old blog

The Bathfinder

2010-03-08T01:24:00.000-08:00

I built this in the fall for a class called Digital Electronics.

It is supposed to be a wearable navigational unit. It uses an Arduino and a GPS module to calculate if the user is moving closer to or further away from a set destination, programmable to any X and Y coordinates. If the user is getting closer to the destination, the bubbles begin. If the user starts to get further, the bubbles turn off. The user must then wander to find the correct path.

Freedom Farm

2010-01-10T01:31:00.000-08:00

I will stop taking pictures at my desk.

Finding Farrar

2009-10-13T19:40:00.000-07:00

Today, I stopped by the Comics Factory before eating next door at Zankou Chicken. Nothing really seemed worth buying at the time, but on my way out I scanned the zines and found this, an issue of "Paranoia VHS".

I don't care for zines, and most can't keep my attention after I see all the photocopied poetry and collages. But when I opened this one I saw this:

A photo of a friend, Kieran Farrar-a mathematics major at UC Santa Cruz, next to a one-pager about blowing your boss. There's nothing about Kieran, it's just a featured portrait by the photographer (Yasmin Alishav), but I still spent the $5 for the archival novelty.

Wrap Your Junk

2009-10-02T21:24:00.000-07:00

Ever since I saw the work of Wrenchmonkees, I've wanted to wrap my exhaust pipes. The simple addition increases horsepower simply by looking badass. I also added a pair of mufflers, although now I miss the original look of the bare exhaust headers. Michael came by and bullied me with his in-line fours.

Hose clamps and guitar strings.

D(arcy)70

2009-08-08T01:38:00.000-07:00

Back from repair.

Summer?

2009-07-03T17:15:00.000-07:00

This is a project I did for my Digital Design 1 course I'm taking this summer. The concept of the poster is based on the Jack Peñate song of the same title. The release is today, but it's only playing in Europe.

SF Super Squishy

2009-04-07T00:08:00.000-07:00

Ventured to San Francisco again. All grown up now.

So this finaly happened...

2009-04-01T20:59:00.000-07:00

...and now I'm blasting Bag Raiders remixes all day.

It's a subwoofer by the way.

SNORLAX?

2009-03-17T02:04:00.000-07:00

So everybody knows that Mike Kim can fall asleep anywhere. But who knew it was fatigue from "rocking" so hard.

Spat @

2009-03-14T18:59:00.000-07:00

Spat At is an idea that came from consistently shopping for clothing at thrift stores. Spat At will be a retail store for recycled clothes, but we (Alice, Brian, Kevan and I) plan to implement a creative fashion blog to showcase the stake that recycled clothing has in the future of fashion. I guess?

v.1

v.1.NOW, click to view.

Same Ol' Plum Cake

2009-03-13T13:38:00.000-07:00

A meeting of the minds last night (in my new dwellings) to discuss fashion, music, and why V8 is an amazing chaser.

Slumlord

2009-01-19T00:23:00.001-08:00

I was commissioned by S. Rowry himself to render this image.

The Children's Crusade

2009-01-07T20:43:00.000-08:00

Getting blazy and e-tarded in the Mission District, SF. All thanks to Drew and Amit.We drew on Alice's back.

Sunrise Highway

2008-12-18T21:43:00.000-08:00

We melted our "case of the Mondays" with mountains.Coy Division

Super-Structure

2008-12-12T17:23:00.000-08:00

This is a photo essay I did as a final project. Shot at Vantage Pointe, the Brea Dam and the train tracks on Laguna Rd. Featuring Alice, Kevan, and Sean, respectively.

nights of the living dead

2008-12-08T11:57:00.000-08:00

Puppet Pirates

2008-12-02T22:04:00.000-08:00

When I showed this to Brandon he said, "Oh, nice." And then after it started he said, "Ah, what the fuck."

