Land of the Morning Blog

Bye Bye...

2005-09-08T13:36:00.000+09:00

I have found this blogging thing a bit of a distraction from other things in life that are more important. As I look at the reasons I started this blog, I have come to the conclusion that it was nothing more than a place to release opinion and ego energy. I would be remiss to discount blogging as a whole, but the reality is that it is merely another form of the "15 minutes of fame" thing. I love the interent, but I have found that blogging doesn't really accomplish much in the long run, and I have found myself getting pissed off at the arrogance of many of the people whom I have been reading over the last several months. The reality of blogging is that is a means for many people who feel small to pretend they are doing something big!

"WOW! I had a millions hits this month! I am great!"

I have discovered that during my vacations in Japana and Bali when I wasn't bloggin, that I was a lot more content. I did not find myself in conflict with someone who I didn't know, or even those I did. I think that blogging give many people a rush and an uncensored outlet.

I am leaving the sit eup, because there are some things I linked to in the past that I may want to refer to later. Other than that...adios...it hasn't really been fun at all!

Queen of all Evil...Thanks!

2005-09-05T10:48:00.000+09:00

Thanks, Rosemary for this post...

"The administration sought unified control over all local police and state National Guard units reporting to the governor. Louisiana officials rejected the request after talks throughout the night, concerned that such a move would be comparable to a federal declaration of martial law."

I don't pretend to know everything about how things work in the States, so I am thankful when someone can inform me. I also don't have the time to spend finding out all of these things...So a big THANK-YOU to Mrs. Esmay!

That being said, there should be some provisions put in place to prevent this type of situation from happening in the future..yeah, I know it is called a State Election, but when idiots run things that so deeply affect citizens, there should be some way for Pres. Bush, or any leader to say, "This person has fucked up, we are gonna take this by the horns...now!"

I don't have any suggestions, it is just a wish.

White Citizens were priority...

2005-09-04T22:53:00.000+09:00

...according to this observation from a Korean Minister in New Orleans...

There was a widespread sense that the city's African Americans were left stranded for five days while the city was allowed to descend into anarchy because authorities concentrated on rescuing and protecting more affluent Caucasians. The Rev. Yun Jeong-su (48), who spent four days on the second floor of his church in downtown New Orleans, said, "The rescue operations concentrated on the west side, where white people are concentrated. There was also a lot of police deployed and almost no looting. On the other hand, in the black neighborhood in the southeast, there was almost no police seen, and only black people could be seen wandering the streets." It was not clear whether the U.S. government intentionally discriminated against the African American community, but New Orleans is transforming into a powder keg that could ignite deeply rooted racial tensions in U.S. society.

(englishnews@chosun.com )

Bush Sr. Apologizes To Son For Funding Bin Laden In '80s

2005-09-04T16:12:00.000+09:00

"We called them 'freedom fighters' back then."

-via The Onion

Brilliant Quote of the Day...

2005-09-04T16:03:00.000+09:00

"Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a physician, said "a lot more than eight to ten people are dying a day."

- CBC News

I guess he ran out of fingers to count!

Chief Justice Dies

2005-09-04T15:54:00.000+09:00

Chief Justice William Rehnquist died on Saturday. As if the partisan politics in the US did not have enough to deal with after the Hurricane in the Gulf, now the jostling for judiciary power begins...

This should be an interesting battle, but of course, it will be fought by extremists on either side of the fence...and it will take longer than necessary because of all the grandstanding and brow-beating.

I think it is amazing he spent 33 years as a Chief Justice...tough cookie!

Dark Side of Expat Life in Asia

2005-09-04T10:36:00.000+09:00

I just read this on CNN

I don't know if people are afraid to talk about the real truth of what happens over here, especially to men...

Western men who move to Asian countries are treated very special by Asian women. Asian men get the same treatment at bars and stuff, as well, but for the Western guy, this is something we have never experienced before. Being waited on hand and foot, usually by very alluring women. They pour the drinks and seem to have a way of infiltrating the western male's libido, propping up his ego. Now, that said, it is not as common as a lot of people think, that Western men are always having sex with Asian women, some do,, most don't. But it is the feeling of being the "MAN" that screws us up.

Western executives find themselves feeling obligated to go drinking a lot more than they normally would, because they see their Asian counterparts doing it. The bravado of having control of our own time and schedule often results in ignoring our spouses.

Asian society is structured very differently, and to the Western man it is alluring. When you make friends with some Asian women, as my girlfriend and I have, you also find out that they are not very happy, but then they will turn around and jump when their spouse demands it, because they feel a sense of duty, or they fear the perilous life of a single woman or divorced woman here.

Here in Korea, the act of saving face is called che myun, and it is a very powerful force. It requires that Korean people sometimes lie to avoid embarrassment, and it is socially acceptable. A minor example...

Friday I arrived home from Japan and my phone did not work, my minutes had expired. My girlfriend had tried to purchase more minutes that morning, but was refused because she did not know the name on my cellphone (foreigners are not usually permitted to have their own cellphone numbers, so you have to get a korean friend or the cellphone rep to use their name). I could not call her after I had arrived at the airport. She informed me of this, so I went to the cellphone shop and asked why this had happened. The girl told me that the computers were down in the morning and she could not process the order. Of course, this was a lie. I was a regular customer at the store, it was where I had been overcharged for my phone. People here buy minutes for other people's phones all the time, as a matter of fact, I have done it there as well. She was embarrassed at the situation, so she made up a phony story. When I tried to logically refute her story she got angry, as if to question her was wrong.

Sorry, tangent...

So my point was that we often hear Asian women say they are happy and they believe that their lifestyle is fine and dandy...they are mostly lying. So what happens is that Western men, particularly businessmen get addicted to the lifestyle here. They have it ten times better here than they would at home...somebody cleans your car everyday and brings it to the door for you, you spend a lot of time drinking and being around women who are very attentive to your needs, albeit for the money and that is addictive! Women often complain, rightly or wrongly, that Asian men are abusive or at least very controlling. Ask a Korean man which garbage bag is for compost and which for recycling and they will tell you they have no idea because that is their wife's job. Tell a Korean man you are cooking dinner for your wife or girlfriend and they are shocked.

So...disgruntled Asian women, power hungry western businessmen and insecure western wives and families in a strange land are a bad combination...for the wives and families.

I don't think it is right to shoot your spouse because they are abusive, unless you are in imminent danger, but when you live overseas there are no services or authorities that are sympathetic. It is a tough life.

Fukuoka, Japan

2005-09-04T08:57:00.000+09:00

Newfoundland Tourism

While I was in Fukuoka, Japan for 3 or 4 days, I only took 1, yep, 1 picture. I spent most of my time in the Hotel as it was 35 plus degrees everyday, even the Japanese were sweating! The rest of my time was spent at a Reggae bar named Uprising, drinking with Hector, the owner from Ghana. As I stumbled home one evening I happened to have the camera and I also happened to be drunk. I took this bad picture at a travle agency in the underground shopping mall...at least I think that is where I was!

It was nice to see a picture of home...so far away!

An Example of Incompetence

2005-09-04T07:21:00.000+09:00

I read this on CNN this morning and I just shook my head...

"Responding to a CNN inquiry, Department of Homeland Security spokesman Marc Short said Friday the gear has not been moved because none of the governors in the hurricane-ravaged area has requested it."

Now, I understand the need to be official, but Jesus Christ, if anyone thinks this isn't a good time to break the rules and send the rescue equipment anyway, they have a mental disease...and it is called moronitis!

Yes, the governeors should have requested this stuff, but come on man, give your head a shake. I guess this really indicates that what is needed is a big "To Do" List for everyone in an eergency situation, especially at the government level.

"In Case Of Emergency"
...To Do...

1. Take my head out of my ass;
2. Call everybody with any equipment to get here now (do paperwork later)

anybody care to take a crack at adding to the list?

"New Orleans Is Sinking" not on the Radio...

2005-09-03T15:13:00.000+09:00

This is one of my favourite songs...I understand the intent of some Canadian radio stations...but here is the song and the reality is that a lot of Hip songs were written to fit the music...nothing about flooding, really..unfortunate title.

Bourbon blues on the street loose and complete
Under skies all smoky blue-green
I can Forksake the dixie dead shake
So we dance the sidewalk clean
My memory is muddy what's this river I'm in
New Orleans is sinking and I don't want to swim

Colonel Tom What's wrong? What's Going On
You can't tie yourself up for a deal
He said" Hey North you're south shut you big mouth
You gotta do what you feel is real."
Ain't got no picture postcards ain't go no souvenirs
My baby she don't know me when I'm thinking about those years

Pale as a light bulb hanging on a wire
Sucking up to someone just stoke the fire
Picking out the highlights of the scenery
Saw a little cloud looked a little like me

I had My hand in the river
My feet back up on the banks
Looked up to the lord above and said hey man thanks
Some times I feel so good I gotta scream
She says Gordie baby I know exactly what you mean
She said, she said I swear to god she said

My memory is muddy what's this river I'm in
New Orleans is sinking and I don't want to swim

by Tragically Hip

"They have quite a few people running around here with guns,"

2005-09-02T14:20:00.000+09:00

Well, I am back from Japan after a harrowing start to the whole trip, it appears so insignificant to the horror that New Orleans and the Mississippi area have become. It is impossible for me to put into words the absolute shock I got when I read about what has been happening at the shelters. People shooting each other, people being raped, man, what kind of moronic, stupid-ass people live in the world?

I can't remember where I read it earlier, but someone suggested getting the regular folk out and leaving the rest of those bastards to fend for themselves. I know you can't and shouldn't do that, but it...well, I am now speechless.

