Finally copped an official copy of Don Ho’s Vi Do La Em last weekend. Yes, I actually purchased a legit album, surprising isn’t it? Even though his packaging idea—wrapping the sleeve around the outside cover—is different, it is so damn cumbersome, and will get dirty mighty fast as well. Design wise, he needs some courses on typography. The type choice for the title “Vi Do La Em” is horrendous, and it doesn’t go with a contemporary feel he has going on. He also needs to uncomplicate his design. On the back cover, the decorative ornament doesn’t enhance the layout. Does he need to list Don Ho sings every song? A “featuring Thanh Ha” is all that needed for “Hat Cho Doi.” Why does he put the lyrics of “Vi Do La Em” in all caps and big above the black box while the contact information is so small that is hardly readable? On the credits page, why does he needs the dash in between words? It’s good that he designs his own album, but he is designing for design’s sake instead of communicating the information. One more thing, go light on the Photoshop touch-up, will ya?

While driving in the rain, Quang Dung’s “Anh Xin Lam” touches my soft spot, and Mai Anh Viet’s lyrics sink in, especial on the refrain: “Anh xin lam co dai don buoc chan em / Anh xin lam tang cay che mat than em.” Even an insensitive, vulgar motherfucker like me appreciates romantic shit sometimes. But like Pac said, “Only God can judge me. Nobody else. All you other motherfuckers get out my business.”

Back in middle school, I had Juice for breakfast before heading out to school, and then had Juice again before going to sleep. Juice was part of my daily routine for about a month. Now I am having Juice again on YouTube. The greatest moment in Juice comes on when Q (Omar Epps) called Bishop (Tupac Shakur) crazy (the scene can be watched at the end of this clip, starting at 08:30). You can see the soul-chilling, bone-wrenching, and I-don’t-give-a-fuck charisma on Pac’s face. The soundtrack, “Juice (Know the Ledge),” is also mad wicked. Rakim’s hardcore flows blazes like adrenaline rush over Eric B’s dope beat. Fucking juicy!

Oh shit! Didn’t even realize that today is 10 years after 2pac Shakur was gunned down. Here are some of the coverages on his memory:
NPR’s “Growing Tupac’s Legacy, 10 Years After His Death“
Y! Music’s “Tupac Shakur Retrospective“
Seatle PI’s “10 Years Later, Tupac’s Legacy Lives On“
BBC’s “Why Tupac Still Matters to Fans“

A jaw-dropping animation for Honda from Nexus Productions.

The Environmental Risks and Breast Cancer (ERBC) project is a collaborative effort from the Vassar community. The goal of the interactive CD is to inform people about environmental factors that could cause serious breast cancer. Chris Silverman, one of our designers, is the creative mind behind the project, and he has pulled quite a few of those all-night muscles (powered by venti Expresso, which is about 12 shots, from Starbucks) in the past two years to get the CD rolling out. Thanks to his time and efforts, as well as the rest of the ERBC team, the final product, which is beautifully designed with breathtaking 3D animation and audio, is informational, educational, accessible, and approachable. Best of all, you can get a free copy for personal use. I strongly encourage you to sign up for one.

A brief mentioning of me in “Khi Dam Me = Chia Se” by Ngoc Tram, a recent-graduated jounalist in Viet Nam.

I am not the only designer who bang out good shit for Vassar. Check out the new redesigns from my fellow designers:

Chris reworked Dean of the College. Clean, open, and well-organized contents.

Tim revamped Career Development. Fresh colors, well-structured information.

Kevin reflashed The Hudson Valley. Simply gorgeous!

Glad you have picked up Mingus Ah Um, one of Mingus’s inventive joints. You can reassure that you won’t suffer any remorse from it. There is an important missing detail, however, in “Fables Of Faubus.” Columbia Records dropped out the words, and I’ll let you find out why. Mingus then re-recorded the piece with the lyrics included. So here is the “Original Faubus Fables” from Charles Mingus Presents Charles Mingus. You’ll see the huge difference between the two. Of course, you have to pay attention to Mingus’s solo, but Ted Curson’s trumpet growling and Eric Dolphy’s sax shrieking are full of trills and arpeggios. Can’t get enough of that little baby-whining noise Dolphy made at the end. It’s just hilarious every time I listen to it. Mingus’s little speech in the begining, in which he talked to his imagined audience, is witty as well.

Billie Holiday’s “Come Rain Or Come Shine.”

I’m gonna love you like nobody’s loved you
Come rain or come shine
High as a mountain and deep as a river
Come rain or come shine.

The days may be cloudy or sunny
We’re in or out of the money
But I’m with you always
I’m with you rain or shine.

Keep your head up, my Lady D!

While going through my Monday morning doses, I come across a brief but thoughtful post on Visual Gui from no other than the young, intelligent, and incredibly beautiful Diem Thuyen whose writing I have admired and musical taste I can connect with. Thanks for the love and support, lil sis! Keep rockin’ them traditional long dresses! You are blazin’ in them!