angryasianman.com: This feed is not maintained by angryasianman. The official feed (summaries only) is at http://www.angryasianman.com/atom.xmlhttp://www.angryasianman.com/angry.htmltony@ponderer.org (Tony Chang)Sat, 13 Mar 2010 13:30:04 GMTPyRSS2Gen-1.0.0http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rsshttp://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/actually-records-presents-minotaur-mini.html<div class="blogPost"> <img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/angry/minotaur_minitour.jpg" width="450" height="685" border="0" vspace="6" /><br />California! Heads up...<a href="http://www.actuallyrecords.com/"><b>"Actually, Records"</b></a> has announced their first label showcase on the West Coast with 'A Minotaur Mini-Tour.' Featuring four critically acclaimed acts from the label roster -- Kite Operations, XYZR_KX, The Gold Medalists and Jack Tung, this mini-tour promises to present the best in left-field Asian American indie-rock, electro-pop and post-noise.<br /><br />The tour begins on Friday, March 26 in San Francisco with an in-store performance at Giant Robot and a show at Retox. The tour also stops in Los Angeles, with a show at Silver Factory Studios in March 27. And that's it. Hey, it's a mini-tour. <br /><br />"Actually, Records" is a Chicago-based independent record label specializing in releasing innovative and exceptional records regardless of commercial restraints; blurring the lines between the electronic/acoustic, linear/entropic and tonal/atonal. Their words, not mine.<br /><br />So if you're in SF or LA, make plans to rock out. For more information about A Minotaur Mini-Tour, including ticket sales and artist info, as well as some free music downloads, visit "Actually, Records" website <a href="http://www.actuallyrecords.com/"><b>here</b></a>.<br /> <div class="byline"><font size="1"><a href="http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/actually-records-presents-minotaur-mini.html" title="permanent link">angrylink</a> | <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()">share</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=angryasianman"></script><br /> <img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/dotline.gif" width="450" height="1" border="0" /> <script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/angryasianman/hMam?i=http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/actually-records-presents-minotaur-mini.html" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> </font></div> </div>http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/actually-records-presents-minotaur-mini.htmlFri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/law-firm-sued-for-defrauding-korean.html<div class="blogPost"> This week in La Crescenta, California, the Asian Pacific American Legal Center filed a lawsuit on behalf of 28 people who say they fell victim to a costly home loan scam targeting Korean immigrants: <a href="http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&amp;id=7326495"><b>Lawsuit alleges firm targeted Korean immigrants</b></a>.<br /><br />The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleges that lawyer Timothy D. Thurman and Trinity Law Associates falsely advertised that homeowners could prevent foreclosure and reduce mortgage debt by hiring Trinity for "loan litigation" services.<br /><br />Trinity apparently targeted Korean immigrant homeowners at risk of foreclosure and charged thousands of dollars for services and benefits that Trinity never provided. As a result of Defendants' fraud, the homeowners either lost their homes to foreclosure or faced increasing risk of losing their homes to foreclosure.<br /><br />Here an excerpt from APALC's press release:<blockquote><font size="1">The suit states that from February 2009 to October 2009, Trinity used a wide network of Korean-speaking agents and employees in order to advertise and market "loan litigation" services to the Korean immigrant community. Trinity and its agents made false representations to consumers, promising that homeowners who filed lawsuits against their lenders would obtain significant reductions in their mortgage debt and avoid foreclosure. Trinity and its agents advised clients to stop making mortgage payments and charged fees ranging from $4,000 to $16,500. However, Trinity failed to properly perform legal services or prevent foreclosures. In October 2009, after collecting over $240,000 from plaintiffs, Trinity abruptly closed its doors, leaving homeowners without any assistance. The complaint includes claims for fraud, statutory violations, and breach of contract.<br /><br />"Not only did Trinity fail to prevent foreclosures, but their conduct expedited the foreclosure process for many clients and caused families to lose their homes," said Yungsuhn Park, staff attorney at the Asian Pacific American Legal Center. "Trinity advised homeowners to stop making their mortgage loan payments and instead charged clients thousands of dollars in fees." <br /><br />Trinity's fraudulent scheme is a prime example of the flood of loan modification-related fraud that has followed the rise in foreclosures resulting from the economic recession. The rise in scams targeting distressed homeowners has garnered the attention of the State Bar of California, the California Office of the Attorney General, the Federal Trade Commission, and local law enforcement agencies. These agencies are all actively investigating and prosecuting attorneys and businesses that have engaged in real estate scams. Consumers who have complaints against attorneys due to loan modification or lender litigation fraud should contact the State Bar of California to file a complaint (www.calbar.ca.gov). <br /><br />"Trinity targeted its false advertising to the Korean immigrant community and used Korean-speaking agents to gain the trust of Korean American homeowners dealing with financial hardship. Trinity violated several laws that were intended to protect the rights of immigrant consumers. These attorneys must be held accountable for violating their professional duties as attorneys and ignoring the law," said Julie A. Su, Litigation Director at the Asian Pacific American Legal Center.<br /><br />There are some new and existing laws that protect immigrant homeowners from these types of schemes. Since October 2009, a new state law prohibits attorneys from collecting advance fees, including a fee retainer, for services in which the attorney attempts to negotiate with the mortgage lenders or offers to perform a mortgage loan modification for homeowners. Loan modification consultants must also provide a notice that explains that these services are available for free from non-profit organizations. Furthermore, if loan modification or other mortgage loan forbearance services are offered or negotiated in Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, or Korean, existing law requires that a translated copy of the required notice be provided to the borrower in that second language.<br /><br />"For many immigrants, owning a home is part of the American Dream. Trinity preyed on our community, and it's unfortunate that these homeowners never had a real chance to save their homes. Homeowners need to know that no one, including attorneys, can charge an upfront fee to help you negotiate with the bank to modify your mortgage loan and that various nonprofit organizations provide these services for free," said Esther Ro, Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Recovery Fellow at APALC.</font></blockquote>Some basic tips for homeowners in this situation: avoid any person who offers guarantees to stop a foreclosure; don't pay up-front fees -- they're illegal; and seek help from a non-profit first. You don't need an attorney for loan modifications. More on this case here: <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-korea-scam11-2010mar11,0,7451551.story"><b>Center accuses law firm of defrauding Korean immigrants</b></a>.