You are currently browsing all entries tagged with 'asia'

Film Festival Dispatch: Sights, Sounds & Tastes of Hong Kong

  • April 2, 2012 8:52 am

Working for film festivals does take a toll sometimes, but then again, I get to travel to cool places. In March alone, I headed out to SXSW in Austin, SFIAAFF in the Bay Area, Saigon and Hong Kong for the annual Filmart and the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF). Run by friend and mentor, Roger Garcia, the HKIFF and Filmart (the film market arm of the organization) has been on a roll with strong film programming, celebrity-studded events, capped with the Asian Film Awards, honoring the best in Asian cinema.  Read more...

All Dogs Come From Asia

  • November 27, 2011 8:36 pm

Up until now, scientists had believed that the first domesticated dogs originated in the Middle East between 9,000-30,000 years ago. But in another instance of I-guess-scientists-really-don’t-know-anything-so-I’m-going-to-continue-believing-that-pizza-is-a-vegetable-and-the-pinnacle-of-healthy-nutritiousness, a Swedish scientist has found strong, if not conclusive, proof that the ancestors of all currently domesticated dogs actually came from a region of China just south of the Yangtze River.

How did these Swedish eggheads figure this out? I have no idea ‘cause the article explaining this is really boooooorrrring, but you can read for yourself here.

The more pertinent question is—why am I blogging about this? Is it to counter the stereotype that Asians eat dogs by showing that, no, we loved them enough to make them our best friend? No, frankly I don’t give a fuck about that. Is it to demonstrate that I love dogs and therefore all animals, which I know is a turn-on for some women? Not really, but if you’re a hot chick who gets turned on by a sensitive man who has a soft spot for our canine friends or someone who can fake that sensitivity really well if it means getting laid, please email me your phone number. But, nope, the real reason I’m blogging about this is so I can do one thing and one thing only…  Read more...

More Awesomely Funny Images From Asia

  • April 28, 2011 12:05 am

Back with more photos from Asia of signs, products, t-shirts and other items demonstrating that for some, English is a yet-to-be-acquired skill. Enjoy!

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BJ – Hong Kong

  • March 21, 2011 2:32 am

I’ve begun an adventurous trip into Asia and thought I’d try to blog about what I see when I get a chance. I’ve called these adventures my BACKPACKING JOURNEY or BJ for short. First stop is the hustlin and bustlin city of Hong Kong. I’ve been here before as its a great hub into Asia but every visit opens my eyes wider to the new Hong Kong.  Its the New York city of Asia where people walk fast, public transportation and taxis rule the roads, and every pocket of a nearby neighborhood brings a new flavor of life.

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What is it with Asians and Nazis?

  • March 3, 2011 12:01 am

Kishidan, a popular Japanese boy band, outraged civil rights organizations, including the Simon Wiesenthal Center, when the six male members of the band showed up for an interview with MTV last week wearing outfits that closely resembled Nazi uniforms complete with the red armbands.

Sony Music Artists, the label behind the band, issued an apology in the wake of the protests that read, in part: “Kishidan will never again use this costume and it will be disposed of immediately. We will not broadcast, transmit, or distribute the video recording of Kishidan’s performance with the said costume…The companies and artist Kishidan sincerely apologize for the insensitive action.”

Now, I know Japan isn’t the most forthright country when it comes to educating its people about the more troubling aspects of their history like the “cozy” relationship between Imperial Japan and the Nazis in WWII. I also know there’s cosplay elements to this sort of dress-up that’s allegedly ignorant of the original context of these outfits (which doesn’t make them any less disturbing). And the Japanese, or even Asians in general, aren’t the only ones who get into trouble when it comes to this issue as we’ve seen: 

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Why Valentine’s Day is More Awesome in Asia

  • February 14, 2011 12:01 am

Once again February 14 is upon us…another Valentine’s Day. Maybe the worst holiday ever invented with the possible exception of Adolf Hitler’s birthday. If you’re single, you feel like shit for not having anyone but if you’re in a relationship, there’s no way to live up to the hype so there’s bound to be stress and disappointment. Best to acknowledge what a fucked-up holiday this really is by just saying no and refusing to take part.

So ladies, when you receive no gift from me today, know that it’s not because I’m cheap or insensitive or only feigning interest in you so you’ll have sex with me. Nope, it’s because I’m taking a brave stand against this destructive holiday just like Gandhi took a brave stand against…well, whatever it was he was bravely standing against.

But despite all this, if you’re still going to insist on celebrating Valentine’s Day, I implore you to look to the traditions of our friends in the Far East because they know how to do this day up right.  Read more...

