Premonition

No, this is not another post about possible future events here on the Korean peninsula.  It’s about the movie I watched last night starring Sandra Bullock.

The film is called Premonition and Bullock plays a housewife and mother going about the humdrum routine of her day.  And then there’s a knock on the door and it’s the Sheriff bringing news that her husband has died in a car accident.  She is of course devastated and gets through the rest of the day in zombie-like fashion with the help of her mother.  And when she wakes up the next day her husband is there in the kitchen having his morning coffee.  Except it wasn’t the next day.

I won’t go any further, as I don’t want to spoil it for those who have not viewed this 2007 film.  I’ve always been a fan of Bullock and her acting does not disappoint in this challenging role.  Although come to think of it, it was never Bullock’s acting that I liked, I also enjoyed looking at her.  I guess we are all getting older, but her caboose has certainly spread since last time I saw her in a movie.  Or maybe it’s just that I’ve been around skinny-ass Korean women too long.  Now, I know that criticism of Bullock is shallow and unfair, not to mention irrelevant to the part she played.  But by the accounts I’ve read she’s a quite the bitch in real life, so I don’t mind casting a few stones her way.  Ok?

Anyway, I had a feeling the movie would be good when I ordered it from Netflix.  Call it a premonition.  And the movie was nicely done.  You know, these “vision from the future” things can be hard to pull off, but the quirky use time juxtaposition was quite creative and unique.  You have to pay attention as it all gets a little confusing, but then again, that’s the intent I suppose.  I thought the scene with the Catholic priest was pretty contrived, but other than that I enjoyed the challenge of figuring out what was going on.

I give this one a 4 out of 5.  I suspect some want like the ending, but I thought it worked.

What, me worry?

So everyone seems to be speculating these days on what’s next from crazy ol’ Kim Jong Il.  Well, your guess is as good as mine.  The commonly held view seems to be that we can expect some type of provacative act, likely in or near the Northern Limit Line (the extension of the DMZ into the Yellow Sea).  Could be a naval engagement or perhaps even an invasion of one of the coastal islands.  Unlike his predecessor, President Lee will probably be disinclined to let such an act go answered.  Whether it stops at a tit for tat remains to be seen.

I’m thinking Kim will wait and see if the UN Security Council does anything more than issue “a strongly worded letter”.  If so, that may trigger him to lash out in some form or fashion.  At least, that has been his modus operandi in the past.  Rumor has it that sanctions, if they are coming, would be announced this week.  So I suppose it’s wait and see time around here.

You know, people from home seem a lot more concerned about the current state of affairs here on the peninsula than those of us living here.  Again, this is pretty much old hat and it is only the uninformed who believe that the Norks ever respected any international agreements to which they are a party.  Make no mistake, military planning and preparations are ongoing, but that is as it should be regardless.  Just some new possible contingencies to take into account is my observation.  Certainly, it is business a usual for the Korean people who have been living under north Korean threats for generations. 

I’m not worried or overly concerned.  I guess the fact that I’m even thinking and writing about this issue now is about the only thing different from my perspective.  While the Norks could rain some fire and destruction down on our heads, it would be suicide to do so.  And my take on it is that everything the DPRK does is calculated to ensure perpetuation of the regime.  There is always the chance that they will miscalculate and overplay thier hand I suppose, but I also expect China will not sit back indefinitely and let things get too far out of hand.

Of course, not everyone has such a sanguine view of things.  Commenter Dennis from Florida left the following comment on an earlier post:

As heard on Coast to Coast AM. (www.coasttocoastam.com), probably a month or so ago, an interview of the somewhat famed ‘remote viewer’ Major Ed Dames, USA, (Ret). Ed predicts, via multiple remote viewing the future ‘hits’ from amongst his Matrix Intelligence Agency staff and many students of his program, too many to count, that a major event is going to occur on the Korean Peninsula within six months of the programs airing, which would make it more like within maybe four months or maybe even less from this point in time. Specifics of the situation are not revealed other than to say that many, many lives will be lost among South Koreans to include many 8th Army assigned personnel/forces. Speculation seems to center on the probability of a ‘fairly small yield’ nuke, maybe, from NK into probably the Seoul area. This strike, it was predicted, will result in prompt and complete retaliation against the North (probably by combined US/ROK forces) resulting in pretty much cessation of NK as it is formally constituted currently.

