Comments (0) | Permalink

Still alive and (mostly) kickin’. I’m just not able to muster the energy to post these days. Other than work and my personal life, everything is going great. But I’m ok.

Short version:

My boss left Korea yesterday. I’m acting Director and one of the referred candidates for taking the job permanately. Que sera, sera.

I’m playing .500 darts this season. Some moments of brillance sandwiched with amazing mediocrity.

I am spending the long 4th of July weekend in the Philippines. I really need a break.

I will be going back to the USA for the last two weeks of July. A week in Massachussetts and time with family in South Carolina.

I don’t know when I will post again. My life has become a bit of joke these days. I really hate being mocked.

The most important things are the hardest things to say. They are the things you get ashamed of, because words diminish them. Words shrink thoughts that seemed limitless when they were in your head to no more than living size when they are brought out. But it’s more than that, isn’t it? The most important things lie too close to wherever your secret heart is buried, like landmarks to a treasure your enemies would love to steal away. And you may make revelations that cost your dearly, only to have people look at you in a funny way, not understanding what you said at all or why you thought it so important you almost cried when you were saying it.

–Stephen King
(from memory, may not be 100% accurate. So sue me.)

Comments (2) | Permalink

This Weezer video is rockin’ the internet. I actually saw it a couple of weeks ago and never got around to posting it. But now that the blogfather Instapundit has linked it I can say with some certainty “you saw it here last!”

Anyway, it’s a pretty fun video and catchy tune even if you don’t like Weezer. And I can appreciate the sentiment:

Comments (1) | Permalink

Than yesterday at least. I don’t think I engaged in any inappropriate behaviors last night, so that’s a plus. In fact, I ran into the guy I went off on Friday night and apoligized profusely. We had a little chat about the circumstances leading up to my explosion and I understood where he was coming from. So, I was glad that he accepted my apology and I think we will put it behind us and move on without further incident. You can’t ever make it totally right, but I know we both felt better for having cleared the air.

We had a couple of nice dart tourneys at the Blue Frog last night. In the doubles I drew a somewhat inexperienced Korean, but he threw decent if inconsistent darts. We managed to beat Craig and Grant in the first round, but it was downhill from there I’m afraid. It was actually all on me, because my partner played better while my darts went to shit. We were the only team to beat Craig and Grant as they came back through the loser’s bracket to take first place. I was pleasantly surprised when we were awarded the 3rd place payout for our efforts (all of W10,000).

Next came the singles tournament, a format I prefer in some ways because it is all on you. No letting down a partner (or blaming them) if you fail. On the other hand, you have to beat players who are statistically better than you head-to-head, but I tend to like that challenge.

I got by Grant and Won Jun in the first two rounds of the winner’s bracket, setting up a confrontation with “The Angry Scot” Alistair. Regular readers know that Alistair is one of the top players in Itaewon and was certainly the highest ranked player in the tourney. He had played two tough matches against “The Goat” and Colin. Because we had been reduced to two boards, we had to wait quite some time before we actually stepped up to the Oche. As Alistair said after my 2-0 win, “you didn’t have your best darts, but they were good enough”. I felt pretty good, because it was the first time I remember beating him one-on-one in a money tourney. And it put me in the Championship round. Where Alistair promised we would meet again.

We did. By now it was after midnight and we had been playing and drinking since 7:00. So, rather than a test of dart skills it was more of who can throw best while intoxicated. The first leg was cricket and it was one of the strangest games I can recall. Alistair is notorious for his unorthodox cricket strategy, and this game was no different. I scored zero marks with first six darts, while he closed bulls and marked a couple of other numbers. For whatever reason, Alistair closed out the bottom half of the board (17/16/15) before I had any number closed. I figured the game was over at this point, but I kept working to close what I could and avoid being totally embarassed. Once I had closed 20s, we got into a points battle, with Alistair pounding 17s, and me answering with triple 20s. In between I kept working to close numbers and Alistair struggled on the top half of the board. When I finally hit my last bullseye for the win I was the most surprised person in the room.

Next was ‘01, a game Alistair excels at. I hung with him to the end, where I was waiting to shoot for the 32 out. I’m still waiting, because Alistair hit the 40 for the win. Which took us to the deciding 3rd leg. I diddled a double bull and chose cricket. I played a solid game and Alistair struggled just enough for me to seal the victory. And take home W50,000. Well, I didn’t actually wind up taking it home, having got sucked into a card game I think is called Hula with a bargirl for drinks. Shoulda stuck with darts I guess. But it was fun regardless.