Japan Again...

2005-08-29T17:58:00.000+09:00

Well, I must say that I do enjoy going to Japan, but we were just in Osaka and now I am being forced to leave the country for 72 hours because my Visa has expired.

I am going to Fukuoka until Friday, so I probably won't post anything unless I go to a PC place.

Anyway, take care and I can't help but say that I will be thinking about all of those people in the Southern States who will be enduring the hurricane crisis. My heart is with you...donate to charities that will help out these people if you can.

See you all on Friday...

Greg

Conservative jokes in my email...

2005-08-29T09:04:00.000+09:00

President Bush and Rumsfeld are sitting in a bar.
A guy walks in and asks the barman, "Isn't that Bush
and Rumsfeld sitting over there?"
The bartender says, "Yep, that's them."

So the guy walks over and says, "Wow, this is a real
honor! What are you guys doing in here?"
Bush says, "We're planning WW III."
And the guy says, "Really? What's going to happen?"
Bush says, "Well, we're going to kill 140 million
Muslims and one blonde with big tits."
The guy exclaimed, "A blonde with big tits? Why kill
a blonde with big tits?"
Bush turns to Rumsfeld and says, "See, I told you no
one cares about the 140 million Muslims".

Pretty funny, eh? I think it shows a particularly sensitive view of the current world situation. If only Muslims would get a sense of humour...and blondes...

Vortex sound....

2005-08-29T02:44:00.000+09:00

Well, I have been sucked into the vortex of debating this whole liberal vs conservative foolishness. I see it, and I know it is a waste of time because people just want to be right and make others feel shitty about being wrong...but it is like the guy on the subway with the huge goiter on his neck...as much as you might not want to ya just have to look!

I have been arguing that many military people sign up for the pay. I made a remark, tastelessy sarcastic about how a lot of these guys couldn't get jobs otherwise (like us English teachers in Korea). Well, the retards come out of the woodwork. Apparently I am insensitive and insulting and a bigot. Yeah, it is OK to slice and dice anyone, Cindy Sheehan for example (and I agree that she is a suitable target), but say one word about the Military and the shit hits the fan. Hipocrites!

But what can you expect from people who sit at either end of the political bullshit spectrum? They exist to promote their own little view of the world. These morons can't get anything done in the world because they are too busy just hating anything the other says.

What is missing is a sense of logical discourse...on both sides. If you say that most people join the military because they need a job or cash or something like that. But you end by saying that a military career is a noble thing if you do it for the right reasons and it doesn't make a bit of difference. Why? Because you have questioned something that paranoid, phobia-laden bozos hold dear to their heart...the right to kill and maim those you don't agree with.

So the debate rages on. Logic and reading skills die in the ditch and the white trash of North America blogs on!

Washington Ignores law...again!

2005-08-27T06:34:00.000+09:00

I don't know why Canadians are surprised that the US is ignoring trade decisions made by the Panel it helped establish when NAFTA was signed. It is just another example of the US not getting it's own way and then insisting it doesn't have to abide by decisions. Yep, cocky is the term that comes to mind when people think of the US. In history, it has always been the case that when a coutry becomes to powerful it begins to exhibit behaviour that causes division throughout the empire. Sending it's drug enforcement agency to Canada, invading countries with coalitions of questionable integrity, and now it continues with trade.

I think it will be funny when places like Venezuela, Canada, Iran and Saudia Arabia decide to push American lips away from the resources teat. They can't invade every country in the world at once.

FUCKS News...

2005-08-26T13:54:00.000+09:00

Seeing the words "FOX NEWS" together in a sentence is still funny to me...but not so funny if you are a victim of their idiotic mistakes!

"Loftus also apologized and told the Los Angeles Times last week that 'mistakes happen. ... That was the best information we had at the time.'"

Hmmm, sounds like he took politics 101 from the School of the Americas, (or Whisc as they call themselves now)! Collateral damage..peshaw!

Just...well, YUCK!!!

2005-08-26T13:51:00.000+09:00

courtesy CBC.ca

Wholly shit! Do we really need a human zoo? Can we all chip in and get the Bush Family a spot there?

I Hate Blogging and the Blogosphere...

2005-08-26T13:34:00.000+09:00

...in the same way I hated smoking. The dirty smell, the constant hacking and the whining of others who had to suffer through my habit...yeah, it took me 16 year to quit.

Conservatives...No wonder they are sensitive!

2005-08-25T10:45:00.000+09:00

In a world that is changing, it is no surprise that conservatives react to many issues in a very abrasive and anti-social way. By definition...

con·ser·va·tive
adj.
Favoring traditional views and values; tending to oppose change.

It is difficult for conservativees to accept change. It is very difficult for conservatives to look forward into the future and see things any differently than they are now. Why is this? Because conservatives are full of fear. They fear that they will be held accountable for anything that goes wrong in the possibility that is the future. Now, many caonservatives will tell you that they are "cautious" or some such nonsense, but the reality is that they can't cope very well with conflicting views.

As opposed to liberals who, naturally....

lib·er·al
adj.

Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry.
Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded.

Defensive, fearful conservatives may try to fool you by saying things like..." I am a fiscal conservative and a social liberal"...that is baloney.

What do conservatives use to get their point across? FEAR!!!

They succeed in creating a fearful attitude in others, creating all sorts of possible scenarios that could be caused in a situation guided by liberal principles. Conservatives tell others that the moral fabric of society is connected, inexorably to liberal views on societal policy.

To say that you are a conservative means that you embrace fear as a way of life and you fight to the death to defend often outdated or antiquated views.

Now, there are wimpy liberals as well...they are disguised conservatives.

The term "Gay conservative" is an oxymoron!

So rail on conservatives.

Tit and Shit Cancer Research in Korea

2005-08-25T06:05:00.000+09:00

I am not sure if this is gross or funny!

Sunday Morning Warmongers

2005-08-25T05:55:00.000+09:00

This is via Nancy. People who go to church often, the forgivers and forgetters that they are, support the Iraq invasion. The mere possibility of being lumped in with Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell would be enough to change my view...if I wasn't right already!

U.S. televangelist calls for assassination of Chavez

2005-08-24T10:33:00.001+09:00

I thought that this kind of statement would be illegal in a democracy...seriously, folks, if I posted a statement calling for someone to assassinate President Bush, there would be a knock on the door in no time. As far as I understand the law, shouldn't prosecutors be concerned with this kind of thing?

;Pat Robertson is a flake: a right-wing, neo-conservative, born-again flake! Hmmm...maybe he will get posted as Deputy Ambassador to the UN, or better yet, Condi's right-hand man!

UPDATE: THE SHUT UP YOU MORON AWARD GOES TO...PAT ROBERTSON...FOR THIS: Robertson apologizes The televangelist quibbles over the meaning of "take him out"...apparently he did not mean kill him, he meant dating or something!

Korean's Finally Admit Homosexuality is here!

2005-08-24T06:11:00.000+09:00

Gay Korea

This is sort of funny, but in a conservative country like Korea where men, in particular, have a hard time talking about homosexuality, it is interesting that a same-sex couple can now get a couple's deal on phones!

Women's Rights in Iraq

2005-08-23T06:09:00.000+09:00

">Congratulations to all those involved in bringing a sort of democratic-looking, Islamic-style, theocratic-based Government to Iraqi....men!!!
(President Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and Karl Rove all stand and bow

UPDATE: Apparently there are minimum levels of parliamentary participation, 25% I believe, drawn up in the constitution. It will be interesting to see what happens when the first election comes around!

Christian Hypocrits...AGAIN!!!

2005-08-23T05:55:00.000+09:00

This, via Gayorbit...

Anti-Gay Priest Resigns

When are church people who have stupid opinions about homosexuality and marriage going to be able to take a long, hard look in the mirror and then at the miles of newspaper report that consistently show that they are more responsible for the moral decay of society that anyone else?

There is nothing worse than someone who claims to be a pillar of the community who turns out to be...suprise...a dishonest asshole...

And the real tragedy is that on Sunday the pews will be filled with the same naive drones who were there last week, all ready to forgive this jerk-off...and ready to throw rocks at the gay man next door!

Hagel Says Iraq War Looking Like Vietnam

2005-08-22T12:47:00.000+09:00

Crazy bastard! Who does he think he is telling the Commander-in-Chief his opinion? My god, man! I guess he is against President Bush, you know, you're with us or against us!

Mr. Hagel better be careful or he might get swept up in the pre-emptive program!

He probably bought those Purple Hearts and commendations anyway, you know, the way Kerry did. Jeez, don't these guys know when to keep their mouths shut!

Maybe you should go off and fight a war or something Buddy! Maybe if you were actually there and saw what the Coalition is fighting for and maybe if you read a littl emore about the massive terrorists camps that have been uncovered in Iraq, you know, where Osama bin Laden was training, you'd be better equipped to have an opinion.

What happened to the "we're at war so everyone should support the troops" attitude?

Doesn't he know about the Weapons of Mass Destruction, the anthrax and the chickenpox and Asian Bird flu that Saddam beset upon the world?

What next, Mr. Hagel...? Do you honestly believe that any Americans with a brain don't know that you are just a media pig, dining at the trough of public opinion?!

Do you think that just because you went off on some silly boat ride vacation to Vietnam that you are qualified to even have an opinion? Let alone one that conflicts with the military prowess that is the President Bush Administration?

God, sometimes I think I'm not the only stupid person in the world!

Debate on Who Thought Saddam had WMD's

2005-08-22T09:10:00.000+09:00

Over at Gayorbit there is a little debate about pre-war beliefs re: WMD's.

