Another year of blogging (to use the term lightly) is in the books.  Sharing old posts each week since the ten year anniversary forced me to scroll through the archives.  It was a painful reminder of just how pathetic my life has mostly been over the years.  But hey, as an old girlfriend once told me “no man is totally worthless–he can always serve as a bad example”.  I imagine that goes for blogging as well. So there’s that.

This post from 2011 contained a solitary image.  Looking at it again this morning it seems more like a metaphor for the way I’ve been living.

Things might change.  Stranger things have happened.

I’m falling and I can’t get up…

In celebration of ten years of blogging here at LTG, each week for the next 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32

 313029 28 27 26 2524 23 22 2120 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9  8  7 6 5 weeks I will delve deep into the sewer archives of past posts to bring you a tidbit of blog history.  I had originally planned to call this series “The best of LTG”, but damn, there just wasn’t much “best” to be found.  And mediocre is too hard to spell.)

Five years ago I reflected back on my career on the occasion of my retirement ceremony in a post called “The end of the road”.

Heh, turns out the road didn’t end work wise after all.  Just took a longish detour.

Government service didn’t change me at all.  I’ve got the before and after pictures to prove it.

Before

After.

And now it’s all just one day at a time until there ain’t no more days.  None of us are getting out of this alive!

In celebration of ten years of blogging here at LTG, each week for the next 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32

 313029 28 27 26 2524 23 22 2120 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9  8  7 6 weeks I will delve deep into the sewer archives of past posts to bring you a tidbit of blog history.  I had originally planned to call this series “The best of LTG”, but damn, there just wasn’t much “best” to be found.  And mediocre is too hard to spell.)

Six years ago featured the sixth iteration of the short lived (but popular based on Google visits) series “Yoja of the Week” here at LTG.  My ex-girlfriend (who is now my wife) didn’t much care for me trolling the ‘net looking for beautiful Korean women to post about so the feature eventually faded away like an old soldier.

Here’s the gal I posted that week:

Jun Ji Hyun

At the time she was declared “one of the nine hottest women in Korea”.

You are welcome.

In celebration of ten years of blogging here at LTG, each week for the next 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32

 313029 28 27 26 2524 23 22 2120 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9  8  7 weeks I will delve deep into the sewer archives of past posts to bring you a tidbit of blog history.  I had originally planned to call this series “The best of LTG”, but damn, there just wasn’t much “best” to be found.  And mediocre is too hard to spell.)

Eight years ago I wrote about “People at Work“.

This is what we looked like back then:

The guy on the extreme right is now the Director. With the exception of two, all the Koreans remain. Of course, I’m back now and the woman in the back row (second from left) is coming in January to fill one of our vacancies.

Work has been a little stressful of late, lots to do and not enough bodies (or hours in the day) to do it all.  But it goes in cycles so I know things will calm down eventually.  Actually, come Thursday it will be a lot calmer seeing as how I’ll be taking a couple of weeks off to visit the family back in South Carolina.  Lots to get done between now and then, but I’ll worry about it tomorrow!

In celebration of ten years of blogging here at LTG, each week for the next 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32

 313029 28 27 26 2524 23 22 2120 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 weeks I will delve deep into the sewer archives of past posts to bring you a tidbit of blog history.  I had originally planned to call this series “The best of LTG”, but damn, there just wasn’t much “best” to be found.  And mediocre is too hard to spell.)

One year ago found me competing in the Ghost on the Coast darts tourney in lovely Myrtle Beach, SC.  I wrote about that adventure in a post called “On the beach”.

I was in a foul mood and feeling sorry for myself.  And a year later I’m thinking about two of my pals from Columbia who were also with me there and now both are deceased.  As long as you are alive you are still in the game.  It’s easy to forget that sometimes.

In celebration of ten years of blogging here at LTG, each week for the next 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32

 313029 28 27 26 2524 23 22 2120 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 weeks I will delve deep into the sewer archives of past posts to bring you a tidbit of blog history.  I had originally planned to call this series “The best of LTG”, but damn, there just wasn’t much “best” to be found.  And mediocre is too hard to spell.)

Two years ago found me reflecting back on the journey we call life, or in this case my life in government servitude service.  I wrote about it in a post called “A working class hero is something to be”. 

