Nonogirl Radio

A Deep Breath In

Over the past week, several films and radio pieces gave me that catch-your-breath-and-take-a-deep-sigh intensity:

• Journey From the Fall: This closing night film looks at one family after the fall of Saigon, detailing the experience of boat people and prisoners in the re-education camps. Nguyen Qui Duc segued from the movie to a Q&A by asking the boat people in the audience to stand and then any re-education camp survivors to stand. The audience clearly appreciated having their story told on the big screen with sensitivity.
• Habeas Schmabeas (episode 310): Another This American Life episode that offers more depth than the 5 minute news pieces can, this time about survival at Guantanamo Bay. The opening segment about the role depravity plays in interrogation is condemning.
• ATC: This interview with NYC's first woman fire fighter took my breath in a bad way. Brenda Berkman's struggle to gain acceptance and respect as a firefighter is documented in a new PBS documentary, Taking the Heat. But almost two decades later, this is clearly an ongoing struggle as the ATC interviewer asked Berkman, "Did you really want to be a firefighter or were you trying to make a point?" Lame.
• Student Walkouts (Wed. morning): But to end on a high note, Sasha Khoka shows the power of youth (combined with text messaging and myspace!) to organize in the Central Valley.

Back to Radio

I'm finally done with movies with just one more party to embibe in...So now it's back to radio.

Just before my roommate left for his roadtrip across the Southwest, a series on Phoenix, Arizona aired. This series is rich with diverse perspectives including immigrants, other re-locators, folks who want a central downtown, and folks who like the city de-centralized.

Now the real question is: how can I receive funding to do something like this for Maui, Hawaii?!

I Got Five on It

I was so impressed by Colma: The Musical that I forgot to turn in my voting ballot. I mean, for real? A coming-of-age musical set in the sleepy town south of San Francisco that houses more dead bodies than living?!

But Richard Fong gave great direction with a particularly amazing party scene and H.P. Mendoza wrote an excellent soundtrack.

My only feedback would be a wish to end the film with a song by the full ensemble and to keep Maribelle featured (she seems to disappear at the end). But great job, guys! My Target-shopping experience will never be the same.

The Aquamen

Parents, lock up your daughters! The Aquamen return to San Francisco April 15, 2006.

Kill Rockstar Idolatry. Worship Your Girlfriend.

I know I shouldn’t be so star struck, especially being from Los Angeles, but I got giddy when I heard that Daniel Dae Kim was on the other side of the wall at the Kabuki.

This is a complete 180 from the night before when I hung out for quite a while with the drummer from my all-time-favorite-band. We reminisced about Jabberjaw (r.i.p.), Kim McGee Kinko’s parties, and fangirl fuckups. As he tossed out suggestions for emcee material (“My last name is “The Cradle…” and “Enough about me, what do YOU think about me?”) I felt like he was an old friend, not a rock star celebrity, and that’s what punk used to be all about: breaking down those divisions.

But although I was introducing peers, this was a chance to publicly say thank you for providing me with those precious rock and roll moments: for that feeling that we in that room can take on anything, that change is possible, and that love for all people can exist when we’re dancing to the same beat.

And like a baton passing, FMTM embodied that Jawbreaker spirit and pushed it one step further: out to the streets and into political action.

"FMTM is made of movement makers and musicians. They put the soul back into the struggle and make us dance with raised fist. They ARE my soundtrack to the revolution."

--intro at Directions in Sound

Starf*cking 2

Esai Morales at SFIAAFF Opening Night Party
Originally uploaded by sandgraham.

Opening night is such a scene. Fancy dresses and black suits. Special cocktails and tasty delectables. And of course, the stars.

Several crowned Miss Something-Somethings were in the house. Chris Tashima, Sab Shimono, Joan Chen, and others from Opening night film, Americanese, were in the house. But I thank timing and fearless friends for an Esai Morales handshake, photo, and shoulder squeeze!

Is This Thing On?...

When Chi-Hui started working on the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival he shared all of his talent and passions, including his appreciation for great music. He created Directions in Sound harnessing the synergy between music and film.

When I graduated from kindergarten, my classmates voted me to be the class spokesperson. I introduced us performing the Chattanooga Choo Choo and announced, "One more thing we have to say, 'Have a happy Father's Day!'"

Tomorrow, these two talents come together as I've been asked to emcee the 2006 Directions in Sound. Now I have to figure out an outfit!

Unwound

YouTube may be my new morning routine, because like a shot of espresso, my groginess is jolted away with 2:28 of Unwound!

Project S

I've been telling more and more people about my plans for next year and found some inspiring words this weekend.

1. From Mike: Is your day job getting in the way of achieving your dreams?
2. From Jim: We're not getting any younger. If you want to pursue something, you've got to just go for it!
3. Even dad said: Don't be half assed about it. Give it your best shot.

So to make sure that I don't "smoke my year away," as Mike warns (from his own experience), I'm starting to build my regiment.

Starting after the film festival, I'm going to try to do the following:

1. Read the paper everyday (Chronicle)
2. Find other outlets to read daily as well (probably through google.reader)
3. Read a book a month, starting with The New New Journalism
4. Watch a documentary a month, starting with my Ironweed DVD

Count down: six months...

The Rambler

Rambler

Tina Gordon is setting out to SXSW with the Rambler, a mobile rock venue she built! I did a radio piece on the Rambler when she was still raising funds and the Chronicle just wrote a fun story on it.