A Little Known Occasion

Yesterday marked the fall of South Vietnam. I know because my Vietnamese barber told me. He fled Saigon in 1975 with no money and no English skills whatsoever.
(Even now, he tends to drop endings such as "hou" for "house," and "paspa" for "passport." You have to pay attention, but the meaning comes through.)

Eventually reaching America, he waited four years for his family to bribe their way onto a boat out of Vietnam. They did, reaching a refugee camp in Malaya. Eventually, my guy got them over here. Thirty-four years have passed since the day he boarded a helicopter under rocket fire. Now he in lives quietly in the San Gabriel Valley, cuts hair in La Canada and pays for two daughters in college.

He knows I've been in Vietnam and Cambodia, but never recalls why. Or my name. His first question is, "You travel somewhere?" I'm certain he thinks I'm always in motion, like a deep ocean shark.

Today I told him I was glad he made it out of Vietnam.

He was too.

Thumbs Up from Toon Zone News

My favorite DVD director Troy passes along the intelligence that Freakazoid Season II DVD has received a glowing notice from the wise, insightful reviewer at Toon Zoon News. Bracing copy, absolutely bracing.

Craig Crumpton Gives Voice to the Vocal

For those following voice actors, try this blog: Voiceroy. Spot familiar names such as Frank Welker and catch up on what's doing in the world behind the mike.

TNT News

This weekend, several Team in Training pals tackle the Wildflower Triathlon. Jay and Melissa, plus current San Gabriel Valley marathon coach Karla will race the Olympic course (1.5 kilometer swim, 40k bike, and 10k run.) Current assistant marathon coach Alfredo manfully goes after the half-ironman (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and 13.1 mile run.) Good luck to all.

On Friday evening, TNTers Tiffany and Jason will be wed. Great folk. I'm buying them a toaster.

And in other news, the South Koreans have cloned dogs that glow in the dark. And they're all named "Ruppy." And it's not a game show.

Yet.

Knights Who Say "Knee"

Ha, well, there! I've begun the process to have my arthroscopic knee surgery. Because I have an HMO with a large deductible, it's possible I won't be co-paid into poverty. My doctor's paperwork chicks are checking on that. I'm believing it will all end in a marathon sometime in 2010. Onward into medical land!

Paul Dini Day

At today's Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, former Warner co-worker Paul Dini will be appearing on a panel discussing his various projects, such as what it's like to work with a wee tiny man like George Lucas. Good for Paul.

A Running Machine

That's Emil, ladies and gentlemen. He just finished the hilly La Jolla half-marathon (13.1 miles) in 1 hour and 56 minutes. A Team in Training alum, I used to bump into Emil at various races, the last being 2008 San Diego Marathon. He has seriously upped his game this year, competing every month in distance events. I run vicariously through Emil and wish him well for the both of us.

Via Emil: Palos Verdes is next week. This week's endurance event was La Jolla. Please stop bombarding me with corrections. -:)