Congratulations! I was able to get through the four hours long Van Son in Little Saigon without hitting the “Skip” button. Van Son does a great job on this one. Although the comedies are not outstanding, they are laughable. All the performances are good and some are terrific. Viet Thao is implausible in hosting the show and narrating the Little Saigon’s documentary. It is an enjoyable video overall.

Here are some highlights of the show. Tuan Ngoc gives an extraordinary performance on “Han Doi,” a new song by Huynh Nhat Tan. His vocals are indelible and he is definitely the Vietnamese Frank Sinatra. Cat Tien is once again slick and sexy with her steps in “Yeu Mai Khong.” She still needs to work on her vocals but her performance is on the mark and that killer smile is irresistible. Nguyen Thang gives a mesmerizing performance on “Vi Sao Khong Noi.” The remix of Chineses melody is creative and innovative because he gives it a nice touch with R&B flavor. Nguyen Khang is not bad but he sounds too much like Quang Dung. Nevertheless, he blends in nicely with the other three members of V-Pop group.

Of course, there are some lowlights of the show as well. Truong Vu really depresses me. He drags the life out of the words. You must have to have a horrific life to listen to his songs. Minh Tri has no soul in “When I Left You That Day,” which he uses Thailand’s melody. His lyrics go something like this, “You are all that I need/and I’m missing you/but we won’t meet again.” How much cheesier can you get than that? His wife, Viet Thi, is a hoochie girl instead of a “Naughty Girl” in her performance. What is up with that whore dresses? Speaking of whores, are clear hats (non la), which the dancers wear in the beginning of the video, the new Vietnamese whores’ uniform? Since clear heels are the new American hoes’ uniform, I guess clear hats are the new Vietnamese hoes’ uniform as well. I am just kidding.

Even with some not so great performances mentioned above, the over all satisfaction makes up for it. Van Son 27 is entertaining with enjoyable comedies, many great performances, and well-done Little Saigon’s documentary. Why go all the way to Viet Nam for authentic foods when you can find them all at Little Saigon. I thought only Cafe shops in Viet Nam served by hot chics until they showed Cafe De Thuong in Little Saigon. It’s the Hooters version of cafe shop. I have to go to Cali one of these days, for authentic foods only.

Oh! I forgot to mention, the lip-syncs have to go. It is so damn obvious.

I can’t wait to get my hands on Apple’s Motion. This new toy looks promising. Hopefully, it will be much easier to use than After Effects and produce much better motion graphics than Flash.

The choreography from Zhang Yimou’s Hero looks hot as hell. With the stunning Kung Fu from Jet Li and the striking beauty from Zhang Ziyi, this is a must see film. Hopefully it will live up to its hype.

Dam Vinh Hung’s “Dung Buon Ta Hoi” is probably his newest song and he gives an astonishing performance since the melody fits his style perfectly. However, he has to stop the stupid screaming. Damn! He does it again in the beginning of this song. It is highly annoying. Other then that, he is good.

George School’s Viet Nam Tour is quite interesting. Isn’t it incredible to go to school where you can travel to Viet Nam for two weeks? George School is a pre-college program for kids from grades 9-12. George School is probably similar to Upward Bound Program. The only different is that George School is for rich kids ($30,000 a year) and Upward Bound (free) is for ghetto kids. Thanks to Upward Bound, I was giving an opportunity to go a private institution and get an education I deserved so I owe them my deepest gratitude.

By the way, does anyone know why American combines the words Viet Nam into Vietnam? What is up with that?

While wandering around Adriance Memorial library yesterday, I encountered Jet, a friend of my uncle from Boston. Haven’t seen him for a while but he still remembered me. Great memory for an 80 years-old man, isn’t he? He told me about his road trip to trace back his ancestors. He was at the library searching for information on his great uncle’s wife who used to live in the area. He also told me that he is pursuing a master degree in History. Although he is taking one class at a time, he has completed 4/10 courses. Isn’t that amazing? 80 years old and still has the determination to learn. After about an hour, I let him go back to his work and headed to Barnes & Noble.