Fast Food is More Awesome in Asia

  • January 8, 2011 12:01 am

I’m always up for trying something new especially when it comes to food. So when I heard about Taco Bell’s latest creation–the Beefy Crunch Burrito, I knew it was destined to meet my lips (you can read Guest Offender Michelle’s take on the burrito here). Basically, it’s a beef burrito with Flaming Hot Fritos tucked inside (a.k.a. the “Crunch”). And it’s only 99 cents! There’s no way that can be anything but awesome.

Now, this is just the sort of “outside the bun” thinking that the American fast food industry needs. ‘Cause if you look at the fast food selections in other countries, you’ll find some creative menu items. And some of the most interesting creations are Asian. Check out some of them below and, if you’re like me, lament the fact that we can’t get any of this here in the U.S. Boo! Hiss!

CHEESE CATSU BURGER (McDonald’s, Japan)

Fried pork filled with cheese smothered in tonkatsu sauce.

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Do You Like Eating Pussy Cat?

  • June 7, 2010 2:56 am

About two months ago, I wrote about the first (and only) time I ate a dog.  Which got me thinking…why is eating cat, kitty, or pussy not a more regular or common staple of the Asian diet?  Seriously.  Yes, I’ve “heard” in legend that somewhere, deep within the moist folds of the Asian bush, some obscure tribe eats cat meat everyday.  But seriously, have you or someone you know ever eaten a cat before?  I think not.  I find this beyond confusing because Asians have eaten just about every other creature known to mankind.  They’re kind of like the yellow vultures of the human race.  So why not the cat?  One of the things I love doing every time I visit Asia is to make a bee line over to the local meat market to see all the raw and bloody disgust that the locals consider casual dining.  Sheep brains, monkey penis, snake hearts, pig labias, deer anus, falcon testies, and more can all be found at these Asian meat stalls across the Pacific Rim.  If it walks, swims, flies, or waddles, you can bet your bottom dollar that an Asian has eaten it many times over.  So why not the cat?  Why is there not a stereotype of asians loving to eat the pussy.  Why?  Why is it more plausible for an Asian to eat his/her own child before they indulge in the feline?  I am vexed…

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Funny Asian Products

  • April 14, 2010 12:33 am

Yeah, yeah, I know I just did a post a couple of days ago comprised entirely of funny photos from Japan. But this post is different. These are photos from all over Asia. And these are specifically images of funny products filled with all kinds of bad English and political incorrectness. So…see it’s different and this post has nothing to do with the fact that I don’t feel like writing tonight and I’d rather just slap a few photos up so I can go to bed and…fuck you, it took me minutes hours days to find these pictures! I’m outta here!

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Taipei Hodgepodge

  • December 14, 2009 3:03 am

First off, Taipei rocks! I love this city and like all major cities in Asia, it’s an ideal place for foodies and insomniacs. Where else can you have 24h bookstores, pubs, karaoke, and dim sum? And don’t get me started on the famous night markets! Here’s Shilin Night Market, circa 1:00am:shilin market

adidas girl

There’s just too much to eat at night markets, but I especially love the candied cherry tomatoes, strawberries and yams.  Read more...

White Actors+Films Set In Asia=New Paradigm?

  • December 10, 2009 2:56 am

katebosworthWith the announcement this week that the film version of Catherine Hanrahan’s 2006 novel Lost Girls And Love Hotels now has a director attached, it looks like Kate Bosworth’s dream project (she purchased the rights to the book and is set to produce and star) is one step closer to reality. The novel tells the story of Margaret, a 20-something Canadian, who moves to Tokyo to escape from her family troubles and ends up working as an English instructor for Japanese flight attendants by day while getting lost in a world of sex, drugs and booze by night–including regular trysts with a Japanese gangster in a love hotel. It’s ultimately a tale of redemption as Margaret’s obsession with a missing Western girl leads her to places she didn’t expect.  Read more...

Livin Asia pt2 – Poppin a Squat

  • December 8, 2009 12:13 am

squatterNext to having a chinese pony tail or wearing slippers all day, the art of the squatter is probably one of the most lost traditions of our time. I, for one am a true believer and lover of the squatter. Its obviously the same concept as doing it in the bushes while camping but in Asia, squatters have not evolved much throughout the years. Though honestly, something about squatting makes me feel like I truly got everything out of me. A pure cleansing if you will. Since most cities in Asia still have very old plumbing systems, you’d be lucky to find a Western toliet. So preparation is a must. Lets explain.  Read more...