Here's a link for those who have read about the swine flu in Korea. Apparently, they have been a few infected English teachers and this is their story on blog.
http://underquarantine.tumblr.com/page/1
Cheers.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Change
It's 2009. About 20 years ago the future seemed so promising. I'd sit back in my desk in class staring out the window day dreaming about the future. What would the world look like in 20 years? I imagined cars flying through the air. That's about the highlight if anything. It was the key factor of the worlds progress... flying cars. I'd never imagine 2009 as being a vehicular similar world as those days of daydreaming in 1989.
Somethings haven't changed at all. They remain the same.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Cold Showers
A week ago there was a bill taped to the door of my flat. Apparently, I hadn't paid my electricity bill in 4 months. You wouldn't believe how much 4 months of unpaid electricity is worth. Even if I told you it would sound like a joke. Seriously, Do you want to know?
The 4 months of unpaid electricity equated less than 50 Dollars. Yes. No joke people. It's hard for myself to believe it also.
I ran off to the bank and did a wire transfer to pay for the electric bill. At least thats what I thought happened when the button was pushed to send the funds. It turns out that the transfer is rejected if it isn't pain in exact. I decided to round up. Basically, the electric bill wasn't paid even though I thought it was paid.
Yesterday, I came home to a dark and quite flat. It was quiet and I was drunk. I took a quick cold... really cold shower and was in bed.
In the morning it's common ritual for me to shower before going to work. I dreaded the idea of a cold shower. It awakens you... or it awoke me before I even knew that drowsiness was still in effect.
Lesson: Pay the electric bill before you lose the electricity.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Going Home
Easter Sunday has come and gone and Spring is officially here in South Korea. It's warmer than some parts of the United States mainly Washington State & Alaska. I love Spring with life re-inserting itself on the Earth. I love the life it awakens in humanity. We swarm to parks and places we normally stray away from during the colder months. The warmth brings out the adventure in our souls. I feel awakened from my winters slumber.
This feeling of morning sun shining on me for the day to come prefaces my journey home in June. There is just a little over 7 weeks left before my contract with the Kindergarten is complete. It's exciting to accomplish another year of teaching. The bonus pay for completing the contract is also a great incentive to complete what I began 10 months earlier.
I've had my struggles working with my present employer. It isn't always easy for westerners to work in a Eastern cultural work environment. The lasting impression that I did leave is the children are important to me. This is probably not the reasons for their request for me to return but must have something to add to whatever problems the kindergarten faces at the moment.
Not to get to much into details about the Kindergarten's difficulty with hiring a replacement teacher, I will keep it simple. The present economic state of the world does not allow the present pay scale offered in Korea to be worth the hardships of work and transition unless... that is your goal and purpose in life. Travel and cultural experience is always a great reason for teaching in a foreign country.
The past 10 months have been an interesting experience for me. I haven't taught children this young before. It opened my world to a whole new experience. Kindergarten students are like the Muppet Babies. They literally live in a miniature world imagined right before their eyes. Your voice is sometimes a voice of a world entering their created world. It's exciting and fun with a little bit of adventure always around the bend.
The end of Spring will bring one chapter of life to an end. With the beginning of Summer so too a new chapter in the life of... B. Luis Grey. Until then the story builds up for what can be the perfect cliff hanger for a chapter to end.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
April
Sunday:
Went on a 25 Kilometer bike ride along the Han River in Seoul. Crossed two major bridges on bike. Went to the Korean National Assembly [government building] and headed home back along the river.Monday:
My arse hurts from sitting on a bike seat all day.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Life is Short
This Friday I learned that an anquentance of mine from the 1950's Western Bar passed from this life and is no longer with us. Motorcycle accident Monday night.
A moment of silence.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Hard Headed Retaliation
Things that irk you have a way of getting under your skin. Normally, the wise thing to do would be, let it roll off the back like a drop of water on the feathers of a mallard. It would be like stones thrown in the face of the agitator to act as if it really doesn't matter.
No, no, no, I have to buck the system just to show how agitating the situation makes me feel. I can't lay down and let what seems insensitive, in my eyes, go over without response.
At our kindergarten we are lucky enough to have two computers available in the teachers office. This allows us to get our work done without having teachers investing into a computer for work. It would be ideal for each teacher to get a computer/laptop provided by the school. However, the present situation doesn't allow for us to have personal computers for each teacher. This scenario leads to nine teachers sharing two computers.
The teachers in the office are nice and we all try to get along by sharing the time we have on the computers.
As an expat living in Korea we find that the best time to keep in contact with our families and friends back in North America happens to be the time we are in the office. When my office hours are done it's 1:00 A.M. back home in Washington.
