IceTea

IceTea - Saturday, 19 July 2008 4:23:23 PM

nobody@vox.com(IceTea) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 16:23:36 +1000

Man, I don't know why I haven't posted an entry on Michael Chang sooner - a nod to this Chinese American legend is long overdue.

Earlier this month, Michael Chang was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame! Represent!

He is the youngest male player to ever win a Grand Slam title - winning the French Open at the tender age of only 17. Chang is also the youngest player to rank in the world's top 5. His victory in the 1989 French Open marked the beginning of an era of America's dominance in the sport (including Sampras, Agassi and Courier).

When I was growing up, he was definitely one of the most famous and influential Asian sportsmen. I clearly remember my family gathering around the television to watch Chang play. He was one of the few Asian role models I had as a kid. I admired his determination and "never-say-die" spirit. He chased down every ball and awed his opponents with his superhuman speed and endurance. The fact that he was one of the most entertaining players of all time doesn't hurt either.

What do you think about that, Michael?

You legend.

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IceTea - Thursday, 8 May 2008 10:41:49 PM

nobody@vox.com(IceTea) — Thu, 08 May 2008 22:41:58 +1000

Ehhhhh? Isn't that RAIN in this trailer for the new motion picture, Speed Racer?

Speed Racer Trailer

I have a friend who was a big fan of the original Speed Racer anime. I'm glad that they cast some Asians to depict Asian characters. I hope they're represented well!

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IceTea - Friday, 2 May 2008 3:08:49 PM

nobody@vox.com(IceTea) — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:08:59 +1000

Alright - Reality TV news.
The first season of Australia's So You Think You Can Dance has finished and quite deservingly Jack won. But let's not forget that Demi got to the finals and represented!
Saw a few b-boy friends of mine performing in the finale with Khaly which was pretty sweet.

***

"Big Brother" is a show that I despise with almost every nerve in my body. A show full of ignorant bogans? No wonder it's doing so well in Australia! This year there's a guy in it called Nobbi. So far everyone's giving him crap for his name and for the fact that he scratches himself. My question is, which guy in BB hasn't scratched himself? Why the hypocrisy? Oh wait... I know... because he's Asian. Maybe he's just hung low. I hope the shower scenes will finally dispel a particularly annoying mythical stereotype.

Usually, when I see an Asian guy on television, I'm glued to the screen... but in this case - I really can't force myself to watch more than 1 minute. It's painful. BB is television at its worse. I heard there was a racist old hag (who idolises disgraced "politician" Pauline Hanson) who got voted off, but apparently made Nobbi sleep outside, away from the others. Her reason? He's "touchy feely". What does that even mean? *Cough* RACIST *Cough*

***

Okay, now for some awesome news. South Korean B-boy crew - Gamblers has been signed up to star in Paramount's latest dance movie, "Hype Nation". They were also featured in the recent documentary by Benson Lee - Planet B-boy.
REPRESENT!

Planet B-boy: Korea

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IceTea - Sunday, 16 March 2008 4:23:00 PM

nobody@vox.com(IceTea) — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:23:14 +1100

So my girlfriend was watching this new series, "Cashmere Mafia" this week. Now I usually wouldn't bother posting about something as trivial as that, but something struck me as different - there was an Asian guy - and he wasn't depicted negatively. In fact, he was a good looking, sexual (and straight), intelligent Asian male (like most Asian men in real life). I almost cried tears of joy when I saw this, but I knew I had to pull myself together to analyse the whole situation.

Come on... this must be too good to be true. An Asian guy who isn't portrayed as a kung fu delivery man, without a bad accent and not getting killed? No way! In a Lucy Liu show? I couldn't believe it either, but it was true. I was about to cringe when both parties agreed that they didn't date "Chinese", but then the unthinkable happened. They kissed. I mean, they actually KISSED! TWO ASIAN AMERICANS KISSING ON SCREEN!

ABOUT DAMN TIME!

