Freedom isn’t free as they say.  But here in Korea it’s loud as hell.  Yes, once again it is election season and trucks like the one above are ubiquitous throughout this fair land.  Apparently, the only thing better than a strong campaign speech is one amplified at ear splitting volume.

The other morning some woman was yelling the virtues of her candidate into a microphone downstairs from my apartment.  It seems the configuration of these buildings in this complex creates the affect of an amphitheater.    Which is to say the sound reverberated through the walls.  From 0730 until 0800.  I know, because even with my head under the pillow I could not escape her piercing screech.  All I could do was watch the clock and pray for salvation.

Of course, I don’t have voting privileges here, but I can’t imagine being awakened from slumber would make anyone more likely to vote for the offending candidate.  Then again, I suppose all the worthy hard working Koreans are already up and about their business by 7:30.  And who gives a damn about some lazy miguk who wants to sleep in?

A far less offensive campaign technique are the folks who stand about smiling and proudly displaying the number of their preferred candidate.

See, as I understand it each candidate is assigned a number and come election day, you vote the number, not the name.  Which makes sense seeing as how in any given election you are likely to have multiple Kim’s, Lee’s, and Choe’s seeking office.

So, the political parties run from the conservatives (who currently control the National Assembly) to the extreme far left who are basically in league with the Commie counterparts up North.  From what I can tell, the conservatives would be slightly left-leaning moderates by U.S. standards.

I really don’t follow politics that closely here though.  I mean, Korea is my escape from the madness of the political shipwreck that is the U.S.A.  But as best I can fathom, the liberal parties want to unseat the conservatives so they can void the recently signed Free Trade Agreement, kick the U.S. troops out of Korea, and basically capitulate to North Korea.  Or something like that.

So as you can see election time is pretty serious business here.  Election day is a national holiday, which I think is an excellent idea that we’d do well to replicate in the states.

But I will be glad when it’s all over and I can once again be awakened by the loudspeakers of the fruit and vegetable vendors.

Comments (2) | Permalink

…and it appears that my impending death, while nearer, is not as yet imminent.  Which is to say that given my age and lifestyle, I’m not doing all that bad.

The best news is that I apparently have the prostrate of a 20 year old.  The not so good news is some blockage (30%) in one of the heart arteries, fatty liver disease, and some lung damage from my years as a smoker.  But, no cancer or anything that’s gonna kill me quick.

Doctor Yoo invited me to join the team.  As he put it, medicine only goes so far and the rest is up to me.  Apparently, he’s serious about me losing some weight and he thinks it’s time I got serious about it too.

I see a treadmill in my future.  Actually, I see a treadmill right behind me.  Now I need to see it in motion.

Comments (3) | Permalink

Love the hubcaps!

Just back from a weekend excursion to Songtan with the Scheepstra’s and Werner’s.  Played in a tourney at Xenis Bar and it was two and done for me, although Chris and Lonnie did moderately better.

The women-folk shopped and I sat on a bench and people watched.  The Songtan shopping district is right outside the gates of Osan Air Force Base.  Unlike Itaewon, the majority of folks I saw were military related, with a dash of Filipino workers and a handful of Koreans mixed in.

I did order a custom made Gore-Tex jacket for a hundred bucks, even though I probably won’t have occasion to wear it until next winter.

Had some authentic Mexican food (they had a banner out front advertising genuine real-live Mexican cooks) this morning and it was quite good.

Took the subway all the way down, although I guess since we were above ground for a third of the trip it wasn’t technically a subway.  Two hours portal-to-portal.  Took the bus/subway combo coming back and made it in an hour forty-five.  The bus looked nothing like the one pictured above however.

Got home, took a nap, and now I’ve posted a long overdue update here at LTG.

And so it goes.

Comments (2) | Permalink

The classic Dolce Vita jersey.  Now retired.  Which is to say, it’s not a New Jersey.  Ahem.

