Skip to main content

Weekend roundup

Kim Heung-sook asks: "Who Needs New Bills?"

When I first saw the headline, I thought: I AGREE!!! In fact, I don't want or need ANY bills, whether old or new!

I have a dream job now...After a couple of days at work, one of the managers here told me to give him all of my bills, the company would take care of my expenses.

So I say...Who needs new bills!!! Who needs old bills!!!

Her essay is about the new 50,000 won bill. That's about 40 bucks. The next largest bill? 10,000 won. That's about 8 bucks.

* * *

Get a job!

In an LA Times piece trying to guilt California taxpayers and the governor to spend more on higher education in the state, Vincent J. Del Casino Jr. concludes by asking how he should explain spending cuts to his students: "Governor, any good one-liners I might use?"

I've written some speeches for some prominent people over the years, I'll give this one to the governor for free, "Get a job!"

* * *

The next borrowed word? Skinship!

Kwon Ye-mi writes in the Korea Times about Korean words that are now part of the English language. Her list: soju, kimchi, taekwondo, hapkido.

My favorite Korean word: skinship! It is still Konglish at this point, but one day it may grow up to become a word accepted in English.

* * *

That's the way he was!

Walter Cronkite, dead at 92. He retired 28 years ago. A co-worker thinks I'm the grim reaper because I was talking about Cronkite the day before he expired. Well, who knows, with the time difference, it could have happened just as he was passing away.

* * *

Everything I know about Rome could fit on a 3 x 5 index card...

I'm pretty sure that I had heard about Rome by the time I had turned 15...

According to the Korea Times, a 15-year-old has just written a book about Rome.

* * *

Speaking of teen achievements

An America teen just sailed around the world alone.

I'm reminded of the quote (I think by George Stigler) about Lindburg's solo flight across the Atlantic: Impressive. But it would have been even more so had he done it as part of a committee.

* * *

Korean Twitter

Not that I can do much with it now...

anyway, here's the site.

* * *

Breaking Food laws taken seriously

After Samdoo Food was found to have been putting industrial ethanol in their products we didn't just get a press release from PR regretting the error. According to the Korea Herald: "The chief executive of Samdoo Food was arrested and the head of Jeil Food is under investigation by its Criminal Investigation Office, officials said."

American trade reps have complained in the past about Koreans being tough on American food coming into the country. If the Korean government could arrest American farmers I'm sure they'd let more American products into the country.

Of course, it seems that NO ONE checks on the stuff sold on the streets of Seoul...

* * *

Latest Korean drinking custom I've learned

When someone offers to pour you a drink you are supposed to empty your glass before holding the glass for the person.

I won't name any names but one of our administrators/managers is especially good at this. I don't recall her ever saying she has had enough to drink, she quickly and eagerly empties her glass before receiving more...

* * *

Driving Drunks Home Program

Someone mentioned the name but I had already had a few drinks so I don't remember the Korean name.

I think it was Friday night that some Koreans who took me out called for someone to drive them home. The car owner told me that the driver would be there in 10 minutes. About 9 minutes and 45 seconds later a thin Korean man came running to us. Whatever is the Korean word for that program might be a good slogan for tourism...

I've heard about programs where someone else will drive you home and that you have to go get your car later, but the first time I've heard about calling drivers to drive YOUR car home...

It cost 20,000 won, which I guess is about 16 or 17 bucks.

Cheaper than a taxi considering the distance my buddies had to go.

* * *

I guess they were women...

Two rather shapely checks hitting the punching bag outside an arcade. After the story about the transsexual model I can only assume they were chicks. They didn't just hit the bag once, they went at it a few rounds.

One had a two-handed slam that would have done damage to any normal man...

I stood by watching, wishing I could take a photo...

* * *

Smokin"!

I was out until late this morning. I got to see sunrise in the land of the morning calm...

The crowd that I saw at midnight was definitely different from the one I saw at 6 a.m.

I should have taken a shower last night, I'm sure my room and clothes all smell like cigarette smoke...

Went out swing dancing where there was no smoking, then hit the bars in Itaewon to increase the chances I'll get cancer from second-hand smoke.

Reminds of an apocryphal story from a friend:

Korean Doctor: You really have to quit smoking
American patient: But I don't smoke.
Korean Doctor: Then you need to leave Korea.

