back from NYC! can’t wait to bore everyone to tears with photos and non sequitur text.
can someone tell me wtf is going on with this site? what happened?!!! argh.

our dear city is the only stop in north america for the olympic torch. this is a monumental, historical biggie…with some heavy baggage.

ever since the announcement of china hosting the olympic games, there has been mounting scrutiny of the country’s human rights policies. the recent insanity in tibet has only intensified the frenzy. last month, steven spielberg withdrew from the olympics as artistic adviser, remarking in reference to china’s complicity in sudan’s involvement in darfur: “I find that my conscience will not allow me to continue business as usual…At this point, my time and energy must be spent not on Olympic ceremonies but on doing all I can to help bring an end to the unspeakable crimes against humanity that continue to be committed in Darfur.” the CCP surely lost some face after this media chumming.

back to us: as we all know, SF activists love to rallie passionately for all sorts of things by throwing a hearty protest. with the impending visit of the torch on april 9, they have been clamoring for details about its eight-mile route through the city, and the ACLU has their back. how else can they stage demonstrations without time, coordinates, and other vitals? the mayor, of course, will not divulge for obvious reasons.

some tidbits: responding to china’s latest heavy handed handling of tibet, folks recently set fire to one of the gates at the chinese consulate. nobody was hurt. also, so far it’s been announced that the torch will not make its way through chinatown.

here is just one of many countless articles out there about it.

here, the comments section. below are interesting highlights:

The Chinese killed your dogs, sent lead laced toys to poison your children, stole your jobs, have a mortgage on your children’s future, aid and abet genocide in Darfur, kill, torture and imprison it’s citizens that try to implement democracy, and last but not least invaded the country of Tibet in a blatant colonial land grab, committing cultural genocide while killing thousands. If you don’t have something there to protest there, then you are probably already dead.

I won’t be watching the athletes of the world risk their health in the very polluted air of Beijing, so one might say I am personally boycotting the Beijing Games.

Since I work by Union Square and see the proliferation of Chinese Tourists invading and shopping like there is no tomorrow ,we have to acknowledge the damage that our Current Administration has done in creating the next Super Power

This will be an epic day, as thousands of people with consciences will arrive in SF to protest China, even as the Olympic torch moves on its secret eight mile path through the City. Wouldn’t it be inspiring if one of the people who carries the torch also makes a powerful statement by finding a way to shame China; to make its government lose face?

Every unemployed ,green haired punk, with a dripping nose ring, will be wearing sneakers and clothes made in china,and purchased by their mommy.

Wanna protest China? Then stop buying the cheap, toxic plastic crap they manufacture and that American executives happily put on our store shelves.

This year the torch symbolizes oppression and a lack of human rights.

Gavin better not get too close to the torch lest his hair catch fire.

there needs to be a major protest against the PRC (“mainland” China) on the day in questions. Supporters of Taiwan and Tibet independence need to get out in force and embarrass the hell out of the Chinese fascist government in Peking.

I have a deep respect for the Chinese people and feel bad for them in all this. But having had to watch colleagues face their friends and classmates being shot in Tienamen Square, and many of them then deal with become political exiles for daring to protest it; I can only wish the Chinese government public shame every step of the way through the end of the Olympics.

F the run and tell the Chinese govt they can’t control us like they do with their people.

It’s perfectly reasonable for freedom loving people to want to piss China off over Tibet and other human rights abuses.

I wonder how many protesters are going to be using materials from China to make their banners with.

If the route is publicized then it’s going to be one large protest free-for-all, there’s no question about it. This is not the Chinese New Year parade. It’s impossible for SFPD to cordon-off the entire route unless the torch bearer is surrounded by a police motorcade 100% of the time. This event is going to be such a farce.

Let’s see– Uh-merica: 300 million of the most privileged people in the world. The country that has bombed civilian populations in FORTY-ONE countries since the end of WW2. The country that has slaughtered nearly two million Iraqis since 1990 in an ongoing genocide. The country whose globalist drooling greed has created the evil trade machine that enables terror, slavery and repression all over the world. WAKE UP SWINE! YOU ARE THE MURDERERS, THE SLAVE-DRIVERS, THE DESPOILERS, THE POLLUTERS. Look in the mirror, American, and see the enemy of the world. Oh and your “rights,” your “liberties” your “free-dums?” Wake up! You’ve been giving them away for 25 years now and they’re gone! You wouldn’t know what to do with them anyway. Now shut up, fill your SUV’s tank with blood and head for Walmart. Swine.

