babybons's Xanga

help: Benefit Concert for Burma and Sichuan

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:20:19 GMT

AsianWeek presents
help: Benefit Concert for Burma and Sichuan

featuring:
Natalise
Mud
Paul Kim

Saturday, August 2, 2008 @ 7pm

Glas Kat Nightclub
520 4th Street, San Francisco (map)
21 and over - Doors open at 6pm
Strict dress code (please no baggy jeans, tennis shoes, caps, etc.)

Buy tickets
$25 student advanced purchase (with a current student ID)
$35 general advanced purchase
$40 general admission at the door - CASH ONLY!
$125 VIP package (three course dinner and admission to show for two) *limited availability*
www.brownpapertickets.com/event/38397

Steps to Becoming a Superstar Singer

Thu, 15 May 2008 03:31:54 GMT

Try participating in a Singing Competition -- This would give an aspiring singer some practice, experience, and exposure. Read the bottom for pointers.

Just two weeks ago, I cheered on my cousin at an "Asian Idol" competition in San Francisco. I wasn't really sure what to expect but the focus of the competition was on the singing talent. There were 28 contestants and 4 prizes (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Audience Favorite). This was a semi-final competition but the winner of the final competition gets a singing contract in Taiwan. Nice.

The contestants were graded on the following criterion:

Vocal Quality - 15 points
Technique - 15
Emotion/Mood - 15
Rhythm - 15
Style - 10
Presentation - 10
Appearance - 10
Potential - 10

Steps to Winning a Superstar Singing Contest

So I was thinking -- If I were the judge, how would I pick the superstar?? In this case, it was important to note that I would be picking a superstar singer in this competition. There are superstar actresses, superstar models, superstar pianists, superstar painters, etc… or… one could be a superstar generalist, where a mix of skills could be used well. For instance, there are some actors that are great dancers as well. However, one skill is usually notably better than another.

1. Have a personality! Become an adjective that has meaning...

2. Know what you are being graded on! If you are being judged on vocal quality but you cannot sing in the correct tones, then the competition does not suit you, right? For this competition, I would shortlist the contestants that are very good in one of the above criterion. Of course, the first four criterion get more weight.. Then, I would continue to narrow down the list with the contestants who scored well in a combination of two of the above criterion. Then, the contestants who scored well in a combination of three of the above criterion and so on.. In my opinion, it is nice to be well-rounded so one who scores strongly all-around could be better than one who scores really well on three criterions. Wow - so technical! Hehe

3. Be teachable! Those who show that they are willing to learn usually have more potential. For example, my cousin's simple gesture of thanking the audience and her family and friends for their support of her passion for singing at the end of the competition differentiated her from the rest of the contestants who did not do that...

SOO, what do you think??

More insights to come later -- I think I'd like to add a section on "How to Promote a Superstar..."

Happy Birthday to AlivenotDead.com!

Tue, 13 May 2008 20:00:45 GMT

Flashback: Pictures from the SF International Asian American Film Festival and St. Patrick's Day Weeks

I met some awesome AlivenotDead.com members in person during the two weeks. Kudos to the AnD team for creating such a great community to embrace and help artists connect and share worldwide! Check out my AlivenotDead site ==> www.alivenotdead.com/soohoo.

Submit for the Women 2.0 Business Plan Competition!

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:06:27 GMT

Which door would you choose to enter?

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:15:31 GMT

Imagine an interview question: If you count carefully, there are 7 doors. Starting from Door #1 being closest to you and Door #7 being furthest away from you, which Door # would you choose to enter? All being vacant.

Why Pocky Snacks for Men?

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:05:40 GMT

There aren't Oreos, Nutter Butters, Wheat Thins for men...

The $25,000 Love Song

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 17:08:15 GMT

Someone started the business!! =) Back in school, I wrote a paper about initiating a business for writing custom songs for people - not only love songs, but songs for birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations,… and not only targeted to the men who have difficulty expressing their emotions as the featured article states: http://potw.news.yahoo.com/s/potw/60889/the-25000-love-song. Haha! While writing the paper, I did question whether there really was a demand for this… What occasion would someone want to do this for? How much would someone pay for a customized song?

