#int. Chinatown

[watchnrant]

Interior Chinatown: A Sharp Satire That Challenges Stereotypes and Forces Self-Reflection

Interior Chinatown is a brilliant yet understated reflection of the world—a mirror that exposes how society often judges people by their covers. The show captures this poignantly with the scene where Willis Wu can’t get into the police precinct until he proves his worth by delivering food. It’s a powerful metaphor: sometimes, if you don’t fit the mold, you have to prove your value in the most degrading or unexpected ways just to get a foot in the door. The locked precinct doors represent barriers faced by those who don’t match the “majority’s” idea of what’s acceptable or valuable.

While the series centers on the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) community and the stereotypical roles Hollywood has long relegated them to—background extras, kung fu fighters—it forces viewers to confront bigger questions. It makes you ask: Am I complicit in perpetuating these stereotypes? Am I limiting others—or even myself—by what I assume is their worth? It’s not just about API representation; it’s about how society as a whole undervalues anyone who doesn’t fit neatly into its preferred narrative.

The show can feel confusing if you don’t grasp its satirical lens upfront. But for me, knowing the context of Charles Yu’s original book helped it click. The production team does an incredible job balancing satire with sincerity, blurring the line between real life and the exaggerated Hollywood “procedural” format. They cleverly use contrasting visuals and distinct camera work to draw you into different headspaces—Hollywood’s glossy expectations versus the grittier reality of life.

Chloe Bennett’s involvement (real name Chloe Wang) ties into the show’s themes on a deeply personal level. She famously changed her last name to navigate Hollywood, caught in the impossible middle ground of not being “Asian enough” or “white enough” for casting directors. It’s a decision that sparks debate—was it an act of survival, assimilation, or betrayal? But for Bennett, it was about carving a space for herself to pursue her dreams.

Her character, Detective Lana, delivers a line that resonated with me: every previous role she’s taken has prepared her for this one. It’s a subtle nod to the way life’s seemingly disconnected experiences—barbacking, instructing, hustling—add up to shape us. Some people have step ladders handed to them, but for most of us, we have to earn the right to even get near the ladder, let alone keep the door open once we’re inside.

Interior Chinatown doesn’t just critique the system; it holds a mirror up to all of us, asking how much we contribute to that system—whether consciously or not.

[venturelimo]

Luxury on the West Coast: Elevating Your Experience with Limo Service in San Diego and San Francisco

As the iconic cities of San Diego and San Francisco continue to captivate visitors with their unique charm and vibrant atmospheres, exploring these destinations in style has become an enticing prospect. Enter the world of luxury transportation – where the journey is as memorable as the destination. In this article, we delve into the allure of limo service in San Diego and San Francisco, exploring how these services redefine travel experiences on the West Coast.

San Diego: A Coastal Elegance

Nestled along the sun-kissed shores of Southern California, San Diego is a city that effortlessly blends laid-back coastal vibes with a cosmopolitan flair. For those seeking a touch of luxury amid the Pacific breeze, limo service in San Diego provides an unparalleled way to explore the city's diverse offerings.

Whether you're arriving at San Diego International Airport or planning a special evening out, opting for a limo service ensures a seamless and sophisticated experience. Imagine stepping out of the airport terminal directly into the plush interior of a sleek limousine, where professional chauffeurs stand ready to whisk you away to your destination in comfort and style.

San Diego's attractions are as varied as they are captivating. From the historic Gaslamp Quarter to the scenic La Jolla Cove, a limo service offers the convenience of exploring these locales without the hassle of navigation or parking. Enjoy the panoramic views of the coastline as your chauffeur effortlessly guides you through the city's landmarks, creating an experience that is both leisurely and opulent.

Beyond leisurely sightseeing, limo services in San Diego are also a popular choice for special occasions. Whether it's a wedding celebration, milestone birthday, or a romantic date night, a luxurious limousine adds an extra layer of sophistication to the festivities. With a fleet that includes various models to suit different preferences, limo services in San Diego cater to both intimate gatherings and larger parties, ensuring that every moment is celebrated in style.

San Francisco: The City by the Bay in Elegance

Heading north along the California coast, we arrive at the iconic city of San Francisco. Renowned for its historic landmarks, hilly landscapes, and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is a destination that beckons exploration. And what better way to navigate its picturesque streets than in the comfort of a chauffeured limousine?

San Francisco limo service offers a unique perspective on the city's landmarks. Imagine traversing the winding streets of Lombard Street or crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, all while ensconced in the plush interior of a luxury vehicle. The city's renowned neighborhoods, from the trendy Mission District to the upscale Nob Hill, become more accessible and enjoyable when experienced from the backseat of a limousine.

For those arriving at San Francisco International Airport, a limo service provides a seamless transition from air travel to ground transportation. No need to worry about the logistics of getting from the airport to your hotel or destination; your chauffeur takes care of everything, allowing you to relax and enjoy the scenic drive into the heart of the city.

San Francisco's vibrant cultural scene, diverse culinary offerings, and bustling entertainment hubs are all within reach when you opt for limo service. Attend a show at the renowned theaters in the city or embark on a culinary adventure in neighborhoods like Chinatown or the Ferry Building – your limousine becomes a mobile haven, ensuring that your journey is as captivating as the destinations themselves.

The Allure of Limo Services:

The appeal of limo services in San Diego and San Francisco extends beyond the luxurious vehicles and chauffeured convenience. It lies in the meticulous attention to detail, the commitment to customer satisfaction, and the seamless integration of opulence into every aspect of the journey.

Professional chauffeurs, well-versed in the intricacies of each city, serve as knowledgeable guides, providing insights into local attractions and ensuring that your experience is not only luxurious but also enriched with information. From suggesting hidden gems to navigating the best routes, these chauffeurs contribute significantly to the overall enjoyment of your journey.

Moreover, the diverse fleet of limousines available caters to a range of preferences and group sizes. Whether you're traveling solo, as a couple, or with a larger party, there's a limousine model that suits your needs. From sleek sedans to spacious stretch limos, the variety ensures that your chosen vehicle aligns perfectly with the occasion and your personal style.

Conclusion:

In the cities of San Diego and San Francisco, where every street corner tells a story and every landmark beckons exploration, opting for limo service elevates your experience to new heights. Whether you're a visitor looking to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture or a local wanting to rediscover your city's charm, a limousine becomes your gateway to luxury and convenience.