<br /> <div class="byline"><font size="1"><a href="http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/law-firm-sued-for-defrauding-korean.html" title="permanent link">angrylink</a> | <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()">share</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=angryasianman"></script><br /> <img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/dotline.gif" width="450" height="1" border="0" /> <script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/angryasianman/hMam?i=http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/law-firm-sued-for-defrauding-korean.html" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> </font></div> </div>http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/law-firm-sued-for-defrauding-korean.htmlFri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/music-video-short-intermission-by-big.html<div class="blogPost"> <object width="450" height="277"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4DfdDDQcKyg&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4DfdDDQcKyg&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="450" height="277"></embed></object><br /><br />Check out the music video for <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DfdDDQcKyg"><b>"Short Intermission"</b></a> by Big Phony, from his album <i>Kicking Punching Bags</i>. Love this song. The video's narrative revolves around the progression of a relationship, with "glimpses of each pivotal moment between Chris and Ella, from the time they meet to the time they break." Another nice production from <a href="http://www.themightfifty.com/"><b>The Mighty Fifty</b></a>. For more from Big Phony, check out his website <a href="http://bigphonymusic.com/"><b>here</b></a>.<br /> <div class="byline"><font size="1"><a href="http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/music-video-short-intermission-by-big.html" title="permanent link">angrylink</a> | <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()">share</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=angryasianman"></script><br /> <img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/dotline.gif" width="450" height="1" border="0" /> <script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/angryasianman/hMam?i=http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/music-video-short-intermission-by-big.html" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> </font></div> </div>http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/music-video-short-intermission-by-big.htmlFri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/remembering-long-ding.html<div class="blogPost"> We recently received the <a href="http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/rest-in-peace-loni-ding.html"><b>sad passing</b></a> of pioneering filmmaker, teacher and media activist Loni Ding. Last night at the opening of SFIAAFF, CAAM director Stephen Gong dedicated the festival to her memory. Here's the recent obituary that ran in the <i>San Francisco Chronicle</i>: <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/03/12/BAST1CEF5P.DTL"><b>Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Loni Ding dies</b></a>.<br /><br />Here's some information about funeral services for Ms. Ding, happening this weekend in San Francisco:<blockquote><font size="1">Ms. Ding is survived by her husband; her children, May Ying Welsh of Doha, Qatar, and Elias Welsh of Oakland; and two sisters, Pearl Ding Dobson of San Francisco and Gracina Fong of Salinas.<br /><br />A visitation will take place at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Green Street Mortuary, 649 Green St., San Francisco. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, followed by a procession led by a brass marching band.<br /><br />In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Center for Educational Telecommunications, 1940 Hearst Ave., Berkeley, CA 94709. Donations can also be earmarked for the Loni Ding Award in Social Issue Documentary and sent to the Center for Asian American Media, 145 Ninth St., San Francisco, CA 94103.</font></blockquote>The <a href="http://asianamericanmedia.org/"><b>Center for Asian American Media</b></a> has just established the Loni Ding Award in Social Issue Documentary, to be awarded to films that bring new voices to audiences or that illuminate underrepresented communities. More here: <a href="http://asianamericanmedia.org/blog/uncategorized/events/2010/03/02/loni-ding-an-appreciation/"><b>Loni Ding: An Appreciation</b></a>.<br /> <div class="byline"><font size="1"><a href="http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/remembering-long-ding.html" title="permanent link">angrylink</a> | <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()">share</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=angryasianman"></script><br /> <img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/dotline.gif" width="450" height="1" border="0" /> <script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/angryasianman/hMam?i=http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/remembering-long-ding.html" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> </font></div> </div>http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/remembering-long-ding.htmlFri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/in-theaters-children-of-invention-white.html<div class="blogPost"> <img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/angry/childrenofinvention_whiteonrice.jpg" width="450" height="693" border="0" vspace="6" /><br /><a href="http://www.childrenofinvention.com/"><b><i>Children of Invention</i></b></a> opens today in New York and Los Angeles. You know I've been a cheerleader for this little indie film for over a year, so if you're in these cities, do me a favor and check it out. In New York, it's playing a weeklong run at the newly-renovated Big Cinemas Manhattan, and in Los Angeles, it's at the Downtown Independent. Here are the basics:<blockquote><font size="1"><b>CHILDREN OF INVENTION New York and LA theatrical run 3/12-3/18!</b><br /><br /><b>NEW YORK CITY</b><br />The newly-renovated Big Cinemas Manhattan <br />239 E 59th St (bt 2nd/3rd Aves)<br />Subway: 4, 5, 6, N, R, W to 59th St/Lexington Ave<br />Q&A; w/Tze & Mynette on Fri, 3/12, 8:15p screening + Mynette on Sat, 3/13 and Sun 3/14 8:15p screenings<br />Buy tix: http://bit.ly/boBMIU<br />One Week Engagement 3/12-3/18<br /><br />Our NY release is a DIWO effort with Dave Boyle's WHITE ON RICE. To get a double-feature discount go to: http://childrenofinvention.com/coi-wor.htm<br /><br /><b>LOS ANGELES</b><br />Downtown Independent - 251 S. Main St (bt E 2nd/E 3rd Sts), L.A.<br />Q&A; w/Tze, Trevor & Sheila at all Sat 3/13 screenings and Sun 4:30pm screening<br />http://www.downtownindependent.com/<br />Buy tix: http://bit.ly/b314K0<br />One Week Engagement 3/12-3/17</font></blockquote>And check out some of the great reviews <i>Children of Invention</i> has been getting:<blockquote><font size="1"><b>New York Times</b><br />"Restraint proves a virtue of - and a shrewd if necessary choice for - Children of Invention, a modestly scaled, quietly effective independent movie about a struggling single mother and her two children. Directed and written by Tze Chun, making a fine feature debut, the movie offers both a familiar tale of immigrant striving and a topical look at what it means to be working and poor in America while hanging onto a badly frayed thread. Yet while the politics are there, you might be too busy choking back tears to notice." - Manohla Dargis<br />Full review: <a href="http://movies.nytimes.com/2010/03/12/movies/12children.html">Full review</a><br /><br /><b>Village Voice/LA Weekly</b><br />"A rueful homage to American dreams both wonderful and warped." - Ella Taylor<br />Full review: <a href="http://www.villagevoice.com/2010-03-09/film/children-of-invention-offers-no-spurious-uplift/">Full review</a><br /><br /><b>Variety</b><br />"Urgent, Artful, and even austerely poetic..."<br /><a href="http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117942279.html">Full review</a><br /><br /><b>New York Post</b><br />"One way to judge a filmmaker is by the way he or she directs children. Take Tze Chun and his impressive first feature, "Children of Invention."