Wound up going to bed around 3:30 and was awakened at 6:30 by some kids playing in the yard of the downstairs apartment. What the hell they were doing up that early on Sunday is beyond me. I finally had to move into my guest bedroom for some quiet and much needed sleep. Woke up again at 10:30 feeling somewhat refreshed and made myself a classic American breakfast of bacon, eggs, toast, OJ and coffee. Not bad if I do say so myself.

I got an email indicating that folks at home may be worried about my state of mind these days. I guess yesterday’s post was a little disconcerting. Yes, I am going through a bit of a rough patch recently, but I am really ok. Some stressors at work and personally have occupied my mind of late, but I know that “this too shall pass”. And yeah, I have got to find a better way to relieve that stress than drinking. And I will.

No worries.

Comments (0) | Permalink

I’m a bit disgusted with myself these days. I’m somewhat overwhelmed with a convergence of events and I am not pleased with how I am handling it. Last night I have to admit I was pretty much a drunken asshole. I got really pissed at a dart opponent and said some things I regret. Later, a friend told me about some behavoir I do not even recall, but it had pissed him off immensely. So, today I am lamenting my actions and trying to resolve to be a better person in the days to come.

Not sure how to go about that at this point, but perhaps I will be struck with some insights soon. Or not. Best I can do for now is try to pull my head out of my ass and stop worrying about what I can’t control.

I hear some people been talkin’ me down
Bring up my name, pass it round
They don’t mention the happy times
They do their thing, I do mine.

–Neil Young

Comments (0) | Permalink

Last night the Sliders lost to our sister Dolce team, the Rubbies, 17-14.

I went 2-7 on the night, so it is easy to do the math and determine who is most responsible for the defeat.

I played all 9 legs against Dave New (singles and doubles) and threw like shit. Hence the title of this post.

Actually, Dave threw excellent darts, killing me with 6 marks. I still had my chances, but couldn’t execute.

I’m actually in general funk, and my darts are just another manisfestation of my malaise.

I think I need a break. But I see nothing on horizon that points to any forthcoming relief.

Alas.

Comments (0) | Permalink

…than the last one. No drama or bloodshed. Just some nice darts at the Dolce tournament and enough beer to drown the stress of the previous week.

Jim and me were teamed up in the “early bird” tourney. I was throwing pretty much up to par but Jim was on fire. We beat Dave New and Dano pretty handily in two cricket legs (they had destroyed us in ‘01). That tooks us to Tom R. and Chris H. for the championship match. When Tom heard who we had played in the first round he exclaimed “you beat those guys!?”. Yep, and then we beat Tom and Chris 2-0 to take home the money. As I said, we were throwing good darts, and being disrespected like that gave us all the motivation required to stay focused on victory.

For Prime Time we did a singles tourney which was nice for a change of pace. I played against Jim in the first round, and you take him lightly at your peril (as we had proved in the first tourney). I started out strong in cricket but he caught me on the 17s and we had a classic pointing battle the rest of the way. It came down to me hitting a double bull to finally seal the win. We had a similar struggle in ‘01, Jim had worked it to a 32 out but I got the double duece before he got the chance to shoot for it.

Next up was Chris, and I took him 2-0 as well.

So, it was me and Tom R. for the championship. I opened with 7 20s and continued pointing when the situation dicatated (i.e. 3rd dart no number to close). He didn’t like it much, but I’ve seen him play that way and really, that is basic cricket strategy anyway. The ‘01 game was a classic battle. Tom was throwing 60+ consistently. I had two Ton-40s to stay close. He got a couple of tries at the out, but I closed the game first and won the singles tournament, going 6-0.

Betty from XOX and a Korean contingent came in just before the start of the “Die Hard” tourney. I was pretty drunk by now, but I entered on the chance that I might draw a partner who could carry me. Teamed up with Lonnie, and damn he tried but I was too heavy a burden. I had nothing left. Plus, we drew Betty (the number 1 player in “A” division now that Petro is gone) and a tall Korean (like 6′5″) who went by “Q”. We actually hung relatively close thanks to Lonnie, but they were too much in the end and we went down 0-2. Lonnie had chalked my match with Tom and I am sure he was wondering where those 7-marks and high tons went. Oh well.