When I'm on the computer... Facebook is surely to be opened and interacted with. Not necessarily Facebook itself but my friends and family back in North America and the world.
Now that the background has been laid... let me tell you the story that irks.
The teachers office is on the third floor. On the second floor is a set of two more computers on the front counter. The front counter also happens to have the newest and best operating computer in the building. It doesn't get used often because the owner of the kindergarten likes to sit in front of it using her Netbook. A Netbook is a small personal computer without a disk drive and used for special purposes much like a laptop but much smaller.
I use this super computer downstairs on the second floor as often as I can. It isn't being used by teachers working on school projects and it's fast. Why, the best computer is being used for nothing on the second floor is a question that begs to be answered in the first place. Getting past this complaint... I make use of it. I write any curriculum that needs to be written on it. I write worksheets on it. I make monthly schedules on it. I also do Facebook on it & on some occasions when the time allows a blog post or two.
Earlier in the week the director of the school asked me to not use the computer downstairs for Facebook or any personal use. I didn't like what she was telling me. That day I spent over an hour on Facebook after she asked me to not use the super computer for personal use. Bucking the system.
Today, I had a few minutes to sit down with the director concerning some random topics while the kids looked for books in our make shift library.
The director brought up the issue of the computer again. I gave a spew of reasons for what Facebook is and why it's used. It isn't like the only person using Facebook in our office is me. The biggest complaint being that it looked unprofessional at the front desk. The director then told me that it was the owners wife who sits in front of the computer complained about time being wasted. At least that's the way I interpreted the complaint.
Now, with all the background laid with all the frustration that it may create the complaint of me using the precious super computer for personal use seems superficial. The person complaining is the same person using a Netbook to serf the web and do her personal computer activities.
My reaction today: 4 Gig USB Drive...
I take my USB Drive and get all my files from the super computer. I say buy to the front desk secretary and tell her I won't be able to flirt with her any more. The director walks over to me who was standing near.
"I will never use this computer again."
I then walk upstairs with all my files.
My plan is to use my Macbook from now on. If I can't use the super computer for personal use and the computers in the teachers office are occupied then they can't tell me what to do on my own computer. I can sit on Facebook all day whenever I'm at my desk.
Grey bucking the system.
No, no, no, I have to buck the system just to show how agitating the situation makes me feel. I can't lay down and let what seems insensitive, in my eyes, go over without response.
At our kindergarten we are lucky enough to have two computers available in the teachers office. This allows us to get our work done without having teachers investing into a computer for work. It would be ideal for each teacher to get a computer/laptop provided by the school. However, the present situation doesn't allow for us to have personal computers for each teacher. This scenario leads to nine teachers sharing two computers.
The teachers in the office are nice and we all try to get along by sharing the time we have on the computers.
As an expat living in Korea we find that the best time to keep in contact with our families and friends back in North America happens to be the time we are in the office. When my office hours are done it's 1:00 A.M. back home in Washington.
When I'm on the computer... Facebook is surely to be opened and interacted with. Not necessarily Facebook itself but my friends and family back in North America and the world.
Now that the background has been laid... let me tell you the story that irks.
The teachers office is on the third floor. On the second floor is a set of two more computers on the front counter. The front counter also happens to have the newest and best operating computer in the building. It doesn't get used often because the owner of the kindergarten likes to sit in front of it using her Netbook. A Netbook is a small personal computer without a disk drive and used for special purposes much like a laptop but much smaller.
I use this super computer downstairs on the second floor as often as I can. It isn't being used by teachers working on school projects and it's fast. Why, the best computer is being used for nothing on the second floor is a question that begs to be answered in the first place. Getting past this complaint... I make use of it. I write any curriculum that needs to be written on it. I write worksheets on it. I make monthly schedules on it. I also do Facebook on it & on some occasions when the time allows a blog post or two.
Earlier in the week the director of the school asked me to not use the computer downstairs for Facebook or any personal use. I didn't like what she was telling me. That day I spent over an hour on Facebook after she asked me to not use the super computer for personal use. Bucking the system.
Today, I had a few minutes to sit down with the director concerning some random topics while the kids looked for books in our make shift library.
The director brought up the issue of the computer again. I gave a spew of reasons for what Facebook is and why it's used. It isn't like the only person using Facebook in our office is me. The biggest complaint being that it looked unprofessional at the front desk. The director then told me that it was the owners wife who sits in front of the computer complained about time being wasted. At least that's the way I interpreted the complaint.
Now, with all the background laid with all the frustration that it may create the complaint of me using the precious super computer for personal use seems superficial. The person complaining is the same person using a Netbook to serf the web and do her personal computer activities.
My reaction today: 4 Gig USB Drive...
