The new web site for Department of Strategic Management and Public Policy has launched. This is a collaborative effort with the department. My role was to provide the guidelines and to keep the site as part of the School of Business brand.

Kurt Elling and Al Jarreau give Dave Brubeck’s infamous “Take Five” a scat duo. You might also want to check out Al Jarreau’s solo rendition and his collaboration with Brubeck.

Forget Cafe Lu and Di Vang 2. Grand View Topless Coffee is the place that I want to have my coffee. Unfortunately the joint was burnt down only a few months in business. Grand opening, grand closing.

Nguyen Hong An is another male vocalist influenced by Tuan Ngoc. Unfortunately he could only sing and phrase like Tuan Ngoc on the low register. He is far from reaching Tuan Ngoc’s soaring octaves. As a result, Nguyen Hong An sounds dull and flat on Pham Duy’s “Hen Ho,” Trinh Cong Son’s “Ru Em Tung Ngon Xuan Nong” and Tam Nguyen’s “Va Lai Tinh Toi” (a Bang Kieu’s sky-rocketing signature). Supported by Viet Anh’s lifeless arrangements, Mua Xuan Dau Do is perfect for lounging in a lazy afternoon.

Each morning, my humanized alarm clock would ring no later than 6:30. With a regular alarm clock I can snooze it and go back to sleep for a little longer. With the human one, he would scream until I get up. After brushing and dressing for work, I would take a stroll with Duke around the block. It’s one of the best bonding times between us. We would stare at each other until he falls asleep. His sweet, innocent face with his worrisome eyes still gets me every time.

This morning the rain prevented us from strolling, so his mom stayed up with us and made him laugh. Although I couldn’t capture the moments, the picture already recorded in my mind. I wish I could paint so I can put it down on canvas. Then I gave him a tummy time, balanced him by rocking him on a rolled blanket, and bicycled him.

After an hour with him, I headed to work feeling rejuvenated. What a perfect way to start a morning.

GW Magazine profiles alumni Kerry Washington:

While she took some acting classes, most of her coursework at GW focused on anthropology, sociology, and psychology, subjects that she says gave her the ability to analyze, critique, and understand human behavior.

Bill Maher slams Obama for being a celebrity and too soft to get the jobs done. Obama needs a bit of George Bush in him. I am too getting wearisome of hearing Obama’s speeches. He needs to execute them.

A review of my motion piece, “Ao Dai Trang A Oi,” posted back in 2006:

and we also can’t forget Donny Truong – the designer of this clip. As the digital art day by day becomes better and better, making a video clip does not necessarily requires a cine-camera, a script and actors. All it needs are ARTISTRY and CREATIVITY!!!…

futhermore, a pride of my little Vietnam, of the Ao dai, especially Ao-dai-trang (to me, the white one is always the most beautiful one)!!! Yeah… my Vietnam is like this song: pure, feminine, romantic, sweet and moreover, simple (the lyrics repeats itself many times and the song last no more than 1 minute and 40 seconds)!!!!!!!!!! Its simplicity is its beauty!!! And I love that innocent beauty!

Thanks Huong for the motivating thoughts.

Lately, I have been interested in getting a bike to ride to the Metro. I consulted my big brother and he gave me a few recommendations including the now-my-favorite Dahon. I went to the bike shop yesterday and the sale guy asked what I was looking for. After telling him what I need, he recommended an old, ugly bike so people won’t steal it and he doesn’t have something like that. Since then I have been looking for an used bike. I actually found one on Craigslist this morning, but it was already sold before I get a chance to check it out. While surfing online, I found the world’s coolest bicycles and I want one. I am sure people won’t even look at it when I lock it up at the Metro station.

Do you have any favorite site for promoting books? Nam Le Online is an example.