By the way, since Alistair occasionly reads this blog I should say that he is capable of being #1, but he has got to do it at oche. He’s a teammate on Sliders, so I am definitely pulling for him.

All right, enough about darts. Time to get ready for Scott’s wedding today. He’s a great guy (notwithstanding his Canadianess) and we are all looking forward to the big event.

I’ll be back…

Comments (1) | Permalink

So I had the skin graft surgery yesterday. I had actually about 90% changed my mind as I figured I could clean and dress the finger until it healed up properly. But when I got there, the receptionist slapped a hospital bracelet on me, and motioned for me to follow her. So, we walk through the first floor lobby, up a flight of stairs, reverse direction and walk through pediatrics, neurosurgery (lots of people lining the walls in PJs waiting with Night of the Living Dead-like expressions. Scary.) up another flight of stairs, through some double doors, and into the surgery clinic.

Where my surgery team awaited. In our mutually limited means of communication, they were asking about anathesia and if I wanted to sleep. I said I wasn’t real keen on pain, but I would prefer to stay awake. So we agreed on a local. I reiterated that I was not staying in the hospital and the doc nodded and said “yeah, you go home”. So, I was instructed to undress and put on the surgical clothes (not one of those backless gowns thank god) and I was escorted to the operating room.

I got the full treatment. There were 3 nurses and 3 doctors. And I’m thinking how much is this going to cost me? I had called Blue Cross and although Soonchonkyang Hospital is on the preferred provider list, outpatient treatment is paid out of pocket and I file the claim afterwards for direct reimbursement. So, I wasn’t sure what was going to happen if the costs exceeded my available funds, but at this point there was no turning back.

We had agreed to take the needed skin from the same hand (that fleshy area (heel?) at the bottom of my hand. I had told the surgeon “dartsuh” and made my throwing motion and he actually understood and assured me I would be good to play in a week. So they proceed to clean up my hand. But when he cleaned the wound I about jumped out of my skin. I am sure I must have a nerve ending exposed or something, because it feels like an electrical shock in a root canal kinda way when touched. Then the doc said “injection and pain” and while the injections were in fact painful (like stepping on a nail) it was not so bad comparitively speaking. He didn’t wait too long to start messing with the finger though and I had to express my discomfort with the internationally recognized “goddamn, that hurts!”. Loudly. I’m guessing he was thinking he should have just put me to sleep, but he gave me another round of injections. Which allowed sufficient time for the first round to take effect and my hand became comfortably numb.

After that, everything was cool. It was a little disconcerting hearing everything (they had put a screen where I couldn’t watch, not that I wanted too). I didn’t catch much of the conversation of course, but it sounded an awful lot like the doctors were flirting with the nurses. Laughter from the docs and shy giggles from the nurses. Anyway, that is what I choose to believe they were talking about. I was just glad I didn’t hear “Aigo!” (roughly translates to damn. At least that is how I use it).

Took about 30 minutes. I was taken back to my clothes, told to go see the receptionship, was given a prescription and a bill for 423,000 Won (around $425.) I go back at 1100 today I think to get my head stiches looked at. Not sure what the drugs are supposed to do. If they are for pain, they don’t work. I wound taking a leftover Percocet last night and slept well. Feel pretty good today and plan to be back at work after my appointment.

Well that is the story. It seems a shame that this is the only thing I have to blog about. But I figure why not share the pain? My readers have come to expect no less.

Comments (0) | Permalink

Well, we started the summer dart season off with a nice victory over Cake Mix, 22-9. I didn’t play particularly well, going 5-4, but the bottom line is the bottom line. So, we shall see how it goes the rest of the way. Y’all can look forward to reading all about it right hear.

Don’t say I didn’t warn ya.

Comments (1) | Permalink

Just wanted to update y’all on the sorry state of my wounded body. Went to the doc today to get cleaned and rewrapped, and when the bandage came off the finger (painfully) I was still bleeding. Doctor says I need surgery, which I understand to be a skin graft of some type or another. Get this: he recommended I stay in hospital 2 or 3 days! I said bullshit (well, I was more polite than that) and he said ok, you just have to come back everyday. Which I guess is an acceptable compromise.

Strange how in the USA they won’t keep you overnight unless you are knocking on death’s door. Here, they admit you for a hangnail it seems. Another difference is those little niceties like taking blood pressure and temprature, asking about allergies or what other medications you are taking just isn’t done. I took three shots of something in the ass on Saturday but have no inkling what they were. I have no known allergies, but hell, they didn’t know that. It just doesn’t inspire confidence somehow.

