Nhu Mot Loi Chia Xa (Like The Word Good-bye) is my special dedication to a legendary songwriter with more than 600 songs under his credit. While singers produce albums to remember him, I create this Flash piece to pay my respect to the man who had inspired me with his music.

“Nhu Mot Loi Chia Tay” is performed by Tuan Ngoc from his 10 Tinh Khuc Trinh Cong Son album. With Tuan Ngoc’s amazing voice and Duy Cuong’s incredible musical arrangement, “Nhu Mot Loi Chia Tay” is perfect for this tribute. This is my word of goodbye to Trinh Cong Son. I hope you will enjoy it and always remember his name.

For those interested in the meaning of the lyrics, I have found an English translation by Nguyen Vu Thanh.

Like The Word Good-bye (I only used the second half of the song)

Want a time to thank the life
which gives me passion.
Several times lie down, hear laughs
but it’s just dreaming.

Love’s like light, quickly sets at evening
love’s not far but not really near.
Love’s like rock with an endless longing
love is vague, why are we sad

Recalling every night’s whispering
it seems like drunkenness.
A yellow thin flower’s on the horizon
like the word good-bye.

There’s a rose of olden days
dropping next to my life.
A dash of love shoots like a breeze
suddenly I recognize me.

Recalling every night’s whispering
it seems like drunkenness.
A yellow thin flower’s on the horizon
like the word good-bye.

When it comes to Trinh Cong Son’s music, I have extremely high expectations. Although Trinh is no longer with us, his everlasting music lives on; therefore, I am sure Dam Vinh Hung is awared of the danger of singing Trinh’s music. He has to position himself against not only singers of his age (Nguyen Khang, Quang Dung and Hong Nhung) but the older generation (Tuan Ngoc, Ngoc Lan, Khanh Ly, Khanh Ha, Elvis Phuong and many others) as well. Of course, he won’t be able to top them all but he can take advantage of his strong and unique styles to set himself apart from the rest. Was he able to pull them off? Not all of them, I am afraid.

His interpretation of “Ben Doi Hiu Quanh” is powerful, energetic and definitely “Dam Vinh Hung.” His performance stands out from the rest on this one because of its uniqueness and liveliness. With a shot of Jazz flavor and Dam Vinh Hung’s dominating vocals, “Mot Coi Di Ve” is instantly recognizable as Dam Vinh Hung and no one else. Whether you like it or not, his technique is truly astounding. Unfortunately, his flairs couldn’t spark through every Trinh’s song. On the contrary, he has ruined a few with the “sen” (dragging and delaying like traditional music) mode including “Em Di Bo Mac Con Duong,” “Got Ten Bon Mua,” “Nang Thuy Tinh,” and even “Bien Nho.” The maturity of his timbre is proven through tracks such as “Dem Thay Ta La Thac Do,” “Phoi Pha,” “Ha Trang” and “Tinh Nho.” Although his performances are respectable, these songs do not burst out his characteristics.

As a fan of Dam Vinh Hung, I am praising him for taking on the challenge of performing Trinh’s work. However, as a Trinh’s music fanatic, Dam Vinh Hung is not convincing me. He has not articulated Trinh’s music to the fullest. In any rate, I am sure Phoi Pha will bring many young listeners closer to Trinh Cong Son.

“When The Colors Come Together” is an aesthetically beautiful watercolor painting by Mr. Hilt, my Jr. High art teacher. He is the man with the visual eyes. Loved his art, loved his class, and loved his personality. He was one of the coolest teacher I had. I missed drawing and listening to Jimmi Hendrix at the same time.

My nephew’s MTX stereo system kills my eardrums. The whole SUV shakes when he pumps up the volume. Couple years ago, he was so impressed with my car system that he went to school to become a professional stereo installer. Now his bass makes my heart pounds. I have to give it to him. The hookup looks mad sweet.

An inspirational story of a Cambodian MC who recites his history through the blend of hip hop and traditional Cambodian music. For samples of Prach Ly’s music and lyrics, drop by Frontline World.

“Thoi Gioi Binary” is an unique Vietnamese poem with English keywords. The Vietnamese version is quite clever but if you can’t read Vietnamese, “a Two-Faced World” is the translated version.

After two years of being silence, Yugop has finally arrived with some wicked experimentations and a newsfeed.

Tonic site is clean, simple and smooth. Check out the “Our Team” section. It’s slick as hell.

Wow! The entire book site created using Flash. Ariel Bookseller is clean, crisp, and visually beautiful but it is accessible?

Wow! Asian dude finally kisses a gorgeous girl and gets some sexual attentions on the big screen. Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle is the door opening for Asian American actors to Hollywood. John Cho and Kal Penn had demonstrated their ability to play the roles of getting stoned as believable as Method Man and Redman without having to act hardcore.

I am not a big fan of teenage comedy films because of some over exaggerated silly jokes and this one is no exception; however, Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle has touched lightly upon some serious issues about race in America. The White guys pick on the Asian guys; the racist cop harasses the minorities; the Black guy gets lock up for being Black. Even though these subjects are nothing new in Hollywood, they are interesting to see from the Asian American point of view.

