So, where did we leave off?

Really enjoyed the dinner party at the Cassady’s. Tom is an Army chef and his pulled pork is the BEST I’ve ever eaten. And I’ve eaten a lot of pulled pork in my time…

After the meal us menfolk retired to the gaming room and entertained ourselves with a darts match. Me and my partner Tom R. eeked out a victory…  Gawd, will I ever lose that fucking belly?

The Rago’s were also in attendance.  Bill and June recently returned to Korea after a couple of years in Vietnam.  At first Bill didn’t even recognize the clean shaven and somewhat lighter version of myself.  Anyway, it was nice to have a non-bar related social event on the calendar.

Speaking of bars, after I left the party I hoofed it over to Grand Ole Opry where I enjoyed some icy cold gin and sodas with my nephew Justin.  I’d had several beers at the party so it didn’t take much gin to get me drunk relaxed.  We sat at the bar and there was this Korean couple sitting at the table nearest us.  The female portion of the couple was only marginally attractive but since she was in my line of sight I looked anyway.  I could have sworn I caught her looking back a couple of times too.  Then they got up to dance and I swear they did the two-step every bit as good as the country folk in the honky tonks I used to frequent in Oklahoma.  At the conclusion of the dance I gave them a round of applause and she gave me a big smile.  They danced again later and I found watching them entertaining so I had a couple of drinks sent over to their table as a reward.  They both seemed pleased.  She thanked me in English, so there’s that.

I’m not sure what the status of their relationship was, for all I know they were married. But, she looked back more than once!  Justin even noticed so that is not just my drunken imagination.  When she got up to use the ladies room I had half a mind to follow her to see if she might be interested in exchanging phone numbers.  Of course, the sane half of my mind talked me out of it, as did Justin.

Justin did teach me to say “난 여자친구가 없어”, but I haven’t found an opportunity to use it.  And some lady friends have suggested it would probably be better if I didn’t.  Ah well.

Did my river walk on Sunday, about 3.5 hours all told.  Not sure if it was the heat or what, but it was a tough hike.  I was feeling light headed by the time I got home.  Had a bowl of chili from the crock pot and took a nap.  Feeling restored, I ventured to Shenanigans for some liquid refreshment.  Made it an early night though, as I had to report to Soonchunhwang hospital for some blood work early Monday morning.

Last night was the first match of the season in the Seoul International Dart League.

I reckon we did alright. 23-4. I contributed a 6-0 performance and managed to throw a 9-mark (2 triple 20s and a trip 19) despite still not being on my game. Of course, I haven’t been practicing but I prefer to blame it on the weight loss affecting my center of gravity causing me to be unbalanced when I throw. It’s probably one of those.

This morning I had a doctor appointment with my cardiologist.  All the markers continue to show improvement.  I’m technically being treated for hypertension.  My previous appointment I had blood pressure of 150/90 which was a huge improvement.  Today I was at 140/80 which puts me in the borderline high category.  I’m liking my trend line.  The doc was astounded when I told him I’d lost 26 kgs thus far.  In fact, he even shook my hand. Then he gave me a refill on my prescription and said he’d see me in three months. Hopefully he’ll be seeing even less of me by then.

The walk to the hospital took about 25 minutes.  I walked back home, changed out of my sweaty shirt, and walked the long way to work, arriving sweaty enough that the Deputy Director asked if that was the color of my shirt or was I wet?  I responded “both”.

In the afternoon the staff ventured out to Myeongdong for a luncheon at a restaurant called “Under the Sea”.  I’m not big on buffet style dining, but this place put out a good spread. The occasion for our visit was to bid farewell to our Director who departs for a Pentagon job next week.

The staff…

The boss.

Still haven’t heard yet who his replacement will be.  Chances are I know him.

I used to be indecisive.  Now, I’m not sure.

You know, if the elevator is old and broken they should do more than just slap a sign on it. Why not fix or replace it?

I decided to walk back home from Myeongdong but wasn’t exactly sure how to go about it. Once I exited the restaurant and got my bearings I noticed a familiar building that I often pass during my Namsan adventures.  But how do I get there?  Walked in the general direction and sure enough, there was my old friend.

But getting from here to there was not as easy as I anticipated.

So, I figured going up was a good choice. Except this up led to a dead end. So I went down again.

Regardless, in a roundabout fashion I found my way.  And something unusual happened along the road.  Now, when I pass by a female version of the human race I’ve noted that they studiously avoid making any eye contact with me.  I guess that is both normal and understandable.  But today an attractive gal gave me the slightest glance as I passed by. Didn’t turn her head or smile or anything, but made a brief moment’s eye contact.  As pathetic as I might be, that was milestone and I felt pleased.  So pleased in fact that after about 20 more paces I turned around to look back at her as she moved on down the road.  And I’ll be damned if at that exact moment she didn’t turn around to look at ME!

Well, I suppose a braver man may have turned around and approached her.  But that man was not me.  Besides, I was soaking wet with sweat.  Anyway, after being virtually invisible to the fairer sex for so damn long, just getting “a look” makes me feel good about myself.  Baby steps.

Not a bad day’s work. Although I’ll probably venture out for a bit later tonight just to move the marker past the 20,000 barrier…

Technically, my weekly goal is 125,000 steps (15,000 on weekdays, 25,000 on Saturday and Sunday). I managed to exceed that last week.

So that’s a lot of time on the highway.  I’m not what you could call carefree when I walk, but I do try not care.

Turning back the pages to the times I love best
I wonder if she’ll ever do the same
Now the thing that I call living is just being satisfied
With knowing I got no one left to blame

Carefree highway, got to see you my old flame
Carefree highway, you seen better days
The morning after blues from my head down to my shoes
Carefree highway, let me slip away, slip away on you

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHaGBhl0U6E