As you navigate the bustling streets or embark on a scenic coastal drive, the allure of limo service in San Diego and San Francisco becomes evident. It's not just about reaching your destination; it's about savoring the journey, creating memories, and indulging in the luxury of an experience tailored to your preferences. So, the next time you find yourself in these West Coast gems, consider the elegance and sophistication that limo service brings to your travel itinerary.

[mysgprop-cstee]

Sky Everton

Sky Everton

FREEHOLD @ PRIME DISTRICT 2 Near 4x MRT Lines LAST UNIT: North Facing City Skyline View:  5BR PH (PH1 1819SF) #36-10 $5,868,000 – Last 1 👏🏻House with 270 Degree Panoramic View of Sea & City 👏🏻 4-Levels of Full Condo Facilities & Spa Pools 👏🏻 Quality Furnishing & Fitting 👏🏻 Unique 5m ~ 6m Ceiling Height 👏🏻1 to 1 Parking 👏🏻 City Living Next to Greenery Park

√ D2 Freehold √ Core Central Region √ Seaview with greater southern waterfront transformation √ Heritage with lush greenery √ Connected by 2 existing MRT Station + 1 upcoming MRT Station √ All round amenities and convenience https://youtu.be/n6ZSBK7oQAE Rare Freehold in District 02 Singapore Introduction About Developer's Background Project Highlights  Sky Everton Unique Features: Location Map Site/Floor Plan Unit Mixes: Price Guide/ Sales Package Interior Design/ Gallery Download E-Brochures Introduction Type Descriptions Project Name Sky EvertonDeveloper Name SL Capital (6) Pte LtdLocation 50 Everton Road (District 02)Tenure of Land FreeholdExpected Date of Completion (T.O.P.) 02 Dec 2023Site area 6,694.5 sqm | 72,048 sqftTotal No. of Units 262 units in 1 tower of 36-storey Car Park Lots 262 Lots + 3 Barrier free carpark lot in 4-storey car park, & a basement.

Sky Everton is a freehold development situated in 50 Everton Road (highly sought-after Tanjong Pagar enclave), district 2 Singapore. The property by SL Capital Pte Ltd proposed residential housing comprising 1 tower of 36 storeys, a total of 262 residential apartments with 4 storey carparks with a basement and communal facilities. Outram Park and future Cantonment MRT Stations are just a stone’s throw away. Working professionals will appreciate the easy and short commute to reach their offices within CBD and Marina Bay Financial District. Major highways such as the Central Expressway (CTE) and Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE) are also easily accessible for residents who drive. Prime location also brings the excitement of city living right to your doorstep. The sizzling vibe of the urban sprawl never runs out of stories, excitement and stimulation. From the complete retail and entertainment destination that is Marina Bay Sands to the shopping hub of Orchard Road, all the city’s indulgences are yours to enjoy. Another favourite shopping haunt is VivoCity, one of Singapore’s largest mall where you can dine, catch a movie or shop for hours. Sky Everton - A 36-storeys luxurious freehold development, standing tall and resplendent at the edge of the city and the southern shores of the island. It articulates the stylish and cosmopolitan lifestyle of the truly discerning individual. About Developer's Background

Sustained Land is a private company incorporated in 2006 that is one of the leading residential property developers in Singapore. Despite being a private company, Sustained Land owns shares in Sysma Holdings that’s is listed in SGX. The firm has grown over the years providing distinctive properties. Sustained Land is known for its superior finishes and quality construction built to last for years. The company has a great team that enables them to deliver properties with a touch of great designs, innovation, functionality and quality finishing. Some of the projects done by the company in the past include: - 38 iSuites - Suites De Laurel - 833 MB Residences - 3 Cuscaden Showflat - Casa Al Mare - 8M Residences - Sturdee Residences

  Project Highlights  Sky Everton Unique Features: - Rare freehold at CBD fringe/ Prime District 02 - Walk to Outram Park, future Cantonment MRT Stations and Chinatown - Easy access via Central Expressway (CTE) & Marina Costal Expressway (MCE) - Short drive to Central Business District via , Marina Bay Sands,, Orchard Road and Sentosa - Plenty of shopping options some which rank among the best in the world such as VivoCity, Great World City, Clarke Quay Central, People Park Centre, Chinatown Point, Riverside Point, Tanjong Pagar Centre, Amara Shopping Centre and International Plaza in the vicinity - An array of options for F&B dining, entertainment hotspots, food centres and wet markets that include famous Chinatown and Tiong Bahru wet markets. - Proximity to future Greater Southern Waterfront - Near to good schools like Cantonment Primary School, CHIJ (Kellock), and Radin Mas Primary School - Good rental potential as it is a popular location with professionals / expatriates Location Map Nearby MRT such as Marina Bay, Tanjong Pagar, Chinatown MRT, and Outram MRT the residents future at Sky Everton can look forward to enjoyable weekends outdoors with your family, friends or colleagues as you enjoy the tranquility that this place has to offer. Surround yourself with quiet tranquility yet just be within minutes away from all the excitement of the city. Close to a myriad of business hubs, entertainment & leisure amenities and prestigious schools.

Sky Everton is close to the hip Duxton area, which offers a plethora of indie cafes, restaurants and stores amidst the old-school HDB setting. The estate is a haven for foodies and coffee lovers. Families with school-going children can look forward to renowned schools that include CHIJ (kellock), Radin Mas Primary School, Outram Secondary School, CHIJ St. Theresa’s Convent and Cantonment Primary School.

Nearest MRT - Outstram Park MRT 420m - TANJONG PAGAR MRT 780m - Cantonment MRT (DUE 2021) ~270m Schools - Cantonment Primary 200m - Chij (kellock) 1.16 km - Radin Mas Primary 1.56 km - Outram Secondary 1.17 km Shopping & Groceries - Chinatown Plaza 510m - TANJONG PAGAR CENTRE 780m - PEOPLE’S PARK COMPLEX 1.03 km - NTUC FAIRPRICE (TANJONG PAGAR) 510m GREATER SOUTHERN WATERFRONT

The planned relocation of the City Terminals and Pasir Panjang Terminal to Tuas will free up 325 and 600 hectares of waterfront land respectively. With the first set of berths at Tuas Port to be operational by 2025, the downtown and southern port area will eventually be phased out. This area is known as the Greater Southern Waterfront. The Greater Southern Waterfront, with 925 hectares of land – an area three times the size of Marina Bay, represents an opportunity to create a new waterfront city that is integrated with downtown and the surrounding housing and business near the city. The Greater Southern Waterfront could be built up for new housing, commercial, cultural and entertainment uses, cementing Singapore’s growing reputation as a world-class city for its people to live, work and play Site/Floor Plan With various residents’ facilities specially designed for physical invigoration and also total relaxation, unwinding has never been this easy. Where growth and wellness are integrated to create an energised, holistic environment for you and your loved ones. There is no better investment than in your family.

