6.19.2005
chinese food
Happy Father's Day, Dad! Of course, the title of this posting indicates the most pressing thing I miss about Dad. This is, of course, not to say that his inimitable culinary abilities are the be all and end all of my father's skills. My dad is, and always has been, a huge supporter. I think it really was his idea to apply to Oxford at all: I was applying to University College London when my Dad asked me why I wasn't applying to Oxford or Cambridge. I hadn't even considered it, which was stupid of me, and he sort of planted the seed that led to my coming here at all. Dad has always been an amazing source of strengh: thanks Dad.
And, of course, thanks to Calvin Coolidge who, 81 years ago (in 1924), established Father's Day in America. While Mothering Sunday in the UK is about two months before Mother's Day in America, Father's Day in both England and the US is today. So Happy Father's Day!
NPR has, on its front page, posted a story on the History of the Chinese Restaurant in America. I've seen stuff on this before: the exhibit in the Museum of the Chinese in America was profiled in the New York Times back in December. Several years ago, there was another NPR story on Stan Freberg, who used to do a lot of radio humor and did a lot of radio advertisements. Oddly, it's not available on the NPR website anymore. But they actually played a lot off the old radio ads, including some for Chun King™ brand Chow Mein. Either click on the link "Hear a Series of Ads for Chun King and La Choy" or click here. Clips will play on either Real Player or Windows Media Player. My particular favorite is the "hot dog" ad. It's hilarious.
Finally, stupidly, MTV is, evidently, planning MTV Chi, an MTV for Chinese people. At least, that's what's reported in this story from yesterday's New York Times. From the article, "If you're a young Chinese-American or Indian-American, what channel do you tune into to see yourself, to see artists that reflect your lifestyle?" asked Nusrat Durrani, 44, senior vice president and general manager of MTV World. Personally, I listen to NPR. But then again, I've also been described as significantly less Asian than your typical New England prep school and Princeton graduate.
And, of course, thanks to Calvin Coolidge who, 81 years ago (in 1924), established Father's Day in America. While Mothering Sunday in the UK is about two months before Mother's Day in America, Father's Day in both England and the US is today. So Happy Father's Day!
NPR has, on its front page, posted a story on the History of the Chinese Restaurant in America. I've seen stuff on this before: the exhibit in the Museum of the Chinese in America was profiled in the New York Times back in December. Several years ago, there was another NPR story on Stan Freberg, who used to do a lot of radio humor and did a lot of radio advertisements. Oddly, it's not available on the NPR website anymore. But they actually played a lot off the old radio ads, including some for Chun King™ brand Chow Mein. Either click on the link "Hear a Series of Ads for Chun King and La Choy" or click here. Clips will play on either Real Player or Windows Media Player. My particular favorite is the "hot dog" ad. It's hilarious.
Finally, stupidly, MTV is, evidently, planning MTV Chi, an MTV for Chinese people. At least, that's what's reported in this story from yesterday's New York Times. From the article, "If you're a young Chinese-American or Indian-American, what channel do you tune into to see yourself, to see artists that reflect your lifestyle?" asked Nusrat Durrani, 44, senior vice president and general manager of MTV World. Personally, I listen to NPR. But then again, I've also been described as significantly less Asian than your typical New England prep school and Princeton graduate.