"Captain Rear Admiral"

2008-11-29T23:21:00.000-08:00

$12

2008-11-22T15:52:00.001-08:00

(not necessary)

2008-11-09T20:35:00.000-08:00

One day I will "fix" this.

tons of mAlice

2008-10-23T14:25:00.001-07:00

Practice Makes Perfect

2008-10-19T23:02:00.001-07:00

Feat. The Sonics

2008-10-03T15:12:00.001-07:00

Someone actually pointed out that this was pointless.

Two One Seven

2008-09-17T18:53:00.000-07:00

PA stands for Pasadena, motherfuckers.

Portugal. The Man.

2008-09-01T14:50:00.000-07:00

Ex-Anatomy of a Ghost, good shit.

ciao, che!

2008-08-14T12:59:00.000-07:00

Buenos Aires and an estancia, Argentina. August 12-15, 2008.

HUNDREDS FOR A SUNBURST

2008-07-21T12:17:00.000-07:00

NAMES PENDING

2008-07-17T22:17:00.000-07:00

This cat started coming around our house and following everyone who was outside. After a good few days of this business, I've decided to take it inside. Let's see how long she wants to stay around.

GOODBYE CHINA

2008-07-17T11:41:00.000-07:00

WATER LIKE JADE

2008-07-13T06:18:00.000-07:00

These past few days me and my father have been traveling through the Yunnan province of China. I have never been a fan of package tours, but me and Papa Chorng have seen a lot more in 5 days than we would have on our own. Photos taken in Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang.

POSTIN'

2008-07-08T23:30:00.001-07:00

Just a quick note as to how I'm currently kicking it at the Trigon Components Kunshan factory. About an hour out of Shanghai, explained to me as the equivalent of Irvine to Los Angeles. Except all the UCI boners are replaced with poor people.

BREAKFAST CLUB

2008-07-06T18:19:00.000-07:00

I love it when I wake up and there's an immense amount of food waiting to be consumed on the table.Flat bread, pork sung, fried eggs, rice porridge, mackerel pike, fruits, and an array of pickled items.

SUIT-UP!

2008-07-06T03:02:00.001-07:00

Today I did what many people do in China and bought a cheap, custom tailored suit from one of the many tailors in Shanghai. The order: 3-piece black suit, black "cashmere" overcoat, 3 dress shirts with French cuffs and spread collars = around $200.
Bargaining is essential to Chinese commerce.Now all I need is a pair of cufflinks, possibly some cold weather, and a reason to wear a fucking suit.

2010

2008-07-06T02:55:00.000-07:00

Other than the Olympics, China will also be hosting another international event; The 2010 World Expo in Shanghai. Today, we went to the Center for Urban Planning to see how things are shaping up.Godzilla model of Shanghai.

FUCK THE TSA

2008-07-05T06:23:00.000-07:00

In lieu of receiving news about my acceptance to ArtCenter, New York ended with my laptop getting jacked in transit. So I came to Shanghai to forget about my precious MacBookPro by eating, drinking, smoking, and riding bicycles with Papa Chorng.

Currently setting up shop in my little cousin's room.
(Note: I am currently using Jesse's old PowerBook.)

I LIKE MAPS? (BUT CAN'T READ ONE)

2008-06-19T20:36:00.000-07:00

Arrived in Williamsburg on Tuesday with Alice, Brian, and Kevan. Today we went on some sort of walk through Manhattan and eventually ended up on a subway going the wrong way like a bunch of bitches.

SHOW YOUR TEETH

2008-06-17T05:17:00.000-07:00

God speed pseudo-professional presentation packaging. DVD + Production Notebook.

DRESS TO IMPRESS

2008-06-04T05:41:00.000-07:00

Late-night DVD insert design. Trying to keep it simple yet a bit out of the ordinary. Click to see it better.

M.K. BUTTHOLE

2008-05-31T20:29:00.000-07:00

Went to Mike's house today to help him work on a pin-up for our motorcycle, Darcy. Although, he is currently working on other things.Brainstorming.Ending the night.