I take my USB Drive and get all my files from the super computer. I say buy to the front desk secretary and tell her I won't be able to flirt with her any more. The director walks over to me who was standing near.
"I will never use this computer again."
I then walk upstairs with all my files.
My plan is to use my Macbook from now on. If I can't use the super computer for personal use and the computers in the teachers office are occupied then they can't tell me what to do on my own computer. I can sit on Facebook all day whenever I'm at my desk.
Grey bucking the system.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
North Korean Scare Tactics
About this time of year, every year, the North Korean Government initiates threats to the world and South Korea concerning their stance on war. They reiterate their military preparedness for war.
This time of year, every year for the past several years the R.O.K. [Republic of Korea/South Korea] Armed Forces and the U.S. Armed Forces come together for a joint operation. The purpose of the joint operation is the prepare for a possible war scenario and or to stay prepared for such an incident.
My friends back home have been leaving some interesting comments on my Facebook social network concerning possible war. Just today, my friend from Washington State wondered why I love South Korea in response to my status update [Loves Korea]. Here in Seoul, a hour away from the DMZ [demilitarized zone] life moves on as if the threat did not exist. Seoul, has lived with the threat of the North and the Pyong-yang government for half a century.
For all you lovely readers who may wonder about the peninsula of Korea. Be rest assured, until there are bullets flying in the streets of Seoul, only threats from a desperate and isolated government.
This time of year, every year for the past several years the R.O.K. [Republic of Korea/South Korea] Armed Forces and the U.S. Armed Forces come together for a joint operation. The purpose of the joint operation is the prepare for a possible war scenario and or to stay prepared for such an incident.
My friends back home have been leaving some interesting comments on my Facebook social network concerning possible war. Just today, my friend from Washington State wondered why I love South Korea in response to my status update [Loves Korea]. Here in Seoul, a hour away from the DMZ [demilitarized zone] life moves on as if the threat did not exist. Seoul, has lived with the threat of the North and the Pyong-yang government for half a century.
For all you lovely readers who may wonder about the peninsula of Korea. Be rest assured, until there are bullets flying in the streets of Seoul, only threats from a desperate and isolated government.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Skype
The other day, not to long into the previous week, I discovered Skype. It's an amazing tool that allows members to send messages. That's only the beginning. Skype also allows you to video conference with other members.
MSN Messenger is also capable of such things. The draw back about MSN is that it does not offer video conferencing for Mac users.
In the past, video conferencing has not been a priority. Mainly my lack of personal experience with web cams and video conferencing. This has all changed with the addition of Mac in my life. It has forced my adventureous spirit to try new softwares that have made my Mac experience enjoyable.
The biggest thing about Skype that hasn't been mentioned is the catch all benefits. Skype allows you to make calls to land lines and cell phones for a small nominal fee.
Technology is amazing.
MSN Messenger is also capable of such things. The draw back about MSN is that it does not offer video conferencing for Mac users.
In the past, video conferencing has not been a priority. Mainly my lack of personal experience with web cams and video conferencing. This has all changed with the addition of Mac in my life. It has forced my adventureous spirit to try new softwares that have made my Mac experience enjoyable.
The biggest thing about Skype that hasn't been mentioned is the catch all benefits. Skype allows you to make calls to land lines and cell phones for a small nominal fee.
Technology is amazing.
Friday, March 6, 2009
131. Yerg Siul B.
Can I ramble on for a minute... with the exception of making sense
till the publish post button is pushed, the words come out to say:
Here am... I
expressing thoughts to extinguish the sighs.
Sweep of my mental arms around wandering
thoughts that venture to collide like random
atoms. Nuclear. Membranes destroyed with
free radicals on the loose. Brain waves pulsating
the thoughts that could be the source of something
undiscovered, un-relocatable.
Unfathomable, the idea that pristine communication
is somewhere lost in the attempt. The construction
made in any other is a garnished meaning, all to
make less any thought lost in translation. The
situation is repetitious. Seriously, if it doesn't
infuriate it will definitely make a curator
of thoughts...
Welcome to the hall of random thoughts gathered
in the shelves of Yerg...
till the publish post button is pushed, the words come out to say:
Here am... I
expressing thoughts to extinguish the sighs.
Sweep of my mental arms around wandering
thoughts that venture to collide like random
atoms. Nuclear. Membranes destroyed with
free radicals on the loose. Brain waves pulsating
the thoughts that could be the source of something
undiscovered, un-relocatable.
Unfathomable, the idea that pristine communication
is somewhere lost in the attempt. The construction
made in any other is a garnished meaning, all to
make less any thought lost in translation. The
situation is repetitious. Seriously, if it doesn't
infuriate it will definitely make a curator
of thoughts...
