hours.

Apparently Tim Kang Was Cute In Church

O.k. - So I got this sent out to me a little bit ago about a Tim Kang Mentalist fan site, which you can apparently add too if you're so inclined - and if you are - I might get right on it because one of the threads just has the following:

I went to church with him when I was little...he was cute back then but who knew he would grow up to be so hot?!?

Go to church. Look at some crotch. Stay kneeling.

You Got Glee: Jenna Ushkowitz

With the popularity of High School Musical, FOX's new show "Glee" which is about a rag tag group of high school students and their young optimistic teacher ready to take them on the Glee Club ride of their life - because apparently they suck - might actually have some traction - and - there's also an Asian American face with the character Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz) who plays an awkward girl who apparently has a stuttering problem (which would explain why she's part of the worst glee club in the nation).

Here's her bio

A seasoned theater actor, Jenna Ushkowitz starred in "The King and I" and recently finished her run in the Tony Award-winning Broadway production of "Spring Awakening."

Her television credits include "Sesame Street," "Reading Rainbow" and "As the World Turns," and her independent film credits include "Babyface" and "Educated." Recently, Ushkowitz hosted "Yankees on Deck," which is a behind-the-scenes sports show geared towards young audiences. Ushkowitz, 22, graduated from Marymount Manhattan College and lives in New York City.

Check more out down at FOX.

Save the DC Office of APIA Affairs

Got this sent on down via the folks at AAA-Fund Blog and wanted to post it on up in full here (thanks Gautam):

Dear DC AAPI Caucus,

If you have not heard already, we have incredibly disappointing news regarding the DC Office of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (OAPIA). In Mayor Fenty’s 2010 budget proposal, the office will be eliminated completely with the budget zeroed out. The office’s services will be transferred within the Office of Community Affairs and at least 60% of the current OAPIA staff will be eliminated.

It is outrageous that the Mayor would decide to eliminate OAPIA, which has been in existence for over 20 years, currently serving over 20,000 API residents in the District. This office was implemented due to the needs of the DC API community over the past two decades and many API leaders fought hard to create and sustain this office. In addition, this is the only ethnic minority office that the Mayor has decided to cut.

This issue is now in the hands of the City Council. The budget hearing is set for April 24th. We are asking everyone to contact their City Council members and asking them to:

* Reinstate the Office of Asian Pacific Islander Affairs and maintain the office as an independent agency with its own budget chapter and cabinet-level position within the Mayor’s Office; and

* Maintain the office as the District’s point of contact for the API community.

Currently, other API leaders in DC have been working hard to meet with Councilmembers and reaching out to key people (other constituency organizations, national leaders, Commission on API Affairs, and the DC Democratic State Committee).

We will circulate sample petition letters and postcards ASAP.

Every member of the AAPI Caucus should:

1) Contact Councilmembers. Please reach out to your Councilmember by letter, phone and/or requesting a meeting, and reach out to any Councilmember with whom you have a relationship with. Please let us know if you secure a meeting with a Councilmember, and who you contact. We want to keep track so we can make sure we reach out to all Councilmembers. Key Councilmembers: Vincent Gray (Chairperson), Yvette Alexander (Chair of the Committee of jurisdiction), and other committee members of jurisdiction Mary Cheh, Michael Browne, Jim Graham, Harry Thomas, Jr. However, we do want to reach out to ALL Councilmembers.

2) Reach out to allies to help advocate for this effort. Ask key national and/or local leaders to write a letter in support of the office, or contact city council members.

3) Press outreach. If you have any contacts to media outlets, such as WaPo, please let us know. A number of people are already reaching out to contacts they have, but if you know of any journalists who would be interested in writing about this, please reach out to her/him.

4) Prepare a testimony for the council hearing on April 24th. Let me know if you would be available to testify before council for OAPIA.

We only have a few weeks to get the word out, so if you have any other ideas, please let us know. Mayor Fenty explained in the council hearing that he’s eliminating OAPIA, but not the Office of Latino Affairs or other offices such as African Affairs and LGBT because they have a “different” function. While we do not understand what he meant by this, we do not want to give the impression that the Asian community will not put up a fight to ensure equal footing with the other offices. Let’s make sure our voices are heard and our community is served, and we prevent this from happening!