I know you probably think I'm being immature, but the fact that I am excited over something so seemingly small can only suggest that Hollywood really has to do some rethinking in its portrayal of Asian Americans.
Two Asian Americans kissing on screen: I've finally seen it, I can rest in peace now. But something tells me not to let my guard down for too long. The fact that Lucy Liu is in this show still makes me feel uneasy. I mean, it seems all smooth sailing for now... but who knows if the writers will do something stupidly predictable like throwing in some ninja crime lord who kidnaps Lucy Liu and makes the Asian guy look stupid. To be honest, I'm nervous - but happy for now.

Lucy Liu and Jack Yang

I nicked this picture from AAM. For those who are curious, it's Jack Yang who plays Jason Chun. Was he also the guy in Grey's Anatomy?

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IceTea - Saturday, 8 March 2008 11:06:01 PM

nobody@vox.com(IceTea) — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 23:06:14 +1100

Asian band! Wooooooh!!!

Thomas' Apartment - Temperature Music Video

Not bad, though the chorus needs to sound more like a chorus - the singer has to sing it stronger or have backups because it sounds too much like a verse. But nonetheless... REPRESENT!

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IceTea - Monday, 18 February 2008 11:23:49 PM

nobody@vox.com(IceTea) — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 23:23:55 +1100

What? Asians on television being good at something other than academics?

So You Think You Can Dance Australia has a few Asian Australian (and Eurasian) faces. Tonight one of them went home (the crowd booed - so did I). B-boy Khaly of Cabramatta was voted off despite a lot of support in the crowd. In any case, there are still a few Asians left - so keep on cheering for them!

So You Think You Can Dance Australia

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IceTea - Friday, 1 February 2008 3:25:38 AM

nobody@vox.com(IceTea) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 03:25:50 +1100

I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS BOY IS PLAYING RYLYNN!!!

Rylynn - Sungha Jung

Okay, now that you've caught your breath - what you are seeing is 11 year old Sungha Jung playing Rylynn by Andy Mckee. When I saw this, I was in speechless awe - I COULD NOT STOP SMILING! I am so impressed (not to mention REALLY jealous). He's definitely inspired me to keep playing guitar.

From the way he's rocking, you can tell he loves what he does. He feels the music... he IS the music - at one with his guitar.

Keep rocking young man! You've made my day!

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IceTea - Wednesday, 23 January 2008 3:21:18 AM

nobody@vox.com(IceTea) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 03:21:24 +1100

Who's been watching the Australian Open? Did you catch Zheng and Yan's victory over the Williams sisters in the doubles? You can read about it here.

Yan Zi and Zheng Jie

Awesome.

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IceTea - Monday, 21 January 2008 2:14:32 AM

nobody@vox.com(IceTea) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 02:14:37 +1100

Yi Jianlian has been named NBA's Rookie of December! Ever since Yi started playing for the NBA, he's been constantly compared with fellow Chinese basketball superstar - the incredible Yao Ming. He has some big shoes to fill and standing at 2.12 metres (7 feet), I'm pretty sure he can. Dang he's tall!

Yi Jianlin

Keep representing!

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IceTea - Tuesday, 15 January 2008 8:00:23 PM

nobody@vox.com(IceTea) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:00:30 +1100

I've recently been reading this eye-opening book by Gavin Menzies, 1421: The Year China Discovered the World. Menzies explains that in 1421, China sent the largest and most technologically advanced fleet to circumnavigate the globe. If you are Chinese, you would have probably heard of Admiral Zheng He and his voyages of discovery - but the detail Menzies goes into with this onerously researched book clearly shows he has something to prove to the world and that history should be rewritten to acknowledge the true explorers of the unknown - the Chinese.

Menzies states that China was the first to discover the new world, the first to circumnavigate the globe and the maps they drew were later used by European navigators like Columbus, Cook and Magellan to find America, Australia, Antarctica, the Magellan Strait and many other history-making finds.

As someone who has studied Ancient History - it is quite clear that Menzies is not an unbiased historian. He is a man, who has come across some startling finds that has certainly ruffled the feathers of conservative academics who refuse to open their eyes to some very compelling evidence. "1421" reveals some "evidence" that should be taken with a grain of salt, but it also has many areas that almost conclusively proves its claims. One must simply sift through the dirt to reach the gold. Much like reading the annals of Rome, there is biasness, but it would be foolish to dismiss the valuable content it holds.

I strongly recommend a read of this and if you are interested, check out the website: http://www.1421.tv

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