Apparently I am a liar because...

"Michael says: Sigh. Greg, your comment is a lie. Everybody believed Saddam had weapons. EVERYBODY."

Hmmmm....

In February 2001, the CIA delivered a report to the White House that said: “We do not have any direct evidence that Iraq has used the period since Desert Fox to reconstitute its weapons of mass destruction programs.” The report was so definitive that Secretary of State Colin Powell said in a subsequent press conference, Saddam Hussein “has not developed any significant capability with respect to weapons of mass destruction.”

**********************************************************

A 1997 report by the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)—the agency whose purpose is to prevent nuclear proliferation—stated there was no indication Iraq ever achieved nuclear capability or had any physical capacity for producing weapons-grade nuclear material in the near future.
The State Department affirmed reports from Energy Department experts who concluded those tubes were ill-suited for any kind of uranium enrichment. And according to memos released by the Senate Intelligence Committee, the State Department also warned Powell not to use the aluminum tubes hypothesis in the days before his February 2003 U.N. speech. He refused and used the aluminum tubes claim anyway.

http://images.latimes.com/media/acrobat/2004-07/13418408.pdf (CIA Report)

**********************************************************

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,92659,00.html (apology for misleading the President)

**********************************************************

MR. RUSSERT: And even though the International Atomic Energy Agency said he does not have a nuclear program, we disagree?

VICE PRES. CHENEY: I disagree, yes. And you’ll find the CIA, for example, and other key parts of our intelligence community disagree. Let’s talk about the nuclear proposition for a minute. We’ve got, again, a long record here. It’s not as though this is a fresh issue. In the late ’70s, Saddam Hussein acquired nuclear reactors from the French. 1981, the Israelis took out the Osirak reactor and stopped his nuclear weapons development at the time. Throughout the ’80s, he mounted a new effort. I was told when I was defense secretary before the Gulf War that he was eight to 10 years away from a nuclear weapon. And we found out after the Gulf War that he was within one or two years of having a nuclear weapon because he had a massive effort under way that involved four or five different technologies for enriching uranium to produce fissile material.
We know that based on intelligence that he has been very, very good at hiding these kinds of efforts. He’s had years to get good at it and we know he has been absolutely devoted to trying to acquire nuclear weapons. And we believe he has, in fact, reconstituted nuclear weapons. I think Mr. ElBaradei frankly is wrong. And I think if you look at the track record of the International Atomic Energy Agency and this kind of issue, especially where Iraq’s concerned, they have consistently underestimated or missed what it was Saddam Hussein was doing. I don’t have any reason to believe they’re any more valid this time than they’ve been in the past.

**********************************************************

We voted for the resolution on Iraq to urge U.N. action and to authorize military force only if diplomacy failed. We felt confident we had made the wise choice.
But as the evidence pours in…
• the Intelligence Committee's review of the pre-war intelligence;
• David Kay's interim report on the failure to find WMD in Iraq;
• an impressive study by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace;
• the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board's critique;
• thoughtful commentaries like that of Ken Pollack in this month's Atlantic Monthly;
• and investigative reporting including a lengthy front page story by Barton Gellman of the Washington Post on January 7,
we are finding out that Powell and other policymakers were wrong, British intelligence was wrong, and those of us who believed the intelligence were wrong. Indeed, I doubt there would be discussions of David Kay's possible departure if the Iraq Survey Group were on the verge of uncovering large stockpiles of weapons or an advanced nuclear weapons program.

Congresswoman Jane Harman
Ranking Democrat, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
Los Angeles World Affairs Council
Remarks as prepared
January 16th, 2004

**********************************************************

From the NYTimes:

WASHINGTON, July 31,2005 - The Central Intelligence Agency was told by an informant in the spring of 2001 that Iraq had abandoned a major element of its nuclear weapons program, but the agency did not share the information with other agencies or with senior policy makers, a former C.I.A. officer has charged.

**********************************************************

June 26, 2005

General admits to secret air war

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1669640,00.html

MICHAEL SMITH

THE American general who commanded allied air forces during the Iraq war appears to have admitted in a briefing to American and British officers that coalition aircraft waged a secret air war against Iraq from the middle of 2002, nine months before the invasion began.
Addressing a briefing on lessons learnt from the Iraq war Lieutenant-General Michael Moseley said that in 2002 and early 2003 allied aircraft flew 21,736 sorties, dropping more than 600 bombs on 391 “carefully selected targets” before the war officially started.

**********************************************************

It sucks being an idiot liar who has no knowledge of politics, unable to read, blind to the facts that honorable cokeheads present to constituents, and totally dedicated to misleading people about the truth that now that Iraq is occupied terrorism will just fall by the wayside! Yes, the one good thing about being a lying moron like myself is that I don't know when to lay down and allow those who know so much more about things of this nature, like Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and Karl Rove, Dean Esmay and other blogger intelligentsia to inform us on such matters. I guess if we had really listened to what these brilliant people were saying things would be much better now...oh, wait...we did listen...and hey, where the fuck are the weapons??? In a delusinonal coke withdrawal dream probably!

Visits Quadruple...Thanks!

2005-08-22T09:04:00.000+09:00

Well, I don't know what has been happening, but the number of visits to this site have quadrupled in the last couple of days. I have no idea why...maybe it is just a brainfart in the sitemeter...who knows. If it is true, thanks to whomever!

Yeah, so that brings the number of hits up to 4 a day...lol!

Sunday Meditation in Icheon

2005-08-22T05:57:00.000+09:00

Sunday was a nice day. I had a lot of work to do for my Masters, but we decided to have a sitting session in the afternoon with Evan. Nerissa, who teaches with Patti, decided she would like to learn meditation. It was nice to sit with friends and to introduce meditation to someone new.

Nerissa is a pretty cool woman from central Canada. Her background is in Sports Management and she has worked with kids in Canada for a while. Evan is a hybrid Canadian/American and is a Vajrayana student of the Dzochen Ponlop Rinpoche. The combination yesterday, of various levels of practice was exhilarating and made the day a little more do-able for me.

Thanks folks!

Hurl's Food Mart

2005-08-21T13:56:00.000+09:00

Mr. Hurl, of Hurl's Food Mart says in this CBC story he wishes that the government spent more time on crack than cigarettes. Mr. Hurl make tons of cash off smokers. What Mr. Hurl doesn't seem to understand is that cigarette smoking has cost billions upon billions of dollars to Canadians and even more to Americans. Anything that is done to help prevent teenagers from smoking is probably a good idea...at least to try. And it should be incumbent upon the retailers who make a lot of money off this highly addictive substance to participate in what amounts to research.

I am all for the rights of smokers, but if we look at recent reports it is obvious that cigarette smoking is extremely harmful to smokers and non-smokers alike. It was also recently reported that second-hand smoke leads to the absorption of nicotine which probably leads to addiction in teens.

I have little sympathy for crack dealers who get busted or people who have to invest an extra few hundred bucks to sell cigarettes to some poor bastard who gets addicted to the fucking things...

Full of Crap

2005-08-21T13:15:00.000+09:00

Hmmm, I have tried not to get into this, and I am sure some people will think this post is about my fascist-leftist hatred of americans...

I went to this site
via Gayorbit.

You know, when people are so closed to the possibility that they are wrong it gives rise to ignorance and, yes, fascism. What I find absolutely hilarious is that this chosen person of god presents us with a description that he expects many to suppose is George W. Bush...and it works perfectly! The petty attempt at intellectual humour actually backfires as he goes through a list that applies to both Bush and Saddam Hussein. This writer says that Saddam lied about weapons of mass destruction...well you dolt, where are they? He mentions Abu Ghraib and several other things that demonstrate that, not only is this guy an apologist for George Bush, but he assists in the attempt to ridicule those who have offered evidence of the criminal activities of the President of the US.

Wake up doughboy, just because you are listed among the preferred peoples of the world doesn't mean you can't be criticized. Your insistence that President Bush is beyond the pale of rigorous debate demonstrates your simplistic, uneducated pinhead view of the world. Narrow vision and arrogance have created the situation in the middle east. Arabs and Jews and right-wing Christians have displayed the serious lack of depth brought on by believing in religious nonsense. If Abraham read the crap on your site he would have thrown himself on a fire!

A Good Chuckle...

2005-08-19T06:15:00.000+09:00

It gave me a little chuckle when I read this article...not because the plight of foreign women here, but the statement near the end of the article that accuses some foreign women of "false marriage by foreign women to get entry into the country"...as if foreign women are anxious to come to a country where women have less opporunity than in even many Middle Eastern countries.

Korean Press/Media

2005-08-19T05:56:00.000+09:00

In this article the CHosun Ilbo tries to relinquish itself from the irresponsible ways and means of the Korean newspaper media.

I am told over and over again by well-educated Koreans that I should not read the newspapers here thinking that I am reading any sort of factual representation of reality. It is claimed by many that Editors and reporters fabricate many stories here, hiding behind the lack of any sort of responsibility for the consequences of that reporting. Many things are blown way out of proportion by the media, and of course it riles up the Korean public. Following the publication of many stories Korean readers become "outraged" and then the stories of people cutting off fingers and burning themselves to death get a lot of attention, whether they are true or not, and work to further inflame the people.

There is no sense of responsibilty in Korea journalism (not that it is much higher these days in the west), and somehow that must change. Until that time, President Roh is correct when he says that media forms public opinion, the media is a huge beast that is unchecked here.

