On the road

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It is springtime in Korea.  The best time of the year (although autumn is a close second).  I admit to having a developed a rather strong case of Spring Fever.  And the best cure is to hit the road and see something new.

So this morning I’m off to the east coast.  Of Korea, that is.  From the photos I’ve seen it’s relatively rural, scenic, and most importantly for me, someplace I’ve never been.  New is good.  My specific destination is Gangwon-do, Yangyang-gun, Naksan Beach.  Here’s a link from the Tourism Office if you want to know exactly as much as I do at this point.

I’m driving.  Which is something I almost never do in Korea (except within my comfort zone–a 10km radius of Itaewon).  So, wish me luck with that.  If I’m not back in a couple of days, send out a posse!

Although I won’t be posting during my travels, I hope to have something blog-worthy to write about the trip upon my return.  Stay tuned!

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Attack the Gas Station!

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Ok, as previously noted I like most Korean movies.  Attack the Gas Station! was definitely a disappointment however, even moreso because it had come recommended as a “must see”.  Well, there’s no accounting for taste I suppose.  The whole film seemed rather pointless, psuedo-violence and sight gags repeated repetitively.  For a film that I imagine was intended as a comedy (ok, Wiki says “satire”), the laughs were few and far between.  The Netflix cover indicated it was a commetary on the “social turmoil in contemporary South Korea” (it was filmed in 1999). I must have missed that part.  It took me two nights to get through it, as I fell asleep half way through.  Here’s what Wikipedia had to say.  If you appreciate what passes for comedy on Korean TV, perhaps you’ll like this film. As for me, I’ll give it a 1 rating, because I thought it sucked. 

The other film I watched (again courtesy of Netflix) was Ditto.  I knew what to expect from this one, as I had watched the American remake The Lake House.  There were some pretty significant plot changes between the two, and I found the American version more satisfying.  Anyway, the story is about a young Korean woman attending university in 1979 who is able to communicate with another student in the year 2000 via HAM radio, through some Twilight Zone type magic.  What I found most interesting were the references to events in Korea during the late 70s of which I was vaguely familiar. Seeing them dramatized was pretty fascinating.  I really didn’t like the ambiguous ending, but had I seen this version first, perhaps I wouldn’t have expected more.  Anyway, other than being even a tad more melodramatic than the Korean norm, it was not a bad watch.  Solid 3 from me on this one.

With this post I’ve innaugarated a new post category I believe is aptly named “movies”.  Up next: Please Teach Me English.  Bet you can’t wait!

Ask a darter

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Perhaps a new feature for the LTG faithful.  Not that I’m qualified to answer, but I have gotten a couple of informal inquiries, so I will take a crack at responding.

The first wasn’t exactly posed to me directly, but rather as a Google search of “how to overcome doubts when facing the final game in darts” which led the requester to one of my dart posts.  I don’t think that particular post was responsive to the question however.  So, here goes:

In my view, darts is one part mechanics, one part strategy, and one part mental.  I wouldn’t go so far as to say they are equal parts, but they are equally important in that your game will suffer significantly if you are weak in any one of them.

This question on overcoming doubts relates to the mental portion of the game, which coincidentally may be the weakest aspect of my play.  Which means I’ve thought about it a lot, but just have not found any completely satisfactory solutions.  This is what I strive for:

1. Play the board, not your opponent.  In league or tournament play you will inevitably encounter a player who is statistically superior.  They can be beat of course, but you have to be on your game.  Ultimately, it doesn’t matter who you are playing because it comes down to you and the board.  Simply stated, while you can’t control your opponents throws, you can control your darts.  It’s you against the board, so play your game, your way.

2. Stay focused.  So what if your opponent comes out with a 7-mark or high ton to start the game, there’s a long way to go and a lot of numbers left to work with.  If you get shook, or strive for perfection on every throw, you increase the odds of failure.  Steady beats flashy, at least most of the time.

