Friday, June 27, 2008

Christian Bale in Parade Magazine

Christian Bale answers a few questions in this week's Parade Magazine. Nothing earth shattering. What's more interesting are his photos, which seem highly staged. I think these are more appropriate for promoting his previous film 3:10 to Yuma rather than his upcoming release, The Dark Knight.

There's certainly nothing like a man and his dog,
but this strikes me as a bit stiff.

Oh lord. This one is the most awkward yet.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Turtle debuts own book & toy

Yippee! David Horvath has announced that Bossy Bear's best friend Turtle is getting his own book and 6" vinyl toy this year. For a cover image of Turtle's book, visit David's blog. Ajumma has a 4" Bossy Bear in the bathroom, which I suppose makes me an official nerd.

"Sweep the Leg" by No More Kings

Who was the meanest S.O.B in 80's movies? Blonde bully William Zabka, that's who! He's back in the video for No More Kings called Sweep the Leg, which stars the original cast from the 1984 blockbuster, The Karate Kid. Strike hard. Strike first. No mercy.

Disgruntled Ninja Silently Kills 12 Co-Workers

Originally published by The Onion, America's Finest News Source

SKOKIE, IL—Toshiro Tenchumaru, a 34-year-old ninja and longtime employee at Azuma Copier Corporation in Skokie, stealthily took the lives of 12 co-workers Monday after suffering what investigators theorize was "a breakdown due to job-related stress." The disgruntled ninja was later captured by police while attempting to flee on foot across telephone lines. Tenchumaru, who, according to office manager Diane Ellsworth, had been "unusually quiet lately, even for him," was reportedly deeply upset about his worklife. Above is a photo captured on the company's surveillance camera.

Parents, don't deny your kids sugar

It will come back to haunt them in their adult life. Believe me.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Bruce Lee hits Broadway

Wanted: A charismatic Asian stage actor who can sing, dance, and kick some ass

There’s no casting yet for the role of Bruce Lee who died in 1973 at the age of 32, but it’s certain that the Broadway musical will be directed by Bartlett Sher who is winning acclaim this season for his direction of the Lincoln Center Theatre revival of South Pacific. Bruce Lee: Journey to the West will be based on the book by David Henry Hwang, author of M. Butterfly. Choreography will led by Dou Dou Huang, artistic director of the Shanghai Song and Dance Ensemble. In addition to martial arts, the musical will include Chinese opera and pop music as it traces Lee’s journey to film stardom. Bruce Lee: Journey to the West aims to open on Broadway during the 2010-2011 season.

Cho's skinny jeans dazzle audience

John Cho and Kal Penn host tonight's Spike TV Guy Awards. I may tune in simply to catch Cho in his skinny jeans.

Ole' pappy Hugh Hefner walked the Golden Carpet and was honored as Alpha Male of the Year. The Girls Next Door came along to applaud their boyfriend's achievement. Usually I wouldn't post women who take their clothes off and party for a living, but with the series Rob & Big now over, The Girls Next Door has become my new guilty pleasure.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Ajumma's writing NBC's next big hit

For five years NBC has promised Last Comic Standing winners their own sitcom series and for five years the network has failed to deliver. I've got my own ideas about a successful series for winners Dat Phan and Josh Blue. I see Phan and Blue as roomates in San Francisco. They've got quirky neighbors. The guys each go on awkward dates. They've got nutty family members (like Dat's mom) who keep life exciting. They work for high strung bosses like Ricky Gervais and Kathy Griffith. The possibilities are endless! NBC better jump on this hot idea right now.

Johnny's deal with the devil

Johnny Depp walked on stage to claim his MTV movie award, last week, and jaws dropped. Women screamed. Diablo Cody actually swooned. I was sure the place was going to implode from the amount of estrogen generated at the sight of the movie star. What in god's name has Johnny Depp been doing to age so well? The only other guy I know who is aging as well is Daniel Lam, the owner of Shuang Cheng Restaurant near the University of Minnesota. I've seen Daniel behind the register for 18 years and swear the man gets younger as the days go by. I always have held firm that Daniel's made a pact with the devil for everlasting youthfulness. Maybe Johnny Depp did the same thing. Vanessa Paradis, Depp's longtime girlfriend, probably made a pact with the devil just to be with the actor. Smart gal.

Fat Pig Oinkganic Milk Chocolate

Package designers have all the fun. thedieline.com

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

A brilliant new take on sushi

By Jim Charalampidis. See a larger image here. I don't know about you, but it's hard for me to decide between the Drunken Irish and the Canadian Gigolo.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Monday, June 16, 2008

Angie's Kettlecorn will make you a better person

If you're one of those people who actually makes a grocery list, add Angie's Kettlecorn to your next shopping trip. It's all natural (I can pronouce every ingredient), low calorie, is guaranteed to impress your friends, increases your earning capacity, stops your mother from calling so frequently, and makes you a better driver. Look for Angie's in the natural foods section or wherever your store stocks exceptionally delicious foods.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Ay?