Oh well. Going in at 1400 tomorrow. Don’t know if they intend to knock me out or not, but I am not real keen on watching skin extracted from my (thigh?) and reattached to my pinky. Plus the inability to interact coherently is a bit disconcerting. I guess I should spend tonight learning to say things like “I can’t breathe” or “that hurts like a sonofabitch” or other handy phrases appropriate (try typing appropriate with a bandaged right pinky sometime) to the situation.

Instead I am going to play darts. It’s opening night of the summer season!

Comments (0) | Permalink

…but it was no laughing matter.

In fact, it was deja vu all over again.

I had a blackout, hit the floor, and now have stiches in my head and an f’d up finger.

Really strange, because I don’t remember a thing. One minute I am sitting at the bar having a pleasant conversation, the next thing I know I am being picked up off a bloody floor.

I’m told I started coughing and stood up and then went down for the count. No idea what is up with that.

I didn’t go to the hospital last night as suggested, but when I woke this morning my finger was throbbing. I tried to take the bandage off, but the slightest touch brought on searing pain. My head looked ok, as that wound had already scabbed over. But I walked over to the hospital convienently located in my neighborhood to get my pinky looked at.

Of course, they just ripped the bandage right off which was incredibly painful and started some pretty impressive bleeding. After cleaning it up I could see that I didn’t have a cut finger, rather it was as if some had taken a filet knife and sliced an inch off. Sorry to say, when the doc started probing around I screamed like a banjee. Worse pain I can remember. So, they wrapped it up and I go back Monday for another looksee and cleaning. Which means I get to re-experience the joy of having the bandage removed.

The also stiched up my head which comparitively speaking was a piece of cake. And three injections in the ass. Not my idea of a great Saturday morning to be sure.

If there is a silver lining, it occurred to me that if death comes like a blackout it won’t be bad at all. One minute you are there having a nice chat and the next your gone. No worries at all.

Comments (4) | Permalink

Not a bad one, all things considered.

Friday night was the regular Dolce Vita darts tournament. Chris H. and I played about as bad as you can play without losing. We wound up “good” enough for a first place finish. My partner in the second tourney was a little off (to be charitable). You know, in a blind draw format I just accept who I get without complaint. Lord knows I get a solid partner as least as often as a weak one. But damn, it is one thing to get a beginner and another thing to get a beginner who won’t take advice. And I don’t mean advice on technique, I mean basic darts strategy. For example, we had an 18 out (yeah, that was my doing, sue me) and he hits a single 9. No problem. I suggest a 1 double 4 but he tells me he doesn’t like the double four and throws a 3. Well, a 6 out is an out but it is fraught with peril. I of course proceeded to hit a 3, but salvaged a win with the good fortune of hitting the 1 double 1. Not that it mattered because we then got smoked in the cricket leg for a first round exit.

Anyway, I got Alistair for the 3rd tourney (see the good/bad does even out) and we played some decent games for the win.

Between tourneys, a couple of acquaintences from work came in and sat at the bar next to me. After they left the bar girls were laughing and talking in Korean and I said what’s so funny? They said “we have never noticed you were handsome before we saw you next to those two guys.” I am sure they didn’t realize that they had paid me an insult rather than a compliment, but that’s sorta the way things are in Korea. You either laugh or get bitter. Life is too short for bitterness, right?

Several hours later I encountered the same two gentlemen in Grand Ol’ Opry. They were feeling no pain (well, I am sure they were the next morning). Discretion and the rules of Itaewon preclude me from saying anything more about their antics.

Saturday night was the bachelor party for one of my Canadian buds, Von Jackass (aka Scott). We had the back room, 3 kegs of beer, and Seung Youb on the grill. Well, SY wasn’t on the grill, the pork and chicken wings were, but you get my meaning. If inebriation is a measure of having a good time, Scott was the happiest guy on Earth that night. After one of the many toasts in his honor I told him that there are only two times in a man’s life when he doesn’t understand women. Before marriage and after marriage. I noticed a lot of head nodding, so I guess it must be true. But then I was talking to a room full of drunk men, so who knows?