Welcome to the hall of random thoughts gathered
in the shelves of Yerg...
Thursday, March 5, 2009
The Magic Three
Three Things
Copy and paste this into your own notes, change the answers and Tag at least 10 or more of your friends including the one that sent this to you...
THREE NAMES I GO BY
1. Grey
2. Drunkin Puma
3. Grand Master Grey of the Multiverse
THREE JOBS I HAVE HAD IN MY LIFE
1. Psychiatric Hospital
2. Sales
3. U.S. 2000 Cencus.
THREE PLACES I HAVE LIVED
1. Deerfield, IL
2. Ft. Bragg, NC
3. Conroe, TX
THREE TV SHOWS THAT I WATCH
1. Heroes
2. Lost
3. Law & Order
THREE PLACES I HAVE BEEN
1. Canada
2. Thailand
3. Korea
THREE PLACES I WANT TO GO
1. China
2. Amsterdam
3. Mus'ee d' Orsay, in Paris
THREE OF MY FAVORITE FOODS
1. Spaghetti
2. A juicy hamburger preferably made in the states... not one of these immitations in Korea.
3. Ssam-Gyup-SSal (grilled pork strips).
THREE PETS THAT YOU HAVE OWNED
1. puppy
2. kitten
3. fish
THREE FRIENDS WHO WILL REPLY
1. ?
2. ?
3. ?
THREE FAVORITE BANDS/ ARTISTS
1. MF Doom
2. Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals
3. The Flaming Lips (More recent favorite)
THREE FAVORITE TEAMS TO WATCH
1. Cubs
2. U.S. National FIFA Team
3. DooSan Bears (Korean Baseball Team)
THREE FAVORITE DRINKS
1. Darjeerling Tea
2. Grande Americano
3. Gin w/Apple Juice
Copy and paste this into your own notes, change the answers and Tag at least 10 or more of your friends including the one that sent this to you...
THREE NAMES I GO BY
1. Grey
2. Drunkin Puma
3. Grand Master Grey of the Multiverse
THREE JOBS I HAVE HAD IN MY LIFE
1. Psychiatric Hospital
2. Sales
3. U.S. 2000 Cencus.
THREE PLACES I HAVE LIVED
1. Deerfield, IL
2. Ft. Bragg, NC
3. Conroe, TX
THREE TV SHOWS THAT I WATCH
1. Heroes
2. Lost
3. Law & Order
THREE PLACES I HAVE BEEN
1. Canada
2. Thailand
3. Korea
THREE PLACES I WANT TO GO
1. China
2. Amsterdam
3. Mus'ee d' Orsay, in Paris
THREE OF MY FAVORITE FOODS
1. Spaghetti
2. A juicy hamburger preferably made in the states... not one of these immitations in Korea.
3. Ssam-Gyup-SSal (grilled pork strips).
THREE PETS THAT YOU HAVE OWNED
1. puppy
2. kitten
3. fish
THREE FRIENDS WHO WILL REPLY
1. ?
2. ?
3. ?
THREE FAVORITE BANDS/ ARTISTS
1. MF Doom
2. Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals
3. The Flaming Lips (More recent favorite)
THREE FAVORITE TEAMS TO WATCH
1. Cubs
2. U.S. National FIFA Team
3. DooSan Bears (Korean Baseball Team)
THREE FAVORITE DRINKS
1. Darjeerling Tea
2. Grande Americano
3. Gin w/Apple Juice
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
American Politics and my 2 sents
This is a thread of conversation that occurred on Facebook concerning the following article.
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-goldberg3-2009mar03,0,1748845.column
J.L.: The conservative commentator said he hopes Barack Obama fails. But what's so radical about disagreeing with an agenda he doesn't believe in?
Grey: I never wished failure upon our former president. Wishing failure upon Obama sounds just about anti-American as it can get. It's wishing that America fails. Who can agree to that and still consider themselves American?
K.L.: I like that article Josh! I agree AND consider myself very patriotic! What do you know?
J.L.: That's just the point .. nobody is wishing failure upon the country, only on an agenda with which they disagree. It's not a personal attack and I fail to see what's so preposterous about that... besides, it's nice to see that at least SOMEONE is getting job security out of this...
Grey: Not liking a party's agenda is one thing but wishing failure is overstepping that line. Imagine the consequences for America as a whole if Obama's agenda were to fail. Are you so opposed to success because failure is better than success? Moderates really want to know and this libertarian is inquiring.
J.L.: Hey...
