jessicalum.com/blog

I wanted to take a moment to shift some attention to three amazing publications that I’ve been helping out with, or have helped me out a great deal over the last year.

Many of the organizations that were started to reach out, broadcast, and appreciate the amazing work of Asians and Asian Americans (or Asian Canadians, Asian Brazilians, etc.) are struggling under the financial burdens of the economic environment, especially in the journalism and print media industry.

Organizations like Giant Robot, Nichi Bei Weekly, and Hyphen Magazine are some of the few unique publications that cover and serve Asian Americans, but they are constantly in need of support.

3 Ways to Save Our Magazines, Our News, Our Community:

1. Subscribe

By subscribing to these publications, you get access to exclusive, awesome news, features, interviews, photos, art, and a way cool publication to put on your coffee table! But if that’s not enough, you give back to publications, as they earn not just cash from your subscription, but they can get better numbers and revenue from advertisement. It’s really a win-win situation when you subscribe.

• Giant Robot – 1 year subscription starts at $24, or more for cool GR swag
• Hyphen – 4 issue subscription for $18
• Nichi Bei Weekly – 3 months for $12

2. Donate

Donating gives you good karma.

But what’s more (tangible), Giant Robot and Hyphen offer free gifts with certain donation amounts! Amazing! Our favorite word: FREE!

• Join the Giant Robot Army of Donors, get amazing gifts by GR artists like David Choe and Takashi Murakami
• Join Hyphen magazine’s Overachiever’s Club, get free gifts and make your parents proud
• Donate through Paypal to the Nichi Bei Foundation or give goods

You can also get tax deductions by donating to non-profit pubs like Hyphen and Nichi Bei, which is pretty sweet for us working folk

3. Spread the word.

Whether or not you’ve got extra lunch money towards subs or donations, you can always cash in on free speech!

Spread the word about the importance and amazingness of these publications with your friends, parents, brothers, sisters, and hundreds of cousins. Got a rich engineering uncle? Accountant mom?

Also, share the scoop on the publications on Twitter, Facebook, Digg, Tumblr, MySpace, your blog, wheatpaste, open mic nite.

More Info on the Publications:

Giant Robot:

Founded in Los Angeles in 1994 by Eric Nakamura and Martin Wong, Giant Robot started out as a hand-stapled photocopied zine. Within a few years, it became one of the strongest, most comprehensive sources for Asian and Asian American pop culture. It has since expanded into a Giant Robot empire, including four retails stores and one restaurant: 2 stores and GR/eats restaurant in Los Angeles, GRNY in Manhattan, and GRSF in San Francisco’s Haight neighborhood. Giant Robot just celebrated their 15th year Biennale show in Los Angeles’ Japanese American National Museum. Over the past 15 years, GR has showcased the work of hundreds of local and international Asian and Asian American artists to an audience of every color and shape. GR covers urban artists, amazing Asians doing crazy things worldwide, mainstream and underground cultural trends, cool toys, films, and as they say, “Asian Pop Culture and Beyond.”

Hyphen magazine:

Hyphen magazine was founded in 2002 when a larger Asian-focused publication, A. Magazine, ceased publishing. A group of recent college grads got together to dream up a way to fill the void left behind in Asian American news, community and culture coverage, while offering something fresh and new for readers.

Hyphen focuses on Asian American activism, issues, and everyday people doing amazing things. Check out the Hyphen site and blog for a sampling of subjects Hyphen covers.

Nichi Bei Weekly:

Formerly the Nichi Bei Times, the Nichi Bei Weekly is a part of the Nichi Bei Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to serving primarily the Northern California Japanese American community. Historically, the Nichi Bei Times was the leading Japanese American newspaper in the USA. Founded in 1946, the NBT’s goal was to connect the fractured postwar Japanese American community. Currently, the Nichi Bei Weekly strives to represent, cover, and address the concerns of the community.

