Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee lives forever at Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong

I'm huge on twitter

Twestival HK was a success, raising over $30,000HKD for charity. Enjoy these photos and my facebook album of the event. You can also follow these and other images on my twitter account @michalgarcia which is the main reason I stopped blogging for a month. I was still blogging, just micro-blogging.

Robocop Camera

I put together this camera setup for the Hong Kong Twestival - it's a ridiculous bunch of metal, two flash units and a pocketwizard for synchronization. This thing is so heavy it's practically a medieval weapon, or maybe the evil robot in Robocop. I'm looking forward to the images!

Declare Independence / The New American

Björk says:
"Declare Indpendence!
Don't let them do that to you!
With a flag and a trumpet Go to the top of your highest mountain!
And raise your flag!
Higher! Higher!"

The United States of America is a country and an idea, hence:
The New American looks toward diversity as common ground. The New American works toward a sustainable way of life. The New American is peaceful and passionate, open to ideas and innovation yet firm in their beliefs. The New American is not proud of oneself, but proud to empower others. The New American is a global citizen. They need not hold a United States passport in their hands, but simply an idea in their mind, truth in their speech, and actions to complement their noble intentions.



Bjórk has well-guided passion. I do ask of you blog readers, how effective do you perceive her to be?

Fair Dinkum on CNN

For the last 3 months, I've had the pleasure of being part of an amazing dragonboat team in Hong Kong called "Fair Dinkum." At the Stanley races, CNN featured our team at the beginning of their report on the races. I don't appear but all my friends do.
Gimme a hoo-ha!

1000 friends on facebook

I hit 1000 friends on facebook after using it since November 2004. Feel the power of social media! Facebook's been excellent for scheduling many appointments, parties and other gatherings in the past 5 years of my life. Just yesterday, I spent the day in Hong Kong with a fellow exchange student from Japan - we both lived in Australia 6 years ago. Last summer and this Christmas, I stayed with friends who have moved to New Jersey and I also photographed a Texas artist in New York. I also coordinated a number of photographic, writing, and recording projects in Texas - from Asia. I use facebook to syndicate this blog and make my posts more relevant. Some of my family has recently joined facebook. It is an interface in which I connect to people who I care about, and I am thankful for it.

Fire Dancing on Lantau

About once a month, a motley group of friends gathers in Pui O on Lantau Island to celebrate the coming of the full moon. They eat, play drums, laugh, and dance with fire. Yes they do!

Speak Up!

Photography by Elden


Out and about in Hong Kong, I have been networking and promoting Snarky Puppy. Promotion is a good time! These shots were taken at Speak Up a monthly artist networking event usually hosted at Philia in Lan Kwai Fong.


Awarding a copy of Snarky Puppy's "Bring Us The Bright." to the lady who deduced that Robert "Sput" Searight collaborated with Snoop Dogg [and Erykah Badu, Kirk Franklin and won a Grammy]


This is me trying to herd cats. Free stuff always helps :-)


Kate Sullivan, the hostess in pink organizes and runs Speak Up with Roger De Leon. Kate starred (along with Roger) in a short called The Other End of the Gun.


Hangin' with Kevin of the Metro vocal group. They're performing twice Easter Weekend at Backstage.

Yum :-)

Yummy food made by Ashley in Hongkers!

Sharks are endangered - don't eat them!

Stage Shoes

At the recent Roots Rumble show at Grappa's cellar I captured an assortment of eclectic footwear worn by the Mosh pit inducing musicians that graced the ears of listeners. Enjoy!

UNT Alumni - Asia

I just created a group for UNT Alumni to collaborate. The focus is on Asia, but the reach is universal. The world is extremely interconnected and our alumni network should be as well. The simplest application of this group, considering the first batch of invites is to facilitate music in and through Asia - local gigs as well as tours. The more difficult and equally important goal is to strengthen ties between alumni of all disciplines, much like other schools of the same size (>30,000 students). UNT offers a top-notch education, but the alumni network is not as strong as it should be. This will change, and the "UNT Alumni - Asia" is a step in that direction.
Join today and collaborate!

Web Wednesday

Web Wednesdays are new to me, but an exciting concept that brings together first-rate industry professionals and entrepreneurs. This past session was with the creators of Rotten Tomatoes, who have moved on to a new global social networking project based in Hong Kong, Alive Not Dead. Stephen and Patrick explain how they have created and sold the movie site and moved on to an artist-fan networking site. The video above is bookmarked at the point where I ask a question about how their Alive Not Dead can specifically help bands that wish to collaborate globally, like US-based Snarky Puppy. Stephen and Patrick were also very gracious to lead me to another networking event later that night called "Speak Up" which embraces the local arts community by providing a platform on which to share news, live performances and films.

The next Web Wednesday will feature Matt Mullenweg, one of the co-creators of Wordpress. Matt is one of the biggest players in internet culture today.

Happy Valley

If you're ever feeling glum, take a look at this illustration by Jessica and it will make your day a little shinier. The process to happier daily life is simple. A true friend must eat the cloud over your head. They in turn, will digest the cloud's negativity and keep none if it in their body.
Yoga helps too.
Photo editing by Jeremy Stones (an amazing trombonist, now in the Netherlands!)