Upon arriving the bookstore, I ran into an elder gentleman who I had met many times at the bookstore and the library but never actually talked. I held the door to let him in as he asked me a few questions regarding of what I do for a living. So I told him that I am a web designer at Vassar College. He was quite interested in technology and asked me if I use Macromedia Flash, Macromedia Director, Adobe Photoshop and so on. After answering his questions, I asked him what he does for a living. He gave a whole spill on how society classifies him as a retard so he taught himself by reading books and following up with technologies. I have witnessed a number of people giving him that “retarded” stare at the library but when talking to this man, his mind is nowhere near retard. Although I haven’t seen his work, he had impressed me his knowledge on technology at the age of 60. I don’t think I will have that much knowledge by the time I hit 50.

After settling down and diving into Lynne Truss’s Shoots, Eats & Leaves, Andrew Meade, Assistant to the Dean of the College, dropped by to say “hi.” Andre is highly respected by the Vassar community and to me he is an extreme down to earth gentleman. It turns out that he is doing his dissertation for his PhD and using the bookstore as a resource. He spends time at the bookstore as much as I do and the only different is that he is doing his research and I am just drinking Caramel Frapuccino and wasting my time.

While these three gentlemen are extending their knowledge to the fullest, I am not doing much. Although I am currently doing fine, I still feel the urge to move forward. I have a wonderful job. I am doing what I always wanted to do. I stay on top of the web game. I hone my skills constantly. Now what? I desperately need challenge. Web design, no doubt, is always a challenge but I can deal with it both technically and creatively to solve the problem.

So what is my biggest problem? It’s still English. Although I have been in the United States for more than 12 years, my English is still something that I haven’t conquered. When I was in college, my concentration was mainly on design and technology. I thought that good design ruled but now I realized content is the king. So English courses were my worst nightmares even though I had a few professors who would go the extra miles to help me out. I just wanted to get it done and over with and now I am deeply regretting it.

After a night of awaking and thinking, I rushed to work this morning and went straight to the Dean of Studies Office to remind them of my application I applied last April 2003. It turned out that they had lost my application; therefore, they hadn’t contacted me. Even though I will have to go through the whole process again I am glad they lost my application because I was applying for Computer Science last year. So now I am gathering my transcript and letters of recommendation to get me back in school. Although I am applying for English major, I am just going to take a few courses to help my writing. However, I will continue if everything goes smoothly. I don’t have to drop a dime on my tuitions what do I have to loose.

In “Can U Get Away” from Me Against The World album, 2pac recited a passionate love story of an emotional thug pouring out his heart. The lyric is refreshing, Pac’s flow is enlightening, the beat is soothing, and the lady’s voice is sympathizing. All the elements engaged together beautifully.

“I can see your state of misery from the introduction / Ain’t about suckin’ and touchin’, just harmless discussion. / Maybe we can see a better way / Late night phone conversations, would that be ok?” -Pac was so polite the to lady. He showed her his honesty, “I hope you see that I’m sincere, / and even if you stay with him today I’m still here.” You can feel the realness in his words and not just some “I love you, baby” crap. Although Pac wrote this song for black women, it could be apply to all the women in the world. Ladies, you don’t have to stick to that man if all he does is fuck, beat, and leave. There are 2pacalypse out there. Actually, there was only one Pac but good men are still around. So keep your heads up. Pac was truly an inspirational artist. The more I dig into his work, the more I respect this man. Pac words surely lived on.

New Vietnamese chick flick Nhung Co Gai Chan Dai hits Ho Chi Minh and Ha Noi city on June 15. Of course, I won’t be able to see it but I don’t think I’ll miss out much. The only thing attracts me about the film is obviously the long legsVietnamese chicks. Anyway, the real reason I write this post is to draw your attention to the poster design competition. Although the entries are impressive, this is the one that speaks to me. The use of type tucks into the long legs is a nice touch. The color choice is quite aphrodisiacal. Nicely done.

For those who interested in Samuel L. Jackson’s commencement address at Vassar College. Like I said, he did a profound job. After the graduation ceremonies, he was chilling around campus without securities or bodyguards escorting him. Such a cool brother. I wanted to say hi but didn’t want to get into his way. Great job! Mr. Jackson.