At Sky Everton, carefully considered facilities provide hours of foreseeable fun. Even at home, you will be constantly surrounded by numerous facilities awaiting your exploration. With swimming pool, BBQ deck and more you’ll be completely spoilt when it comes to choosing how you want to rest and relax.

Floor Plan: With its luxurious settings surrounded by culture heritage and natural beauty, the condominium is indeed the perfect place to start living a life in sheer grandeur. Shaped with luxurious design and complemented with fittings and furnishings of excellent brands, the apartments are thus enhanced with an elegant look that bespeaks a prestige lifestyle. Some apartments will enjoy the expansive panoramic views of the city skyline and the sea. South - Facing Reserve Park & Greater Southern Waterfront North - Facing Conservation House 360 degree view

Floor To Floor Height - Overall Height 167M - 1 to 6 storey - 21M - 6 to 12 storey / 15 to 22 storey / 25 to 35 storey - 3,5M - 13 storey & 23 storey - 6M for living / dinning and 5M for master bedroom Floor To False Ceiling Height - Toilet, kitchen, bathroom and Corridor - 2,7M - Master Bedroom, living dinning, bedroom ( typical floor 3,3M) - Master Bedroom ( 5M for 13 & 23 storey ) - Living/dining ( 6M for 13 & 23 storey ) TYPICAL FLOOR PLAN & Virtual Tour

Unit Mixes: UNIT TYPESIZE (SQ FT)NO OF UNITS1-Bedroom463 | 592341-Bedroom+Study506 | 635162-Bedroom624 – 807742-Bedroom+Study657 – 840383-Bedroom915 | 1066403-Bedroom+Study with private lift958344-Bedroom with private lift1435225-Bedroom Penthouse181926-Bedroom Penthouse22282Total Units 262 EXTERIOR This home has a capacity for a single, couple and large family, with all the services and amenities you could desire to make it an excellent location for any get-together of family and friends. - Private pool - Shaded dining areas with ample seating - Balcony for each room - Stone-built barbecue - Private garden area - Pool-side sunbeds - Hammocks INTERIOR The stunning design and contemporary decoration creates an elite luxury experience in the heart of a traditional setting. Modern and thoughtfully unit design. - 1-Bedroom - 2-Bedroom - 3-Bedroom - 4-Bedroom - Penthouse - Internal seating incl. couches, chairs and lounge - Modern kitchen with appliances and equipment Price Guide/ Sales Package LAST TO GO: 1BR/ 2BR/ 3BR/ 4BR Fully Sold North Facing City Skyline View:  5BR PH (PH1 1819SF) #36-10 $5,868,000 – Last 1 Please Contact Us at (+65)84188689 It is important to only engage the Official Direct Developer Sales Team to assist you to enjoy the best possible direct developer price. There is no commission required to be paid. Interior Design/ Gallery

Download E-Brochures Download E-Brochure

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[swldx]

Voice of America 0317 18 Apr 2023

6080Khz 0256 18 APR 2023 - VOICE OF AMERICA (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA) in ENGLISH from MOPENG HILL. SINPO = 55333. English, s/on with dead-carrier. @0259z Yankee Doodle int fb news anchored by Tommy McNeil @0300. Both military factions fighting for control in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, claimed to have made gains on Monday, as the death toll from the violence exceeded 180 amid calls from Washington, multiple international bodies and capitals around the world for an immediate cease-fire. A Russian court on Monday convicted top opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza Jr. of treason for publicly denouncing Moscow’s war in Ukraine and sentenced him to 25 years in prison as part of the Kremlin’s relentless crackdown on critics of the invasion. The FBI on Monday arrested two New York City residents for allegedly operating a secret, illegal police station for China's national police in the city's Chinatown neighborhood. The station, one of more than 100 that China allegedly operates around the world, was used by China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS) to harass Chinese activists and dissidents in the United States. The trip by Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to Beijing has made clear he is counting on China to help reinvigorate the South American nation's ailing industrial sector — particularly by picking up the slack of exiting U.S. companies. A key piece of Lula's outreach abroad is his proposal that Brazil and other developing countries, including China, mediate peace. However, his suggestion that Ukraine cede Crimea has irked Kyiv and its closest backers, namely the U.S. and Europe. A Tennessee Air National Guardsman was arrested after federal agents said he responded to an online ad for a hitman through a parody website that he thought was real. U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy pledged Monday that the narrow Republican majority in the House of Representatives will vote to raise the country’s debt ceiling to avert a default on the government’s financial obligations in the coming months, but will also stipulate that future spending increases be capped at 1%. @0304z “Daybreak Africa” anchored by male announcer (w/African accent). MLA 30 amplified loop (powered w/8 AA rechargeable batteries ~10.8vdc), Etón e1XM. 100kW, BeamAz 350°, bearing 85°. Received at Plymouth, United States, 14087KM from transmitter at Mopeng Hill. Local time: 2156.

[crossoverworldtree]

Black Lagoon Company

Why, When, and What: A Mercenary Transport Company in the crime-ridden city of Roanapur in the South Seas.  Just a group of people trying to survive in a dog-eat-dog world.

