coffee party convention, september 24-26

Hey! Concerned Americans! You are invited to the Coffee Party Convention, a three-day gathering of some of America's most respected thinkers and most innovative organizers coming together and collaborating to take on leadership in this critical chapter of our nation's history. It's happening September 24-26 in Louisville, Kentucky. Here's a video message from Annabel Park, inviting you to take part:

jobs and internships at the center for asian american media

My friends at the Center for Asian American Media in San Francisco are looking for some good people to fill some open positions and join their super awesome team. They're looking for a Corporate Relations Manager, a Development Intern and Festival Interns.

This a great opportunity to gain experience working with passionate folks in an organization dedicated to creating opportunities for Asian American media. They're good people doing great work. Full disclosure: I am a former CAAM employee/intern, so I might be biased. (But I loved it.) For more information about these positions, go to the CAAM website here.

on dvd: flashforward: the complete series

It's worth noting that FlashForward: The Complete Series is out on DVD today. The ABC sci-fi drama dealt with the repercussions of a global catastrophe in which everyone on earth blacks out simultaneously for two minutes and seventeen seconds... and sees the future. The show was canceled after just one season, but it did at times offer some pretty cool characters, ideas and story moments.

api/a love letter project

I want to direct your attention to this recently launched endeavor called the API/A Love Letter Project, a collection of essays and letters written by community members "poeticizing their hopes and dreams for the future of the social circles they come from." Here's some background on how this got started:

silkydwan wins the dr. pepper cherry youtube dancestudio contest

Earlier this month, I urged you to vote for SilkyDKwan, one of the finalists in the Dr. Pepper Cherry YouTube DanceStudio contest, looking for the best dancer on YouTube. Guess what? He won. Congratulations!

Here's the announcement. He wins a trip to Los Angeles, where he'll get to hang with director Jon M. Chu at a jam session with some of the best dancers around. He'll also have the opportunity to dance in a music video. Watch SilkyDKwan's silky winning moves here.

panel confirms tani cantil-sakauye for california chief justice

Last week in San Francisco, Tani Cantil-Sakauye moved one step closer to becoming chief justice of the California Supreme Court. After nearly two hours of testimony, the three-member Commission on Judicial Appointments unanimously approved her nomination: Panel OKs nominee for chief justice.

troy polamalu's hair is insured for a million bucks

If you've ever watched a Pittsburgh Steelers game, you've seen Troy Polamalu... and his hair. It's kind of hard to miss, even under the helmet. Turns out, the safety's proud Samoan locks are insured for a million bucks: Troy Polamalu has hair insured.

what could have been: star trek: the next generation casting memo

Been seeing this circulating around... If you're not a Star Trek fan, you're not going to care, but I find it pretty fascinating. This is allegedly a Paramount memo from 1987 on the casting of Star Trek: The Next Generation: Wesley Snipes Was Almost Geordi La Forge, and Other Star Trek: TNG Casting Fun.

margaret cho joins dancing with the stars

Whoa! Just learned that comedian Margaret Cho is among the new cast of ABC's hit dance competition Dancing with the Stars: Reality, Comedy and Politics Mix in New 'Dancing With the Stars' Lineup. Dance your ass off and make us proud, Margaret. All I ask is that you beat out Bristol Palin and The Situation. The new season premieres on September 20.

justice department "finds merit" in asian students' complaints against school district of philadelphia

An update on the situation at South Philly High... Last week, federal investigators informed the Philadelphia School District that they "found merit" in the claims of Asian students who said they were targeted and abused at South Philadelphia High School: Feds find merit in Asian students' claims against Philly school.

