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Kenneth Eng needs help.

By John | Saturday, June 16, 2007

It was reported earlier this week that Kenneth Eng, “Former AsianWeek columnist charged with attempted assault in NYC.“ Yes, the same Kenneth Eng who wrote the idiotic column in AsianWeek “Why I Hate Blacks.” I wrote about Kenneth this past February in “How Stupid Do You Have to Be to Write or Publish “Why I Hate Blacks”?”
Apparently Eng threatened to kill his Queens neighbors if he was bitten by their dog. Additionally, in a Village Voice interview, Eng took credit for inspiring Seung-Hui Cho’s Virginia Tech’s killing spree and aspired for his own killing spree at New York University, but didn’t because he didn’t have the money to buy a gun.

Prosecutors ordered a psychological report for Eng, but apparently that report “seems to pose more questions than it answers. Let’s hope Eng gets the help he needs, since it seems from at least from afar, Eng is definitely a troubled man.

| Posted in Current Events, Discrimination, Lifestyles | 4 Comments

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AsianWeek: Speed Dating for Asian Singles [in the Bay Area]

By John | Friday, June 15, 2007

My friend Linda just sent me this AsianWeek article on “Baring it All: Speed Dating for Asian Singles” (Note: Linda is profiled in the article as one of the co-founders of Bay Area Asian Rendezvous Events. The article goes on to discuss the busy nature and lives of dating05 AsianWeek: Speed Dating for Asian Singles [in the Bay Area] Asian-Americans and how speed dating is one additional venue for meeting that special someone. Speed dating, much like how online dating, is becoming somewhat mainstream.

“Speed dating, contrary to popular belief, is not for losers who can’t get a date,” the hostess of HurryDate explained. “Even Yul Kwon tried speed dating, and this was way before he got on Survivor. There used to be a stigma about it … it was embarrassing. But now, with the popularity of dating sites and online social networking, the tables have turned.”

I must admit that I’ve attended Linda’s speed dating events in the past (with not much luck – then again, my friends say I’m too picky… where can I find my Zhang Ziyi? ). There are also other speed dating organized events such as Click2Asia, and Asian-American social events organizers ELEMENT/2degrees’ “20firstdates” where you have to “apply” and submit a photo. I know someone who met their wife at a Hyphen Magazine-organized speed dating event.

| Posted in Current Events, Lifestyles | No Comments

Shopping With GASP!

“Sometimes I wish I wasn’t Asian…”

By jozjozjoz | Sunday, June 10, 2007

Before I say anything else, for the record, I am quoting someone else! I do not feel this way at all!

Ok, now that’s clear, I want to make some commentary on the statement above. I, for one, have always been proud of my Asian/Taiwanese heritage. Sure, when I was a kid on the playground and I went to a predominantly white elementary school, it was tough “not fitting in.” But I was raised by my parents to really understand our roots… that being Taiwanese was something special and that fitting in was less important than knowing who I was. I will admit there that I had passing thoughts of wanting to look like Barbie, but for the most part, I find it hard to recall a time that I wished to be anything other than Asian.

This morning, I was checking out the Yelp* threads and I saw this Yelp Talk topic started by a gal named “Anh T.”

Here’s what she said:

Sometimes I wish I wasn’t Asian…

My main reasons:

1) My English is probably better than yours so you don’t have to use one syllable words as often as possible.
2) I’m not interested in talking to you about martial arts or Chinese horoscopes.
3) I’m not that compliant; in fact, I bitch all the time.
4) I do not provide pre-coital massages or post-coital tea.

Since I don’t know her and I don’t know where she’s really coming from, I’m not trying to judge her or call her out by saying she’s some sort of self-hating racist or anything beyond thinking that this would be an interesting topic for 8Asians. (I actually think she’s kind of kidding; she explains later: “I was just venting about some recent experiences. I’m not rejecting my background, I just wish that I didn’t have to deal with these dumb stereotypes from dumb people.”)

Anyway, it’s an interesting thread and I’m wondering what you think about it all.

Have you ever felt this way?

*Yelp account may be required to view thread.

| Posted in Lifestyles | 30 Comments

Long live Takeru Kobayashi!

By John | Saturday, June 9, 2007

A week ago this past Saturday (June 2nd), San Jose native Joey Chestnut broke Takeru Kobayashi of Japan world’s re hot%20dog Long live Takeru Kobayashi! cord by eating 59 1/2 hot dogs and buns at the Southwest Regional Hot Dog Eating Championship in Arizona.

As you may or may not know, Kobayashi’s old record of 53 3/4 was set last year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, held at Coney Island in New York.

