Its midnight in LA, I am harassing my programmers and trying to figure out where everything is at. My NY programmer is still up and as we trade emails till the wee hours of the morning, it occurs to me to ask him why he is even awake. His reply was….”insomnia…and recording a song for Owen Wilson” Huh? Apparently Owen Wilson had tried to commit suicide yesterday.
Matt Fargo, one of the more colorful characters I have had the opportunity to work with, sent me this song. Its a little cheery and upbeat for a song about suicide but perhaps that is what is needed. (Click this strange play button below to hear the song)
At last the long awaited date of the final Harry Potter installment is here! How will it end? Will harry die? Is Snape a traitor? Did Dumbledore really die? WHO WILL DIE? (Someone always dies) What better way to celebrate the arrival of all the answers that have been tormenting us (ok…well me) than with a late night installment of the latest movie followed by a leisurely stroll to watch the midnight festivities at the latest Barnes and Nobles.
Tuesday was the release party of the book “Poop Culture: How America is Shaped By Its Grossest National Product” by Dave Praeger at the Galapagos Art Space in Williamsburg. The night was filled with all things poop including a poop inspired installation by Joe Fattorini who has always amazed me with the sheer amounts and wierdness of the ’stuff’ he collects(scavenges) in his various homes and work spaces. I am glad that his unbridled creativity finally found an appreciative outlet and audience that is a perfect match.
One thing I have to say about a night of poop stories. When the comedians are funny, you can’t stop laughing….and when they are not, you just keep wishing it would end and the night seems indeed extremely long (no matter the amount of beers you have in you)
The other day my friend and I went to see Mira Nair’s The Namesake. We both grew up in Thailand, made our way here and for better or worse are here to stay. She is however a double first generation immigrant. Her parents immigrated from Taiwan to Thailand where her family now lives. And so we find ourselves going to movies like “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” and “The Namesake” subconsciously trying to find our stories in others and perhaps on an even deeper level trying to find answers to the questions that plague us as first generation immigrants.
Things are not quite the same as the movie. I think that we probably have more in common with the sons and daughters of the first generation immigrants. I grew up in different countries…in fact I have spent the majority of my life outside of Thailand. I never thought of myself as being particularly Thai until I am far away from it and I grapple with my self identity here. I hold on to my ‘good’ name refusing to change my last name in marriage. I patiently spell out all 20 letters that make up my entire name to confused telephone operators. Changing my name would make things so much simpler…but I am afraid that people would think I am white. That in time I would lose all my connection with my roots. (more…)
Its midnight in LA, I am harassing my programmers and trying to figure out where everything is at. My NY programmer is still up and as we trade emails till the wee hours of the morning, it occurs to me to ask him why he is even awake. His reply was….”insomnia…and recording a song for Owen Wilson” Huh? Apparently Owen Wilson had tried to commit suicide yesterday.
At last the long awaited date of 
Tuesday was the release party of the book “