3.  Think positive.  Easier said than done to be sure.  But it is my observation that when you go to oche you should be thinking “I’m going to hit this” rather than “I can’t miss this”.  Visualize success, not the consequences of failure.  And don’t let the bad dart you just threw impact the darts in hand.  Too often one miss turns into three because that first dart gets in your head and starts the self-fulfilling negative thought processes.

4. Don’t let up.  I find I tend to play better from behind.  It seems when I have a lead I relax or deviate from playing solid fundamentals.  Keep the killer instinct from the first dart to the out.

5. Relax.  At least in Pub play, it’s important to have fun.  When you are having fun, you tend to be relaxed.  I frequently throw my best darts in practice or pick-up games.  In league play, I put pressure on myself (e.g. don’t let the team down) which tends to make me tense and tight which affects accuracy.  Take some deep breaths at the oche, block out distractions (internal and external) and let the dart fly.  Hit or miss, that’s the best you can do.  And there’s always another game and redemption on the horizon.

The second question comes from commenter Dentoku, who asks:

How much does beer drinking during a tournament affect your play?

The short answer is “as much as I let it”.  I have touched on this briefly, but I will elaborate a bit more here. 

Darts is a sport of hand/eye coordination.  So, anything that adversely affects your motor skills is going to adversely affect your game.  However, many darters subscribe to the theory that drinking actually enhances their game.  So, what’s the explanation?

I think it comes down to throwing relaxed.  Especially for experienced darters, your throwing rhythm and release point can be attributed to muscle memory (meaning lower brain functioning).  When you overlay cognitive thinking you tend to “aim” and force the darts, instead of “seeing” the target and throwing to it naturally.

So for me, 2-3 beers and I’m relaxed and in the zone.  5-6 and I’m getting uncoordinated and generally worthless.  Your mileage may vary.

Thanks for participating in this edition of Ask a Darter.

Reconnecting

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It was good to see a comment from my old bud and longtime reader Neil (Thirsty).  Surprised to see he is in Jakarta these days.  One of the things I dislike most about life in Korea is the transient nature of the relationships with people you meet.  Friends come and go with a regular frequency that takes some getting used to.  One purpose of this blog has been to stay connected with these folks who all too often scatter like the leaves from a Maple.  That was probably the most frustrating part of losing my domain name, because I (well, LTG) suddenly just disappeared and I had no means to get the word out on where I might be found.

Anyway, well met Neil.  Never had the chance to say a proper goodbye, but on your next visit to Korea we’ll raise a pint in Cheers!  Actually, I suspect it will be in Dolce Vita, but you get my meaning…

Sunday night at the movies

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Last night I watched two more street DVDs.  And also enjoyed a nice American ribeye cooked just right on the grill.  And the weather is fine for grillin’ these days.  Let’s get on with the show….

Taking Chance.  Starring Kevin Bacon as LT COL Michael Strobl (hope I abbrievated the rank right.  Army uses LTC, Air Force does it Lt. Col., not sure what the Marines do).  This true story tells of Strobl escorting the body of a young Marine PFC, Chance Phelps, after his death in Iraq from the mortuary at Dover AFB to his home in Wyoming.  A heartfelt and moving story that makes you really feel the power and impact of the ultimate sacrafice these young men and women make in service to their country.  You can read what Wikipedia had to say here.  I’m not ashamed to admit it really choked me up.  And made me proud to be an American.  I give it a 4+.

The Accidental Husband. Starring Uma Thurmond, Colin Firth and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.  Well, I like Uma Thurmond. A lot.  But even she couldn’t save this trite farce.  I don’t know, movies like this just don’t resonate with me.  Maybe it was a chick flick that I just didn’t get.  More likely, it was just typical Hollywood crap.  Watch it if you’ve got a couple hours of your life to waste.  A low 2, and I’m being generous.

On the horizon:  This week’s Netflix movies have arrived.  Three Korean films are on tap–Please Teach Me English, Ditto, and Attack the Gas Station!.  Check back later in the week for the lowdown.

Cheers!

Victory!