So, there you have it. When these predictions were made it is worth noting, K J IL was still recovering from a probable stroke and none of his spin-up in missile firings, nuke testing’s, suspension of the ‘Armistice’, etc, had yet occurred, nor had,obviously, the more recent capture (kid-napping) of the two Asian journalists, their trials and subsequent sentencing’s or other incidents of intrigue. So, these things noted, events would seem to be moving in the direction of, certainly, some form of confrontation, surely evidenced, as well, by the recently announced leadership changes and the greatly ramped-up saber-rattling that is going on currently. You can check it further by going to www.learnrv.com, which is Ed Dames’ web-site or can do a general search on it and will surely find more details than I have cited here.

As a final note, Ed Dames is indeed a former USArmy, now retired, Intelligence Officer and now CEO of the somewhat successful organization named the Matrix Intelligence Agency – the MIA employs these remote viewing techniques and skills under contract, to learn and predict all sorts of things for it’s clients – apparently has a great track record and has made a ton of money too. Back in the 80’s Ed was an original member of a cadre of Army personnel who took part in a highly classified USA pilot program which was then called ‘Stargate’ – true story. The program was held at DIA and was very successful but was subsequently disbanded apparently due to political pressures, which would not surprise me in the least – it was subsequently declassified, as well, obviously. At the time I was a USAF Intelligence officer and visited the DIA regularly for many, many conferences and meetings, but I never heard of this program till about three years ago and after the emergence of ‘remote viewing’ as a ‘taught discipline’. Remote viewing is a technique whereby the future is discerned through a strictly controlled protocol of psychic-type concentration – it apparently taps into the universal consciousness we are all a part of, yeah, really, and by every measure I’ve been able to discern, it indeed truly seems to work.

Yeah, even vocalizing, these things seems probably a bit over the top and probably hard to believe. And of course, I’m not trying to convince anyone, simply reporting what I have listened to and looked in to, and the potential linkage to the ‘time for change’ blog entry of John’s.

So, as we used to say back in the day, I guess we can all ‘hide and watch’. Since I listened to the original program back a couple months ago, I’ve had one eye sort of trained on the subject, waiting and watching the drift…….. given the unfolding events, nearly daily almost now, seems to be something there, something to it, I would have to observe. There were numerous other quite interesting and some would say even profound ‘predictions’ made during the program, as well……..which I won’t go in to here, but the mention of the Korea thing seemed worth a comment. Hey, stranger things have happened.

Time will tell I suppose.  But I’m sleeping just fine.

UPDATE:  Upon re-reading, my poor sentence construction may have left the impression that I thought anyone taking the situation here more serious than me was “uninformed”. My intent was people who only read the MSM and see “Kim renounces Armistice” might think things are worse than they are. Kim has never kept true to the terms of the Armistice, so that statement is not particular cause for alarm.

Nada y nada

Things are kinda quiet around here.  Which is all well and good, drama is way overrated.  The lack of said drama just doesn’t make much room for blog worthy material.  Regular readers will no doubt note that fact has not proven much of a hinderance previously.  Therefore, in the fine tradition of LTG I give you this post about nothing.

We are between seasons in dart league, but a few of the boys were out throwing last night at Bless U Pub.  We played for beers.  Too many beers as it turns out.  Dropped by Dolce Vita on the way home to drop off my darts, and encountered my old pal (and recently married) MK hangin’ out with Jim and YJ.  I rang the bell for a round of shots.  She reciprocated.  And that was about as crazy as I get these days.

Oh, and for the commenters speculating on “the change” I promised:  I fear I inadvertantly over hyped this issue.  Yes, change is coming (very soon I expect).  I never said it was going to be a BIG change.  You will see what I’m talking about any day now.  Literally.