* * *

I'll have more to say about dancing swing, probably after I go again tonight...

CJL
Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Michael Breen discussion at 10 Magazine

Yesterday I attended a discussion with writer Michael Breen, hosted by Barry Welsh. Very often, when I attend a speech or discussion about a topic I know a lot about, I often think about ways the speaker/facilitator/discussant could have done better. But I didn't feel that way about Breen, it was one of those times that I really felt like I had a lot to learn and should listen more than talk. He's been in Korea for three decades, working as a reporter, commentator, communications specialist. He reminds me of Andrei Lankov in that his analysis seems to be based on observation of how things work rather than trying to get the world to fit his biases. I don't know him, so his friends may say he is a raging ideologue, but that's not the impression I had yesterday and based on his writings. Michael Breen (L) and Casey Lartigue I first read his book The Koreans about a decade ago. It was a delightful read, that was both warm to Koreans but also critical at times. Yes...
Read more

"Yoegi Anjuseyo!"

* I have a short reflection in today's Korea Times about an encounter with an unfriendly looking Korean man on the subway. It was a reminder not to be too quick in judging people in Korea. 09-13-2011 16:47 'Yeogi Anjeuseyo!' By Casey Lartigue Jr. The recent incident in which an American English teacher bullied an elderly Korean man and other passengers on the bus reminded me of a more pleasing incident from years ago. I was on the subway, taking the train outside of Seoul for a work assignment. I have the habit of standing on the subway to strategically position myself near the doors in case my stop magically appears. On that particular day, there was a Korean man STARING at me. Not just looking at me, but intensely staring at me. He had an incredible frown on his face. Not just for one stop, but for several stops the guy just kept staring at me. If I had known more Korean then I would have been able to curse him ...
Read more

Humanitarian with a guillotine (Korea Times, February 1, 2013) by Casey Lartigue, Jr.

Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan said the nine most terrifying words in the English language are, `` I’m from the government, and I’m here to help .” For many well-intentioned activists, politicians, and intellectuals, that should be updated as: ``We are here to help you. You’re under arrest.” For example, ``sex workers” around the world oppose anti-prostitution laws. Prostitutes may not know the theoretical arguments but they do know in reality that prohibiting prostitution means they lack protection in dealing with abusive pimps and madams, violent patrons and crooked cops. Locally, a Korean woman busted for prostitution recently appealed to the courts pleading , ``I cannot survive without this job. I don’t want to be treated as a criminal for making a living the only way I can.” How should someone who genuinely wants to help her respond? If you say ``arrest her” then you are qualified to be a “harmful humanitarian.” In your desire to help, you have elimin...
Read more

2020-11-26 My basketball story

This photo was uploaded today by my aunt Annette. This was back in the day, when 1) I had a head full of hair and 2) played basketball a lot. That first year of playing organized basketball, I focused on playing defense. It seemed that everyone wanted to shoot the ball, so I passed the ball and played defense. I probably led the league in steals, rebounds and blocked shots. I enjoyed taking on the best player from the other team, I felt like I would get better, quickly. The second year, I was a different player. I will never forget the first game that second year--we lost 29 to 26, I scored 18 points. I probably led the universe in scoring that second year, although we didn't win much. One thing I learned from that experience is that one great player 9 (at least in his own mind) can't beat a team. An eye injury ended my pro career before it began, to this day I still have floaters in my eyes because of the injury. I started wearing glasses, but the problem never went away. On t...
Read more

Inspiration from a lousy visitor (The Korea Times, December 31, 2013) by Casey Lartigue, Jr.

2013-12-15 It was a great occasion yesterday. A group of us held a Christmas party in the cancer ward of severance hospital. So many people to mention. The man who inspired it all: Nick Adams. It was his trip to Korea last month that inspired me to organize the party. He had cancer when he was a child, and he insisted that as part of his itinerary that we stop by the hospital. I was so moved that I contacted the best party planner I have ever known. The man behind the motion: Edward M. Robinson! As I've said several times: If you are looking for someone to hold an incredible party for kids, then contact Eddie! I look forward to big things from HOPE now that he has taken an even more active role with the organization (and was smart enough to name me an International Adviser, for example). The staff members at Mulmangcho are still talking about the incredible Halloween party he hosted, and they are looking forward to the Christmas party he has planned this weekend! The lady behind t...
Read more