We will keep you posted as things develop. Please contact Wylie at dcaapidems[at]gmail.com if you have any questions or would like to help.

–Caroline

Here's your chance to do some good...and you're waiting for?

It's My Infomercial Mind: The Rice Butler

Occasionally I get these thoughts that I just can't seem to get out of my head and one of those thoughts is the Rice Butler. Now I don't know what the hell the Rice Butler would do, except cook rice - but if I had a choice to drop my money on a standard rice cooker, or a rice cooker called "The Rice Butler" - I can't help it - my mind's been too warped by mass media marketing - I'd drop my cash on The Butler - and maybe it does something more - slices, dices, has a cool compartment - hooks up to the net (although I don't know why) - or - just has a picture of a bow tie on it where it's made out of industrial strength material that they use on the Space Shuttle (and you could hook up your PS3 to it).

Sounds like a winner to me.

Kal Penn Goes To The White House

If you haven't heard by now, or happened to miss the last episode of House - I'm just going to spoil it for you - it's true - Kal Penn has decided to take a job at The White House where he's taking a role as an associate director at the Office of Public Liason where he'll help the Obama administration try and connect with A&E groups including API communities:

Entertainment Weekly broke the story Tuesday in an interview on its website in which Penn stated that he will "do outreach with the American public and with different organizations."

"House" viewers were shocked when his Kutner character committed suicide on Monday night's episode, to write him off the show.

Penn was a vocal supporter of Obama during his presidential campaign. The actor was one of the speakers at Obama's inaugural concert at the Lincoln Memorial. He also participated in various rallies for the candidate on the campaign trail. Recently, the actor taught a course in Asian Americans and the media at the University of Pennsylvania.

I'm definitely up for Penn doing his thing - because it's definitely cool - although I can't also help but think to myself that in a way he already was making that connection to the API community by simply being on FOX's highest rated show - but I'm really just lamenting the fact that another Asian face is going off the TV - and I know - in the scheme of things what he's going to do is important and in a lot of ways sets a great example - but I still can't help but feel a little sad about the death of his character.

I'll get over it though.

Good luck and congratulations.

Become An Asian Idol And Support The Coalition for Asian American Children and Families

Got some news from the folks down at the CACF about Asian Idol II (thanks Cynthia) and word has it that this event was so hot last year that they had to turn people away - and this year's event is going to be even bigger.

You know you can't turn down the chance to karaoke, become an Asian Idol and help out a great organization:

GET IDOLIZED…AGAIN!
One Stage. One Night. One chance to be an Idol.

Asian American Idol II:
A karaoke competition & fundraiser for the Coalition for Asian American Children & Families (CACF)

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

BLVD – 199 Bowery @ Spring Street
Donation: $20 pre-sale/$25 at the door/$30 pre-registered contestants

Pre-sale and contestant registration at www.cacf.org. Contestants must be pre-registered

In order to perform contestants will be selected by random drawing. Contestant Registration ends 5pm, Thursday, April 9!

Join us for a thrilling night of sensational performances to benefit CACF! Compete for unbelievable prizes valued at over $5,000, including the opportunity to record a track with an award-winning engineer producer, karaoke club packages, and a complete Rock Band 2 set! Or just join the party and vote for your favorite singers as they take the stage at the premier entertainment venue on the Bowery.

This event is open to people of all backgrounds and musical talents. No prior karaoke experience is required. You must be 21 years or older to attend.

CACF, the nation’s only pan-Asian children’s advocacy organization, aims to improve the health and well-being of Asian Pacific American children and families in New York City. The Action Council is a group of young Asian Pacific American professionals who support CACF through fundraising, outreach, and education to raise awareness of CACF’s mission and goals.

Visit our website at http://www.cacf.org/.

Get those pipes ready (and maybe an occasional ear plug)!

Update: They are looking at also extending the registration period.

That's Just Some Cool Ukulele: Melissa Polinar And "Beyond The Blue Horizon"

Check out more down at her YouTube Channel.