<br />Full review: <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/movies/the_children_hour_hpuCfhWpNM4mvlM4Q7WuQI">Full review</a></font></blockquote>And of course, if you're in New York, you also have the chance to see Dave Boyle's quirky comedy <a href="http://whiteonricethemovie.com/main.html"><b><i>White on Rice</i></b></a>, which is doing a "DIWO" <a href="http://childrenofinvention.com/coi-wor.htm"><b>joint theatrical release</b></a> with <i>Children of Invention</i>. Hiroshi Watanabe stars as a weirdo middle-aged loser trying to get his life back together after a divorce. It's a funny movie with a great cast that also includes Lynn Chen, James Kyson Lee and Justin Kwong. For more information about the movie, as well as this weekend's screenings, go <a href="http://whiteonricethemovie.com/theaters.html"><b>here</b></a>.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/angry/mother03.jpg" width="450" height="300" border="0" vspace="6" /><br />Also in limited release today, Bong Joon-ho's thriller <a href="http://www.motherfilm.com/"><b><i>Mother</i></b></a> from Magnolia Pictures. This is an awesome, riveting film, with a brilliant lead performance by Kim Hye-Ja. Writer/director Bong shows why he's one of the most crafty, out-of-the-box filmmakers working in South Korea today. For more information about the film, including the theatrical schedule, visit the <i>Mother</i>website <a href="http://www.motherfilm.com/"><b>here</b></a>.<br /> <div class="byline"><font size="1"><a href="http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/in-theaters-children-of-invention-white.html" title="permanent link">angrylink</a> | <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()">share</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=angryasianman"></script><br /> <img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/dotline.gif" width="450" height="1" border="0" /> <script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/angryasianman/hMam?i=http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/in-theaters-children-of-invention-white.html" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> </font></div> </div>http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/in-theaters-children-of-invention-white.htmlFri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/asian-american-idol-3.html<div class="blogPost"> <img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/angry/asianamericanidol3.jpg" width="450" height="582" border="0" vspace="6" /><br />The Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF) invites you to take part in their biggest fundraiser of the year: <a href="http://www.cacf.org/supportus_actioncouncil.html#IDOL"><b>Asian American Idol 3</b></a>. Got some vocal skillz? It's time to take the stage, wow the crowd, and do it all for a great cause. Here are some details:<blockquote><font size="1">Can you smell the spring in the air? Mark your calendars for an incredibly fun & terrific fundraiser for CACF - Asian American Idol 3!!! As one of the biggest annual events that the Action Council hosts, this popular karaoke event is not to be missed! We have been working hard to make sure APRIL 1 will be exhilarating and entertaining, no (April fools) joke!<br /><br />For those of you who are blessed with vocal ability (and guts) and want to perform, you MUST REGISTER by THIS FRIDAY, March 12!! You'll have an opportunity to stun the crowd and win fabulous prizes!<br /><br />Pre-sale tickets are only $20!! Go to www.cacf.org to register and/or purchase tickets!<br /><br />Stay tuned for Celebrity Judges Update! </font></blockquote>Get your karaoke on for the cause. It's happening April 1 in New York. If you want to participate, you have to act fast -- contestant registration ends March 12! For more information about Asian American Idol 3, visit the CACF website <a href="http://www.cacf.org/supportus_actioncouncil.html#IDOL"><b>here</b></a>. Good luck.<br /> <div class="byline"><font size="1"><a href="http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/asian-american-idol-3.html" title="permanent link">angrylink</a> | <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()">share</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=angryasianman"></script><br /> <img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/dotline.gif" width="450" height="1" border="0" /> <script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/angryasianman/hMam?i=http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/asian-american-idol-3.html" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> </font></div> </div>http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/asian-american-idol-3.htmlThu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/largest-pot-growing-bust-in-new-jersey.html<div class="blogPost"> Asian behaving badly... marijuana bust edition! In New Jersey, six people have been charged in relation to a major marijuana bust -- apparently the biggest pot-growing operation in the state's history: <a href="http://www.northjersey.com/news/031010_Police_bust_of_10M_multi-home_pot-production_scheme_is_largest_in_NJ_history.html"><b>Police bust of $10M multihome pot-production scheme is largest in N.J. history</b></a>.<br /><br />Authorities arrested Ngoc Bui, Quyhn Bui, Tuan Dang, Minh Bui, Nhung Thack, and Thu Nguyen for their part in a high-tech, multimillion-dollar network of homes used to grow more than $10 million worth of cannabis under artificial lights.<br /><br />The investigation started accidentally last month when a Monroe Township Police Officer smelled marijuana coming from the chimney of one of the homes. When he knocked, Thu N. Nguyen opened the door, and the officer smelled unusable pot plants being burned in the fireplace.<br /><br />Not smart! Memo to dumbass pot growers: do not dispose of marijuana by burning it up... in your fireplace. Nguyen was arrested and police found 1,064 pot plants growing in the basement and master bedroom. <br /><br />The bust led to search warrants for five more rented houses in four other towns: Millstone, Old Bridge, Manalapan and Manahawkin. Five of the homes were being used to grow marijuana. One of the suspects lived in a sixth home where police seized $60,000 cash and vacuum bags used to package the pot.<br /><br />From the sound (and smell) of it, this was an extremely elaborate operation. Six people have been charged with running marijuana cultivation facilities. They were also charged with theft of services for bypassing utility meters. Three remain at large and are believed to have fled the country. More here: <a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20100310_Smell_of_pot_from_chimney_leads_to_record_bust.html"><b>Smell of pot from chimney leads to record bust</b></a>.<br /> <div class="byline"><font size="1"><a href="http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/largest-pot-growing-bust-in-new-jersey.html" title="permanent link">angrylink</a> | <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()">share</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=angryasianman"></script><br /> <img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/dotline.gif" width="450" height="1" border="0" /> <script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/angryasianman/hMam?i=http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/largest-pot-growing-bust-in-new-jersey.html" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> </font></div> </div>http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/largest-pot-growing-bust-in-new-jersey.htmlFri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/angry-reader-of-week-chi-hui-yang.html<div class="blogPost"> <img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/angry/angryreader_chihuiyang.jpg" width="450" height="300" border="0" vspace="6" /><br />Yes. It is time for another <b>Angry Reader of the Week</b>, 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. In honor of <a href="http://festival.asianamericanmedia.org/2010/"><b>SFIAAFF</b></a>, this week's Angry Reader is Festival Director Chi-hui Yang.<br /><br /><b>Who are you?