Clout: Criminal 2, Financial 1, Governmental 1 (4) Locations: One Medium Location (1), Physical Security 1 (Total: 1 (2-1 from Financial Clout)) Gear: Computers 2, Workshop 2, Company Car (0), Tricked Out PT Boat (2), Weapons (Paramilitary) (3) (Total: 5 (9-4 from clout) Total Cost: 10

Rebecca a.k.a. Revy, "Two Hands" Date of Birth: 1977 Motivation: Hide with Violence and Booze Critter Type: Human Attributes: Str 3, Dex 6, Con 5, Int 2, Per 3, Will 4 Ability Scores: Muscle 12, Combat 18, Brains 12 Life Points: 57 Drama Points: 10 Special Abilities: Criminal, Severe Cruelty, Secret (Childhood Trauma), Covetous (Greed), Obsession (Mild, Guns), Hard to Kill 5, Resistance (pain) 5, Nerves of Steel, Fast Reaction Time, Minority (Southern Chinese-American Atheist), Attractiveness +3, Addiction (Alcohol and Cigarettes), Adversary (NYPD wants her for a whole laundry list of things, many others) 4, Severe Cruelty, Emotional Problems (Anger, Fear of Commitment), Love (Tragic), KI + 2, Martial Travels (Beginner), Ambidextrous, Honorable (Minimal), Contacts (Criminal) 3, Delusions (Nihilism), Martial Philosophy (Pistolero) Name - Score - Damage - Notes Punch - 18 - 11 - Bash Kick - 17 - 13 - Bash Pistol - 18 - 12 - Bullet Big Pistol - 18 - 15 - Bullet Huge Pistol - 18 - 18 - Bullet Grenade Launcher - 18 - 30/15/5 - Bash Anti-Tank Gun - 18 - 50 - Explosive, AP 6 Ki - 14 - Varies - By Ability Revy is the team's "muscle" and gunwoman of the Black Lagoon Company. Not much is known about her past, but what is known and generally accepted as a reason not to prod is that it was not pretty. A normal, loving childhood could not produce this monstrous fighter. She was born in Manhattan's Chinatown; Revy is known to have been a thief and a murderer from a very young age. Rough, quick to anger, and completely numb to the violence she often inflicts at random; she also revels in high combat.  She does not want to admit it, but she has a crush on Rock (surprising, since she nearly shot him in the head multiple times and took the longest to accept him as a crew member). Seeing him work to help other people makes her want to be helped by him. But she is the one who helped him, so he doesn't realize what she truly wants.

It's awkward. Known Ki: Acrobatic Multi-Tasking, As the Water Flows, Breather, Bullet Disarm, Bullet Snatch, Hail Mary Run, Hand Cannon, Healing Ki, Ki Speed, No Need to Draw, Piercing Strike, Speed Reload, Wall Walk

Rokuro "Rock" Okajima Date of Birth: 1975 Motivation: Get by in New Life Critter Type: Human Attributes: Str 2, Dex 3, Con 4, Int 4, Per 4, Will 3 Ability Scores: Muscle 10, Combat 12, Brains 16 Life Points: 34 Drama Points: 10 Special Abilities: Nerd, Resistance (Alcohol) 5, Honorable (Serious), Good Luck 10, Adversary (Incidental), Knowledge (Refined things) +2, Languages (English, Japanese, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish), Minority (Japanese), Addiction (Cigarettes, mild alcohol), Attractiveness +2, Love (Tragic) Name - Score - Damage - Notes Dodge - 15 - None – Full Defense Action A Japanese Salaryman who found himself on a pirate ship, he still keeps an air of cleanliness and sophistication about him (which irks Revy somewhat. He still won't wear that Hawaiian Shirt she got him...), which aids in getting certain jobs. He has many odd bits of information floating around his head from his former life and is rather good at assessing situations. He's grown accustomed to his new life though.

Dutch Date of Birth: 1975 Motivation: Keep the crew going Critter Type: Human Attributes: Str 5, Dex 4, Con 4, Int 3, Per 3, Will 4 Ability Scores: Muscle 18, Combat 16, Brains 14 Life Points: 65 Drama Points: 10 Special Abilities: Ex-Soldier (?), Resistance (pain) 5, Nerves of Steel, Fast Reaction Time, Crime +2, Hard to Kill 5, Minority (Black), Honorable (minimal), Contacts (Criminal 5), Adversary (US Military), Addiction (Cigarettes), Attractiveness +1 Name - Score - Damage - Notes Punch - 16 - 16 - Bash Pistol - 16 - 22 – Bullet Shotgun - 16 - 24 - Bullet The ubiquitous captain of the Black Lagoon. He claims he is a Vietnam vet who went AWOL and acted as a mercenary for a while before forming his own company. He rarely does that sort of thing these days, working more through his contacts in Hotel Moscow and with the Triad. He’ll take any job offered and get it done.

Benny Date of Birth: 1978 Motivation: Day to Day Living, Technology Critter Type: Human Attributes: Str 1, Dex 3, Con 3, Int 5, Per 2, Will 3 Ability Scores: Muscle 8, Combat 10, Brains 16 Life Points: 26 Drama Points: 10 Special Abilities: Nerd, Criminal, Nerves of Steel, Minority (Jewish American), Contacts (Hackers), Adversary (FBI, Mafia), Addiction (Cigarettes), Love (Janet "Greenback Jenny" Bhai), +2 Computers, Attractiveness +1 Name - Score - Damage - Notes Dodge - 13 - None - Full Defense Action Benny is the Hacker, Computer Expert, and Repairman for Black Lagoon. He dropped out of college (in Florida), managed to piss off the FBI and Mafia at the same time, and would have died if not for Revy. He followed her to the Black Lagoon company and stuck with it since then. Very laid-back and easy-going guy, like Rock, he doesn't get into any gunfights and travels unarmed.

[hunxi-after-hours]

so Charles Yu’s Interior Chinatown is literally insane but also formally incredible, absolutely would recommend

on a fairly regular basis I’m like “ah yes I should read more diaspora books”

and then I pick up a diaspora book and have to roll for emotional damage

[chaneajoyyy]

Ma'am, I just read about Lewis Tan's romcom and trust me, Asians are annoyed about the love ints too. Even with Asian casts we get yt lis. Warrior,set in CHINATOWN,talks about all the racist struggles the community faced ahead of the inclusion act? MULTIPLE yt(savior) lis. Kim's Convenience, korean family show? A way too focused on yt li. We are f*cking tired. Hollywood, stop only writing yt women as love interests, and interracial doesn't have to mean moc + wm. Sincerely, angry woc audience 🙄

Dannggg!!! I don’t blame y’all! Is it ever gonna change? It was refreshing seeing The Lovebirds on Neflix last year. Those two shows are on my list to watch and I didn’t know all that was goin down? Hollywood you hear this? Sop it!

[docholligay]

Chinese Food in The American West

One of the things I frequently come across as a student of the American West* is that people get most of their information from movies and TV and then act like they know things. Wyatt Earp was not a Lawful Good champion who always did his level best even when it was hard to know. (You want Seth Bullock or Bass Reeves). Racism was far more complicated than white vs not white (I’ve talked about this EXTENSIVELY in Strange Empire, so I’m not going to bore you here**). 

