TRANSFORMER

We are on the top of the food chain.  Nothing can kill us but disease and us.  Last night I joined the world in a fight to save mankind.  We the world showed up to give support to our braves men and machines as they fight against a common foe.  We needed everyone and everything we got to fight against this enemy.  This something does not discriminate.  It will kill us weather we are black, white, brown, or yellow.  We had enemies that destine to destroy us and wipe us out of our existence.

So we put up the fight.  We applied ourselves using what we’ve learned since birth of humanity.  We showed up with the best technology available.  We had the battleship, war planes, tanks, guns, and big guns.  All seemed to be like tossing a bunch of ants into a flame.  It all turned out that we needed the best weapon we got, ourselves.  We needed knowledge and wisdom.

It seemed Hollywood is the last stand against evil thus far.  Hollywood seems to be the best University to attend for just a small fee.  If we can get people at attention without interrupting for one, two, or more hours to deliver the message, if that is what it will take, we will continue our work.  Transform two times, Terminator three times, ok?  We are bringing GI Joe in August and we are bringing the Avatar next years.

At the end of the film a lot of us clapped our hands.  Last night we united in harmony under one roof and we won another battle.  All of us went home in peace.    I can only imagine what the little children got out of this movie.   Parental guidance has always been suggested not restricted.

What I do

The video above is awesome!  Imagine being a sport personality in Laos receiving $40k after have won the first Silver medal ever!  I am really proud of them.

I have no problem writing what I say, saw, and think. The code of silence does not work well with me. I resorted to write because I want to explain in detail to one and then to the other or both sectors of the community the why and what I care about. Why the why is because what I say, saw, and think have meaning not just to me but to a lot of people. I am leveling it to my friends and fans here so they will gain a better understanding of who I am the author. Perhaps then you might open your garden gate and let me in. But what may take our relationship to another level depends on the when and how much effort I put into explaining the what I say, saw, and think (things I know). Needless to say, my story is just another Laotian person’s story, if you are not a Laotian person, you may be a friend of one. Nevertheless, I hope my stories impact, inspire, and move you some how…to be a better and caring friend to us. If you are a Laotian and trying to match your Laoness with mine, you might be glad that you read my stories and learn something; this is mine, your friend’s story.

I was asked by one of the organizers to be the sport coordinator four months prior to the Event. First I was presented with idea of the Kato (Sepak Takraw) tournament. Knowing the magnitude of the task, I took a deep breath. I wondered why he didn’t ask the Lao Kato players in the area. I think he just didn’t have the time to look for any one in the area to take the job or it just easier to go ahead and ask yours truly. I gave him the option to cancel my appointment if he found someone in the area. Here is how the story goes; the subject came up 2 years earlier in Arizona when I attended the second international conference for Lao studies, “We will have an international sport tournament in the San Francisco Bay area. We hope you bring your team.” Had said “Okay”, I have been keeping an ear on for any news of the tournament. Two years later, the news came and so was the invitation to join the First Annual International Lao New Year Festival as the sport coordinator.

Upon accepting the position, I was the resource and as resourceful as I could be, by all means, handle it. I blasted emails asking for involvement of the local Lao Kato players that might jump right in. All were nothing but silence. When that didn’t work, I asked the organizers and who they linked with for help. That didn’t turn out so well. Didn’t know what to do and not knowing what to do was no way to be me, I looked up to heaven and asked for a little help. It was a voice inside my head that said, “Hey Amphone, having a hard time?” “Yes Lord, help?” I humbly answered. “What about the USA national representatives?” the voice said again. I was dumb found. I used to google and search for the history of the sport on the web. That is how I learn about Takraw USA Association. I took a few seconds to gather myself. Then I clicked on the Compose instead of the Check Mail button. I wrote, “Dear Takraw USA…” After I found all the right words to say to them, I clicked Send. I checked my e-mail everyday to see if they respond. Two weeks later a reply came, “I like your idea about being a part of an event that would benefit everyone,” Takraw USA Association wrote.

A tournament was not the best way to go because of time and venue. We only have from 10 AM to 5 PM. That would not even allow us to complete the first round of the competition. Knowing what the organizers really should want and need, I proposed something better: a demonstration of a sport called Kato Lao in Laos and Sepak Takraw internationally. It was a go. They approved it.

See more postings on youtube.com or go to www.takrawusa.com. See more postings bythe first international Lao New Year goers there as well.

Hamilton Field

It’s Friday morning. I had a moment to reflect and meditate on things. Breakfast and coffee was in order. Hamilton Field was less than a mile down the street so there’s no need to hurry. There was enough time to horse around at the weigh room. This would be another great day!