Not to worry

My previous post “Time for a change” was in retrospect a bit more cryptic than I intended.  And then I inadvertantly exacerbated the situation by not posting any updates.  Which generated a couple of comments:

What?
Got married?
Got fired?
Got impailed by a Korean dart?
Got invited to defect to NK?

Com’on, John. . . .

Or heaven forbid, gave up your blog?????

Comment by dentoku — 05/June/2009 @ 9:37 pm |Edit This

It’s a surprise

Been there, done that

Not yet, but I’m going to fire myself in 18 months

I’ve managed to avoid being stuck, struck, poked or punctured thus far.

No, but I did have a dream once that I participated in a commando raid to assaianate kill Kim Jong Il.

I expect this blog will be around as long as I am, for better or worse.

Korea is my home now.

The change is coming, or so I’m told.  Look for it!

Up North

Well, trouble may be brewing with the folks north of the border.  Although I don’t think anything approaching a resumption of hostilities is imminent, I believe everyone expects some type of provocation by Mr. Kim, Jong Il.  Question is what type and where?

A situation like this calls for a repeat viewing of Team America: World Police.  Which I did just the other night. 

There is no disputing that Mr. Kim is an asshole.  I guess we will find out soon if the USA is gonna be a dick or a pussy.

Pussies don’t like dicks, because pussies get fucked by dicks. But dicks also fuck assholes: assholes that just want to shit on everything. Pussies may think they can deal with assholes their way. But the only thing that can fuck an asshole is a dick, with some balls. The problem with dicks is: they fuck too much or fuck when it isn’t appropriate – and it takes a pussy to show them that. But sometimes, pussies can be so full of shit that they become assholes themselves… because pussies are an inch and half away from ass holes. I don’t know much about this crazy, crazy world, but I do know this: If you don’t let us fuck this asshole, we’re going to have our dicks and pussies all covered in shit!

(My favorite quote from Team America.)

Catch and Release

No, I’m not talking about Obama’s plan for what to do with captured enemy combatants.  Catch and Release is the title of a movie I watched this week.  Or more correctly, tried to watch.  Only made it halfway through before turning it off in disgust.  Rather than being entertained, I was irratated.  It started out slow, then got worse.  Insipid, shallow, and dull.  Which is too bad, because there were some good actors associated with this wreck of a movie.  Jennifer Garner, Juliette Lewis and Kevin Smith (aka silent Bob) were wasted talent on this shell of a story.  Hey, my first zero rating!  I’ll give it that.

Also watched a film called The Secret.  This was was just plain ass weird in a disturbing kind of way.  First time I had seen the whole ‘mom/wife possesses daughter’s body’ thing done as something other than comedy.  I guess it had its moments and it was mildly entertaining, but when the “wife” tries to seduce the husband while in her daughter’s body, it was just a bit over the top for me.  Stars David Duchovny as the would be incesterous father/husband.  I’ll give it a 2 out of 5.

And that’s about it from here folks.

Sticks and Stones

Well, President Obama really gave it to the the North Koreans:

One day after North Korea launched a successful test of a nuclear weapon, President Obama said that the United States was prepared to respond to the threat with “the strongest possible adjectives.”In remarks to reporters at the White House, Mr. Obama said that North Korea should fear the “full force and might of the United States’ arsenal of adjectives” and called the missile test “reckless, reprehensible, objectionable, senseless, egregious and condemnable.”Standing at the President’s side, Vice President Joseph Biden weighed in with some tough adjectives of his own, branding North Korean President Kim Jong-Il “totally wack and illin’.”Later in the day, Defense Secretary Robert Gates called the North Korean nuclear test “supercilious and jejune,” leading some in diplomatic circles to worry that the U.S. might be running out of appropriate adjectives with which to craft its response.But President Obama attempted to calm those fears, saying that the United States was prepared to “scour the thesaurus” to come up with additional adjectives and was “prepared to use adverbs” if necessary.“Let’s be clear: we are not taking adverbs off the table,” Mr. Obama said.  “If the need arises, we will use them forcefully, aggressively, swiftly, overwhelmingly and commandingly.”

I say go for it!  Tell Mr. Kim one more false step and we will throw the book at him. 