Even though Don Ho has a distinctive voice (one and only), he never sounds awkward when performing with a partner. His greatest strength is that he never overshadows his partners but brings out the aesthetic qualities in them. I truly admired this eminence of his and there is no one can come close to him on it. Even Dam Vinh Hung can’t blend in seamlessly like Don Ho because Dam Vinh Hung always dominated his partner. On the other hand, Don Ho knows exactly when to lower his voice to let his partner shines and when to pick up where his partner leaves off. If Don Ho understands women in real life as he does in singing, he would be the perfect soul mate. By the way, I am talking about the Vietnamese Don Ho, not the Hawaiian Don Ho.

10. Mot Thuo Yeu Nguoi – Don Ho & Chau Ngoc
Here is an example where Don Ho brings out Chau Ngoc’s voice and not overshadowing her. When they both sing at the same time, he switches his vocals constantly to mesh with Chau Ngoc. He does it so smoothly that you don’t even notice the changes in his tone.

09. Mong Ao – Don Ho & Dalena
This is a beautiful piece of composition. Both Don Ho and Dalena do an exceptional humming tune to create a soothing illusion. These two are creative, talented and they are not afraid to experiment with their voices. Together with the dramatic musical score, they have brought a fantasy world to the song with their ingenious vocals.

08. Chieu Mot Minh Qua Pho – Don Ho & Lam Thuy Van
This version of Chieu Mot Minh Qua Pho is quite unique. I don’t think anyone had done a duet on this song before. Obviously Chieu Mot Minh Qua Pho (strolling alone in town in an evening) has do be done alone. You can’t stroll alone with two people. But hey! Don Ho and Lam Thuy Van do an implausible performance and their voices are convincible.

07. Thuyen Tinh Tren Song – Don Ho & Ngoc Hue
Beautiful Chinese melody with delightful Vietnamese lyrics. Although there are tons of translated versions, Thuyen Tinh Tren Song is the most romantic one because of the exotic lyrics and the striking duet from Ngoc Hue and Don Ho. Ngoc Hue’s cracked-voiced mantra works so well with Don Ho’s smoky vocals. Pay close attention the adlib at the end; you’ll notice how they switch back and forth backing up (giong be) each other’s lines. It’s just tantalizing.

06. Together – Don Ho & Dalena
Just listen to the way Don Ho skillfully exhales the word “together…” in English and “em yeu…” in Vietnamese. It’s just breathtaking and I love the beautiful English translation by Dalena, “Every season must fades with a passing of time. Time can never fade love like yours and mine.” Both Dalena and Don Ho are artistically creative so when the two come together, they have created a beautiful harmony.

05. Trai Tim Khong Ngu Yen – Don Ho & Nhu Quynh
The upbeat makes this version of Trai Tim Khong Ngu Yen stands out from the rest. Even though the beat is a bit fast, Don Ho and Nhu Quynh are capable of maintaining the elegant elements of the lyrics. The duet breaks away from Nhu Quynh’s usual horrific style and gives her a new dimension. Thanks to the incredible Don Ho.

04. Bay Gio Con Yeu – Don Ho & Lam Thuy Van
What a beautiful Chinese melody. The keyboard is compelling and the voices are mesmerizing. Lam Thuy Van does a wonderful job of supporting Don Ho in the background during the hooks. Every successful man has a great woman behind him. Lam Thuy Van is the great woman behind this successful performance.

03. Ban Tinh Cuoi – Don Ho & Diem Lien
Even the infamous Huong Lan and Thai Chau cannot bring out the aesthetic experience like Don Ho and Diem Lien can. Don Ho amazes me how he could pull off the high note, “tinh la dang…” then lets go, “cay…” with a long breath. The beat kicks in and Diem Lien skillfully backs him up so he could restore his breath. I would never thought Diem Lien and Don Ho could sound so well together if they never done this song.

02. Nhung Loi Me Hoac – Don Ho & Ngoc Lan
Actually Ngoc Lan doesn’t sing in this one but her dialogue is extremely seductive. Even though Don Ho gives a soulful performance, the song wouldn’t be complete without Ngoc Lan. It’s so creative how they go back and forth in a conversation between a man who lost trust in his girl and she keeps on trying to fool him. With Ngoc Lan’s sweet and sexy voice, it is hard not to be seduced and Don Ho does a great job of conveying the hurtful feelings that a man goes through when his girl lies to him.