Later, Grant, Alistair, Matt and me (4/5s of next season’s version of Sliders) moseyed over to Blue Frog to throw some darts. We paired up and played some doubles for money and wound up splitting two sets, which was where we chose to put the darts away for the night. Sharp pointed things and drunks are not a safe and sane combination, not that we cared.

After a lazy Sunday playing CIV IV (did I mention I got my high score? I did.) I figured I would go out and, yep, you guessed it, throw some darts. There was a wedding party for Daniel at Dolce so I just said my hellos and moved on. Bless U was having some event that seemed to involve Formula 1 racing and Nigerians, so I didn’t even climb the stairs. Manila wasn’t open yet. Which left me with 3 Alley Pub as the best remaining option.

Turned out to be a good choice because my English buddy Neil was sitting at the bar and we had a nice chat whilst waiting for a dart board to open up. Neil is one of those “lucky” few who actually read my pathetic blog. Better yet, he purports to like it! That’s actually how we met as it was a friend of his that I saw fall out of a moving taxi which made for one of my great moments in blogging (I wasn’t kidding when I said this is a pathetic blog!). Anyway, he proceeded to ply me with shots of Jagermeister (which makes me gag, but good manners dictate that I accept the generous offer when made). After 3 or 4 I had a pretty good buzz going and Rodney and I threw same nice games. His darts have really improved the past year or so and I told him he needed to get his ass up to “A” division where it belongs.

Given that us Americans had to work on a Korean National Holiday (Buddha’s birthday), I made it an early night and journeyed back home (stopping for a beer at Manila Bar on the way).

And that my friends is the story of my weekend. Don’t hate me because I have such an outstanding life. Some of us are just born lucky. Or not.

Comments (0) | Permalink

1. Work has been sucking the life out of me.

2. I am always tired.

3. My boss is leaving this summer.

4. I’m expected to replace her.

5. See #1 and multipy by 10.

6. Attended a nice going away party for Petro at Hooters.

7. We lost the best player on our dart team and in Itaewon (see #6).

8. We lost the championship game to our arch rivals XOX 16-14 (see #7).

9. I played decent, but lost two legs I should have won (see #8).

10. I had dinner at Top Cloud, the restaurant on the 33rd floor of the Samsung Building.

11. The view was great, the buffet wasn’t worth the price.

12. If you go, order off the menu.

13. Went to the Latern Festival in Jong-no and enjoyed myself.

14. Found a great outdoor (garden) Korean restuarant in Insa-dong.

15. Sorry, I forget the name–I know it had garden in it.

16. I resigned as Captain of the dart team.

17. My granddaughter turned 3 on Children’s Day (May 5).

18. I haven’t seen her for over a year and that really sucks.

19. Last Friday night I went out drinking and when I left Debut bar the sun was coming up.

20. I didn’t go out on Saturday.

21. I got the results of my colonoscopy.

22. Negative for cancer.

23. But I have been advised I need to do another one in a year.

24. If one of the polyps had been any larger they would have removed part of my colon.

25. I’m glad I went when I did.

26. I have dreams about dying.

27. And that would really piss me off.

28. Because I will retire in 2 years, 6 months and 27 days.

29. Not that I’m counting.

30. I am ready to go back to the Philippines.

31. But likely won’t until September.

32. I hope I don’t sound depressed.

33. Because I really am not.

34. I’ll ‘fess up to melancholy.

35. I really think Obama is full of shit.

36. And would be very bad for America.

37. I think it is fair to judge someone by the company they keep.

38. And MAN, the WEATHER just ain’t WRIGHT.

39. If you get my meaning.

40. I got an invite to Scott’s wedding in two weeks.

41. Korean weddings are a lot of fun.

42. I’m thinking the guys night out this Saturday will be fun as well.

43. I have met some really great people here in Korea.

44. And I’m tired of saying goodbye to them.

45. Colin is next, but I can’t begrudge him much.

46. Because I’ve never seen him smile so much.

47. Love will do that to you I suppose.

48. And I will have someone I know when I travel to Vietnam.

49. I think I will go out and practice darts tonight.

50. Fifty is a good place to stop this nonsense, don’t ya think?

Comments (1) | Permalink

It is funny what pops up in your email. Even funnier that perfect strangers happen upon my blog and find it somehow worthy of their attention. Hell, I am thrilled when someone takes the time to leave a comment. But sending a warm and thoughtful email actually inspired (guilted?) me into posting some new crap here. Here’s what Michael from Sarasota had to say:

hi John,

I wanted to write you a quick email. I have been periodically reading your blog over the last couple years. You have a really great way of bringing your experiences to life on the computer. I wanted to tell you though, that something odd has happened to me. Let me explain.

