Angry Asian Man

5.12.2011

what the hell did I just watch? a really weird campaign ad for dan adler

Saw this campaign ad for Southern California congressional candidate Dan Adler on the tube last night. It's really... wow. What the hell is it? Am I the only one who thought this had to be some kind of terrible parody? (I'm still not entirely convinced it isn't.) See for yourself:

job announcement: aaww website managing editor

Here's a really cool job posting from the Asian American Writers' Workshop in New York... They're looking for a creative, motivated and highly ambitious individual to be Managing Editor, take the reins of the Workshop's new online magazine, and more importantly, help usher Asian American literary culture into the future. Here's some more information on the position:

Caught this funny commercial for Vitamin Water Revive the other night. It features an Asian college kid coming home to his parents after being up all night. But not quite studying. What kind of trouble did he get into? Watch to find out:

This is a really cool San Diego Union-Tribune profile on Commander Shanti Sethi, one of only a handful of female skippers in the entire U.S. Navy, and the first Indian American woman to command a warship: Decatur commander relishes 'firsts;' with video.

So you can imagine it was a pretty amazing moment when Sethi maneuvered her ship, the San Diego-based destroyer Decatur, into the dock at Chennai this spring -- the first time since 2007 that U.S. Navy warship has visited India. She has an interesting story, with a rather non-traditional career path:

Just wanted to plug something for our friends at the Center for Asian American Media... Are you an educator or librarian who purchases media for your institution's collection? Consider picking up some discounted video titles for APA Heritage Month. For the month of May, CAAM is offering three films at 20% off the educational price:

Canadian journalist Mellissa Fung, the CBC-TV reporter who was held captive in Afghanistan for 28 days in the fall of 2008, has just released a memoir about surviving her ordeal, Under an Afghan Sky, published by HarperCollins.

In October 2008, Fung was leaving a refugee camp outside of Kabul when she was kidnapped by armed men and taken to a remote mountain village. For more than a month, she was held captive and forced to live in a hole. The book recounts her story of holding on to hope: I'm just calling to say goodbye.

With Osama bin Laden crossed off our list, our next target in the fight against terrorism is pretty obvious: Walt Disney's Aladdin, quite possibly the biggest Islamic terrorist of all. As a follow-up to the phenomenally successful Hate Comes to Orange County video, Tea Party Youth LA hits the streets of Fullerton to raise awareness about Disney's animated musical Muslim menace:

In Monterey Park, California, authorities are seeking the public's help in solving the murder of an 82-year-old woman who was beaten and strangled to death in her home last month: Elderly Monterey Park woman brutally beaten and murdered in home robbery.

Xi Huang was found dead on April 29 inside her home in Huntington Avenue. According to the sheriff's department, the home ransacked and several items, including three pieces of jewelry and a purse, were taken:

laughter is the best medicine, may 21

May is both Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month. To celebrate, the National Asian American Mental Health Association and the Asian Pacific Islanders with Disabilities of California are hosting the first annual "Laughter is the Best Medicine" event in Washington D.C. It's happening Saturday, May 21 at George Washington University Betts Auditorium. Here are some more details:

New York! The Museum of Chinese in America, Asian American Journalists Association and OurChinatown invite you to an Open Town Hall featuring a candid panel conversation with leaders, innovators and community voices to discuss and share ideas on the future of Chinatown: Target Free Thursday Town Hall: Chinatown 2.0: Bringing Chinatown into the Future. It's happening Thurday, May 12 at MOCA. Here are some more details:

Beatrock Music and Just Bombin Films present the brand new music video for "What We Do" by The CounterParts -- Otayo Dubb, Braelan B, T-Know and beats by Fatgums -- off the group's self-titled debut album. I'm digging this track. Maybe you'll dig it too. Check it out:

Some gruesome news out of New York, like something out of a movie... Along a stretch of a remote beachfront highway, authorities have discovered what is essentially a dumping ground for at least two different killers trying to hide bodies: DA: At least 2 killers behind NY beach victims.