Conspiracy Theory

2005-08-19T00:04:00.000+09:00

It is very interesting to watch politicians and others who hate having their own views challenged dismiss those they cannot answer using the same worn-out dodge. Ask a question to a conservative, right-winger that questions the legitimacy of the Iraq invasion or policies that lead to the disintegration of civil rights, such as The Patriot Act, and you soon discover how crooked politicians are running amuck the planet! Otherwise intelligent people, because they are afraid and paranoid that they are the next target for big bad Osama start to agree that all Palestinians are bad and should be treated like animals. They may have a few Jewish or British friends so they defend those countries inane policies to the end because they are afraid of being accused of being an anti-Semite or anti-Blair or some such foolishness.

I am always suspicious of politicians, mostly because I have a known a few over the years, and in the end, 90% were not in politics to serve their communities or nations, they were there because it gave them societal or business advantages. When you are a salesperson, or someone whose livelihood depends on sales, the first thing you leanr is to join the Rotary, or the Lions Club or this or that, or leanr to play golf and blah, blah, blah...do you know why? Because when you get into that crap it gives you access to other greedy bastards who have money! And the ultimate place to be is in politics. And it is so damned obvious, where else can you have influence and have a tagline that misleads people into believing you are doing this for them?!

To be a successful politician you have to have greased your way through thousands of greedy businessmen and women who can raise money for you so that their sons and daughters can get a summer job, an articling position with the firm that does your legal wrangling for you, a reference for Yale or Harvard from another Yale or Harvard grad who knows this one or that one.

Come on people, when we were kids in Canada it was always understood that if you did this or that for someone in politics you would be in a favoured position to get something in return.

And of course there are those out there who start out naively believing that they want to do this for honorable reasons, and they soon get left behind! Yep, sorry do-gooders, but politics will not be your ball of wax when they find out you can be used and discarded...you will be in such shock once you realize that you have to scratch and be scratched to get anywhere in the big game.

In the world of capitalism and democracy, it is easy to dismiss those who constantly question the motives of our leaders, and that makes it easier for them to laugh and brush off criticism and deny any involvement in anything untoward.

But who am I to say...I am just a paranoid android who believes in peace, love an happiness! I'm fucked up!

War on Terror

2005-08-18T23:36:00.000+09:00

Charles de Menezes

Good fucking job chaps! It is absolutely horrific that this man is dead! Amazing how the war on terror makes fanatics on both sides. On the one hand the Coalition War is responsible for giving Osama bin Laden the best recruiting campaign in terrorist history and now because anyone who remotely resembles a middle eastern man is assumed to be a terrorist and can be shot for, well, for catching the subway and reading a newspaper!

Anyone who believes that this was not the direct result of racial profiling is not all there. Because of ignorance and fear stoked by the idiots who run many of the earth's democracy, seeking to keep their populations afraid and paranoid, this young man is dead.

So, do you think anyone will be arrested for this heinous miscarriage of justice? Maybe, but I can guarantee you that the likelihood that the person was an average white male cannot be overlooked. And even if he is arrested he will face a much more sympathetic jury because of the "horror" and "awful tragedy" and the "savagery" that has suddenly turned democracies into house arrest central!

Nobody said innocent people would not die in this "war", but I have to say, this type of incident should be making people rethink how freaked out lies and the lying liars that tell them have made people in the past couple of years!

Rape in the R.....OK

2005-08-18T05:43:00.000+09:00

The Republic of Korea is ranked as one of the worst places in the world to be a woman. Many middle Eastern countries are actually ranked higher than the ROK. New laws designed to protect married women from being raped by their spouses is now being discouraged by the Korean Bar Ass(ociation) because it may aid in the "disintegration of the family." Gee, I wonder how many women are in the Korean Bar Ass(ociation)?

Rape is not talked about in Korea that much. A friend of ours' husband is a Judge here and she tells us that it is an everyday occurrence and her husband sometimes has a hard time after a days' work because of it. Women who are raped in Korea become used goods and actually suffer more than the man does. Families actively encourage women not to report rape. I jokingly told my Tea Teacher's daughter last week that I could introduce her to a nice Engineer in Seoul and she got this look of horror on her face. "My boyfriend would beat me if he knew that" and her mother later told me that her daughter's boyfriend was a bad man. Fear is a daily part of many Korean women's lives.

That being said, I am sure that it is not that much different in Western Society, but at least there is a legal avenue. In Korea, those who are supposed to work for victims of this sort of abuse are the ones who don't want it to be a crime.

Wallowing in Misery

2005-08-17T14:41:00.000+09:00

It is time to move on. Korean newspapers and politicians continue to fan the whiney flames of the Japanese occupation. In this article, it is plain to most that Japan has been apologizing time and again to its neighbours for the past. It is as if Korea has nothing in its closet to be ashamed about. What do they expect from Japan? Do they want thousands of Japanese to spend a lifetime just repeating over and over again that they are sorry? This article whines that today's Japanese youth do not know much about this history and do not feel compelled to remain in the discomfort of the past...and so they shouldn't. It is too bad that Korea is stuck on this. It is totally unhelpful and merely a political dance for politicians and a sales dance for newspapers to encourage Koreans cry about the past. There are so many problems in the country that time and effort should be put into that, rather than backwards thinking.

As western companies move in and buy up Korean assets, people gather at the Japanese Embassy and Cultural Center, cutting off their fingers and setting themselves on fire, as if this was the chance to take bitterness to a new level...or maybe it is just an excuse for the most unhappy nation in Asia to vent.

Teens on Holiday Face Chastity Watch

2005-08-17T06:26:00.000+09:00

This article begs so many questions...just try it for yourself!

Finally, we can identify the "Average Korean"

2005-08-17T06:23:00.000+09:00

Average Korean

Wow! They look a lot whiter than I expected!

Liberation Day Liberation

2005-08-12T20:56:00.000+09:00

This is just a prime example of why politics in Korea, and maybe Asia in general is going to continue to be corrupt. Imagine, pardoning 4.22 MILLION people who had been involved in political funding bribery scandals. Imagine that many people actually being involved in bribery scandals!

CORRECTION: IT WAS NOT JUST BRIBERY, BUT ALSO DRUNK DRIVERS, "MINOR" OFFENDERS AND CRIMINALS WHO HAD BEEN GOOD IN PRISON!

...now I feel much bettter!

FURTHERMORE...SOMEONE FINALLY GETS IT...

Sad, Sad, Sad...

2005-08-12T14:57:00.000+09:00

Crystal Meth Beauty!!! Hmmmm...

Honestly, I have put almost everything in my body at one time or another, but this shit scares the hell out of me. I think I remember a Chris Rock rant on the mind behind creating crack from cocaine, like it wasn't already bad enough!

This before and after picture demonstrates the serious downward spiral crystal meth addicts take. I posted this because now Canada has decided to impose life sentences for distributors and manufacturers of this crap. But I can't help but wonder why, if they takes these types of measures for some street drugs, why they don't come down as hard on Oxycontin and the like. I have watched the news as small, otherwise safe communities, particularly in Eastern Canada, have transformed because of Oxycontin addiction into crime-ridden areas. Sad

Weapons...oh my God...weapons...!!!!

2005-08-11T06:13:00.000+09:00

Hear me now...believe me later!!!

"What you do know of certain knowledge is the Iranians did not stop it from coming in," he (Rumsfeld) said.

I don't know, maybe I am just a bit paranoid (Michael bites his tongue), but hearing Donald Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney or President Bush giving any information about weapons has lost its gravity for me.

It is also worth it to point out that sneaking weapons across borders has been done in every single country of the worlds for years, so don't blame the governments. Remember that locks and laws are there to stop honest people, criminals will always try to circumvent them.

"What we do know of certain knowledge is that the American Government did not stop the airplanes from hitting the World Trade Center." This statement has as much rational meanig as Runsfeld's statement. Neither of them is worth a pinch of coonshit.

UPDATE: Canadians smuggle guns from the US! I wonder, will Rumsfeld be admonishing Americans for this? Of course not, and you know why? Because it is stupid. It is stupid to think that we can actually prevent these things from happening. Canada should legalize all weapons possession as it is in the United States. That way we can experience the same extremely low weapons related crime rate that our neighbours enjoy.

FURTHER UPDATE: As the US Ambassador says, it is Canada's business to stop the flow of guns across its border. Maybe we should invade the US and call it a pre-emptive strike. Yep, we'll all hop in our tank and we can share the 15 rounds of ammo the Canadian Military has been stockpiling for 21 gun solutes for the Queen and Washington, here we come!!!

"I" versus "We" myth

2005-08-10T14:16:00.000+09:00

It is a myth that "asian" people are less concerned about I or themselves. When I first came to Korea I was told, "Asian people are different than westerners. We emphasize 'we' rather than 'I'. It did not take long to figure out that this is not exactly correct.

What people mean to tell you is that Asian people prefer to be members of a group, and, in general, do not function well individually. Ask a Korean person out for a drink and the first thing they ask is whether there will be other Koreans there.

Now, I am sure that some people interpret the 'we' vs 'I' thing as am indicator of prioritizing, as Spock would say, "the needs of the many over the needs of the few." I don't think that is the case. Asian people will claim that they place more importance on others, but watch a bunch of Korean people buying bus tickets in Gangnam Terminal just before Chuseok (Korea's Thanksgiving holiday), and you will see little old ladies running over and getting run over for tickets. Get on a subway at rush hour and be prepared to be pushed out of the way. Look at the alarming increase in plastic surgery and beauty products in Asia.

As this article infers from the Chosun Ilbo, Asians are followers and do things or buy things because other people have them. Thos article seems a bit odd because we often think of our western society as the "keepin' up with the Jones" group.