So, Tuesday and Wednesday are my down time.  No darts, no subway rides.  Mostly just surf the ‘net, play Civilization and Hearts, nap, rinse and repeat.  Well, I did drag my sorry ass out to the grocery store this evening, so there’s that.

Saturday we’ll be heading down to Songtan.  A friend wants to do some shopping, and I could do for a change of scenery.  The plan at this point will be to rent a room and stay the night.  Find a new place for dinner and some new bars.  For darts, of course.

Oh, I’ve got to share this.  It’s the perfect picture of the post-racial America that Obama promised to usher in:

And that’s about all I’ve got to say about that.  For now.

Comments (0) | Permalink

Lunch in Myeong-dong with the Randolph’s.

Darts at Dolce Vita where Ride it In defeated our arch rivals the Arrows from Phillies 14-11.

Jee Yeun left in tears which is another story for another day.

Comments (0) | Permalink

Well, another weekend is just about in the books.  Y’all know the drill by now.  Darts at DV, darts at Phillies, and some Korean-style eating in between.

There may be some trouble brewing at the bar that has me more than a little disconcerted.  Even messed with my sleep last night.  I’m going to see how it plays at over the next few days before deciding what to do.

We shall see what we shall see.  Off to Dillinger’s for a dart league meeting tonight.  More to come, stay tuned!

Comments (3) | Permalink

I always thought that would be a great title for an autobiography.  It’s probably been used before.  I can’t remember the last time I had an original thought.  Actually, I do.  But that was a pun so it probably doesn’t count.

After more than 56 years of hard (meaning soft) living, I’m sure my body has paid the price.  How much, I don’t as yet know.

Nothing significant to report from today’s version of being poked, prodded, and probed.  Had some different tests than last time, but I’ll have to wait for next week’s appointment with Dr. Yu to get the full results.

I was a little disconcerted that my blood pressure was so high, it’s usually borderline (135/90) but today it was 156.  Also, they have this machine that takes a picture of your heart in 3D that they wanted to use on me.  Apparently, your heart needs to slow down to like 70 or something (keep in mind, I know nothing about it other than what I was discerning from some very rudimentary English).  They gave me a little pink pill, but apparently my heart rate was still too high, so I sat there for an hour and the gave me another pink pill.  They did the test, so I guess I’m golden.

In an MRI-like machine it freaked me out when a male voice with an English accent said distinctly: “take a large breath and hold it in.”  Followed by “now let it all out”.  After the test, I asked the technician about it but he didn’t understand a word I said.  I heard the same voice again in the 3D heart machine, so it was in fact recorded as I had surmised.

The last test of the day involved the prostrate.  A pretty nurse told me something about a probe and my anus.  It wasn’t the pretty nurse who inserted said probe but rather some male Korean technician.  He was none to gentle nor generous with the lubricant.  And while he was probing around in there his cell phone rang.  And he answered it!  I felt so cheap and humiliated.

Ah well, it’s all over now except for the crying.  Which I hope I won’t have to do after getting my results.

Comments (0) | Permalink

Well, the medical techs at Soonchunwhang University Hospital anyway.  Just like last time.

Comments (0) | Permalink

So, I’m on my way to the Army base with Jee Yeun today to take care of a little business.  My friend Corine had graciously agreed to meet me at the Ichon gate and sign us in.   So, we are about half way there on the number 6 subway line and Jee Yeun asks “did you bring the passports?”.  Um, no I didn’t.  (To gain access two forms of ID are required, one documenting citizenship.  So, it takes a passport and a driver’s license.)  Even worse, Corine had already left the office to meet us.  It was a damn inconvenient brain fart all the way around.

We got off at Namdaemun where Jee Yeun purchased a few items and then we returned home.  And so it goes.

Comments (1) | Permalink

Is that a great picture of Seoul or what?

Almost as great were my darts at the Bless U tourney last night.  That’s two first place finishes in two days.  One thing I have noticed is having an excellent partner seems to make a big difference.

My game is getting better though.  Not what it once was yet.  But I’m getting there.

Comments (0) | Permalink

…but it’s always pretty nice!

