And A Random Note To You Lakers' Fans

Biggest. First-round. Upset. Ever.

And nothing will satisfy me more than seeing Pau Gasol ride ringless into the sunset (preferably with some ass-less chaps).

I'll give you a hug when it's all over.

Naomi Hirahara And visualizAsian.com

If you haven't at least heard one podcast from the visualizAsian team - I just don't think I'll understand you.

Ever.

But good news - here's another chance (May 11th).

Naomi Hirahara’s fourth Mas Arai mystery, Blood Hina, was released in hardcover by St. Martin’s/Thomas Dunne Books on March 2, 2010. Other books in the series, which features a Japanese American gardener and atomic-bomb survivor who solves crimes, includes Summer of the Big Bachi, Gasa-Gasa Girl, and the Edgar Award-winning Snakeskin Shamisen.

Her crime short stories are featured in Los Angeles Noir, Los Angeles Noir 2: The Classics, A Hell of a Woman, and The Darker Mask. Her book for younger readers, 1001 Cranes, was chosen as an Honor Book for the Youth Literature of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature in 2009. She also contributed a mystery serial, “Heist in Crown City” to an English-language weekly in Japan, Asahi Weekly.

A graduate of Stanford University with a degree in international relations, she is the president of the Southern California chapter of Mystery Writers of America.

Sign-up.

Blog Bytes

From around the way.

35 Years Since Khmer Rouge Takeover

April 17th, 1975 saw the end of a civil war in Cambodia between the Lon Nol Republic and a communist movement, the Khmer Rouge. What began was a massive social experiment to return Cambodia to an idyllic agrarian society. Resetting the clock to ‘year zero’, the regime led by Pol Pot set out to correct years of corruption by Western vices, first during the French colonial period and then with the increasing US presence during the Indochina wars

mickey rourke... as genghis khan?!

So Mickey Rourke is on a bit of a comeback streak, with his award-winning turn in The Wrestler and his upcoming appearance as the villain Whiplash in Iron Man 2. Hooray for him. He's hot again. But are you ready to see him play Genghis Khan? Yeah. Genghis friggin' Khan.

DISGRASIAN OF THE WEAK! Professor Kenneth “Big Baby Kenny” Ng And His Thai Hooker Website

Up until today, Cal State-Northridge Economics professor Kenneth Ng had a website. Not just any website, mind you, but a Thai sex-tourism one called “Big Baby Kenny” that took you through the, ahem, ins-and-outs of the “Thailand Girl Scene” and promised “No Hidden Agenda, No Censorship, No Bullshit.” [By "Girl" he means "Hooker."--BULLSHIT RED FLAG #1]

Discussion: Invisible Minority

I need to bring this up. Tired of my issues being swept under the rug. Tired of not being the “apparent minority.” Tired of exclusion in the activist community. Tired of being labeled as a women of color but being treated as otherwise. Tired of judgment. Tired of censorship of Native issues in the mainstream news. Tired of being Invisibly Native. I have noticed that in the blogosphere that other women of color blogs outshine Native ones. You don’t hear about Native issues in the news. You don’t read about Native issues. You may have never even met a Native person.

Peter Chao Makes A Movie

Yo, Chao, love you, man. As Bruce Lee once said in Enter The Dragon -- and I know his influence rubs off on you in some of your videos -- "You have offended me and you have offended the Shaolin temple!"You should really stick to vlogging. Just sayin'.

Five Things Asian Americans Can Get Away With That White People Can’t

Being Asian in America means you have to occasionally (or depending on where you live, not so occasionally) deal with some pretty racist shit. But there are also things Asian Americans can do with more ease and success than our white counterparts. Here are five of them...

In Pictures

University of California, Los Angeles/Westwood,CA/April 201

flickr link.

Because I'm Just Not Done Talking About Giant Robot Yet

I keep on checking into the Giant Robot donation site and seeing where they are and just to let you know - I'm probably not going to stop doing random posts until I see them hit their mark.

Over half way there.

Getting Your Pork Fiction On

PFP's Pork Fiction opens in one week and yes - you should be there.

New sketch comedy from Seattle's old Asian American theatre group and sketch comedians! Co-produced by the Theatre Off Jackson!

At the Theatre Off Jackson (409 7th Ave. S., Seattle), Friday and Saturday at 8 pm

Special Guests: Seattle sketch comedians Charles
UW ASC Talent winners Clairbel Novelo Alice Leung/Eric Zhang

Buy tickets online and SAVE at brownpapertickets.com.
($11 Gen, $9 Student Senior)
($14/$12 at the door!)

