The Secret Virtual Life of Florence Yoo

DJ REKHA @THE HOUSE OF BLUES, CHICAGO 9.10.2009

2009-10-11T17:10:00.005-05:00

HOT FUN SHOW AWESOME MUSIC DANCING WHO COULD ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE? http://www.djrekha.com/ and http://www.myspace.com/djrekha

The Temper Twins - Take a Hop, Skip and Jump Away

2009-03-16T20:08:00.004-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coO9pTiPeyk

Cynthia Lloyd's Obama Dresses at Three Walls Gallery Chicago IL

2009-03-14T22:11:00.018-05:00

three-walls.org

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5236401

youtube.com/watch?v=DCUF-VRIR-8&NR=1

I went to Three Walls Gallery near Downtown Chicago to see artist/singer/songwriter, Cynthia Lloyd's Obama dresses in person. They were part of a Do-It-Yourself political wearable art show called, Dispatch. Ms. Lloyd's creations were, as always, beautiful. The gallery was galleryish (white walls, the three exhibitions displayed separately in the three rooms) except for the swing made from an actual tree, near the entrance. The most excellent Dana Daniels (pictured above) myspace.com/zoolandermodelww accompanied me on this visit and we were allowed to swing (it was a two-seater) for as long as we liked. AWESOME! Oh, and the art and the programs and residencies they offer seemed super awesome, too... Extra special thanks to: Rachel Wakeman at Three Walls for her kind hospitality, driving directions on the phone and for all of the great information about what an exciting gallery Three Walls is!

I Don't Know Lisa Hannigan

2009-03-11T19:21:00.006-05:00

But I sure did like seeing her live at Martyrs' in Chicago, IL. This is being posted ridiculously late, but mom always said: Better late than never...

If Richard Thompson were a girl... If Bjork/Feist/Cat Power had a love child... These were the random thoughts I had as I witnessed Lisa Hannigan and her fine band slalom through their set list as effortlessly as Shaun White flies through the air on his snowboard... Hannigan's vocals were as clear as a bell with a confident and winning delivery that made for a magical performance that sounded better than the recordings.

My favorite number of the night was I Don't Know which felt like a ride down the 405 on a balmy summer night in my old convertible...

I Don't Know by Lisa Hannigan

2009-03-11T18:12:00.005-05:00

Julia Cho Update

2008-10-10T16:05:00.002-05:00

Julia Cho has been busy... She's currently working as a staff writer on the Fox television show, Fringe. Check out the Tuesday, October 14th episode! And she also co-wrote the story for this comic book version of the show! Holy cow! Congratulations, JC, et al!

Before Michael Phelps, there was Dr. Sammy Lee...

2008-10-02T19:20:00.000-05:00

I had the distinct honor and pleasure of finally getting to meet master wordsmith and ace musician, Paula Yoo when she was on the Chicago leg of her book tour. I got her to inscribe my copy of her and Dom Lee's brilliant book, Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds The Sammy Lee Story. Paula's portrayal of Dr. Lee's journey from being treated like a second class citizen in a land he was born in to Olympic champion was as touching and inspiring as Dom Lee's illustrations were beautiful...

Dr. Sammy Lee was the first Asian American to win a gold medal for the USA in the 1948 Olympics! Who knew?

Now, many of you know that my dear pal, writer, Julia Cho is also my arch nemesis (you know, like in the comic books -- the characters fight each other, but somehow they're really kind of friends) : She has the superhero ability to reduce me to tears in two seconds flat. Well, it appears that now I have two foes: Paula Yoo has upped the ante here, and not only can her words make tears well up in my eyes faster than you can say, "Jiminy Cricket" but she makes food sound so luscious that I must eat it as soon as I can find or make it!

So, take heed of my warning friends -- this Paula Yoo character has uncanny powers -- even the dedication in her book Good Enough made me weep... So sweet, it was...

Lastly, Paula and I got to break bread together at a restaurant in Naperville. We opted for the outdoor seating, which was a bit of a mistake since we were eaten alive by mosquitos. I had an amazing time hanging out with Paula in spite of the pesky pests. As for why we were the only people getting bitten on the patio -- all I can surmise is that the tiny vampires were in the mood for Korean...

More info on all of the beautiful work Ms. Yoo produces...
http://www.paulayoo.com/

Paula Yoo plays and talks to Readergirlz!

2008-10-02T18:16:00.006-05:00

This readergirlz interview is fantastic. Paula plays the heck out of that violin and I love that she closed the interview with a musical joke: A few notes of The Troggs' "Wild Thing!" HA!