What he said to clarify his remark - and yes, I feel he sometimes steps over the line, but you have to take him with a grain of salt because he stirs the pot as well as anyone - made perfect sense to me. He doesn't want the President to succeed IF these programs (particularly those involving runaway domestic spending by the federal government which as a libertarian you would surely understand) are how success is defined. The point being, he is of the opinion that if Obama's agenda succeeds, the problems this country faces will get worse. I don't condone wishing personal failure upon the President, but I don't think that's really what he was getting at.
The other reason I posted the editorial is because I thought it got the point across well that there is a media fascination with the remarks that really amounts to a whole lot of nothing. Keep in mind that Rush Limbaugh has been hosting talk radio for about two decades and probably about 5 years ago went through a very embarrassing public scandal involving prescription drugs. The fact that the White House chose to make him an issue instead of ignoring him, in my opinion, was unwise...
Grey: Still sounds like what I said earlier with a whole lot of sugar coating. I still don't see how failure equates something better than Obama's success.
My stance as a Libertarian is that the Federal Government has too much control. It doesn't matter which of the two parties are in control they take to much liberties upon themselves to speak for the entire nation. Sure, Democrats and their social reform may seem to be far from what a libertarian would want for our nation. On the flip side of the coin, so is the ridiculous auto bailout of our former president. To much of our money spent on programs that the government shouldn't meddle in.
I've got mixed feelings about social welfare and the sort. I believe there is a need but I don't stand for mandates by the government enforcing it. I believe that it's the responsibility of the people and religious or social organizations to carry the load.
* * *
Don't wish failure on America. If you want to wish anything upon America, wish that we make the right decisions for the greatest good of the people... the people. Not government, corporations or the World Bank... the greatest good for the people.
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-goldberg3-2009mar03,0,1748845.column
J.L.: The conservative commentator said he hopes Barack Obama fails. But what's so radical about disagreeing with an agenda he doesn't believe in?
Grey: I never wished failure upon our former president. Wishing failure upon Obama sounds just about anti-American as it can get. It's wishing that America fails. Who can agree to that and still consider themselves American?
K.L.: I like that article Josh! I agree AND consider myself very patriotic! What do you know?
J.L.: That's just the point .. nobody is wishing failure upon the country, only on an agenda with which they disagree. It's not a personal attack and I fail to see what's so preposterous about that... besides, it's nice to see that at least SOMEONE is getting job security out of this...
Grey: Not liking a party's agenda is one thing but wishing failure is overstepping that line. Imagine the consequences for America as a whole if Obama's agenda were to fail. Are you so opposed to success because failure is better than success? Moderates really want to know and this libertarian is inquiring.
J.L.: Hey...
What he said to clarify his remark - and yes, I feel he sometimes steps over the line, but you have to take him with a grain of salt because he stirs the pot as well as anyone - made perfect sense to me. He doesn't want the President to succeed IF these programs (particularly those involving runaway domestic spending by the federal government which as a libertarian you would surely understand) are how success is defined. The point being, he is of the opinion that if Obama's agenda succeeds, the problems this country faces will get worse. I don't condone wishing personal failure upon the President, but I don't think that's really what he was getting at.
The other reason I posted the editorial is because I thought it got the point across well that there is a media fascination with the remarks that really amounts to a whole lot of nothing. Keep in mind that Rush Limbaugh has been hosting talk radio for about two decades and probably about 5 years ago went through a very embarrassing public scandal involving prescription drugs. The fact that the White House chose to make him an issue instead of ignoring him, in my opinion, was unwise...
Grey: Still sounds like what I said earlier with a whole lot of sugar coating. I still don't see how failure equates something better than Obama's success.
My stance as a Libertarian is that the Federal Government has too much control. It doesn't matter which of the two parties are in control they take to much liberties upon themselves to speak for the entire nation. Sure, Democrats and their social reform may seem to be far from what a libertarian would want for our nation. On the flip side of the coin, so is the ridiculous auto bailout of our former president. To much of our money spent on programs that the government shouldn't meddle in.
I've got mixed feelings about social welfare and the sort. I believe there is a need but I don't stand for mandates by the government enforcing it. I believe that it's the responsibility of the people and religious or social organizations to carry the load.
* * *
Don't wish failure on America. If you want to wish anything upon America, wish that we make the right decisions for the greatest good of the people... the people. Not government, corporations or the World Bank... the greatest good for the people.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Spring is here... Korea.
It is with my great apologies that this post comes to you. It has been ages since the last time the will to express made it's presence come forth in action.
The cherry blossoms are beginning here in Korea. With a few more nights of the moon over our heads Korea will be covered with pollen. Life will emerge from the Earth once again. Spring is just about here.
I have a question for you suave tech folks out in the Multiweb. What sort of operating system do you use for you computer?
