I recently stumbled upon Kiasmos, a project from Olafaur Arnalds and Janus Rasmussen, and am officially obsessed with their new album, or to be more exact, their new track Thrown. It’s been on repeat on my iPod for the past week. Each time I give it a listen, I get lost into the beats and reality seems to just dissolve and fade into the background. It may be minimal, but it will hit your core. So lay back, close your eyes, and get ready for the shivery sensations that’s bound to ricochet down your spine. It’s a keeper.
Tuesday night I had the pleasure of finally experiencing the delectable Japanese food at the infamous Sushi Kuu. When I say finally experience, I mean that the last time I went there it was a complete and utter fail. Mattia, Ismay and I were too wasted to actually eat and ended up skipping out on the meal, but none of that for now. The point is… is that I finally got to experience the Holy Grail of sushi in Hong Kong. Mattia, AKA my big brother, always raved on and on about the joint and finally, after two and a half years of hearing his praise, we had dinner there. The main excuse of going was because I had to interview him and the Head Chef, Satoru Mulogawa, for my radio news production class… but obviously my taste buds were just throbbing to experience the place.
Mattia took the reigns when it came to ordering the food, my only request was that there was an abundance of sashimi and Ismay’s was that she finally got her uni on. We started off with a delicious salad that had pork on the top with amazing dressing, and for drinks a bottle of Soju of course. I’m not the biggest fan of whiskey, seeing as that I used to down a couple of 711 Jim Beam bottles a night back in Taipei when I was 15…anyway, the taste of Soju reminds me of watered down whiskey, but with a couple of lime wedges added in, my stomach could thankfully handle it and I quenched my thirst regularly.
Whilst eating away at the salad like there was no tomorrow, Mattia and I noticed the Chefs making something that looked too good not to try behind the bar (we were sitting at the Sushi bar). Being the ever caring big brother and gentleman, Mattia asked Satoru to make one for each of us to have. It ended up being, if my memory serves me right, monk fish liver. Once finding this out, Ismay and I thought it was mighty wise to have it – apparently it’s good for your liver – since last week’s antics definitely left a hole or three in our own. The amount they served was small and perfect for the dish. Like all other livers, it had a smooth texture to it and almost seemed to melt in our mouths.
Now the next thing that came, “Chirashi,” was to my heavenly delight a humongous bowl of sliced up sashimi and avocado, two of my favorite things in the culinary world. There was rice at the bottom of the bowl but I chose to focus on devouring the fish because… why bother filling yourself up with rice when there’s an abundance of meat to eat? Ismay finally got her uni as well, which was added to the top of the pile, and actually had the nerve to try and steal some of mine. We had a brief chopsticks war, of course I taught that uni addict not to mess with a fellow food addict’s meal, and we continued the mouthgasming journey of Japanese heaven.
Before we could even take more than a couple of bites though, another dish arrived. I can’t remember the name of it for the life of me, but I do remember it being the best fish I’ve had thus far in Hong Kong. It was cooked to a tenderness that I didn’t even know could be applied to fish, and the Japanese mayo on the side made it a creamy sensation that just made you foodgasm like no other dish you’ve ever had before. Although I was too busy eating away at the Chirashi, Mattia lectured us how the fish didn’t taste as amazing if it went cold… and I’m grateful that he did because I got to try it at it’s prime and it was absolutely, 100% un-fucking-believable.
Throughout the meal, both Satoru and Mattia kept ordering Samurais for us to drink. What is a Samurai you wonder? Well, Ismay and I had no idea either but when we saw the clear liquid in a shot glass we knew it must have been trouble. The shot went down smoothly each time, but this intense burning sensation would slowly manifest itself in our chests and creep up our throats after downing them. I ended up having to either wash down the shot with Soju or a bite of Chirashi, nonetheless, after four or so of those and I don’t know how many glasses of Soju, I have to admit I was slightly drunk by the end of the meal.