And they didn’t just eat steak. In fact, they rarely ate steak. 

Steak as cowboy food isn’t INACCURATE, but it is MODERN. From about the early 1900s on, you had less and less drives and more and more ranchers who were staying put, with less and less hands needed, and so food was grabbed less “on the go.” Cows could be slaughtered and used to feed the family, allowing for more opportunities for things like steak, yes, but also things like chili, a play on sauerbraten, southern-style biscuits. The cattle drives were a real blend of culture and race, and a lot of what we have left as “Western food” owes a great deal to that. 

And if we leave the cattle drives and head into the towns of the American West, as we will today, we find things like oysters, pies, and various things like that. Far more well-heeled than the general expectation. 

I mean, here’s the menu from the Occidental Saloon circa the late 1880s:

Soups

Chicken Giblet and Consumme, with Egg

Fish

Columbia River Salmon, au Beurre Noir

Relieves

Filet a Boeuf, a la Financier

Leg of Lamb, Sauce, Oysters

Cold Meats

Loin of Beef, Loin of Ham, Loin of Pork, Westphalia Ham, Corned Beef, Imported Lunches

Boiled Meats

Leg of Mutton, Ribs of Beef, Corned Beef and Cabbage, Russian River Bacon

Entrees

Pinons a Poulett, aux Champignons

Cream Fricasse of Chicken, Asparagus Points

Lapine Domestique, a la Matire d'Hote

Casserole d'Ritz aux Oeufs, a la Chinoise

Ducks of Mutton, Braze, with Chipoluta Ragout

California Fresh Peach, a la Conde

Roasts

Loin of Beef, Loin of Mutton, Leg of Pork

Apple Sauce, Suckling Pig, with Jelly, Chicken Stuffed Veal

Pastry

Peach, Apple, Plum, and Custard Pies

English Plum Pudding, Hard Sauce, Lemon Flavor

This dinner will be served for 50 cents.

-I got this from the book “Saloons of the Old West” by Erdoes

But none of that is precisely why I’m here, I just can’t stop myself from talking about this, why I’m here is that one of the things I say that often surprises people, is that Chinese food was incredibly common for the, well, common man to eat. There’s very much a conception that we as a non-Chinese American  people did not start eating Chinese food until the 40s and 50s, and its truer that it took longer to catch on in the American East than the West simply as a matter of proximity and choice. 

Not MORE choice but LESS. Part of what made the West so unique, historically, is that the lack of choice and the basic scarcity caused people to work with and patronize people that their general prejudices would have kept them from using back east, because they had CHOICES. But out in the west, less so. There were few choices for a quick, cheap meal on the go. That dinner I just posted above is a lavish affair, and a great deal at approximately $20.00 in today’s money. (Which does not allow for the fact that cost of supplies has gone up and this dinner would most likely be offered for no less than 70 or so today.) 

People desperately wanted something that was cheap and quick, and the other options in the American West were few, far between, and not intensely pleasing. No one had really come up with the sandwich shop as of yet, and in any case, fresh meats and cheeses would have been too difficult for the low-cost supplier. 

ENTER THE CHINESE POPULATION.

If you have read my Strange Empire blogs, I hope you know that Chinese people were a huge presence in the American West, mostly working for the railroad and various mines, but also doing things like laundry, work that was extremely hard but took little in the way of English speaking. They existed in Chinatowns, for a combination of cultural and legal factors, but it’s a misconception that non-Chinese*** people never went to Chinatown. 

People are not new, and it was not unusual for non-Chinese people to use the laundries, tailoring, and other services of Chinatowns while suppressing the rights of Chinese people int he same breath. There were always individual Chinese people any given non-Chinese person liked and did business with. 

In time, they discovered the inherent wisdom of the noodle bowl. 

I don’t mean to suggest that all these early restaurants served was noodle bowls, but that was where it all started. Remember, Italian food had little prominence in America at the this time, as Italian immigration didn’t really get into full swing until the 1870s in America. While there are noodle traditions half of everywhere, and there is nothing new under the sun, what we today would consider a stir-fry bowl was wildly new to most of the non-Chinese folks in the West. That it could be offered up so cheaply, was so filling, and so delicious (more on this later) was a wild revelation. Everyone from simple cowboys (which, fun fact! Was a slur back then!) to mayors were swinging by Chinatowns to try the dishes. 

By the 1920s, chop suey, a fully Chinese American invention derived from the words for “various leftovers” was a hugely popular American food among all sorts. 

Doc, you may ask, was it just that these folks coming through to get medicines or laundry were SO adventurous? Not at all! Chinese restaurants back then actually, in a very short amount of time, realized that their non-Chinese townsfolk were an excellent way to make money as well, and began to adapt and change dishes to better fit the Western palate, leading what we call American Chinese Food today, which is a legitimate foodway I will defend to my death. Unfortunately, none of these menus survive today--the only ones we have are from places in San Francisco, places that were much more posh, and not the subject of this essay. 

There is a scene in Tombstone where Wyatt and his brothers are eating Chinese food, and it’s one of the things people often ask me about, assuming it’s anachronistic. Actually, it isn’t at all--the anachronism is that there’s broccoli in those noodle bowls, which had not yet hit our shores by the time of the OK Corral. Chinese food was a huge hit, Chinese restaurants were doing extremely well, and some Chinese restaurants were even beginning to attempt to print menus in English, with sit down areas, instead of serving simple fare from food carts. 

As the food from these “chow chow houses” grew in popularity, as we can infer from the advertisements of their competitors promising free potatoes with every meal, and other such niceties to entice, there was, as ever there must be, blowback. Anti-Chinese sentiment grew to a fever pitch, and with this came overt pressure for ‘Good Americans” to patronize ‘American restaurants’. The social pressure is actually where we get some of that old racist jargon about Chinese people serving dogs and cats, which people often think was spread by competitors to degrade the Chinese restaurants, which isn’t UNTRUE, but was just as often said sheepishly by someone who couldn’t stop themselves from going and grabbing a noodle bowl or even the American dishes they offered, such as roast chicken or pork chop sandwiches. 

