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It's been a full year since I've updated this journal. Thinking of bringing it back, but not a fan of livejournal's new, (to me, at least) obtrusive ads. May migrate to another blogging platform.
A lot has happened in 1 year. And I want to document what's to come.
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Comments: Read 5 or Add Your Own.
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Why update livejournal when you can efficiently microblog with 140 characters or less? Follow me at twitter.com/sujinchang.
I've changed my thesis topic from Youtube to Twitter. I would elaborate but I am well out of characters.
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Comments: Read 3 or Add Your Own.
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Wednesday, January 28th, 2009
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This past weekend, I spent my Saturday night in San Diego with some friends playing Settlers of Catan while watching the U.S. Figure Skating Nationals on TV. There are many things that happened that night I can choose to blog about, but figure skating trumps all the options.
Alissa Czisny won the gold medal and became the newly crowned 2009 Ladies Figure Skating Champion. She was my favorite to win because at 21 years old, I think Alissa outshines all the other 14-16 year old jumping tweens in artistry and grace. She was the only girl to deliver a polished and mature program. After 6 years of competing at senior nationals, I'm glad that she was able to rise up to the highest step on the podium.
That said, what I find difficult to accept is that Alissa won the title after landing only three clean triple jumps in her free skate. Three. Evengy Plushenko used to land three triples and one quad in his short program alone. While there is no minimum requirement, most winning ladies skaters have performed an average of 5-7 triple jumps since before the 1990's. Skaters like Michelle Kwan and Sasha Cohen always performed 6 or 7-jump programs during their competitive years. Across the world, Japanese skater Mao Asada currently boasts a triple axel and two triple-triple combinations, on top of 2 additional triples, in her long program. It's disappointing to recall that Michelle Kwan was once harshly criticized for not consistently landing her triple-triple combo, resulting in a mere 6-triple program. And now, girls like Alissa Czisny are being handed national titles for landing three.
U.S. Figure Skating is not what it once was. It's the only sport I know of that's evolving backwards. It needs help here in the states. Young and mechanical jumping tweens like Rachel Flatt and Caroline Zhang need to mature and improve their elegance on the ice, and graceful skaters like Alissa Czisny have to up their technical content and consistently perform under pressure.
The 2009 World Championships will take place in March at the Staples Center. I'll definitely be watching and rooting for Alissa, but realistically, she has no chance against skaters like Yuna Kim and Mao Asada. From 1995-2006, the US has always had at least one ladies medalist on the podium. Since 1947, the US ladies have always been a strong force in the skating world, winning the gold 26 times. In the past two years, Japan has nearly dominated the field, and no medals were given to any US ladies. It's sad that we are no longer a factor. And judging by the American ladies skaters in the mix today, the harsh reality is that it doesn't look like this will change any time soon.
U.S. figure skating needs a face, someone to rejuvenate the integrity of the sport and its marketing capabilities. With Michelle and Sasha gone, there's virtually no branding or sponsorship opportunities that are attractive enough for corporations. And the fans have no one to rally behind because the field is just so lacking in a strong leading skating athlete. The sport is slipping into obscurity because television networks simply see no profit when airing the competitions. NBC and ABC used to broadcast every senior-level competition during the skating season, but this year I considered myself lucky to catch the US Nationals on a Saturday night. Recently, Sasha has toyed with the idea of a possible comeback for the Olympics. Michelle, where are you?
Alissa's winning free skate (in HD at the source):
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Comments: Read 1 or Add Your Own.
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Friday, January 23rd, 2009
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Last year I wrote my LSE dissertation on new media's role in the creation of microfame, and the transformation of traditional meanings of celebrity. For my current year at USC, I have to write a second thesis, and we have the option of elaborating on our first paper.
I had an idea... what if I created and maintained my own Youtube channel so I can go through first-hand what I'd been researching all last year? And I can use this experience as a personal case study that will provide the foundation for my second thesis. Now, my friend mentioned to me already that 13-year olds all around the world are already making Youtube videos, and they're not trying to get a second masters degree. I realize initially, it doesn't sound like the most academic of ideas. But for me, the hesitation I have in launching this project does not have to do with levels of academia, it has to do with me being scared of exposing myself and being vulnerable on a public stage. Don't get me wrong, I have no delusions that my channel would ever reach a substantial amount of people; I know I'm not interesting enough to hold a captive audience of any size. The only person I can seem to entertain consistently is myself. But even so, at the very least, my professors and classmates will definitely view the videos, and I'm going to go out on a limb here by saying about 6 of my friends will watch them as well. The thought of even that scares me.
