Anna's Book Club and Chat Dates

Book Club This Friday! 

Book Club is just a few days away!
Friday, February 15th, 1:30pm PST (that’s California time, ya’ll)  We’ll be discussing The House of The Scorpion by Nancy Farmer.  Chat room details still TBA, we’re trying to figure out a location that will be ideal for the Book Club.
The other chat with me – where you can ask me about my favorite color and if I like long walks on the beach – will be on Thursday, February 14th at 1:30pm PST.  Chat room TBA.
I’m really excited to discuss some of my thoughts about The House of the Scorpion with you and even more excited to see what you think!

Old USA Weekend article

You'd be hard-pressed to find the expected rock-and-roll tour trappings of groupies, hangers-on and all-night partying. Linkin Park's buses and backstage area are smoke-, drink- and guest-free -- aside from their families, that is. Bennington, Shinoda and bassist David "Phoenix" Farrell all are married, while Delson, drummer Rob Bourdon and DJ Joseph Hahn have steady girlfriends. Bennington's wife, Samantha, and their 15-month-old son, Draven, usually travel with the band.

-USA Weekend

Anna attended museum dinner

After hearing the song ``Kenji,'' his family members cried, Shinoda said. And, the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles was impressed with his effort to breathe new life into the saga.
``He's basically telling the story to a whole new generation of people, and we applaud that effort,'' says Chris Komai, public information officer for the museum. ``It's a very similar story to other Japanese-Americans.''

The museum also honored him earlier this month at its annual dinner, though Shinoda couldn't make it because of his tour. His parents and wife, however, went on his behalf.

Mercury News

Yam! article

Yam: Tell me , who is Fort Minor?
Mike: That´s me! I just don´t want to bring out an album under my name, because then everybody would say ," Oh its that guy from Linkin Park."Besides I attach great importance to my privacy.If there were my name everywhere I would be scared.I´ not keen on to be a star and I´m not fancy that paparazzis will follow me.

Yam: But at concerts you play with many people?
Mike: These are the guys from Styles Of Beyond ,a Hip-Hop-band from L.A.,They ´have supported me with the songs and they are also on stage with me.

Yam: Is it weird for you to be on the way without your LP-colleagues?
Mike: Yes, particularly on stage! And I have to give interviews alone. But on the other hand it is really cool to be responsible for yourself. I´ve wrote every single song on my own and actually I play every instrument.with bass,cguitar,cdrums,ckeyboard and organ it worked, but with the string parts I had to give up.

Yam: You are a little workaholic, or?
Mike:Yes, that´s me.Our LP-guitarist Brad is worried about that I´m working too much. Exactly like my wife! But I´m working at home so I can sleep in my bed and eat with my family.

Yam: Is it true that you wrote a song for your wife on the album?
Mike: True! "Where´d you go" is about how it is when you sit at home, when your partner is on tour. A really crazy love song.

Yam: And how she likes the song?
Mike:Every time when Anna hears the song she cries. I hope that "Where´d You Go" won´t be a hit, because then she would cry everytime she hears the song on the radio.

Yam:Did the guys from Linkin Park hear the album?
Mike:Sure! I wouldn't bring it out if they didnt´t like it. Brad really helped me to pick out the right songs and to decide all the musical decisions.

Yam: Do you meet them also privately?
Mike: We see each other often. Do sport together or go to the cinema. I hang out with Joe alot, our DJ.

Yam: What's next?
Mike: I will tour a little bit with Fort Minor and bring out a mixtape from "The Rising Tied". After that Linkin Park will be the first priority. I promise.

Thanks to Manda.

Letter from Anna

A letter Anna wrote back in 2004 for Projekt Charity:

Hello Projekt Charity,
First of all, you should be proud of yourselves for donating your time and money to help make the world a better place. I am extremely happy and very proud that fans of Linkin Park are coming together to help people out. As you all probably know from interviews and events, charity is very important to Linkin Park. What you may not know (but probably have guessed) charity is also important to their families and close friends. For the past few months, I have been helping organize a charity auction to benefit 20-year old Kelli Jaunsen who needs a heart and liver transplant. Her insurance company refuses to pay for the operation since two organs are failing. The auction will be held on EBay beginning June 21 and ending June 28 with over sixty items, most of them autographed. Several Linkin Park items will be up for auction, including two prime tickets to the Projekt Revolution show of the highest bidder's choice with passes to meet Linkin Park during the pre-show meet and greet. A press release and a list of items that will be up for auction is included at the end of this email. What I would like to ask you, the organizers and members of Projekt Charity, is to help me spread the word about the auction. I couldn't be happier that a group of such caring individuals are out representing the Linkin Park extended family. Please keep up the good work!

All the best, Anna Shinoda