A couple months ago, a friend asked me for advice on how to learn web design. She was applying for a job and one of the requirements was to create and maintain the organization’s website. Working on the web for many years, I did not know where to tell her to begin. Should I recommend learning HTML or Dreamweaver? Web design is much more complicated than that. It involves more than just learning the technical skills. What about usability, accessibility, user interface and other challenges? I did not want to freak her out but I did not know what to tell her. Now that I just read The Accidental Webmaster by Julie M. Still, I immediately thought of her. This book is perfect for someone like her who is new to the web game and just want to learn enough to get by as an “Accidental Webmaster.”

If somehow creating and maintaining your company’s website accidentally fall into your lap, this book will save you from loosing sleep at night. Still shares her experience on how she became an “Accidental Webmaster” and offers many useful advices. Even though Still does not show how to code HTML or learn Dreamweaver, she will guide you through the rules of the game to get you started from the basic concepts of setting up policies to design issues to hosting your site. She does a great job at explaining each concept clearly and concisely. She also breaks down each type of site to help you identify the type of work you will deal with.

The Accidental Webmaster is very focused. Julie M. Still knows exactly who her target audience is. If you are a web professional, this is not your cup of tea but for those who are “the Accident Webmaster,” this book is for you and you know who you are. I also recommend this book to graphic designers who would like to learn web design. It’s time to get off Photoshop and learn some basic concepts of website design.

The show starts off with a mesmerizing performance from Lac Hong group recapturing the life of the Vietnamese fled by boat seeking freedom. The powerful video clips in the background add tremendous drama to the live performance. It is a great way to start off the video; unfortunately the theme does not carry on throughout the show. I was all excited to see more dramatic content but disappointment comes in as the video gets off that direction. Actually the “Luu Vong” performance introduces the play “Nang Ha” featuring Van Son, Bao Liem, Hong Dao, Le Huynh, Minh Tri, Viet Thi, Charlie, and Vicky (It’s funny how this little girl keeps waving to the audience during the play). Unfortunately, the play does not live up to the introduction performance. It is a big mistake to start the show with excitement then gradually drifts off. The play is not bad but it is definitely not powerful either. There are several additional comedies in this show but the only funny one is “Toi Khong Thay” by Quang Minh, Sunny and Bich Thi. That new kid Sunny is pretty amusing.

There are a few good music performances. Minh Tri and Viet Thi give a tight performance of “Vietnamese Boy.” The beat is nice and the outfits are pretty cool. Next to that is the “Lien Khuc Nho Nguoi Yeu” by Che Linh and Tuan Ngoc. When you put two well-known artists together, you get a beautiful combination of the two. The rest of the performances are pretty ordinary. I am simply tired of Truong Vu. He sings the same kind of music over and over again and he also puts me to sleep.

Overall, Van Son 26 is not too bad. It’s not highly recommended but somewhat enjoyable. There is also a bonus video in the end where Viet Thao highlights some of the accomplishments by the Vietnamese community in San Jose. It’s nice to see how we come this far in our second homeland.

“Chung ta nhut dinh la khong phai nhung nguoi ti nan an bam.” Said Duong Ngoc Anh, Director of the US Weapon Department. Her statement simply means, “As refugees, we are not living in the US just to eat off the government.”Asia 41’s Mua He Ruc Ro showcases successful Vietnamese Americans who have great contributions to the US. Mad props go out to: Duong Ngoc Anh (creator of many powerful bombs), Mina Nguyen (serving in the Senior Executive Service for the Bush Administration), Tran Dinh Truong, the first Vietnamese American millionaire who donated 2 million dollars for the tragedy of 9.11. and many others. If you would like to learn more about these fine individuals, check out Mikki’s entry.

Unlike other beauty pageant competitions, Asia takes a different route by showing off sixteen young and beautiful Miss Vietnamese in the US and around the world. On top of that, the performances aren’t that bad either. Trish and Cardin gave a wonderful duet. I am not a fan of either two but they pulled this one of nicely with slick dance and fine lyrics. My most favorite performance is from Da Nhat Yen in “Lang Thang Duoi Mua.” She surely knows how to shake that thang. Man, she is freaking fabulous. Glad to see Kenny Thai came back. Hope he will continue with Asia in the forth-coming videos.