Both John Cho and Kal Penn give an excellent performance. The chemistry between Cho and Penn helps holding up the comedy. The best line is when Kuma licks Harold’s face, “I have to try some gay shit to see if you wake up.” There is a funny and clever setup line by Harold, “Did Doogie Howser just steal my car?” Later on, Harold revisits the question with “Dude! Where is My Car?” which references to the director’s (Danny Leiner) first movie. Speaking of reference, there is also a citing of “Better Luck Tomorrow.”

Even though this film has some obnoxious humors such as the “Battleshits”, it has stands above most of the comedies this summer, especially teenage movies. This is also an important film for Asian Americans as we are stepping up into the big screen as lead roles without having to use Kung Fu.

Chao Trang Dua Mam is a quick and simple dish. Actually, Dua Mam is hard to make but I got mine hand delivered from My Tho. It was a special import; therefore, it is the real deal. Unlike the jar you get from a regular oriental store, this Dua Mam is crunchy and tasty. I love Dua Mam ever since I was a kid. I would eat everything with Dua Mam: rice, porridge or vermicelli.

Talking about Dua Mam brings me back to the old days when I spent time with dad away from home. He was incharged of buidling a small theater in Cai Be and I was tagging along. During that time, I was around four or five and there was a woman, who was quite younger than him, always came by to where we lived. I am not sure who she was or why she was there but every time she came by, she always brought me Dua Mam. His workers used to laughed and teased me about she was being my mother. I can’t remember what the heck went on but I can surely remember the good Dua Mam. Hopefully, he didn’t do anything stupid.

Based on the novel of Vu Trong Phung, Giong To is a very dark and disturbing drama. It is still giving me a chill with its family affairs. The film is set in the early 1910; therefore, it is a despicable toward women. They are raped, bought and shared like sex toys. The conflicts are quite complex and distressful. Of course, the critical themes are involving sex, power, and revenge. Even though the overall acting is not so bad, I am not finding this film to be enjoyable. On the contrary, I find the topics to be unsettling. The sexual content, the language usage, and the subject are quite explicit so keep this film away from your children.

Unlike my mother’s unorthodox version of Canh Chua Muc Ngo Sen, Canh Chua Ca Kho To is the traditional Vietnamese dish. There is a special way to eat Canh Chua Ca Kho? (Well, for me it is). With the bowl full of rice, you start off with the slightly salty Ca Kho. Don’t forget to sprinkle some of that heavenly caramel sauce on top of your rice. After you finished about 1/4 to 1/2 portion of your rice, pour Canh Chua into your bowl, sprinkle a little bit of fish sauce on top, mix well and start slurping. Don’t forget to pick up the goodies in Canh Chua either. Rau Muong (Watercrescent) is my favorite. They are just unbelievable. How about those hot green peppers that are nicely sliced? Canh Chua wouldn’t be complete without them. Canh Chua Ca Kho To is a perfect lunch after the morning of hot and hard work. My mouth is getting watery from just writing down my thoughts.

As I have predicted, Nguyen Ngoc Ngan’s statement on Paris By Night 73 would tick off the folks in Vietnam. However, the misquote from a Vietnamese newspaper is bothering me. Mr. Ngan didn’t say the Vietnamese community in the US is against singers in Viet Nam who were nominated by the Vietnamese government. He only represented Thuy Nga production not the whole Vietnamese community so please get that straight.

The article also mentioned the banning of Mua He Ruc Ro in Vietnam. What is up with that? Mua He Ruc Ro is a highly respected work for its original purpose, which is to celebrate the success of the Vietnamese in America. From what I can recalled from the video, there was no incident of protesting against the Vietnamese government except for maybe Don Duong’s speech but he has every right to speak up on his situation. To make things short, I thought this video should be treasured not only in America but it should served as a sense of pride for the people in Vietnam as well. Unfortunately, the Vietnamese government doesn’t want to recognize the good part about us. They are probably thinking, “Look what they can do after leaving Vietnam. If we show our people this video, everyone would want to leave Vietnam.”

I am not opposing the Vietnamese government and I am not supporting the act against the communist either. I only care about the work of art and the Vietnamese government is not being fare. The Vietnamese community or even the US government is not banning film like Nguoi Dep Tay Do. It’s a beautiful work of art even though it is telling from the communist point of view. I enjoy Nguoi Dep Tay Do as well as Mua He Ruc Ro. A beautiful work is a beautiful work no matter which side created it. I am just hoping that Vietnamse people can get a chance to see both as well and not just Nguoi Dep Tay Do.

This special dish is named after Kien Giang province, which located in South Viet Nam about 113 miles from where I used to live (My Tho). Not sure where our uncle 9 learned this dish from but Bun Kien Giang is different, specially with Heo Quay (Roast Pig). The broth is quite savory when you add a bit of Mam Ruoc (fermented shrimp paste) into it. The best part of Bun Kien Giang is the finely cut young banana blossom (Bap Chuoi). Two thumbs up for uncle 9. This is my first time having Bun Kien Giang and I am fiending for more.