Earlier this year, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund filed a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice charging the School District of Philadelphia and South Philadelphia High School with discrimination against Asian students. Looks like the Justice Department agrees:

spookfish theatre company presents wabi sabi! not wasabi

I didn't get a chance to mention this last week, but if you're in New York and want to see a new original play, you've still got a chance to check out the second weekend of Wabi Sabi! Not Wasabi by Ming Peiffer, presented by the Spookfish Theatre Company. There will be performances this weekend at the Theater for the New City. Here are some more details:

casting call: green plastic sandals

This casting call for Green Plastic Sandals, a Columbia University thesis film by Stephanie Wu, was passed along to me earlier today. I'm told that project received a production grant from SyFy Channel, and it sounds kind of cool. If you're interested in taking part, here are some details:

music video: "artofficialfreedom" by power struggle

Check out this cool music video for "ArtOfficialFreedom" by Power Struggle, directed by Jerome Palencia of Just Bombin Films. It's one of my favorite tracks from their full-length LP Remittances, which was released earlier this year from Beatrock Music. Take a look:

the education of a vietnamese writer

Here's a nice piece by Andrew Lam in New American Media about his fateful decision, many years ago, to choose a creative writing program and embark on his path to becoming a writer -- a decision that rocked his traditional Vietnamese family's plans for his life: The Education of a Vietnamese-American Writer.

far east movement, bruno mars are entertainment weekly's "next big hits"

Hell yeah! Check it out... Far East Movement and Bruno Mars made it onto this "The Next Big Hits Are..." feature in the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly, in which radio programmers were asked which songs they think will be everywhere this fall. Hopefully, "Like a G6" is already bumpin' on a radio speaker near you! I crank it up every time. (Thanks for the scan, Eseel.)

doctor investigated in patient overdose deaths

In Rowland Heights, California, a physician is suspected of illegally dealing prescription pain medications and other powerful narcotics to addicts. Last week, federal and state officials raided the office of Dr. Lisa Tseng, who says she believes she did nothing wrong: Doctor whose office was searched by federal agents defends her procedures for prescribing drugs.

cool book: james jean's rift

If you're a fan of acclaimed artist James Jean, you probably already know about his latest book Rift, which debuted at Comic-Con and arrived in stores earlier this month. It showcases a brand-new collection of art in a really cool, neatly folded, accordion-style book. Take a look:

daughter of u.s. ambassador to thailand dies in window fall

Over the weekend, received the tragic news that Nicole John, the 17-year-old daughter of the U.S. ambassador to Thailand died Friday when she fell out of a 25th-floor apartment window ledge in Manhattan. She had just started her first year of college: Death of Nicole John, Ambassador's Daughter, an Accident.

middle school only allows whites to be class president

Saw this last Friday on Jezebel, so I'm a little late posting this, but it's just too outrageous not to share... So, at Nettleton Middle School in Mississippi, school rules dictate that only white students can be class president: Middle School Only Allows Whites To Be Class President.

stabbed new york cab driver can't work, needs help

Ahmed Sharif, the New York cabbie who survived a vicious anti-Muslim hate crime stabbing, spoke to reporters at a press conference on Friday: Stabbed cabbie out of work, worries about feeding family.

Sharif is now unable to work due to his injuries. He'll receive a partial salary from worker's compensation, but he's worried that he won't be able to provide for his wife and four children without a job:

archie panjabi wins best supporting actress emmy

Well, this was unexpected. The big winners at last night's Emmy Awards were Mad Men and Modern Family, but before the night was over, one fresh-faced actress also walked away with a trophy: Archie Panjabi, who won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama for her role as Kalinda in CBS' The Good Wife: 'Modern Family' and 'Mad Men' take top Emmy awards.

I think it was a pretty big surprise -- The Good Wife is a first season show and Archie Panchabi is a relative newcomer to Hollywood (she hails from London) and first-time nominee in a crowded field of veterans. And let's be real -- she was really one of the few hints of ethnic diversity in the acting categories.

I haven't watched the show regularly, but based on what I've seen of The Good Wife, Ms. Panchabi's character Kalinda Sharma seems pretty cool. Now, I'm looking forward to seeing more of her on the show. More here: Archie Panjabi on character Kalinda's honesty, mystery.

dawen wins kollaboration acoustic 4

Huge congratulations to my man Dawen, who was named the grand prize winner of Kollaboration Acoustic. The guy kicked ass, totally winning over the crowd with his smoove grooves and original song "Shoes." So proud of him. For more from Dawen, visit his website here.

this week's angriest posts

Not really the angriest, just the most viewed.

