Whisky on my mind...

I have fallen in love with whisky. A particular one, to be precise.


The Glenrothes 1985 Single Speyside Malt

We first met at the Nihon Whisky Lounge in San Francisco. We have had dinner upstairs in their restaurant area with some friends. I was ready to venture beyond the Glenmorangie whiskies, and asked the bartender, Amanda, for her recommendation. I don't even remember what it was I had, because it didn't matter.

I had a sip of the creamy golden nectar that Amanda had poured for my friend, and was so enchanted that I ordered one for myself. And then another. That was the beginning of my love affair with the Glenrothes 1985.

Good news is that the vintage is not yet sold out, and there are 7 bottles still at K&L San Francisco. Bad news is that, even at a discount, it's U.S.$100 for a bottle. Not the kind of money that a novice whisky drinker and struggling filmmaker should spend.

So, to satisfy my burning desire, I've watched the videos and read the history of making Glenrothes whisky on their website. I've searched the web for tasting notes and reviews. And, I went to K&L, to admire and appreciate the beautiful bottle of 1985 that they have locked behind their "rare whiskies" glass case.


I think of this as a long courtship. I learn everything I can about my whisky during the long wait, which will make the consummation so much more delightful when the time comes.

Nadekifuda

This is an event done every year at the district where I live. The district chairman will go knocking at everyone's door to ask if you will like to have a 'Nadekifuda'. This little piece of wood called 'Nadeki' (short form) cost around 200yen, where you will write down your age and name on it, and then wipe around your body with it. The district chairman will then come back to collect them and have them burnt in the shrines. So as to bless you for safe driving. Some shrines have them for good health to take away your illness or to fulfill your wishes.

I love this word called 'Tsunagu' (繋ぐ), which means to pass it on. It's always so nice to know that some traditional customs are still going on so as to bring the history to the next generation. I know its a shame that I might not be that fascinated in chinese culture (not that I don't like it), but I love japanese culture very much. And sometimes it is very sad to see so many traditional techniques extinguish away. How I hope this high quality techniques from the pass will pass on to the next generation - Tsunagu

(I will try to introduce some techniques later!)

Two Silent Stars Still Enchant 80 Years Later

If there is a decent silent film community or festival near you, I highly recommend attending a few screenings, with live music preferably. Watching a classic silent film on a huge screen, accompanied by great musicians, is an amazing experience.

That's what I did last week. Saw G.W. Pabst's "Diary of a Lost Girl," starring Louise Brooks, and Bu Wancang's "A Spray of Plum Blossoms" (一剪梅), starring Ruan Lingyu (阮玲玉). I first learnt of Ruan when I saw the movie about her starring Hong Kong movie star Maggie Cheung. They had clips of the original Ruan in the film. But I've never had a chance to actually see one of her films, so this was a treat.

A Snapshot in Time

I find it fascinating that almost all silent films come from this narrow period of time, roughly 1915 to 1930. The roaring 20s in Berlin, and the height of old Shanghai's "Paris of the Orient" heyday. People wanted to forget the horrors of WWI. There was a powerful sense of stepping away from the past into modernity. It was the period of the Dada movement, Art Deco, and Bauhaus design. The image of the Modern Woman was being created and celebrated. No more corsets or long, dowdy skirts! The short bob haircut was popularized by Louise Brooks, and in Shanghai, screen sensations like Ruan Lingyu modernized the cheongsam and turned it into a fashion trend in the East.

Crossing Borders

It is also interesting to see how international culture was around the world. Louise Brooks' character wore a robe with Japanese characters at some point. In "A Spray of Plum Blossoms," English intertitles followed the Chinese ones. And they weren't just bland subtitles—they were designed to fit the plot. For example, the intertitles for a "wanted" notice was done to look like a real "wanted" poster, like in a Western film.

Great Storytelling is Timeless

The best part of these films is that, for all their artistry, they do not fail to captivate and move you with great storytelling. For me, that's what films are all about—a great story that pulls you in, you become immersed in the characters' world, and you feel their struggles and hopes and dreams. And the best films can do that across time!

Shinboru (Symbol) by Hitoshi Matsumoto

Curious movie by a Japanese comedian. Saw it yesterday with my Asian Cinephiles Meetup Group. I enjoyed it. Although I can see myself hating it on a different day!

By the way, it was my first MeetUp event. Loved it. Great way to find and make new friends around similar passions.

Askinosie—Authentic Single Origin Chocolate

It's not often that you see the picture of the farmer on your chocolate package. That's why these chocolate bars from Askinosie Chocolate caught my eye the other day.

It's not just a pretty picture of farmers in the generic "oh isn't it charming?" style. It is THE picture of THE farmer who grew THE cacao beans that went into THE chocolate bar you see right in front of you.

This is for folks who care to appreciate chocolate the way wine lovers care about wine. Rather than generic chocolate, you can find out whether you prefer Arriba Nacional 70% dark chocolate grown by Vitaliono Saravia in Ecuador, or Trinitario 77% dark chocolate grown by Peter Cruz in the Philippines. And for the chocolate snob, you can distinguish between the different "choc-o-lots" much like wine snobs can tell you what vintage years are the best.

