Macy's APA Heritage Month Fashion Event

Come join Vivian Lee of NY1 and ME, the Macy's NY APA Heritage Month fashion expert for a little fashion show and discussion about how Asian Americans influence fashion today.

Let the Feathers Fly!

Hundreds of people armed with pillows of all types descended upon Union Square on Saturday April 3rd for International Pillow Fight Day.

If you need a fun, free way to get out some aggression, keep your eyes peeled, this is a yearly event. There were a few simple rules, like your pillow must be soft and no feather pillows (it looks like people failed to abide by that one), but otherwise it was pretty much anything goes.

I'm going to be coughing up feathers for a week.

*P.S. Leftover Pillows (Abandoned) are collected to be used as bedding at local animal shelters. (source: Village Voice)

The Story of Stuff

After September 11, 2001, President Bush encouraged Americans to do what they could to contribute not by volunteering, not by praying, but by opening their wallets to stop the economy from crashing.

Yes.

The primary American value that the leader of our country upheld as a core means of rebuilding this country was consumerism-- that should tell us a little something about ourselves as Americans. After thousands of people died at the hands of extremists who went after us in part for those very reasons, President Bush's answer was to go out and spend money. It's no wonder that other societies see America as a fat, spoiled place whose MO is to take from the rest of the world.

Most people don't realize the true impact of this American value upon the rest of the world and the planet. Do you know where your stuff comes from? Why do you need more?

The only way to change it is to get educated. Watch: The Story of Stuff.

E-Recycling: A Public Service Announcement

For years I've had a number of dead or dying electronic devices sitting in my apartment that I couldn't bring myself to add to the city dump. Most electronic devices have components that are toxic if disposed of improperly, things that can poison the soil and leak into our water supply.

I thought abut donating them to a charity organization that might refurbish and sell them in their thrift stores, but after reading about the amount of donated items that actually do end up in a dump I knew I had to find a better alternative.

I first heard about the Lower East Side Ecology Center's e-recycling program while checking out external hard drives at Tekserve on 23rd street. A few times a year, the LES Ecology Center holds e-recycling weekends where they have volunteers collect e-waste from anyone who wants to come by their designated drop off points on certain days.


After collection the LES Ecology Center breaks down the electronics and recycles or disposes of the parts properly.

Check their website: http://www.lesecologycenter.org/ for more information, dates and locations.

Letter From Justin Lin

Dear Friends, Colleagues and Supporters:

FINISHING THE GAME, our new independent film, has been an opportunity to revisit our indie roots and reunite with many in the BETTER LUCK TOMMOROW family. The challenges of making a no-budget film are harsh and demanding, but at the same time, it is filmmaking in its purest form. Clearly, passion on the part of the cast and crew made this film possible. Now we are hoping to share FINISHING THE GAME with you as it comes out in theaters and into your homes.

When BETTER LUCK TOMORROW was released, we showed Hollywood that we are a viable audience. In an industry governed by box office receipts, there is strength in numbers. The turnout for the film sent a clear message that we demand to see ourselves on screen as multi-dimensional characters. Five years later, we are asking for your support again. At this point, we need to demonstrate that BETTER LUCK TOMORROW was not a fluke; we are a vital consumer community that will no longer be ignored. However, out of respect for your time, energy and taste, we don't want you to come see the film simply because it¹s an "Asian American" project. Rather, we want you to connect to the work itself and let the film stand on its own. We welcome you to take a look at the FINISHING THE GAME trailer on our website:

http://www.youoffendmeyouoffendmyfamily.com

Among other things, it features a behind-the-scenes look at our journey from BLT to FTG that was made by film student Anson Ho.

We are happy to announce that IFC Films, our supportive partner, will be distributing FINISHING THE GAME. However, this "platform release" is merely an opportunity and, in certain ways, an uphill battle. The lifespan of a truly independent film is determined on a week-by-week basis. Every weekend could be its last.

Through making studio films, I have learned that "word of mouth" is the most important aspect of any film's release. A big budget movie could buy up every billboard and flood TV with commercials in order to generate audiences. An indie film does not have the budget or the platform to do that. But, the great equalizer is the viewer. Good or bad, every film is ultimately subject to "word of mouth." It's simple: if you like the film, tell your friends. And if they like it, they should do the same. FINISHING THE GAME will open in New York on October 5th at the IFC Center; October 19th in San Francisco and Berkeley; and October 26th in Los Angeles, San Diego, Costa Mesa and Minneapolis.

We are also excited to announce that on October 5th, aside from its traditional theatrical release, the film will simultaneously be available ON DEMAND in 42 million homes in the United States through every cable and satellite TV distributor. This is something we are extremely excited about because it could potentially bring more of us together and build a distribution model for future Asian American films.

By supporting projects with representation and elements that you want to see, you are sending a clear message to the decision makers in Hollywood. If we can get enough people to do the same, then we will truly have a voice. So please share this with your friends and family. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Justin Lin

Please check one of the following...

FRIEND: Everyone wants to call themselves white.

ME: Did I tell you about the person I know who works in HR?

FRIEND: No

ME: I know this girl who worked in HR at a big company. When she goes through applications, she regularly finds people with Asian sir names, who she eventually meets in person and confirms that they are of East or South East Asian descent, people who don't remotely look "mixed" at all, who when asked to check off ethnicity, even though it is OPTIONAL (meaning it says on the form OPTIONAL), check "White/Caucasian." They choose to check that.

FRIEND: Not surprised by that. There are Indian people who do that too, even darkest ones. They're just so deluded they don't even understand. Its not about what box you check. Its about the struggle. Its not about identity labels. Its about changing the system. Fighting for equality. Or, at least knowing that you are oppressed... or even if you're not, that others are.

ME: Yes. But people aren't taught that. (Asian immigrants always get lost in the mix.) Hmmm...If you are Christian and Indian you can sorta get away with it. UNTIL the interview.

FRIEND: (Then) it might be beneficial to check that you're white.

It both fascinates me and appalls me that this is the world we live in. It has never occurred to me to ever skip over or check something other than the box for Asian/ Pacific Islander in the ethnicity category of any form. I hate to think what this means for the US Census.

Simon on finding yourself...

My dear friend Simon decided to remedy a so so year by foraying to China with his cousin and a friend for 2 1/2 months. Here is an excerpt from their journey:



Visit Team Vachina (Simon,Cynthia, and Woody) at www.vachina.blogspot.com.