Pork Filled Players
14810 Meridian Ave. N. Shoreline, WA 98133

Bruce Lee Enters The 70's: 2010 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Fest Celebrates The Man/The Icon With Special Events And Screenings

Because you know you can't resist anything having to do with Bruce Lee and free films.

LOS ANGELES ASIAN PACIFIC FILM FEST CELEBRATES
THE MAN/THE ICON WITH SPECIAL EVENTS AND SCREENINGS

(Los Angeles) As difficult as it may be to believe, the legendary Bruce Lee, would have turned 70 years old this year. And while it may -- or perhaps not -- be difficult to imagine him as a septuagenarian still beating down bad guys, what can't be denied is decades after his passing, he remains as influential as ever.

In tribute to and in celebration of the martial arts, action film and cultural icon, the 2010 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, in association with his widow, Linda Lee Cadwell and daughter Shannon Lee and their Bruce Lee Enterprises, are organizing a Special Bruce Lee Program at this year's festival beginning sundown Friday, April 30 at the new Madang Center Courtyard in Los Angeles’ Koreatown with a free screening and other events throughout the weekend.

The Bruce Lee celebration kicks off with a free outdoor screening of THE CHINESE CONNECTION and after party on Friday, April 30 and continues the following day at noon with a special screening of ENTER THE DRAGON followed immediately by a panel discussion entitled, “How Bruce Lee Influenced Pop Culture” featuring daughter Shannon Lee, directors Reginald Hudlin (HOUSE PARTY, THE BOONDOCKS) and Brett Ratner (RUSH HOUR, X-MEN 3: THE LAST STAND), ENTER THE DRAGON co-star Bob Wall and musician Joseph Hahn from the rock band LINKIN PARK.

For the celebration’s finale, a special panel discussion entitled, BRUCE LEE: THE FAMILY MAN featuring Linda Cadwell and Shannon Lee and Goddaughter Diana Lee Inosanto takes place 4 p.m. Sunday at The Directors Guild of America.

The full Bruce Lee Birthday Celebration schedule with details:

BRUCE LEE, CULTURAL ICON: 70th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

The Los Angeles Pacific Film Festival is pleased to collaborate with Bruce Lee Enterprises in honor of the 70th birthday of martial arts legend and Asian American cultural icon/actor Bruce Lee.

FREE OUTDOOR SCREENING:

THE CHINESE CONNECTION

Friday, April 30, 7PM, Madang the Courtyard (FREE Parking)
621 S. Western Ave. (one block north of Wilshire Blvd.),
Los Angeles - Koreatown.

Featuring a pre-screening live performance from rock band LiLA (Lost in Los Angeles) Event is free.

THE CHINESE CONNECTION is “the” film that introduced Bruce Lee to young urban and Asian American audiences (contains action and violence; parental guidance suggested) back in the 70’s!

FESTIVAL SCREENING and PANEL DISCUSSION:
ENTER THE DRAGON

Saturday, May 1, 12:00 p.m., Laemmle Sunset 5
8000 W. Sunset Blvd. (at Crescent Heights), West Hollywood, CA 90046

ENTER THE DRAGON is considered to be the quintessential Bruce Lee film with an all-star cast of marital artists and actors

Plus Panel Discussion: HOW BRUCE LEE INFLUENCED POP CULTURE
A martial artist agrees to spy on a reclusive crime lord using his invitation to a tournament there as cover. Includes a special post-screening panel with Shannon Lee, Directors Reginald Hudlin and Brett Ratner, martial artist/actor Bob Wall and rock musician Joseph Hahn of Linkin Park, and moderated by Phil Yu of angryasianman.com.

This screening and panel discussion is a “ticketed” event
Tickets available at www.vconline.org/festival or at box office.

SPECIAL PANEL DISCUSSION:
BRUCE LEE: THE FAMILY MAN

Sunday, May 2, 4:00 p.m., Directors Guild of America, Atrium
7920 Sunset Blvd. (one block west of Fairfax Ave.), West Hollywood, CA 90046
An intimate chat with widow Linda Lee Cadwell, daughter Shannon Lee, and moderated by director/stuntwoman/martial artist and God-daughter Diana Lee Inosanto

This event is free.

THE BRUCE LEE 70th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION is part of the 2010 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, which also features 170 films from over 20 countries beginning April 29 and ending on May 8, 2010.
For more information on the film festival go to: www.vconline.org/festival

ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES ASIAN PACIFIC FILM FESTIVAL

The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival presented by Visual Communications is the Southland’s largest showcase for the best in Asian Pacific cinema. Since 1983, the Film Festival has presented over 3200 films and videos by Asian international and Asian American artists, and featured industry seminars and panels, in-person guest appearances, and filmmaker awards.