Last known whereabouts: Vancouver, British Columbia

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Coldplay's "Vida la Vida"

Defying expectations, Coldplay has released a surprisingly punchy first single off their new album Vida la Vida or Death to All His Friends. Cellos, violins, and percussion ring out in the title track Vida la Vida, their most vibrant song since Clocks from A Rush of Blood to the Head. Take a listen to Vida La Vida.

Cartoon courtesy of Natalie Dee

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

700 square feet of heaven

Here's what half a million bucks will buy you in the L.A. area. Nestled in the Silver Lake area are seventeen 1920's Spanish-style bungalows that are full restored with off street parking, central heat and air, and small gardens. Each bungalow is 700 square feet and includes period details but with modern applicances and utilities. Unlike condominiums, the Maltman Bungalows are sold individually with the only shared cost being a monthly maintenance association fee. Ajumma's initial reaction was repulsion at paying $500K for less than 1000 square feet and only one bathroom, but the location and charm for this classic L.A. house can't be beat.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

I heart Etsy

Etsy is an online marketplace for handmade goods. It's like Ebay except the products are unique and creative, and there's no bidding. On second thought it's nothing like Ebay. But you can find a variety of cool things like "I Love Sushi" buttons by Ghostbassist.

Ninjas love noodles

Pucca is the young daughter of a noodle shop owner. She is wildly in love with the ninja Garu. See how it all works out in the animated trailer for Ninjas Love Noodles.

Big men visit L.A.

Japan's top ranked sumo wrestlers battled it out in Los Angeles, this weekend, at the Grand Sumo Tournament. The wrestlers of the 1500 year-old sport didn't just hide in the L.A. Memorial Arena. The massive men, in their traditional robes and knotted updos, hit all the popular tourist destinations in the city. They even enjoyed a Dodger game where yokozuna (grand champion of the west) Hakuho threw out the first pitch. See more photos of the wrestlers in Tinsletown here.

Coffee break (hoping to see Britney Spears)

Laying the smack down

Mongolian sumo wrestlers Kakuryu (in Dodger blue) and Tokitenku enjoy the game. Yokozuna of the west is also Mongolian.

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Whatever happened to "Bob"?

Everybody and their sister and are having babies these days. This means there are a million baby names bobbing about my brain. Here are some recent newborn names from friends and family:

Alastair
Audrey
Clinton
Colette
Hunter
(86th most popular boy's name in '07)
Lena
Lucas (20th most popular boy's name in '07)
Lukas
Lucy
(83rd most popular girl's name in '07)
Marshall
Miles
Milo

Mio
Otis
Owen
(27th most popular boy's name in '07)
Peyton (70th most popular girl's name in '07)
Rion
Rowan
Sadie
Sofia
(13th most popular girl's name in '07)
Sophia
Sylvie


Ajumma's favorite name happens to be Cole (30th most popular boy's name in '07), which means "swarthy."

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Sean Malto goes pro

Girl Skateboard Co. has announced that 18-year old Sean Malto is turning pro. The Kansas City native is scheduled to have his pro board out in July. Until recently Malto toured with the DC team and was seen training alongside Colin McKay at DC's facility in Vista, CA. These days you can find Sean riding for Girl, Fourstar, and Etnies among others. It takes only seconds to see why Malto rocks.

Onigiri and inari: YUMMY

Let's talk rice, people! A common snack in Japan and Korea is onigiri, which is plain rice shaped like a triangle covered with dried seaweed. Onigiri comes in different variations, but common ones have salmon, tuna, or pickled veggies inside. For people on the run, grabbing pre-wrapped triangles from the corner convenience store can be very satisfying. The good news for Americans is that you can easily make onigiri at home.

Next up is inari, which is sushi rice stuffed into little fried tofu pouches. Some inari is served with bonito flakes and other garnish mixed into the rice. I like mine sprinkled with dried seaweed and sesame seeds. To be frank, inari has always reminded Ajumma of rice-stuffed testicles. But boy are inari delicious! May I suggest buying pre-packaged tofu pouches at your local Asian grocery and making inari at home? Just remember to gently rinse the tofu before adding the rice.


Twin Peaks Fest 2008

Twin Peaks ended in 1991, but devoted fans still gather annually to celebrate David Lynch's tour de force. This year's Twin Peaks Fest will take place July 25-27 in beautiful North Bend, WA. Activities include a screening of a Lynch movie (the title is a secret), a Twin Peaks film site bus tour, and a celebrity dinner. Cast members making appearances this year are the actors who played Major and Mrs. Briggs (Bobby's parents) and James Hurley (Laura's biker boyfriend who all my guy friends hated with a passion). The festival ends with a Tibetan rock throwing contest.

Learn more about the Twin Peaks Fest here.
Or watch the entire series of Twin Peaks recreated in Legos here.

Lil' Kim

Matt Demarest of Portland, OR. Limited edition. plushpop.com