It was all fun and games but I was there on business, AKA school, and still had my interviews to conduct. The change of my mood from fun-loving food junkie/alcoholic to serious journalist had everyone slightly confused, but I had to show them that this really was business. I got my interviews with Mattia and Satoru and, to my delight, got to interview my ex-boss Xuan, who also happened to have owned a restaurant in Hong Kong (I was doing a radio feature on Hong Kong dining). Although the interviewees, and I’ll admit it, the interviewer, were slightly intoxicated, I thankfully got the recordings I needed and we continued to drink our way to the future.
Delicious food, strong drinks and great company… what more could one ask for on a Tuesday night? For any other sushi fans out there, I definitely recommend for you to hit up Sushi Kuu, it’s pricey but the quality of food, the amazing service and the overall ambiance definitely makes it one of the best restaurants I’ve been to in Hong Kong.
Oh, and for those of you interested, Sushi Kuu is located in the same building of Beijing Club/Racks in LKF: Wellington Place, 2-8 Wellington Street, Central. Trust me, you will love it.
Last night’s anime was Redline, a badass manga directed by Takeshi Koike that came out in 2009. To keep this review short and sweet: Best. Racing. Movie… that I’ve ever fucking seen. It’s what I love about manga, nothing is off limits, there is nothing that can’t go beyond your imagination and still be believable. This shit basically takes illegal (at least in Roboworld) racing to a whole other level. So get ready to experience the deadliest racing tournament in the universe…
It blew my mind last night so make it a priority and have it blow yours. She’ll do a good job, trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
Title: Love in the Circus - Clouds (Rook Remix)Artist: Love in the Circus8,061 plays
Better than the Original?
I came across this remix of Clouds by Love in the Circus by Rook a few weeks ago, and upon first listen I became an instant fan. Since I never heard the original before, I quickly tracked it down and gave it a spin… there wasn’t much of a comparison to make in my opinion, the remix dominated. Although the original had more of a jazzy feel, the added dubstep by Rook gave it more of a contrast between the vocals and the background, giving the vocals an extra oomph in my ears opinion. Check it out yourself and see whether or not the remix is better than the original.
Do you ever find yourself holding back on your expectations? Because you know that if you find yourself having any type of positive expectations, than you’re 90% more likely to be disappointed? Not just on events like birthdays and the ever-so-dreaded New Years, but people, vacations, relationships, everything. Fortunately or unfortunately, I think it’s something a lot of us pick up in life, a self-defense mechanism of some sort. Well, I’m definitely one who attempts to limit any and all expectations, but this past weekend exceeded any that I could have had… and I couldn’t have imagined spending it with a better crowd than my Hong Kong family: Li Meng, Ismay & Mattia.
Saturday (October 16) was Hed Kandi’s last 2010 pool party held at the Venetian in Macau. We decided that we absolutely had go once we found out about it two weeks ago. I must admit, the beginning was dramatic, annoying and pointed to the conclusion that it would be a disaster… but at the end, it made our Best Top Ten list. The process of me meeting the group at the Macau Ferry couldn’t have got any worse. First I ended up at the Central Pierre Ferry right by IFC, only to find out that we were meeting at the other pierre. Unfortunately, with miscommunication and impatience (on my part), I thought they said we were going from the TST one. So I sped-walked my ass off to the Hong Kong station, Guinness Book of World Records style and whilst waiting for the MTR, decided to call Li Meng to figure out what station I was to get off. Long story short – we were meeting at the Macau Ferry that was in Central… and that I was about to head the wrong way. When I finally arrived at the right destination, I was sweaty, pissed and made us miss our 7:30 ferry. But… even with all of the sprinting, confusion and fucking up on my part, as we were waiting for the 8pm ferry I couldn’t help but feel my energy levels start to rise and my body start to shake. We all felt it, no matter what happened, it was going to be an epic adventure. Good, bad or ugly, it was going to be a night to remember.
