Meniscus issue #12: Edita's note

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Edita's note

by Yuan-Kwan Chan

Well, well. I seem to have fallen into the typical zinesters' trap that I never thought I would: promise an upcoming issue, then let it sit for a couple of years. Alas, we are back, and no we are not dead. I could give all the excuses in the world, like finishing grad school, or the job, or an insane travel schedule against my will, but somehow all of that sounds rather lame.

So. Before I continue to sound more pathetic than I already am, or launch into a semi-apologetic, semi-whiny rant, it's on to happier things, like this latest bundle of Meniscus offerings for your perusal. If you ever wondered what it was like to try and stalk Tiger Woods, or get into the mind of Asian indie filmmaker Doug Ing, or stay in a Roman hostel, then we have a treat for you. If not, it's a treat anyway.

Finally, this issue is dedicated to an individual whom I met for a brief period in my life, but was blessed to have known. I found out earlier this year that Dr. Benjamin Yu -- my piano teacher at the Interlochen Center for the Arts (issue #10) in '92 -- passed away in Colorado last November at age 87. Dr. Yu's life is straight out of a movie, having been born and raised in mainland China, then later arrested and evicted from his home during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. But somehow, he kept his love for music during that time, even finding an opportunity to work as a music reviewer. What Dr. Yu brought to Interlochen was an enthusiasm and an enormous amount of patience and individual attention to all of his students. I still remember him riding his bike all over campus, ringing the little bell and giving a cheerful wave to everyone passing by. If only more piano teachers -- and human beings -- out there could just count their blessings and be as appreciative of life as Dr. Yu was.

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