• epic beijing traffic jam stretches into ninth day


• t-shirt love: soju wanna party?


• who are the youtube stars making $100,000 plus per year?


• the people I've slept with opens this friday in los angeles (so come party with me and audrey magazine)


• meet baltimore county police's first asian american female officer


• "samari": this commercial is racist bullshit


• nail salon charges woman extra for being overweight


• eat pray love: orientalism on the big screen (again)


• yet another japanese outfielder's amazing catch


• japanese prodigy kid shreds with ozzy osbourne

Have a wonderful weekend, my angry friends. If you're Southern California, I'll see you tonight at the Laemmle Sunset 5 for The People I've Slept With.

martin hsu book signing at gr2, august 29

For those of you in Los Angeles, head down to Sawtelle Boulevard this weekend to check out artist Martin Hsu. He'll be signing and doodling his new book Multigrain, a collection of his favorite paintings. It's happening this Sunday, August 29 at GR2. Here are some more details:

arowana films presents movie magic: manivore

Take a look at this interesting behind-the-scenes clip from Arowana Films'
web series Manivore, in which they explain how Grace slashed up some dude's head: Movie Magic: Manivore. The secret? A very willing watermelon! It's gross, but I also found it kind of educational. That's movie magic!

purchase an apas for progress membership, get a free vincent who? dvd

Just wanted to let you know about a cool deal that Asian Pacific Americans for Progress is offering... right now, if you become a member, you'll get a free copy of the documentary Vincent Who? A one-year membership is just $30. For more information, go here: Vincent Who? Film - Get your free copy today!

And as a special offer to new members, you can order additional copies for just $15. That's half off and you'll get free shipping, too. Order a copy and donate it to your friend, your family or your local school, library or non-profit. To purchase a membership and get your free DVD, go to Blacklava here.

photo friday: star wars/samurai custom action figures

First saw this a couple of weeks ago here... Check out these kickass custom action figures by Sillof's Workshop, re-imagining Star Wars characters as Kurosawa-esque samurai heroes and villains:

fall/winter internships at the korematsu institute

The good people at the Korematsu Institute for Civil Rights and Education in San Francisco are looking for a couple of passionate, rock-solid Bay Area-based students to join their team as interns this fall/winter. Here are some details:

hot pinoy love

I do not understand this sketch, but I love it. This is apparently one of the characters from the online comic strip Multiplex, about "the movie-loving and customer-weary staff of your local movie theater."

If I'm understanding correctly, this is actually a reader commissioned sketch of one of the characters who, as you can probably infer, is of Filipino descent.

Mainly, I just wanted an excuse to title a post "Hot Pinoy Love."

p.o.v.'s "adoption stories": wo ai ni (I love you) mommy

Jeff Yang's latest "Asian Pop" column examines the blessings, heartaches and inevitable complications involved in transnational adoption, and talks with documentary filmmakers Stephanie Wang-Breal (Wo Ai NI Mommy) and Deann Borshay Liem (In the Matter of Cha Jung Hee): Born across borders.

Both films will be airing on public television over the next few weeks as part of P.O.V's "Adoption Stories" series -- three acclaimed films about international and domestic adoption, exploring the challenges of adoptees forging new identities while holding on to their national and racial identities, and of parents helping their adopted children make sense of their new lives:

angry reader of the week: lilian bui

Hey, you fine people. Time to meet another Angry Reader of the Week, spotlighting you, the very special readers of this website. Over the years, I've been able to connect with a lot of cool folks, and this is a way of showing some appreciation and attention to the people who help make this blog what it is. This week's Angry Reader is Lilian Bui, aka Lily Bee, who will be performing this evening at Kollaboration Acoustic.

japanese guitar prodigy kid shreds with ozzy osbourne

Holy crap. Have you seen kid shred? If you've recently gone to see Ozzy Osbourne on this six-date Ozzfst tour, you might have spotted 10-year-old Japanese guitar prodigy Yuto Miyazawa rocking out alongside the prince of darkness. Check out the video:

marvel responds to runaways casting concerns

Marvel Studios has responded to concerns over the casting of Nico Minoru, an Asian American character, in their movie adaptation of the comic book Runaways. Initial casting breakdowns did not specify any race, and only described Nico as "uniquely beautiful, nurturing but guarded. This did not sit will with fans. We've been down this road before...