According to authorities, ten sets of human remains have been discovered since December along Ocean Parkway, including the heads of two women whose torsos were found years ago in another town. Gross. One of the bodies appears to be a young Asian man (EDIT: who might be a missing student -- see below):

A couple of weeks ago, I posted about fundraising for American Revolutionary, Grace Lee's documentary on legendary Detroit activist and philosopher Grace Lee Boggs. I'm happy to relay the news that the project reached its initial goal of $10,000, with the amazing help generous supporters.

But it's not over yet! You still have the opportunity to help this project go even further, thanks to an awesome anonymous donor who is pledging matching funds past the $10,000. Grace explains on the IndieGoGo page:

Man, it's about time. Today, the Senate finally held a vote to confirm Judge Edward Chen as U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of California. He was confirmed by a vote of 56-42. That took long enough. Judge Chen was first nominated on August 6, 2009 -- over 600 days ago!

His confirmation is also historic -- it marks the first time an Asian American judge has been appointed to the federal district court in San Francisco, and he's only the second Asian American federal district court judge in the Northern California district (after Lucy Koh, who was confirmed last year).

What the hell happened here? This disturbing video of multiple New York police officers taking down an elderly Chinese man has been making the rounds. It all apparently went down over the weekend at Columbus Park in Chinatown, where a group of senior citizens were playing music when the cops reportedly stepped in to stop them. It's unclear how it devolved into this chaotic, bloody mess:

more home invasion robberies in delaware county

News of still more home invasion robberies targeting Asian families in Pennsylvania... The most recent incident occurred last week in Upper Darby, where three armed men charged into a house, held the homeowner -- an Asian woman -- at gunpoint: Bandits invade Upper Darby home.

According to police, the gunmen searched the house and carried out a safe containing $25,000 and an assortment of jewelry and precious metals, valued at $10,000. Fortunately, she wasn't hurt, but it does look like her home was being watched and specifically targeted:

call for submissions: 2011 cape new writers awards

Attention screenwriters! Are you a writer with an unproduced screenplay or teleplay? Do you wonder how to get Hollywood executives to read your material? The Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment is now accepting submissions for the 2011 CAPE New Writers Awards, sponsored by Fox Entertainment Group and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

If you're in Los Angeles this week, Chinese American t-shirt brand Akufuncture invites you to A Night Out at Art Walk With Akufuncture, a fashion show for their spring/summer 2011 collection, influenced by a unique blend of modern streetwear and Chinese folklore and history. It's happening Thursday, May 12 at LA Art Walk. Here are some more details:

Last Thursday, America's Opportunity Fund hosted an online webcast chat with actress Tamlyn Tomita, chillin' in a room with community leaders and activists, talking about her work as a fellow activist in the AAPI community. They've got the entire video archived on the AOF website. Take a look:

Last week, Molly Wei, the former Rutgers University student accused of using a webcam to watch classmate Tyler Clementi's sexual encounter with another man, appeared in court and struck a deal with prosecutors that will allow her to avoid criminal prosecutors: Tyler Clementi Suicide: Ex-Rutgers Student, Molly Wei, Avoids Jail.

Under the deal with the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, Wei pleaded not guilty to two counts of invasion of privacy, and entered the probationary program under a number of conditions, including required counseling and community service:

Check it, APA history heads. Two amazing documentaries are airing together this month on multiple PBs affiliate stations, May 8 through 15: Pilgrimage and A Song for Ourselves, both directed by Tad Nakamura. If you haven't seen either of these films, and want to get some serious knowledge dropped on your brain, make sure you tune in.

New York Magazine's current cover story, Paper Tigers by Wesley Yang, is the latest incendiary article to fire up the internets. To be honest, I've only skimmed through it, because I don't really have the time or stamina -- it's rather lengthy -- to fully digest it. And I'm not going to lie -- I'm largely posting the article just so people will stop sending it to me.