</b><br />Chi-hui Yang. There have been many names over the years that I've tried on<br />for a little while just to see -- Jean-Baptiste, Reggie -- none of them got the ring of Chi-hui though.<br /><br /><b>What are you?</b><br />A film programmer, arts administrator. Chinese American, somewhere in<br />between Taiwan and China.<br /><br /><b>Where are you?</b><br />18th and Guerrero, Mission District, San Francisco. A good intersection, my<br />favorite restaurant (Delfina), market (Bi-rite) and knife sharpener<br />(Jivano's -- though he is sadly moving) all conveniently right here. One<br />could easily not leave, except now to sharpen up the knives from chopping<br />too many things very small, which is how I roll.<br /><br /><b>Where are you from?</b><br />Well, my parents ended up in the US via circuitous routes that went through<br />China, Taiwan, Panama and Japan. I was born in the great Pacific Northwest<br />and grew up in Bellingham, WA, a small college town between Seattle and<br />Vancouver. We used to be able to drive through the Canadian border without<br />stopping. Not anymore. The family restaurants we grew up in: first the Home<br />Plate Cafe (we had our own baseball team and did serious chop suey) and then the Cathay House.<br /><br /><b>What do you do?</b><br />I look for rhythms and patterns and then find ways to for others to see them too. I'm the director of the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival, which is the largest showcase for Asian and Asian American films in the US. It is presented by a great organization, CAAM, and starts this week! We got a whole lot of good films and parties going on throughout the Bay Area; I suggest the films from Thailand and Iran, perhaps the outdoor screening of <i>Enter the Dragon</i>, or maybe hanging out with Aasif Mandvi, Freida Lee Mock and KevJumba.<br /><br />Running a film festival involves a lot of watching and listening, and then<br />figuring out how to make things happen. I make lists and then improvise.<br />After twelve years though, I'm hanging up my hat after this round, and<br />venturing into more uncharted territory where I'll be working on some more<br />broadly based writing and curatorial projects.<br /><br /><b>What are you all about?</b><br />I am all about good things happening to people who deserve them, and how I<br />can help make this happen. There are a lot of amazing artists out there, and the question is how to support them and get them recognized.<br /><br />I think a lot about the sea, maps, shipping containers, networks and routes; all of the infrastructure which allows or compels people to move from one place to another. Migration and mobility - the forces which underlie so much of how the world operates and shapes how we understand race, culture, time.<br /><br />I am also all about my brother and sister; my sis is an English professor<br />and does all this amazing writing on race, imposters, porcelain dogs and<br />commodity fetish, and my brother is an experimental theatre director who<br />stages elaborate multimedia performances as part of the group Cloud Eye<br />Control (go see them!).<br /><br /><b>What makes you angry?</b><br />I am a pretty forgiving person. But if you gotta name them; when things are<br />assumed, when folks don't listen, and when reaction is used more than<br />proaction.<br /><br /><b>Bonus Chi-hui</b><br />Here's another interview Chi-hui recently did with New American Media, talking about the state of Asian American cinema: <a href="http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=0208a0a4b548812f3caa7e5e8b00d654"><b>What's Next for Asian Film?</b></a> Also, did you know that yesterday was officially declared Chi-hui Yang Day by the city of San Francisco? Thanks, Chi-hui, for everything.<br /> <div class="byline"><font size="1"><a href="http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/angry-reader-of-week-chi-hui-yang.html" title="permanent link">angrylink</a> | <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()">share</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=angryasianman"></script><br /> <img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/dotline.gif" width="450" height="1" border="0" /> <script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/angryasianman/hMam?i=http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/angry-reader-of-week-chi-hui-yang.html" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> </font></div> </div>http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/angry-reader-of-week-chi-hui-yang.htmlFri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/mentoring-workshop-at-sfiaff.html<div class="blogPost"> I had a really fun time at Opening Night of <a href="http://http://festival.asianamericanmedia.org/2010/"><b>SFIAAFF</b></a>. A little too much fun time, probably. So updates are going to be a little sluggish today. But if you're in the Bay Area, I do want to highlight this really awesome mentoring workshop for aspiring Asian American film professionals, happening tomorrow, March 13: <a href="http://filmguide.festival.asianamericanmedia.org/tixSYS/2010/xslguide/eventnote.php?EventNumber=1112"><b>Up Close And Personal with the Asian American Film Industry</b></a>.<blockquote><font size="1"><b>Up Close And Personal with the Asian American Film Industry</b><br /><br />Special Live Events<br />(90 mins)<br /><br />This workshop presents a rare opportunity to interface directly with leading Asian American filmmakers and industry professionals. Led by producer Karin Chien (THE MOTEL, UNDOING, ROBOT STORIES) and featuring acclaimed editor and documentary filmmaker Ruby Yang (BLOOD OF YINGZHOU DISTRICT), and celebrated actress Tamlyn Tomita (THE JOY LUCK CLUB) this intimate session will create an interactive mentoring environment where the focus will be on guiding participants through individual and project specific challenges. Mentors will reveal how they started out in the business and talk honestly about the daily realities of working in the industry. Participants will be encouraged to ask questions about their own projects, whether they are related to financing, distribution, production, or even problems in the edit. Both narrative and documentary projects will be discussed. Filmmakers, professionals of all levels and the general public are welcome to attend and participate in this insider’s view of how independent films are made. This workshop is part of a new mentoring initiative designed to grow the Asian American industry from within and is funded in part by the Academy Foundation. Filmmakers interested in having their projects workshopped and discussed at this session should send:<br /><br />1. One-sentence bi of themselves<br />2. One-paragraph description of their project<br />3. Up to three questions related to their project<br />4. Email and phone contact information<br />to: mentorworkshop@asianamericanmedia.org. </font></blockquote>With Karin Chien, Ruby Yang and Tamlyn Tomita, you'll be in the room three awesome industry veterans who know what the hell they're talking about. I'm told the goal is to make it fun and informal, and most of all, helpful. For more information about the workshop, go to the festival website <a href="http://filmguide.festival.asianamericanmedia.org/tixSYS/2010/xslguide/eventnote.php?EventNumber=1112"><b>here</b></a>.<br /> <div class="byline"><font size="1"><a href="http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/mentoring-workshop-at-sfiaff.html" title="permanent link">angrylink</a> | <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()">share</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=angryasianman"></script><br /> <img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/dotline.gif" width="450" height="1" border="0" /> <script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/angryasianman/hMam?i=http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/mentoring-workshop-at-sfiaff.html" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> </font></div> </div>http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/mentoring-workshop-at-sfiaff.htmlFri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/ktown-cowboys-trailer.html<div class="blogPost"> <object width="450" height="277"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TSHWGT7m7nY&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TSHWGT7m7nY&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="450" height="277"></embed></object><br /><br />Speaking of Koreatown nightlife... Check out the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSHWGT7m7nY"><b>trailer</b></a> for <i>Ktown Cowboys</i>, an upcoming webseries produced by a bunch of funny guys I know. Here's the fictionalized version of a typical evening out in K-Town.