Author Archives: Jeff

About Jeff

Jeff lives in Silicon Valley, and attempts to juggle marriage, fatherhood, computer systems research, running, and writing.

An Astronaut, an Asian Parent’s Expectations, and a Space Ship Hatch Lock

Posted on January 26, 2024 by Jeff

“If you guys don’t give me a chance to repair my instrument, I’m not going back.” Asian Americans sometimes joke about Asian parents’ high expectations, but the expectations of an Asian father had lasting effects on space travel. In this … Continue reading →

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Quiz Lady wins an 2024 Critics Choice Award

Posted on January 18, 2024 by Jeff

When I read John’s review of Quiz Lady, I was particularly amused at his last sentence that said it probably would not be eligible for an Oscar. While I did see the movie and enjoyed it, I thought that even … Continue reading →

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“Beef” Wins Big at Emmy and Critics Choice Awards

Posted on January 16, 2024 by Jeff

In addition to winning three Globe Globes,  the Netflix series Beef won eight Emmy awards! The awards include: Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (Ali Wong) Outstanding Lead Actor in … Continue reading →

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Disney+ cancels American Born Chinese TV Series

Posted on January 8, 2024 by Jeff

Despite good reviews, Disney+ is canceling any future seasons of American Born Chinese. Apparently viewership was not enough to warrant renewal. Not coincidentally, Disney+ and many other streaming services are cutting back on content spending. According to the cancellation article, … Continue reading →

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“Beef” Takes Top Honors at 2024 Golden Globes

Posted on January 8, 2024 by Jeff

The Netflix series Beef won every 2024 Golden Globe category for which it was nominated, three in total. It won Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television, Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Limited … Continue reading →

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Xaivan Lee Emerges as a star on Princeton University Basketball Team

Posted on December 21, 2023 by Jeff

Earlier this year when Princeton University men’s basketball team reached the NCAA Tournament “sweet 16” round for the first time in 50 years, I as an interested alum watched them play on national television and noticed an Asian player on … Continue reading →

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8Books Review: When Lola Visits

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Jeff

I ordinarily do not review children’s books, but I couldn’t help myself after The Wife gave me the book When Lola Visits to wrap as a Christmas present for one of her nephews. “Lola” means grandmother in Tagalog. This book … Continue reading →

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Netflix Action Comedy Series “The Brothers Sun” with Michelle Yeoh Premiering January 4, 2024

Posted on December 15, 2023 by Jeff

If you can’t get enough of Michelle Yeoh, January 4 will be your chance to see her in action again in the Netflix series The Brothers Sun. She stars as Eileen, the mother of Charles and Bruce Sun.  Charles and … Continue reading →

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8Books Review: The Golden Screen: The Movies that Made Asian America

Posted on December 4, 2023 by Jeff

The many awards won by the Everything Everywhere all at Once, including Golden Globes and five Academy Awards, are a triumph of filmmaking and also a triumph for Asian American representation. The road to reach this milestone was not a … Continue reading →

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Pinoytown Rising: San Jose Public Library Exhibit through November 30

Posted on November 13, 2023 by Jeff

When Number Two Son and I were getting coffee in a cafe in San Jose Japantown, we noticed a small flyer on their community bulletin board that talked about Pinoytown Rising, an exhibit in San Jose’s Martin Luther King Library … Continue reading →

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Asian American Medical Hazard: Lung Cancers for Female Asian Non-Smokers (FANS)

Posted on November 3, 2023 by Jeff

When a family fried recently was diagnosed with lung cancer, we were all puzzled because she and her husband did not smoke. She wasn’t the first Asian American we knew that happened to, and according to this article, it’s a … Continue reading →

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Asian Americans in Pop Music History: Norma Tanega

Posted on October 30, 2023 by Jeff

Most people have probably only encountered the work of Norma Tanega through her song “You’re Dead” which is used as the theme song for both the movie of “What we Do in the Shadows” and the ongoing TV series of … Continue reading →

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