The implication of thinking about others or 'we' is selflessness. But in this case, it is not that at all.

So, at the risk of being accused of being rascist, I think that westerners are not actually as self-centered in relation to Asian people as we are lead to believe.

Petition

2005-08-10T10:22:00.000+09:00

PLEASE...IF YOU VALUE CANADIAN SOVEREIGNTY SIGN THIS PETITION.

The Canadian Government is about to begin the process of extraditing 3 Canadians involved in selling Marijuana seeds for the last 5-9 years. They face minmum sentences of 10 years each in prison. Although the government has known about this (Marc Emery paid $350,000 in tax last year alone, identifying his business totally with the government)and the Department of Health has actually recommended that those who are granted Section 52 Exemptions to allow them to use marijuana medicinally, they have participated in an arrest with American DEA forces.

This is a ridiculous act and threatens our already weakened sovereignty.

Be Aware of the Illegal Activities of the US Government

2005-08-09T11:08:00.000+09:00

Given that the US DEA has been repeatedly accused and proven to use illegal and coercive means to prosecute people around the world, I think it is worthwhile for people to visit this site and watch out! If you are travelling or smoking a joint, be aware that these hoodlums may be laying in wait. DEA Agents are operating in places like Canada even though the Governemnt has asked that they not entrap Canadian citizens so that they can be extradited to the US for prosecution under laws that are considered arcane and abusive in Canada.

When will these idiots learn that they do not rule the world?

2005-08-08T14:27:00.000+09:00

RIP

PETER JENNINGS DIES OF LUNG CANCER

2005-08-08T14:03:00.000+09:00

Rest in peace Mr. Jennings.

Although I am not a fan of big business news, I think that Peter Jennings had a wonderful presence that most people found trustworthy.

Who ever knows these days when someone is or is not honest...but I have a feeling that Mr. Jennings was an ethical and diligent person.

It must be a sad thing to watch someone you love pass before your eyes. It must have been painful for his family to have been there. My heart goes out to you.

Racial Profiling

2005-08-08T11:03:00.000+09:00

I just received an email that referenced many of the terrorist activities that have occurred over the last 30 years, including kidnappings and killings. And then they "author" pointed out that these were all carried out by radical Muslims between the ages of 17 and 40.

My question is this:

If we discover that a certain group appears more likely to commit certain types of crimes, should we hesitate to take away certain rights or freedoms from that group for the benefit of the public?

Some examples:

1) Most, if not all serial killers are/were Christians and many of these acts were carried out under the cover of night - therefore all Christians should be subjected to curfews.

2) Almost all financial scandals have been perpetrated by white, male Christians (ie Enron, Worldcom, Bre-X, etc) - therefore all white male Christians should have to submit to more rigorous financial/tax regulations, especially those in positions of power.

These are a couple that pop into my head. Anyone else have a profile they would like to share?

Any thoughts on where the limit should be?

2005-08-08T09:59:00.000+09:00

Anti-Terrorism via The Onion!

The Peace and Love of Christianity

2005-08-08T09:52:00.000+09:00

Korean Deacon

"If I acted on what I believed I, too, could have vandalized temples. When I consider those who commit such acts I think to myself that they have a much stronger faith than me." BBC-World (TV), Asia Today, May 21, 1999.

This is in reference to the pious acts endorsed by Christian Ministers in Korea. Here are some pictures from the mid-late nineties.

DEA Assholes - RCMP Wimps

2005-08-07T01:34:00.000+09:00

It is absolutely outrageous that the Amerikan Government can push a sovereign nation to arrest a citizen who is operating a legal business at home. It is fucking disgusting that the RCMP has turned into a bunch of spinless, gutless lapdogs to the DEA. What a bunch of fucking cowards!

Every single person involved in this pursuit should be ashamed of what a bunch of wimps Canadian authorities have become. Marc Emery has paid a huge amount of tax in Canada with the approval of the Canadian government. To allow a US organization to control Canadian legal forces is a total embarrassment.

Any politician who does not oppose this is a traitor and deserves to be fired and spit upon. Imagine, a fuckin' psycho can walk across the border with a bloody chainsaw after killing two people in New Brunswick and fuck all is done about it...and then our kiss ass, jellyfish RCMP assholes bend over whenever their heros from the DEA want them to do something? Go south you morons. Take your yellow-bellied, simple-minded politics and fuck off to Kansas and sit in a conut shop and pick your asses with your idiot buddies from the DEA.

I cannot think of a time in my life when I have been so disappointed with our Canadian system. Of course, Stephen Harper is sitting at home jerking off at this news. He would like nothing more than to wake up in the morning with his head up some American politicians ass.

Paul Martin...the time is now for you to stick your boot up some asses at that poor excuse you have for a police force. Or maybe you just want to apologize to George for not going to Iraq. If Marc Emery is extradited to the US, every Canadian should look forward to having an American passport in a few months.

HELP MARC AND EVERYONE WHO LOVES FREEDOM FROM AMERICAN OPPRESSION.

Absinthe

2005-08-07T00:53:00.000+09:00

I have often wondered about the legend of Absinthe. While in Japan I discovered two things: a) Absinthe is sold there (I bought a bottle), and
b) tonight I have had a couple of glasses...it is a beautiful thing!

I am going back to Japan later this month. I saw that there is an absinthe bar in Osaka...hehehe...I may never return to Korea...

Kirin Craft

2005-08-06T23:56:00.000+09:00

Amazing Beer

I am not a beer expert, by any stretch of the imagination, but I have to say that the wheat beer at this Kirin Craft Brewery in Osaka was amazing!

Need anything more be said???

2005-08-06T23:54:00.000+09:00

Liquor Mountain!

This was a store in Kyoto!

Roof Infatuation

2005-08-06T23:51:00.000+09:00

Imperial Roof

Since moving to Korea a couple of years ago I have become totally infatuated with Asian roofing styles. This is the roof of the Imperial Palace in Kyoto, Japan.

Korean Media Morons

2005-08-06T18:53:00.000+09:00

Korean PRIDE

Just read this!

Back from Japan!

2005-08-06T18:23:00.000+09:00

Golden Pavillion

Well, had a fantastic trip to Japan! My only disappointment was the Golden Pavillion which turned out to be, well, less than I had imagined.

I will be posting a ton of pictures, but the only thing I have to say is that if you visit Japan be sure to make the trip to Koyasan (Mt. Koya) and Kyoto! I cannot say enough about how fantastic and mystical it was to be in these amazing places!

Vacation time in Japan...

2005-07-28T23:35:00.000+09:00

Shojoshin Temple

Well, I have been on vacation for a couple of weeks now, but next week is Patti's week off, so we are heading to Japan for 7 or 8 days. We will be staying in Osaka for a couple of days and then on to Koyasan, where we will be staying in a Buddhist Temple for 2 or 3 nights.

I will post a few pics when we get back. We will be on the Temple's schedule, which means 6AM chants and meditation. I am really looking forward to the food, as I am told that these Temples (there are 120 on the flat top of Mount Koya) make amazing vegetarian meals!

See ya when we get back....

PS. Before I leave I just wanted to post this saddening story on the plight of our Oceans. When I lived in Newfoundland we always heard that fish stocks were depleted and that governments the world over were responsible for politicizing natural resources. This study sounds pretty drastic and I am sure that many people will scoff at it. I think that humans are a disease that is about near the end of its dominance...hopefully.

Suckers...!

2005-07-28T14:22:00.000+09:00

I thought it was funny that greedy companies were too dumb to check out the possiblity that Jessica Simpson wasn't behind this...

Pouring Rain

2005-07-28T14:20:00.000+09:00

Although the rainy season is supposed to be over, we are receiving one of the largest downpours in the last 2 months! It is hard if you are a walker because many people don't bother to take into consideration that if they drive past quickly they will drench folks!

Hahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!

2005-07-28T06:18:00.000+09:00

The definition of "obscenity" in Korea is this:

The Supreme Court stated that lewd material is to be judged "obscene" by interpreting a definition of "obscenity" as material which provokes people's sexual desires and causes the public to feel shame, therefore possibly harming people's mental and physical motivations.

Freedom of the Press

2005-07-28T06:10:00.000+09:00

Now, I must say, I find most of the Korean newspapers to be wasted ink, but you still have tolet them report the news, even if it is clearly biased and partial and even fabricated! But that is about to disappear as the Government has now enacted legislation allowing panel to decide on the contents of papers here. You can read about it here.

It sounds a bit ridiculous, but this panel can decide about what is or is not in the national interest, when it comes to newspaper reporting.

Alcoholic Father Disappointed in Pothead Son

2005-07-27T18:19:00.000+09:00

via The Onion

More Onion favours!!!

American Government Aids in the Killing of Another Medical Marijuana Patient.

2005-07-27T18:14:00.000+09:00

Read this. It is rather sad, and some people will just scoff, but Western governments prefer that we use prescribed opiates which are addictive and dangerous and in many cases, ineffective, rather than the safer cannabis that should be available.

Killing Spammers...

2005-07-27T15:58:00.000+09:00

...may be nice after dinner conversation...have a few brews and flip coins over who dies first in the perfect world, lawyers or spammers. But honestly, actually killing them is not really the solution...is it?

Killing Lawyers in Korea

2005-07-26T11:46:00.000+09:00

This article, publiished in the Chosun Ilbo today, is notable for a few reasons.

First, it is written by Robert B. Laughlin, a Nobel Prize Laureate in Physics, and president of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).

Second is the message. He identifies one of Korea's largest problems...the lack of committment to agreements. This is something that any foreigner can relate to.