The Festival is proud to be partnering with Toyota as the Official Vehicle Sponsor. Toyota once again will bring their cutting edge style to the Festival in their car displays. In addition, Toyota is making possible the music video showcase – Cinema Musica! – and rooftop after-party and hosting the free outdoor screening of THE CHINESE CONNECTION. The Festival is also proud to partner with the Directors Guild of America as the main screening venue during the Festival’s Opening Weekend. This state of the art theater is where the Festival will screen its Opening Night Film as well as both Centerpiece Films.

OFFICIAL VEHICLE SPONSOR – Toyota; PREMIERE – Directors Guild of America; GOLD - Wells Fargo; Time Warner Cable; OFFICIAL BEER SPONSOR – Stella Artois; Official Hotel SponsoR – Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown; Silver – Sony Pictures Entertainment; Morgan Stanley Smith Barney; Metro; Minika Ko Marketing; Bronze – Bali Film Center; Harrah’s Rincon Casino & Resort; Fox Entertainment Group; Government Information Office, Republic of China (Taiwan); SAG Indie; Screen Actors Guild; Hollywood & Highland Center; Star – NBC Universal; CBS; Motion Picture Editors Guild; Union Bank; Verizon Wireless; Writers Guild of America, West; Flash Cuts; Eastman Kodak Company; Government Support – American Recovery & Reinvestment Act; National Endowment for the Arts; Los Angeles County Arts Commission; City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs; Venue Sponsors – Directors Guild of America; Japanese American Cultural & Community Center; Japanese American National Museum; Downtown Independent; Laemmle's Sunset 5; Madang the Courtyard; Festival Awards Sponsors – Movie Magic; Write Brothers, Inc.; Reception Sponsors – Kyochon Chicken; Jinro; Madang the Courtyard; Far Bar Chop Suey; Creative Floral Designs; LA18 KSCI-TV; Kirin; Media Sponsors – 89.3 KPCC; LA18 KSCI-TV; LA Weekly; angryasianman.com; Giant Robot

And Ed Wang Goes To The Buffalo Bills

In a past post - as well as everywhere else (at least where it matters) - you've been hearing about Ed Wang who was looking to be the first Chinese American NFL player.

Well look no more.

The Bills chose Ed in the fifth round of the draft and while I could lament about how long it's taken to get the first Chinese American player in the NFL - well - things do take time - and I'm just happy we're seeing what we're seeing.

Here's to seeing Godzilla get some playing time.

iTunes Playlist: Big API Vol. 1

I thought since I'm kind of lazy, every now and then I'd post up some of my random playlists with what I actually call them (and depending on how lazy I really am who knows how many of these I'll actually post). Titles have of playlists have some meanings, but also might just be shorthand, or ways for me to remember or get access to them easier.

From me to you.

• The Upstarts - Got What It Takes
• Zee Avi - Bitter Heart
• Olivia Thai - Apologize (Cover)
• Marie Digby - Feel
• Denizen Kane - Holding Up The Wall
• Afterschool Special - Not One For Words
• Jane Lui - You Are Not Alone (Cover)
• Heather Park - Leave Me To Dream
• Deep Foundation - Sleep ft Jay Legaspi
• Nomadik Messengers - Chang Gon' Come
• Thao With The Get Down Stay Down - Bag of Hammers
• Morning Benders - Damnit Anna
• Nemo - Hidden Agenda

Lin Yu Chun, William Shatner, George Lopez, And I'm Just Not So Sure

Interview



Saving All My Love For You



Total Eclipse Of The Heart



While I'm all up for everyone being who they are - and if that means rocking the bowl haircut and singing your ass off so be it - because I know I rocked that bowl haircut back in the day - I'm still not quite sure how good - or bad - this all could be especially once the Shatner shows up.

Pondering.

Vajazzle Me Barbie?

Just in case you thought this had nothing to do with being Asian other than the fact that I'm posting it - which should be good enough - look a little closer.

One of those dolls was made in Indonesia.

You're A First: Jay C. Gandhi

I have to keep on asking myself the question of why everyone is better looking and more powerful than I am.

It's just not fair.

Vijay “Jay” Chand Gandhi has become the first Indian American federal judge in California history and only the second Indian American federal judge in the country [...] Gandhi told India-West April 16 that he “knew pretty early” in his career that he would gravitate toward law. The son of Hari and Uma Gandhi, currently retired in Riverside, Calif., he was born in Los Angeles and graduated with honors from Cal State Fullerton, with a joint degree in philosophy and business. Gandhi received a law degree from the University of Southern California Law School, where he graduated in the top 10 percent of his class.