Mr. Yoo Singing

2008-09-30T18:19:00.002-05:00

Fox's Fringe on Top...

2008-09-09T20:39:00.009-05:00

For those of you who recognize the musical theater reference from my subject line, rest assured; Fringe has nothing in common with, "Oklahoma."

If you like The X Files or Heroes then you will like this show. No disrespect to those shows, but I liked Fringe better because it made more sense.

Believe the hype. Fox's newest sci-fi/mystery entry, Fringe is like crack cocaine: One taste and you're hooked...

Good Enough Weight Supplement

2008-09-07T12:59:00.003-05:00

I have a hot tip for those of you out there looking to gain a pound or two: Read Good Enough by Paula Yoo. I was just thinking about the book yesterday and I was immediately overcome with a craving for mint chocolate chip ice cream. (Visual: Florence eating a bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream with spoon in right hand, left hand in a fist, shaking it in the air, thinking... Darn that Paula and her gift for making food sound so irresistible....)

Paula Yoo's new novel Good Enough is Good Enough...

2008-09-05T15:48:00.002-05:00

To be on every Asian American Studies and/or English class' syllabus across the land.

Good Enough is a charming, funny, utterly delightful and authentic peek at what it's like to be Korean and American in the USA.

Full disclosure: I am not related to Paula Yoo. I am Korean American but I actually learned a lot about Korean American teens and what seems to be the intense and wonderful experience of being really good at something like violin by reading this tale.

I did relate to the family stuff but there the empathy stopped and turned to sympathy since I did not grow up being a typical Korean American, though I seem to hang out with a number of them now...

I attended the opening night party for my dear friend, Julia Cho's play, BFE in New York City. I was at a table with Asians and one lone white guy. The subject of spelling bees came up because Deborah S. Craig had recently told someone about being interviewed about the musical she was in, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Apparently, actor after actor said that it was ironic that they should be in the Spelling Bee because in real life, they were not very good spellers at all -- except for Deborah, who is Korean American and won her own school spelling bee. Every single Asian at the table (except for me) went onto regale us with stories about how they either won their school's spelling bee or were first runner-up. Each person even remembered the word they spelled to win! I turned to the white dude and shrugged. He shrugged back. I said, "I didn't win any spelling bees growing up and I have no recollection of them at all, let alone what word I missed!" "Yeah, me, too," the guy replied.
Julia jumped in and commented, "That's because you guys weren't nerds like us."

Oh. Now, wait a minute, I'm pretty sure I was one. I think I was a just nerd on that path not taken by most... I cannot read a single note of sheet music. I played tennis for my high school.
I was in rock bands instead of orchestra.

All this to say, I loved Good Enough even though I must admit, it was somewhat out of my millieu. I can't do math to save my life. No, really.

The clarity of the writing infused with the laugh out loud moments made this book a winner.

Not to spoil things, but Yoo even cleverly crafts an SAT joke in the form of an SAT question!

There's a lot to be said for the beauty a talented overachiever like Paula Yoo can create...

Caveat: Do not read this book while hungry. Yoo includes descriptions of food and a few mouth watering recipes between chapters! I had to stop reading twice to go to the kitchen to make ramen spam and then kim bop spam before I could read on. I'm not so sure this book was good for my diet but it certainly did nourish my mind and soul with its positive and honest messages about deciding what to be and do as one grows up...

For more info on the gifted Ms. Yoo, please visit: paulayoo.com

Beverly Hills 90210 vs. 90210

2008-09-05T14:41:00.005-05:00

Is it just me or is The CW's new 90210 television show some big budget bizarro world mash up of the old 90210 and The N's Degrassi: The Next Generation and South of Nowhere?

I like the new 90210. I think Weezer should make a guest appearance and play their song, "Beverly Hills" at a pool party...

Back in the day, I saw the original 90210 program once. I was hanging out with a bunch of friends. Everyone but me was a big fan and they all insisted that we watch the show as we ate pizza. I recall turning to my friend, Julian Brooks and asking, "So, whose dad is that?" He answered, "Oh, that's not a dad, that's a kid." "Really...?" Later, I asked him, "Whose mom is that?" "Oh, no, she's a kid, too..." he replied. At this point, I was very confused. "How do you know who the kids are versus the parents?" Julian was very patient with me and explained, "You just have to get to know the characters, otherwise there's no way of knowing who's who...."

The Three Amigas

2008-08-23T15:21:00.004-05:00

Okay, not really. Pictured are the hilarious and lovely, Michelle Buteau, Susan Alexander and Esther Ku at the Five Funny Females and Five Funny Fags show at The Lakeshore Theater in Chicago, IL.