And finally, if we notice the many writing errors we can feel good about ourselves as non-Nobel Laureates...they aren't perfect writers for sure!

But seriously, Mr. Laughlin is perfectly correct in his observations about Korean culture, in more ways than one. One of the things people who live here and who have Korean friends is that they blame a lot on the Japanese. I find it hilarious, for example, that the incorrect pronunciation of MacDonald's is always blamed on the Japanese (even though there wasn't a MacDonald's here until 1988).

Anyway, read the article and enjoy the perspective of someone who is held in high esteem by Koreans and foreigners alike.

Brazilian Shot 8 Times...

2005-07-26T09:09:00.000+09:00

Eight times! 7 in the head!!!

We were just talking about how extreme this was and Patti said, "If I was a male person with dark hair I would definitely dye it blonde!"

Yeah, it was stupid to run, but come on, man. Are the police that bad at shooting that they couldn't disable the guy? Can you imagine what that guy's head looks like after being hit 7 times? And people are defending this action?

So what are the implications of this? Well, for one, a lot of black guys in the states are probably going to get shot at more and more! Yep, imagine if running from the police becomes an acceptable terminal force situation? Pre-emptive shooting, I guess, is the correct term.

Things are certainly progressing along the path towards a terrorist-free world...when everyone is dead, things will be fine!

Saskatchewan Fire Hall....burns to the ground!

2005-07-25T14:47:00.000+09:00

Marianne...are you OK!? We heard that the Saskatchewan Fire Hall burned down!!!

"(The fire hall) was built only two years ago and burned completely to the ground,"

Yeah...Right ya weasel!

2005-07-25T11:06:00.000+09:00

Mushitrif

If anyone believes this guy is gonna really be tough on the nutcakes kickin' around his offi...er...country, they've got rocks in their head.

Pakistan is the last country in the world where extremists and terrorists worry about being "cracked down"! What an ally!

Rick Mercer's Photoshop Contest

2005-07-24T11:46:00.000+09:00

Absolute Ralph by Lori Savery

There are some funny pics of Ralph at Rick Mercer's site.

PC Bang (Room)

2005-07-24T11:12:00.000+09:00

PC Bang

There are hundreds of PC Rooms in many cities in Korea. Kids and Adults alike go there to surf, play games etc. This is a picture of the entrance to a PC Bang. I took it last night on the way home from a party at Jay and Matt's, at the bottom of the stairs to their apartment.

Hmmm...where is the outrage!

2005-07-24T10:00:00.000+09:00

Egypt

I find it interesting that many of those bloggers out there that spent hours upon hours scouring news about the London bombings have mentioned nothing of the much larger explosions and deathtoll in Egypt. I guess Egypt isn't a part of the "real" fight against terrorism because, well, they are British or American.

What the F**k is "Brand Value"?

2005-07-22T17:23:00.000+09:00

...and who the F**k cares?

Chubby Korean Actress

2005-07-22T17:13:00.000+09:00

Kim Sun-a

If you read this article, Kim, Sun-a, a very popular comedic actress in Korea is described as chubby!!! Check out the gut on her!!!

If people think westerners are obssessed with looks...I don't exactly know how to describe Korea. The reality is, however, that the Western obssessions that have plagued Europe and North America for decades is now inundating this country. It is too bad. People having eye surgery to look westerm (I think Asian women have nice eyes, in general), getting leg muscles shaved and the plethora of skin whiteners (a student of mine recently lamented that she would never be able to afford Michael Jackson's doctor...and she was serious), it's a bit out of hand. There is even a travel service here that offers plastic surgery vacations and Americans are rabid for it too!!!.

Seriously, folks, the world has officially gone bonkers!!!

Life In Icheon

2005-07-18T16:12:00.000+09:00

Janghowan Peach

Given the drugs that I am now taking for my pain, I have decided to write a little bit today about life here in the big city (200,000) of Icheon. Icheon is about an hour south of Seoul by bus, except on 추석 & 솔날, respectively Korean Thanksgiving and Chinese New Year, at which time it may take a couple of extra hours. Icheon is reputed to have the best rice in the world and I am inclined to agree. I was never a rice eater until I moved here. The rice from Icheon sports a special stamp, labelling it as the King's Rice as it was the only rice that was deemed fit for Korean Kings.

I begin a new job at a private Elementary School called 대서초등하교, in 장호원(pronounced Janghowan), in September. It is kind of a dream job as I will be teaching Grades 1-6 students, basically from scratch, and without having a Korean Teacher translating everything I say to the students. So I will actually get to teach. But a side benefit is that I will be in a place that is famous for these amazing, and I do mean amazing peaches. Now, I don't like peaches as a rule. But these are unlike anything Westerners have ever tasted. They are white a red inside and they are the juiciest and tastiest fruit you will ever try in your whole life! They are amazing! That, of course, is just my opinion!

Living here is actually pretty satisfying. The people are wonderful and the town is far enough from Seoul to not be crazy and close enough to allow you to travel to Seoul easily enough. The only complaint might be about travel. Spoiled as we are, westerners are not accustomed to having to jump through random hoops to do things such as travel on the KTX (high speed train). But because we are foreigners we cannot make reservations by phone using credit cards...we have to show up in a city at least an hour away and pay the company face-to-face! It is also the case that to travel to various areas of the country we must go to places like Seoul, Suwon or Dajeon to take certain buses or trains to southern provinces.

But, overall I feel lucky to have ended up here.

I will write more when I can see the keyboard!

Going to the Gym

2005-07-18T15:32:00.000+09:00

I started going to the gym last week, and not because I am interested in shaping and toning my body...noooo!!! That would be ever so not me. I have admitted to myself that I have been afflicted with two equally repulsive diseases at once. I am packin' on the punds and I am too lazy during the 35 degree, 85% humidity days to go out walking. Oh, and I should also mention that I am trying to cut down on the incessant beer-drinking.

Prior to coming to Korea, I hadn't drank since 1995, not because I was an alcohlic, I just disliked the taste and effect of alcohol. But here in korea it is an obsession. It is very difficult to find someone who doesn't drink and it is very easy to offend 90% of the men here by refusing repeated requests to drink Soju (a putrid drink made from tapioca, although most Koreans believe it is still made in the traditionaly fashion, with rice) or beer. So I drink practically everyday.

So starting last week I gave up regularly drinking beer and switched to gin and tonic. We found a place here that sells Bombay Gin.

We also joined the Family Fitness Health Club here in Icheon with a bunch of other teachers. Talk about melt off the beer fat! I lost about a kilo in the first couple of days sweatin' in out to Eminem and Dre. I have also began the ugly process of eating less garbage and more rabbit food.

It is also fortunate that a recent Kinesiology Grad is here and going to the same place. I hope that I can sponge all the free advice from Graham as possible!

But, unfortunately, this morning I seem to have pulled something in my neck, causing an awful burning sensation. So I have decided to stay home and nurse it for the rest of the day. I think it is probably just a symptom of beer and white bread wihdrawal!

Scientology...just plain weird!

2005-07-16T18:33:00.000+09:00

L. Ron Hubbard

Here is a nifty (albeit cheaply done) history of scientology that includes writings, personal journals and audio of L. Ron Hubbard, the insane founder. It is something found on the PotTV site.

Thanks to Cannabis Culture for creating PotTV!

Young Woman Tortured by Teenage Lesbians

2005-07-14T09:55:00.000+09:00

This is a disturbing incident from the Chosun Ilbo.

Not to diminish the incident, but the most interesting part is about the "loan shark" who went to the police to help the girl out.

I think this is a new use of the term "loan shark" that I have previously been unaware of! Isn't loansharking a crime?

90% of Internet Lurkers are Insane

2005-07-13T13:37:00.000+09:00

I have read enough crap about the insane lazy asses who spend most of their time on the internet, surfer and lurking about people homepages and blogs. For some reason in Korea it has gotten a bit out of hand. This is just one of a hundred stories I have read recently about this "netizens" bullshit.

What is a netizen, you may ask? Well, I think netizens are dumbasses with no lives who spend all of their time on the internet because they are losers. They post ridiculous messages that sound more like stalkers comments than anything else. Can you imagine how lonely and obssessed you must be to be writing messages to a 20 yr old soccer star's girlfriend claiming that he is yours?

Anyway, i am sure this insanity happens in every country, but it shows up in the newspapers here on a regular basis. You will often see reporters refer to netizens, usually referring to some opinion or comment and claiming it represents some unseen force out there on the net.

Wise up people...99% of those who whine and gripe about shit on their websites and blogs don't have the guts to say it to anyone's face because they are cowards. It isn't that there is anything wrong with saying something on a website or blog, but just realize people get braver when they are not held accountable and many of those people couldn't successfully form an opinion face-to-face with an actual human being.

Unfortunately for my girlfriend, and probably for my brotherin-law, my brother and I don't seem to have a problem dishing out our opinions in person or on the net!

Strange

2005-07-11T20:40:00.000+09:00

I find it strange that someone who has fought so vehemently to maintain some sort of integrity after lying to his voters about the "War on Terror", and who has failed so much so that the largest terrorist attack in 30 years has occurred, should get a boost from the London tragedy.

Are people really that stupid? I mean, come on, if the war on terror was actually working (or if it actually was a war on terror in the first pace) and if President Bush and Prime Minister Blair maintain that the world is a safer place now, how could this happen? England was terror free for the last 30 years.

Good job Prime Minister! Now that the country is safe because of your War, what will you do next! Ah, let's eliminate world hunger and poverty...and lets do it by making more people poor and hungry! Then maybe we will see Bob Geldof hugging the Prime Minister.

