Hey, everybody. It's about time you met the 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 Ryan Takemiya.
Who are you?
The guy in the karaoke room singing until 4am.
What are you?
Stardust: We came from stardust and we will return to stardust. And in the grand scheme of things, our time on this earth is miniscule, and will be over in a flash. Kinda makes you want to quit your day job, doesn't it? I hope my co-workers don't see this.
Joker/philosopher: This means I've figured out the meaning of life, but instead of telling you about it, I'm telling you a lewd joke about a goat.
Full of contradictions: I ride a motorcycle and yet am very concerned about safety. I fully understand the triviality and meaninglessness of our outward physical appearances, yet really enjoy wearing suits.
Loyal Angry Asian Man reader since 2001.
Where are you?
In the San Francisco Mutha Effin' Bay!!
Where are you from?
I'm a proud 4th generation Californian. When White folk ask me the question “Where are your ancestors from?”, I like to answer like George Lopez does: “…LOS ANGELES, B**CH”. I also take great pleasure in explaining to the occasional White person that my family has been in this country for much longer than theirs.
What do you do?
I am part of a new movement of musicians, dancers, poets, writers, painters, and other artists in the Bay Area creating a cultural renaissance for the us, the children of Asia. As the children of Asia we are endowed with thousands of years of knowledge, wisdom, and beauty…and we are now taking those gifts and making them new. Right now, I call this wave of energy and innovation “Rama” (www.gostudiorama.com), but it has many names now and will have many different names in the future. I say that I'm the founder of Rama and that I lead it, but sometimes I feel as if it leads me.
What are you all about?
Art. Rebellion. Fine Leather Goods.
Art: I believe the most powerful tool available to the human race is not destruction, but creation. For destruction ultimately ends. On the other hand, creation is infinite. You can keep creating and creating for eternity, which is what we as living beings were designed to do. Human beings were meant to create two things: Create life (giving birth) and create beauty (art).
Rebellion: When I was young I would get in fights with teachers, mouth off to adults, and hated systems, rules, structures. I've even caused a fair amount of property damage. It's fair to say I have a problem with authority and institutions. And this is why I do what I do. Rama is all about using creativity to challenge the existing structure and replace it with a new one that is more just, righteous, and humanizing. And I'm not just talking about mainstream media, I'm talking about the existing structures in our minds.
Fine Leather Goods: Treat yo' self.
What makes you angry?
Nothing. A very wise Asian person once said, “Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” I realized a long time ago that other people don't make you angry, you make yourself angry. Being angry is a choice. And you can choose to turn your anger into action, or you can sit with your anger and let it rot your insides. But if you do, you have no one to blame for your anguish but yourself. I don't get angry, I get to work.