(I won’t comment with anything but an eyeroll on the bullshit of people saying they’re ~allergic to MSG~ okay I’ll believe you when you stop eating processed food, meat, aged cheese) 

It actually kept this type of reputation as being slightly scandalous well into the early 1900s, as being something you ate after the bar, something to be had in the shadows, but it was all for naught, because Chinese food became an important part of American identity. But for all that, no one ever pictures the Lone Ranger chowing down (the American phrase ‘chow’ for food actually comes from these ‘chow chow houses’) on some chop suey, but there’s every reason to believe he would have. American Chinese food is just as American as the Germanically-influenced hamburger. 

(There’s a whole subtopic to go down about Jewish and Chinese communities and Kosher Chinese Food, two marginalized and othered communities coming together, but that’s a WHOLE other topic) 

(Also someone please buy me Chinese food. This shit always makes me so hungry.) 

*The American West is a specific time period, as far as the study of history goes. It covers the period between the end of the Civil War and the New Century, generally, and is, obviously, concerned with the western half of the country. It doesn’t cover stuff like Lewis and Clark (that’s Expansion) or even the Civil War itself, though you cannot possibly hope to study the American West in any level of seriousness without understanding the Civil War. Anyway! I know a lot about America between 1865 and 1900, and am just knowledgeable enough to be dangerous on everything else. Most History nerds are highly specified like this. We’re not as much help to your trivia team as you think.****

**I actually have had little chance to talk about ~European-style xenophobia~ as it played out in the west, because Strange Empire takes a more modern pass at it. But there was a hierarchy of “whiteness” as well, as still largely exists in Europe, land of intentionally clean ethnostates. 

***I use the term “non-Chinese” instead of white because believe it or not, non-white people were not magically free of racism against Chinese people. It was horrific and BASICALLY every non-Chinese person was guilty of it to some level, a wild-ass level of hatred that led to Chinese folks not being able to PURCHASE PROPERTY BY LAW in ENTIRE STATES. Being Chinese or Native in this place and time was your Worst Bet. 

****I actually was on a competitive trivia team, you DO want me.

[ethnicassets]

USA ChinaTowns in New York, SF, et al., thrive because Chinese humans focus less on flashy Vain-glory, distorted Profits and More on Hard Work and Consistency"

USA ChinaTowns in New York, SF, et al., thrive because Chinese humans focus less on flashy Vain-glory, distorted Profits and More on Hard Work and Consistency. I've lived in Hong Kong, traveled thruout the EMEA and recently I've chosen to live in Chinatown London (UK), San Francisco and NYC (USA). What's the upside for me? Incredibly healthy food, well affordable lifestyle. Humans who mind their own lives, they live quietly whilst working harder than any Caucasian, African or ...well, maybe AS hard as Mexicans. Mexicans work fucking hard for very little. And still build family and healthy culture. What else are we humans here for, int he end? (*Read this book 'American Chinee'–a nice bit of info http://bit.ly/CHINEE)

[houseofvans]

ART SCHOOL | IN SESSION WITH ROB SATO

From vibrant rainbows to familiar yet alien landscapes occupied by strange beings, LA based artist Rob Sato’s works are filled with creative energy in a loose minimalistic style. From watercolor, digital medium to acrylics and oil, Rob’s artworks and illustrations have been shown in various galleries from Giant Robot 2 to the Oakland Asian Cultural Center, where recently his original paintings for a comic called 442 were exhibited. We’re excited to chat with Rob about his work, his various collaborations and what he’s got coming up for the rest of the year.  Take the Leap!

Photographs courtesy of the artist.

Introduce yourself Hello, my name is Rob Sato. I’m an artist, illustrator, and writer. Something people might not know about me is that I was a kid I was so fanatical about the Oakland A’s that when they lost in the World Series I threw a tantrum so big that I destroyed my bedroom and after that I felt so stupid I quit following baseball. Also, I’m told I have maybe one of the great poop stories of the world. It can only be related in person, so ask me about it sometime if we ever meet.

How would you describe your work and style? Eclectic? Kaleidoscopic? I’ve never had a concise answer to this question. I tend not to pin myself down because I think if I did, I’d stop making things. 

Art is my outlet for the cryptic and obscure as well as the gushing spillover of foolish idealism and wild fantasy. It’s the only place I’ve ever found where you can healthily play with unhealthy thoughts, where you can explore undefined emotions, things that lurk out in the corners of consciousness that may be embarrassing or uncontrollable.

I love to make entertainment and decorative work, things that tend to be obvious, that communicate very clearly and reveal all their cards, but I also love to make work that hides things, that actively resists easy understanding or recognition and risks being super personal or unrelatable and strange. This can make things difficult, especially in the ongoing deterioration of attention spans, but I can’t help but pursue things outside of a pop sensibility and logical thought. I have to be, much of the time, in mental wildernesses. It’s hard to get there, hard to be there, and hard to come back, but it keeps me going.

Tell us about how you really started getting into art, and how that turned into what you do now? Was it something you always intended to pursue? I’ve drawn every single day for as long as I can remember. I never really thought about it. It just seems to be what I do. It’s how I have fun, how I solve problems, how I think. I’ve wanted to pursue other things like make movies or write books, but I always find myself drawing. Before I know it, it’s time for bed again.

When you are working on a new piece or upcoming exhibition or show? What’s your process like? What themes do you find yourself taking on? I explode. I used to plan things in a very directed way, but lately I’ve just let my brains spill out everywhere. I make a ton of drawings and paintings, and try my best to be fearless and open. Most of it produces failure after failure, but it shows me what might be worth building on, plus many exciting surprises reveal themselves in the process. As a show nears I start seeing what things fit together, what needs to be edited out, and how it all might form a cohesive exhibition. Sometimes the subject matter is the glue that makes everything stick, other times it’s the aesthetics. Alongside the explosion I usually have 2 or 3 pieces going at any given time that I’ve had long term plans for. These pieces can take take months or even years. 

Thematically I’m all over the place. War and peace, realism and surrealism, grim realities and escapism, sober observations and dumb jokes.

What are some of your go-to art making materials? Are there mediums you want to explore that you’ve yet to get your hands on? I feel pretty comfortable with anything you can use to make a mark on a piece of paper. I’ve mainly used watercolor and various drawing tools for the past several years. I’m been having fun with acrylics and oils again, and I’ve started to play around with photography a little. I’ve had ideas for sculpture and film for years that I’d really like to finally get to. What I really want to get my hands on is more time.

