*Vigil info updated. Links added for official site and petition. Originally posted on May 28, 2009.

I haven’t blogged about this before, but most of you know by now that American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee of Current TV were taken prisoners by North Korea on March 17th and are facing trial on June 4th (June 3rd our time) for “illegally” entering North Korea and “hostile acts.” Speculation says that they are being held as chips in NK’s nuclear game. This is some serious sh*t.

I pray that Laura and Euna are safe from mistreatment, that their hearts and minds stay strong during this time, and that they will be released very soon.

From L to R: Euna Lee and Laura Ling

On June 3rd, vigils will be held across the nation to support Laura and Euna on their trial day. Here are all the current vigil locations and times:

LOS ANGELES, CA
6:15pm - 9:00pm
Location: Wokcano - 1413 5th Street, Santa Monica, CA
(meet at Wokcano, walk to Promenade and around)
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=79299243499
http://www.evite.com/pages/invite/viewInvite.jsp?inviteId=MXCSTMEJDKQDWXTKMYHC

SAN FRANCISCO, CA
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Front Steps of San Francisco City Hall - 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=112511386222

SACRAMENTO, CA
6:30 - 8:00pm
Location: L Wine Lounge & Restaurant - 1801 L Street
Phone: (916) 443-6970
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=87281128378

NEW YORK, NY
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Washington Square Park (The Fountain)
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=85102251771

WASHINGTON, D.C.
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Freedom Plaza - 14th St. and Pennsylvania Ave.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=81896567681

CHICAGO, IL
7:30pm - 8:30pm
Location: Chinatown Square Plaza - Cermack and Wentworth Streets
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=206839975710

BOSTON, MA
8:00pm - 9:30pm
Location: Boston Common fountain (or in case of rain, gazebo) - Tremont St. side
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=207691540187

PORTLAND, OR
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Location: South Park Blocks - SW Park Ave from Salmon St to Jackson St
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=111689610930

BIRMINGHAM, AL
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Location: Tentatively Linn Park - 223 Carrington Lane
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=84322779270

To stay updated…

Official Website: http://www.bringlauraandeunahome.com

Sign the Petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/free-euna-and-laura

Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=60755553149

It’s official. FR*A has announced the launch of their new website: framagazine.com. Check it out.

You can also find all blogs by me here: http://framagazine.com/author/peachies/ (I write some blogs specifically for FR*A, but they also RSS feed some of my blogs from here to there).

Does anyone remember that phrase? I remember people used to use it all the time back in high school. Speaking of which… I was listening to some old K-Pop/Rock mp3s from back then… and it was a bit of a trip. Been a looong time since I’ve been into Korean music or any Asian (overseas) music… actually… any music. My favorite music was and still is ’90s rock. I don’t even know what’s out there in the music world right now and it’s been awhile since I’ve kept up with the Asian American music scene >_< (sorry, guys). I have, however, recently started tuning into Power 106 from time to time cuz' of FM! Def love how they’re always mixing “Girls on the Dance Floor” with “Poker Face.”

Anyway, I started this blog with the intention of saying: it’s been “forever and a day” since I’ve blogged! Well, not really, but it’s been awhile.

Random video of the day:

Alright. It’s that time of year again. My music video program for the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival is coming up. This is my third year curating it and they say “third time’s a charm!”

This year, we’re taking it downtown to the Downtown Independent and Toyota has come on board to soup up the night with what should be an excellent rooftop after party! Of course, the main event is the music video program which begins at 7:30p. It’s about an hour long with Q&A to follow. So please come and join us for that and ask a lot of questions, cuz’ I really suck at facilitating these things.

Also, Chris Chan Lee’s music video for Big Phony, “Words That Define” is going to be screening! So… I guess you can check me out on the big screen o_O

P.S. - Karin Anna Cheung (who is also in one of the vids that will be screening) thought we purposely called the program “Cinema Musica!” because of Cinco de Mayo. But actually, I had named the program “Cinema Musica!” before we had even scheduled it! This year we were looking for HD videos with cinematic elements and somehow “Cinema Paradiso” was the inspiration for the name. Cinema Musica! + Cinco de Mayo! It must be fate.

Program Info: http://www.vconline.org/festival/program.cfm?program_id=45
Facebook Invite: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=72232830793

Back in late ‘06, Michael Kang approached me about finding music for his film WEST 32ND. Michael specifically wanted to include as many Asian American artists as possible, so this was quite a pleasure for me. Back then, my Myspace music “database” of Asian American artists was a really good resource, plus being able to ask my musician friends to submit and contribute was pretty cool. On top of it all, I discovered a lot of GOOD music I wasn’t already familiar with.

One artist, who I wasn’t super familiar with, was NYC-based Heather Park. Her song, “Leave Me To Dream” was the perfect soundtrack for the character, Suki… sooo perfect that Michael and I even called it “Suki’s Theme Song.”

Now here it is… the official music video for Heather Park’s “Leave Me To Dream” including footage from WEST 32ND. Directed by Francisco Aliwalas:

Check ‘em out: HearThePark.com | w32nd.com

It’s official. I am now a Runyon Canyon junkie averaging 4 times a week. I guess this is what happens when I’m unemployed and fasting from Facebook! Lol. I really need to get some better shoes for hiking though. The steep trail can be scary!

Last week, I tried out Runyon Romp while it was free (it’s now $15/class or $120 for 10 classes). I kid you not, it was probably the most I’ve worked out since high school P.E. (sad). It’s this cardio bootcamp that implements a bunch of exercises on top of jogging/hiking one of the trails. After the first day, I didn’t think I’d go back cuz’ it was pretty intense… but a friend wanted to try it out, so I went two days in a row and I don’t think I’ve ever been so sore! Check ‘em out and let ‘em know I sent you if you go! www.runyonromp.com

Another thing… I noticed I’ve been getting hungrier a lot more frequently. I feel like snacking all the time. Must be all the hiking!

Just spotted my buddy, Danny Cho aka “Kim Jong Il,” on YouTube’s homepage (again!):

Nice one, Danny.

I haven’t seen it yet, but I am just really happy for Justin Lin and how far he has come! Justin, congrats for the record-breaking opening and for being #1 in the Box Office! So awesome.

These are just a few of the pics from the ’80s prom bday party… there were sooo many! Mad props to Shinobi Studios for working while we had fun!

“Surprise!”… but not really, since a few peeps had already spoiled it for me~ haha

“Quick, strike a pose!”

Mmm… vegan cakes provided by Jeannie and Freddy… AMAZING.

Vy, Ray, and I getting crowned Prom Queens and King!

What’s prom without prom pics?

Mucho thanks to Becky for pimpin’ out the party with ’80s decor and party favors!

Girls… just wanna have fun!

Dude, Ray is freakin’ good at jumping in pics and apparently very huggable, too.

GBS. LTG! What? What?

Emily and Janet are wearing matching bridesmaid dresses! How cute are they?

We heart the peace sign.

The party wasn’t a surprise to me, but these guests were :]

For lack of a caption, this is the Korean posse one.

Do these make you wanna barf? Haha. I heart my boyfriend.