Ken Nordine’s “Green” is Dope. Words to Jazz Animated to Font.

Thanks to my musician friend, Monk Turner.  This might be the inspiration for a Monk/Jenny collaboration to come!

Ken Nordine is a new favorite. How did I not know about him? Watch this beautiful font animation of Ken Nordine’s words to jazz.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

A Girl You Should Date (Book Love)

I had to repost this awesome blog that’s been circulating about “A Girl You Should Date” by Norah.

What’s beautiful about this is the girl you should date is the one who loves books and words.  Books and words are love to some of us.  And I’d like to think that we are awesome because of it.

Enjoy!

Clipped from: nonamerah.wordpress.com (share this clip)

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Also. Thanks for your patience on the uploading of fresh interviews. We’re a little backed up here at the podcast.  But we do plan on getting you fresh episodes in February!  Very fun stuff!

True Retro: Detailed Recreations of Old Portraits [Oh. That's Good.]

Love these photos.  My costumer friend, Jana, sent this link to me because it reminded her of the “Dear Photograph” project I wrote about earlier this year! So awesome.  These features the work of Photographer Irina Werning.  These are photos she is doing for Zefrank’s “young me now me” project.

I especially appreciate Werning’s attention to detail on recreating the lighting and props to go “true retro” and reinhabit the old photograph for the modern subject. A hint of melancholy is unmistakable throughout.  Or maybe that’s just me.

Werning will be in India.  Here are the details below.  ENJOY!

WILL BE IN NEW DELHI, INDIA IN NOVEMBER WITH THE PROJECT. LOOKING FOR SUBJECTS THERE, PLEASE EMAIL ME YOUR PICS TO backtothefuturepics@gmail.com

(If you try this at home email it to zefrank’s wonderful young me now me project (2006) at http://www.zefrank.com/youngmenowme/)

What do you think?  How do you like these versus the Dear Photograph project?  What photo would YOU do if you tried to recreate something? Please comment below and let me know!

Bobby Lee Next to George Washington?: Asian American Artists at the Smithsonian in DC

'Shimomura Crossing the Delaware' is a knock-off of the iconic 19th century painting, 'Washington Crossing the Delaware." via The Voice of America

Loving this feature story on Asian American artists being featured  in the Smithsonian! Crazy!  I mean they have displayed portrait art of comedian Bobby Lee next to whatever old white guy’s marble-carved bust all in the same building!  That’s blowing my little Asian American mind.

This painting (featured above) shows what it would look like if it was all Asian Americans as Washington crossing the Delaware and winning the Revolutionary War to found the nation. Ha!

Too bad I’m not in DC.  Would definitely check this out.

(Source: “Asian-American Artists Explore Their Identity.” Voice of America. September 24, 2011)

“Tiger Cub” Mike Chang on Glee Gets an “Asian F” but an A in My Heart [Oh. That's Good.]

Source: "Asian F" Tumblr.com tag search

Source: "Asian F" Tumblr.com tag search

Can’t lie.  I teared up when I watched Glee this week.  During the Glee Season 3 Episode 3 called “Asian F”, the usually quiet and non-singing Asian guy in the Glee Club, Mike Chang, gets a major storyline (finally). In this episode he’s confronted by his Asian (Not Tiger Mother but Father) dad for getting an A- in Chemistry (or what Glee called an “Asian F”) and gets support from his mom.

Mike Chang's mom is supporting his passion for dance! (sniffle. sniffle)

If I overlook the fact that the concept of an A- being equal to an F for Asians is played out and stereotypical, I really love the kind of conversation that Mike Chang’s storyline has stirred!  I really loved a lot of the posts supporting Mike Chang’s commitment to do what he loves – to dance and perform (and AWESOME animated GIFs that crop up on Tumblr).  But one in particular captured my heart…it’s a rundown of lessons learned by threesixninja:

• You can’t always get what you want.
• Never give up on your dreams. Even if your dreams for yourself aren’t the ones your parents have for you, live it and convince them otherwise thatthis is what you want to do. However, if your dreams would need you to step on others and ruin relationships, back off. Friends are more important than anything else.
• You shouldn’t let one relationship change you. (I mean, look at Kurt, Mercedes!)
• Sometimes you have to be faced with hard choices where in either choice, you hurt someone. Even if you try to let both have their own way, it wouldn’t be enough for the other. But then sometimes, you really have to choose who and/or what is more important to you.
• If you don’t get what you want, celebrate the one who did. Don’t hate them for it. They may deserve or need it more than you do. You could have a million chances for that, but not a lot for the relationship you have with them.
• The spotlight isn’t always on you.
• You can always do better than your best if you try.

With all its faults in reinforcing the stereotype that Asian Americans have crazy high standards with cold-hearted parents, I really love that it’s a super high-profile moment in popular culture where a likeable and rather vulnerable character like that of Mike Chang can encourage people to see him as being more complex than simply his hot dance moves and quiet demeanor. More than just for Asian Americans, it’s great to have a young role model for kids to see that there is a world where parents can be supportive of your “non-traditional” career choices.

It warms my heart.

For an more in-depth analysis of the episode, check out Jeff Yang’s new corner of the blogosphere on the Wall Street Journal! Congrats Jeff Yang (um. No relation.)

Oh. And..um. I just can’t help myself. This was taken earlier this year at an awesome conference in Los Angeles put on by the great folks at Visual Communications. Teehee!