Chicago pt. 4

Rewind. I've been writing about going to Chicago, giving talks at DePaul and Columbia, and partaking of Midwest rituals like going to steakhouses and bowling, but neglected to explain how we got here.

Besides making FAAIM happen, Tim and Sue Anne are ringers in one of Chicago's oldest Nisei bowling leagues.

With support from the awesome Sue Anne, our friend Tim operates the Foundation for Asian American Independent Media (FAAIM), which is in the midst of the Asian American Showcase. The film fest's mission statement doesn't allow it to show high-profile Asian imports, but it does provide a much-needed outlet for Asian-American filmmakers and claims the first-class Gene Siskel Film Center as its headquarters. Tim arranged our speaking engagements around town as part of this year's programming.

Sue Anne and Tim trucked us all the way to Oak Park, where we walked around in the freezing cold.

We've known Tim for years, and I don't quite recall how we met him. I'm pretty sure we began corresponding after a mysterious package of CD-Rs from the "Asian Camcorder Posse" (which had bootlegs of shows by the likes of Seam, Versus, Three Mile Pilot, and Modest Mouse) appeared in GR's P.O. box. Since then, the posse of one become a good friend and generous host. As guests of FAAIM, we're staying in a fancy hotel. On our respective previous trips to Chicago, Eric and I have stayed at Tim and Sue Anne's cozy pad in Andersonville.

After returning to L.A., we'll miss Tim and Sue Ann's hospitality. We'll also miss jaywalking.

Our schedule hasn't allowed us to see any movies during this brief trip--Eric saw them all when he judged S.F.'s International Asian American Film Festival a couple weeks ago anyway--but that doesn't mean you shouldn't. Check out the details here, and say hi to Tim or Sue Anne if you see them!