Licking Honey

Lately I’ve been on a health kick and in search of finding like minded souls. (should I mention I’ve been trying to find humans with souls in general?) However unlike the aforementioned, I go to the gym and do yoga so I can consume heavenly treats such as this, not to down a protein shake and pinch my abs 5 minutes later.  Hello balance? Where are you? wtf muscle dudes why so many issues?! Aye, so I remain solo and eat my bomb ass treats such as this honey toast from Ichiza with my lady friends who are just as impulsive as me. I’ve seen a multitude of actual fb friends and lucky acquaintances that have been accepted as my fb friends, post pictures such as this many times and have been in awe ever since, every time. Finally, my girlie CC and I ventured to Chinatown to conquer the honey toast at the small Japanese spot to quench the desire.  Two appetizers and a whole bowl of ramen later (meaning we were already retardedly full) the honey toast arrived as beautiful as ever.  Glistening thick honey seductively poured over the biggest ball of vanilla bean ice cream all up in the center of what seemed to be a fortress of  thick Texas toast. I almost cried from joy. As painfully full as we were, it was demolished in no joke…5 minutes, each of us taking turns fighting off each other’s fork, battling for the best bite. The synopsis? Get the honey toast. In fact get the honey toast first then eat whatever else, and make sure you’re eating it with someone who cares, it’s way more fun.  Note to the aforementioned, thanks for letting me eat most everything on your plate because you were on a diet… it was really good.  

Don’t Blow It

Crashing burning train wrecks of hilarity.   It’s times like these that I thank the lord for tevo. We’re talking  American Idol auditions people. The show has already set out across the country to capture our most coveted moments on tape where new pop culture icons will be born and die all in the same breathe. I’m sure you’re all counting down the days.

But I’ve got a bone to pick with the former products we’ve churned out so far. I’m feeling a lack of epic intensity that I feel someone who’s donned the title of an idol should hold.  Actually, Adam FLambert is pretty ridiculous in a pretty fabulous way because glitter and platforms my friends will get you far no matter who you are.   Let’s take a step over here to the right and observe the Korean Idols I put on blast like… all the time. They’ve got their image on lock. Song/Dance/Act/Heart Throb/ beastly fashion sense = IDOL. Can I just emphasis style in this equation please. For us American’s, throw in a sappy story and you’ve got yourself a winner. In fact, I think I’ve found one.. sans the Korean part.

Usually I don’t make it past the preliminary rounds, but this season, American Idol’s got my full attention from start until…when my friend finishes. Leng Phe, aka Phé La Roc, will be a contender in this madness! Instead of me blabbing about how amazing he is, I’ll prompt and let him do the talking.

Leng, see I told you I’d follow through with an interview now let’s enlighten the folks with a stream of obvious questions first then get to the nitty gritty:

Hometown: Seattle, Washington

Nationality: Chinese/Cambodian-American

Relationship Status: SINGLE!

Blood type: B Positive

Birthday: August 23, 1986

Words to Live By: “What lies behind us, and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us” – Ralph Emerson

Things are looking hectic for you in these next two weeks. You’ve got your American Idol audition August 19^th in SF and then you’re moving back to your old stomping grounds (Seattle) the next day. Lot’s of prepping, packing and partying to be had I’m sure. How are you going to spend your last two weeks in Cali?

Other than what you have mentioned, I’m squeezing in as much time as possible with a vocal instructor I’ve been seeing for the last 2 months, and piano lessons which I’ve started recently also.  Not just preparing to move back home, but preparing for the competition.  You really have to be entertaining on a huge reality TV show like American Idol, and so I’m studying successful performances, researching the songs I’d like to sing, studying body movements, and really making myself a student all over again.  Then accepting there’s the hard truth that although I feel I am capable of being a finalist, I may not be what they are looking for.

I refuse to believe the truth.

Anyway, when we first met, you were Leng Phe, student, b-boy, Now you’re, Phé La Roc formerly known as Leng Phe, graduate, b-boy, pianist, singer. I didn’t know you were pulling out all the stops.  What I do know is b-boying takes a big chunk of your life, seeing how you’re in two crews, Business Time and Art of Movement. What got you started, who got you inspired, why do you keep going, etc..

It took me a while to realize what I stand for, represent, and to be brave enough to actually declare it to people.  If you’re not going to believe in yourself, who will right?  I literally transformed from not believing in myself at all, to believing in myself, to having other people believe in me but I thought they were lying, to really believing and trusting.

There were plenty of really bad influences around me growing up, and with bboying I found a good niche to where I could stay out of trouble and be cool simultaneously.  My good friend Robert Sayamongkhoumn was a young bboy when I met him and he really sparked a desire in me to improve.  I joined the military fresh out of high school and was stationed in Northern California and met one of my good friends Donovan Demerin who began to school me up.  My inspirations would include Skill Methodz Crew, Boogie Brats, Massive Monkees, and of course Art of Movement (Seattle, WA) and Business Time Crew (Davis, CA).   I’ll be battling more frequently with Art of Movement since I’ll be back home, but will occasionally come back to Northern California to rip it with the family/crew I have out here.

What’s the deal with Phé La Roc? I get the passion of an artist, but out of “So You Think You Can Dance” and “American Idol” why would you choose “American Idol”?  Haven’t you been dancing longer than you’ve been singing? or are you doing both…

Phé La Roc, or Phé is the entertainer who is not the best at his crafts, but working quite diligently towards it.  Why “American Idol” over “So You Think You Can Dance”?  Simply because my singing moves people more than my dance.  Right now, I just want to get my name out there and to build a fan base.

Last year was Mr Hyhpen, ( A show case to break the stereotypes of Asian American Men… also known as man pageant) where I had the pleasure of witnessing your sexay rendition of Marvin Gaye’s, “Let’s Get It On”. I think every 16 year old girl had their phone out snapping pictures.  Seriously, these little ladies were wooed. Is that your plan of attack for American Idol to capture the “Twilight” female audience?(I understand if you don’t want to give up your strategy so omit this question if you want. )

*More importantly, at the Hyphen event, you were representing an organization called “Tiny Toones Cambodia”.  ( Here’s where we insert America’s heartwarming sap story for success).

I remember you (Brett Barletta) with your phone snapping pictures also (hahaha just kidding).  The strategy at the moment is to be prepared for the next challenge as much as possible.  Luck is when preparation meets opportunity, and so I have to train and prep.  If I could honestly capture the “Twilight” audience, this competition would be in the bag.

The non-profit organization I was representing at the event was Tiny Toones Cambodia.  They use arts (specifically break dancing) along with further education and awareness programs to empower the Cambodian youth to lead healthier, enriched lives.  I visited Tiny Toones in early 2009 on part of what was supposed to be a soul-searching trip.  It was after getting to dance with them that I knew I wanted to be involved with this organization.  The day I left, one of the youth grabbed my left hand with both his hands, and looked at me directly in the eyes while asking sincerely in Cambodian, “Elder brother, when will we see you again?”  It was one of the most memorable, powerful, touching, and enlightening experiences to ever happen to me.  I was in the military at the time and so I thought that being a man meant being tough all the way down to the core, and it was crazy that that one moment completely redefined what it meant to be a man.

Speaking of Cambodia, I understand there are some exciting upcoming travel plans in your future.  Korea??? Veitnam?! Cambodia? Jealz…  What will you be doing over seas? What are you bringing me back?

I will be visiting South Korea, Cambodia, and Vietnam. In Korea,  I will be spending some time with Art of Movement in Seoul before they go on an Asia tour.  Later on, I’ll  be hosting and escorting a couple dancers from Full Circle Initiative based in San Francisco.  They will be working with Tiny Toones youth on their visit while absorbing the culture.  My very good middle school friend lives in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, so I will be visiting him.  I will bring back a worthy present and a worthy hug for Ms. Barletta.

Thanks Leng. Godspeed my friend.

There you have it. Singer, Dancer, Heartthrob,  Fresh ta Def Leng Phe the new American Idol. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled and I’ll keep you posted. Oh and feel free to add him on fb… he adds anybody.

Coffee and Six Packs

Ah yes, a vomit of photoshop, target marketing to the max, poor product placement, celebrity sponsorship, fashion forward bleh and an obligatory sexual overtone. Whoever Maeil Café Late Americano Dutch hired to roll out this spread was a douche. Suure, I like to wear sheer veils, undress my ridiculously ripped body, and wipe my brow with my favorite coffee brand… but this is just too much. From a business standpoint it’s slightly annoying that people in my field can crank out concepts that miss the mark entirely. From a consumer standpoint I think it’s fucking hilarious that ad agencies think people will buy this shit based off their crappy ads. On the other hand, it also saddens me that people actually buy this shit based off their crappy ads.  I keep looking at these pictures thinking to myself, maybe I’m being too critical, but no, they really are ridiculous.

* 20 minutes later- After further review of  2AM’s sultry coffee editorial, I’ve decided ridiculous means fucking awesome.

Fail to Americano Dutch and their brainstorming sesh, win to my amusement and sexual coffee fantasies.

Fi Fy FO Furniture

Get hyped!! Get stoked!! Yeaaaauh we’re talking about… furniture? My thoughts exactly (-.-).  Furniture doesn’t usually ruffle my feathers in the least, but this week was/ still is Vegas’ annual World Market Convention trade show.  It’s huge with 3, sixteen floor buildings chuck full of home furnishings. They’ve got lights, mirrors, couches, mattresses, bedroom sets, dividers, patio furniture, open bars, free lunches, moist towelettes, the whole shebang. The time and money these people spend is ridiculous, but it makes the experience of walking the never ending building worth it. Shit is exhausting and after an hour I was sampling every couch I passed. Gotta love the tradeshow perks though. A plethora of bags, booze, and my favorite— a mini chair replica of a famous design pretty much all the contemporary designers were showing  artistically borrowed from Kartell. (It reminds me of the last k drama I’d watched, “Personal Taste”, where Ga In designed a miniature chair and gave it to Jin Ho as a gift. He wins the big architectural  contest because of her, they fall in love. the end). korean tangent done.

I have to say, after all is said and done I definitely have a new appreciation for the simple recliner. Anyway, I saw a looooot of furniture, but picked a few of my personal favorites for your viewing pleasure so enjoy!

* I’ll post who’s who later.

* No I won’t.

Falling Into the K-Hole Cupid

Internet dating. Don’t lie I know you’ve looked around, signed up on a site or two… casual encounters? If anything  you’ve creeped on people’s facebooks and that counts  my friend; searching for prospects on a friend’s of a friend’s boyfriend’s page counts.  But what I bring you is far more exciting and exotic than facebook/match/craigslist (the dregs of society)/friendfinder/ zoosk/ okcupid- I admit I’ve tried them all T.T… What I bring you are men and women from far off seas (occasionally in your back yard). I bring you, KOREAN CUPID! BAM. This site is bomb—for those of you who have a “type”. I like to use their group chat and feel 14 again a/s/l –ing  like it’s nobodies business. The only downside is half the people you actually talk to don’t speak English so taking it to the next level is kind of hard. I guess all in all this site is pretty much a tease unless you’re willing to relocate or use google translate as your bible. As far as entertainment goes, it’s still my #1. Words of warning:  Watch out for giving out the diggies, you might end up with someone repeatedly blowing up your phone like… 9 times in a row at different times of the day, leaving messages you can’t understand. I think this word of warning goes for any dating site though.

Lately everyone seems to be trying to find love online, it’s like window shopping so why the hell not? Which ones have you tried? What’s worked? I mean… really though has it worked?

¡ Bay Erea !

In order of appearance: My Home Away From Home, Café Gratitude, Shitty Fam, Graffiti, Gross, A Farewell, and words to live by.

Ahem. The bay area is full of wondrous happenings and it just so happens two good friends came into the city over the weekend.  I’m on a health kick so I took them to a raw food spot on Harrison and 22^nd in the Mission. I’m talking uncooked food here, meaning vegetarian options only( beans/rice/quinoa/ and the couscous are cooked however). I’m probably missing other items, I don’t know the rules, but it’s cute because everything on the menu’s titled things like “ I am Blissful”, “ I am Elated”, “ I am blah blah”, etc.  They get + 10 for the positivity. Anyway, I remember this place being better for some reason, which was a bummer, BUT if you do go you HAVE TO GET THE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE. I think I took about five minutes to finish each teaspoon just to savor each heavenly bite. Shit was legit.

The graffiti photos are from an even in Precita Park where Urban Arts Youth put up 2,000 ft of space—free paint included—for anyone with any sort of talent to paint on. I’m talking any talent. I omitted the walls with no talent. There was free food too, but I’m not that trusting with San Francisco public.

I don’t know about you, but family can suck it sometimes. When it comes to money it’s all sorts of chaos and this is what I’m gathering from those signs.

The rest is not that important.

* note: I got my ticket for SM Town World Tour in La. Who’s STOKED!?!?!? <—- me ^.^

(^ ^)

In the works…workin’ it out baby.

Dj Sammy – Feel The Love (Sound Selektaz Remix)