TID-BITS

2008-05-31T20:26:00.000-07:00

Audacity & Thee Makeout Party. 6/30/08.

PROJECTS

2008-05-18T13:07:00.001-07:00

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY?

2008-05-11T10:23:00.000-07:00

M.K.

2008-05-10T17:14:00.000-07:00

Custom shifter knobs by M.K. Taking the D.I.Y. Munny toy that much further.

BACK IN THE SADDLE

2008-05-09T23:54:00.001-07:00

DARCY

2008-05-08T18:18:00.000-07:00

Today, Michael and I moved all the parts and pieces of our motorcycle to my house, as he will be attending ArtCenter for summer semester. Still in pieces, but the project is really coming along nicely.Endless eBay parts.So far...Extra, extra, extra motors.Possibly a frame for another bike as well.
New Ace Clubman handlebars.Currently reading:

HOMECOMING

2008-05-08T16:52:00.000-07:00

So I came home to a surprise. All of you have seen my room and most likely have drank and passed out in it. My parents redesigned my room with new furniture, new paint, and a new flat screen. They kept in mind functionality within the design.
My mother's work.This used to be the cave. Now, storage.

FRIDAY, RUE SIMON BOLIVAR

2008-05-03T04:12:00.001-07:00

THE PROLOGUE TO A PERFECT DAY

2008-05-02T07:38:00.000-07:00

12:30 pm woke up.
1:00 baked up.
2:00 picnic idea conjured.
2:30 shopped.
Supplies from home.Notice the steeze.Views."It's like touching mother earth's pubic hairs!"5:30 pm go home and wait for the party to come to you.

CONAMERICA

2008-05-01T19:40:00.000-07:00

A little thought here and there. Ideas are brewing.We are a faction of society who remain true to the spirit of radicalism.

I WAS A HIPPIE ONCE

2008-05-01T05:19:00.000-07:00

Class is over though there are still assignments due. But celebration was needed anyhow. Turn up the volume if you watch this.

SCOTLAND

2008-04-28T10:04:00.000-07:00

Bed and Breakfast style in Ayr, Scotland.
This is Ayr.

I GOT CALLED A CUNT, TWICE

2008-04-27T16:07:00.000-07:00

Scotland was a good time. More on it later. This for now:

THE START OF SOMETHING

2008-04-23T16:39:00.001-07:00

Me and Michael decided to take our manhoods a little further. I present to you a 1970 Honda CB350. It will be remodeled as a cafe racer during the summer, most likely fall, and probably until next summer. Kudos to Michael for handling the purchase. Names pending.
Photos by Michael.

TWO WEEKS LEFT

2008-04-23T16:37:00.000-07:00

Paris, je t'aime.

IN LIEU OF COACHELLA

2008-04-23T15:47:00.001-07:00

Stabbing capitol of Europe.

(Notice the screen infraction on the "Edit" button, not legit.)

LES PUCES: PORTE DE MONTREUIL

2008-04-19T08:47:00.000-07:00

Today, I headed out to one of the poorest flea markets in Paris, located in the 20th district. I must say it is one of the more hostile places I have been in the city. I was yelled at around around ten times, but luckily I was able to laugh it off. I was able to haggle some sick sunglasses, a military jacket, and an Erik Satie record that will just have to wait for home to play.

AMSTERDAM

2008-04-18T15:00:00.000-07:00

Went on a one-day trip to Amsterdam with my friend Sheena.Coming back to Paris feels a little like coming "home" now. I wonder what will happen when I actually do go home.

"HELL OF A DAMN GRAVE, WISH IT WERE MINE"-Royal Tenenbaum

2008-04-16T11:26:00.000-07:00

Went to Pere-Lachaise today.