<br /><br />In this trailer "thingy" you might see glimpses of Danny Cho, Lanny Joon, Bobby "Big Phony" Choy, Bobby Lee, Justin Chon and more -- a bunch of dudes having a crazy night out partying, dancing, laughing, fighting and of course, drinking, in Los Angeles' Koreatown. Coming soon! For more information, go <a href="http://ktowncowboys.com/"><b>here</b></a>.<br /> <div class="byline"><font size="1"><a href="http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/ktown-cowboys-trailer.html" title="permanent link">angrylink</a> | <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()">share</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=angryasianman"></script><br /> <img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/dotline.gif" width="450" height="1" border="0" /> <script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/angryasianman/hMam?i=http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/ktown-cowboys-trailer.html" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> </font></div> </div>http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/ktown-cowboys-trailer.htmlThu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/now-casting-koreatown-reality-show.html<div class="blogPost"> Came across this <a href="http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/tfr/1636410429.html"><b>Craiglist posting</b></a>... it's a casting call for "interesting, attractive, colorful Asian-Americans," ages 18 to 30, to star in a reality show, apparently in vein of <i>Jersey Shore</i>, <i>The Hills</i>, <i>Real World</i>, etc., following people living and experiencing "the Koreatown life." Do you have telegenic train wreck potential? Apply now! You could be the Asian Snooki:<blockquote><font size="1"><b>Casting Asian Americans for reality show (Los Angeles/Hollywood)</b><br /><br />Date: 2010-03-09, 1:45PM PST<br />Reply to: asianrealityshow@yahoo.com<br /><br />Looking for interesting, attractive, colorful Asian-Americans to cast in a reality show similar to JERSEY SHORE, REAL WORLD, THE HILLS, etc.. We need attractive Asian-Americans with lively, strong, and unique personalities between the ages of 18 to 30 with equally interesting life stories and perspectives to share, especially individuals who know about and/or experienced the Koreatown life. If you are not Asian but are obsessed with Asian culture or people in some way, email us and please explain.<br /><br />Please email us headshots/photos and a cover letter briefly describing yourself and why you should be included in this show. Be sure to include basic contact info such as name, age, phone #, email, and any other bits of interesting information that will make you stand out. Please feel free to include information and pictures on any of your friends that you think will also be a good candidate for this reality show.<br /><br />We will begin casting and filming on-camera interviews in LOS ANGELES or HOLLYWOOD, CA next week so please send in your info ASAP!</font></blockquote>I'd be lying if I said I wasn't intrigued by the premise of this show. You know "the K-Town life" is totally ripe for the reality show treatment. Hell, I'm surprised this hasn't already been tried before. I'm already imagining the can't-stop-watching train wreck this show has the potential to be.<br /> <div class="byline"><font size="1"><a href="http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/now-casting-koreatown-reality-show.html" title="permanent link">angrylink</a> | <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()">share</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=angryasianman"></script><br /> <img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/dotline.gif" width="450" height="1" border="0" /> <script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/angryasianman/hMam?i=http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/now-casting-koreatown-reality-show.html" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> </font></div> </div>http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/now-casting-koreatown-reality-show.htmlThu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/28th-san-francisco-international-asian.html<div class="blogPost"> <img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/angry/aasifmandvi_todaysspecial01.jpg" width="450" height="300" border="0" vspace="6" /><br />All right, Bay Area... The <a href="http://festival.asianamericanmedia.org/2010/"><b> 28th San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival</b></a> is here! SFIAAFF is the nation's largest showcase for new Asian American and Asian films, annually presenting approximately 120 works in San Francisco, Berkeley and San Jose. I'll admit it -- I'm a film festival junkie, and SFIAFF is that gourmet smack. I look forward to it every year.<br /><br />Things kick off this evening with the Opening Night presentation of <a href="http://filmguide.festival.asianamericanmedia.org/tixSYS/2010/films/1100"><b><i>Today's Special</i></b></a>, written by and starring Aasif Mandvi, at the Castro Theatre. The screening is sold out, but if you get there early, you can probably find some decent luck in the <a href="http://festival.asianamericanmedia.org/2010/box-offices/how-to-buy-tickets/#rush"><b>rush line</b></a>. I'll be there tonight to help CAAM celebrate. Here are a few of the other programs I'm hoping to check out...<br /><br /><img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/angry/fog01.jpg" width="450" height="300" border="0" vspace="6" /><br /><a href="http://filmguide.festival.asianamericanmedia.org/tixSYS/2010/films/1036"><b><i>Fog</i></b></a>, is the feature debut of writer/director Kit Hui, whose award-winning 2007 short <i>Missing</i> really impressed me. Set in Hong Kong, <i>Fog</i> follows a young man attempting to move past his amnesia. Unfortunately, I didn't secure tickets for this weekend's screening, so you'll probably see me bumming in the rush line in front of the Kabuki. Anybody wanna hook me up?<br /><br /><img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/angry/hottub01.jpg" width="450" height="300" border="0" vspace="6" /><a href="http://filmguide.festival.asianamericanmedia.org/tixSYS/2010/films/1114"><b>Directions in Sound</b></a> is SFIAAFF's annual live music show -- "a genre-bending showcase featuring the best future-forward sounds that are blowing up around the globe." This year's lineup at Mighty includes DJ Shortkut, Hot Tub, Kero One, Nako, Navdeep and Green Tea. Should be another fun show.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/angry/clapclap01.jpg" width="450" height="300" border="0" vspace="6" /><a href="http://filmguide.festival.asianamericanmedia.org/tixSYS/2010/programs/THIRD"><b>3rd i South Asian International Shorts</b></a>, another annual favorite, is a program stacked with award-winning South Asian films from India and the United States. I'm looking forward to seeing our buddy Sung Kang in Tanuj Chopra's <i>Clap Clap</i>, as well as the Academy Award-nominated short <i>Kavi</i>.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/angry/avillagecalledversailles01.jpg" width="450" height="300" border="0" vspace="6" /><a href="http://filmguide.festival.asianamericanmedia.org/tixSYS/2010/films/1103"><b><i>A Village Called Versailles</i></b></a> is a documentary portrait of New Orleans' Vietnamese community, a marginalized group that found its voice in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. This is one of those films I keep missing at previous festivals, so I'm hoping to catch this weekend. (Or maybe just wait until it airs on <a href="http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/village-called-versailles/index.html"><b>PBS</b></a> this May.)