The good news is that Marvel listened. Based on several conversations with the folks at Racebending, the studio has responded and adjusted the casting notice to reflect that they are indeed looking for an Asian American actress to fill the role: Marvel Responds to Runaways Casting Concerns. Here's the statement they sent to Racebending:

aadap presents showtime 2010: "changing lives and saving families"

If you're in Los Angeles, and want to support a great cause, here's a cool event to check out this weekend.. The Asian American Drug Abuse Program (AADAP) is putting on it's annual benefit concert, which includes performances by Tim Be Told and comedian Paul Varghese. It's happening this Saturday, August 28 at the Aratani Japan America Theatre in Little Tokyo. Here are some more details:

fill out asian cinevision's aaiff'10 survey

Are you a supporter of Asian CineVision? Did you attend the 2010 Asian American International Film Festival last month? You can support ACV some more by filling out a survey:

kollaboration acoustic 4: "wake up"

Here's another one of those cool promo videos the Kollaboration folks have put together, featuring the performers of Kollaboration Acoustic coming together to do a really fantastic cover of Arcade Fire's "Wake Up." Really Nicely done.

Kollaboration Acoustic 4 is happening this Friday, August 27 at the Ford Amphitheater in Hollywood. This is always a really fun show, so you don't miss out. With a special performance by Marie Digby! For more information, include tickets, performers and other show info, go to the Kollaboration website here.

mosques and shrines: parallels between post-9/11 and post-WWII america

I don't know if you've seen the news lately, but people are really fired up. It seems that there are people who are upset about the proposal to build an Islamic community center a few blocks from the World Trade Center site In turn, there are people who are upset about the people who are upset.

The heated debate and rhetoric actually has many precedents in American history. On PRI's The World, historian Scott Kurashige outlines parallels between the controversy over the community center and efforts to block Japanese immigrants from building Buddhist temples and shrines in the decades surrounding World War II: Buddhism and Islam in America.

check out channelpktown: "if you're feeling me, sit still"

My man PK, current host of PG-18 Fridays at The World Famous Laugh Factory in Hollywood, recently made his foray from standup to YouTube videos with the launch of ChannelPKtown.

Here's some video (split up into seven parts) of PK doing this thing at the Laugh Factory, talking about everything from marriage to church to masturbation: If You're Feeling Me, Sit Still. Funny stuff. Check it out:

gapimny looking for stories about racism at gay clubs

I recently heard from Jason Tseng of Gay Asian & Pacific Islander Men of New York (GAPIMNY), which serves the queer API community in the New York metropolitan area. The are investigating the issue of anti-Asian policies at queer parties and clubs in New York, and are looking for folks who might have experienced such discrimination:

for the ultimate fan: lost: the complete collection dvd box set

Of course, I can't go without mentioning this week's release of not only Lost: The Complete Sixth and Final Season on DVD and Blu-ray, but even better, for the ultimate fan, Lost: The Complete Collection. Anybody got $148.99 and 5,074 minutes to spare?

fewer immigrants are changing their names

This is an interesting New York Times article on the traditional immigrant practice of adopting new names that sound "more American," perhaps to speed assimilation, deter discrimination or even just be more marketable. These days, the practice is much less common: New Life in America No Longer Means a New Name.

