Dad, do people eat dogs?

Doesn't every child ask this question? OK, probably not. Well, Shin did and SAM handles it with grace and poise. Often kids ask questions about things that we may not be completely ready to answer. The important thing is to remain calm, think about what you're going to say and then distract them with cartoons on TV. Works every time.

HEY CHICAGO!

SAM: Daily Days is now available at Quimby's (1854 W. North Ave.)! Swing down and visit this really cool book/zine shop and hear the story about their store signage that features Chris Ware artwork.

Endowment Fund Created in Honor of Corky Trinidad

Corky Trinidad, an influential Filipino editorial cartoonist who passed away last year, was the first Asian editorial cartoonist to be syndicated in the United States. An endowment fund has been created in his name to assist students at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in the fields of journalism, mass communications, fine arts, performing arts, ethnic minorities, international studies, media studies and human rights who have a focus on Philippine studies, society and culture. That says a lot about the man who inspired this fund, no? You can make donations to the fund here.

Blacklava - Deal of the Day

If you haven't picked up your copy of Secret Asian Man: The Daily Days yet, today is your lucky day. The book is today's Daily Deal over at Blacklava. Today only you can get the book with FREE SHIPPING! The book is pretty heavy so don't sneeze at the FREE SHIPPING. Did I mention there's FREE SHIPPING!

Tamil Tigers

It seems TV news media can only focus on a few things at a time. These days it's Tiger Woods, the Olympics, Afghanistan, the economy and ... Toyota recalls. But there are so many other developments happening every day. Conflicts in the Congo, Japanese open season on whale killing, the invention of information teleportation...etc. The Tamil Tigers have been one of those low humming stories here in the states. I understand that there's only so many stories a news program can cram in a broadcast and it's crucial that CNN repeat their news cycle again and again and again just in case you missed it. It's always interesting to come across a story with a lot of history and deep implications for the future that has barely been brought to the surface.

Charlie's Maternity Gadgets

That's right. Charlie has been hard at work trying to come up with gadgets that will help Marie and SAM with their soon to be second child. Chances are you probably aren't preggers right now but someday you may be/have been or will be married to someone who is/was/will be. Was that even a sentence? Then you'll come pounding on Charlie's door.

Support Slant Film Festival

Asian American cinema makes vital contributions to American culture as a whole. The Slant Film Festival, established in 2001 by Hyphen Magazine founding editor Melissa Hung, is trying to raise a very modest amount to keep their festival going. To help out I donated 10 copies of SAM: The Daily Days that you will get free for making a $100 or more donation. You'll also get a subscription to Hyphen! Give what you can and support AA cinema!

Kinokuniya Bookstores

Just sent copies of Daily Days to the Kinokuniya Bookstore in Los Angeles and I believe they'll be shipping some of those to the Costa Mesa store. So if you're in the area and are curious to read before you buy go for it!

Also, got the above photo from Josh at the Kinokuniya Bookstore in Seattle. If any author/artist tells you they don't care about the sight of their book on a store shelf they're full of it. Love that it's next to R. Crumb's illustrated version of the Book of Genesis. Thanks Josh!

Vice Magazine Loves Me!

Remember in grade school when you did mean things to people you had a crush on but really you were just afraid to admit you liked them? Well Nick Gazin over at Vice must want me pretty badly. He got a half naked model to burn my book to show his love. Warning: video contains boobs, comics and fire.

Health care shmealth care

The health care debates rage on...still. And they may be starting all over again. It seems everyone thinks the system can be improved but as soon as someone suggests a change people go absolutely crazy. I don't think it matters what the change is but if one side pushes for something, the other side will push back. The one bright side to this whole mess is I can't remember the last time so many people spoke out so passionately about health care. I'd love to see what the education version of this mud fight would look like.

Asian Man Records!

Back when I wore combat boots to go with my mohawk, I was way into hardcore and ska music (and of course, the hybrid ska-core). One of my favorite bands was Skankin' Pickle. When I heard "Onyonghasayo", a Korean ska song, I nearly lost my mind. Mike Park was a key member of the band and went on to play with The Chinkees, The Bruce Lee Band and is now performs solo gigs. His Asian Man Records is a grass roots DIY label that Mike proudly runs out of his garage. After years of telling myself, "I've got to get in touch with this guy" I finally reached out and so glad I did. Mike is a real nice guy and I'm proud to say Secret Asian Man: The Daily Days is now available at Asian Man Records! Please show your support for this talented guy and pick up a copy today! And while you're at it pick up some tunes from some great independent bands!

URB Interview

An old friend hooked me up with an interview over at URB. I have to say that it's refreshing to have an article about SAM appear on a site that isn't specifically focused on Asian Americans or comics. Not that I don't love Asian Americans and comics...Check it out!