Style? /  by Thomas Nguyen

“I personally do not believe in the word style. Why? Because, unless there are human beings with three arms and four legs, unless we have another group of human beings that are structually different from us, there can be no different style of fighting.” - Bruce Lee

New years resolution still going strong? /  by Thomas Nguyen

It's February, how are your new years resolutions or goals coming along? Have you ran out of gas? Don't worry, with monthly checkups, you can fill up your gas tank again! Start reevaluating what has worked and what hasn't!

I have 2 goals that I have been doing very well with. One of my goals is to do more activities in DC. Another goal is to take more photos and video this year to continue my creative flow.

Luckily, these 2 goals go hand in hand! I've been very fortunate to be able to explore the city so much not only physically but also through the lenses of my camera.

Here are some of my favorite shots and events!

I got to meet up with my DC fam, Marshall, Sylvie, Ron and Stephanie for some Korean BBQ. Check out Sylvie's site for some of the coolest DC foodie news around!  http://www.thriftydccook.com

 

My friends Mimi & Robert were fostering some local pups. They were absolutely adorable... even if one did accidently puked on me haha.

Delicious apples at Eastern Market.  This is NOT why I'm known as addictedtoapple on twitter =P

Top Chef, Spike Mendelsohn at his newest restaurant, We The Pizza

This is probably my favorite photo that I've taken recently.  It was a wonderful night exploring DC and we strolled right by the Swedish Embassy, The House of Sweden.

I took some photos of my good friend Joanne Kim for her website recently with her BF and my good buddy Dan.  I had a great time snapping photos all around Bethesda.  It was super cold that day, but good thing we stopped by so many places to get some tea or hot chocolate.  Anyways, you guys definitely need to check out Joanne's music.. it's UH-Mazing.  http://www.joannekimmusic.com

I snapped a photo of my good friends Becky & Wil in front of Kramer's Book Store & Afterwords Cafe in DC.  I really love that place.  Anybody that is new to DC, I tend to take them there for a meal.  And.. it's one of the few fun 24hr places you can hang out with friends on a weekend!

I was asked to snap some photos for a wonderful event called Inspire '11 by my good friend Joe Kim.  Inspire is a non profit organization that has created an outlet for Christians to express their passion and talents through music.  I met some amazing people and artists that night.  

 

This is my buddy GT, aka Gifted Thought, aka Brian from family guy =P  Check out his awesome site, http://www.a-tunes.net !  It's a site where I wish I had back in the day... which showcases asian american artists that should be getting some more attention!

Pastor Del Augusta, who was inspiring and hilarious.

Jeff Yoo, a great organizer and the great MC for the night.  It was great to meet someone with so much passion for everything he does.

Lil Sarah, big voice and passion.  Check her out at http://www.facebook.com/LilSarahKim

Jason Min.  A very innovative artist that had some really moving songs.  Check him out at http://www.jasonminmusic.com

The three guys here make up Amp.  One of the coolest hip hop groups I've heard!  Their songs and performances are always so powerful.  Check them out at http://www.ampmovement.com/

This is Lyricks.  One of the best rappers I've heard live.   I  think what's cool about him is he knows how to stay true to himself and what he believes in.  He doesn't live up to stereotypes.  And... he just recently toured with the Wu Tang Clan!  Sick! http://www.myspace.com/teamlyricks

Joanne Kim at Galaxy Hut!  I had to also put up this photo due to the apple laptop in it as well :)

This was during the crazy storm down here in DC.  It took some people I know 12 hours to get home.. when it usually takes them 45 minutes!  The power went out of my building so I was left to some photography to keep me sane.  This was taken in my parking lot.

During the power outage, I stayed over at Richard & Wendy's.  And of course, I had a great time playing with Audrey and Ryan.  I love these kids.

I went to snap some photos in DC on a Friday night with my buddy Dan.  DC Monuments at night is definitely one of my favorite subjects to shoot.  The lighting is so awesome.  

These photos were from a weekend where we decided to film a quick video for Joanne's song electric kiss.  We had good time brainstorming, filming, and editing all in one day.  Check out the song!

Some pics from a quick business trip to Munich, Germany.  I was surprised that it was warmer over there then DC!

Becky & Wil @ Branded 72 Pit Barbeque for Wil's Birthday!

My friend Coleen invited me to a really fun birthday party.  I had a great time with all of her fam and friends!

Joanne at Ebenezer's Coffee House.  One of the nicest venues in DC!

Getting some Makkoli, Korean Rice Wine, with good friends!  Here is an amazing photographer that needs to update his website! Jacob Kim

Penn State buddies!  Jenn, Mimi, Andy

3 super talented girls.