Not to say it was all smooth sailing upon our arrival. There were some difficulties, but by the time we were finished getting ready and had polished off a bottle of bubbly… we were ready to head to the Venetian and officially begin partying. When we arrived, we were like mice going through a maze of Black Jack, Poker and Roulette tables, walking with our adrenaline pumping, trying to find where the hell the pool was located.
Once we found the pool and got our wristbands, we made our way through the random waves of already-intoxicated people, and bee-lined straight to the bar. We all got vodka red bulls to wake us up but… there wasn’t really any vodka. So we came up with the conclusion that the only way to spend the money most wisely was to get tequila shots from then on, duh right? Well, like the saying goes, “One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor…”
By 4am we found ourselves at a random table with people who I’m pretty sure Ismay knew… or she at least knew one of them. Two hours and an after-party later, we decided it was time for us to resign for the night and headed back to the Grand Hyatt, a race to get back into the room before sunrise. Too bad for my friends, I’m a light sleeper, and was up by 9:30 – by 10:30 I had taken a bubble bath, was dressed and ready to get my grub on. If you don’t know, I’m not the most patient person, so of course by 11:45 I had Li Meng, Ismay & Mattia all up and showered, ready to hit the infamous Grand Hyatt brunch buffet.
We were there by 12 and not a minute later, arriving right when it started. It’s hard to explain how much of a food addict I am, and that my taste buds, which have been spoiled by a mother who is an amazing chef, can be a picky bitch. So when I say that the brunch there is scrumdeliyumptious, it really is. I piled up on oysters, smoked salmon, Caesar salad, roast beef, the works… and it was definitely the most perfect way to start our Sunday. Ismay learned that she had acquired a taste for oysters and I experienced my first egg tart – something I’ve stubbornly refused to try for the past twenty years. I must say, it’s quite tasty, I’m not a custard-fan but the balance of pastry and egg custard or whatever it is that’s in there… well the combination of the two and the contrasting textures just makes it so… so yummy.
After slowly eating our body’s weight worth of food in the time frame of two hours, we checked out and headed to the poolside to lounge before taking the 5:30pm ferry back to Hong Kong. The poolside was gorgeous, and we ended up chillin for a couple of hours before grudgingly making our way back to the city.
All in all, it was one of the most perfect weekends ever. Maybe it was because we kept our expectations to a minimum, or maybe it was because it initially got off to a rocky start. All I know is that it was one of those experiences that made me reflect and realize how blessed my life is, and how lucky I am to have such extraordinary people as my friends. I know it sounds cheesy but sometimes we get so caught up in the drama and the hectic, hustle&bustle that’s life in the city, that we forget to stop, look around, and truly appreciate our lives. It’s incredible what a difference the people we surround ourselves with can make, & I just want to take the time and thank all of you who are in my life - originally posted October 18, 2010
“I’m going, I’m going, Where the water tastes like wine, We can jump in the water, stay drunk all the time.”
Yesterday I got my third tattoo, a mini memorial for my dad really. It’s insane to recognize the fact that come this December 18, nine years will have passed since he died. I’ve been thinking about getting a small tattoo in honor of him for the past two years, and after this past summer I decided the time was to nut up or shut up. Originally I was thinking of either getting my dad’s full name, James David Vaughn, or his initials on the left side of my torso. However it was when I was in Seattle, enjoying the cold, crisp air and their sweet, crystal greenery, I realized what the tattoo in tribute of my dad was going to be, a Jack Daniel’s label, because if anyone knew my dad, they knew that JD was his poison. I made an appointment for Saturday at Star Crossed Tattoo since I got my last one there this past January/February. I then proceeded to get cash out of my diminishing bank account and made the journey to Tsim Tsa Tsui (TST) with my best friend Li Meng. It always feels like it’s going to be an adventure when I go to TST because I’m honestly a lazy fuck who only leaves the island when it’s an absolute necessity. Anyway when we got there, Ross, the tattoo artist who did a perfect design for my tattoo, showed me the stencil. At first I was planning on having the tattoo filled in, as in it would look like an exact JD label except for the changes. But after he told me some of the concerns he had with the original idea, Li Meng and I agreed that he was right and we began the long process of getting me some more ink.