I'm sure everyone knows someone who's adopted some sort of new identity in America, just to make a little easier. Guo Wi becomes Ryan, Jaehong becomes James, Hyunhee becomes Heidi. But it's apparently happening a lot less now, because there isn't as much pressure to blend in and assimilate:

breakers at war by just bombin films

Check out this cool short video, shot last month at Breakers At WAR, the annual b-boy/b-girl gathering Daly City, California. Shot by Just Bombin Films, it's a nicely produced little glimpse at something positive and fun happening in the community. (Thanks, Jerome.)

police looking for attempted rape suspect in new york's chinatown

In New York, police are looking attempted rapist who attacked a woman working in a Chinatown flower shop Wednesday morning. The man, posing as a customer, assaulted the woman, but ran off when the victim fought back: NYPD Looking For Suspect In The Attempted Chinatown Rape.

the people I've slept with opens this friday in los angeles (so come party with me and audrey magazine)

Okay, Los Angeles. The hit indie sex comedy The People I've Slept With continues its theatrical run, opening this Friday, August 27 at the Laemmle Sunset 5 in West Hollywood. Make plans, grab your friends, and check out the funny, sexy and feel-good movie that's been making big waves with festival audiences everywhere.

help bring paper angels to san francisco

Hey, San Francisco. Direct Arts is trying to bring its production of Paper Angels to Portsmouth Square, September 15-17 as part of the San Francico Fringe Festival. It sounds pretty cool, and you can help to make it happen: Paper Angels in San Francisco!

They're performing the play outdoors, right in the middle of Chinatown. The performance will include projections of archival images, spoken word and folk dance. Not only will it be free, it will also commemorate the 100th anniversary of the immigration station at Angel Island. Here's some more info:

tina tchen takes your questions on women's issues

Tina Tchen of the White House Council on Women And Girls takes your questions on women's issues on the 90th Anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.

call for submissions: "field notes on the 9/11 moment: transformations in community and country"

Just wanted to post another reminder about this... As we approach the ten-year anniversary of 9/11 in 2011, South Asian Americans Leading Together and Race/Ethnicity: Multidisciplinary Global Contexts are inviting submissions for an issue entitled "Field Notes on the 9/11 Moment: Transformations in Community and Country."

This issue, to be published in June 2011, will provide an opportunity to discuss and engage with the complexities presented by the 9/11 moment for communities in the United States and the rest of the world. Here are some more details:

reminder: reel in the vote deadline is august 31

Just a quick reminder... There are just a few days left to submit your entry for the Reel in the Vote PSA contest, sponsored by the San Diego Asian Film Foundation and the Center for Asian Americans United for Self-Empowerment.

If you have access to a video camera and a great idea, this is your chance to make a difference and win cash plus an all-expense paid trip to the San Diego Asian Film Festival. They're looking for the most creative 30-second videos that promote and encourage voter registration and participation in the APIA community. Here are a couple of sample videos (not in competition):

"are you a muslim?" - man charged with hate crime attack on cabbie

Last night, a Manhattan taxi driver was allegedly attacked by a passenger who asked if the cabbie was Muslim. When Ahmed H. Sharif responded that he was, he was stabbed several times by 21-year-old Michael Enright. The incident is being treated as a hate crime: NYPD Charges Man With Hate Crime After He Allegedly Stabbed Muslim Cab Driver.

in stores now: margaret cho's cho dependent

Did you know that Margaret Cho has a new album? Cho Dependent, a laugh-inducing album of "sex, drugs, rock & roll - and lice," is out in stores right now. We've already heard some samples with funny tracks like "I'm Sorry."

Make no mistake -- while this a comedy album, Margaret hasn't slacked off in the music department either. She's enlisted the help of friends like Jon Brion, Fiona Apple, Tegan and Sara, Andrew Bird, Ani DiFranco, Garrison Starr, Meghan Toohey, Brendan Benson, Rachael Yamagata, Carl Newman, Grant Lee Phillips, Patty Griffin, Ben Lee, Kevin Barnes.

Check out the music video for "Eat Shit and Die", featuring Grant Lee Phillips:

trial date set in robert wone wrongful death lawsuit

Here's a bit of an update on the Robert Wone murder case... As you may remember, back in June all three defendants were found not guilty of obstruction of justice and evidence tampering. Wone's widow is now pursuing a wrongful death suit against the three men: Robert Wone Wrongful Death Civil Trial Could Begin in June 2011.

interpretations: canvas by mora stephens

Here is the last of the commissioned sample shorts for the Interpretations filmmaking initiative: Canvas, directed by Mora Stephens and starring acclaimed artist James Jean. Take a look:

fred korematsu day bill heads to governor for signature

One step closer... Yesterday, the California State Legislature passed Assembly Bill 1775, which would establish January 30 as Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution. The bill is now headed to the Governor's desk for his signature.