01. Co Ua – Don Ho & Lam Thuy Van
With Lam Thuy Van’s high pitch and Don Ho’s low timbre, they have created an opposite attraction. I am quite surprise how the mixture works so well. They do an excellent job of complimenting each other like a perfect couple. They take turn to be dominant and submissive. Combining both beautiful voices with Asia’s crystal clear musical arrangement, this version of Co Ua is unbeatable. I haven’t heard anything close to it.

There you have it. Don Ho’s top ten duets. The singer I would like Don Ho to duet with is My Tam. Her voice is so powerful and clear and she hasn’t been able to find a perfect match. Even Dam Vinh Hung clashes with My Tam because their voices competing with one another instead of integrating. Dam Vinh Hung does not have the back up singing skills that Don Ho has. Don Ho must have picked up these invaluable skills from singing in the choir when he was in high school. See! You never know when your skills set will pay off.

Angela Ardis’s Inside a Thug’s Heart shows the sentimental side of 2pac Shakur. The book features letters, poems, and conversations between 2pac and Angela during his incarceration at Rikers Island and Dannemora State Prison for sexual assault charges. Pac had so much confidence when it comes to women. Even when he was locked down, he was still able to make a woman falling head over heels with his pen. He aroused her soul with his letters and sexed her mind with his poems.

Pac’s words were provocative and Angela’s writing was erotic; therefore, reading their exchange letters not only make you laugh and cry but also arouse. Pac expressed himself clear and explicit. He was keeping it real and didn’t afraid to speaks out his sexual, depression, and honest stage of mind. Jail can lock him down physically but not mentally. Likewise, Angela kept the faith in him and followed her own instinct instead of allowed her mother, friends or the media interfered with their relationship. She wrote sincere letters and exotic poems to help Pac keeps his head up. Best of all, she knew exactly how to get a man hard with her fantasy stories. She put him critical condition with her vivid descriptive words, “She slowly licked the head, then the shaft, and ran her tongue up and down the length of it and back to the head. Round and round she went, then she put it her mouth and begin sucking it, first softly, then hard, then softly, than harder, circling her tongue at the scrotum.” Damn! Where can I get a pen pal like that?

Inside a Thug’s Heart is simply a pleasurable experience. After reading it, I can see how he could make Can U Get Away, Temptations, How Do You Want It, What Ya Phone Number, Do For Love, etc., so damn hot. It’s his personality, his openness, his honesty and his masculinity that carried throughout his works. Angela did a fantastic job of structuring the pieces and putting all the letters together. It was like a love fairy tail, they finally met each other near the end; unfortunately, the story didn’t end at that point. Angela lost a great friend and we lost a real rapper.

Although Visualgui refers to visual “GUY” and not “G.U.I.,” I wanted to give the Graphical User Interface look and feel as well. Good design is occassionally not what you put in but what you take out; therefore, I went back to the clean and minimal approach. I am obsessed with white space and breathing room.

On the technical aspect, I kept the structure the same. Thanks to CSS, transform existing content to the new design is a piece of cake. Image rollover is the only new addition to the site. I also upgraded to WordPress 1.2. I really like the new editing interface.

What is the motivation for the new redesign? Another Nancy’s Frozen Caramella, another new design. It must have crack in it or something. I am extremely addicted to it. I hate going to the mall but I have to drag my ass in there everyday just for the Frozen Caramella. If you think Starbuck’s Frapuccino is bad, Nancy’s joint is even worse. I finally get off Starweed and now I am picking up Nancy’s crack. Isn’t that horrible? I need to go into rehab or Nancy has to give me some discounts in order for me to stay on her crack. In fact she should give me free crack for advertising it. I can’t afford it anymore. $5.40 is way more than a pack of cigarettes. I don’t smoke but I think it would take a person at least an hour to smoke the whole pack of cigarettes. On the other hand, a large Frozen Caramella takes me less than 15 minutes to sip it all up. I have to get my crack on or else I’ll be shaking. Once I get it, design juice started to flow. As a result, the new Visualgui.com is rebirth.

Came to Vassar’s graduation today to hear Samuel Jackson delivers his commencement speech. He did a fine job of keeping it short and sweet with some humorous. Why did he speak at Vassar? It’s his daughter’s graduation. Working at at Vassar for a year and a half, I still don’t know who is his daughter.