Where do you find inspiration? What kind of things or people inspire what you make? Watching someone pick their nose listening to headphones and singing softly to themselves in line at the grocery store. Just watching my cat live her weird life. Even though the final artwork may not really show it, these places are usually where my ideas originate. Art has also been a place where I can put memories that have some abstract need to be recorded.

I made this series of drawings called “Bad Hands”, which started out with me laughing at these dumb hands I was drawing with academically incorrect anatomy. Abandoning correctness felt so good. In the process it triggered a memory from High School. I had been forbidden from drawing in one of my classes, so I was contorting my hands into different shapes at my desk to amuse myself. There was a hysteria over gang activity in the school at the time and the teacher freaked out thinking I was throwing gang signs and I ended up getting sent to detention. 

At detention I was talking with a friend and made fun of the teacher for her mistake. A kid who was in a gang overheard and then HE misunderstood and thought I was making fun of gangs or something. On my way home from school he and a couple dudes punched and kicked me for a bit while I tried and failed to explain. I think it’s funny. 

So embedded in that piece is this tumbling series of misunderstandings, these multiple layers of hands being perceived as bad, speaking in an absurd language that communicates different things to different people. I know people aren’t going to see all those layers in the final piece, but that’s where it comes from and I hope it at least sparks some thoughts about talking with our hands, and where else can you follow this kind of train of thought except in art?

I get inspired by artists who seem to approach art as an intuitive discovery process rather than a  pursuit of mastery, that play is one of the more important aspects of making things. My wife, Ako, has been a huge influence on me in this respect. She’s continuously playing with various materials around her at any given time and finding out what she can do with them. Everywhere she goes she abandons a nest made of fresh creations she’s manifested out of mud, string, packaging, plants, uneaten rice, her used drinking straw, lint and whatever else was within her reach

You’ve done a lot of collaborations with companies, museums and art galleries. Do you have a favorite collaboration, and what about the collaboration do you enjoy the most? I’ve recently been collaborating with Tiny Splendor, an indie publisher and printer who have studios in LA and Oakland. It’s been really great working with them, Cynthia Navarro in LA on risographs, and with Max Stadnik, who runs the print shop in Oakland. 

Max has been returning to lithography, my favorite traditional printing medium, and he printed a piece of mine inspired by mushrooms called “Growerings". It’s a full 5 color print, which means it took five separate plates and each print had to go through the press 5 times. It turned out more beautifully than I could have hoped for. Litho is a super difficult but also very fun process and the results are so rich. 

I think I particularly love this collaboration because the image fits the medium so well, and the combination of the two elevates the final piece of work, When it works, the artwork and the print become more than just an image on a piece of paper. It’s more alive in some undefinable way.

Since we’re called Art School, we always ask the artists to give us their favorite art tip? Never force the thing you think you want, you’ll probably miss out on the really interesting thing that’s happening. Also, don’t drink too much coffee. I have trouble taking both of these pieces of my own advice every day.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not making stuff? How do you chill out? I read and run. I love coffee and I love gossip and talking nonsense with friends. Also, I cannot stop watching Terrace House.

What is the last art show that you went to? What artists should folks keep an eye out for? I recently went to the Velveteria in LA’s Chinatown, which is one man’s collection of paintings on velvet. A very entertaining and very fucked up experience. I went to a life drawing session at Subliminal Projects and got to draw surrounded by Chad Kouri’s fun abstracts. I’m actually typing this interview inside an art show right now. 

I’m here at my wife, Ako Castuera’s, show “Soil” at the Weingart Gallery at Occidental College. We’re here feeding worms. She sculpted this beautiful ceramic vermiculture composter for the show. It’s a grand temple for worms. The show is an act of gratitude for the exchange we have with the soil which provides the clay for ceramics, and for the worms who turn decay into healthy earth to grow new life in. 

She sculpted a menagerie of creatures out of the worm poop that also populate the show. Super fun. Speaking of Ako and Subliminal, her show there with Hellen Jo and Kris Chau this past December was one of those once-in-a-lifetime powerhouse gathering of forces. That may have been the best show I’ve ever seen.

What advice would you give someone thinking about following in your footsteps? What’s something you learned that you want to pass along to art making newbies. Don’t listen to advice if it is extremely quotable. Pay no attention to it especially if it accompanies a photo of a famous artist and fits perfectly into an instagram post. If it’s easy to remember then it’s probably empty, crap inspiration. Those things are entertainments and not words to live by.

 If you’re interested in making art you’ll keep making it. It takes day in, day out patience and exploration and mutation to discover how you really work, not some idea of how an artist works. 

Sometimes it will be very hard, sometimes it will be so breathtakingly easy you think that your problems have been solved forever. Neither situation ever lasts, but cultivate and nurture your curiosity and what you love, and you’ll find ways to make it through the rough times and keep on making things one way or another.

Who are some of your favorite artists to follow and/or see in a show? Lately I’ve been really enjoying the work of Nathaniel Russell whose work makes this great space where funny, grounded matter-of-factness and sweet nothingness sit comfortably together. His drawing also reminds me of Ben Shahn, my all-time favorite drawer. 

I really like Amy Bennet’s oils, these intimate studies of isolation in suburbia where mundanity overlaps with quiet drama and melancholy. Her work obliquely reminds me of Edwin Ushiro’s work, though his stuff is the opposite of melancholic. He captures almost incidental but haunted moments from growing up in Hawaii and infuses them with warmth, and it’s in a style influenced in a super personal way by animation. It reminds me of Satoshi Kon’s movies in its well observed, slice-of-life elements. Edwin’s sketchbooks are a treasure too.  Esther Pearl Watson’s recent autobiographical paintings, Hellen Jo’s latest badass watercolors, Amber Wellman’s funny, playful oil paintings, and Matthew Palladino’s watercolors are also favorites. 

Megan Whitmarsh’s work is some of my favorite to see in person. Her installation with Jade Gordon at the Hammer’s “Made In LA “ show was maybe the funnest work I’ve ever seen and interacted with. I went to see the Ai Wei Wei show at the Marciano Foundation, which I thought was impressive in scale and execution but still somehow lame, but I stumbled on a Mike Kelley installation/ video piece I’d never seen before in the upstairs collection and loved it so much, but I can’t remember the name of it at the moment. 