AB 1775 uses the wrongful conviction of Fred Korematsu during World War II to emphasize the importance of preserving civil liberties and the Constitution no matter the extenuating circumstances. Here's an excerpt from the California State Assembly's press release:

4c the power/isa artists workshops in new york and los angeles

4C The Power, in conjunction with International Secret Agents, are holding workshops for folks interested in hip hop, filmmaking, dance, painting and more. The first one's happening this Friday, August 27 in New York. Here's the info for the Southern California workshop:

apply to be a fall intern for saldef

The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund is looking for some fall interns. The program offers Sikh American youth rare opportunities for political advocacy and leadership development. The program educates students on issues of civil rights, public policy, and the legislative process.

Students will gain practical experience in community organizing, research and writing, legal issues, political action, and educational outreach. SALDEF is seeking interns to assist in the following areas:

acclaimed director satoshi kon dies at 47

News has started trickling in that Satoshi Kon, director of critically acclaimed films such as Paprika, Tokyo Godfathers, Millennium Actress and Perfect Blue, has died apparently due to cancer. He was 47: R.I.P. Paprika and Perfect Blue director Satoshi Kon.

elder abuse fugitive surrenders after two years on the run

Last week in Long Beach, Li Ching Liu, who is accused of stealing more than $4 million from a 74-year-old stroke victim, turned herself into authorites. Police had been searching for her since 2008: Fugitive caregiver surrenders in elderly swindle.

Liu is accused of abusing and robbing the elderly victim, who hired Liu to help her following a massive stroke in 2002. Instead of helping her, Liu basically drained her bank account over the course of several years:

my ninja! & shoeture present the endless summer party II

Real quick... if you're in Los Angeles, our friends at My Ninja! are throwing a big ol' fun gathering, the Endless Summer Party II. It's happening this Thursday, August 26 at Forge Photography Studios. Here are some more details:

secret stash by yi-ting cheng

Came across this video the other day, and thought it was pretty friggin' cool. It's called the Secret Stash Project by Yi-Ting Cheng, filmed and edited by Juriaan Boiji. It is about hiding stuff. Take a look:

hospital sued for discrimination against filipino workers

More news of discrimination against Filipino nurses... We recently heard about discriminatory hiring practices at St. Luke's in San Francisco. Here's another case out of central California...

Last week, the federal government filed a lawsuit accusing Delano Regional Medical Center of prohibiting Filipino employees from speaking in Tagalog though it allowed the use of other non-English languages: Delano Regional accused of discrimination.

2010 jcpenney breakout performer contest winners: sam and lan

The JCPenney Back to School Breakout Performer contest has announced its winners... A big congratulations goes to Sam Ock and Lan (aka worldsimarble), who made it past all the views/voting rounds and were plucked from finalists to be the Breakout Performers. If you haven't seen them already, here are their winning entries:

yet another japanese outfielder's amazing catch

By now, you've recovered from the awesomeness of Japanese outfielder Masato Akamatsu's badass "Spider-Man"-like catch a few weeks ago... But wait! Believe it or not, it happened again. Take a look:

nail salon charges woman extra for being overweight

What the hell? In Georgia, a woman claims she was charged five dollars extra for her manicure simply because of her weight. She says that Kim Tran, the manager of Natural Nails in DeKalb County, told her the surcharge was for the potential cost of a broken salon chair. No joke: Georgia Nail Salon Charges Woman Extra For Being Overweight.

mind your bid-ness: vaff fundraiser auction and dance party

This one's for all my people holding it down in Vancouver... Our friends at the Vancouver Asian Film Festival invite you to their annual fundraising event, Mind Your Bid-Ness, a one-of-a-kind massively hot Auction Party. It's happening this Wednesday, August 25 at Biltmore Cabaret. Here are some more details:

apply for a law clerkship with the asian law caucus

Law students! Sorry, I meant to post this sooner... The Asian Law Caucus is seeking law clerk applications for Fall 2010, Spring 2011 and Summer 2011: LAW CLERK OPPORTUNITIES.