Apparently, there is truth in advertising. Susan Alexander did a fine and funny job of hosting the show. I know Michelle Buteau from the New York days and as we were catching up, she told me about how people always say that she reminds them of people, like Morgan Freeman. I laughed out loud. She said, "No, really. That happened. Because of my freckles." "What?" I asked. She said that she has also gotten comparisons to Lenny Kravitz and Raven Symone. I don't get the Morgan and Lenny thing; but actually, the Raven similarity does make sense to me. They don't look alike, but Raven Symone is such a natural and funny. Michelle is so like that -- on and off stage. Will someone give this girl a tv show already?

Michelle introduced me to Esther Ku before the show. I have an acute case of laryngitis at the moment, so I've been showing everyone the note in my journal: LOST MY VOICE. NOT SUPPOSED TO TALK AT ALL! I saw Esther after the show and told her how much I enjoyed her set. She dryly replied, "I didn't hear you laughing..."

Robbie Fulks

2008-08-20T14:07:00.002-05:00

If you like country music, you will dig Robbie Fulks. I liked him, his band and his sneakers. I also liked it when he played James Taylor's song, "Your Smiling Face."

DURANGO in Chicago!

2008-05-11T09:38:00.011-05:00

Julia Cho's sensitive, spot on play, Durango opened last night at The Silk Road Theatre Project. It was as beautiful and sad as it was funny and real.

srtp.org/productions.html

In Loving Memory of Mr. Yoo

2008-04-03T17:22:00.004-05:00

You are loved and will be missed...

Gluten-Free Global in Los Angeles!

2008-03-28T19:42:00.004-05:00

check it out [talented and sweet] sarah and joel's delicious new wares! http://www.glutenfreeglobal.com/
http://www.glutenfreeglobal.blogspot.com/

Fisheye's Tight New Video "People in Your Neighborhood"

2008-03-28T19:13:00.002-05:00

Have You Found Her... Janice Erlbaum?

2008-02-14T17:32:00.003-06:00

I just finished reading Janice Erlbaum's fine, new book, Have You Found Her A Memoir. It's a sequel of sorts to her excellent first offering, Girlbomb: A Halfway Homeless Memoir. I qualify the use of the word, "sequel" because the story picks up twenty years after the first one ends. I am hoping that this may be condsidered the "poquel" or "post sequel" of the yet to be written sequel so we find out what happened during the void in between. If possible, I found the current release to be even more engaging and riveting than the first book, hence my greed for a book that would bridge the time gap.

The premise is simple: Erlbaum goes back to the homeless shelter she once lived in to volunteer. The directive from the higher ups is to "listen and believe." She brings beads with her as an activity for the young women. No one could have ever anticipated what would follow...

Have You Found Her comes off as gritty, honest and real. I loved and believed every word. I was touched by the title, the meaning of which was revealed, quite poignantly, early on. It was also a funnier read than I would have imagined:

...I'd been spending four hours a week volunteering, for ten months now. I should have cured homelessness already. Instead, I had decorated it.

Oddly, I kept thinking that Steven Spielberg should make this book into a movie...

For more info, please check out Janice Erlbaum's outstanding blog: girlbomb.com

be my myspace valentine...

2008-02-14T13:53:00.001-06:00

love you, mean it! add me as a friend! myspace.com/florenceyoomusic

Vera Plum Your Kids!

2008-02-13T20:41:00.002-06:00

check out these awesome threads... and as an extra bonus, if you like comedy... it don't get any funnier, folks...

http://www.myspace.com/iamtamra

http://www.veraplum.com/

Little

2008-01-24T12:11:00.000-06:00

I got to see my old friend, the most excellent, talented Indigo Som when she was blowing through town... indigosom.com

We had the pleasure of having supper with Karen Steward, her husband, Peter and their adorable children.

Late in the evening their little girl asked, "Why is Florence a little little?" She had astutely noticed that I was not as small as the kids, but not as big as the adults. I replied, "I am a little little because my parents are little..."

I recently met another kid and the subject of Starbucks came up. She said, "Oh, you mean, Sixbucks?"

So The Esther Chae Flies!

2008-01-07T19:49:00.000-06:00

SO THE ARROW FLIES

Facebook Aside

2007-12-07T13:41:00.000-06:00

So far on facebook.com, I've been kissed, pinched, slapped, hugged, spanked, given virtual liquor and poked... Doesn't anyone buy you dinner first anymore...?