So. Do I get over myself and move forward with the channel, potentially embarrassing myself in front of my friends and family and other judgmental Youtube strangers? Or do I play it safe and write a traditional thesis on something media-y like open source computing or how the TV industry should throw in their towel to Internet television?
I've got 7 days to decide.
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Comments: Read 7 or Add Your Own.
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Sunday, January 11th, 2009
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Wednesday, November 19th, 2008
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While the scene outside was becoming hectic and noisy that orange morning, I was quietly standing in the middle of my room and cautiously trying to balance necessity and sentimentality. Having to pick favorites with my possessions was more difficult than I had thought. But in the end, superficiality won over all as I packed up anything and everything I could fit into the trunk of my car.
I used to think that I owned many things that were unique and personal and thus, irreplaceable. But after packing my first overnight bag of "the really important stuff" which consisted of my laptop, wallet, phone, passport, one letter, a few photos, and my baby blanket (yeah I still have mine - so what!), I stood there wishing that my life had more meaning - more "really important stuff." Note to self: throw out the filler, accumulate more substance in all aspects of life.
On another note, I know there have been critical reports that some of the Yorba Linda homes burned down because firefighters ran out of water as a result of a broken pipe. And I can only imagine how devastating it must be to see your home go up in flames, but I don't want this isolated Yorba Linda incident to take anything away from the amazing efforts of the firefighters in Diamond Bar. On Sunday morning (rain was NOT falling), emergency planes flew directly over my house every 5 minutes, spilling the glorious pink retardant over the hills, in addition to setting off my neighbor's car alarm each time. There were 7 fire trucks parked on my street alone. I saw online images of the firefighters trying to catch a couple hours of shuteye on a neighbor's front lawn after fighting the blazes overnight. I saw the weary look of the firefighter at the DBHS evacuation center as he called his own family on his cell to check in with them. Catastrophes bring out the best and worst of the human spirit. In tragedy, the victims weep, the outsiders criticize, but compassion is never too far away. Fortunately, I was not a victim, but I'm still thankful for all the people in my life who offered their assistance to me, in any way that they could.
I'm a fuzzy bundle of love. For now. Finals (oh the trivialities) are coming up. Funny how life can resume its normalcy so quickly.
( Fire Fotos. )
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Comments: Read 3 or Add Your Own.
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Wednesday, November 5th, 2008
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It was the night of an historical election, and where was I as Obama was named the President-elect? Stuck inside the four pale walls of a cinema class, pathetically receiving text message updates from my more fortunate compatriots who were roaming freely on the outside.
Groans and grumbles aside, our guest speaker was an exec from the video gaming industry and reaffirmed the flourishing of said industry. Games are more popular than ever before, and have lower production costs, quicker returns, and employ fascinating new media marketing techniques. And the gaming industry is a pure example of new media convergence as film directors and writers increasingly work with game developers, and as Nintendo creates its first mobile device (ahhh so excited for this!). I think I'll add THQ to my short-list of companies to apply for upon graduation. Someone give me a Wii/PS3/Xbox tutorial stat.
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Comments: Read 1 or Add Your Own.
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Sunday, September 28th, 2008
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I baked a batch of Sprinkles cupcakes last night, and decided to take a few to church today to give to the first graders I teach in my Korean class. At first the kids seemed excited to eat the cupcakes, but then I said "I know it's break time, but you have to eat these at this table because I don't want you to make a mess anywhere else." And they ALL said "Ok, I don't want it anymore." I mean, I understand that they want to get up and run around during break time, but what kind of kid turns down (red velvety, vanilla cream cheese frosting whipped) sweets?! I then asked the students from the other classes if they wanted a cupcake, and EVERYONE ELSE SAID NO. I had to bring them all back home. Sad.
So now I'm eating my rejected cupcakes. By myself.
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Comments: Read 2 or Add Your Own.
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Wednesday, August 27th, 2008
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Wednesday, July 16th, 2008
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I was standing in the massive line at Sprinkles earlier today, and making small talk with the pleasant older blonde lady behind me. She was dressed impeccably in crisp white slacks and a black blouse.
"This line is so long, how come everyone wants to get in, but nobody is coming out?"
"I think we got here in the middle of the after-work rush."
"Sprinkles in Beverly Hills had a line out the door at 10:30pm!"
When we get inside and reach the front of the cupcake display, she asks me "Can you see which flavors they have?"
"Let's see. Chocolate marshmallow, red velvet, strawberry, ginger..."
"Oh, I bet you love that one."
I just smiled at her last comment and turned away, but a split second later I thought-
WAIT. Is she being racist? Saying that I like ginger because I'M ASIAN?!?!