<br /><br /><img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/angry/kevjumba01.jpg" width="450" height="300" border="0" vspace="6" /><a href="http://filmguide.festival.asianamericanmedia.org/tixSYS/2010/xslguide/eventnote.php?EventNumber=1113"><b>Changing Da Game: YouTube Legends and the Future of Online Media</b></a>, a gathering of some of YouTube's biggest names: Kevin Wu aka KevJumba, Ryan Higa aka Nigahiga, Timothy Chantarangsu aka Timothy DeLaGhetto and Wong Fu Productions. Moderated by Lisa Lee, publisher of <i>Hyphen</i>. You've seen them on the screen of your laptop, now seem them in person.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/angry/godisd_ad01.jpg" width="450" height="300" border="0" vspace="6" /><a href="http://filmguide.festival.asianamericanmedia.org/tixSYS/2010/films/1038"><b><i>God is D_ad</i></b></a> is the latest indie feature from Abraham Lincoln Lim. Set in 1987 -- long before "geek" was hip -- it's described as "a playful road trip caper that follows a group of awkward misfits as they try to navigate the road to adulthood." Expect a heavy dose of <i>Dungeons & Dragons</i> references.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/angry/themessage01.jpg" width="450" height="300" border="0" vspace="6" /><a href="http://filmguide.festival.asianamericanmedia.org/tixSYS/2010/films/1066"><b><i>The Message</i></b></a>, directed by Chen Kuo-fu and Gao Qunshu, is a historical drama set in 1942 Nanjing, and loosely based on a 2007 novel about WWII-era Chinese code-breakers. I don't know much about this film, but I'm in the mood for something fast-paced and thrilling, and this looks pretty fun.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/angry/thepeopleivesleptwith02.jpg" width="450" height="300" border="0" vspace="6" /><a href="http://filmguide.festival.asianamericanmedia.org/tixSYS/2010/films/1079"><b><i>The People I've Slept With</i></b></a>, the festival's Centerpiece Presentation. Directed by festival veteran Quentin Lee, and starring Karin Anna Cheung, this is "a game-changing new comedy about sex in the city, Asian American style." Smart, funny and sexy, this one's sure to get people talking.<br /><br />Okay, and that's just a sample of the stuff happening throughout the festival. Film lovers! If you're around, take advantage of all the great programming SFIAAFF has to offer. The festival runs March 11-21 in San Francisco, Berkeley and San Jose. For more information, including the full film schedule and ticketing details, visit the SFIAAFF website <a href="http://festival.asianamericanmedia.org/2010/"><b>here</b></a>. See you there!<br /> <div class="byline"><font size="1"><a href="http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/28th-san-francisco-international-asian.html" title="permanent link">angrylink</a> | <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()">share</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=angryasianman"></script><br /> <img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/dotline.gif" width="450" height="1" border="0" /> <script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/angryasianman/hMam?i=http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/28th-san-francisco-international-asian.html" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> </font></div> </div>http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/28th-san-francisco-international-asian.htmlThu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/newark-airport-security-breach-guy.html<div class="blogPost"> A follow-up on Haison Jiang, the Rutgers University graduate student who wreaked havoc on Newark Liberty International Airport in early January when he breached security to steal one last goodbye with his long-distance girlfriend, causing a massive shutdown: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/10/nyregion/10newark.html"><b>Consequences of an Airport Kiss</b></a>.<br /><br />Needless to say, Jiang made a lot of people angry that day, and he was eventually tracked down and arrested on January 8. This week, he pleaded guilty in Newark Municipal Court to the charge of defiant trespass. His punishment: 100 hours of community service, a $500 fine and $158 in costs and fees.<br /><br />In his first interview since causing the six-hour shutdown, Jiang said he was completely oblivious that he had done anything wrong: "At that moment, I'm very excited with my girlfriend, and I didn't think too much." I've said it before -- he's kind of an idiot. But he's a lovestruck idiot, and obviously didn't mean any harm.<br /><br />It was the kiss that shut down an airport. As for his girlfriend, Jiang says they are very much still together. They still talk about 2,000 minutes a month, and he plans on moving to California to be with her and work in a laboratory after completing his degree in May or June. I hope she realizes what he just went through for her...<br /> <div class="byline"><font size="1"><a href="http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/newark-airport-security-breach-guy.html" title="permanent link">angrylink</a> | <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()">share</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=angryasianman"></script><br /> <img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/dotline.gif" width="450" height="1" border="0" /> <script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/angryasianman/hMam?i=http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/newark-airport-security-breach-guy.html" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> </font></div> </div>http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/newark-airport-security-breach-guy.htmlThu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/this-is-how-ivy-league-presidents-do-it.html<div class="blogPost"> <object width="450" height="277"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oRxOOMbzYOE&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oRxOOMbzYOE&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="450" height="277"></embed></object><br /><br />Check out this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRxOOMbzYOE"><b>video</b></a> of Dartmouth President Jim Yong Kim... channeling Michael Jackson in a really weird way. Tell me, does <b>your</b> college's president get down like this?: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/10/dartmouth-president-does_n_493703.html"><b>Dartmouth President Does His Best Michael Jackson Impersonation (WATCH)</b></a><br /><br />Kim shocked the audience of a campus talent show ("Dartmouth Idol") last week when he showed in the middle of a spirited "Thriller" performance -- dressed complete with a fedora and a single white glove -- to deliver Vincent Price's famed spoken interlude. And then he got down. Watch the video <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRxOOMbzYOE"><b>here</b></a> (the Prez shows up at the 2:00 mark).<br /> <div class="byline"><font size="1"><a href="http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/this-is-how-ivy-league-presidents-do-it.html" title="permanent link">angrylink</a> | <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()">share</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=angryasianman"></script><br /> <img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/dotline.gif" width="450" height="1" border="0" /> <script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/angryasianman/hMam?i=http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/this-is-how-ivy-league-presidents-do-it.html" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> </font></div> </div>http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/this-is-how-ivy-league-presidents-do-it.htmlThu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/another-awesome-asian-american-mom.html<div class="blogPost"> <object width="450" height="277"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/naMULmVf71Y&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/naMULmVf71Y&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="450" height="277"></embed></object><br /><br />Perhaps aware of that everyone loved that commercial with the <a href="http://www.angryasianman.com/2009/09/freaking-love-this-target-commercial.html"><b>awesome Asian American mom</b></a>, Target has made another commercial featuring an awesome, all-up-in-your-business <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naMULmVf71Y"><b>Asian American mom</b></a>, with daughter and boyfriend. No tetherball or beatboxing in this one, but still pretty cute. (Thanks, Charmaine.)