The ALC is the nation's oldest legal and civil rights organization serving low-income Asian Pacific American communities. Law clerks will be matched with one of the below program areas and supervised by one or more staff attorneys:

t-shirt love: soju wanna party?

Our friends at KoreAm recently introduced these fun and fresh "Soju Wanna Party?" t-shirts. I'd wear one. Because yes, I wanna party. And so do you. Here's the product description:

masashi niwano is the new director of sfiaaff

Received word about this a while, but with the press release going out last week, it's officially official: Masashi Niwano, formerly of the Austin Asian American Film Festival, is the new Festival and Exhibitions Director for the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival. Here's the official press release from the Center for Asian American Media:

the bangerz x san jose taiko: "robot remains"

The Mighty Fifty does it again! Check out this kickass video, directed and edited by Charles Yi, of DJ collective The Bangerz teaming up with San Jose Taiko for an amazing live performance of "Robot Remains." It's pretty damn brilliant. Take a look:

another asian family targeted in home invasion robbery

More news from last week out of the Philadelphia area about another home invasion robbery and assault targeting an Asian family: Radnor family assaulted and robbed, possibly because they are Asian.

epic beijing traffic jam stretches into ninth day

Think the traffic in you city is bad? Los Angeles? New York? Washington D.C? You've got nothing on Beijing. Thousands of drivers are in the middle of an epic, more than 100-kilometre (62 miles) traffic jam leading into Beijing that has lasted nine days: China's nine-day traffic jam stretches 100km.

It all started on August 14, when the Bejing-Tibet expressway slowed to a crawl due to a spike in traffic by cargo-bearing heavy trucks heading to the capital, and compounded by subsequent road maintenance work:

meet baltimore county police's first asian american female officer

Check it out. 27-year-old Rosa Park is the first Asian American female police officer in the Baltimore County Police department. She graduated from the academy on June 24 and started training four days later: Baltimore County welcomes first Asian-American female cop to force.

"samari": this commercial is racist bullshit

This is a local car dealership commercial for Rusty Eck Ford in Wichita, Kansas. It isn't the most offensive car dealership commercial I've ever seen... but it's pretty close. Keep in mind, someone thought this was a good idea. This actually aired on television.

You see, it's fairly easy to be a "samari." All you need to do is wave around a plastic sword and shout nonsensical gibberish. Throw a headband on that guy in the chicken suit, and you've got yourself an awesome racist commercial. Absolutely unbeatable! (Thanks, Bobby.)

who are the youtube stars making $100,000 plus per year?

People, it pays to be a YouTube star. According to a study done by analytics and advertising company TubeMogul, there are ten independent YouTube personalities who made over $100,000 in the past year: Meet The YouTube Stars Making $100,000 Plus Per Year.

Mind you, these folks have hundreds of thousands of people watching every video they upload. TubeMogul based their estimates on each person's viewership data, along with the banner ad pay structure YouTube has set up with partners:

sounds of a new hope outdoor screening/concert, august 27

If you're in Los Angeles, here's a really cool outdoor screening happening this week, presented by the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center and Visual Communications: Sounds of a New Hope, a documentary on the life and music of hip hop emcee Kiwi, and the Philippine struggle for freedom. It's happening Friday, August 27 on the JACCC Plaza in Little Tokyo. Here are some details:

redefining charlie chan

Here's another article on the new Charlie Chan book that hit bookstores last week... Charlie Chan: The Untold Story of the Honorable Detective and His Rendezvous with American History by Yunte Huang examines the real life inspiration for the fictional sleuth, as well as the character's troubling legacy in literature and film: Book aims to redefine Charlie Chan for Asian-Americans.

