To write about Kollaboration.

Currently Listening to: K’naan – Take a Minute

Everything in my life these last couple of weeks is pushing me towards a career towards the entertainment industry, and pushing towards supporting the Asian American image.  Seriously, It is astonishing to see how much talent is out there and so inspiring to see the hard work people put out to get to where they are.  Kollaboration was pretty fun.  I got to meet new people and talk and hang out with people I haven’t seen in FOREVER!  It’s late so I’ll keep it at that; watch out for Jo Koy, he is HILARIOUS plus I am seriously in love with David Choi, Jane Lui, and Kina Grannis.  They have such beautiful voices and music!

btw Milton kids, you guys are blessed that Norman Ng is the replacement for the hypnotist, he picked his game up.

To be less embarrassed.

Currently Listening to: The Proclaimers – I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)

There are three to four songs that are consistently getting playtime on my computer right now, that’s this classic hit (I WILL WALK 500 MILES!), the aforementioned Weepies ballad “Gotta Have You”, Bloc Party’s “This Modern Love”, and just because – The Weepies “Take It From Me”.  It’s gotten so embarrassing that I’ve basically stopped scrobbling for my last.fm page

Three of these songs are in, you guessed it, How I Met Your Mother, of which I am now totally caught up.  I think my view of the show, because I watched all of it in about 5 days, is really skewed.  The general viewership is over Robin and Ted.  I’m not even over Victoria and Ted, which means that I cannot even remotely accept Barney and Robin getting together, which is now becoming more and more likely if not inevitable.

Anyway, I’m heading into Kollaboration in a couple hours with a group of people from CMC and I’m really excited.  I’ll update as soon as I get back if anything super special happens.

AND! Yesterday was my first day as an intern for CMG/FM.  It was eventful, I didn’t have to do stupid stuff like get coffee or anything, and I really got a feel for how much work artists on the level of FM have to do in order to be remotely successful and maintain that success.  Comparatively, FM is pretty popular to some of the other groups I know and if they have to do this much, how much do people barely on fringe have to do?  It really makes you take a step back and look at how big the world is and how much hard work is necessary to truly change the world.  Even better, Kevnish recognized me as I was stepping out, which was a cool moment cause I only met him for like five minutes beforehand.   I was looking through all the stuff he did; he really seems to put in a LOT of effort and work into it.  I’m thoroughly amazed and astonished at how close he is with his fanbase.

So, the lesson today is don’t be humliated but be humble.  I’m hoping to turn on my scrobble as soon as I get the courage to (I am a coward /weep).  Even if you are at the top of your world, make sure you look up to see that you can reach even farther, and better yet, pull those who are under you up.

To defend Diversity Groups.

Currently Listening to: Eric Flowchild – Before it E.N.Ds

I’m gonna start by saying that I’m on season four of How I Met Your Mother. Yeah.  4 years of tv in one week. sweet.

Anyway, onto a more serious note; the Claremont Independent released its February 2009 edition… this week?  I’m not sure of the issue’s exact release but this article was included in it attacking diversity groups and its apparent connection with failures in Academic Performance.  This is closely linked to this article published in 2007,

The Claremont Independent, for those who are reading this from outside of the 5c community, is a 5C monthly newspaper written by students who “are unabashedly conservative and libertarian, but are not beholden to any party in particular.”  For those who are Milton Academy students/Alumni, the editor is Charles Johnson ‘07.

I’m going to “preface” by saying that I have not yet read the studies cited within the article, I don’t actively study diversity and its psychological effects, or social identity.  It’s sort of sad; I don’t have classes on social justice or anything on that issue and my schedule is currently packed… with Ted Mosby and his stories of finding his wife and the AWESOME Barnabus Stinson.  Everything I write about is based upon personal experience or the few articles I chance upon.

I think the first thing that comes to mind is the link that Mr.  Ilan Wurman tries to draw.  The link is highly circumstansial and, quite frankly, ridiculous.  I accept the fact that people could potentially be ostracized by diversity groups because it could be the first time that they’re confronted with such issues.  You could also make the statement that joining a new community on a whole, like say… the 5C community, is a daunting experience and as time progresses the issue of race and social identity becomes a growing internal conflict and such diversity groups aren’t properly addressing such problems.  My point is, there is no link.  The article jumps from one observation and concludes something that seemingly jumps out of mid-air.

I’m going to link back to this, posting about the indifference of many students who join such diversity groups.  There are two ways you can link that post to the article by Mr. Wurman.  You can say that people like me, who are trying to actively discuss social and racial issues is the apparent “cause” of such academic problems. (It’s interesting. If I eat lunch with a couple of friends and talk about my race with another fellow member of said race, will my academic performance decrease as well?)  Or you can look at it as this: some people see APAM or other diversity groups simply as a social group, and not a group about diversity or race.  Which, if you ask most people, is what people see APAM as.  It is a support mentor group for Asian students, while orientated around race, is not specific to race.  We don’t actively meet with our mentor groups to talk about why race is effecting our lives.  Hardly.