Jennie Roh, photographer/videographer extradorinaire: http://www.iphotoria.com  http://www.drawatree.com

Michelle Choi : fashionista/make up artist extradorinaire: http://www.miss-elegance.com

Sue Kim: Creative Extradorinaire: http://suekyungkim.wordpress.com/ http://timetoshinedc.com/ http://ourbeautifulimperfections.com/

My family came to visit!  Mom, Uncle, and grandma.  

I had the pleasure to snap some photos of Anny Pak's birthday.  It was a blessing to be there as it was one of the most unique bday experiences I've been apart of.  Praise, Worship, and love all around!  You need to also check out Anny's photography site.  The girl got skiiiiils!  http://annyphotography.com/

So, that was my mega blog post.  I hope that it has helped inspire you to keep your goals in check.  And remember, it's not too late to get back on track either!  Best of luck to you and stay positive.

Hey you. You're Beautiful. /  by Thomas Nguyen

I was very fortunate to help out on a great cause known as Becky's Fund.  It is a non profit organization that helps raise awareness on domestic violence.  The video was made by a group known as the Jubilee Project.  They are making some awesome videos for great causes, so be sure to check them out!  Also, many thanks to Jennie Roh for inviting us to help out too! 

@ Photoria for the video shoot

So please watch this, and pass it on.  For every view, donators will pay a penny per view!  So watch or sign up to donate!

Out of sight, out of mind? Keep it in sight! /  by Thomas Nguyen

Goal SettingWith everyone starting off the new year with new goals and resolutions, I think it's important for people to "keep it in sight".  It's easy to say to yourself, I'd this or I'd like that and not do anything about it. You'll forget everything you have ever wanted to do if it's out of sight.

If you have a goal, write it down and place it somewhere you can see everyday.  After that, take some time to think about your goals and write an action plan for yourself.  Within those plans, set up dates on your calendar on how you can track your progress.  Give yourself some realistic deadlines of when you would like to achieve thing to see how you progress.  I find that breaking down your ultimate goal into smaller baby steps is the key to staying consistent!  

An example would be:

Instead of just saying, "I want to lose 15 lbs", give more details! When? How? Check up dates?

I want to lose 15 lbs in 3 months. I'll check myself at the end of every month and want to lose 5 lbs a month.  I'm going to do so by packing a healthier lunch consisting of leaner protein and more veggies.  I'm also going to alternate lifting weights and cardio everyday!

From there, try to mark down how you are doing on a daily or weekly basis if you can! Some fun things you can do to make sure you achieve your goals is to have a spotter.  Talk to family and friends about your goals and they can help check up on you.  You can even make a fun consequence to help motivate you.  Maybe if you don't reach your check up goals, you'll have to donate $20 bucks to charity!

The last thing is to not lose hope!  If you don't reach your goals right away, don't fret.  Keep on moving forward and realize that you have been making the right steps to making your dreams happen.  If might not come as fast as you want, but you just need to keep on trying and you'll get there. "A jug fills drop by drop"

Good luck to you in 2011!

Voices For Hope - January 8, 2011 /  by Thomas Nguyen

Voices For HopeIf you are in town, please attend Voices For Hope if you can!  It's a benefit show for Child Abuse Awareness that is being put together by my good friends at Helping Hands, Joe Kim & Jennie Roh.  In a upcoming future post, I'll showcase Helping Hands even more.. but in the mean time, here's the info!

Voices For Hope
A Benefit Show for Child Abuse Awareness

100% of the proceeds will  be donated to those affected by child abuse
$10 General Admission
$15 General Admission at the door

http://shop.thesquirez.com/ 

January 8, 2011

George Mason University
Johnson Center Bistro
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, Virginia

Doors open @ 6:30pm
Show starts @ 7:00pm

Performances by:
Ivy Rose
Melissa Polinar
Ryan Bandong
Keisha Lee
Vincent Lacsamana
Mike Yi
Alex Cena
Chris Santa Ana 

 

Ringing in 2011! /  by Thomas Nguyen

NYE - Dirty Martini from Thomas Nguyen on Vimeo.

Celebrating the new year with great friends at Dirty Martini, aka 1223, aka our former 2nd home!

Here is a recap video of my New Year celebration with friends at Dirty Martini in Washington DC.  This was formerly 1223, a place that was a second home to many of my friends back in the day.  Since it reopened, this was our first chance to get back to the venue.  They really made the place look really classy and made it into a very nice restaurant.  The food was great and the night was a blast!

