How to do the asian squat

I once had a non-Asian acquaintance who, despite multiple attempts at squatting, could not make his ankles touch the ground.

Aja aja, ajosshi!

Hats off to Korean cinema's character actors.  These are the fellows with crazy hair, messed up teeth, and tacky printed shirts.  They're often playing the thug, henchman, shop owner, or some entry-level policemen.  Their offbeat characters are so authentic, Korea's quirky side springs to life in front of you.  A permed Kim Soo-ro, pictured above, stole the spotlight as a small-time crook in the 2004 movie Windstuck.

Coolest Christmas gift 2010

My mom received a bowl made of recycled bamboo chopsticks from my brother.

Like butter: Durian on a stick

Durian is a tropical fruit that is infamously stinky.  It's encased in a hard, spikey shell that is twice as big as a cantelope.  My mother-in-law loves it, so when I spotted durian ice bars at the Asian grocery the other day, I bought them as her Christmas gift.  Before presenting them to her some friends and I tasted one to see what the fuss was about.  Here are our reactions:

literally bull crap...after-taste doesn't go away...like a dirty washcloth...a one, two punch of grossness...like dirty butter

Mmm.  Merry Christmas, Ma!

2011: Year of the Rabbit

 Marshmellow Garden print by krisblues (Brooklyn, NY)

 Handmade plush bunnies by littlebigpants (Minnesota!)

Rabbit charm by MD Sparks (Salt Lake City, UT)

Winona's nose over three decades

Jennifer Grey must ask herself how Winona Ryder could shave so much off her nose and still remain so recognizable.

That's what she said!

Ryan Gosling gives off a major Steve Carell vibe on the January 2011 cover of GQ.

Clone wars: Natalie Portman and Keira Knightley

Is Natalie Portman a poor man's Keira Knightley? Or is it the other way around?  Both actresses have starred alongside Clive Owen (Knightley in Arthur, Portman in Closer) and appeared in the new Star Wars franchise.  Keira's got the classy British accent and some might claim a wider acting range.  Whatever the case, Portman will be slinging arrows ala' Knightley in the upcoming comedy Your Highness (co-starring James Franco and Danny McBride).

Chew on this!

There are strange things going on in the dog bone design business.

Man of the moment: Grant Imahara

Go on Grant, with your robot-building, mythbusting self!  Love your hair and the new choppers.