I WAS ON MY WAY

2008-04-16T04:43:00.000-07:00

TO THE END OF DAYS, BUT I WOKE UP LATE, ON AN OCEAN QUAY, WITH A PURPLE HAZE, INSTEAD.(a picture from a friend)

STORMIN' NORMANS

2008-04-14T16:26:00.000-07:00

We went to Normandy, where they specialize in selling Absinthe and apple Calvados for your coffee. Supplies were handled. I only have 22 days left in Paris. Work hard, play hard.
This was scarier than it looks.Janeen and Kelly.The one and only Nicole Jovanely, trying to be Sartorialist worthy.Megatron.Me, explaining the complexities of relativity and proportionality in relation to the quality and size, respectfully, of a woman's breasts and buttocks.Geri with the rebuttal.Last but not least, the one and only J-Pae.

DESTRUCTION ON THE TENNIS FLOOR

2008-04-14T09:56:00.001-07:00

THE CHORNG FAMILY FOUNDATION

2008-04-14T09:40:00.000-07:00

My parents were here in Paris for a week, we had good seven course meals, good conversations, cigarettes and champagne. I hadn't realized that I missed them so much.

WHITE POWDER

2008-04-06T17:25:00.001-07:00

Sledding tomorrow.

Getting Gobbledygook'd in the City of Lights

2008-04-01T11:35:00.000-07:00

This is one of those "you had to be there" things.

"SLEEPLESS LONG NIGHTS THAT IS WHAT MY YOUTH WAS FOR"

2008-04-01T11:04:00.000-07:00

A fucked up sleep schedule often leads to obscure creative practices.

Video coming soon. Featuring Sean, Alice, Brian and I singing the songs of our youth.

LAST MINGLE IN PARIS

2008-03-22T15:57:00.000-07:00

Sean, Alice, and Brian came to visit me in Paris during our Spring Break. A lot happened. I think we all accomplished what this week was supposed to be about. I want to give a shout out to my brother Big J. Chorng for locking down Summer '08 in Brooklyn.
Cali.This is how I feel now. Tired and delirious. First Ireland, Iceland, and then Paris with friends. Spring Break: check.

THE LUCK

2008-03-11T15:45:00.000-07:00

I went to Ireland last week. It was fun. Drinking about sums it up. The days were beautiful. I was complemented at the bar by an old Irishman.

This was my favorite part.

ICELAND

2008-03-11T14:56:00.000-07:00

Me and Jesse are currently in Iceland. These days have been hectic. I'm glad to be in one place for almost a week. Ireland post soon. Full Iceland post later.
Me and Jesse waiting for the Aurora Borealis.

AS SEEN ON

2008-03-03T10:30:00.000-08:00

Paris street art. These were spotted down the street.

HAIRCUT

2008-03-03T10:23:00.000-08:00

Homegirl Geraldine gave me a haricut.

FUN-AFFECTION (FUNFFECTION)

2008-03-03T10:12:00.000-08:00

The Loire Valley was fun, sadly I have no pictures of the countryside itself because I just realized I left my charger in the states, I know. Anyhow, it was two nights of pure drudgery and waking up still drunk and having a hangover while hanging out in some castle.

Steady Progression.

ROUTINE ADVENTURES

2008-02-28T18:13:00.000-08:00

In a few hours I'll be on a bus to Tours, France in the Loire Valley to check out some chateaus. With sleeplessness, there is Photoshop. I don't like doing the whole "Essential Gear" shit but I thought some would be interested nonetheless. Attention to detail, readers.

RAIN

2008-02-28T18:09:00.000-08:00

It's been raining. Here's a collage of what the week has been like.

J&B

2008-02-23T10:00:00.000-08:00

Today, I finally visited the Parc de Buttes Chaumont, which is about a block away from my house. I had no idea it was such a large park. It has a lake, streams, bridges, jungle gyms, everything. I went with Jason and it was a chill time. We drank J&B and smoked cigarettes.

I love Paris more and more everyday.