I can’t see the alternative world that the Independent tries to create.  I struggle to imagine an instution with out diversity groups or even a venue to discuss social issues.  It’s sort of a backwards idea.  But as of right now, my goal for a 3.8 GPA is unattainable, because I’m attending Kollaboration in the 21st with a couple APAM members, and a diversity conference on the 28th.  Aww shucks.

To just watch more episodes of How I Met Your Mother.

Currently Listening to: The Weepies – Gotta Have You

So I just found out from Saeed that the K’naan album got leaked and so I got it.  I really should be listening to it… but I can’t because the following song is just forcing itself to repeat (I can’t stop playing it)

Guess where I got that song from? Yeah… from How I Met Your Mother, (Season 2, Episode 12, the episode where Robin tells Ted she loves him for the first time) which I started watching yesterday.  This is kind of blasphemous, but this show is the best show on television.  Why? 3 words. Neil. Patrick. Harris.  who is LEGEN…wait for it…  DARY.

I promise never to do that in person.

I mean I think it’s because deep down, I’m a romantic freak like Ted Mosby and I can relate with his character but it’s also the first show in a long time (if not ever) that actually made me laugh out loud over and over again.  Not even The Office or 30 Rock can make that claim.  I think the only show that compares is Entourage, but they’re different and you can’t compare the two.  Weird sentence.

Anyway, I have this big paper for Freshman Humanities Seminar about the political philosophies of Ancient China to write, and I’m also freaking out about transfer essays and how much work is cut out for me.  I should get back to it, but I can’t stop watching this show.  Luckily I only have up to the end of season 2; meaning I only have 6-7 left.. Yes. I watched 40 episodes in about 48-60 hours.  I have to get the 3rd season and catch up by the end of next week.

Oh well, time to suit up… I mean I mean get to work.  Legitimate musings soon.

By the way. I know that Ted and Robin will break up.  It legitimately makes me sad.  I am literally crying inside. I don’t know how that’s possible, but.

To just write because it’s fun.

Currently Listening to: Blu – Amnesia

Happy President’s Day.  I, at a private school, did not have a day off. But I hope you did.  My day kind of sucked cause I wasted about 4 hours looking for a store that, in the current economy, closed about 3 months ago…. the only thing that saved it was watching How I Met Your Mother.  Great show.

Also, I’m starting my new internship this coming Friday at CMG, the guys in charge of Jin and Far*East Movement… and I have essays to write so I will probably be very, very busy but I hope I can update.

Ok, onto the good stuff.  I was reading one of the greatest blogs in the world written by some of the sexiest, most wondrous women I know: Disgrasian, and I caught onto this by Ted Chung

That – coupled with my “love” life, my newly drawn connection/association with Ted Mosby (two Ted’s in one post, who knew.), and my being a hopeless romantic – made me smile.  Just go love someone people.

Next. I caught onto this on another great blog: angry asian man that the mixtape for this: A Song For Ourselves, just got released.  I am hoping to attend the premier, god permitting my schedule.  I mean Blue Scholars are performing. YEAH. I’M EXCITED.

To buy Killzone 2.

Currently Listening to: Asher Roth – Humansirkme

This is off topic, so to speak… It’s just something for me to write about because I don’t have the mental constitution to think much anymore.  To note; I own a PS3 which was, for the longest time, for the sole purpose of Metal Gear Solid 4 and Madden.  I mean, if you look at the numbers (and I’m too lazy to look for them) the sales of PS3 is ridiculously low.  You can make comparisons between the lackluster sales of PS3 and the Dreamcast. It’s that bad.  But I just looked at that, from Penny-Arcade and then this from 1up.com, and I have never been so excited in my life.  It makes me want to buy the original, and then this.  At the beginning of the year, I only had a couple games on my list, most notably White Knight Chronicles, Valkyria Chronicles, and God forbid it comes out in time, Final Fantasy XIII/All associated titles with it.   There was also NHL or FIFA, but I’m short on cash.  Anyway; I’m thoroughly excited and you should be too.  Yes.

To post some links.

Currently Listening to: Lil’ Wayne – Tie My Hands (ft. Robin Thicke)

I just have some stuff people might be interested in.. etc. etc.

First off, Kollaboration 9 is coming up in LA, its $21 dollars for a ticket to see people like Paul Dateh, David Choi, and Jane Lui..  Oh yeah. BoA’s coming as well.  If you’re in the area, make sure you check it out.  I’ll be there, so call me or get in touch so that we can hang out!

Also, the newest issue of The Atlantic came out with a cover article written by Vassar College professor of Literature Hua Hsu titled, The End of White America?.  It puts into perspective the issues of social and racist equality in an, I guess, “Obama Era”.  Anyway, I found it pretty interesting and you should check it out here.

Finally, some things for fun about Yellow Fever.. The old WongFu Productions video here… and a fun/kind of stupid little article here.  It’s really an opinion thing, but some really do see it as a social phenomenon, so.

I’m busier than usual these upcoming weeks, but for fun I’ll try to update a couple times.

About Ten Inch Hero.

Currently Listening to: Far*East Movement – Lowridin’  Knight Rider Mix (ft Wiz Khalifa and Bionik)

There are some movies that are taken up by the internet community before they are released for mainstream or commercial viewing purposes.  The perfect example is the thriller hit Taken starring Liam Neeson that hit the tubes  in 08 before it hit the big screen in the last couple of weeks.

