Comments Posted By Kevin Kim
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All the food looks good, including the domed cake.
Interesting nostalgia pics of homes past.
Back in college, two of the Georgetown girls I was studying in Switzerland with invited me on a walk (we Yanks were all housed with different Swiss families, but as students in the same program, we all went to the same university and even had some of the same classes, so we were in constant contact with each other). It became obvious, after just a few minutes, that the ladies viewed the walk as a workout and not a stroll: they pulled ahead and never looked back. Oh, well. I walked along for a few hours at my own pace (Switzerland is where I discovered my love of walking), and no one ever spoke about the day again.
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 05/December/2022 @ 3:25 pm
I like how the McCoy’s menu spells “nachos” as “natchos.” Cute. The humor is quite ritch, I thought as I ate my sandwitch.
Good luck to McCoy’s as they tempt fate yet again. Gotta admire people who rebuild after a disaster.
Carrot cake looks good! You and your raisins, though…
I think “The Real McCoys” was a bit before my time. Wikipedia says the show’s final year was ’62-’63. I was born in 1969.
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 04/December/2022 @ 6:38 pm
Oh, and the cole slaw had raisins in it, just the way my mama used to make it.
Weirdos. All y’all’s weirdos.
Nice pics. Good hike, good barbecue. And chance meetings in the middle of nowhere can be a happy happenstance or a spooky coincidence.
I was going to ding you about your use of the word “berm,” but after a bit of cover-your-ass research (don’t go correcting people if you yourself are wrong), it seems that your usage might be okay. I’d still argue that berms are generally much bigger than those walkways, and based on the research I did, most folks would say that, technically, those walkways are called levees. But I still saw evidence of other people referring to those paths as “berms,” so as far as I’m concerned, you’re off the hook.
In my normal line of work, we deal with usage-related questions all the time, so researching “berm” felt like an extension of what I normally do.
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 03/December/2022 @ 5:16 pm
A day of 50K-plus steps is a good one, indeed. More like that!
I’m glad you found out what you did re: a possible new business. Better to be informed now than to regret everything later. Life is too short for regrets.
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 02/December/2022 @ 5:30 pm
If he’s got fluid in his lungs, he’s at risk for pulmonary infection. Fluid buildup inside the body, where it’s dark and warm and moist, makes a nice playground for bacteria. Infection will lead to more edema, plus fever, plus even greater difficulty breathing. And then there’s the whole kidney thing, which could range from something minor to possible renal failure.
Please keep checking on him.
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 02/December/2022 @ 5:26 pm
Oh, that joke! You disgusting transphobe!
C’set la vie.
So close! “C’est la vie.”
Okay, it sounds as if John really needs to go to the emergency room and get himself looked at. If lung and kidney issues are leading to mobility problems (sagging into a La-Z-Boy and sleeping while “drowning” = no mobility), his ass shouldn’t be at his place of work. I’m no doctor, but my first thought was “pulmonary edema,” which is really a symptom for something else and not a condition in and of itself. Pulmonary edema doesn’t have much to do with kidney problems, though, so a lot of John’s condition remains unexplained. I found an online diagnostic tool (not meant to sub for a real doc); it’s called “Symptomate.” Either have John fill out the questionnaire or just get his ass to a local ER. He’s in dire shape. When I filled out the questionnaire based on the sketchy information I read, Symptomate responded with “Go to the hospital now.” It’s 8 p.m., Seoul time, as I write this; you’ve got time to be John’s rescuer. I’d say he needs help pronto.
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 01/December/2022 @ 9:17 pm
Easy does it
That stepladder doesn’t look safe at all. It looks ready to slip out and collapse at the slightest pressure. Yikes.
Well, I guess it was an adventure. Congrats on surviving.
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 01/December/2022 @ 8:55 pm
Oh, I neglected to mention that Naver Map is a Korea-only thing as far as I know. No need for you to download it. I was just wondering whether the PI has an equivalent app for use in country.
Yes, the comma after “freedom” must go. Why? Because the dependent clause isn’t at the head of the complex sentence.
If you do that again, I’ll kill you.
I’ll kill you if you do that again.» Posted By Kevin Kim On 01/December/2022 @ 7:20 am
Do you have the equivalent of Naver Map to help you navigate in the Philippines? I don’t know what I’d do without Naver, which has become a huge crutch for me. I use my Naver Map app to navigate in all sorts of situations: quietly verifying that the taxi driver is taking me to my destination and not using some BS long route, navigating back to an intersection if I’ve skipped a turnoff, calculating remaining distance when I’m on a long walk, etc. Naver Map is mostly for roads and bike paths, but you can even use it on certain mountain trails. Even if the map doesn’t show your particular trail, it’ll show you where on the mountain you are.