LE TREK EPIC

2008-02-16T02:41:00.000-08:00

Last night a "club night" plan failed so with the metro closed, reluctancy to take a cab, and the will to do something just for the fuck of it forced me and my roommate Cody to walk home from the Arc de Triomphe. But first we walked a friend home who lived around the Notre Dame. There's nothing like walking in the bitter cold with your hamstrings hurting and all of a sudden seeing the Louvre around the corner with no one there to see it except yourself. We got home at 4:30 am, I had a beer and Cody had a glass of red. Cody kept the navigation going but I think this is what our walk looked like. Wish I had pictures, but do I? Follow the white rabbit.

A LITTLE TRIP DOWN MEXICO WAY

2008-02-12T22:34:00.000-08:00

CHINATOWN

2008-02-12T07:29:00.000-08:00

Where I live in Paris is very close to Chinatown, so me and my friend Jason strolled down there to pick up some asian delights and of course, had lunch on the patio.

L'APPARTEMENT

2008-02-11T08:01:00.000-08:00

I have moved in to my new Parisian dwellings. It is quite the executive's pad and supposedly we lucked out. Last night I out-partied everyone and made great friends, and a few enemies is the word on the street. Internet is still not on lock so I'm currently hooked up ethernet style. I'm sharing an extremely girly room with a dude named AJ who is way legit. My other roomies are alright though I think they're kinda fascist. All of our rooms are ill-equipped for two people. Meaning, there's a bed for one person and a sketchy foam mattress for the other that doesn't even fit in our room. All in all though the place is super legit.
EDIT: My other roommates are not fascists.

Best part mes amis.

WHEN IN ROME

2008-02-09T05:31:00.000-08:00

So, the flights/busses to get here have been the ritual tediousness but all in all I didn't think it was that bad at all. Tonight all the abroad students are chilling at hotels and tomorrow we will be moved in to our apartments. So THAT post will be the official "I'm in Paris" fiasco, but this is just a quick update on my current status while I have someone's internet.

All in all, I've been chilling for sure. Can't say anything has been amazing but that comes with time.

VJim

2008-02-09T05:27:00.000-08:00

I'm already in Paris, but this is an update on some equipment I bought/thrifted for to get a semi-workable Video DJ'ing rig. These are just some shots of a project I hope will actually get going.

THIS IS ME LEAVING

2008-02-08T00:59:00.000-08:00

So the next post will be from Paris as opposed to 3 months ago. gravisXchomsky.

(The FreshCam was already packed, so this is with my moms Canon PowerShit3000 or something.)

Presents

2007-12-23T17:32:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday to Kevan.

BREAK

2007-12-23T17:28:00.000-08:00

It's always nice to have everyone home.

Junk

2007-12-08T15:58:00.000-08:00

I'm not particular about my audio quality for my computer, TV, etc. Nor am I really fond of blogging about shit I buy just because there's so much random junk, but I got a cheap RCA speaker system and decided to hook it up in my room. I once bought an 8-track player (that I'm glad works) with a whole case of 8-track tapes including Bad Company, Pink Floyd, Zeppelin, The Village People, and other goldies. I also have been wanting to listen to my vinyls louder so everything worked out. Here are some really shitty pictures that I took of the set up because my camera is elsewhere.

So yeah, now I'm blasting "Feel Like Making Love".

Destroy Thyself

2007-11-14T01:11:00.000-08:00

Off to Spain for the big 1-8, finally.

This is an ArtCenter@Night project piece in which the assignment was to define a character, so it's not really a short film, but I tried my best to make some sort of a story out of it. With intense analyzing, the story is pretty fleshed-out. The volume is really low so turn it up, and the quality is shitty so don't put your face too close to your monitor. Anyhow...

(Starring Kevan Ramezani)

Japan, finally.

2007-11-05T02:05:00.000-08:00

So here is my post about the trip to Japan that was three months ago. I finally finished the Gobbledygook'd video for it, but it's really just a few clips from here and there on the trip. I guess the official title is "The Tokyo Ten" although there's at least 3 different titles in the video. It's fun to reflect. Here are also a few photos I shot in Japan with my old manual camera, in which case the film was cross-processed in some way. Enjoy?