Had the pleasure of splitting the W200,000 purse with my partner Gunwoo from the Beer Box tourney yesterday.

Woo Hoo!

Comments (0) | Permalink

Dolce Vita Pub of course.  Friday night darts.  1st place finish in the Prime Time tourney.  And I hit the draw for out for a sweet W40,000 payout.

Followed by samgyapsal and galbi at Don Valley.

That’s the way I like it.

Comments (0) | Permalink

Well, not the Army Birthday Ball.  But still having a good time with my dart buddies in Itaewon.  An impromptu tourney broke out at Sam Ryan’s last night and some pretty intense games ensued.

Back out for my chuckin’ and chuggin’ at Dolce Vita tonight!

Comments (0) | Permalink

Nothing to see here and nothing much to say.  Dinner in Myeong-dong Tuesday and I’ll venture out to Itaewon to chuck some darts later tonight.  And that’s about all there is to it.

Well, some Moroccan guy got busted for stealing I-phones from bar patrons in several locations.  I don’t imagine he’ll lose his hands over it, but rumor is he is here illegally so it will be back to the 13th century for him I suppose.

What else?  Planning a road trip in a couple of weeks.  Probably to the West Coast.  More on that as it happens.

Stay tuned.

Comments (0) | Permalink

…and a different spelling.

I’ve lost my voice.  No smartass, it’s not obvious from the quality of my posts here lately.  I mean I can’t talk.  Well, I can sorta squawk and croak.  Bridget Werner from the dart team calls it “a creepy old man voice” in a “hey kids, wanna come to the basement for a Popsicle” kinda way.

It’s mostly just a pain in the ass (and throat) and mildly distressing.  I mean, it’s been over 3 weeks now.  I checked the internets and apparently it is not that unusual for laryngitis to take several weeks to heal.  So, I guess I’ve just got to tough it out and ride this hoarse till it drops…

Comments (2) | Permalink

Well, maybe not the Empire State Building.  But the Ride it In dart team took a big victory tonight against the Pins from the Loft Pub.  I didn’t throw many marks but still managed a 7-2 showing on the night.  So, I’ll sleep happily tonight even if I’m not a true superman…

Comments (0) | Permalink

Part of the old fortifications that run across the crest of Namsan in Seoul.

If days were bricks in the wall of life, all in all yesterday was solid if unspectacular.  Practice with my dart teammates at Dolce Vita, then me and the gal had a quick bite to eat (bimbibap and bulgogi) before catching the subway home.

And just so you won’t feel this post was a total waste of your time, here’s a link to the classic music video of Pink Floyd performing the title of this post.

Comments (0) | Permalink

This is part of the Korean War Museum.

Coincidentally, darts were flying last night in a tough battle not far from here at Phillies Pub in Haebangchon.  Although I went down in defeat relatively earlier in the fight, there were some great moments throughout the tourney.  Afterwards, six of us bussed over to Myeong-dong for some delicious budaejigae.

A fine time indeed.

Comments (0) | Permalink

Well, the 8th U.S. Army band was not there, but I had a rockin’ good time last night anyway.  Played well enough to win the early bird tourney at Dolce Vita.  Later enjoyed dinner with the Werner’s and Scheepstra’s at Don Valley.

Guess you could say we got our DVs on, if you get my meaning, if you catch my drift…

Comments (0) | Permalink

Sorry for the obscure JD Salinger reference which has absolutely nothing to do with this post.  A great short story though.

Last night I had a great night out with Jee Yeun, Lonnie, Jaime, and Bridget.  Threw some darts at Sam Ryan’s, ate some wings, drank some beers (OB drafts are half price on Thursday!).  Enjoyed the good banter and camaraderie most of all.

Finished the evening with a nightcap at Bless U then taxied home to Gireum-dong.  Feelin’ so good we tipped the cabbie W5000 and made his night too.

Heading out again tonight for the Friday night tourney at Dolce Vita.  That’s the way I like it.

Comments (0) | Permalink