A very happy ending, and miraculously, my headache was forgotten when she was done.
Congratulations! Sounds as if there were no breathing problems this time.
From that meat-pie place, I’d be interested in a chicken-mushroom pie plus a Scotch egg. Oh, and definitely a sausage roll, although at $2, it’s probably tiny. So I’d have to order two. And I’d have to come back for the fish and chips although I’d need to bring along some homemade tartar sauce.
There’s nothing sociopathic about that quote. True love is not about neediness or possessiveness. It’s about committing to the spiritual growth of the other while recognizing the other’s autonomy. And the idea of loving without being attached also resonates. Good luck to your friend, who didn’t even understand the quote if he thinks it’s saying the other person is meaningless. That’s not what’s being said at all. Oh, and don’t commit the genetic fallacy of dismissing something just because of the source. If a crazy person says the sun is out, and the sun is really out, then what he said was true regardless of his state of mind. Check statements against reality, not against the speaker.
Punctuation exercise:
They allow the other absolute freedom, because they know that if the other leaves, they will be as happy as they are now.
One of those commas needs to go. Which one, and why? Hint: one comma needs to go for exactly the same reason the other comma has to stay. The same rule applies in each case. I’ll make it easy: Hint 2.
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 30/November/2022 @ 8:09 pm
So, in that pic, who was the slowest Hasher you’ve ever seen? Or are we not naming names?
With all the off-roading you guys do, I have to wonder whether anyone in your kennel gets into orienteering.
I assume that figuring out shortcuts is only possible if you’re very familiar with the terrain. There’s no relying on logical deduction: you have to know the lay of the land. Or is there a measure of guesswork?
Looks to have been another good walk.
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 29/November/2022 @ 4:16 pm
I can respect the weight and significance of memory and tradition when it comes to a bar’s name. Gotta go with what works in your head.
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 29/November/2022 @ 7:54 pm
I like Dan’s “Pics or It Didn’t Happen.” My problem with “The Rite Spot on the Beach” is the word “Rite.” I get that it’s an informal way of saying “Right,” as in “Rite Aid” back home, but my religious-studies brain keeps thinking of rituals and ceremonies all performed at a religious location—a “rite spot.” I also get that the name connotes appropriateness (as in, “You’ve come to the right place”), thus implying a degree of welcome. That’s nice, but kind of milquetoast. I’m certainly not saying the name is bad: hey, go with whatever name suits your fancy. But “Pics or It Didn’t Happen” feels more like a naughty, sassy bar name to me, a cheerful challenge. There’s a slight hint of sinfulness, of deeds and exploits that need to be seen and recorded to be believed. Which also gives you room to have some over-the-top options on tap, e.g., the yard of beer for your braver customers, or one of those huge, German beer boots. (If you go artisanal, you could do flights of beer.)
When you start thinking about the kitchen aspect of the bar, you’ll have to ponder stuff like whether to get a burger press to make utterly standardized burgers, or whether it’s better to go with handmade patties (each patty can still be weighed for uniformity, but beyond that, hand-shaping/pressing each patty might feel a bit more comfortably old-school to some folks). I hope you can find some kitchen veterans who can help you figure out the details. I like the idea of a “crock-pot special” or any kind of rotating special, really. It has to be within reason, of course, and if one of those specials turns out to be an immense hit, it could/should end up on the permanent menu.
I’m a teetotaler, so I can’t help you with drinks, but I guess you’ll have to decide whether you’re going to focus on a narrow range of reliably popular beers or a wide, eclectic assortment of beers, mixed drinks, etc.
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 29/November/2022 @ 12:53 am
I’d definitely want to get in good with the Belgian-chocolate guy. Got any closeup photos of his handiwork?
And is that “birthday cake” a roll cake? In Korea, roll cakes are common, but they’re all uniformly horrible: never enough sugar, eggs, and butter. As a result, they’re light and spongy, but they’re also dry and tasteless. Koreans love them, and they say American desserts are too heavy and sweet (yet Krispy Kreme donuts are super-popular here). I guess it’s a matter of perspective.
3 pics in a row of Joy flashing her teeth. Nice.
Pizza and fried chicken in Korea is called “Pichi” (pizza + chicken). It’s becoming a classic combination. There are restaurants here that specialize in making pichi “set menus.” Might be nice for your neighborhood to have something like that so you can do some one-stop shopping.
That bar space looks great. Even if nothing comes of this, the potential bar provides you with a sense of mission and purpose. Cool. And yeah, I’d worry about whether the swimming pool means allowing kids into the area. Can the pool be made adults-only? I guess another worry might be that drunk people and pools don’t always mix. Will you need a paid lifeguard?
