Once autumn hits, my interest in going to the movies really starts to pick up. October is the beginning of what many people such as myself refer to as Oscar Season — typically beginning when summer blockbusters wrap up and ending on December 31, which is the eligibility cut-off.

Halloween is fun because it’s an excuse to wear a ton of makeup and for many of us more flamboyant types, a chance to finally be ourselves. Trust me, the rest of the year, we’re just toning it down.

This month me and Devin Allen are giving up our cars and taking Lyft everywhere we go as part of the #DitchWithLyft campaign, where we use transportation services like Lyft, Zipcar, bike sharing and mass transit to get around as part of a bolder step towards creating a better future for our cities, our planet and the next generation.

If you follow me on Instagram (especially my Instagram Stories, where it ALL goes down), Twitter or Facebook, then you know that October is Filipino American History Month (FAHM) and across the nation, my fellow Pinoys and I have been celebrating, hosting events, boosting our favorite Pinoy artists, musicians, writers, and activists.

The question isn't, why is tribalism so attractive to us? That seems obvious based on the human desire to connect and belong. The question is more, what makes modern American society so unappealing?

Cultural appropriation is a topic that never goes away and one where the goalposts are constantly moving. And when people talk about it, it turns into a furious debate almost immediately.

For people of color, especially Asian Americans, representation shouldn't just be about Hollywood, television, or pop music. It starts way earlier and much closer to home. It starts before your kids even begin kindergarten. 

I have been asked to curate and host a discussion panel of Asian American authors, writers and poets for CityLit Project at the Baltimore Book Festival on September 29th and 30th! The theme I have chosen for this year's panel is the dearth of lighthearted, fun and fluffy reads in Asian American literature. Basically, there are hardly any Asian beach reads. Are we only appreciated if we write tragic, weighty stories?