You see, just about every month or so, the Asian American blogosphere needs something to get really mad about -- I'm not playing innocent -- and this is the latest thing to hit the fan. But what's remarkable to me is just how unremarkable the piece is. My thoughts on the piece, in short: tired and tiring.

Check out the freshly dropped music video for "Get Up and Go," the brand new single from Los Angeles rapper Shin-B, bringing you that next level, cutting-edge, high-tech craziness. Very slick and nicely produced, and hot tune to boot. Got your smartphones ready? Take a look:

the unlikely spy

Oh man. The Associated Press just ran a two-part series on China and its powerful role as a major instigator of espionage in the United States. The second part is a portrait of convicted spy Tai Kuo, whose unlikely journey from everyday entrepreneur to secret operative fits an unlikely profile for an agent of espionage: How a networking immigrant became a spy.

matcha: makrokosma bali, may 12

What's up, good people of San Francisco? It is time again for the latest edition of MATCHA, the Asian Art Museum's monthly after-hours art/music/mixer series. This month's event is a preview of excerpts from Makrokosma Bali, a new collaborative work by composer Wayne Vitale, Sekaa Gong Taruna Mekar and visual and set designers. It's happening Thursday, May 12 at the Asian Art Museum. And you've got the chance to win some free passes! See below for more details:

Are you ready for some quiet rocking? This week in Los Angeles, my musician friends Goh Nakamura, Jane Lui and Big Phony will be doing a show together at GR2. Three of my favorites! Really isn't much more to say about that, except that it's going to be cool. Here are a few more details:

This one comes to you from my filmmaker friend Gary Chan, who is currently working on fundraising for his feature film Year of the Bunny, and recently launched a Kickstarter campaign to make it happen.

The film, starring Roger Fan, is about a man traveling the world who goes on an adventure of discovery when he loses his best friend -- a stuffed animal bunny -- in a Hong Kong taxi cab. Along the way, on his quest get the bunny back, he encounters a colorful cast of characters.

A short prequel of the film, Easter Bunny, recently premiered at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. Here's the trailer:

StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to record, share, and preserve the stories of everyday American lives. Here's a great animated re-telling of a story by 87-year-old Kay Wang, who recorded the audio in 2008 at a StoryCorps booth in New York City: No More Questions!

Another one in celebration of Mother's Day... This is an amazing Huffington Post piece by actor Ken Jeong, dedicated to his wife Tran, the mother of his children -- and breast cancer survivor: For My Wife, in Celebration of Mother's Day.

Yes, we're talking about the same guy who plays the naked gangster on The Hangover and the really angry Spanish teacher on NBC's Community. You know him as the crazy Asian guy, but he's also a father and a husband who's been through a lot.

During his rocket-ship rise to stardom, his family was dealing with an intense battle with cancer. Say what you will about his choices as an actor, but you have to admire him for his strength and courage -- as a person:

Lovely to Me is a recently launched living online community gallery inspired by the music video and film of the same name by Taiyo Na and Gary San Angel with the Asian Arts Initiative and Chinatown community in Philadelphia. Dedicated to our awesome moms, you are encouraged to contribute a photo:

Timed for Mother's Day, Seattle-based emcee Gowe (Gifted On West East) has released his official music video for "I Wonder," a personal song dedicated to his biological mother, whom he's never met. It's sort of a message in a bottle that he's hoping will one day reach the ears of his mother. Take a look:

happy mother's day

Reposting this commercial because it's Mother's Day, and I feel like making you cry. Seriously, it gets me every time. (Right about at the "paying for college" part is where I lose it.) Mad love to all the mothers out there, who do it every day for their kids. Call your moms, people.

5.07.2011

this week's angriest posts

Not really the angriest, just the most viewed.

google chrome commercial: "dear sophie"

police release new photo of flushing serial rapist

wow. that was fun. thanks and love.

manny pacquiao is channeling bruce lee

car talk 2 with sung kang

fast five debuts to a truckload of box office cash

happy apa heritage month

cleveland indians' shin-soo choo arrested for dui

hbo's east of main street 2011 trailer

wong fu productions: kung fooled

Hope to see folks tonight at Hyphen's Bittersweet Issue Teaser Party.