Kobayashi for the past several years has been the world record holder in competitive hot dog eating, and no doubt will try to regain his title this July 4th!

| Posted in Current Events, Entertainment, Food & Drink, Sports | 5 Comments

Ken Jeong: America’s Funniest Doctor

By Ernie | Friday, June 8, 2007

So I just got back from watching Knocked Up, which is one of those few movies out there that can combine scenes that are completely raunchy and totally heartwarming to make a thoroughly entertaining movie. And one of the stand-out performances: hilariously assholic (is that even a word?) OB/GYN doctor, Dr. Kuni, played by Ken Jeong. And one of the reasons why he got cast? BECAUSE HE’S A REAL LIFE DOCTOR.

Ken Jeong has been blending comedy & medicine all of his life. After graduating Duke University & attaining his MD at the University of North Carolina, Ken completed his Internal Medicine residency in New Orleans while developing a cult comedy following.

While in New Orleans, Ken won the Big Easy Laff-Off. Late NBC president Brandon Tartikoff and Improv founder Budd Friedman judged the competition and advised Ken to move to Los Angeles. Once residing in LA, Ken began performing regularly at the Improv & Laugh Factory. Soon after he appeared on ABC’s “The View” and was named “The Funniest Doctor in America.”

Ugh. This Asian-American underachiever is throughly jealous. As my former roommate says: “Easy enough to follow your dreams when you’re filthy stinking rich.” To watch his full potential for obscene craziness, check out this deleted clip from Knocked Up below: (NOTE: OBSCENE LANGUAGE)

| Posted in Entertainment | 3 Comments

Grow up, Michelle Wie!

By jozjozjoz | Thursday, June 7, 2007

Actually, I like Michelle Wie. I kind of feel sorry for her. She’s only 17 and the whole world watches her every move and criticizes everything she does now that she doesn’t look like a kid.

But then I realize, she’s really a very lucky girl. She’s got parents who support her, she’s got immense talent and potential, and she’s going to be a very, very rich girl regardless of how well her golf career goes. Is there anyone out there who doesn’t think she’s going to get a ton of money in endorsement deals? Have a side gig as an athlete model ala Gabrielle Reece or Lisa Leslie?

I hate to jump on the bandwagon with all the Michelle Wie haters (Tim McDonald as one example), but I’ve got to say I’m less than thrilled by her recent behavior.

Michelle, I don’t care if you’re 17 or not. You’ve been playing golf for a long time, please show some sportsmanship. If you say you are injured, ACT like you are injured. Don’t pull out of a tournament you are losing terribly in and then come back shortly to practice some more right in front of the people who you were previously losing to.

Some have said you’re the next Tiger Woods.

Tiger Woods has always been a class act.

Grow up and live up to that standard, please.

Otherwise I might have to join the haters permanently.

| Posted in Sports | 3 Comments

McPoopy

By jozjozjoz | Friday, June 1, 2007

Ok, so this doesn’t have anything to do with McDonald’s, I just felt like making another post with a “Mc” word in the title.

nopoop mrt McPoopy

I saw this image at weirdasianews.com and there was something funny about the juxtaposition of Mr. T on a flowery background on a sign in a Chinese coffeehouse saying “NO POOP!”

The text says:

No Poop!
This is an old building with old plumbing, poop and paper won’t go down! There is a public toilet across the street. If we have to clean up after you there is a 50 RMB charge!

First of all, I’m not a coffee drinker, but I do know that I wouldn’t want to be reminded of poop while standing in line for a latte. I guess Salvador’s Coffee in Kunming is so upset about people pooping and clogging up the plumbing that they had to put this sign up, plus threaten a fine for pooping. I wonder how effective the sign is? How do they know if you’ve pooped or not?

Do they have people standing by on poop patrol ~~doodie~~ duty?

I pity the fool who has that job.

| Posted in Entertainment, Lifestyles | 6 Comments

In the Name of the Father: The Search for Asian Male Role Models

By J. Peter | Friday, June 1, 2007

last night, after cursing myself for not having snatched up the domain name sitonfacebook.com during the nascent years of online social networking, i lay in bed mulling over ponderous existential questions about modernity, identity, and the dying light of french theory. as a half-assed, largely incompetent student of literature and philosophy in the continental tradition, i have always held myself in unhealthy relation to french theory — and to dead white men more generally. Gilles Deleuze, for example, is my patron saint. aside from being a creative wordy genius after my own heart, he committed suicide by hurling himself through a window. defenestration? score! +10 points for theatricality. Michel Foucault, hero of literate transgender hussies everywhere, is second on my list of greats. Method of suicide: death by HIV (many speculate this was intentional, as he frequented the SF bath houses during the early years of the AIDS epidemic. in which case +10 pts for irony and biopower!)

Anyhow, as I rifled through my rolodex of heroes, it occurred to me that i have no asian intellectual icons of any sort, no Eastern locus at which my mimetic tensions gather. =P indeed furthur reflection made me realize that i have never had a male asian role model to emulate in any capacity — intellectual, affective, representational. not a single one. and not for lack of wanting and needing one, frankly.
Continue Reading »

| Posted in Discrimination, LGBT, Lifestyles | 18 Comments