Whenever people ask me if getting a tattoo hurts I always say no, because my first two honestly didn’t really hurt. The first one I got is behind my ear, and I was too busy being scared to breathe, thinking that I would fuck it up, to notice any pain. The second is on my inner wrist and that one seemed to hurt a bit more, but I think it might also have to do with the fact that I watched the whole process and my skin there is more sensitive. This tattoo though is the biggest one I have and took a good 3-3 1/2 hours to finish (munch breaks included). Ross started from the top of the label and worked downwards, starting first with the outlining and then the filling. When he first started I had to try to not laugh because at some parts it tickled, but the closer the needle got to my inner thigh, the more I could feel the slight burn of the needle penetrating my skin.
When Ross finished filling in the final touches of the tatt, I honestly couldn’t have been more thrilled. I was laying down during the inking process so I couldn’t exactly watch, but I did take a couple of munch breaks and got to check it out throughout. By the time Ross was cleaning up my leg I was too excited to check it out in the mirror to really mind the slight soreness that seemed to be pulsating on my thigh. Li Meng&I agreed that it was a definite success and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. The total price for it was HKD 1,500 (USD 195) which I couldn’t imagine spending more wisely.
As Mengy and I left Star Crossed in a fit of absolute bliss and satisfaction, we went off to find Cameron road so we could buy Silic 15 from Watsons. On our way there we stumbled upon a couple of nifty stores. We ended up buying hats, dresses and I finally got my mirrored PoPo-style sunglasses. All in all I would have to definitely rate Saturday as one of those days that gets better and better until it ends in perfection.
So if any of you are interested in getting a tattoo and reside here in HK then I highly recommend going to Star Crossed, it’s definitely worth the trip and let’s face it… isn’t really that far out of the way. Two South African guys (at least Ross is from SA) bought the place from the previous owners and are super chill, and they definitely know what they’re doing. You can email them what you want, image references and the location that you want it or just give them a call to make an appointment. Check out their website if any one of you are planning on getting inked and if you have any questions feel free to ask. As for now, I’m going to continue my anime marathon and apply some slick, cold Silic 15 to my newest tattoo addition.
So for those of you who don’t know… Make Up Forever is an amazing French makeup brand that is used for professionals and, well people who like to use amazing makeup products. Anyway, my sister Julia took classes at the Make Up Forever in Taipei and got certified as a makeup artist – yes, she is damn good at it too. Anyway, point is – you can find them in most well-developed countries, Sephora has them in stock and they also have their own stores/studios. For anyone who loves using waterproof mascara, I’ve been using Make Up Forever’s since I first tried it when I was 15 and living in Taipei. Basically, it’s the shit.
So, besides being a loyal customer/fan of Make Up Forever for almost five years – I of course said yes when my friend Ada Pat, who is an amazing makeup artist/stylist/designer/artist/all-around-Renaissance woman, asked me to be her canvas for her Make Up Forever exam. You can actually see her previous work through my “Weather Me Down” post, she did the makeup along with styling for the shoot. As for those nifty, futuristic should pads I know you were eying down? Yup, she made those. Anyway, back in November when this happened, she was going through her examination process – yes, she passed.
For the academy’s exam, there is first a trial test where the students basically get down the makeup they plan on doing for the exam. There’s no time limit and the point is to show their teacher what look they want to achieve – bringing in a photo reference so they can get constructive criticism. The trial is the one that takes a good three hours since students aren’t pressured by time restraints. For the day of the final exam, the students are given two hours to complete the look that they achieved on their trial day – along with doing hair and changing their canvases into their outfits for the shoot afterward. All in all, I had a fun time helping out Ada, oh and I got to score products on a student discount which was a major plus since I was running out of my trusty, waterproof mascara.