Akira Kurosawa Centennial

It's 100 years since the great Japanese movie director Akira Kurosawa was born. If you're a fan, it's a great time to look around, and find places that are showing his best films on the big screen.

The Pacific Film Archive in Berkeley (near San Francisco) is doing just that. Last night, I saw Kurosawa's directorial debut film, Sanshiro Sugata, and its sequel, Sanshiro Sugata II.

Good learning

It is instructive to see this fantastic director's early efforts. I love the carefully choreographed camera movements and acting. The first fight scene of course is amazing—the bold lighting contrast, the choreography of camera and actors as they prepare to fight. An influence, no doubt, on the drama of the stand-off in Westerns and Spaghetti Westerns.

I also love the scheming scene in the jujitsu dojo. The dance between camera and actors is elegant and smooth.

The occasion has inspired me to read up more on the director, both the praise and the criticism.

The test of time

But to be honest, it wasn't that much fun to watch. Unlike some of my Kurosawa favorites, Sanshiro Sugata I and II are film geek fare that don't quite stand up to the test of time. Ironic since these films were commercial hits in their days—not artsy films like Kurosawa's later efforts. But film-making has progressed so much since the film was made that it no longer moves the audience in the same way. The editing is where it breaks down the most, especially for the fight scenes. They feel flat, and fail to build suspense and energy for the modern viewer.

But I'm expecting his classics to stand up well and still move all audiences, film geek or not. It will be exciting to see Yojimbo and Ran on the big screen in the next few weeks! Too bad we'll miss the Seven Samurai and already missed Rashomon. Maybe we'll watch those on DVD.

Interesting Knowledge

I don't used to be too much of a tv fan. (I was only fascinated with animations and americadramas!!) But japan's tv shows are so different. They are very entertaining and interesting. Most of them are quiz shows and variety shows among actor & actress. And actually you can learn a lot of general knowledge from it too. Like the following one that I will like to share, I didn't know about it even I work in the fashion business!!

I think a lot of you have seen a men's jacket, and I think you also realized the buttons on the side of the sleeves. Some have a real bent opening, but some are just decorations. But does it ever come to you that why are there buttons there? I never questioned that before, that's what I have learned - Teacher: 'Draw a bent opening at the side of the back sleeve.' Me: 'Yes noted, 2-3cm from the center sleeve line...' Really, what was that for???

And recently, through this tv quiz show, I happened to learn who started adding buttons on the sleeves!! It was Napoleon!! As many knows, Napoleon owns a powerful army, the image of the his army was strong and gallant in uniform. But because of the cold weathers, a running rose during the wars is nothing uncommon. Humanly, while you are focusing in the war, the soldier just wipe off his running nose on the sleeves of his uniform. And you can imagine the dried out white stains on it (sorry)... Napoleon didn't like that, and this is how he got the idea of adding buttons there so that you will naturally stop rubbing you nose on it!!

Seems like image plays an important role for confidence. You don't need to wear luxury stuffs or famous brands to do so, but neat & tidiness can make you smart enough to gain you confidence!!

Horticulturally challenged

The wasteland that is my backyard taught me three important lessons about gardening.
1) Knowing is not the same as doing.
2) Trying to do too much will lead to not doing.
3) I am not a gardener.

Too much too soon

I come from a family of scholars. Naturally, I think the best way to learn about something is to read. Better yet, learn from a master. So when we bought a house with a beautiful yard over three years ago, I took a gardening class at City College, read a gazillion books on gardening, got the feed from the hip gardening blog You Grow Girl, and even subscribed to Fine Gardening magazine. At one point, I was growing strawberries, snow peas, lettuce, blueberries, potatoes, and a variety of herbs.

The crash

Now the garden is in utter disarray. Weeds are overgrown. All the new plants are dead. Even some of the original ones—the jasmine flowers, the reeds—have died. I can't even bear to look at the garden without being filled with remorse, guilt and shame.

What did I do to arrive at this disaster? Nothing. I did nothing. I got tired; I got impatient; I lost interest. I'm just not passionate about gardening enough to want to dedicate all my free time to it. I want to make films, to draw, to do yoga, to read, to do so many other things! When my bubble of initial excitement burst, I crashed so fast and so hard that I simply stepped away. I had no exit strategy. I just stopped doing anything. Not even watering the plants.

What next?

But the garden is still there. In the backyard. Looking more miserable day by day. I guess I have to do something. Maybe just a couple of hours every weekend. Nothing big—just weeding, watering, and clearing the dead stuff. That's it. This time, I'm going to start small. Do a little. And then let's see how that goes.

Cappuccino and latte

Our coffee obsession has shifted lately, to our Bialetti Italian stovetop espresso maker and milk frother.

Voila! Our morning indulgence—a cappuccino with a sprinkle of chocolate for me, a latte for Aaron.