As for me, I’m taking action as well:  Ashes and scorn and vomit on you, Mr. Kim, Jong Il!

You don’t want to mess with masters of the carefully crafted invective!

Thanks to Andy Borowitz for giving me a good hearty laugh.

 

 

 

 

Organization Day

No, I didn’t get organized.  We had a little staff outing today.  Although there was not much “out” involved, we utilized the little picnic area directly across the street from the office.  Still, it was a nice afternoon.  Everybody participated in the pot luck thing.  My contribution was a banana pudding.

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Before the festivities I had some work related business to attend to.  Namely, putting signatures on the recently completed labor-management agreement with the Korean Employees Union.  That’s Mr. Chi, KEU President.

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Then we got down to the real business of the day, chowing down!

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Burgers, flank stank, and hot dogs plus on the usual sides and the Korean contributions, including the ubiquitous kimchee.

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Corine had her grandson Wyatt stop by for a visit as well.

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Had a little badmitton and horeshoes too.  That’s In Suk demonstrating her rather unique style pitching the shoe.

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The folks most responsible for my success, the staff of the USFK/8th Army Directorate of Human Resources.

So there you have a slice of a day in the life.

A Day to Remember

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Here dead we lie
Because we did not choose
To live and shame the land
From which we sprung.

Life, to be sure,
Is nothing much to lose,
But young men think it is,
And we were young.

–Alfred Edward Housman 

Today is the day Americans set aside to honor and remember the men and
women who gave their lives in defense of freedom and liberty.

From the days of fighting for independence from Great Britain, through the
Civil War, two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan–our best
and brightest have answered the call to service in the Armed Forces.  And
far too many made the ultimate sacrifice so that future generations could
live as a free people.

Memorial Day has an especially significant meaning for all of us here in
Korea.  In this great land, over 30,000 Americans died fighting side-by-side
with the Korean people defending freedom.  One need only look around this
modern vibrant country rebuilt from the ashes of that war to know that their
sacrifice was not in vain.  We stand today with our Korean brothers and
sisters, ever vigilant and ready, so that peace may always reign in The Land
of the Morning Calm.

Sadly, but not with upbraiding,
    The generous deed was done,
In the storm of the years that are fading
    No braver battle was won:
        Under the sod and the dew,
            Waiting the judgment-day;
        Under the blossoms, the Blue,
            Under the garlands, the Gray

No more shall the war cry sever,
    Or the winding rivers be red;
They banish our anger forever
    When they laurel the graves of our dead!
        Under the sod and the dew,
            Waiting the judgment-day,
        Love and tears for the Blue,
            Tears and love for the Gray.

–Francis Miles Finch

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Tournament report

So we wrapped up the season yesterday with the SIDL Awards Banquet and tournament.  My darts sucked big time for some reason and I never did get untracked.  Felt bad for my partner.  As bad as I played, we still eeked out a 6th place finish good for W70,000.  If I had brought my game who knows what might have been.  Ah well, I just never seem to do well in this event. 

Anyway, here’s some photos:

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There was eats from Subway and Pizza Hut

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And trophys for those who enjoyed a successful season.

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For me, it was an award for 2nd Place in the mid-seasons doubles, and one for second place in the league championship.  I guess I’m like Avis.  I also received pins for 5-mark, 6-mark, 9-mark, bull shot, and league elite.  I think my greatest achievement however is maintaining my humility and modesty.  Heh.

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L-R: Grant, league VP; Lonnie, secretary; and Max, President.  They did their usual outstanding job as our hosts.

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Lucky, Dennis, and Ron from Eberhardt of Scrooge Pub.  Winners of the A Division Regular Season.

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Dartaholics, also from Scrooge Pub, B Division Champs.  Don’t really know these guys (other than the token miguk Dustin).  The guy on the left really has a Sammy Davis, Jr. look going on though, doesn’t he?

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Yours truly enjoying my moment in the spotlight…

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One half of the Blue Bulls of Bless U Pub accepting our consolation prize.  I think we are all still smarting over the way we lost the championship.

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Shane had a crappy partner yesterday, but sharing 6th place money was better than nothing.

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Jim and Dan took 5th place.