I actually received my copy of the book in the mail, but I haven't had the chance to crack it open yet. It sounds pretty interesting, and I've read some fairly positive reviews, though I've also encountered a couple of discouraging ones too. I'll let you know what I think...

rock the bangladeshi vote

Interesting New York Times article on the race for the 76th Assembly District in the Bronx, where Democratic challenger Luis Sepulveda is adopting a novel strategy: courting the district's growing Bangladeshi population: In Race for an Assembly Seat, a Challenger Courts the Bangladeshi Vote.

eat pray love: orientalism on the big screen (again)

This NPR piece pretty much echoes exactly what bothers me about Eat Pray Love -- yet another narrative about a privileged Westerner "in search of self" in the mystical, mysterious East: Eat, Pray, Love, Leave: Orientalism Still Big Onscreen.

the kid who formed his own orchestra

Cool story out of Seattle, about high school senior Kevin Lee, who became disenchanted with just playing the violin in a regular old orchestra. So at age 16, he formed his own orchestra, Summer Festival Philharmonia, and made himself conductor: Young violinist who formed own orchestra sets grand finale.

d d muthaeffin' k

Recently spotted on a subway platform in Brooklyn. Billboards have also popping up all over Los Angeles. Needless to say, very cool to see a brother featured so prominently in TV ads like this. (Thanks, Chris.)

gop backing away from its bright young stars of color?

This is an interesting ColorLines piece observing that despite recent Republican efforts to add some color to an overwhelmingly white GOP caucus, it looks like the party's leadership is already abandoning some of the "stars" that brought color to their ranks, including Asian American congressmen like Reps. Joseph Cao and Charles Djou: GOP Backs Away From Its Bright Young Stars of Color.

another interview with the cheezburger guy

Here's another interview with Ben Huh, the founder of the Cheezburger Network, which includes the immensely popular I Can Has Cheezburger, Fail Blog, Failbook, ROFLrazzi and other buzzworthy websites: Cheezburger Network founder talks about his business.

Every time I blog about Ben, I feel the need to mention that I went to college with the guy, the man who has made his fortune from funny cat photos.

woman killed in rave shooting

Heard about this news late last week... Last weekend in South El Monte, California, 26-year-old Clara Myung Hee Chun was shot and killed at a warehouse party. Three Asian men between were also reportedly wounded, with one in critical condition: 1 killed, 3 injured in South El Monte shooting.

According to police, the motivation for the shooting appears to be an altercation that broke out among some of the partygoers:

the armless chinese piano player

Saw a bunch of folks post headlines last week about some video of a "armless Chinese piano player." Big deal, I said. At least, until I actually saw the video in question. This is 23-year-old Liu Wei of China, who lost both his arms in a freak accident when he was ten. And he plays piano. With his feet.

He recently went on the television show China's Got Talent, where he defied the odds and showed the world what overcoming adversity really means. I'm stunned. The guy plays piano with his toes better than most people can plink out with two fully functioning hands. More here: Armless Pianist Liu Wei Defies Odds On 'China's Got Talent.'

this week's angriest posts

Not really the angriest, just the most viewed...

• roger's really angry 'carrie-oke'


• tila tequila attacked by unruly concert crowd


• man arrested for putting semen in co-worker's water bottle


• badass math guys meet the president


• fall internship: white house initiative on asian americans and pacific islanders


• is filipino food the next big thing?


• looking good, jeremy lin


• they're making a chinese version of the office


• police torture video sparks outrage in the philippines


• the most overrated contemporary american writers

A big congratulations to my old buddy Vince, who is getting married to Cindy today. Love, happiness and prosperity, you beautiful people.

kollaboration acoustic 4, august 27

The 4th annual Kollaboration Acoustic, packed with a another great lineup of amazing, up-and-coming talent, returns to Los Angeles next week. Think of it as a more chilled-out summer edition of the world-famous Asian American talent show movement. It's happening Friday, August 27 at the Ford Amphitheatre. Here are some more details:

vote for silkydwan in the dr. pepper cherry youtube dancestudio contest

Check out this guy SilkyDKwan, who is one of the finalists in the Dr. Pepper Cherry YouTube DanceStudio contest, looking for the best dancer on YouTube. Dude's got some smooth moves!