On a Slow Boat to China

I have moved to Hong Kong.

(It's nice.)

There are no pictures for this post, because it represents potential rather than people met or goals achieved. My main goal is to truly become part of this community, especially in the arts scene.
For now, imagine a photo for this post and expect to see many later.

What are you doing? Specifically?
I'm serving as the Asia Promoter for Sitmom Records, bringing Snarky Puppy to Hong Kong and other Asian countries in early 2010. There is much work to be done, but I made many contacts before my arrival and even more in my first few days throughout a series of meetings and social gatherings. I am also seeking other media opportunities in photography and film. I have a hushed excitement that is equally shared with friends and colleagues in Manila, Texas and China.

Special thanks to Ashley and Phil for taking me in during my first few days!
(Happy Birthday!)
Congrats to Lori on your new job with Mabuhay magazine!

Call me: +852 9154 4837

Hong Kong: Cityscapes

Hong Kong is a fascinating place. Nah, Hong Kong is so friggin' cool. hmmm, Okay Hong Kong is not only a fascinatingly friggin' cool place, it also happens to be in the future. When you go to Hong Kong, you are travelling to the future. Yes. That's it.






Boats at Stanley, hooray!



I am keen to learn what the future holds for this future city as it becomes more closely linked to mainland China.

Where next?

Here's a challenge for my next employer - hire this player of character to help your organization grow into a much greater entity. Empowerment and high fives for all. I'm your man. Put me in coach, I'm ready to play!

With that in mind, here are some of the top places I'm looking at now and for future projects:

1. Hong Kong
2. Bangkok
3. Los Angeles
4. Austin
5. New York
6. Sydney
7. Toronto
8. Chicago
9. London
10. Brussels
11. Reykyavik - this place gets an "11"

Important to note are that India and Nigeria boast the world's 1st and 3rd largest film industries, respectively, Reykyavik is a very desirable place but not now (LA too), and Asia has a booming economy. I can also see myself working some time in Saigon, but Hanoi does not have extensive work in photography and film. Hitting Toronto means being near the New York scene, and staying in Dallas/Fort Worth means growing with the amazing Denton scene. I'd love to work in Mexican cinema, but am a little more occupied with Asia at the moment. This list doesn't necessarily include the cities I'm most likely to work in, just the ones I'm most intrigued with - though I've just sent a few resumes to Hong Kong...

Obamanation

Last night I had quite the eclectic experience watching the Obama inauguration. To start, I watched it on the BBC - our country declared independence from the British 233 years ago and here I am watching the largest inauguration in history on their network. My Irish housemate Priscilla was pumping out Björk on her computer speakers, and I was relaxing in my apartment in Cebu, Philippines. I earlier went for a walk, and ended up playing volleyball (I declined the more widely played basketball) with my Filipino neighbors. Afterward I broke bread with my friend Taiwo, and among many things we discussed our roles in the world and social responsibility to our home communities (in Texas and Nigeria, respectively) just after I sent off a résumé to a Hong Kong publishing group. Back home, I happened to play a track I ripped from a compact disc I checked out the the Lawrence, Kansas public library - Joan Baez singing "A Mi Manera" - which is the same tune made famous by Frank Sinatra: "I had it my way." Most surprising of the night: Joan Baez has excellent Spanish pronunciation and BBC correspondents can't hide their feelings against George Walker Bush. Also, surprising is that I never hear Obama's middle name "Hussein" on American Television but it's spoken in its entirety on BBC. I just imagine a child being named Walker Hussein...it's almost as bad as being a kid named "Sue." Priscilla caught the last half of the inauguration speech but missed out on Aretha Franklin's heartfelt version of "My country, 'tis of thee" - a tune that was jacked from the Brits in the first place.
Today I began the new era of responsibility by waking up early and watching Ali G's "Bling bling." I have been globalized, or is it globalised?

*Above video was the Spanish election anthem. Enjoy Obama en Reggaeton!

Happy Holidays from Hong Kong

In transit to Texas from the Philippines, an [unexpected] 8-hour layover is just enough time to take the express train to the city, walk around a few hours and catch up with a friend - so I did. It certainly does feel like Christmas in Hong Kong - the air is cold and decorations are everywhere! Little did I know I'd be going progressively colder in Texas then Kansas. Snow is in the forecast!


Ashley and Phil at Pho Saigon. After work, Wan Chai is the place to hang.



Here's the lovely Harbor :-) and a tram dressed up for the season.


Here's hoping I make it back to HK for a longer period of time in the New Year!

The People of Hong Kong

Through the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong is a moment of organized excitment: the horse races. I must admit, I'm not much of a racing fan (of any sort) but this sure beats Nascar. It's bearably loud, more refined, and snacky-snacks are right around the corner, if that!



The Subway system in Hong Kong is the best I have seen so far (compare: Sydney, Mexico City, Tokyo, New York, Germany) and also the most clearly marked. A certain someone thinks Shanghai is still better, but I have yet to venture into mainland China.


In Hong Kong, Sunday is maid's day off and you can find them all over town in the strangest places - banks, malls, parks - basically anywhere that's shaded and has a lot of space.


This lady had 9 dogs, but only 4 are pictured in this shot.


I have no idea who these people are, but Regan took their picture at the Big Buddha!