Don's NEW Adventures through Korea

An Online Diary of thoughts, observations, and general wit compressed into video form for your enjoyment.

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

A Ship in the Middle of Town (As told by Don Kim)

Well...there really isn't a story to this. Its a ship. In my town. Like the captain was steering toward port and took a wrong turn and ended up between an apartment complex. Korea really is silly.

I tried this audioblogger out (www.audioblogger.com). Besides being the stupidest thing I've said on the Internet, its pretty convienent. I promise more content later but for now, its a simple letter to my friends.

The picture below is another shot of my town in the morning. Imagine that scene while listening to my post (it'll help the awkwardness and stupidity pass).

Party on kids!


this is an audio post - click to play

Monday, March 13, 2006

I'm turning fourteen, I think I'm turning fourteen (I really think so)

Yout is gift wasted on the young...

Now, I know what you're thinking. I'm 22 years old. I'm no where near my prime. But I find myself in envy of the kids sometimes. What do they have to worry about? Bullies, puberty, a lack of candy? Who knows. All I know is that my life got a little too complicated around the time I started doing adult things like drinking and ... well you know...*whistle* moving on.

So this month and next, I've dedicated myself to rejuvenating the child-like spirit. I realized that when I was in the job hunt, I wasn't worried about my future career, I was upset that I had to leave the kid stuff behind. So my plan is to slowly but surely turn back time. I make enough money to support this kooky idea. So take out your pens because here it is:


1. ) I started playing darts on a Saturday night at a bar. Now, I know you're asking, "Don, that's a grown up activity." Well, guess again. First off, its digital darts. The dartboard is in Japanese and I swear if put in an extra fifty cents, the machine will do your math homework. But, grown men playing a video game at a bar where there are lots of girls around is definitely kids stuff.

2.) I leave a vat of ice cream in my freezer. Not to binge on but so when I wake up in the morning, I can grab a spoon and take a bite. So when my kids ask me what I had for breakfast, I say "ice cream" and then laugh. Their jealousy and envy makes the day go by faster.

3.) Along the lines making children jealous, when Angelo and I are on a subway, we'll speak loudly in English until a child sees us. Then when we have his/her attention, we give each other a big high five, like its the greatest thing in the world. Kid get jealous and our mission is complete.

4.) I bought a new laptop last Sunday. So what do I do with it? Download hoards of porn? Chat with hot babes all day long? Nope. I install my favorite Korean video game: Kart Rider (A Mario-Kart knockoff which I'll discuss later) and challenge my students to races online. And when I win, I make sure to throw in a witty comment like "hah, is that the best you got?" or "man, this is too easy!" or my favorite "in your FACE!"

So after writing this I realized that most of my newfound childhood is spend making fun of children or lowering their self-esteem. I suppose as a teacher, I should probably stop.

(too bad its way too fun.)

*Some facts of this article were fabricated for the sake of humor. But I don't regret writing any of it. Oh, and the title is a reference to The Vapors hit "Turning Japanese"...its a reach but I had to use it. Have a great day!*

Friday, March 03, 2006

The Seoul Session (A "Seoul" pun story)...but not really

Greetings from the land of the morning calm. But first a disclaimer:

I have been in Korea for three months now. I feel as though I've become more worldly and connected with myself on a new level. However, I believe that my writing ablilty has been shot to hell...I will not accept any corrections and I will fly to wherever you are and punch you square in the face.

So you think you know me, you have no idea...

Well actually, you probably do. I have a need for simple things. Food, Beer, and Sleep. But on Saturday, I got a fill of what I've been craving for a long long time...live music.

A band in Seoul called the Penetrators rocked my world. Sure, in all fairness to world music, they could be brushed off into cover band obscurity. But here in Korea, they are a diamond in the rough, a needle in a haystack, um...a Chipotle burrito in a pile of Kimchi.


And after a good rock show filled with such covers as Blur's Song No.2 and a rousing scream-filled rendition of We're Not Gonna Take It, you should come here...to Jackie's Kitchen (Please hold your laughter).
Now granted, Jackie Chan is the biggest Chinese star in the world but that doesn't stop him from invading Korea, one egg roll at a time.

So with a bit of Jackie and a hint of Twisted Sister, life in Korea is truly a "Seoul"-soothing experience...I hate myself for writing this entry already.

I end this entry with this shot: Angelo next to military academy cadets. I'm not sure why, but it just seemed appropriate.


Go Korea.

For more on the Penetrators and Jackie's Kitchen check out:
www.seoulpenetrators.com
http://www.jackieskitchenusa.com/main.html