I wanted to snap back, "Actually, I hate the smell and taste of ginger so I've never tried the ginger-lemon cupcake." But the moment had passed, it was too late, and the pleasant lady probably didn't even realize she was maybe-sorta being racist. Was she? How could she know, if I don't even know??
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Comments: Read 6 or Add Your Own.
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Wednesday, June 11th, 2008
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I'm such a rebel. I took two Benadryl once-a-day allergy pills in less than 24 hours.
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Comments: Add Your Own.
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I think I'm allergic to England.
At first, I thought I was coming down with a cold. But then I realized I was sneezy and sniffly, yet didn't feel ill. I've never had 'environmental' allergies before, like when certain people have to reach for the Claritin when springtime rolls around. The only thing I may be allergic to is cantaloupe and Korean melons because every time I eat those my ears start to hurt. Honeydews and watermelon are okay though, thank goodness. A summer without crisp juicy watermelon is a sad season indeed.
And I got sunburned today - in London. Great.
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Comments: Read 3 or Add Your Own.
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This post has been inspired by the following scene from the Season 4 finale of LOST:
Skip ahead in the video to 1:04. Sun is by the Tower Bridge in London, and meeting with Charles Whitmore who is walking out of La Pont De La Tour restaurant. That's the area I live in. I buy bread from their bakery and jog along that very path!
My hall is located in Southeast London, in an area called Butler's Wharf. When I applied for housing, BW wasn't one of my top 3 choices but in the end, I'm glad that I was mysteriously placed here. The area is lovely because it hugs the Thames River, and it's sorta neat to say that I live next to Tower Bridge. There are some cons, like the noisy singing drunkards leaving the Dean Swift on the weekends and the screaming preschoolers across the street from my window who have recess at 10am every morning. But overall, I appreciate living here because I'd never be able to afford rent in this part of town on my own.
( Place of residence. )
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Comments: Add Your Own.
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I went to France last week and it was a fantastical vacation. A couple of my friends were in Cannes for the film festival, and were kind enough to invite me along for the second half of their stay. It was a hectic 4 days: there was a team of people there and everyone was constantly running from one meeting to the next or dealing with technical difficulties or working out logistics or partying. We slept few, if any, hours each night. But we somehow managed to have some fun in between.
( Take me back. )
To conclude, I just wanted to plug my friends. Check out Wong Fu Productions to view their shorts and other goodies. They've come a long way and I'm so very proud of them. While you're at it, check out Far East Movement as well. Merci beaucoup.
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Comments: Read 9 or Add Your Own.
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Wednesday, May 14th, 2008
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Are the details in the fabric
Are the things that make you panic
Are your thoughts results of static cling?
Are the things that make you blow
Hell, no reason, go on and scream
If you're shocked it's just the fault
Of faulty manufacturing.
Everything will be fine
Everything in no time at all
Hearts will hold
Jason Mraz - Details in the Fabric
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Comments: Add Your Own.
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The three papers have been turned in. 11,000 words, excluding bibliographies or appendices. I've repressed all memories of the torturous experience so I don't remember what I wrote anymore.
Since arriving in London a little over a week ago, I've been chained to my laptop, and done nothing but sleep in 2 hour increments, stress out about fighting for a seat at the library (it's freakin' 7am, no one should have to fight for anything at 7am), eat Ichiban ramen, and check Facebook status updates.
The deadline was Friday, May 2, 4:00pm. And on Friday, May 2, 4:01pm, all the Globals (kids in my program) gathered at The George to celebrate (commiserate for some) with a round of drinks and anything-but-essay chatter. It was marvelous. I felt like I could finally breathe again; felt human again.
For the Globals, this past weekend of freedom was our gift to ourselves, and it was spent eating good Mexican food, drinking Cuervo, and beating a curiously small Starburst-filled alligator pinata in a one-car garage with a busted light bulb (due to the last pinata-beater).
And now it's Monday. Back to the cave of inhumanity while we start preparing for final exams, which commence in 10 days. It's a good thing that I like the taste of ramen.
( O, Canada. )
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Comments: Read 1 or Add Your Own.
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Tuesday, April 29th, 2008
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According to The Telegraph and People, Sex and the City: The Movie is set to premiere in LONDON on MAY 12. Best news ever. It's 3 days before my first final exam, but WHO CARES. I should have brought my new MJ chunky heels from home so I could wear them in front of SJP. Oh well, my $25 ballet flats from Nordstrom Rack will have to do.
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Comments: Read 1 or Add Your Own.
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