Nothing much to add to my original thinking back then, although I had no inkling that a couple of years later I’d be rejoining the workforce.  Fact is, I’m actually quite happy to be back in the saddle.  Rather, it’s about the people.  I enjoy the hell out of my co-workers and bosses.  I especially appreciate the intellectual stimulation of engaging in actual conversations.  And on occasion I find the work itself to be a source of satisfaction, if not pride.  It’s different not being the boss, but different in a good way too.  I’m sorta the elder statesman around the office which is kinda cool. I also quite like getting paid every two weeks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njG7p6CSbCU

In celebration of ten years of blogging here at LTG, each week for the next 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32

 313029 28 27 26 2524 23 22 2120 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 weeks I will delve deep into the sewer archives of past posts to bring you a tidbit of blog history.  I had originally planned to call this series “The best of LTG”, but damn, there just wasn’t much “best” to be found.  And mediocre is too hard to spell.)

Ten years ago I wrote about a Korean gal on my pool league team who would work on her English between matches.  On this night she came up to me and in all sincerity asked me the meaning of the word “sodomy”.  Which was the title of that particular post.

As I wrote at the time:

“June” (I don’t know her Korean name, if I asked I’ve forgotten it) is always working on her vocabulary and brings a notebook with words she is learning to the pool league every week. Between games she will ask us the pronunciation and meaning of the words on her list, which she then dutifully writes down in Hanguel. Last night’s words included “guise”, “excavation”, “fraternity”, “carte blanche” and several others I can’t recall at the moment. Me and a couple of the guys sitting at the table would use the word in a sentence, try and provide alterantive definitions, and explain when and how the word might be used. After awhile I got up to throw some darts, and June came up and said I have another word on my list and the guys at the table “couldn’t help her with it”. I said, ok, what’s the word? “Sodomy” (imagine it being said with a Korean accent). I just looked at her. The guy I was playing darts with cracked up and said “go ahead, John. Tell her”.

Her innocence was charming as she waited expectantly for my answer. And my reaction was funny. I am by no means a prude and I don’t think I have any sexual hang-ups, but geez, telling this sweet young woman about sodomy was not as easy as you might imagine. So I fumbled and stumbled, and she wasn’t quite getting it. So, I just described the act. She laughed and said, “oh, something homosexuals do”. I smiled and said yes, but not just homosexuals. And no, I did not give her the slang term for the act. She can find a boyfriend to do that. Anyway, when I mentioned the Biblical origins of the word, she was familiar with the story and we thankfully moved on to other words.

Anyway, that was the highlight of that particular evening.  Things haven’t improved much since then, eh?

There was only one comment to that post (which made it above average I suppose).  And that was from my mother.  She said: “Great to read your blogs again…..Answer my emails when you are bored…..love MOM”

Sorry mom for being such a selfish bastard.  Nothing would please me more than to answer the emails that will never come again.

In celebration of ten years of blogging here at LTG, each week for the next 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32

 313029 28 27 26 2524 23 22 2120 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 weeks I will delve deep into the sewer archives of past posts to bring you a tidbit of blog history.  I had originally planned to call this series “The best of LTG”, but damn, there just wasn’t much “best” to be found.  And mediocre is too hard to spell.)

Things are going reasonably well in my life, or at least fair to middling.  Not so much a year ago though, if  “I read the news today, oh boy” is any indication.  Nothing like a  reminder of sadder times to give you a little perspective I suppose.

Anyway, my Korean life may be at times every bit as boring, but the beer is better here. So there’s that.

In celebration of ten years of blogging here at LTG, each week for the next 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32

 313029 28 27 26 2524 23 22 2120 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 weeks I will delve deep into the sewer archives of past posts to bring you a tidbit of blog history.  I had originally planned to call this series “The best of LTG”, but damn, there just wasn’t much “best” to be found.  And mediocre is too hard to spell.)

One year ago found me living on my own back in the USA.  I’d been home for a month without the wife and I was not a happy camper.  I wrote about it in a post called “Nada y nada”.

As it turned out Jee Yeun never did come back to me.  So I resolved to come “home” to Korea.  I took a part time job that paid less than ten bucks an hour (and I was worth every penny of it!) but provided me SOFA status.  And from there I was able to maneuver my way back into my old organization at a rate of compensation that should allow me to be debt free when my one year and a day appointment expires next June.  As of now I’m hoping to get extended for at least another year after that.  And then we shall see.

For now I’ll just roll along one day at a time.  Until I run out of days that is.

In celebration of ten years of blogging here at LTG, each week for the next 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32

 313029 28 27 26 2524 23 22 2120 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 weeks I will delve deep into the sewer archives of past posts to bring you a tidbit of blog history.  I had originally planned to call this series “The best of LTG”, but damn, there just wasn’t much “best” to be found.  And mediocre is too hard to spell.)

Seven years ago I was hospitalized for the first and last (so far) time.  It was not a pleasant experience.  I wrote about it in a post called “In the hospital”.

Now, I’m generally satisfied with the medical care I receive in Korea.  But a hospital stay is a whole other animal.  I was extremely uncomfortable for the 3 days I spent in the confines of Soonchanhwang University Hospital.  And let’s just say that the cute Korean nurses had missed the training in tender loving care.