I suggest you leave for China or Pakistan or Nigeria and see how you get on there you imbecile. America isn’t perfect but it’s imperfections are a lot smaller than the vast majority of the rest of the world, which is why a large proportion of the rest of the world would love to live here.

..we’ve brought untold misery to an entire region of the world and we are barking at the chinese?

China brutalizes not just Tibetans, but their own people. Yet we’re all happy to drive on down to the Wal Mart and buy lots of Chinese made garbage to fill our empty lives with. Not only should we be boycotting the Olympics, we should be boycotting anything coming from China until China begins to behave with ethics.

I’ll be there protesting tapioca pearls. Those things are a menace.

China doesn’t deserve these games.

CHINA: FREE TIBET – FREE FULAN GONG – STOP HARVESTING ORGANS FROM HEALTHY LIVE PRISONERS – STOP USING PRISONERS TO MAKE CHEAP LEAD TOYS – STOP TORTURING ANYONE WHO DISAGREES WITH YOU – STOP USING EXECUTED PRISONERS FOR ART SHOWS OF CORPSES – STOP PICKING YOUR NOSE – STOP SPITTING – STOP PUSHING AND CUTTING IN LINE – STOP EATING ANYTHING THAT’S ALIVE AND I MEAN ANYTHING—-JOIN THE REST OF HUMANITY

I wish the chinese well, and hope their officials enjoy their olympic event…alone…and that one day the corruption that is so rampant and which feeds on the people’s efforts, falls away like a fattened tick, as it seems to be, and that the feelings of outrage takes measure to see that it never fattens on the suffering of common folk and that it does so in a compassionate way that does not perpetuate the violent revolution we’ve come to both expect and dread.

we belatedly celebrated michelle’s birthday this past saturday. in the nascent stages of discussion before her actual anniversary of birth, she had mentioned that she wanted to do some wine tasting. a week later, a friend toured a few wineries in the region (cupertino, saratoga, etc) near our home town (san jose). i wasn’t even aware that they existed in such proximity to where we all grew up. inspired, and with some planning and help, we were able to explore what the “santa cruz mountains” could offer for budding oenophiles (and wannabes like me).

kicking off the day with brunch at bill’s cafe in willow glen, per mich’s suggestion. though i’ve driven by hundreds of times while living in SJ, i never had the chance to try it. i’m glad i finally did. it was awesome! here’s the birthday girl with her fiance mel and regina, giving me the stinkeye

our waiter, a feisty character by the name of arturo, insisted on spiking our coffees with tequila. he finally succeeded despite our resistance. he was quite hammy

upon finding out the reason of the special occasion, he immediately fetched a shot of tequila and placed it in front of mich. being a gracious woman, she had to accept

delicious bread pudding french toast, with some caramelized banana action. i won’t even think about indulging in french toast unless bananas are involved

arturo and the gang serenades the birthday girl

rowdy and festive, just the way a birthday brunch should be

first stop, the burrell school in los gatos, pretty far out there on the 17. beautiful expansive view. they really took the school punning, metaphors, and decor to the max

regina and sheeree are inquisitive. not sure how happy the tasting room employee was with us

mich is a pro with her wines. i noticed the interesting, sexy way she holds her wine glasses. i tried emulating, but couldn’t pull it off without her panache and grace

i think i could start a gallery of photos featuring regina making this very face

the burrell school winery

sheeree pauses for a moment of reflection. cue “man in the mirror”

next up, ridge winery in cupertino. i thought i knew cupertino pretty well, but what a serendipitous slap in the face to realize that such a special place was nestled high up in its hills. mich is a big fan of their zinfandel. i guess they’re known for their reds. each sample grew stronger in alcoholic content. just holding the glass near my face, it felt like the vapors were searing my sclera

lovely

a quaint pathway, cuddled up next to a pleasant picnic area. beware of rattlesnakes. ooh, i saw a colorful lizard when ascending the steps!