5.06.2011

wong fu productions: kung fooled

Haha. Check out the latest short from Wong Fu Productions: Kung Fooled. This time, they've teamed up with YouTube's epic maker of really violent action videos, Freddie Wong, with a special appearance from Ryan HIga -- you know, the guy behind YouTube's most-subscribed channel. And when these guys get together, you know it's silly fun. Take a look:

Why, hello! Good for you to drop by, because 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 Ted Vadakan of the lifestyle brand Poketo.

Who are you?
Ted Vadakan... one half of the art/lifestyle brand, Poketo. My other half is Angie, she's the prettier half.

What are you?
A brother, a husband, a friend, a lover, not a hater.

8+1: a symposium, voices from the asian american literature review, may 7

This weekend in Los Angeles, renowned and emerging Asian American writers will converge for a day-long celebration of contemporary literature, 8+1: A Symposium, Voices from the Asian American Literary Review. It's happening Saturday, May 7 at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo.

The Symposium will feature nine of today's most accomplished and exciting Asian American writers, including Joy Kogawa, Kip Fulbeck, Rishi Reddi, R. Zamora Linmark, Reese Okyong Kwon, Viet Nguyen, Hiromi Ito with award-winning translator Jeffrey Angles, Ray Hsu and Brian Ascalon Roley. Here are some more details about the event:

Diversity in YA is a website and book tour founded by young adult authors Malinda Lo and Cindy Pon to celebrate diverse stories in young adult fiction. They'll be on tour across the United States, showcasing a variety of YA authors, throughout the month of May. Here's the schedule so far:

hyphen's bittersweet issue teaser party, may 7

All right, Los Angeles. Hyphen are coming to party. Our friends from the Bay Area-based nonprofit magazine are throwing their very first L.A. party and they're hoping you'll come out to represent, make it a good one: Bittersweet Issue Teaser Party.

The evening will feature performances from the likes of Beau Sia, Dawen, Jane Lui, Same Kang, SKIM and more. It's happening this Saturday, May 7 at Chop Suey Cafe & Lounge in Little Tokyo. Here are some more details:

There is no way you can watch this without getting a lump in you throat: Dear Sophie. Check out this Google Chrome commercial featuring an Asian American dad using various tools on the web to share memories with his daughter as she grows up. I don't know if "Daniel Lee" is a real dude, or if these are actually his videos and emails... but man, it's effective:

Heads up. This is a bit short notice, but if you've got a moment and you're in front of a computer, the White House will host and livestream an AAPI Leaders Briefing today at 1:50pm ET (10:50am PT).

Tune in to hear the following senior Obama Administration officials about Administration priorities as they relate to AAPI communities, including the economy and jobs, immigration, education, and healthcare:

fund this: indie feature film elevator

Just passing along word about another film project that could use some help with funding... Elevator is an ipcoming independent feature film from Nine Finger Productions about two strangers with troubled who find solace from one another in the unlikeliest of places.

They're trying to raise some cash toward the production and development of the film, so they're doing the Kickstarter thing and putting a call out to you, the generous indie film-supporting soul, to help make it happen. Here's some more information about the film:

At long last! Singer/songwriter Priscilla Ahn's new album When You Grow Up is now available from Blue Note Records. I'm a huge fan of her debut album A Good Day, so I've been eagerly awaiting the release of her follow-up -- and now it's here! Just got my copy. I've been listening to it nonstop, and it's quite lovely. Here's a video of Priscilla performing one of the songs, "Oo La La," with Alex Lilly and Eleni Mandell:

This is largely an excuse to post this rad photo of Manny Pacquiao punching this dude's face in, but it's also noteworthy because it's a New York Times article about how the Filipino boxing sensation's signature style and rhythm draws inspiration from one of our heroes -- everybody's hero, really -- Bruce Lee: Pacquiao's Style Takes Inspiration From Bruce Lee.