Anyhow, someone is doing it now - Brian Alex writes love songs about relationships and here are the basics to his business:

"A custom love song can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $25,000 depending on whether he performs it live or not. Usually he'll record it with studio musicians and deliver two copies of the CD, one framed, the other ready to be played. He writes songs in any style requested. And he says he still sweats out every one of them, sometimes taking two to three weeks to write and record. He can also turn songs around more quickly, if needed, by working with other musicians."

The Hardest Part Is To Say "Good Bye"

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:51:30 GMT

That's what I said when I left my grandpa's place in HK this past weekend... Not only is my grandpa another Tyler Florence, creating the most amazing foods, he teaches me so much about generations... how generations are influenced by the events that occur in the phases of our life. It is very interesting because based on the historical precedence, you can then begin to foresee how future generations might act and believe. (Good for marketing eh?) I learned about the binding of my great grandma's feet, the Cultural Revolution, my grandparent's resilience after a crisis, and how all of that affected their perspectives.

This prompted me to read some awesome research completed by Neil Howe and William Strauss who are known to write about generations. Take a look at their description of Generation X (born 1961-1981, now age 27-47). Remember this descrīption is for the United States. Does it fit you?

"Generation X grew up in an era of failing schools and marriages, when the collective welfare of children sank to the bottom of the nation's priorities, and dozens of films portrayed children who were literally demons or throwaway survivalists. Xers learned early on to distrust institutions, starting with the family, as the adult world was rocked by the sexual revolution, the rise in divorce, and an R-rated popular culture. With their mothers entering the workplace before childcare was widely available, many endured a latchkey childhood. By the mid-1980s MTV, hip-hop, and a surging interest in business and military careers had marked a new and hardening pragmatism in their mood. Surveys (and pop culture) pointed to greater risk taking among the young. Over the next decade crime and teen preganancy rates soared. After navigating a sexual battleground of AIDS and blighted courtship rituals as young adults, Xers have dated cautiously and married late. Many of them have begun to construct the strong families that they missed in childhood. In jobs they prefer free agency over corporate loyalty, with three in five saying they someday "want to be my own boss." They are already the greatest entrepreneurial generation in US history; their high-tech savvy and marketplace resilience have helped America prosper in the era of gloalization. Of all the generations born in the twentieth century, Gen X includes the largest share of immigrants. Xers have made barely any impression in civic life; they believe that volunteering or helping people one-on-one is more efficacious than voting or working to change laws.

The Millennials (born 1982 to roughly 2005) have seen steady decreases in high-risk behaviors. As the oldest of them graduate into the workplace, record numbers are gravitating toward large institutions...seeking teamwork, protection against risk, and solid work-life balance. Their culture is becoming less edgy with a new focus on upbeat messages and big brands, and more conventional, with a resurgence of oldies and remakes. Their close relationships with their parents and extended families are carrying over into their young adult lives."

Photography...

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 09:07:49 GMT

Surprise surprise... one of my photos was short-listed for inclusion in the fourth edition of the Schmap Oxford Guide to be published in 2008! As I did not submit the photo for any reviews, it was a pleasant surprise to know that someone appreciates it.. The photo was taken after a climb to the top of the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin on High Street in Oxford. This view overlooks the All Souls College and really shows the dreaming spires. =) Here is the eye-candy. Have a lovely weekend!

Merry Christmas!

Tue, 25 Dec 2007 01:14:50 GMT

It is a magical time of year - I love the Christmas celebration and I could only wish that it would mean much to others too. Have a very Merry Christmas and best wishes to a joyous, healthy, and successful New Year! Moouah!!

Speaking of kisses, I came upon this on Wikipedia. Pretty cool - The longest recorded kiss took place in New York City on December 5, 2001, between Louisa Almedovar and Rich Langley. It lasted 30 hours, 59 minutes and 27 seconds. WOw!

Yesterday, I was at my cousin's place and checked-in for my flight using his computer. Look at his mousepad?! Aiya.