what a breathtaking view. i think you could see the entire bay

descending the path

goodbye, ridge. surely i’ll return. oh, btw, there were a lot of asians there

up to no good in the backseat. the plan was to drive so that mich wouldn’t have to, so she could savor a rapturous wine-induced buzzed state. but it didn’t turn out that way. she was a good sport. though 1/3 of my size, the girl can probably hold three times more wine than i can even sip. sheeree wants to title this photo “happiness” cuz she’s cheesy. and i am cross-eyed

our last destination: picchetti winery, a mountain lions hang out, i guess

this winery really milks the fact that they have peacocks on the premises. i’m sure it’s part of the lure, cuz the winery itself was almost tacky. the tasting room boasted random, bizarre schlock. almost the opposite of ridge — refined, handsome, simple

he was flaunting his outrageous plumage by turning slowly in circles, much like miss america during the swimsuit competition. it was cute. a total diva strategy. “look at me…LOOK AT ME!!!”

we bring things to a gradual close at la milpa in milpitas. this was a real high school haunt for us. so homey and reliable. it’s been at least a few years since i last gone. so many memories go along with this place

i usually get the enchilada and chile relleno plate. mmmmm

brigid and chris were able to join us; they were absent earlier in the day because they were training hard for the century ride in tahoe

in addition, eder was also able to break bread with us

the only thing missing was jenelle. sigh. what’s with ambitious law students living across the country and killing our joy with their absence?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICH!

at the sf international asian american film festival opening night gala a few weeks ago.

i know, i know, it’s old news, but it’s still thrilling!
he was in the VIP area chillin with dan the automator and i couldn’t help but (gently) intrude for a photo opp. he was nice about it. i even managed to squeeze three photos out of it (thanks jason!), my crone claws clutching his arm to make sure he couldn’t escape after the second photo. i am so classless.

when i stumbled upon his GR blog about a year ago, i was curious enough to google him. my “research” led me to conclude that he is utterly fascinating, not to mention…well, uniquely gorgeous. when was the last time you’ve seen a profile like that? when i was in china i kept seeing the same l’oreal commercials featuring this megastar, which must’ve imprinted my psyche or something, because i came back fired up with a healthy obsession.

what i know is that he’s a yay area native (went to head-royce high), went to college in oregon (architect major!), has studied wushu all his life, moved to HK after graduating college to pursue modeling, is supportive of the arts, and is a huge celebrity in HK. i could care less about the celebrity part, but it’s the duality of who he is that blows my mind. if you saw him on the street here (as many did during the run of the festival), you may not suspect he’s a bigtime actor in asia. i really recommend checking out his blog. he writes about his dogs, family, friends, wild turkeys in his parent’s backyard, seeing the cure in concert, unbelievable meals, shooting movies and commercials, incredible travels, and so forth, but in a down-to-earth language both literally and figuratively familiar to us. charming too.

i’m pretty sure i’m not making any sense. but let’s be clear that i’m not just going on a maniacal fan girl rant here. the reasons why i admire daniel wu stem from deeper “issues of identity” (grasping for words from my asian american studies 101 grab bag here) and all that baggage, and not just cuz he’s a pretty face (like chang chen).

at the sold out blood brothers san jose screening on sunday, they called him and put him on speaker phone (held up to the microphone) before the movie started. he spoke of how personally important this movie was because his father grew up in the same era (shanghai 1930s) and told him romanticized stories of the time and place, and how he couldn’t be at the screening because he was celebrating his father’s birthday. he also said that san jose has the best pho (it’s true!).

you gotta love that.

meet the giant chinese salamander. the largest living amphibian, it can get upwards of five, six feet. i love these lil’ guys, or i should say, big guys. i think i saw one in china at the creepy museum of natural history. can’t remember. something about this photo disturbs me, yet it’s a rather cute creature. look at those paws.

have a great weekend. eat lots of chocolate eggs!

salt house is one of my favorite restaurants. i fell in love with it the moment i stepped foot inside the former press warehouse. i marveled at the industrial beams, simple-but-stylish light bulbs, mustard leather chairs, and other smart decorative touches. i even fell in love with the melt-in-your-mouth poutine. it strikes a lovely balance between space, decor, ambiance, and food. so i was pretty stoked when i found out i’d be photographing it for eater sf’s gatekeepers.

this was one of my favorite assignments. beautiful hostess, beautiful restaurant. it was pretty much the perfect experience. great example of what can happen when you have a down-to-earth friendly subject, sumptuous lighting, and a wickedly powerful camera. all the elements were in place. i was quite pleased with the way the photos turned out that day. if you’re a friend on flickr and actually give a crap (i wouldn’t), you can see them here. here’s the actual post.