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 28/November/2022 @ 4:36 pm
Tried to click on the video. From my phone, I was unable to access Facebook—got sent to a login page. From my computer, I got sent to a Facebook page that said, “This video isn’t available anymore.” Go figger.
Nice pics of the dawgs. Good to see they’re still peppy and happy.
Construction, construction, construction. The development never ends. In a few years, you’ll have more houses than grass along the habitable parts.
Thanksgiving leftovers look scrumptious. I’m working on my own leftovers right now.
I’d eat that misshapen cookie. Looks good. If you ever did want to make your cookies more circular (but why?), there are at least two methods. One involves using a cookie cutter (or a cup’s rim, or a mayonnaise-jar lid); just trim away the excess dough. The other involves rolling your cookie into a sphere between your hands, then either pressing it onto the tray or leaving it as is (the heat of the oven will soften the dough and create a circle). This method won’t result in a perfect circle, but it’ll be close. Or just throw the circle idea out and run free, liberated from oppressive concepts of rigid circularity.
Good God, what’s up with that long scar on Lydell’s hairy leg? There must be a story behind that.
I appreciate the Biden-sniff picture.
what Barretto needs is a nice beach bar that caters to expats
Aren’t there already a ton of such bars? Or is Barretto, specifically, bereft of them?
The life you’re living might not be the life you intended, but in some sense, it’s your best life, i.e., the one most suited to you.
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 27/November/2022 @ 6:37 pm
Another good walk in the books, and a decent-sized portion of food after the meagerness of Thanksgiving.
I watched part of the second video, but dancing girls really aren’t my thing.
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 26/November/2022 @ 7:18 pm
I think that I shall never see a poem … lovely as a tree
Probably one of the best captions of yours that I’ve read. It’s got irony, pathos, and humor. Deep. Deep.
Sorry to hear the meal was so skimpy, especially at Thanksgiving, which for many is a celebration of plenty. Ah, well. The pumpkin soup did look good, though. But where were the candied sweet potatoes? I’m thinking you should’ve gone to that other place.
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 25/November/2022 @ 4:39 pm
“exceptin’ Alice”
I hope the Thanksgiving meal goes well, not to mention the time with Lydell (I know it’s a first name, but it sounds like a surname! “Allow me to present you Thomas Lydell.”).
Good to see Joy back to her tooth-flashing ways.
Much to be thankful for, indeed.
By the way, I looked up Psalm 129:
A song of ascents.
1 “They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,”
let Israel say;
2 “they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
but they have not gained the victory over me.
3 Plowmen have plowed my back
and made their furrows long.
4 But the Lord is righteous;
he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.”5 May all who hate Zion
be turned back in shame.
6 May they be like grass on the roof,
which withers before it can grow;
7 a reaper cannot fill his hands with it,
nor one who gathers fill his arms.
8 May those who pass by not say to them,
“The blessing of the Lord be on you;
we bless you in the name of the Lord.”Didn’t see the turn of phrase described in that joke (“Go forth and seek[;] further up, you will find glory.”)! So maybe it’s a meta-joke designed to make you look up Psalm 129?
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 24/November/2022 @ 4:33 pm
Oh, yeah: I’ll be expecting a ton of food pics.
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 23/November/2022 @ 7:10 pm
I’m barely acquainted with Joesph,
[…]
When Joesph finished playing,…Okay, so that’s twice you spelled it “Joesph” and not the more normal “Joseph,” so I’m guessing that’s not a typo, correct? Still, it looks strange. Why would he choose to spell his name that way? It’s like when I occasionally run across a dude who deliberately spells his name “Micheal.” Weird.
That menu seems to feature candied sweet potatoes. Jackpot! Too bad you’re not going to that establishment. Any chance you can change plans? And, hey—is John not doing anything special for Thanksgiving? I bet that would be the best meal in town even if it costs a pretty penny.
I can’t remember most psalms to save my life. Like a lot of Christians, I’m better at remembering New Testament verses than Old Testament ones.
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 23/November/2022 @ 7:08 pm
An especially beautiful hike. I guess memories of the ex are an inevitable blessing or curse.
Periodically, there would be places like this, the purpose of which I cannot discern.
That photo reminded me of some fortress walls here in Korea. I don’t get the impression that the PI has a lot of fortresses, castles, etc., though.
A burger at the end seems a good and proper reward for a hard day’s walk.
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 22/November/2022 @ 5:48 pm
You don’t bring me flowers anymore
There a pizza place near my office
D’oh—”There’s.” And to think I proofread for a living.