This upcoming film has the same potential because it holds the same commercial value and you can expect (I’m pulling this out of thin air) to come out soon?  I hope it does because it tells a fantastic story.

Ten Inch Hero (I know.  It sounds like a porno.)  is written, directed, and starred by relative no names.  There are a handful of exceptions…  Danneel Harris starred as Kumar’s love interest Vanessa in Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanimo Bay and One Tree Hill. Sean Patrick Flanery, the blond twin Connor in Boondock Saints (and the upcoming Boondock Saints 2: All Saint’s Day… EXCITED AS HECK!).  The little girl, Adair Tishler,  is the girl in Heroes that is protected by Parkman.  Clea Duvall is in a bunch of films but forgettable in those roles…. BASICALLY… these actors are not in the mainstream and gruesome category of A-List Hollywood actors… which is what makes the characters, and I guess the casting, so brilliant.  What I was going to write, is already summarized in the wikipedia page by some clever contributor, so I’ll just post it here.

Ten Inch Hero explores the themes of honesty–both to others and to yourself–and the flaw of judging by appearances. Everyone in this movie is hiding something: from Jen hiding behind her computer, to Trucker covering up a painful past, and even Priestly, uncomfortable in his own skin. Ten Inch Hero takes the old childhood lesson of “Don’t judge a book by its cover” one step further to: “Don’t let others tell you what your book’s cover should look like.” Each of the friends learns that you can’t be happy until you’re willing to risk being yourself.

It truly is a wonderful story and a wonderful character analysis.  There are moments of disbelief in the plot that draw you back into reality, but on average the film does a great job of pulling you right into the sandwich shop or the lives of these characters to make you believe that they do actually exist.  The story of these individuals is really moving; sometimes shocking and jolting, but at other times warm and revealing.  It links back towards my last post, where you do truly have to confront yourself as an individual to remove this facade of comfort.

It’s a great lesson and everyone should learn from this film.

wiki-link : source imdb

Something about apathy.

Currently Listening to: Groove Armada – Hands of Time

I was re-reading Watchmen, the only Hugo Award winning graphic novel, written by Alan Moore (look out for the movie coming out in a couple months, it might not do the novel justice but is a good way to catch glimpses of the deep story and moral behind said story).  In Chapter 6, we learn of Roschach’s motivations of pursuing a career of crimefighting/vigilantism, based upon a dress Kitty Genovese ordered that had weird black marks all over that made it look like a picture from the Roschach Test.  The story of Kitty Genovese is generally used in media to portray the apathy and indifference of men towards what society and culture generally accepts as “evil” or “bad.”

The following is the first 10 or so minutes from the cult hit Boondock Saints, by Troy Duffy, which introduces the premise for the entire film, basing it on the murder of Kitty Genovese… Watch just the first 3 minutes or so.

To branch out a little.  I’ve had multiple discussions, and also wrote earlier, about the “apathy” of Asian Americans regarding social equality.  Keeping in mind that there have been Asian American leaders, who in many instances fought alongside many famous members of the social equality movement in the 60’s,  that have yet to get mainstream recognition is, at its most basic level, due to the lack of involvement from the Asian American community.   It really is a problem specific to the Asian American community.  We seemed to be pleased to ride the coattails of MLK or Cesar Chavez, never trying to confront issues like social inequality or racism within our own community.  The question then is simply: Why?  It’s not that the issues aren’t there,  they very much are and you don’t even have to look very far.  The fact remains that we wait for society to jolt us with something shocking and jolting (we could use Miley Cyrus as an example, or I’m sure you can faind some story about a racially motivated crime right in LA) before we even act.  Why not prepare ourselves instead?  Why not prevent such things from happening?  Worse off, why is it that when these things do happen, the community seems impartial and unwilling to confront such issues of hatred and anger?

At that level, the problem isn’t even apathy, it is a failure to recognize that what should be classified as “hatred, anger, evil, or bad.”  It isn’t turning a blind eye, it is never being able to see in the first place.  Look around you, and recognize things for what they truly are.  I believe the world is inherently a peaceful and loving place, but there are spots of darkness that need to be confronted in order to make it even better, and we can only do that by beginning to accept that such problems exist.

About Sessue Hayakaya.

Currently Listening to: Lupe Fiasco – The Instrumental

I dug deeper into the works of Asian Americans in the entertainment industry, just linking across the web when I came across the story of Sessue Hayakaya, a Japanese student in Chicago turned film star in the early 1900’s.  While he was heavily typecast/stereotyped, he was quite literally the forgotten pioneer in Asian American entertainment and media.  I mean, if he really was on par with Chaplain and others in terms of popularity at a time where Asians were still strongly considered launderers or foreigners who didn’t belong, then it is truly admirable.  It was a good couple of decades before Asian Americans could even vote.  Anyway, I wouldn’t do the story justice as I’ve only been reading about it for a couple hours, but here are some links.

Info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sessue_Hayakawa

http://www.goldsea.com/Personalities/Hayakawas/hayakawas.html