There was a person I recognize from previous and previous events when I arrived at the Hamilton Field. Seeing her at 3 separate events tells me something. She was in charge of the volunteers. It appeared that everything was handling very well by the LSA (Lao Student Association) from Fresno. They brought food, took care of the refreshment and everything. They were the element that was needed at event such as this one. With the set up going so well, there was a little to help out so she appointed me the greeter.

The first person I greet was the Lao Oversea TV crew. Some emails ago he told us he wasn’t going to make it. He came over and greeted us right away. We shook hand and introduced ourselves to one another. With him was a young woman with a big camera. She introduced her self. “Oh,” I said. Beside many other people that came through, the Oscar nominee man was also there for me to greet and so was the young lady from Legacies’s. We chatted normally. I did not mention anything about his international acclaim documentary. I would save that for a better time, if there is an opportunity. They hung out a little before they slipped inside the building. A Boutsaba greeted me and I was happy that she did. Boutsabad introduced her sister, children, niece, and nephew. “Oh my God, my old friend,” would have been my first reaction if we have met when we were kids.

I tried to say “Hi” to everyone that came through. At the sight of euy Kith make me feel better. She was the only one I knew from before. She greeted me warmly as always and introduced her side kick. That means I get to ask her, “Who is the big fellow euy?” later. I didn’t. I figured he was just a good friend. I was glad to see her. She bailed me out with a sound system and they belong to the muscle guy she brought. We bonded quickly before she took him upstairs to join everyone else in the War Room. Standing in front of the entrance, I can see everyone else started to arrive. It’s about that time. I spotted my friend and her group stop short at the flag pole. Okay? Haven’t we gone around the world long enough? I have not seen her since last August when we joined American’s Finest City Half Marathon in San Diego. She kept talking and talking. It seemed some people who just want to hang out by the flag pole. I wondered if they were going to come up at all. When they finally did, instead of heading to the front door where I was standing, they made their way to the side of the building where food was. “Hmm, must be hungry,” I mur mur. When they got food, then, they came over and say hi to me. “Hi Amphone, how are you? These are my sisters.” Finally…I get to greet. “Hi, it’s nice to meet you.” After a quick bite, they too had to hurry upstairs.

I stayed downstairs with the overflow crowd. There were people coming in and out. A few older people gave up their seats to their wives and came down to join us in the hall way. When things got settled, I parked my self on a chair next to some older people. I started a conversation with one man who said he has been living in the Bay area since day one. He knows everyone. It would be impolite to ask for his name so I didn’t. I didn’t expect a lengthy conversation. But boy, did we talk? In our conversation he asked for a family that goes by the last name of Insychaingmai, if any, in Georgia. We tarm souk tarm touk kan (asking how each other is doing and ask for someone we know) to bond. I was able to tell him that I met one not too long ago. He asked if there are a lot of Lao southerners in my city. I assured him that there are many Lao Southerners in Georgia and they are doing very well. I added that he should come and visit sometime. The Insychaingmai he asked about plays in a band and sings. It was great that we had that talk. I didn’t arrive in the US the same place as he did so I couldn’t identify with some of the thing we talked about. He went on telling me what he remembers pointing in all directions where everything was. Next time I see him I can say, “I met you at…”

There I was, my place was downstairs greet.   It’s nice seeing everyone.   I assume that the event at Hamilton Field went well. My hat is off to those who thought of the idea. Well done…I hope the event brought closures to those that sought it. I only hope those who wanted to come but did not can follow up on some type of report. As for me, it was another great day. Life on the go just gets better and better. The mini vacation in San Francisco was one of the treats I gave myself this year. I hopped in my friend’s car; in my thoughts were thanks. I tell ya, “I make a living out of what I get…I make a life out of what I give.” I can’t go wrong this way.

Racing Photos

http://www.asiorders.com/view_user_event.asp?EVENTID=45793&BIB=53578

Certainly have to order some.

University

A University was created so people can converge in knowledge and update information. The University system had been set up for a long time. Long before man can read and write. University is where belief, thought, and idea are shared. A learned person converge peacefully with one another. The world gets better and better as more converged. What happen? Did the idea of University become distorted? 

We all have our own ideas about University. At the University we learn about kwam “si vi lai” which is civilized in English. Sad truth is many of us reached the civilized world but never see civilization. Today, a University is a mere institution, a container with walls and a ceilings, a box.

University is not what it used to be.   There are good Universities, Emory University for an example,  produces good people.  Other than Emory, Agnescott all girls University is a good.