A. Microsoft Windows
B. Apple OSX
C. Linux
D. Other
The reason that this question stirs my curiosity is directly related to my new purchase. Recently, I bought a new notebook (laptop). I decided to purchase an Apple MacBook. It runs on Apples' OSX. It's taking some time to get familiar with. This I say with the greatest satisfaction with my purchase. I love my new MacBook.
Back in the days of University, an era ago, I worked in the computer labs of campus. We had one lab that only had Mac's. I swore back then that it would be out of the question to purchase one. Look at me now, typing away it and enjoying the sleek design with it's user friendly operating system.
Most of my life, it's been the IBM formated computers operating under the MSN Windows software. People have said that it's a terrible system that so happens to have the market cornered in many aspects of the Multiweb world.
Anyway... sorry everybody for my long absence and I look forward to seeing your answers.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Winter in Korea
It's cold again here in Korea. The temperature barely breaks freezing point. It's been below zero for the majority of the week. It sucks.
A few more weeks and maybe the real groundhog will make it's presence felt with the beginning of Spring. I want to see the sprouting of new life. The green emerging from the dead. The colors of the cherry blossoms.
A few hundred years ago society was in a much different world. We all know and take so much of it for granted. Anthropologically speaking... we as humans are not made for 12 months of work. The early humans migrated with the animals. Eventually, early society learned to farm the land. Farming is not a year long occupation.
Animals have a cycle through the year and in some ways the human species should learn from our closest example of a bio-rhythm. Creation or the Earth as we know it... okay on this side or the Southern side of the hemisphere there is most definitely a cycle of rebirth... life and the eventual death. The seasons capture this so well and every Spring we are blessed with the reincarnation of that life again.
Where was my hibernation? Capitalism has stripped us of our natural human cycle and has made us slaves of the corporate machine. AH!
You can't live without it and you hate it when it crushes the joy of life into a compressed can of properly timed enjoyment.
On another note. The weekend previous to this the guys and I went out to the slopes to snowboard. It was definitely one of those canned enjoyments. Wish I could do it all winter without being burdened with work.
A few more weeks and maybe the real groundhog will make it's presence felt with the beginning of Spring. I want to see the sprouting of new life. The green emerging from the dead. The colors of the cherry blossoms.
A few hundred years ago society was in a much different world. We all know and take so much of it for granted. Anthropologically speaking... we as humans are not made for 12 months of work. The early humans migrated with the animals. Eventually, early society learned to farm the land. Farming is not a year long occupation.
Animals have a cycle through the year and in some ways the human species should learn from our closest example of a bio-rhythm. Creation or the Earth as we know it... okay on this side or the Southern side of the hemisphere there is most definitely a cycle of rebirth... life and the eventual death. The seasons capture this so well and every Spring we are blessed with the reincarnation of that life again.
Where was my hibernation? Capitalism has stripped us of our natural human cycle and has made us slaves of the corporate machine. AH!
You can't live without it and you hate it when it crushes the joy of life into a compressed can of properly timed enjoyment.
On another note. The weekend previous to this the guys and I went out to the slopes to snowboard. It was definitely one of those canned enjoyments. Wish I could do it all winter without being burdened with work.
Monday, February 9, 2009
heelz - andre nickatina
What does your iPod say about your personality?
RULES:
1. Put your iTunes or iPod on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. Answer all the questions in the comment box.
IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY?
God loves ugly - atmosphere
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
my opinion - mac mall
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
dogs and cats - andre nickatina
HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
ain't no price on happiness - MF DOOM/metal samples
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
forgiven - ben harper
WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO?
i shot the sheriff - bob marley & the wailers
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
is it any wonder? keane
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
genuine - adam oestmann
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
baggage handlers - busta rhymes + raekwon
WHAT IS 2 + 2?
baking soda in minnesota - andre nickatina
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
never dead - MF DOOM
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
play god - travis elliott
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
tale of two cities - the brakes
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
kingston - sean kingston
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
open mic nite 2 - MF DOOM
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
what is he thinking - the streets
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
elders bizzare - paperface
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
the garden - cut chemist
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
ebbtide - dj babu
WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
crying like a church on monday - new radicals
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
schizophreniac - earthsuit
WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
heelz - andre nickatina
RULES:
1. Put your iTunes or iPod on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. Answer all the questions in the comment box.
IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY?