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 21/November/2022 @ 3:07 pm
My mother used to love listening to Neil Diamond, so she got me hooked on him when I was in elementary school. That certainly didn’t do much to make me hip. I remember “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” as well as “September Morn,” “I Am, I Said,” and a whole bunch of other classics. I even went to a Neil Diamond concert when I was in high school. Yeah, I was with it. I heard that Diamond is (or was—is he still active?) hugely popular in Australia.
Looking closely at that first photo showing Joy and her Hawaiian… the top of that pizza seems pretty busy. Normally, a Hawaiian’s toppings are limited to cheese, ham, and pineapple. But is that sausage on her slice?
There’s a pizza place near my office that makes pretty good NY-style pizzas, but they insist on adding pineapple to what they call “pepperoni pizza.” I don’t mind the pineapple, but the labeling feels like a bit of false advertising.
I’m guessing the “Why don’t you find a partner” girl was Lydell.
Well, maybe you’re not getting any flowers from Lydell (and I guess you’re not giving her any), but from the look of your photos, Mother Nature has flowers in abundance. So there’s some lady out there willing to give you flowers.
Ah, yes: one thing I noticed about your “name, email, website” blanks is that none of them has a red asterisk next to it: it’s only the comment field itself that has an asterisk. So for the time being, I’m only going to fill in my name and email address because my auto-fill still works for those blanks. I’ll go back to putting in my blog URL if/when auto-fill works for that again.
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 21/November/2022 @ 3:04 pm
Strange to be looking down at your future home rather than looking up at it.
re: Hops & Brews
Glutton that I am, I’d probably go in and order one pork and one chicken dish. Yum.
Here’s hoping that Agnes doesn’t lapse back into her old ways.
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 20/November/2022 @ 7:37 pm
A nice, therapeutic walk after a nasty interaction with Earl can only be a good thing.
Heaven knows why someone chose to build it halfway up a frickin’ mountain
It would make more sense if it were a Buddhist temple. In Korea, most temples are mountain temples, with a community of monks living on site.
Here’s hoping the Earl thing has died down now.
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 19/November/2022 @ 5:01 pm
It’s been said many times before, but being alone isn’t the same as being lonely. I’d say that only the loners are free: if you’re lonely, that means you’re still suffering from attachment to the idea of being with someone. Let go of that attachment, and you’re truly free.
To be fair, though, I think it’s possible to find freedom in couplehood. To the extent that you find a partner who makes you want to be a better person, someone whose growth you feel invested in, someone who enhances your existence and makes you more than you were, then yeah, a certain kind of freedom is possible.
Anyway, I’m glad the date went well. Here’s to many more. Take it slow; no need to boink on the third date. That’s how the poor girl got in trouble to begin with. And you with your lungs these days… sex is turning into Russian Roulette for you. Keep eros and thanatos as far apart as possible.
Which reminds me: have you talked to the docs about this particular problem?
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 18/November/2022 @ 5:20 pm
Nice walk! Good luck with the dinner date.
In Korean, a “view deck” is a jeonmangdae. A “dae” is usually some sort of raised area or platform. “Jeon mang” is a view.
Is Club Morocco abandoned?
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 17/November/2022 @ 5:56 pm
Elliot Page used to go by Ellen Page before undergoing trans procedures. Back when he was a she, she starred in “Juno” and “Inception.”
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 17/November/2022 @ 6:28 am
a lot *of* purists out there
…my bad. I wish your blog’s comments thread had an edit function. I wish mine did, too.
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 16/November/2022 @ 8:23 pm
Hmph! The beer-ordering sign has room for Zulu but not Korean, eh?
Maekju (hana) juseyo.
OK, that chick in the nothing bikini is leaner than a strip of beef jerky, with a chest almost like Elliott Page’s. It’d be like fucking an altar boy, Father John. And are those stretch marks on her lower belly? Has she already given birth? Make those bad life-choices early, right? I feel more sorry for her than anything.
Nice shot of the pizza. I’m OK with Hawaiian myself, but a lot purists out there would doubtless scoff. Of course, when Hawaiian is done wrong, it sucks. My local Papa John’s is good for a meat-lover’s pizza, but its Hawaiian is horrible.
Congrats on surviving your massage and not scaring off the masseuse.
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 16/November/2022 @ 8:20 pm
«« Back To Stats PageWell, if the shorter route saves you a broken leg, then there you go. Is Almoranus as bad as Guenter when it comes to Haring?
The truncated route might not have been the original one, but it looks to have been nice. Friendly mountain folk, at least one hill to get you breathing… what more could a man ask for?
I guess the post-hike refreshments didn’t include actual food. If they had, I’d have liked to see the pictures. But I’m guessing it was just beer and water, and/or some soda or fruit juice.
» Posted By Kevin Kim On 15/November/2022 @ 8:21 pm