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.

Anh Reiss who was diagnosed with leukemia called myelodysplastic syndrome is waiting for a donor. Houston Chronicle‘s Claidia Feldman reports:

Some 7 million Americans have signed up to be potential donors. But of those registered with the National Marrow Donor Program, only 15,000 share Reiss’ Vietnamese heritage, which is key to finding a match. Already, she has struck out with all of them.

My Vietnamese friends, please consider becoming a donor by signing up to be the Match Marrowthon.

I just put together an infopage for GW Sport Management MBA. Broke down the image brochure and included texts for search engines to pick up as well as accessibility. Hopefully when someone type in “GW Sports management masters,” she won’t land on a Georgetown’s page.

Dana and I left our little Duke yesterday for a few hours with his grandmother so we could head into D.C. to see the Dave Brubeck Quartet performed at Warner Theatre in concluding the Washington Performance Art Society’s 2008/2009 jazz season. It could be our last chance to see one of the jazz living legends. At 89, Brubeck could barely walk by himself, yet his playing showed no sign of aging.

He could still swing hard on Duke Ellington’s “Let’s Take the ‘A’ Train” even when he just played staccato chords on his right hand. With Bobby Militello (alto saxophone and flute), Michael Moore (bass) and Randy Jones (drums), Brubeck took Fred Waring’s “Sleep, Sleep, Sleep” into another direction like he had promised not to put us to sleep. With Brubeck’s virtuosity in both jazz and classical, he brought the two worlds closer through his brother Howard’s “Dialogues for Jazz Combo and Orchestra.” His classical piano solos were some of the most hypnotic moments of the show.

While the crowd was pleased as soon as Brubeck struck the “Take Five” chords and saluted with standing ovation at the end, I was left a bit disappointed. It’s unfair to compare Bobby Militello to Paul Desmond, but Militello’s playing was not as fluid as Desmond’s. The band completely dropped out when Jones soloed. Brubeck didn’t do his signature obstinato behind him either. Jones’s improvisation was a long and energy and I was anticipating in hearing Brubeck and Moore to follow up, but the band came back and took the tune out instead.

As we were leaving, I overheard a man telling a woman that if he were a musician, he would be glad if he could play like Brubeck, even in his 50’s. I am sure many musicians wish they could play a fraction like Brubeck, even in their 30’s.