God loves ugly - atmosphere
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
my opinion - mac mall
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
dogs and cats - andre nickatina
HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
ain't no price on happiness - MF DOOM/metal samples
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
forgiven - ben harper
WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO?
i shot the sheriff - bob marley & the wailers
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
is it any wonder? keane
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
genuine - adam oestmann
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
baggage handlers - busta rhymes + raekwon
WHAT IS 2 + 2?
baking soda in minnesota - andre nickatina
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
never dead - MF DOOM
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
play god - travis elliott
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
tale of two cities - the brakes
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
kingston - sean kingston
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
open mic nite 2 - MF DOOM
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
what is he thinking - the streets
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
elders bizzare - paperface
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
the garden - cut chemist
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
ebbtide - dj babu
WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
crying like a church on monday - new radicals
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
schizophreniac - earthsuit
WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
heelz - andre nickatina
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Mr. Mafioso
The sudden weather change in Korea has people getting sick with a day cold. It hit me Thursday which was handled with medicine and an early nights rest. An early nights rest ended up being at 11 p.m. The cold or the body aching had subsided but my throat was sore.
On Friday I kept a scarf wrapped around my neck. It was not going to allow the cold to strip me of my night out. By the end of the night my voice was gone. It sounded like the old mafia movies. I was digging it. In my minds eye the voice was seductive to the ladies.
I ended up crashing at my buddies pad that night. We woke up about noon and ordered some McDonald burgers before I took off to meet Gib.
Gib decided to invest into an iPod Touch which is the coolest little gadget since laptops and pocket size organizers. In some ways it's a combination of a pocket organizer/laptop/mp3 player and anything else that you could even begin to imagine. Okay, maybe not a space ship or an underwater diving device but I'm almost positive you can play those games on it.
While Gib was shopping for an iPod I was searching for a new set of headphones. The previous headphone saw it's last use yesterday. It put in a good year or so worth of music to my ears and I'm grateful for that. However, the new Panasonic headphones I purchased is great.
Today, I speak with a whispery mafioso voice. It will not stop me from going out tonight.
You know what I mean?... Forget about it.
On Friday I kept a scarf wrapped around my neck. It was not going to allow the cold to strip me of my night out. By the end of the night my voice was gone. It sounded like the old mafia movies. I was digging it. In my minds eye the voice was seductive to the ladies.
I ended up crashing at my buddies pad that night. We woke up about noon and ordered some McDonald burgers before I took off to meet Gib.
Gib decided to invest into an iPod Touch which is the coolest little gadget since laptops and pocket size organizers. In some ways it's a combination of a pocket organizer/laptop/mp3 player and anything else that you could even begin to imagine. Okay, maybe not a space ship or an underwater diving device but I'm almost positive you can play those games on it.
While Gib was shopping for an iPod I was searching for a new set of headphones. The previous headphone saw it's last use yesterday. It put in a good year or so worth of music to my ears and I'm grateful for that. However, the new Panasonic headphones I purchased is great.
Today, I speak with a whispery mafioso voice. It will not stop me from going out tonight.
You know what I mean?... Forget about it.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Random 25
A Facebook Trend. Decided to post it here on grey image.
1. McDonald's in Korea has delivery. It's not particularly good but the closest thing I can get to a good burger at home.
2. Driven across the continental United States. The trip followed this route...
Chicago - Boone N.C.
Boone N.C. - Ft. Worth Texas
Ft. Worth Texas - San Antonio TX
San Antonio - Dallas TX
Dallas TX - LA California.
LA California - Tacoma Washington
3. Lost my sanity before.
4. Enjoy reading philosophy books.
5. Not good at keeping in touch with my family even though they are missed so much.
6. Realize that people know more random things about me than I know about myself.
7. Favorite number: 18
8. Favorite color: Grey
9. Have issues with commitment, mostly relational, involving the opposite gender.
10. Am working on a Novella on and off.
11. Don't particularly like exclusive language that may marginalize anybody I know.
12. Think: religion can be the most damaging thing to society.
13. Belief: religion has done more good for more people than it has done bad.
14. Believe in the arguments for an Intelligent Designer.
15. The intelligent designer to me is the Ultimate Designer.
16. The Ultimate Designer is the name I call God.
17. Was in a lower grade than my younger sister in High school. Attendance issues.
18. Was involved with an Asian street gang in my youth/teens.
19. Attended Trinity International University in Northern Chicago.
20. Affirmation is the basis for social growth.
21. I have hope for society and the human population as a whole.
22. Love Guy Richie films.
23. Hardly ever get bored.
24. Looking forward to purchasing an Apple Notebook/Laptop this year.
25. I have a blog and am a consistent blogger.
1. McDonald's in Korea has delivery. It's not particularly good but the closest thing I can get to a good burger at home.
2. Driven across the continental United States. The trip followed this route...
Chicago - Boone N.C.
Boone N.C. - Ft. Worth Texas
Ft. Worth Texas - San Antonio TX
San Antonio - Dallas TX
Dallas TX - LA California.