My 2010 Recap /  by Thomas Nguyen

2010 Recap from Thomas Nguyen on Vimeo.

An early Xmas present to all my family & friends. As always, I totally wish I could have captured amazing moments with everyone I've crossed paths with. I'll try to record more for next year of course!

Thanks again to everyone for a wonderful year. 2011 - The Best Has Yet To Come!

An early Xmas present to all my family & friends. As always, I totally wish I could have captured amazing moments with everyone I've crossed paths with. I'll try to record more for next year of course! 

Thanks again to everyone for a wonderful year. 2011 - The Best Has Yet To Come!

Impromptu Ninja /  by Thomas Nguyen

Colton & Adrienne from Thomas Nguyen on Vimeo.

An impromptu dinner led to an impromptu mission to film a proposal for a new friend.

It was a Friday night, and I really had no plans before my trip to Vegas on Sunday.  My coworker, Jonathan, invited me to eat with him and his friends, whom I've met only one of them once before.  His name is Colton, and he is a pretty funny guy.  It turned out, the plans for that night was to eat dinner and to help Colton scope out a place to propose to his girlfriend, Adrienne.  Adrienne, lives in California and was flying into town the next day.

As we were talking about potential locations, somehow the conversation led to the talks of somehow being able to secretly record the whole thing.  DING!  That's when a light bulb magically turned on.  I had access to the gear to make it all happen! DSLR's, different lenses, a wireless mic, Glidetrack!  I knew right there that we definitely had to make it happen.  I teamed up with one of the other fellow bro's, David Beh and we planned it all out.  

All of the us guys went around DC to help Colton scope out a place that would be special for him.  We went to the National Tree, the ice rink at the Sculpture Garden, and eventually we decided that the FDR Memorial was the spot.  The waterfalls were a great setting (but also posed some annoying traits as you will read later)

We headed back to my office and got a wireless mic that we usually use for interviews.  I gave Colton the transmitter, and I kept the the receiver of course. He was to hide the mic on him somewhere, and when they got close, turn it on and it was go time! I was siked to be apart of this mission.

Operation Circus Tent

The next day, David and Colton started texting each other in code.  Operation Circus Tent as they called it, and we even had code names.  I think my name was Tango November or something like that haha.  It was quite funny reading the texts.  The goal was to head down there and capture the proposal right around the sunset. Dave was a little late to pick me up, but we made it right in time.

David's role was to get the wide angle shots, and I was suppose to get the zoomed in footage.  I hooked up Dave with a Canon 5D Mark II, and a 24-70mm 2.8 lens.  I took down a tripod with a glidetrack and had a Canon 5D Mark II with a 70-200mm 2.8 IS USM II lens.  I set it up and had the camera pointing at the right spot, had the wireless mic receiver plugged in with an earpiece ready to go once I heard something.

So you might be wondering.... how was she not going to notice us recording?  Well, it was simple, we used our fake touristy powers.  I'm asian, so it was easy enough for me to pretend that I'm just a tourist haha.  So, I dubbed myself a Ninja for the day haha.  Dave, who Adrienne has met once before, put on his big jacket and snow hat and just pretended to be taking some shots of the waterfall.  Everything was in place!

Go Time

Soon after we were setup, all of a sudden... *crackle... crackle... sssss*.  I heard the static in my earpiece and knew it was game time!  I signaled David and we started to record.  Colton and Adrienne walked by and right to the designated spot.  We started our filming and it was great!  EXCEPT... for one thing.

The sound!  Colton clipped the wireless mic onto his shirt and tried to hide it at the same time.  I could hear how the mic would rub up against his jacket.  The other thing was that because they were standing right next to the waterfall, I totally could hear it as well.  Their voices were a little muffled due to everything.  As he proposed.. I couldn't completely hear everything.. and when he got down on one knee.. I was afraid!  I didn't know if she accepted or not!  However, the next thing I knew, she was hugging him and kissing him.  Operation Circus Tent was a success.  As they walked away, I pretended to be on my cell phone to continue my cover and Dave yelled a great line to them to continue his cover... "HEY! YOU'RE IN MY SHOT!"

I had a nice little laugh.  Afterwards, we filmed some B-Roll footage for the video.  It was then.. a done deal. My day of being a impromptu Ninja turned out very well.  That night, before I left to Vegas, I made a quick draft of the video.  I hope you guys enjoy!  (BTW, the cat is out of the bag.  Colton did eventually tell Adrienne about the filming.)

The music is by Clara C - Offbeat.  I didn't have enough time to give her credit in the first draft.  I'll definitely do it in the final draft!  Check her out at http://www.youtube.com/claracmusic