being a rabid SFIAAFF fan, i’ve been to a screening every day since the film festival opened last week. it’s exhilarating, but leaves little time for homemade eats. sometimes you have to grab a quick bite, or just settle for popcorn and overpriced hot dogs. other times you can indulge in a relaxing meal.

i’m considering doing a quickie roundup of all the movies i’ve seen, but that would be too daunting for a lazy bum like me, and too tedious and boring for you.

tangent: i’ve been corresponding via email with someone for an eater photo shoot. from the very get go she addressed me as jenny. irksome. ANYWAY…

1300 fillmore. these are orders off the bar/lounge menu. forgettable crabcakes, but addictive fattie fries. their perfect texture and taste must be attributed to double frying. homemade ketchup was sweet and spicy.

here i was decompressing in this handsome, luxe lounge, dressed like a ratty teenager. so i had to compensate by drinking champagne, to feel like an adult. came here after one depressing korean documentary, before heading to another one.

the heritage wall at 1300 fillmore

christina with a milkshake at park chow, before we went to see the anna may wong / long story short double feature.

christina with panchan, gamja tang, and kalbi at pyung chang on telegraph. this was after watching happiness at the PFA.

peg and i did manage to whip up a majestic brunch (“breakfast of champions”) for ourselves before going to see i’m a cyborg. i’m impressed that we did this under such a tight time constraint. she was clever enough to throw some red lobster biscuits into the mix. god bless her.

though i bought it six months ago, i just recently inaugurated the use of my BLACK JACK mug. FINALLY!

i’m not really one for buying mugs, so how could i justify shelling out a good $20 for this particular one? the most obvious reason: graphics. tezuka’s famous character is plastered all over it in bold, cinematic black and white. stylish, right? makes hot liquid consumption that much more enjoyable

two, it is a memento from the tezuka exhibition that the museum presented in june ’07. a fantastic groundbreaking show, it had significant meaning to me. i’m a lifelong comics nerd, and we all worked our a$$es off for it. those were some grueling, stressful times, but i learned A LOT and bonded with coworkers. i was lucky enough to flex some otherwise untapped skills and knowledge, make the acquaintance of VIZ (and visit their playful offices), and meet folks like fred schodt, one of the most wonderful, heart-melting, intelligent beings to walk the earth

three, the mug is from japan. there was some serious retail prepping for this exhibition. months before it opened, the store manager traveled to tezuka’s homeland to get the business ball rolling. the store ended up carrying all kinds of special goodies directly from japan, available nowhere else but at the museum.

four, it’s BLACK JACK!!! among its alluring facets: 1) the morbid, gruesome surgery sequences 2) the namesake anti-hero medical pirate with a heart of gold 3) justice is repeatedly served in perverse ways 4) it “reflects the glory and squalor of early adulthood.”

so why am i writing about a gosh darn mug?! because i like it, and maybe because it’s in giddy anticipation of vertical’s release of the first two volumes of black jack six months from now. go vertical!

coworker karen put my headphones on this fruit and called it “jennifer’s brain.” isn’t that cute?

this is a beautiful buddha’s hand citron, which comes from a small tree that we gave to my coworker ami a few years ago. when i bought the plant from sloat, i had no idea it was capable of birthing such magnificent gems. the citrus fruit is also known as “fingered citron” (heh)

ami brought in one for each of us in the department, a thoughtful gesture. though you can’t actually eat it, it’s supposed to be great for baking and confection making. its zest is as aromatic as its color is vibrant. in recent years it’s cropped up in trendy vodka infusions and candied concoctions

here’s karen being her darling self

playful

according to the ultimate coffeetable tome hidden meanings in chinese art written by the inimitable terese bartholomew (former curator here at the museum), buddha’s hand is an auspicious symbol, used as an altar offering during chinese new year. the empress dowager cixi used large containers of this fruit to perfume her palace in the forbidden city in beijing! the first character of its name (fo) is a play on the words for blessings and riches (fu). the second character (shou) is a pun for longevity (shou). pretty cool, huh?

once upon a time, i was riding the bus when this wispy, older homeless lady boarded. after taking a seat, she recounted to the bus driver an incident in which she was basically ganged up on by scumbags who beat her up and took her belongings. it was heartbreaking, yet she was telling it like it was no thang at all. she continued to talk about other things and i began to tune out, but later i heard her quietly say, “i wish i could get those days back.” it was a stirring “wow” moment. what was she referring to? appearing weathered and brittle, she had a lot of stuff in her lap; her voice sounded disarmingly plucky yet defeated.