This Hong Kong film looks wicked, so is the web site.

Ludacris’s new song “Politics” doesn’t help Obama at all, especially with lyrics like: “Paint the White House black and I’m sure that’s got ’em terrified / McCain don’t belong in any chair unless he’s paralyzed.” Ouch!

I have been wondering about what makes people cheap. I am referring to their spending or rather not spending habit. I am not talking about trying to save money, but more to the extreme. Let’s say that you have a friend who hardly puts out his share when you guys hang out. We all have a friend or two like that I am sure.

Is cheap something people are born with or they growing into it? Some say they are born with it. No matter how rich they are, if they were born cheap, they will be cheap for life. I know people who make six figures, yet they nickel and dime even their own relatives.

I argue that cheap is something you adapt to, especially if you come from a hardship background. When I was growing up, I witnessed what my mother had gone through to make money, and that makes me think twice about spending money. She worked in a sweatshop making 50 cents a pop, and often time, she had to skip lunch to compete with her coworkers. That image creeps up on my every time I make a purchase I am not sure if I should get it or not.

So I admit that I do think hard when throwing out money, but not to the point of extreme. As long as you don’t take advantage of me, I don’t take advantage of you. If we go out and you cover me this time, I’ll cover you the next. I don’t know if I am cheap or not, but I know that I am not a big spender. And that brings me to the next point.

Do people know that they are cheap? It doesn’t take much to see if people are cheap or not, but do they know that they are cheap? Or they just simply don’t care as long as they don’t have to touch their pocket. Is there any psychological study that explains the characteristic of cheap?

With just $2500, the children of Phi Loc received new sandals and bicycles to walk and ride to school. As our friend Theresa Le had witnessed:

The children ran off, some with their new sandals, sweet treats in hands, some rode off on their new bicycles. The church yard was filled with giggles and children’s laughter. Oh the joy of owning a brand new pair of sandals and bicycle!

If you would like to help putting a smile on these innocent children, write to [email protected] or [email protected] for more info or mail to:

Sr. Cecilia Nguyen, CCSS
St. Ambrose Catholic Church
3901 Woodburn Road
Annandale, VA 22003

NPR profiles Jackie McLean:

When McLean was 15, his mother bought him an alto saxophone, but it didn’t sound like Lester Young. It wasn’t until he heard Charlie Parker playing the alto that he fell in love with its sound. McLean recalled the first time he heard “Bird” play. “For the first time in the history of my life, I heard the alto saxophone and loved it,” McLean said. “I loved the way it sounded, the quality. I liked the ideas.”

Download the program here.

ShaunInman.com V8

“Put on” the remixed.

My sister-in-law’s wedding turned out beautiful. The reception at Flanders Valley was wonderful. The food at the cocktail was way better than the main course. They also had an open bar, but only served wine and beer. I was hoping for some nice mix drinks. The Mimosa (champagne and orange juice) didn’t do me any good even though it was refreshing.

Thu Hoai and the Magic Night brought a magical experience once again. Both families and friends seemed to have a good time. I had a blast. After six, seven or eight glasses of wine, I was drunk enough to do a little song (“Sau Dong”) that I didn’t even remember the lyrics. Thanks to Dong, one of the band’s male vocalists, for helping me out. I can’t recall what the hell I was doing.

What made the whole atmosphere so lively was that it was just a whole a family. After spending a weekend with the folks on my wife’s side, I have to say, she has such a great loving and very supporting family. They are so friendly and down to earth. I feel so much integrated into the entire clan both young and old. It’s just a great feeling being part of a big joy. I am so looking forward to the next family gathering.

Now that both of the sisters are married, everyone is waiting for the oldest brother to make his move. He is quite a charmer and he is still single. Any single ladies want to join the clan? I can hook you up. What is my commission? Just a roasted pig head.

My wife’s sister is getting married this weekend and she wanted to give me a haircut. She cut my hair plenty of times and even the couple days before our wedding, but it didn’t turn out quite right yesterday. The weather was hot so I made us some Strawberry Margarita, but this time I put a bit too much Tequila and Grand Marnier. The cocktail came out delicious, so was the buzz.

She started to cut my hair with the blade guard. Everything turned out perfect until she took off the blade guard to do the sideburn and back trims. Of all the sudden, I felt the blade touched my head and it was not close to my neck where it was suppose to be. She freaked out and I told her not to worry. I asked her to shave the bottom of my head and to blend up to the top, but she apologized and broke down and cried. I pulled her into my arm and comforted her. I told her it was no big deal and she could fix it, but she wouldn’t even touch the clipper.

So now I am walking around with a hairless spot on the back of my head. I am actually proud of it. Every time I touch the back of my head, it reminds me of the special moment that I feel so loved even though I should have been the one that freaked out.

Check out the awesome routine performed right on the airport waiting area. The casts included airport staff, policemen and a cute Asian girl.