With Mua He Ruc Ro, Asia has raised the bar for its competitors. The video is meaningful and well thought out. This is the type of product I expect from other productions. It?s creative, inspired, and simply entertaining. I don?t mind spend couple hours enjoy something I am proud of, my Vietnamese community. Please keep up the good work, Asia.

Yet another big disappointment from the latest Paris By Night 71, they are way too proud of themselves. Always bragging about their “incredible show” yet eighty percent of the performances are tedious and listening to Nguyen Ngoc Ngan and Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen blabbing about nothing is simply tiresome. It’s amusing how they both stepping into each other’s line many times during the show. Thuy Nga claims to be the most innovative production in entertainment yet they still reuses old songs over and over again.

Performances worth watching. Luong Tung Quang’s “Tu Khi Em Den” featured the hot twin dancers. I am not a big fan of Bao Han but she gave an incredible dance performance with the dancers. The smooth integration between video and live performance in Don Ho’s “Bai Tinh Ca Cua Em” is quite a creative concept. The Matrix style from Henry Chuc and Tommy Ngo is nicely pulled off.

Nice songs to enjoy. Quang Le’s “Ke O Mien Xa” and Phi Nhung and Manh Quynh’s “Tan Co Hon Anh Gian Em.” Pay attention to Manh Quynh’s second verse. His voice is quite strong.

Highlights of the show. Thuy Nga’s big fake titties. Now I know where my money goes. They were bitching about how bootlegging DVDs hurt their business; therefore, they are unable to push their products further than what they have. Ironically, the owner of Paris By Night productions invested the viewers’ money on her boob not the show. Sike! I am just kidding. The second highlight of the show is the American guy who speaks Vietnamese. Frankly, his Vietnamese is way better than most of the young Vietnamese singers in the US. He picks up the dialect quite well. Such a smart guy. He even made up some funny Vietnamese poems. Have to give that white man some props.

Overall, Paris By Night 71 is not worth buying. I would not recommend it all. Don’t waste your money. The preview looks good but it is not.

The time is here folks. I am heading off work soon and won’t be back until next year. Before I go, just want to say, “Happy Holidays.” Spend your time with the one you love, not the one you hump (heard it from one of the rapper, can’t think of his name right now). Get some rest, sleep, and mad phat. Enjoy the spirit. Eat more, drink less. Laugh more, cry less. Give more, get less. Sex more, pimp less.

To my family around the world, you know I love you so better send some god damn presents. You aready know about the Asian style, cash is always the best gift. Benjamin always looks sexy as a gift. More cash more love! Don’t need to think about what I like. Sike! I am just playing. You know, Donny loves ya so do me a big favor. Don’t spend your Christmas time in the factory. I know you’ll get triple times paid but come on, take a damn break and enjoy pho, hieu tieu, bo nhung dam, vit nau chao, or whatever goodies you make. I know you ain’t making no American food.

To my crew at Vassar, no more gossiping about web design. Who cares if Dreamweaver is screwing with Mac Server? So what if CSS is being a bitch to Netscape 4.7. Since CSS is so damn fly, screw Netscape. Ok, let me stop. Enjoy your time off guys and no more thinking about the web. Let the son of bitch go.

And to all my reader, “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.” Don’t mind what I just wrote. It’s simply silly and my mind is not functioning too well right now. This is what happens when you don’t sleep. Peace out!

Wow! The authors actually read my review and quoted my words. Check out Carrie Bickner’s Web Design on a Shoestring and Jesse James Garrett’s The Elements of User Experience.

Remember that funky juggling animation? It ended up on the Barefoot Monkey site.

Here are some beautiful CSS sites for your viewing pleasure: Alazanto (nice use of types with beautiful colors), Design Dojo (clean and organized. Gotta love that subtle stylin’), malevole (simply eccentric).