US Gas Prices

2005-07-11T13:50:00.000+09:00

I laugh when I see headlines in the US news about the horrid gas prices they are paying! as the world's largest user of gas and oil products, it is not surprising that prices are lower than most, but the degree to which this is true is a bit astonishing.

The price of 1 litre of Gas here in Korea went up to 1400 Korean Won today. That is roughly equaly to a $1.32 American. Basically, Koreans pay about $5.10 for a US gallon of gas. The headlines on CNN talk about the American price being $2.10 a gallon.

Myeongdong priest promotes ‘suffering love'

2005-07-11T06:04:00.000+09:00

This is a headline from a newspaper in Korea...the JoongAng Daily. Now you would expect that in a newspaper this woul dhave some sort of relevance to, well, something newsworthy. But it is found directly below another headline "Suspicious bag’ call halts subway line". Yep, apparently an story about what some old Irish Catholic priest had to say in church about enduring suffering like Mary and Jesus did was almost as important as a story relating to possible terrorist activities on the subway!

How bizarre, How bizarre...

World of Warcraft Claims 4 month old in Korea

2005-07-08T15:59:00.000+09:00

I am linking to this for the benefit of Gay Orbit readers. I was trying to explain to him how krazy Korea is for these online games. It is so bad that even old English teachers like me know what 'pwnd' means, just from hearing Middle School students ask if I get pwnd all the time playing online games. Actually, for a while I played this thing called Maple Story just because some of the kids at school wanted me to, but in general, I hate games.

Classics from The Onion

2005-07-08T10:51:00.000+09:00

President Bush

I love The Onion

Sad Reminders...

2005-07-08T10:08:00.000+09:00

London Subway

The bombings in London are yet another sad reminder of how far apart the world grown from itself. This picture actually struck a nerve with me. Whenever we go to Seoul we travel on the Subway. It is efficient and reliable, but honestly, all subways are the perfect target. When a line in Seoul stops it is a huge deal. Millions of people a day travel to and from in these tunnels. I can't help but wonder how these people in the picture feel about what is happening.

It is very easy to say stuff like "another Arab Terrorist attack", "fuckin' Muslims", "Islamic Terrorists" and so on. We have become a world full of misunderstanding and hatred. Religious differences are most certainly the prime reason for all of this hatred.

"My God and you God were hanging out clothes. My God punched your God right in the nose!"

It is all too easy to say that these attacks were performed by savages who hate freedom and democracy and all of that. It is easy to say because simple people buy that nationalistic shit easily. In a world that is so difficult to explain, the simple answers make the best sound bites. I mean, who is going to listen to Tony Blair if he says "Once again those who live in the past and think the religious wars of history are still being waged today by crusaders such as President Bush have attacked another western nation whose wealth has been built upon the backs of those who are less fortunate. Although we spend a lot of money trying to do superficially nice things for these barbarians, none of whom can appreciate a fine bottle of Chateau Lafite and a fine salmon bisque, they still insist that we should not economically occupy their economies!"

Nope, we here bullshit from people who couldn't shed a tear if their Mother's were skinned alive in front of them.

I feel absolutely terrible that people died and were injured in those attacks. I hope that the perpetrators are identified, caught and thrown in prison for the rest of their miserable lives. But, sadly, I seriously doubt if anyone will be caught, but I feel pretty confident that it will give birth to a lot more rhetoric on the so-far disastrous, ineffective War on Terror.

It is also unfortunate that the only people who can claim any kind of victory here are the terrorists, despite what President Bush and his lackeys may tell you. The "Coalition" is not winning in any way shape or form. In the Unites States the average individuals' rights have been usurped, oil prices bob and weave at the sound of any explosion, Americans everywhere in the world are constantly reminded by their Embassies that they are always the potential victims of an attack and anyone who dares to criticize the actions of the Commander in Chief is branded anti-American/freedom/democracy. Terrorist leaders such as Osama bin Laden are the only people smiling, well, maybe Halliburton and KBR Executives as well!

So today, when you read the news, watch the TV and see the pictures, spend your thoughts on the victims. And when you have a moment, really think about the old adage that "violence begets violence", and hope for a real solution to terrorism. It is also worthwhile to remember that it is not just a Middle East thing...Timothy McVey, Columbine and many other acts of terrorism result from extreme thoughts and situations.

May all beings enjoy happiness and the roots of happiness
May they be free from suffering and the roots of suffering
May they not be separated from the great happiness which is devoid of suffering
May they dwell in the great equanimity, free from passion, aggression and prejudice.

Miksang

2005-07-06T09:57:00.000+09:00

Michael at Gay Orbit posted a link to a site with some amazing photos by Steve Curry.

In Western Buddhism, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, often credited with the widespread popularity and interest in Buddhism in America, introduced a concept called "good eye", in Tibetan the word is Miksang. It has become something of an art form in the Buddhist community. Michael Wood is the primary Teacher for all that is Miksang. Check out some of the student galleries here.

2005-07-05T10:21:00.000+09:00

via The Onion

Buddha Was a Christian!

2005-07-05T09:10:00.000+09:00

You know, I think that Christianity, in the form that it exists today is composed of two factions: Christians and lying morons!

This article in the Korea Times tries to imply that the Buddha, who lived 500 years before Jesus, was converted to Christianity by a Christian monk, who had obviously learned the secrets of time travel!

I do not share the Dalai Lama's view that all religious traditions should be respected, as he believes that all faiths have the same intention, to find happiness and peace for all! BULLSHIT!

Christianity is, and always has been, the religion of conquerors. Christians don't sit at home contemplating being nice to people and figuring out ways that they can be of service to humanity, they think they already know the answer! The answer is to convert, by any means, all those who have not accepted Jesus as their saviour.

The aforementioned article is an attempt by "scholars", brainwashed by the fantatical version of Christianity that exists here in Korea, to convert Buddhists in this country. The great thing about Korea is that most people are superstitious and know almost nothing about history outside of East Asia. This makes the citizens here a prime target for liar/morons who only wish to feed their blind-faith desire to get more people to accept their version of things.

The Buddha spoke of the Dark Ages, a time when the teachings of the Buddha would be forgotten or ignored, and those times are quickly approaching.

The fact of the matter is that it is much more apparent that Jesus was a disciple of the teachings of the Buddha. The hierarchy of Christianity has conveniently ignored 32 years of the life of Jesus. During that time, it is likely that he travelled, or was at least exposed to philosophies of the East. Afterall, 3 wise men came from the East to offer gifts. It is my contention that those wise people were symbolic of the wisdom that Jesus received from the teachings of the Buddha.

What else could have caused such a radical departure from the fire and brimstone of Jesus day? Jesus was raised in the Jewish tradition of the time, and was inevitably taught that God was an angry violent man who hated anyone who did not worship him enought that he would make them live in torture and agony for all time in a place called hell!

Jesus almost certainly was shocked and abhorred by such a fear-mongering story, and he was probably smart enough to figure out that the stories were a bunch of bullshit.

The story of Jesus, is actually very reminiscent of the story of the Buddha. The reality that lying "christians" try to ignore is that the story of thee Buddha and his teachings exist in Pali texts that are older than Christianity. The other thing that they continously forget, because they are not informed of the actual teachings is that the historical Buddha rejected any form of dogmatic hierarchy and never founded a religion. He taught poeple a way to deal with all of the mishmash that are thoughts in the brain. He taught that if you meditate under the right circumstances that many things would come to fruition. This, is called "enlightenment".

Buddhism is not a pacifist "religion" that sits back and smiles as others torture and maim. tantric or Vajrayana Buddhism is about identifying reality and identifying what reality demands. If someone tries to kill you, you do not accept it, you strike out in a manner that is designed to protect.

The reality is that Christianity that attempts to conquer all other thought and belief is dangerous. Any religion that has that belief is dangerous. Islam and Judaism are dangerous because they are elitist religions that attempt to exclude other, proclaiming to be the "correct" religion, and the rest of us are corrupted. The fortunate thing about these religions is that they would be perfectly happy if they were left alone and undisturbed by the outside world. Not so with Christianity. They believe that it is the resposibility of each and every one has the responsibility to convert others to Jesus' message.

One of the problems of Buddhism is that it has adopted this holier-than-thou attitude that meditation and achieving enlightenment is something which will, in and of itself, produce understanding and peaceful reconciliation among all people if only those people would stop and observe what Buddhists are doing, or not doing.

This is as much bullshit as anything else out there. It is also ignorant of the Buddha's teachings, inasmuch as modern Chritianity is a bastardized version of Jesus' message. Jesus never intended to create a religion, he sought to bring people peace and harmony. He got a little wacky later on and decided to become more militant in his approach. This, of course, attracted a lot of wackos, and still does today.

Bottomline, the so-called scholars who are referred to in this article are no more than academic missionaries. In Korea, people are naive enough to believe that whatever comes out of the mouths of professors and teachers is fact...they couldn't get any further from the truth. Christians understadn that, and that is why the Christian brainwashing has worked here in Korea, as it has in no other country in the world! From the Land of the Moonies, we bring you, the Christian Buddha!

We'll be having...

2005-07-01T17:11:00.000+09:00

Here's to Home...

Here are some of the tasties for the evening. Thanks Mom and Dad for sending the Captain (had a sip already!!), Kahlua, Absolut, and some of Korea's finest liquor Andong Soju (white bottle and green bottle in the back - a traditional rice wine 45%), and off course I will be drinking some Cass and OB as well as Hoegarten!

Oh...I can feel it already!

HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!

