Was just down in San Diego with the gang this past weekend for the San Diego Asian Film Festival.  Last time I was there was five years ago when Better Luck Tomorrow was the opening night film…and also serving as a festival volunteer.  So all these years later, I was back and it was great to see all the festival faces again and see how much this festival has grown and how much more popular it has gotten. Big ups to Lee Ann Kim, the Executive Director of the festival, for doing a fantastic job once again. She never ceases to amaze all of us. And of course, many props to all the festival organizers and volunteers also…they really made sure everyone had a great time.  Speaking of great times… it was great hanging out and seeing the gang again.  While having dinner, Dustin confirmed what I knew for many years now…that Coco's is a step higher then Denny’s.  Me, having eaten at Denny’s an infinite number of times (it’s either that or one of the Roberto’s after a late night) compared to only a handful of times at Coco's or Marie Calanders…always used Dustin’s explanation when people would ask what the difference was between those eateries.  But with Dustin, he really went into an interesting informative explanation as to why they are just a step above Denny’s.  It really helped pass the time as we were all waiting for them to set up our table for all of our hungry selves.  Again, there was a big crowd at the theater and it was amazing to see such a great turnout. After the screening, we headed to the Airport Lounge in downtown for the after party where everyone had a blast celebrating the opening weekend and also, celebrating Justin’s birthday.  MC Hammer found time from his busy schedule to come join us at the festival…so it was Hammer Time in San Diego!  Now it’s off to Hawaii International Film Fest., to San Francisco/ Berkeley openings, and then back to Los Angeles/ San Diego.  Can’t wait!

Us listening to Dustin explaining the history of American eateries ;P

Uhh...yeah...

The amazing Lee Ann Kim

Hammer time in SD!

That one big cake mang!

Hey everyone…was just chillin’ in San Diego for the weekend hangin’ w/ some friends I haven’t seen in awhile.  Found out there's a really good buzz bout ‘Finishing The Game’ down there amongst the people I know and also…amongst people I didn’t know.  Some friends knew about it through me, but there were lots of friends of friends of friends, (guess in Myspace terms, they would be in my extended network?? =P that were planning on either seeing it at the San Diego Asian Film Festival this week, or when it comes out in San Diego on Oct. 26.  Whether it was from the official movie site, all of ya here on AnD, Justin’s letter of support, the different Myspace or AnD accounts of the FTG family members, they heard about the movie and our cause from somewhere/someone.  This just shows how powerful word of mouth is.  It’s already been said, but this film truly is a labor of love…and what we’ve accomplished so far, and what we’re about to accomplish…we couldn’t of done w/ out all of you.  So…MUCHO MUCHA MUCHO GRACIAS to everyone for your help and support.  Please keep spreading the word.  We’re just days into the release of Finishing the Game and with sold out screenings, a huge crowd, a great buzz...it’s definitely Game On!!!

Some Bruces' gettin' their 'Game' on!

Or should I say Bruce Lee stand-in sighting =)…While cleaning up my place yesterday, I came across the mythical and symbolic Bruce Lee Yellow Jumpsuit.  I remember myself  and the other actors on set the day we got to put on these yellow jumpsuits for the first time, and when you have it on…you feel this sense of great aura…this confidence and empowerment, like you can fly or something.  In fact, I believe every crew member tried on the jumpsuit to get a picture of themselves in it.  Anyway…realizing that we are less than 2 days away from our FTG world premiere, I figured, why not go out and interact with the community in my yellow jumpsuit and spread the word?  And what better place to go then to the newly opened super seafood store Pakai in Hacienda Heights.  The awesome people at Pakai Supermarket were kind enough to let me "help" for the day…for those of you that are bored…here’s a video summary…pls keep in mind, I’m no editor ;)

Video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=U40qkCsvioE

What's up all.  Just read an article bout Justin in the NY times as he's having Korean bbq w/ Julie, Roger, Sung and others... here's the link: 

New York Times Article: A recipe for Success

Everyone labels me as the partier of the crew, but I think I need to pick it up...cuz I swear from this article, Roger's day by day blogs and photos, you would think all these guys do is eat, chat a little, eat, drink, and party...get to work y'all!!!  hah, kidding, no, I give mad props for them setting off on a whirlwind grassroots barnstorming tour that I'm sure is very demanding on them both physically and psychologically, but going cross country and talking and meeting with so many wonderful people I'm sure makes it all worthwhile.  Now back to the article...a few things...Guys!  What are you doing drinking OB beer w/ korean bbq?  It's all about the Hite!!!  C'mon now...you can't beat beer made from fresh glacier mountain spring water!  Fish & Chips n' half a bottle of malt vinegar = never getting a cold?  I never had malt vinegar w/ my fish & chips...only globs of tarter sauce...no wonder I would catch a cold every now and then...and now to Justin's infamous mullet as a teenager (good thing he didn't mention anything bout his perm during his elementary days =0, now that I think of it, that might've been the inspiration to Suchin's wig in FTG), anyway, mullet...that thing had a mind of its own.  I think he grew a mullet cuz he was such a fan of  "Married With Children" and wanted to grow out a mullet just like Bud Bundy's.  He describes a mullet as being business up front and party in the back...back then, Justin always knew he wanted to be a filmmaker and would tell everyone...lots believed him, and some probably didn't.  Those that didn't were probably staring at Justin from behind at his mullet and didn't take him seriously...whenever he played basketball n' you saw a Mullet Man chargin' like a bullet with a mullet and driving towards the basket, you get the heck outta the way!  Here's a pic below, it's not quite a full blown mullet yet, but you get the picture...

ohhhhhh…my aching belly, it’s about to pop!  I just got back from a new seafood buffet that opened near my house, and I stuffed myself w/ anything and everything they had to offer…especially the raw oysters on a half shell.  Lately, I’ve been on this weird raw oyster phase, I’m freakin’ hooked on em’…if I go to a buffet, I have to find out whether they offer raw oysters or not before I go.  And when I’m there, I can easily have 15-20 by myself.  I can eat more, but I stop myself, just cuz I don’t wanna get sick, and it only takes one bad oyster for a bad night.  Now the question is…do I still go out tonight cuz I can feel the food coma setting in already.  Damn I’m feelin’ tired and lazy, but I should go, cuz it’s for a friend’s birthday... and plus it’ll be nice to see a bunch of friends I haven’t seen in awhile.  So I guess it’s clubbin’ on a overstuffed stomach for me tonight.  Just hope I don’t clear the dance floor w/ an oyster burp!