Blasting The Firm album on my earphone. The album features Nas, Foxy, AZ and Naure. It’s an old school joint and the beats are off the hook. The lyric is blazing too. Of course, Nas is well-known for his lyrical skills but AZ is the most overlooked rapper for his skills. This guy can flow forever. Really dig his style. This album is mucho hot baby

Nancy Meyer’s Something’s Gotta Give is somewhat enjoyable because of the great performances. Of course, Jack Nicholson is as good as it gets. Diane Keaton is almost good but her crying part is simply annoying. The film starts off really good with some funny dialogues but it drifts away into long boredom. Even the good acting could not hold it. If a romantic comedy is longer than one and a half hours, I begin to look at my watch.

My favorite line is when Erica (Diane Keaton) talks about rap music. She does not like rap but Harry (Jack Nicholson) points out that rap is a form of poetry. She immediate replies, “How many words rhyme with bitch?” Not sure if that is offensive but the viewers get a kick out of it. My favorite line from Harry is, “I have never lied to you, I have always told you some version of the truth.” I am wondering if that line is from the script or Jack made it up.

Something’s Gotta Give is funny enough to enjoy after a hard day of work. Wish the storyline could be tighter. It just seems too easy when the doctor (Keanu Reeves) gives up Erica to Harry. It seems like the director tries to wrap up the movie since it’s running over two hours. It simply not convincing at all.

Why it is so hard to look at the work of art itself and for once not injecting in your personal opinion? Focus on the aesthetic experience instead of practical experience. While many Americans find “A Few Gift For My Homeland” inspiring, some of my own Vietnamese folks find it disgracing. They claim it brings back horrible memories and gives a bad impression for Ngoc Lan as a performer. I just don’t get it. Why can’t people just listen to the voice, watch the motion, enjoy the music, and leave their opinions behind?

The same reaction with Piss Christ by Andres Serrano, why can’t viewers just look at the aesthetic quality and not to worried how it was created? Same thing goes with Eminem. People attacked his lyrics because he offended homosexuality and the way he talks about his mother. Why can’t we leave all that behind and just enjoy his flowing skills and the dope beats? Don’t worry about the artist intention and just concentrate on the aesthetic experience of the work.

I am just hoping that viewers enjoy “A Few Gifts For My Homeland” as a work of art and not to get offended by it. Anyway, if you would like to learn more about aesthetic experience, here is an interesting essay! Now, if you are too excited about aesthetic experience and really want to learn it, I highly recommend Aesthetics: Problems in the Philosophy of Criticism by Monroe C. Beardsley.

Wow! I didn’t expect the snow to drop on us. Luckily, I had some good films to get me by. Far From Heaven is visually beautiful. The gorgeous autumn takes my mind of the nasty weather outside. Basically, the film deals with homosexuality and interracial relationships in 1957. Julianne Moore gave a splendor performance. The greatest strength about the film is its simplicity. Although the story is simple, the impact is quite deep. The second film is In The Bedroom, a powerful piece of work. Tom Wilkinson and Sissy Spacek were a perfect opposite attraction. I don’t want to give away the ending. It’s quite unexpected. This is why independent film is so great. The director can just go all the way. I have to see it one more time. Lastly, Old School is straight up stupid. I am not going to waste my time writing about it.

Father, who are you? Mother, who are you? Why brought me into this world but don’t give me your love? Why am I on my own? I did not do anything wrong. As a child, I have no home. As a child, I can’t go to school. As a child, I am alone on the street begging for each and every left over piece of rice. Father, where are you? Mother, where are you?

The lyric above is a portion that is loosely translated from “Dau Cham Hoi” (The Question Mark) written by The Hien. As I was watching My Tam performed this song, I was deeply affected. It took me back to my trip in Viet Nam where I had witnessed the poverty the author described in this song. It’s simply heart wrecking. I could remember the exact scene that day, as I was finishing up my bowl of “hu tieu” noodle soup. Once I put the bowl down, three kids were fighting for the left over. I couldn’t believe what I just saw. I had no idea they were waiting for me to finish. I stopped them and treated each one of them. They thanked me repeatedly and offered to shine my sandal. Yeah! Like I really need my sandal to be shine. See, these kids would work but they had no opportunity. It’s such a shame. They made me realize how fortunate I am and how much shit I take for granted. Donny, stop bitching about your life and be happy with what you have. Stop being greedy and give to the needy.