Unlike the USA, Korean doctors will hospitalize you for just about anything.  I checked in with a high fever and three days later I was advised I had a “virus in my spleen” and was being given antibiotics through an IV.  I said the hell with that, asked for a prescription and checked myself out.  Getting out of there also proved to be a nightmare, but escape I did.

I did feel bad when I learned that the 8th Army Deputy Commanding General (two stars) had come by to visit after I had left.  Ah well, I’m still with 8th Army and he ain’t, so no worries.

A year or so later I needed a skin graft on a finger and they wanted to admit me for that.  I told them bluntly that ain’t happening so they consented to doing it on an outpatient basis.  And here I am, just as handsome as ever.  Shuddup!

In celebration of ten years of blogging here at LTG, each week for the next 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32

 313029 28 27 26 2524 23 22 2120 19 18 17 16 15 14 weeks I will delve deep into the sewer archives of past posts to bring you a tidbit of blog history.  I had originally planned to call this series “The best of LTG”, but damn, there just wasn’t much “best” to be found.  And mediocre is too hard to spell.)

Nine years ago found me making my second tour of the DMZ with my visiting step-son Nolan.  I posted some pictures of the adventure in a post called “Emptying the camera”.

If you are going to tour the DMZ, I highly recommend doing it through the USO.  It’s a lot better experience than my lame-ass write-up would indicate.  Which was made even worse by the fact that all the photos at some point in time became corrupted.  I reposted most of them just, but it’s still a mess.

September has proven to be have been pretty much a desert over the years here at LTG.  Hard to find a worthy post amongst 10 years of September.  Hell, one year I didn’t post anything all month, and a couple of other times I only posted once or twice.  Ah well, if you come here looking for quality you are surely used to being disappointed by now.

In celebration of ten years of blogging here at LTG, each week for the next 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32

 313029 28 27 26 2524 23 22 2120 19 18 17 16 15 weeks I will delve deep into the sewer archives of past posts to bring you a tidbit of blog history.  I had originally planned to call this series “The best of LTG”, but damn, there just wasn’t much “best” to be found.  And mediocre is too hard to spell.)

Six years ago found me back “home” in South Carolina where the McCrarey clan gathered for a family get together on the appropriately named Lake Wateree.  I wrote about the event in a post called “Last day in the Colonies”.  Little did I know it would turn out to be the last reunion with mom and dad present.

Anyway, lots of photos at the link if you want to enjoy some of South Carolina’s finest.

The clan (that’s with a “c” now, so don’t go getting any stereotypes of the Palmetto State running through your head. Interestingly, nephew Justin wound up moving to Korea, and nephew Josh just finished his second visit here. And of course, Dad the sailor, had spent many nights on Texas street in Busan when he was in port…

Ah well, it’s a bittersweet memory now.

In celebration of ten years of blogging here at LTG, each week for the next 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32

 313029 28 27 26 2524 23 22 2120 19 18 17 16 weeks I will delve deep into the sewer archives of past posts to bring you a tidbit of blog history.  I had originally planned to call this series “The best of LTG”, but damn, there just wasn’t much “best” to be found.  And mediocre is too hard to spell.)

Six years ago I actually wrote something substantial here at LTG when I weighed in on the Juicy Girl/human trafficing issue in a post called “Juicy bars and prostitution”.

Subsequently, the juicy bars outside Osan have been placed off limits for USFK personnel.  My views as expressed in the linked post above haven’t changed.  I find it odd that the same “progressive” thinkers who say it’s a woman’s right to abort a fetus (who’s body is it anyway?) want to tell women they can’t make a living with that same body in any damn way she chooses, including prostituting herself.  Obviously I draw the line about women who are unwilling “trafficed” or are below the age of consent.  Otherwise, I just don’t think it is anyone’s damn business.

What really pisses me off is the ‘do-gooders” actually hurt these women.  They close down the bars and put the girls on the street with no income and no protection from predators.  Fuck that.

Well, seems I have a car theme going on the blog this week.  Back in 2010 I wrote a loving tribute to all the cars I’ve owned before.  Thought I ought to add the new old Sonata to the mix, and that is just what I have done.

I invite you to join me once again on a journey through the past.  Long may you run!

In celebration of ten years of blogging here at LTG, each week for the next 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32

 313029 28 27 26 2524 23 22 2120 19 18 17 weeks I will delve deep into the sewer archives of past posts to bring you a tidbit of blog history.  I had originally planned to call this series “The best of LTG”, but damn, there just wasn’t much “best” to be found.  And mediocre is too hard to spell.)