Since you probably want to know more about him versus me (like my personal cell number so you can call me up and whisper dirty words like mayonnaise into my ear) I figure I should give you a link.

Done.

Video: AJ Rafael's When We Say (Juicebox)

YT Video Info:

Love and relationships are never like the movies no matter how much we want them to be. But when something beautiful ends, for whatever reason, it's most important not to be disappointed that it's over, but glad that it happened at all.

AJ RAFAEL MUSIC

http://myspace.com/ajrafael
Support and get the song here:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/juicebox-ep/id365505159

PRODUCED, DIRECTED, EDITED by

Wong Fu Productions (Wesley Chan, Ted Fu, Philip Wang)
http://youtube.com/wongfuproductions
http://wongfuproductions.com

CAST

AJ Rafael
Noelle Espero
LA Martinez
RB de Guzman
Oswald "JR" Aquino http://youtube.com/jraquinomusic

MUSIC

Shiori Takenoshita - Drums
Noah Bartfield - Bass
Andrew Rhim - Electric Guitar
AJ Rafael - Acoustic Guitar, Keys, & Vocals, Writer
Engineered by Justin Powell

Special Thanks to

Justin Ray
Scott Yoshimoto http://youtube.com/yoshistyle3
RADisRAD

I'm So Torn Marie I'm So Very Very Torn

I agree with Camp Digby - a good song is a good song - but man. The Bieber? Little Pee Pee?

I have to admit that I cringed (although not enough that it stopped me from watching it).

And then I couldn't help but be mesmerized by the piano, the sweet voice, and thinking to myself "That should be me Marie".

That should be me.

Especially if she likes broke ass illiterate people who drive beat up cars and have no idea where the Democratic Republic Of The Congo is unless they're looking at a map but still couldn't really tell you if that means they're actually democratic...

Yeah, I know.

Soompi's Top Ten Greatest Asian American Rappers of All Time

I don't want to spoil it for you but you probably know a few names on the list - and you may not quite agree - but that's what a list is all about. Agree or disagree down at soompi.com.

Above The Law: Judge Denny Chin

Saw this down at the site AboveTheLaw.com and wanted to make sure and post up some of the news because you know you wanted to be in the know.

Earlier today, by a vote of 98-0, Judge Chin was elevated to the Second Circuit.

The Asian-American community is thrilled. From one Asian ATL reader: “He was confirmed! Amazing and historic!”

But there have been Asian-American federal judges before. And there may be again in the not-too-distant future, depending on what happens to the controversial nomination of Berkeley law professor Goodwin Liu.

What is history-making about Judge Chin’s elevation?


As noted by the BLT, Chin will be the only active Asian-American judge on a federal appeals court. He’s not the first, but the earlier Asian circuit judges have taken senior status, like Judge A. Wallace Tashima (9th Cir.), or have passed away, like Judge Herbert Choy (9th Cir.).

Cool.

Random Music Note

Definitely liking tracks 10 and 11 on H-Logic.

Smooth...

Win A Free Netbook (Maybe) And Do Some Good

Got word sent down from some of the folks down at the Fill In Our Future campaign that you might be able to win a free netbook:

In order to enter the Contest, you must enter your name, email address, and other contact information in the designated windows. By providing your name and email address, you also become a member of Fill In Our Future Campaign Listserve.

To enter the contest, you must answer the question of the month:
"Starting May 1 through early summer, census takers will be going to households that did not mail back a form to complete the census form. What do you plan on doing to help educate the community, your family, and friends that this process is continuing and they need to talk to the census taker so that they can complete their census form?"

Entries deemed irrelevant, potentially libelous or inflammatory will not be posted. There is a limit of one entry per participant and per email address. The winning entry will be highlighted onto the Fill In Our Future Website.

Rules and Regulations:

The Contest is open to residents of the United States who are 21 years of age or older at the time the Contest commences. Employees, officers, directors, agents, representatives and independent contractors (and their immediate family members and members of the same households, whether related or not) of Asian American Justice Center are not eligible to participate. The Contest is subject to all federal, state and local laws and regulations and is void where prohibited by law or regulation. Participants agree to abide by the terms of these official rules and by the decisions of the Sponsor which are final and binding on all matters pertaining to the Contest. The Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any participant that it determines, in its sole discretion, is ineligible to participate in the Contest.

Fill out the form here.

You're Miss Lao International

What?

EWP's New Season

You probably can't read that so just go here.