Last week, I posted the super-tease-y teaser trailer for the second season of East of Main Street, HBO On Demand's documentary mini-series commemorating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Here's the trailer trailer, which features Apl.de.Ap of the Black Eyed Peas, chef Anita Lo, and pro skateboarder Willy Santos. Take a look:

Aw man, come on. Asian behaving badly... Major League DUI edition! It's being reported that Shin-Soo Choo, outfielder for the Cleveland Indians, was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving early yesterday morning in Sheffield Lake, Ohio, west of Cleveland: Shin-Soo Choo was arrested for DUI yesterday.

Not a whole lot more details than that. Choo, who is arguably the team's best all-around player, apparently traveled with the Indians and is currently with the team in Oakland for the start of a six-game road trip against the Athletics and the Los Angeles Angels. Indians management released a brief statement:

benefit concert for japan: the shanghai restoration project & emi meyer, may 6

If you're in New York, I encourage and implore you to attend this charity show featuring the sweet sounds of two extremely talented musicians, The Shanghai Restoration Project and Emi Meyer with DJ HAHA. Proceeds will go directly to disaster relief efforts in Japan. It's happening this Friday, May 6 at 92YTribeca. Here are some more details about the show:

Just wanted to give some props to Maia and Alex Shibutani, the American brother-sister team who won the bronze medal in ice dance over the weekend at the World Figure Skating Championships in Moscow. Fellow Americans Meryl Davis and Charlie White took the gold, beating out Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada: Davis-White win first U.S. dance title.

A bit of silly fun from the folks over at You Offend Me You Offend My Family... Check out Fast Five star Sung Kang in the latest edition of Car Talk featuring co-star Tyrese Gibson. But first, you should probably watch the premiere episode of Car Talk to get up to speed. He's sort of the evil jerk doppelganger version of Sung Kang... or is he? Now, here's Car Talk 2:

In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Hep B Free and OCA are partnering with Nordstrom to help raise awareness of the importance of getting tested for hepatitis B -- the leading cause of liver cancer and one of the greatest health disparities facing our community.

More on that suspect wanted in connection with four sexual assaults in Queens... Police have released a new video of the rapist from subway station surveillance footage: Cops release image of sicko suspected of attacking, sexually violating four women in Queens.

The suspect, described as Hispanic, in his 30s, 5-foot-5 and 140 pounds with black hair, is accused of attacking women -- all of them Asian -- from behind and sexually violating them with his hands before running off:

I had a pretty good weekend. But you know who had a great weekend? Our friend Justin Lin, director of Fast Five, which made about seven truckloads of money at the box office: 'Fast Five' races to furious start with $83.6M.

The fifth movie in the Fast franchise made a record-setting $83.6 million -- the biggest opening of the year thus far, the biggest April debut ever, and Universal Pictures' biggest opening of all time. Like I said, truckloads of money.

A big thank you to everyone who came out to my 10th Anniversary Party on Saturday night. A huge thanks to the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival and all the people who helped put the event together, including the hard-working festival staff, O-Dub, Rani D, The Shanghai Restoration Project, all the sponsors, and everyone else who made a kick-ass contribution.

Huuuuuge thank you goes to angryplus1 and Peachies for coordinating and producing a special secret congratulatory video, which was revealed to me at the party. Featuring a big group of friends and supporters from the community, I was surprised and humbled by all the love and good wishes. Y'all know how to make a guy feel appreciated. I share it with you here:

happy apa heritage month

Hey, good people of America! It's May. And that means it's Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Originally established by a Congressional Resolution as Asian American Heritage Week in 1978, APAHM is a celebration of the contributions and accomplishments of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Here is President Obama's proclamation, issued by the White House Press Secretary last week:

5.12.2011

5.11.2011

5.10.2011

5.09.2011

5.08.2011

5.07.2011

5.06.2011

5.05.2011

5.04.2011

5.03.2011

5.02.2011

angry archive