Nine years ago I made my first drive out to the Incheon airport to pick up my step-son. The trip started auspiciously when I discovered the garage door at my apartment building was blocked by an illegally parked car.  The journey ended with my car breaking down on the return trip near the Han river.  I wrote about that fiasco in a post called “Adventures in driving”.  

All these years later I drove my new old car home from work today.  It took an hour in heavy traffic, and there were a couple of wrong turns before I finally gave up on the GPS and listened to Jee Yeun.  I did manage to affix the GPS to the dashboard using Velcro, for all the good it did me.

Welp, the car is now safely parked in the garage here in Gireum-dong where it will sit until Sunday morning.  Then I’m going to head back out Incheon way to take my wife on a visit to a famous Buddhist temple near there.  I suppose I am up for a new adventure in driving.

In celebration of ten years of blogging here at LTG, each week for the next 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 313029 28 27 26 2524 23 22 2120 19 18 weeks I will delve deep into the sewer archives of past posts to bring you a tidbit of blog history.  I had originally planned to call this series “The best of LTG”, but damn, there just wasn’t much “best” to be found.  And mediocre is too hard to spell.)

Nine years ago I celebrated my 51st birthday in grand fashion.  I wrote about it in a post called “Finished with fifty”.  And now I’m leaving the 50s behind altogether.

Ah, but I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now.

In celebration of ten years of blogging here at LTG, each week for the next 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 313029 28 27 26 2524 23 22 21 20 19 weeks I will delve deep into the sewer archives of past posts to bring you a tidbit of blog history.  I had originally planned to call this series “The best of LTG”, but damn, there just wasn’t much “best” to be found.  And mediocre is too hard to spell.)

Three years ago found me in my Dad’s beloved hometown of Memphis, TN to commit his cremains to the muddy waters of the Mississippi river.  I wrote about in a post called “To the sea”.

Brother Keith carries the ashes to the riverside

Where one of Dad’s favorite poems was read–Sea Fever by John Masefield

And then we sent him on his final journey

In celebration of ten years of blogging here at LTG, each week for the next 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 313029 28 27 26 25 24  23 22 21 20 weeks I will delve deep into the sewer archives of past posts to bring you a tidbit of blog history.  I had originally planned to call this series “The best of LTG”, but damn, there just wasn’t much “best” to be found.  And mediocre is too hard to spell.)

Ten years ago found me raging at censorship in the ROK in a post aptly titled “Censorship in the ROK”.

Kevin Kim of Big Hominid fame had a lot to say on the issue as well.  But sometimes words just won’t suffice, so he let this picture do his talking:

MIC is the Korean Ministry of Information and Communication

The block on blogs was lifted shortly thereafter, although it is unclear if the photo above played into that decision.

Of course, all the best porn sites are still blocked in Korea.  Which is why God invented the VPN.  Not that I’d ever have the need to use one.

In celebration of ten years of blogging here at LTG, each week for the next 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 313029 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 weeks I will delve deep into the sewer archives of past posts to bring you a tidbit of blog history.  I had originally planned to call this series “The best of LTG”, but damn, there just wasn’t much “best” to be found.  And mediocre is too hard to spell.)

Eight years ago I was dreaming of a retirement life in the Philippines.  I wrote about it in a post called “Hey Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat”.

I hadn’t been there yet except via the internet. Subsequent to that post I did make several trips and came away with mixed feelings about living large while being surrounded by poverty.  And as it turns out, I took my life in a different direction.  It was probably for the best.

In celebration of ten years of blogging here at LTG, each week for the next 52 51 50 49 48 47 46  45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 313029 28 27 26 25 24 23 weeks I will delve deep into the sewer archives of past posts to bring you a tidbit of blog history.  I had originally planned to call this series “The best of LTG”, but damn, there just wasn’t much “best” to be found.  And mediocre is too hard to spell.)

On year ago I was lamenting about being treated rudely in my favorite Itaewon samgyapsal house.  I wrote about it a post called “About last night”.

I don’t complain much about Korea, and truth be told there is not all that much to complain about.  Like everyone, I encounter my share of irritations. But in the big scheme of things they are mostly trivial.  You just got to go with the flow. Most of the time it’s easier to ignore a transgression than to make a scene about it.

That being said, I will stand my ground when necessary.  Especially after a few beers. Koreans are notoriously loud when drinking and eating in groups.  That doesn’t bother me. But when I’m called out for being loud when I know that I’m being less loud than those around me, it just rubs me the wrong way.  I do recognize as a commenter on that post noted that English voices in a sea of Koreans tend to stand out.  I think what set me off was the rude manner in which I was shushed.  Ah well, I’m sure my reaction just made the situation worse.

It’s been a year and I’m over it now.  Mostly.