Recently, the Nichi Bei Times had to close its doors and reevaluate its role in the community. As many subscribing readers are aging and younger readers are far and few, NBT was bleeding revenue. Determined to continue serving the community, Nichi Bei editor Kenji Taguma began the Nichi Bei Foundation, a non-profit organization designed to keep the paper alive in a weekly form.

I’m usually a pretty big fan of EA games. EA has some pretty bomb titles that span a vast array of genres, appeasing everyone from fratboys to regular folks who want to play house with excellent series like the EA sports titles, Rock Band, Need for Speed, James Bond, and the Sims.

EA’s generally got some pretty good games, great titles, and excellent franchises lined up — great business plan.

But then they have Dante’s Inferno.

Admittedly, part of this disappointment is because I am an English grad (boy that feels good to say, though it still won’t get me a job). The game is clearly a complete bastardization of Dante’s masterpiece. Though this happens all the time with movies, somehow, the video game just doesn’t do it much justice. Same old story.

It’s forced to fit into the conventions of what make a video game enjoyable: tons of enemies, boss battles, puzzling levels (haha! different circles of hell!), a noble mission to rescue the damsel in distress (poetically, she was simply the muse, but I suppose that motivation to save her is the video game parallel of inspiring the poet’s literary journey). It’s also forced to be an attractive, sell-able brand: Dante was a poet, sure, but to sell, he’s got to be really buff and manly, and wield a big sword. I suppose I have no problem with the former (unlike literary aficionados, I feel like video gamers might shy away from undernourished protagonists), and the latter makes sense because Dante of the video game is not on a mission to carry on singsong conversations with the dead and tormented Popes and lusty lovers in this action-packed adaptation. But I have to ask — why does Dante look like a crusading King Arthur Grim Reaper/Dementor/Saint?

What makes me even more disappointed is that it doesn’t even look that great. It’s not particularly original (excepting its far-flung interpretation of Dante’s work) as it is basically what God of War is to Greek mythology, the adapted plot sounds shallow and cliche (I think the Mario franchise already did the whole ’save the princess’ charade), and the graphics don’t look particularly groundbreaking. The gameplay might be slightly appealing, but I’d really rather be playing God of War III.

And what really doesn’t help the case of Dante’s Inferno, you have this:

This is a reprint edition book cover for the original body of Dante’s work. Branded by EA and Random House.

What is this? Some desperate stab from both industries trying to make a classic novel (that’s taught anyways in most American high school/college level literature classes) contemporary and relevant again? Or their sad, sad attempt to reach out to literature aficionados? A bizarre attempt to unite the fronts of lit geeks and gamer geeks together? Against them?

And who wrote that copy? “The literary classic game that inspired the video game from Electronic Arts” as if its greatest literary achievement was to inspire (what could well be) a horrible video game. Dante Alighieri is rolling in his grave right now. It’s worse than making a book based on the game, based on the book.

However, in EA’s defense, I suppose that this sort of swapping book covers happens all the time with movies that are based on books. Films often partner with books and replace original covers with art from the film, along with a tagline “Now a Major Motion Picture”, like most Nicholas Sparks books, or Cormac McCarthy’s No Country for Old Men:

But somehow, seeing as Dante’s Inferno, the game falls so far from Dante’s Divine Comedy, I find it very hard to justify using game art to market the book.

I might be old fashioned (for once), but I kind of like the original engravings and other such creepy classical artwork that adorn the original covers and pages:

But whatever EA’s up to with Dante’s Inferno, my innate angry video game nerd and irate English major are joining together, screaming (with puns intended): WHAT THE HELL?

Friends, family, extended friends and family,

Most of us have a bit of your own renewable resource to give this holiday season — blood. A little prick and a few minutes of your time may save a life, or help lives like mine.

Several news sources have highlighted the depleted blood supply (especially rare blood types) from November through January, since there are fewer or no blood drives going on. [Source: Chicago Tribune and the Sacramento Bee]

So if you’ve got the time or inclination, your blood donations could save lives!