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Todd and Jodie knocked me and Shane out of the tourney and finished 4th.

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Doug and Dave walked away with 3rd place money.

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Jay and Dustin fought hard but had to settle for 2nd Place.

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David (I think) and Mike were the tourney champions.  Congratulations!

All right, I think that’s just about enough about that.

The more things change, the more they remain the same…

As the Instapundit is prone to say: They told me if I voted for McCain the Bush administration anti-terrorism policies would remain in place.  And they were right!

On the bright side, this is change I can believe in.

Over at The Corner they have a nice take on the big showdown between Cheney and Obama:

President Obama and former Vice President Cheney weren’t so much a study in contrast today as a portrait of harmony. Both men agree that the Bush administration’s anti-terrorist policies were largely correct. Cheney signaled his acceptance of this view by vigorously defending those policies. Obama signaled it by largely adopting those same policies and emitting a fog of words to cover up the fact.

I’d say that pretty much nails it.

 

Ready for the weekend!

Ah, looking at 3 days and no work.  Good stuff.

We had a very moving Honor Guard ceremony today to pay respects to the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom. 

Darts at Dolce tonight and the Dart League end of season tourney/awards banquet tomorrow.  Which makes this video about the proper way to drink soju all the more timely.  Not that there’s a wrong way to drink it.  Then again, not drinking it all may well be the most prudent course of action.  But no one has ever accused me of being a prude, so perhaps there is some soju in my near future.

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Hat Tip: On my way to Korea.  (Check it out, he’s got lots more cool videos posted. Just scroll down)

Well, I guess I ought to post something.

Something about nothing that is.

Truth of the matter is there not much new or interesting to report in my part of the world.  I know, I know, that never stopped me before, right?

Ok, well we are between dart seasons so that’s out.

I’ve watched some movies, but they were too old to review.  You know, Legends of the Fall, Dead Poets Society, stuff like that.  Well, there was a Korean movie, Sympathy for Mr. Vengence.  I guess it would be in the “Kill Bill” genre, if there is such a thing.  Entertaining and all, but it was pretty hard to generate much sympathy for any of the characters.  Except for the little girl.  You’ll have to see for yourself on that.

Speaking of movies, do read the comment Dennis left regarding The Civilization of Maxwell Bright.  He saw it on a much deeper level than I managed, but I did catch the point regarding The Book of the Dead.  In fact, I’ve been thinking about it and hope I can find that level of peace and acceptance when my time comes.

Which reminds me, I went to the doctor on base this week.  Time for them to look through the scope that sees past Uranus, if you catch my drift.  Apparently they are booked up in the surgery clinic until July, so I won’t get any news on the state of my colon for awhile yet.  I also got a prescription for Chantrix (not sure how it is spelled).  I haven’t picked it up yet (which is why I can’t spell it).  For those not in the know, it is a drug that is reputed to kill the urge to smoke.  Yes, I am thinking about quitting again.  Emphasis on thinking at this point.  My moring cough might be trying to tell me something.  That and the whole Book of the Dead thing.

My dad is also getting radiation treatments for throat cancer.  So yeah, I might need to reconsider some of my lifestyle choices.

Work is a pain in the ass.  I have a great staff and I work the hell out of them.  It’s not like I’m doing any heavy lifting on my own.  But I seem to be lacking enthusiasm and motivation more frequently than I am comfortable with.  How bad is it?  Well, the other morning on my drive to work, I wrote a song call Procrastination.  Sung to the tune of that old Carly Simon song Anticipation.  I was pretty proud of myself.  But then again, it was about the only thing of substance I managed to accomplish that day.  I am going to have to do something about my procrastination problem.  Maybe next week.

I did brief the 4-star today and survived it pretty well, so I guess that’s something.  Prior to the meeting someone said I was the guy with all the answers.  Perhaps, but I am not real clear on the questions.  Ah well.

So, what do you do when you don’t feel like working?  Make vacation plans of course.  Which I have.  Bali.  First week in July.  It’s high time I got out and saw something new in this world.  Looking forward to that for sure.

I do go on, don’t I?

Enough.