I am American. I left the U.S. and went on a year+ long journey around the world when I was 19-20. When I was done, I settled in Germany for 4 years. There I would meet my Japanese wife. Other great adventures ensued. in 2001 I returned to the US and I now live in Florida. Knowing this is important to understand the point I will now make.

On my journey and subsequent life in Germany I was quite a writer. I have books and books of handwritten journals. At one point I bought a typewriter and then it REALLY poured out of me. It was really something. All the way up until the completion of my life in Germany, I wrote a lot. Then, upon my return to the US, my writing stopped. I really felt like I didn’t have much to write anymore. Since I have been back in the US, I have made some attempts at writing but it is weird. I just don’t have much to write about.

Then I began to understand why. Living away from the US allowed me a great amount of anonymity. It allowed me an identity that was very well defined my my “foreiner” status. I was the guy from New York, or i was the tourist, etc. People regard Americans with a certain courtesy around the world, politics aside. I really liked that status. That special status made me feel like I really had a genuine story to tell, like Captain Ahab.

Now I live in Florida and life is great. It is warm, there are beaches, life is easy. The only problem is that I don’t have anything to write about because I have melted back into the sea of my countrymen. I hope that you enjoy your “gaijin” or “gwailo” status in Korea and reap the unique benifits it has to offer. Reading your blog really puts be back into my traveled life and brings that other dimension I have described here.

Just thought you’d like to know,

Michael

Thanks for that Michael. Your words reminded me that I am in fact having a great adventure, and it only stops being so when I allow myself to take things here for granted. So, I will try a little bit harder to make each day meaningful, even in the most simple or mundane things I might chance to encounter.

And who knows? Maybe I will even get off (or technically on) my lazy ass and write about them.

Thanks again for writing.

Comments (1) | Permalink

Going through some of my email archives and came across this:

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
ZEN FOR THOSE WHO TAKE LIFE TOO SERIOUSLY

37. Just Remember - If The World Did Not Suck, We Would All Fall Off.

I’m thinking after my previous post I should reassure the world that I have not lost my sense of humor. Which is a good thing seeing as how often my life feels like a joke. Ha Ha!

Comments (1) | Permalink

No idea what is wrong with me or why I have lost the desire to blog.

Well, I guess I do have an idea.

I am feeling a bit disconnected from everything and everyone in the world. And what is left isn’t all that interesting to me, so I can’t imagine why it would be to any intrepid visitor who might somehow come across this weary blog.

This is the life I have chosen. And that nearly everyone I care about has found me unworthy for living this way only underscores the isolation. But yes, I take full responsibility for my decisions. And I acknowledge my selfishness is choosing to seek meaning in my life rather than living as others would have me to do.

So there it is. Turn your back if you must. I never asked for understanding anyway. And I won’t ask for what I cannot give.

Try as I might though, I can’t stop caring.

I am sorry if that is not enough.

Comments (1) | Permalink

No idea why I can’t get motivated to post more often. But here’s an update on what’s happening:

Work has been intense of late. Had an interesting opportunity to do some advocacy yesterday. A SOFA Special Committee is reviewing the removal action against one of our Korean employees. I presented management’s arguments. The SC is composed of a Colonel and a GS-15 on the US side, and a Director at the ROK Ministry of Labor and a university professor on the Korean side. I was in there three hours and several more on preparation, but I think it went well overall. The MOL represenative was a young female lawyer and she asked some tough questions, which I think I parried reasonably well. During a break she complimentated my “passion” for the case. At least I think it was a compliment. Everything was done through interpreters which I am not really used to doing. I think our interpreter had a hard time with me because I tend to talk fast anyway, and I would give longish responses to questions without pausing to let her catch up. Oh well, it was an experience for sure.

My dart team finished in first place during league play, and playoffs start Monday. Our top player, Petro, is moving back to the states so we won’t have him for the championship game if we progress that far (which I expect we will).

I achieved my goal of a top ten finish (7th). Playing “A” division was a challenge for me and I suffererd through a big mid-season slump. Throwing a little better now, I just need to keep my head in the game and play with a little more confidence.

Had a little go-awaying get together for Petro at Hooters in Apuejeong on Tuesday. Drank lots of beer and had a pretty nice time. Stayed out too late for a work night, but it was worth it.