Also, if you’re interested, you can donate to BloodSource under my name, which is where I get blood units from if/when I need transfusions. It’d be a nice gesture for BloodSource to know people support them in appreciation for them supporting me. And it doesn’t matter what kind of blood type you’ve got! Anything is appreciated.

Though I fortunately haven’t needed any transfusions since April (my vampire days are over, for now), but I may need them soon in the coming months to combat the side effects of radiation–my red blood cells and platelets might drop below what’s normal and safe.

Also, registering for the National Marrow Donor Program can dramatically change and tangibly save someone’s life. Leukemia, more so than even my own condition, has a good chance of going into remission from a bone marrow transplant.

Right before my last treatment, I had the awesome opportunity to meet Janet Liang, a fellow Bruin in a similar predicament as myself — at 22 she was diagnosed with leukemia, just this past August.  Here’s her site: HelpingJanet.com

People of Asian and mixed descent have an especially difficult time finding people who are a bone marrow match. From what I understand, this statistic is largely due to the fact that marrow matches tend to be in the same ethnicity, and there just aren’t that many Asian or Asian American donors. Here’s the Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches site.

Finding a match for Janet, or any patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and marrow-related diseases, will give them an even greater fighting chance — and a hero to thank!

So please, PLEASE, consider helping out! You could be helping us all kick cancer in the butt.

Sincerely, and with tons of love,

Jessica

According to reports via the UCLA Daily Bruin’s twitter, the UC Regents have approved a 32% student fee hike. Protesters are lining the hill around Covel Commons at UCLA, where the Regents are convening.

To see the video live, check out the Daily Bruin’s nifty live camera feed:

Aaaaand welcome to Journalism 2.0.

I just started on as a blogger for Hyphen Magazine. Check out some reviews I posted on the 3rd I South Asian Film Festival in San Francisco. If you’re in the area, it starts today at the Roxie Theater with Supermen of Malegaon, which is definitely worth checking out.

http://www.hyphenmagazine.com/blog/2009/11/3rd-i-film-festival-supermen-o.html

http://www.hyphenmagazine.com/blog/2009/11/ironeaters-eisenfresser-review.html

Up one week late…my photos from UCLA football at Stanford, last Saturday. UCLA lost to Stanford, 24-16, the Bruins’ first loss of the season. UCLA defense crumbled under Toby Gerhart as he plowed his way to a net gain of 134 rushing yards. Though the final statistics of UCLA and Stanford are relatively evenly matched, those yards made the difference as Stanford remains thus far undefeated in the Pac-10.

The Bruins have a different trend going for themselves; UCLA lost at home to their second Pac-10 team today against Oregon, 24-10. Though the Bruins shut out the Ducks in the first half, the Ducks rebounded and made three touchdowns in the first few minutes of the third quarter. Though the Bruins squeezed a defensive touchdown after an interception by Akeem Ayres, they were unable to recover as UCLA offense was overrun by Oregon defense.

Today, a nurse administering flu shots thought I was 16, and directed me towards the pediatrics station. MLIA: My Life is Asian.

So I decided to start a website, in the spirit of My Life is Average and FML.

http://mylifeisasian.net

Check it out.

Also, please send stories and submissions to share@mylifeisasian.net.

Stanford’s not down on their Luck, at least not today.

Photo by Jessica Lum

UCLA, another story. A sad one, but keep in mind…last year UCLA only racked up 4 wins for the season. I wouldn’t give up on Neuheisel just yet…

And Cal…they’ve got the Best, but Berkeley was easily stomped by Barkley and McKnight.

Ah, college football, how I love you.

Photos from the Saturday Stanford vs. UCLA to come soon.

I’ve got another film concept to throw out there, mostly a product of boredom, free stock photos, and Photoshop.