LA California - Tacoma Washington
3. Lost my sanity before.
4. Enjoy reading philosophy books.
5. Not good at keeping in touch with my family even though they are missed so much.
6. Realize that people know more random things about me than I know about myself.
7. Favorite number: 18
8. Favorite color: Grey
9. Have issues with commitment, mostly relational, involving the opposite gender.
10. Am working on a Novella on and off.
11. Don't particularly like exclusive language that may marginalize anybody I know.
12. Think: religion can be the most damaging thing to society.
13. Belief: religion has done more good for more people than it has done bad.
14. Believe in the arguments for an Intelligent Designer.
15. The intelligent designer to me is the Ultimate Designer.
16. The Ultimate Designer is the name I call God.
17. Was in a lower grade than my younger sister in High school. Attendance issues.
18. Was involved with an Asian street gang in my youth/teens.
19. Attended Trinity International University in Northern Chicago.
20. Affirmation is the basis for social growth.
21. I have hope for society and the human population as a whole.
22. Love Guy Richie films.
23. Hardly ever get bored.
24. Looking forward to purchasing an Apple Notebook/Laptop this year.
25. I have a blog and am a consistent blogger.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The Meaning of Groundhogs Day
The year was 2003, February 1st. It was the last time that Grey talked to her before engaging her 15 months later with a journal of writings. It wasn't by choice that their relationship ended abruptly eventually fading into a distant memory. The first three years after that day were the darkest years of his life. There were a million questions about everything and there were no answers that satisfied him. The world appeared to be conspiring to bring failure to his life.
K.C. had her reasons for disengaging in social interactions with Grey. The insidious part of their social separation is that Grey didn't have a clue to the question of why. There were no explanations and the relationship ended.
The three Groundhogs Day that followed were a reminder of a previous life without closure. A song of sorrowful blues rang continually in the heart of Grey. The somber life that unfolded was impossible to hide with illusions of smiles. Any happiness Grey sought out to fill the hole left by K.C. was an attempt to cure a critical condition with a band-aid.
Depression is a funny thing. It isn't just chemical not that body chemistry doesn't have a significant part in depression. The thing that we fail to take into consideration is that it isn't just any of one thing or explanation. It isn't just cognitive thought. It isn't just pre-social conditions. It isn't just chemistry. It isn't just lifestyle. It isn't just genetic disposition. The point being that all the mentioned above are part of the reasons for Grey's demise.
K.C. is not to blame. K.C. was the pinpoint expression of a more serious condition that surrounded Grey's world. The focus point of a cosmos gone haywire gravitating to a milieu by the name of K.C.
It has been six years since that cold day in February. It is significant to point out that in no way would Grey trade any of those dark days through the valley of demise. The sun shines again pouring down kisses of exquisite rays of ecstasy for life. It's in death that we realize the power of life. Today, Grey is more alive than he's ever been since the valley of demise.
The biggest change propelling Grey into a life fully owned with no remorse is the environment change. Grey literally had to transplant himself from his comfortable social environment and begin again. This took the form or an actual exodus from the land of America to the a small country in Asia. The soul of Asia, Korea.
K.C. had her reasons for disengaging in social interactions with Grey. The insidious part of their social separation is that Grey didn't have a clue to the question of why. There were no explanations and the relationship ended.
The three Groundhogs Day that followed were a reminder of a previous life without closure. A song of sorrowful blues rang continually in the heart of Grey. The somber life that unfolded was impossible to hide with illusions of smiles. Any happiness Grey sought out to fill the hole left by K.C. was an attempt to cure a critical condition with a band-aid.
Depression is a funny thing. It isn't just chemical not that body chemistry doesn't have a significant part in depression. The thing that we fail to take into consideration is that it isn't just any of one thing or explanation. It isn't just cognitive thought. It isn't just pre-social conditions. It isn't just chemistry. It isn't just lifestyle. It isn't just genetic disposition. The point being that all the mentioned above are part of the reasons for Grey's demise.
K.C. is not to blame. K.C. was the pinpoint expression of a more serious condition that surrounded Grey's world. The focus point of a cosmos gone haywire gravitating to a milieu by the name of K.C.
It has been six years since that cold day in February. It is significant to point out that in no way would Grey trade any of those dark days through the valley of demise. The sun shines again pouring down kisses of exquisite rays of ecstasy for life. It's in death that we realize the power of life. Today, Grey is more alive than he's ever been since the valley of demise.
The biggest change propelling Grey into a life fully owned with no remorse is the environment change. Grey literally had to transplant himself from his comfortable social environment and begin again. This took the form or an actual exodus from the land of America to the a small country in Asia. The soul of Asia, Korea.
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