Skip to main content

Random Notes: Fastest Man in Korea

Life after death...another thing I don't worry about

Saw a news article saying that there is new proof of life after death. I don't doubt it. It would be a pleasant surprise. I must admit that I'm more interested in life before death. This is the only ticket on the Life Train that I'm sure of, so I'll ride this one out until I hit the end of the line.

* * *

Except Resigning

Obama says consider everything in tackling debt

* * *

DELIVER DIRECTLY TO UNDERTAKER!

When I was applying for my current job in Korea, one of the job application questions asked if I had any tattoos. Of course, I wrote "no." But I will admit that from time to time I do think about getting a tattoo, or perhaps a series of tattoos. That's because of "presumed consent."

Some jackass A New York assemblyman has introduced a bill aimed at making the state the first to presume people want to donate their organs unless they specifically say otherwise. People aren't willing to give up their organs for free so the lawmaker wants to just take them. There might even be some cash, $1,000, as compensation for them just taking your stuff. That is the equivalent of raping you in your bed, then leaving a small tip on the nightstand.

So I'm debating which of the tattoos I should get:

"Do not remove parts upon death."
"Presumed consent DENIED."
"Not to be Donated or Dismembered Without Payment in Advance."
"Keep Intact, especially after death in New York."
"Deliver Directly to Undertaker!"

I mean it, I will never go to New York again if they pass that law.

* * *

Does he need more time?

One of the triggermen in the assassination of Malcolm X just got out of the joint.

From the article:

Hagan declined to comment after his release.

"I really haven't had any time to gather my thoughts on anything," he told The Associated Press by telephone.

He hasn't had time in 45 years to gather his thoughts? Guess I was wrong when I said that criminals needed time to figure out the "root causes" of their crimes, then they could explain them after 20 to 30 years. If they can't even explain themselves, I won't try to figure them out, either.

* * *

Fastest Man in Korea...until Usain Bolt arrives

Koreans often seem to be in a hurry. The morning and afternoon commutes, however, don't begin to compare to the midnight rush to catch connecting trains. As lively as Seoul is, the subway system shuts down around midnight. Meaning, if you don't catch your connecting train by then that you a) take a taxi home b) wait for the buses or subway to start in the morning c) go to a bus stop and hope it is one that runs later.

Saturday night, I had that dilemma, and chose to catch my connecting train, then decide if I would stay out all night to meet a friend whose birthday party was still in progress. One day, I was Casey Cool. I walked while others ran. So I missed my connecting train, but I guess I looked cool doing it. Thankfully, there was a bus nearby so I didn't need to find out how much it would cost to get home. Saturday night, I ran. I outran everybody, even though I was carrying a laptop in a bag.

Usain Bolt will be running in Daegu, South Korea, later this year, so I guess I'm still the fastest man in Seoul.
(Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world, unless I'm rushing to catch the train at midnight)

* * *

So this is not a political story?

I've seen a few headlines in the Korea Times about "foot-and-mouth" disease. I had assumed that it was about another politician sticking his foot in his mouth by saying something stupid.

CJL

Popular posts from this blog

Diverse Secondary Education (2016-10-09)

  This morning I was one of the featured speakers at "Diverse Secondary Education in South Korea." www.lovetnkr.org/donate Young Collyer, host of the event, wrote: Diverse Secondary Education in South Korea (학생들에게 직접 들어보는 교육이야기) 쌀쌀한 가을의 휴일, 이른 아침부터 토론회에 참석해 주신 TNKR 대표 케이시 라티그(Casey Latigue)님, 하파엘 (Rafael Miliati Ramalho) 중대 북한개발협력과 석사과정), 한대의 (세종대 생명공학과), 레이첼 스타인 (Rachel Stine 허핑톤 포스트 컬럼니스트, 파고다) 외 글로벌 유스 인스티튜트 회원들 한국국제학교의 장정환, 윤지수 KKFS의 Mohamed와 Esther. 특히, 참석을 위해 익산 원광여고 민정이와 알렉스가 익산에서 서울까지 왔습니다. 무척이나 열정적이고 알찬 토론회였습니다. 특히 자원봉사자 선생님들과 함께 북한 이주민들을 대상으로 무료로 영어교육하고 있는 케이시 선생님에게 많은 영감을 얻었습니다. 케이시 선생님은 하버드대학교에서 교육학 석사과정 중 워싱턴 D.C. 의 빈민가정의 아이들을 대상으로한 교육을 필두로 해서 지금까지 사회의 음지에 있는 이들을 대상으로 양질의 교육을 펼치기 위한 교육을 펼쳐 왔으며, 우연히 북한이주민 영어교육 프로그램을 시작하게 된 뒤 계속해서 이 일을 해오고 있다고 합니다. 또한, 오후에는 청소년들과 함께, 우리나라의 교육 현실에 대한 토론을 하였습니다. 현재 사교육 중심으로 돌아가는 한국의 교육제도, 창의적 교육 운운하면서 실상은 창의를 말살시키는 한국의 교육제도, 내자식은 1등이 아니면 안되라고 생각하는 한국의 어머니들때문에 사교육 시장으로 내몰리는 한국의 청소년들.. 스스로 창의적인 사람이 될 수 있도록, 남들보다 잘하기 위해 1등이 되는 것이 아니라, 내...

Latest and upcoming

"Escap e from Camp 14," with author Blaine Harden, 10 Maga zine forum, May 3, 2013 (moderator) "Road to Life " radio interview, "This Morning" on TBS eFM, May 1, 2013 (radio interview). "Road to Life"--Rally for North K orean escapees, Seoul, April 30, 2013 (speaker). " On Expertise and Ethics: Tourism in North Korea ," by Alexander James, NK News , April 27, 2013 (quoted) "Casey Lartigue update , " Plan B Lifesty les Radio Show, April 17, 2013. In terview on D reams , 2032 Magazine, April 2013.   "Western tourism on the rise, says N Korea ," by Simon Mundy, The Financial Times, March 15, 2013 (quoted) Liberty Society Emerges as a top global think tank, 2032 Magazine , March 2013 (feature article) Is Touris m in North Korea Really Booming? If tourism is growing, should it be encouraged? , NK News , February 21, 2013 (quoted) There's no place like home, The Korea Times , February 12, 2013 (op-ed) ...

KC=GQ

I am featured in the April 2013 issue of 2032 Magazine.

"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 ...