Sad to say, that’s about all I have to report. Hmm, maybe this is why I haven’t been posting much lately…

Comments (1) | Permalink

Heh, this is not a post about how frequently I have been posting lately.

Saturday night I went out to Apeujong and experienced a great Jazz club named, you got it, Once in a Blue Moon. Damn, I was impressed. Talented group of Koreans playing some fine jazz tunes. The singer was really amazing, especially when she did the thing with her voice to make it sound like a trombone. The trumpet player hit all the notes, but you know, it wasn’t from the soul if you get my meaning. But really, that’s the strongest criticism I can muster about the experience.

Had a nice 7 course dinner that was 70,000W, but it was tasty. Drinks were expensive as you might expect, but given the level of entertainment, I deemed it worth it.

So, if you are looking for a nice place to hear some live Jazz, then check out Once in a Blue Moon.

Comments (2) | Permalink

Geez, where does the time get to anyway? It’s been awhile since I’ve posted I know, but sometimes it’s just a struggle to post when there ain’t nothin’ new to say. But yeah, I’m doing alright. I know when the the long lost Nomad inquires about my whereabouts it’s time to check in.

Since my return from the Philippines, it has been work and darts. Work has been hectic and stressful, and there does not appear to be much relief in sight. In fact, my boss will likely be leaving this summer and she is already lobbying me to take her job. But at this stage in my career, I’m focused on retiring, not climbing the ladder of “success”. Still, I prefer to control my destiny and I may wind up taking the job as a preemptive measure–I don’t want to work for an asshole and the only sure way to avoid that is to be the boss. We’ll see.

I’ve had a rough spell with my dart game as well. Just playing horrible the past few weeks. I’m sure the problem is in my head. I just haven’t been playing with confidence and I have been a little intimidated by the “A” division competition. I’ve been working on it though and this past week I’ve shown signs of breaking out of the slump. I had an 8-1 showing on Monday night, and won a couple of the Dolce tourneys, so I’ve just got to keep it going.

Ok, I promised to post about my trip to the Philippines. I had a great time, mostly. I really did not like Manila at all. What a shithole. The traffic made Seoul seem sane (which it is not). It was dirty and the poverty was right up close and personal. I mean Christ, landing at the airport you fly over a shanty town along the riverbank that is like something out of National Geographic. No way I could live there.

I spent a few days in Angeles City as well. It is one big party town, like Itaewon on speed. Lots of bars with young women dancing in skimpy attire. I was bored with that after the first day. Fortunately I met a couple of Americans staying in my hotel and we hung out together. Days at the pool, and at night we went to this country bar with a great live band. So, while I wound up having fun in Angeles, it is not the kind of town I would call home.

From there I flew to Cebu City. Yes, that was much more likely. Comparatively clean and modern. The poverty is there, but it is not so much in your face. I hired a cab one day to show me around and really got a good feeling about the place. More to see in Philippines before I make any decisions, but Cebu is a definite possibility.

One thing I learned is not to travel to a predominately Catholic country during the Holy Days. I arrive on Maudy Thursday which of course preceded Good Friday. Everything was closed up tight, including the bar I had read about on the internet and wanted to visit. So, it was a little boring since there wasn’t much to do but hang out at the pool bar. Still, a good trip and I hope to return soon.

Didn’t take a lot of pictures, but here are a few:

Angeles City street scene with the ever present Jeepney’s…

Fields Avenue, the main drag in Angeles. If this seems a little third world, you should see the back streets.

This is where I stayed. The room was a bit dated, but clean. Great pool and great breakfast buffet. I’d stay there again.

Ok, these next pictures are all from my tour of Cebu and the surrounding environs. This one is of Fort San Pedro, built by the Spanish in 1590 (if memory serves). One thing I found somewhat surprising is that despite being a Spanish colony for over 300 years, there was not much Spanish influence in the culture. Certainly not as much as you see in other former colonies.

Fort San Pedro had some interesting flora and fauna. If you are interested in that kind of thing. I’m basically not.

But I did enjoy the view.

This is along the top of whatever you call the walls of a fort.

Oh yeah, did I mention that the Philippines is quite tropical? It was March and I was wearing shorts and was on the edge of being uncomfortably warm. But I expect it was because I was acclimated to the rather harsh Korean winter I had just left.