If you’re interested in taking professional makeup classes, you can sign up for their academy which is located at:
Had major impulse buys today at Zara & Lane Crawford. My wallet feels a bit lighter but I definitely have no regrets. Time for a night out with my new babies.
![A Drink to Ink
“I’m going, I’m going, Where the water tastes like wine, We can jump in the water, stay drunk all the time.”
Yesterday I got my third tattoo, a mini memorial for my dad really. It’s insane to recognize the fact that come this December 18, nine years will have passed since he died. I’ve been thinking about getting a small tattoo in honor of him for the past two years, and after this past summer I decided the time was to nut up or shut up. Originally I was thinking of either getting my dad’s full name, James David Vaughn, or his initials on the left side of my torso. However it was when I was in Seattle, enjoying the cold, crisp air and their sweet, crystal greenery, I realized what the tattoo in tribute of my dad was going to be, a Jack Daniel’s label, because if anyone knew my dad, they knew that JD was his poison.
I made an appointment for Saturday at Star Crossed Tattoo since I got my last one there this past January/February. I then proceeded to get cash out of my diminishing bank account and made the journey to Tsim Tsa Tsui (TST) with my best friend Li Meng. It always feels like it’s going to be an adventure when I go to TST because I’m honestly a lazy fuck who only leaves the island when it’s an absolute necessity. Anyway when we got there, Ross, the tattoo artist who did a perfect design for my tattoo, showed me the stencil. At first I was planning on having the tattoo filled in, as in it would look like an exact JD label except for the changes. But after he told me some of the concerns he had with the original idea, Li Meng and I agreed that he was right and we began the long process of getting me some more ink.
Whenever people ask me if getting a tattoo hurts I always say no, because my first two honestly didn’t really hurt. The first one I got is behind my ear, and I was too busy being scared to breathe, thinking that I would fuck it up, to notice any pain. The second is on my inner wrist and that one seemed to hurt a bit more, but I think it might also have to do with the fact that I watched the whole process and my skin there is more sensitive. This tattoo though is the biggest one I have and took a good 3-3 1/2 hours to finish (munch breaks included). Ross started from the top of the label and worked downwards, starting first with the outlining and then the filling. When he first started I had to try to not laugh because at some parts it tickled, but the closer the needle got to my inner thigh, the more I could feel the slight burn of the needle penetrating my skin.
When Ross finished filling in the final touches of the tatt, I honestly couldn’t have been more thrilled. I was laying down during the inking process so I couldn’t exactly watch, but I did take a couple of munch breaks and got to check it out throughout. By the time Ross was cleaning up my leg I was too excited to check it out in the mirror to really mind the slight soreness that seemed to be pulsating on my thigh. Li Meng&I agreed that it was a definite success and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. The total price for it was HKD 1,500 (USD 195) which I couldn’t imagine spending more wisely.
As Mengy and I left Star Crossed in a fit of absolute bliss and satisfaction, we went off to find Cameron road so we could buy Silic 15 from Watsons. On our way there we stumbled upon a couple of nifty stores. We ended up buying hats, dresses and I finally got my mirrored PoPo-style sunglasses. All in all I would have to definitely rate Saturday as one of those days that gets better and better until it ends in perfection.
So if any of you are interested in getting a tattoo and reside here in HK then I highly recommend going to Star Crossed, it’s definitely worth the trip and let’s face it… isn’t really that far out of the way. Two South African guys (at least Ross is from SA) bought the place from the previous owners and are super chill, and they definitely know what they’re doing. You can email them what you want, image references and the location that you want it or just give them a call to make an appointment. Check out their website if any one of you are planning on getting inked and if you have any questions feel free to ask. As for now, I’m going to continue my anime marathon and apply some slick, cold Silic 15 to my newest tattoo addition.http://www.starcrossedtattoo.com/
2/F, 57 Granville Road
Tsim Sha Tsui
Kowloon
[Photo Credit]: JD photo credited to: www.themahogonyblog.com
- originally posted on September 12, 2010](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1orc58ybc1qlifkio1_1280.jpg)
