I meant to mention this place a while back, but I keep forgetting. Next time you’re in Eden Center, drop by Hai Ky Mi Gia for some delicious noodle soup. In the pre-Duke days, Dana and I went there two nights in a row. The first night, I tried its specialty (yellow and clear-white noodles with the soup on the side). The savory sauce and the delightful broth reminded me of the late night Cho Lon noodles. Although Hai Ky is not comparable to the places in Cho Lon, it is the closest I could find in Virginia. The next night, I ordered the same dish, but with the broth. I like the former better. We’ll definitely be back for more.

On the new release, Crime Pays, Cam’Ron tries to remake Purple Haze
without the help of the super producers. He uses the same formulas: lazy lyricism, misogynistic masculinity and pitiful punchlines. His wacky wordplays are ranging from hilarious (“And they say I’m a son of bitch / Why? Cause I’ll be with your son and your bitch”) to just downright silly (“I’m on a Yamaha / Laughing like hahaha”). Although Crime Pays is nowhere near the classic Purple Haze, Cam’s impeccable flow proves that he is still the finest laziest rapper.

This personal slideshow captures my feelings for my first son. The serious tone of the clip is inspired by Duke’s expressions. He always has a deep-thinking look on his face. Even when he sleeps, he would rest his hand on his cheek as if he’s contemplating.

His vulnerable look on the last slide, in which I held him in my arms, gets me every time. He looks so “tội nghiệp” (I can’t think of an equivalent word in English). The poor thing makes me want to hold him tight and protect him from the real world, yet he’s the reason I am surviving in the real world. How ironic is that? Whenever I get so fed up with everyday crap, the image of him gets me going. It reminds me that the day I have him, there’s no storm I cannot weathered.

The piece is also inspired by Tierney Sutton’s outstanding rendition of “You Are My Sunshine.” She had turned a kid tune into a sweet and gentle ballad. The way she phrases the last bar, “Please don’t take my sunshine away,” is the exact feeling I have for Duke. He is my sunshine and please do not take him away from me.

The past three weeks have been so incredible and I am enjoying every moment with him. Why sleep when I have Duke to accompany me? Insomnia has prepared me well. Hope you enjoy my joy!

Sure, Nationwide is on your side. They just don’t response to your claim when you’re not on their side.

The Department of Marketing web site is relaunched. Though I am not responsible for the color scheme. The chair of the department wants to market it himself.

Ao Dai chicks with attitude (via CapriR)

Thanh Lam’s beyond-maudlin singing is inescapable. Her newest acoustic jazz release has only eight tracks, yet it is so damn painful to get through. On Vu Quang Trung’s “Anh Yeu Em,” her moaning and groaning are just unbearable. The way she drags and stresses every word on Duc Huy’s “Mua Dong Sap Den” is hair-raising. Let’s be clear that making some horny noises is not scatting. As much as I like to hear Thanh Lam experimenting jazz, she just doesn’t have the chops for it. The more she tries; the more dreadful she sounds. It might be true that jazz is not in our blood.

The Finance Department gets a new look.

It’s a cool title. I am flattered.

“I was born with a dick in my brain / Fucked in the head / My stepfather said that I sucked in the bed / ‘Til one night he snuck in and said / We’re going out back, I want my dick sucked in the shed,” Eminem rhymes on “Insane.” The dark, disturbing track about child raping off his new release, Relapse, attests that the lyrical monster is back after five years on hiatus.

What had he been doing during those time? After his disappointed Encore, Em spent four years between overdosing and going in and out of rehab. Drug is in his blood and he blames his mom for it: “Valium was in everything food that I ate / The water that I drank fucking peas on my plate / She sprinkled just enough of it the seas in my steak / So everyday I have at least three stomach aches.” Only last year that he returned to rap instead of drug to get high.

Although Em has been away for quite a bit, he proves to be at the top of his game. He never delivers the same way twice and Dr. Dre’s minimal grooves allow him to push his flows and concentrate on his lyrical wit. Still, he wastes way too much rhymes going after celebrities: Mariah Carey on “Bagpipes From Baghdad,” Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears on “Same Song & Dance” and a whole bunch of others on “We Made You.” But then again, a wicked cut like “Underground” testifies that Mr. Mathers still matters. Em is at his best when he spits his anguish and personal experience.