2005-07-01T17:10:00.000+09:00

Happy Birthday

Well, it is July 1st here on the other side of the world, it is 5:00AM/5:30AM in Newfoundland! We are gearing up for a little party here at the house tonight! This is the flag that has been hanging outside our door for almost 2 years now! It signifies a lot to me.

Canada has offered me many opportunities in life, many of which I shrugged off or discarded. I have said time and again that I no longer like the Western lifestyle, and that goes for my home country. But that does not mean I do not have a deep love and respect for what Canada has offered me. I have a decent education, I grew up learning to trust people and respect my neighbours, even if they showed up on our doorstep on Saturday morning wearing a long flowery robe, a cigarette in his mouth, the "Demmons bag" with a bottle of Captain Morgan and probably a few spliffs tucked in the robe pocket (miss you Ted).

So today, indeed tonight, I will forget that Canada is home to a capitalist ideal run amuck, only overshadowed by it's southern neighbour, who is celebrating it's Independence Day on the 4th (I wish everyone I know there a happy safe and enjoyable July 4th celebration). I can be thankful that I can say that I am Canadian out loud at a party hear in Korea and have everyone smile in acknowledgement (now that Christine is gone). There is no Canadian Embassy warning that tells me to beware of being alone, I should always have a buddy because Terrorists are watching my every move. I have never starved a day in my life, except for a few nights in the woods with some friends back home...oh, no wait, that was the munchies!

Well, I have to go and make sure we have enough ice! I have also postponed my tea class tomorrow, as I suspect I will be quite pissed tonight!

HAPPY DAY EVERYONE AT HOME AND AROUND THE WORLD!!!

Dumb Newfies...

2005-07-01T06:30:00.000+09:00

...but smarter than MIT!!!

I am pretty proud of these guys! A group of High School and University students from my home province in Canada (traditioanlly people think we Newfies are dumb) won the fourth annual Marine Advanced Technology Education Center's underwater robotics competition! They beat MIT and some of the Ivy League Schools to produce some technology that is routinely utlized to help advance rmote robotics study!

Wacky Religion

2005-07-01T06:16:00.000+09:00

Well, too much and not enough have been written about Scientology, the Dianetics-based "religion" founded by L. Ron Hubbard. But this is a redirect from Michael's Gay Orbit site

When I lived in Halifax, Nova Scotia several years ago, I became interested in Dianetics, so I went to the Dianetics center in Halifax (yes there is one) and bought the book. I have to say that the theory of Dianetics is fine, mostly. It is a lot like the Buddhist method of distinguishing between appearances and reality in the thought process during meditation. The major difference being that you can do it on you rown after some basic instructions. Yeah, you may have a meditation instructor for guidance, but it doesn't cost anything. Unfortunately, Scientology was not meant to help people, it was meant to make a lot of money. That's why Hubbard created it and that is why it is a dangerous group.

IDIOT of the WEEK

2005-06-30T17:00:00.000+09:00

Idiot of the Week

Click here to see who this IDIOT is!!!

Terrorists are everywhere but Iraq

2005-06-29T18:47:00.000+09:00

Someone should tell President Bush that. Mark my words....AFTER THIS "WAR" IS DECLARED OVER (AGAIN), TERRORISM WILL STILL EXIST IN THE EXACT SAME FORM AS IT DOES TODAY!

It will take another 3-4 years of this "battling insurgents" before the US troops leave. Terrorist now residing in Pakistan, Indonesia and Afghanistan will then be prepared to launch another large-scale attack on America. And no, you can't pull out the troops now, after you have started this bloody mess, but don't lie to people and lead them to believe that this ia a war against terror. People in the Middle East see this as a struggle against Christianity, and crazy assholes from all over the area will come to fight in the "crusade", as President Bush once put it.

So blah, blah, blah, blah... Pres. Bush...whether you went to Iraq to pick up for Daddy, the oil (which is probably the most legitimate national security concern in the US now) or whether you were naive enough to believe all the greedy bastards(Cheney) and Zionists who think defeating Islam in the Middle East is the path to the Second Coming, you are responsible for the mess that is the new Democratic (chuckle) Iraq! Just like the new Democratic (chuckle) Afghanistan.

Anyone who thinks that defeating Iraqi insurgents is crucial to defeating terrorism is on glue.

New Dad Thinks Baby Might Be Gay

2005-06-29T17:16:00.000+09:00

SCOTTSDALE, AZ—Citing "something vaguely effeminate" about his eight-month-old son Michael, first-time father Joe Oebrick, 32, reported Tuesday that he suspects the infant may be a homosexual.

Where else but...The Onion!

Reading Allergy

2005-06-29T00:09:00.000+09:00

According to this article Koreans do not enjoy reading paper-based media. That is a shame as it means that most do not get to read a lot of good literature. It may also explain why it is hell to get students to do any reading for homework!

5 Day Workweek

2005-06-28T05:58:00.000+09:00

It seems that Koreans have been working so hard for so long that they do not know how to enjoy leisure time. It is a bit sad that parents here do not know how to spend weekend time together without travelling. One guy in this article says he has travelled everywhere so there is nowhere else to go! One of the things I have found troubling here is the attitude that places are to be visited and seen once and that is it. No one here wants to relax at home with the kids, play soccer together, just go to the local park for a picnic. Many of the people I have met here have no concept of relaxing.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: We discussed this in my Adult company class this morning. They laughed and told me that this reporter is full of shit. They claim that many Korean Newspaper Reporters make up stories to publish. They claim it is also possible that the reporter was paid by a company or someone with an interest in rescinding the legislation. No one that anyone in that class knows has ever complained like this.

I think it is extremely sad that this is the state of the Newspaper business here. Obviously Editors don't really do anything...like maybe, check up on stories. Maybe they are hoping to get a job at CBS!

Saddam Hussein

2005-06-28T05:45:00.000+09:00

I took a test that I found through Michael's website, Gayorbit...I guess the leader whose attitude I resemble most is...

What Famous Leader Are You?

Misinformed

2005-06-27T06:21:00.000+09:00

The person who writes the answers to "readers'" questions in the Joong Ang Ilbo is usually pretty good. This weeks question about Christianity and Catholic missed the mark and speaks to the knowledge that the writer has of the rest of the world.

"Religions' viewpoints

Christians in Korea are no different than those elsewhere

Here's this week's tip on Korean language and customs:

Q:
Something notable about my stay in Korea has been the proliferation of churches not only in Seoul, but nationwide. However, recently I discovered something a little disturbing.

In a conversation with a Korean Christian, I inadvertently let slip that I had been brought up as a Roman Catholic, although I no longer practice the religion. The person I was talking to informed me that Catholics were not Christians, which needless to say dumfounded me as the Church of Rome is the oldest Christian religion today.

What is the cause of this viewpoint and is it common in Korea?

A:
The issues concerning the distinction between Roman Catholicism and "Christianity," which have continued for centuries around the world, are nothing new in Korea.

Since both Catholicism and Protestantism were introduced in Korea a long time ago, Koreans, who have embraced either or both, have pursued their ideologies, depending on which they belong to, the way others might do elsewhere in the world.

The particular reaction displayed by the Korean Christian mentioned above is not necessarily considered unique to most Korean Christians, but personal."

Yes, Christians in Korea are different than those elsewhere. The people who call themselves Christian are radical, and ultimately, rude people in general when it comes to their religion. Sitting in a pub called Hey Hey with a few adult students from my OB class a couple of weeks ago, one of the employees who does not attend my class leaned over in fron tof everyone and asked about my wrist mala (something Buddhists use to count spoeken mantras). When I told him what it was he immediately began to tell me that I had to come to know the beauty of the love of Jesus Christ. When I told him I had been raised Christian and that I did not believe in a deity religion, he sat back and loudly proclaimed that he had been told I was a good teacher and a good man, but now "I know you are a bad man!"

I was a bit taken aback, although I have been accosted on numerous occasions by religious Christian zealots here over the past couple of years, the words coming from his lips pissed me off. I let fly into a barrage of biblical criticisms. He, of course, knew nothing of these, because the churches here fill these people with lies and bullshit and fear, as when the Korean Presbetyrian church proclaimed that the Tsunami was a welcomed event to christians everywhere to punish the unrighteous! Newspapers all over Korea were quick to point out that not all Christians felt that way, but that was a lot of crap. Christians all over this country were talking about the threat that Tsunamis would pose Korea if they failed to convert non-believers!

So you are wrong Mr/s. Newspaper question person. A christian is someone who believes in the teachings of Jesus Christ. Catholic and Protestant are the proper ways to refer to the political split in the ideologies. My particular preference is to refer to all of these people as "Duped Fearmongering Moneygrubbers"; I think that will fit on the big white crosses these poor dummies carry around the subway stations.

The Heat..

2005-06-26T11:12:00.000+09:00

Well, the humidity and heat are now full blast here in Korea. In the town where we live, Icheon, it is now 11:00 in the morning and already it is 28 deg. C. You can see the humidity in the air.

And to top it all off, I drank my face off at a birthday party for myself and my buddy Graham. We gave Graham a bottle of Bombay Gin, so that is how he started out the night...fortunately, I decided to stick with beer. The restaurant where 25 or so people got together is owned by Mr. Yoo, a Chinese man who we have befriended. He gave us a bottle of Chinese alcohol (35%) that took the wind out of my sails. Maybe I shouldn't have chugged a glass! It tastes a little like Ouzo.

Anyway, what the hell does that have to do with the weather? Well, when I am as hung over as I am now, I prefer to wake up in the Arctic, rather than a hot, sweaty sauna!