<br /> <div class="byline"><font size="1"><a href="http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/another-awesome-asian-american-mom.html" title="permanent link">angrylink</a> | <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()">share</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=angryasianman"></script><br /> <img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/dotline.gif" width="450" height="1" border="0" /> <script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/angryasianman/hMam?i=http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/another-awesome-asian-american-mom.html" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> </font></div> </div>http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/another-awesome-asian-american-mom.htmlThu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/minority-births-on-track-to-outnumber.html<div class="blogPost"> You all know that racial minorities are projected to <a href="http://www.angryasianman.com/2008/08/racial-minorities-will-be-majority-in.html"><b>become the U.S. majority</b></a> in 40-50 years. How will this happen? Minorities make up nearly half the children currently born in the United States. It's simple math: <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_white_minority"><b>Minority births on track to outnumber white births</b></a>.<br /><br />In fact, demographers say this year could be the "tipping point" when the number of babies born to minorities outnumbers that of babies born to whites. According to the latest census estmates available, minorities made up 48 percent of U.S. children born in 2008, compared to 37 percent in 1990.<br /><br />The numbers are growing because immigration to the U.S. has boosted the number of Hispanic women in their prime childbearing years. More white women are waiting until they are older to have children, but it's unknown whether that will have a noticeable effect on the current trend of increasing minority newborns.<br /><br />Broken down by race, about 52 percent of babies born in 2008 were white. That's compared to about 25 percent who were Hispanic, 15 percent black and 4 percent Asian. Another 4 percent were identified by their parents as multiracial.<br /><br />This has strong implications for the 2010 Census, which begins next week, when more than 120 million U.S. households receive their census forms in the mail. The population figures are used to distribute federal aid and redraw legislative boundaries with racial and ethnic balance, as required by federal law.<br /><br />Whites currently make up two-thirds of the total U.S. population, and recent census estimates suggest the number of minorities may not overtake the number of whites until 2050. Behold! The future! But when minorities are no longer the minority, will we still be called "minorities"? I guess we'll find out in 2050.<br /> <div class="byline"><font size="1"><a href="http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/minority-births-on-track-to-outnumber.html" title="permanent link">angrylink</a> | <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()">share</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=angryasianman"></script><br /> <img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/dotline.gif" width="450" height="1" border="0" /> <script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/angryasianman/hMam?i=http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/minority-births-on-track-to-outnumber.html" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> </font></div> </div>http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/minority-births-on-track-to-outnumber.htmlThu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/fighting-with-our-fists-in-air.html<div class="blogPost"> <img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/angry/fighting_withourfistsintheair.jpg" width="450" height="619" border="0" vspace="6" /><br />If you're in Berkeley this weekend, come out with your fists raised... Southeast Asian Mentorship and the Southeast Asian Student Coalition present <b>FIGHTING! With Our Fists in the Air!</b>, an annual benefit concert to raise awareness about the social, economic and cultural issues facing the Southeast Asian community. Featured artists include:<br /><br />DUB COLLECTIVE<br />PROTO-J<br />APRIL CHASE<br />PLUCKY<br />MINH DANG<br />MAURICE SEATY<br />SEAYL<br />PHIYER<br />BERZERKELEY <br /><br />All proceeds and donations will help fund our programs that cater to fostering leadership among youth, college students, and community members about youth violence. It's this Saturday, March 13 at MCC/MLK Student Union. For more information, see the flyer above, or go to the Facebook event page <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2200409605#!/event.php?eid=325331379741&amp;index=1"><b>here</b></a>.<br /> <div class="byline"><font size="1"><a href="http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/fighting-with-our-fists-in-air.html" title="permanent link">angrylink</a> | <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()">share</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=angryasianman"></script><br /> <img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/dotline.gif" width="450" height="1" border="0" /> <script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/angryasianman/hMam?i=http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/fighting-with-our-fists-in-air.html" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> </font></div> </div>http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/fighting-with-our-fists-in-air.htmlWed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/phone-bill-scammers-made-19-million-in.html<div class="blogPost"> Asians behaving badly... phone scam edition! The <i>Washington Post</i> recently ran a story on a resurgent wave of "crammers" -- scammers who sneak small, unauthorized fees onto your phone bill: <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/28/AR2010022803750.html"><b>Misdials help 'crammers' ring up millions in phone bill scam</b></a>. <br /><br />How much money can make from these annoying little fees? Two such crammers, Roy and John Lin, allegedly took in $19 million over five years from their operation:<blockquote><font size="1">The San Francisco brothers hired overseas telemarketers to offer directory assistance and other services to small businesses and ordinary Americans, according to a major case to be unveiled this week by the Federal Trade Commission. But their real goal was to sneak small, unauthorized fees onto thousands of monthly bills and hope the charges would go unnoticed, court documents state.<br /><br />The scheme, known as "cramming," proved to be a boon, the documents show. The Lins' alleged take: $19 million over five years.</font></blockquote>$19 million?! That's crafty. Here's how they did it:<blockquote><font size="1">Using a series of company names including Inc21, GlobalYP and Gofaxer.com, the Lins purported to sell Web site hosting, Internet yellow pages listings, search engine advertising and other services to small businesses and consumers. The telemarketers greeted potential customers by stating that they sought to "verify and update business information," without making it clear that they were seeking to add charges to their phone bills, the documents said. In many cases, Inc21 doctored tapes of the calls to make it seem like the customers had agreed to be billed.