What's up, good people of the internet? I'll tell you what's up. It's time to meet 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 Thomas Nguyen.
Who are you?
I am the only child of Loc and Lan Nguyen, who immigrated from Vietnam after the fall of Saigon. I am a husband to my soulmate Kristine Truong and father to Tyson Nguyen, our 5-year-old, black pug. I am an introvert at heart, a nerd, a hopeless romantic and a lover of pugs.
What are you?
A Vietnamese guy running a South African restaurant group.
Where are you?
Houston, Texas, the greatest city in America. I used to think Houston was hot, humid and boring while growing up. Now, after witnessing the city's explosion of diversity and culture and the amount of heart and compassion displayed during Hurricane Harvey, I have a completely different perspective.
Where are you from?
Born in Chicago, raised in Katy, Texas, a suburb of Houston. Attended the University of Texas at Austin for college and law school.
What do you do?
I am a co-founder of Peli Peli and Peli Peli Kitchen, South African restaurant concepts in Houston and soon to be Austin, Texas. I oversee all marketing, branding and PR.
Through our non-profit, Happiness Heroes, I get to create memorable experiences that have a lasting impact in the community. Similar to Make-A-Wish, but for large groups of people.
As one of the Founding Fathers of Omega Phi Gamma, an Asian-interest fraternity in Texas, I help mentor, inspire and encourage our members to become strong, vocal leaders in the community.
What are you all about?
I am all about creating as much happiness as possible and to help those around me become the best versions of themselves. I love putting together events in the community, such as our proms for MD Anderson Cancer Center and Austin Independent School District, that make people smile, laugh and have fun. I enjoy sharing all of my mistakes to other people so that they can achieve their goals a little bit faster.
What makes you angry?
I hate how Asian men are viewed in society (weak, not desirable). I hate that it is still generally acceptable to make fun of us in the media. I hate that despite being in America for generations, we still do not have a strong political voice. I hate that the penalties for animal abuse are ridiculously weak and there is no national animal abuse registry, even though studies have shown that abusers of animals are much more likely to commit violent offenses towards humans.