Presenting: Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthin Ta Flex Wit

Following the spirit of hip-hop for health, as in Kanye West’s “The New Workout Plan,” RZA presents the newest Wu-Tang Clan fitness plan: Ain’t Nothin Ta Flex Wit. Ancient shaolin monks fine-tuned their bodies with such focus and discipline that they could withstand anything from the harshest winters to a swift kick in the balls.  Now you, too, can learn the art of Shaolin, coming to you straight from Shaolin Land to a video store near you! Shaolin workout master RZA (noteworthy for his performances in American Gangster and Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai) leads 5 intense workout sessions in which you can master both physical moves such as “Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off),” a self-defense technique, and spiritual mantras such as “C.R.E.A.M., Cash Rules Everything Around Me, dolla dolla bill, yall,” a formula guaranteed to gain respect and success in the workplace.  Featuring the realest beats in the world, you’ll find it hard to not to burn calories as you step to the bass of the new titular remix, “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthin Ta Flex Wit” or relaxing your mind in Child’s Pose to RZA’s latest “Chamber Music.”  Bonus features include nutritious and low-calorie recipes from Raekwon the Chef himself, guaranteed to make you shed those excess pounds. [Disclamer: some recipes may result in dilated pupils, increased talkativeness, sniffling or signs of having a cold, and anxiety or paranoia.]

“Doc…tell me…what’s the worst-case scenario…?”

Sandra Oh’s character pauses, feigning feigned concern (that takes some real acting skills; she must draw upon Hugh Laurie for inspiration). She glances at the other doctor (or maybe nurse), and then back to the actress-patient with a cute British or maybe Australian accent and curly pile of fiery red hair.

“Well, you may need to get a (some sort of technical medical term that essentially means–)–”

“A poo bag? A poo bag! My father had one of these…etc…etc…I will not live like that!” She says in her charming, infuriated accent. Maybe it’s a New Zealand accent. Probably not British, after all.

Sandra Oh’s character steps back, feigning shock by widening her lightly shaded eyelids. “But this could save your life!”

“NO! No more surgeries!” Yada yada yada.

Sandra Oh’s character gets chewed out a few scenes later for her lack of bedside manner.

Another scene. Katherine Heigl’s character sits in a chemo infusion chair, still looking glowingly healthy.  A few blotches of makeup to mimic chemo-induced rosacea spot her face, framed by a scarf that conceals her full head of hair concealed in turn by a bald wig. Sandra Oh’s character exhibits more of her sarcastic brashness. Yada yada. Clever dialogue, yada yada. Someone’s witholding sex, she says. Sandra Oh makes a lesbian joke. Yada yada.

–

Local news featurettes light up the screen with plenty of smiles and a voice over full of oddly enthusiastic inflections.

Something about the Annie Le homicide case. Notorious grainy stock footage of Clark in court. Voice over says that there will be a memorial in El Dorado.

Next story.

Some guy in a suburban area near my area pilfered a Walgreen’s pharmacy by posing as a doctor, self-prescribing painkillers. (Didn’t I also see this in an episode of House?) The guy wanted to defend himself and the allegations made on the news the day before by police.

Shots of him talking to a reporter, poised with a notepad and a pen, taking copious notes. The camera pans the man’s house, zooms in on scars, and his bare feet, as the man describes his chronic back pains, pointing to an unseen location under his thin gray wifebeater undershirt.

“I take pain pills,” he says, “but it’s not anything I can’t control.” The voice over cuts in again, low and inexplicably cheery.

Next shot: the police officer says, “Well, he didn’t seem to be in any pain as he fled from us.”

Voice-over: “He hid in this garbage can.”

Another reporter in previously filmed footage pops out from a garbage bin, a la Oscar the Grouch or perhaps a Whack-a-Mole, only smiling.

Next shot: the same garbage can, sans Oscar the Reporter. Enthusiastic voice over.

The whole time, me: What the —-

—

Changed channel. KCRA news. I think I prefer their meteorologist anyways.

An elephant flips a white sedan, and tramples on along a dirt road, ramming a tree, and then is chased by several dozen men.

What does this rampaging Indian elephant have to do with local news? How is this relevant to me?

I have no idea, but this is good stuff. HO! Look at that elephant go…