</font></blockquote>Fortunately, they didn't get away with it. The FTC persuaded a U.S. district judge in California to force the Lins as well as Pacific Bell, the telephone company that received proceeds from the scam, to return the money to nearly 11,000 customers. My friends, be careful where you dial, and be aware of who's charging what on your phone bill.<br /> <div class="byline"><font size="1"><a href="http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/phone-bill-scammers-made-19-million-in.html" title="permanent link">angrylink</a> | <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()">share</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=angryasianman"></script><br /> <img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/dotline.gif" width="450" height="1" border="0" /> <script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/angryasianman/hMam?i=http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/phone-bill-scammers-made-19-million-in.html" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> </font></div> </div>http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/phone-bill-scammers-made-19-million-in.htmlWed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/sfiaaff-oak-park-story.html<div class="blogPost"> <img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/angry/theoakparkstory01.jpg" width="450" height="300" border="0" vspace="6" /><br /><a href="http://theoakparkstory.wordpress.com/"><b><i>The Oak Park Story</i></b></a> is a new short documentary by Valerie Soe that recounts the struggles of a community of Cambodian and Latino immigrants who joined forces to sue their landlord when their Oakland apartment complex fell into disrepair. It tells the story of three very different families:<blockquote><font size="1">Khlot Ry arrived first from Cambodia, where she and her granddaughters had fled forced labor camps and invading Vietnamese soldiers. A few years later, Felix and Hortensia Jimenez brought their family across the Mexican-U.S. border without documents, where Felix struggled to earn a living as a day laborer. At the same time, Dan Schmitz left the comforts of his white, middle class upbringing in the suburbs and moved into the apartment directly across from the Jimenez family.<br /><br />Together, these three households encountered daily life in America's underclass. Parents raised their children amidst drug dealing, gang violence and prostitution right in their parking lot. Yet their worst problem was their Stanford-educated landlord, who raised rents even when El Nino rains flooded their units. Interviews, home video footage, and photographs from the tenants depict their daily lived experiences in the 1980s and 1990s.<br /><br />Facing unsanitary housing conditions that led to the hospitalization of several children, 44 households of Oak Park banded together to sue and eventually won a landmark settlement, against their landlord. Despite the victory, this too brought about some surprising, unintended consequences.<br /><br />The Oak Park Story concludes nearly ten years after winning the lawsuit. What have the children at Oak Park learned from their parents' organizing? How did the lawsuit impact the lives of the undocumented workers, the refugee families, and the other working poor living there? What ongoing social conditions do they continue to face? </font></blockquote>The film will make its world premiere this weekend at the <a href='http://filmguide.festival.asianamericanmedia.org/tixSYS/2010/xslguide/eventnote.php?EventNumber=1075"'><b>San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival</b></a>, screening alongside Curtis Choy's <a href="http://filmguide.festival.asianamericanmedia.org/tixSYS/2010/xslguide/eventnote.php?EventNumber=1063&amp;notepg="><b><i>Manliatown Is In The Heart</i></b></a> as part of the CAAM @ 30 Documentary Showcase. For screening details, go the festival website <a href="http://filmguide.festival.asianamericanmedia.org/tixSYS/2010/xslguide/eventnote.php?EventNumber=1075"><b>here</b></a>.<br /> <div class="byline"><font size="1"><a href="http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/sfiaaff-oak-park-story.html" title="permanent link">angrylink</a> | <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()">share</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=angryasianman"></script><br /> <img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/dotline.gif" width="450" height="1" border="0" /> <script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/angryasianman/hMam?i=http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/sfiaaff-oak-park-story.html" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> </font></div> </div>http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/sfiaaff-oak-park-story.htmlWed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/new-king-of-kong.html<div class="blogPost"> <img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/angry/donkeykong_hankchien.jpg" width="450" height="300" border="0" vspace="6" /><br />Dr. Hank Chien, a 35-year-old plastic surgeon from Queens, has been crowned the new king of Donkey Kong. Yes, the old arcade game. He racked up a score of 1,061,700, beating the old record by 10,000 points: <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/03/10/2010-03-10_qns_doctor_named_new_king_of_kong_smashes_video_games_top_score.html"><b>Queens doctor, Hank Chien, named new King of Kong, smashes video game's top score</b></a>.<br /><br />Big deal, right? It is a big deal. The Donkey Kong high score is actually one of the most coveted, revered records in the classic video game community. Chien's feat was confirmed by Twin Galaxies, the official score keeper of electronic games:<blockquote><font size="1">Chien set the world record during a 21/2-hour game he started late Feb. 26 and ended in the wee hours of Feb. 27 on his personal Donkey Kong machine at an East Side apartment he shares with his brother.<br /><br />"That was the day of a huge snowstorm in the city," Chien said. "I actually took the day off from work and slept most of the day; so I was completely caught up on sleep."<br /><br />In keeping with Twin Galaxies' stringent regulations, Chien videotaped the machine inside and out before and after the game, and completed a 39-point check list.<br /><br />Twin Galaxies' board of referees reviewed his entry and let him know Friday that he had officially topped Donkey Kong champion Billy Mitchell's world record.</font></blockquote>The crazy part is, Chien has apparently only been playing Donkey Kong since last September, when he was inspired by the documentary <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&amp;location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FKing-Kong-Fistful-Quarters%2Fdp%2FB000XQ4HR8%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Ddvd%26qid%3D1268256356%26sr%3D8-1&amp;tag=angryasianman-20&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325"><b><i>The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters</i></b></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=angryasianman-20&amp;l=ur2&amp;o=1" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />. If you've seen this film, which is awesome, then you understand Chien's quest. Take that, Billy Mitchell! Congratulations, Hank. You are the new king of Kong. That should definitely help you score with ladies.<br /> <div class="byline"><font size="1"><a href="http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/new-king-of-kong.html" title="permanent link">angrylink</a> | <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()">share</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=angryasianman"></script><br /> <img src="http://www.angryasianman.com/images/dotline.gif" width="450" height="1" border="0" /> <script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/angryasianman/hMam?i=http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/new-king-of-kong.html" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> </font></div> </div>http://www.angryasianman.com/2010/03/new-king-of-kong.htmlWed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT