11/29/09 - CNN's Asian in America

Yeah, if only they would. For whatever reason, the Asian American experience isn't doing it for Soledad O'Brien. Personally, I don't think she's even thought of it. Here's what I'm thinking. Let's Twitterbomb Soledad and let her know we want our own special!

SECRET ASIAN MAN BOOK NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDERS!

OK everyone, I've been talking about this for a few weeks now but now it's finally become a reality. Secret Asian Man: The Daily Days is now available for pre-orders at Amazon. This 232 page book collects every strip I did while I was syndicated through United Media. I'm very excited to finally have a collection out there just in time for (the tail end of) Black Friday!

This is a self published book which means I'm paying for the whole print run out of pocket. So if you are a fan of SAM or know someone who might enjoy it please order your copy and help support the strip.

I'll also be making the book available for purchase directly from secretasianman.com (credit card orders via PayPal) once I get the physical copies in my hands. Thanks everyone and spread the word!

11/22/09 - If You're Gonna Fail, Fail BIG

It's strange how somehow being a failure has become...profitable. The more screwed up a celebrity, the more media coverage they get. The bigger the company the bigger the bail out. The more ridiculous a politician is, the more people think he/she is qualified to run for president in 2012. I guess in the end it's just like slowing down to watch a car accident. You know you shouldn't but you do. The problem is that EVERYONE does and before you know it people are giving birth in the travel lane.

When I really start thinking about it, it does worry me what the long term effects of all this stupidity will bear. It kind of goes back to something I used to call "pity pride". People enjoy being the bottom of the barrel. Try bringing up your crummy job at a party. Guaranteed that someone will come up with reasons why their job sucks more and they'll do it with a weird version of pride. "I get paid crap, work long hours AND my cube mate smell like old fish! HA! I win!" No. We all lose.

11/15/09 - Twitter King

I'm all for social networking but I think some people are getting pretty crazy about it. It's like they think they're going to get some sort of prize if they out-friend/follower everyone. Some of the crap I see people Twitter is downright shameless. Clearly they just want to keep their little Twitter profile at the top of all their follower's update lists. It's kind of sad. Especially when you see people who are already famous Tweet about useless stuff. I guess to each their own. Just make sure to hit the little Tweet This button right there!

Obama in Asia

Obama is off to Asia, starting with Japan then down to Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing and finally working his way up to Seoul leaving Kim Jong Il in North Korea all in a tizzy (insert cartoon of Kim Jong Il with thought bubble "I know they're talking about me! sob...).

Obama's mission in Japan is mainly focused on the environment and nuclear proliferation. But a lot of people have also been bringing up the number of troops that we still have stationed there. Many Japanese feel it is time for the U.S. to leave these bases, mostly because the residences near then suffer from noisy low-flying airplane syndrome. There have also been some recent controversies involving US troops and Japanese citizens, including a U.S. Marine helicopter crashing into Okinawa International University, a rape of a 12 year-old girl by three U.S. servicemen and several reports of disorderly conduct in the areas around the bases. Residents are frustrated because the servicemen are not bound by local Japanese law and therefore making it difficult to prosecute.

Why do we have so many troop there anyway? I know there was a treaty (or several) that set the whole thing up after WWII for the benefit of Japan but now that Japan has been allowed to create a self defense force of their own I'm not too sure why we still need so many troops there.

I'm going to let you in on a private fantasy. Calm down, not that kind. I always thought Japan was working towards a completely robotic army. Think about it. Honda has been working feverishly to create the coolest freaking walking robots that even walk like they want to sneak up on you and kill you! Add to that Japan's shrinking young population. They couldn't create an army if they wanted to. And if these treaties have set up rules about Japan not being able to create a full fledged military force, maybe creating robots is some technical way around it since they are not human soldiers. Convinced yet? Remember when North Korea was conducting long range missle tests over Japan? I was waiting for a real Godzilla to jump out of the water and deflect it away from Japan. That would have been bad ass! Yes, I eat lots of sugar.

11/8/09 - Homeless Marketing

Ever since I was a kid, I've had a fascination/respect for the homeless. I know some homeless are bitter cretins who are unable to make good decisions but there are many out there who have simply fallen into tough times. I work right across the street from a homeless shelter in Boston and I see all types go in and out of there. I created the character Ned a few years ago to give me a opportunity to explore some of these observations.

Major Nidal Malik Hasan

I was watching CNN yesterday as the story of the Fort Hood shooting unfolded. It was interesting how as soon as the name of the shooter was revealed how the direction of speculation changed. It made me wonder if his name was John Smith if people would immediately speculate that the guy might be a white supremacist. I have to admit that I had the same knee-jerk terrorism reaction when I heard the name. Homeland Security is seeping into my head!!! What do you think? Is it justified to speculate Hassan has ties to terrorists? --TAK

Pumpkin Carving Winners

Thanks to the carvers of the very first SAM Pumpkin Carving contest. Can't wait until NEXT Halloween!

11/1/09 - Asians:the Bugs of the World?

This week, Simon says Asians are the insects of the human race. While a lot of people may feel being called an insect is an insult, it may very well be a insult to insects to feel that way! Hey, don't look at me, it was Simon!