Not sure if this is going to be readable on the blog, but it is the story of Magellan’s Cross. Yes, this is the spot where he planted the seeds of Christianity in the PI. A few days later a local tribal chieftain named Lapu Lapu had had about enough of Magellan and his merry troop and dispatched them to the great hereafter rather violently.

The above referenced cross of the ill-fated Magellan.

Next stop on my tour was Beverly Hills. Yes, there is a Beverly Hills in Cebu City. It is a big gated community where the well to do live. I understand there are expats living there as well, but I did not encounter any. Anyway, it was quite pretty.

Within the Beverly Hills compound is a huge Taoist Temple. My lack of photography skills prevented me from finding an angle that really captured its enormity. So, this will have to do.

The Temple had lots of cool stuff like this.

I don’t know if the Taoists call this a pagoda or not. That’s what I’m calling it though.

I have no concept or understanding of Taoist beliefs. So, no clue what these figurines represent. Other than a photo op for me.

Apparently fishing is revered amongst those who practice the Tao faith. I guess the Nomad would appreciate that.

Lots of these dragons hanging about as well.

I had to climb a gazillion steps to get to the Temple proper. I was rewarded with a nice view of Beverly Hills though…

If they day comes that I am able to retire, and if the place I retire is the Philippines, and if I choose Cebu City, and if I decide to live in Beverly Hills, then I ‘m thinking this house would be a comfortable abode. No, I didn’t price anything specific, but my internet searches have convinced me I could find something similar for no more than $200,000.

You know, when you travel people invariably ask about the local cuisine. This place is fairly typical of the dining establishments I saw. To be truthful, I wasn’t that adventurous when it came to eating out. Mostly just what I could get in the hotel or sandwich type places. I guess the only “real” Filipino food I tried was the Jollibees. (A fast food chain that pinoys are crazy about for some reason).

So, I asked my taxi guy Fredo to show me around Mactan Island next. That is where the resorts are and many expats call it home. I tried to catch a picture of Cebu Bay as we crossed the bridge, but got this San Miguel sign instead. I drank a lot of San Miguel during my visit.

So this is the best I could do at capturing Cebu Bay. Fredo drives pretty fast.

I really wasn’t that impressed with Mactan Island. I saw a lot of poverty and it just wasn’t as clean and modern as Cebu City. We did stop for lunch at this resort on the water. Lots of people come to the PI for the scuba diving. I don’t scuba myself of course, as I find my breathing is easier above the water.

And the water was definitely clear. Not sure this picture captures that, but I hadn’t seen water this nice since the Bahamas. Nice as blue, but crystal clear.

Hot day + holiday weekend = lots of people enjoying a nice swim.

This is my driver Fredo. Nice guy. It was kinda funny how we met. My first night in town he was the first cab in line at the hotel taxi stand. I said I wanted to go to Lonestar (the bar I had read about) and he said the bars would be closed. I (being an expert after one hour in town) assured him he was wrong. He wasn’t. He did eventually find a place that was open so I could quench my craving for a San Miguel. Anyway, a couple of days later when I was ready for my tour, Fredo was the first cab in the taxi stand again. We both thought that quite the coincidence. He wound up taking me to the airport as well, but that was by arrangement.

We both ordered the barbeque chicken. This is what it looked like half way through. Not bad. I mean, I eat chicken on a stick from the street vendors in Itaewon pretty often. This was comparable. Yeah, I’m such a gourmet.

Ok, that’s my report from the Philippines. I’ll try to do better about keeping y’all up to speed on my many “adventures” here in Korea.

Until then, anyong.

Comments (3) | Permalink

Well today I had the singular experience of a colonoscopy. The worst part was fasting for 36 hours. The other part might have been worse, but they gave me some real good drugs and I apparently snored through most of the procedure. They removed 3 polyps which they will biopsy. The Doc said the color was good so just expected good results. I will know where things stand definitively in a couple of weeks.

So after exiting surgery I had a double Whopper, fries, coke, and large chocolate milkshake. Ah much better. The only side effect of the procedure so far is uncontrolled flatulance. Which should makes darts tonight rather interesting. I don’t fill drugged up now, but I was warned to avoid alcohol and not to drive for 24 hours. But I will drive to work tomorrow anyway. May or may not avoid beer tonight.

I still need to report on my trip to the Philippines. Will do so this week. Promise.

Out fo now.

Comments (2) | Permalink