It’s 2 videos shown side by side of the same guy wearing a cape singing almost the same song simultaneously, but each version has different words at different points. It’s a love song but one version is more bitter and mean and one is sickly sweet. Anyway, highly recommended!

What do you have coming up the rest of the year that you can share with us?  For just a few more days there’s a show up at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center with a bunch of my original paintings for a comic I illustrated about the 442, the Japanese American Army unit of World War II. Plus it has some personal work about Japanese American Incarceration and images from my family’s experience in the concentration camps. My grandfather was incarcerated in the Arkansas camps, and he was a soldier in the 442. 

Next up, I’m in a slew of group shows all happening within a few weeks of each other this month. Poor scheduling on my part as usual, but it’s nice to be invited to so many. I just sent off my piece to the “Seeing Red” show curated by Jeff Hamada of the BOOOOOOOM art and culture blog. That show will be at Thinkspace in LA. Giant Robot has been kind enough to host another solo show for me in September. 

I’ve been busy experimenting with some more 3d stuff that pushes the more narrative side of my work which I hope to show there. We’ll see how the experiments turn out. I’ve also been working on a ton of prints and ideas for books. This year I want to focus on working in print, making zines and comics, and writing a lot more. 

FOLLOW ROB | INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE | SHOP 

[majingojira]

Dude doesn't hate Superman, though. I actually think he did an okay job. I'm just not a super fan myself, so I wouldn't know (Which is why I don't see Kibblesmith's New Warriors as 'the worst thing Marvel has done'. That just erases "Secret Empire" and "Sins Past."). BvS is okay, but I would rewatch Freddy vs Jason more than I would it.

He doesn’t hate him, no.  He doesn’t understand him though.  That’s the rub.  As only a mild Superfan, I can easily point out to What’s So Funny About Truth, Justice, and the American Way (adapted into the film Superman vs. the Elite) as to what that means.  The short of it being, even if unintentionally, Snyder and those who follow him in a tribalistic sense present the view of the Elite, and oppose Superman being a full-on paragon hero, uncorrupted, and as a contact to a dark world he found himself in.  People act like Superman (1978) came out in the 1950s, when in truth, we were mid-way through the Dirty Harry series (the most recent one being The Enforcer), were in the shadow of Chinatown (1974) and First Blood was only a few years away (1982).   1978 also saw the release of The Deer Hunter, Halloween, and Watership Down.  We were still int he shadow of Watergate for goodness’ sake!  And then here he comes, the purest form of Americana there is, literally out of the pages of a comic book, too good to be true.  That no one at WB has looked at the greater context of Superman: The Movie and realized how easy it is to make a construct a Superman story... It’s like, how all these attempts to do Robin Hood movies keep failing because we haven’t had a baseline version for almost 30 years now, they keep trying to do deconstructions and subversions instead.   But I rant.  BvS isn’t the worst movie, not by a LONGSHOT.  Coleman Francis exists, so the bar is far lower than some people could survive.  But it is, IMO, fundamentally flawed. 

[deniigi]

Well hey not a Cali person here but I am going to San Francisco for the first time next week. Any recommendations on what to explore that might not be on a blog or a touristy site??

oh hey boo!!

Great question! It depends on what you like.

I personally am a huge fan of nature/food/outdoors-y things, but there are loads of very cool places to go and do inside things at if you want.

I think some of my favorite places are as follows:

Golden Gate Park (very good)

Stern Grove (literally where I got engaged. Very good for dog watching. It’s basically a big stadium full of eucalyptus trees with a dog park in the middle. There’s a little lake. It’s very relaxing)

Stonestown Farmer’s Market (happens on sundays, unless they’ve changed it since then). There’s another Farmer’s Market on the Embarcadero during the week (Tues and Thurs and Sat) but it’s more expensive.

If you’re into hiking, there’s John McClaren park, San Bruno Mountain, Fort Funston (love love love fort funston), Tiburon across the bridge, The Marin Headlands (like, stunning, stunning, stunning!!)

If you’re into city walks, there are some really cool shops along Divisadero. You HAVE to get Bi-rite icecream if you can digest/afford it. It is worth the pain and money, I swear to you. Best ice cream in the damn city. There is a place by Dolores Park to get it, but the big shop is on Divisadero (and I personally think the one on Divis has a nicer walk back to the Castro muni station if you’re not driving)

There are the murals in the Mission (I believe they’re on Valencia, the really famous ones. They’re in an alley right beside this bright pink community thrift shop). The Women’s Building mural is pretty damn amazing.

Sometimes, honestly, I like to pick a direction in the Castro area and just walk because there is street art all over the place, all over the houses, garage doors, etc. If you get off on at the Castro station, cross the street, and just keep walking (not on Church street, on the side of the street Orphan Andy’s is on) you can get a lot of that cool art and that street will take you right to the heart of Mission.

In terms of food, I would recommend Panchitas (for pupusas) and Dinosaur’s (for Vietnamese Sandwiches), but there’s also an A-MAZ-ING Japanese place in West Portal called Sushi Suki which doesn’t look like much, but their food is great and way cheaper than the fancy place right across the street (be sure to ask for the check, though, they’re not great about bringing it to you and picking it up).

(Lol, anyone who’s from SF can 100% tell that I lived in the south part of the city by this list)

ANYWAYS

There’s a super cool mosiac staircase on Moraga St if you’re into art and getting up somewhere high. And while you’re headed down that way, if you don’t want to go to Chinatown proper, on Irving Street, there are hella Chinese markets and lots of great dim sum places. Taraval’s Kingdom of Dumpling is straight up the best place in the city for dumplings, although getting a seat is nigh impossible since there are max 12 in the whole place. There’s also a load of good hot pot places on Taraval if that’s what you’re into.

If you’re into art, my fave museum is the Legion of Honor (everyone goes to the DeYoung, but I’m like, not moved by it). It’s cheap with a student ID if you’ve got one. Their gift shop is good, but bring a snack--not a whole lot of food over int hat part of the park). The Asian Art Museum is very good too (also cheaper than many others around)

If you’re about shopping, I’m gonna say that Crossroads is a pretty good community thrift store for clothes. If you want kitsch, Cliff’s Variety on 24th in the Castro is pretty decent (you can get pride flags there! and they have 2 stores, one for artsy things and one for household things. The artsy one has adorable souvenir type things and a lot of super useful stuff)

So yeah.

Is this enough?? I could probably keep going but this is the stuff off the top of my head.