Paperplane

2007-10-23T21:44:00.001-07:00

Gobbledygook'd Tokyo very soon. This for now.

As I'm in the process of editing...

2007-10-13T16:38:00.000-07:00

Here's a blast from the past, from my 7th grade yearbook.

I never insist on clicking on my photos but this one might be a good one to enlarge. I'm the fucker in the top right corner, trying ever so desperately to be cool. (Look at my favorite bands)

"Paperplane" Pre-Production: Auto Pilot

2007-10-01T21:37:00.000-07:00

So I'm finally doing stuff with film again. This first one is about a paperplane. These are pictures from another PVC, homemade camera rig I cleverly called "Auto Pilot" that I will be using to film "flying" sequences.

But first, makeshift airplane "hanger". I'm full it today, I know. FUCK YOU!

It's not a fast shutter speed, just fishing line.

In use.

Hotel Chevalier

2007-09-27T17:36:00.001-07:00

So if you have an iTunes account download this for free in iTunes. If you're into Wes Anderson, The Darjeeling Limited and Paris, then make an iTunes account and download this for free in iTunes. Search "Hotel Chevalier".

EDIT: Also Natalie Portman gets completely naked.

Too much partying has these kids dazed

2007-09-02T17:29:00.000-07:00

Gobbledygook'd 3

2007-07-30T00:21:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's back for good.

Me and Jesse made the 3rd Gobbledygook'd. Jesse was learning his first drum song, sadly because somebody stole my looping machine. Thanks to all who made the weekend fun in any sort of way (if it is so that you stumble across this). This crudely written hyper-love ballad is for us all.

Daft Punk

2007-07-29T21:58:00.000-07:00

Berkeley and Daft Punk alike were both fun as expected. I drove up with Kevan and Alex and we stayed at Brandon's apartment again. It was real fun. Japan tomorrow!

This is a horrible picture

2007-07-16T00:39:00.000-07:00

I made a shirt finally with the help of Brandon. It's a design I based off the characteristics of boyish charm in which my dear friend Alex possesses. This is me premiering it. Bad, blurry, but it's the best so far. My scanner plug-in is missing, I'm pretty sure I have a virus. Now I have to drag my computer through the brea mall, great.

I plan on giving one to Alex's brother Hamid.

X-Ray China

2007-07-13T19:23:00.000-07:00

So on Tuesday when I went to the dentist I dropped off a roll of film that I wasn't sure what it was. Turns out it was a roll that I had taken to China but it got x-ray'd so I just forgot about it. There's only a few that even came out and they came out shitty anyways.

It was a good trip.

Wong Kar-Wai

2007-07-11T00:51:00.000-07:00

So I decided to watch more movies and I've actually heard of Wong Kar Wai from some dude I once knew. Then I was reintroduced to him from this DVD box set my dad bought for a few bucks in China, it's called La Revolution, mainly because Wong Kar Wai is a big hussy with the frogs. So now I'm watching DAYS OF BEING WILD, it's pretty good.

2007-07-08T02:20:00.001-07:00

Summer so far.

So I'm into commercials now

2007-07-06T16:30:00.000-07:00

This new commercial from Sprint is spot-on with Architecture in Helsinki and cool flash light animation. This is my first blog and it's only because I'm sitting in front of the t.v. with Gaysee's laptop and I just saw the commercial.

Advertising is getting pretty indie these days. There's a lot of nostalgia in it all that I think most people can't ignore.

Explosions in the sky

2007-06-18T02:06:00.000-07:00

High school is over. There's a lot of things to do, like grow up.

AVLink

2007-05-16T21:51:00.000-07:00

My dad bought a nice lighting set-up to take pictures of his A/V products. I've done a few and realized I really need some work. [Note: The pictures in the last blog aren't supposed to be that small, just click and it'll be huge.]

The rig

The product.