Giant Robot Store and GR2 News
Norman Mineta… Read his wikipedia entry. He’s had an amazing career, including an airport named after him. He’s the first Asian American mayor in the US (San Jose). The San Jose International is actually in his name. And he was the only Democrat in George Bush’s regime. That’s out of control. Tonite I met him, Senator Daniel Inouye who I actually met before, and many others. Why? They’re part of the Board of Governors. At first, I thought they’d be like Arnold Schwartzeneggar, but they’re more like Asian Americans on a mission. But tonite, it was a special dinner to talk about the museum, it’s possible future, the next GR Biennale that’s in 2009, and how they fit in. The talk was maybe 30 minutes, and I went through a few slides. The Senator from Hawaii rolls without any secret service. Am I supposed to say that? Daniel Inouye has been a Senator since 1959. He must love his job. I can’t see him ever losing another Senate election. I’ll bet his punk rock son, Kenny could run in his father’s place and win right off the bat. Daniel Inouye is like Ironman. Also in the house was George Takei, my main man. He’s a cool guy, and is a part of the GR team, especially when it’s museum or popular culture related. When 2009 rolls through, he’s definitely going to be a part of this entire party. Read about MinetaRead about Inouye I heard some say that I did a fine job tonite. I tried to give a background of what GR is about, what we like to do, how we do things, and then I tried to show the museum and our exhibition, what it meant to people, and how diverse of an audience it attracted. In the end, we’ll need their understanding and support to make a Biennale or other shows, work. I also told them that all of this wouldn’t be worth doing if we didn’t have their support. Why would I ever want to faction out a place that desperately needs to be cohesive? That said, I think we’re all on the same page and on the same team. The last photo is all of us eating the leftovers. If I’m ever a “governor,” I guess I’ll eat with them. For now, I’m happy to hang out with these mofos. Next stop Comicon NY. Be there later today or if not, I’ll be there on Sunday for sure. Depends on how early I can get in. Then the talks in Chicago. The first at UIC, and then a special morning session.
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We were wondering why does it look like the tree is bearing less fruit? Wondering and wondering. Then a neighbor gives us the heads up. Our gardener is stealing our avocados. He walked out with boxes (plural) is what we heard. On Tuesday, I wasn't in, Martin was out, and no one was around when Mr Nishi decided to rack avocados. Evidently he told our neighbor that we don't pick them, and they will...
We were wondering why does it look like the tree is bearing less fruit? Wondering and wondering. Then a neighbor gives us the heads up. Our gardener is stealing our avocados. He walked out with boxes (plural) is what we heard. On Tuesday, I wasn’t in, Martin was out, and no one was around when Mr Nishi decided to rack avocados. Evidently he told our neighbor that we don’t pick them, and they will fall on the roof and damage the roof, which would be a lie. When they fall on the roof, the slope places them on the backyard lawn. I go on the roof often and seldom are any sitting on the roof, as a matter of fact, hardly any fall at all, on the roof or not. I told him that we use the avocados at gr/eats and not to take them when I caught him about two years ago. He gets paid to do the cheap “BLOW MOW AND GO” as coined by the gardener I interviewed in a previous issue of Giant Robot magazine. Even with the many bald spots in my lawn, I never complain. And stealing fruit like this, especially when I told him not to, bad move. The avocado tree is a symbol of my own patience. My house and this tree are old timers, and avocados usually happen once every two years. It’s a joy to have them for gr/eats, guests, friends, whoever, but for me to pay someone to steal them? That’s pretty low and classless. If he asked, I’d have given him some, but for him to go onto my roof and steal boxes? That’s a low blow. That’s what his invoice looks like in my trash. My Japanese American Gardner, time to say sayonara, even if you’re a childhood friend’s dad. I’ll show him face by not calling him out. But if he wants his money, it’s going to take a conversation to make it happen. Until then, we’re even. In all three languages that we and they engage in any kind of communication. See the tool? That’s actually me picking avocados today. I picked 12.
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Matt Revelli is the main man behind Upper Playground. He hates photos, and I managed to get one. Went up to bay yesterday and took care of the interviews, but afterwards, ate a meal with Matt. I can't tell you about how inspiring this dude is. But you have imagine, he's made the nearly impossible work many times, and his business acumen is on point. It's hard to tell you about all of the things we...
Matt Revelli is the main man behind Upper Playground. He hates photos, and I managed to get one. Went up to bay yesterday and took care of the interviews, but afterwards, ate a meal with Matt. I can’t tell you about how inspiring this dude is. But you have imagine, he’s made the nearly impossible work many times, and his business acumen is on point. It’s hard to tell you about all of the things we talked about which is really fun, since he’s in a similar position with a store, magazine, and making stuff. We find ourselves laughing at the funny things that’s happened to the both of us, full knowing the second half of the story without even having to tell it.
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