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The Blue Bulls took down Beer B4 Bulls from Blue Frog tonight 22-15.  I was a disappointing 6-6, but hit my share of marks, including a 5 bull, two 3BCs, and a 7 mark.  So, we should still be clinging to first place, pending our make up game Thursday with Eberhardt.

Stay tuned.

My Sassy Girl

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Ok, I confess to really liking most Korean movies.  Yes, they tend to be very melodramatic, sacharine sweet, corny, and predictable.  What’s not to like?

My Sassy Girl is an older film that I discovered through a clip posted on the blog On My Way to Korea.  I liked that clip so much I stole it and posted it here.  Commenter Jason saw the clip I posted, liked it as well, and now threatens to post it on his blog.  Ain’t the internet great?

Anyway, that clip whetted my appetite for more and I was pleased to discover the entire movie can be viewed on YouTube in ten minute chunks.  I have now viewed the entire movie and declare it hilarious.  Yeah, it gets a bit sappy in places, but some of the scenes had me laughing out loud.  I don’t think you can understand a culture through movies (I shudder to imagine how people would judge America based on the Hollywood view of things), but at least through film I feel a gain a greater appreciation for this country I call home.

So, I invite and recommend you to enjoy this sweet movie.  I’m even going to make it easy for you by posting links to each clip.  So, pop some corn, relax, take your shoes off, sit a spell, and indulge yourself in the pleasure of watching this fine film.  You’ll be glad you did.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Part 10

Part 11

Part 12

Part 13

The final scene

Now, wasn’t that fun?

As the dart flies

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I competed in the Seoul International Dart League midseason doubles tournament yesterday.  It was a mixed A-B Division format, meaning the top ranked A player was matched with the lowest ranked B player and so on throughout the players registered for the competition.  I think this works well, because you avoid having the top players in each division teamed up which sometimes occurs in the blind draw format.  Yesterday we had a good balance on the teams which made for a highly competitive tournament.

I went in ranked #7 in A division and was matched with Podge who is currently #11 in B division.  I hadn’t really seen Podge throw that much, but I felt we had a tough job ahead of us as there were some real strong players teamed up, including several A-A combinations.  Of course, rankings don’t count for anything, it’s all about throwing good darts consistently.  And for the most part, that’s what we did.

I was quite impressed with Podge, and he actually carried me pretty much in our first match.  I picked it up after that, and we really started to roll.  In the semi-finals of the winner’s bracket we faced off with Craig and Grant.  It came down to the third leg, and we were up in the cricket leg.  Then I made a strategic error, opting to close a number instead of throwing for points.  Craig punished my stupidity by throwing a 5 mark and snatched the win.

Podge and I fought back through the loser’s bracket and faced Craig and Grant again in the Championship game.  Unfortunately, I was out of gas by then, and they promptly dispatched us 2-0.  Ah well, it was a great day and I’m not hanging my head over a second place finish.  Splitting the W210,000 prize money was also pretty sweet.

It was also a good day for the Blue Bulls (my team in league play).  Teammate Craig took first, I got a second, and Scott and Ali took third.  I spent a good part of my winnings on my bar tab as we were all in a celebratory mood after a hard days work darting.

Another fine day in my sporting life.  Heh, rumor has it that darts will be included in the 2012 London Olympic Games.  If so, I guess that would make me officially an athlete.  Imagine that!  Of course, I also lift weights.  12 ounces at a time.  Too bad beer drinking isn’t a sport, eh?

The view from the couch

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This is my weekly routine:

I work 8-5 M-F each week, but this is Saturday and I am not inclined to talk about work.  Ok?

Monday night is dart league.

Tuesday I recover from dart league beer drinking.

Wednesday I practice darts for a couple of hours, then head over to Don Valley, my favorite Korean restuarant in Itaewon, for samgyapsal.  Yum!

Thursday I stay home and will usually cook.  This week it was galbi, American style.  That would be Memphis (Corky’s) bar-b-que pork ribs.  Cooked on the grill the way God intended.

Friday is the Dolce Vita Dart tournament.  Always fun.  Last night I managed a second place with my partner COL Dan and had the high out as well.  That was good for W16,000.

Saturday is a wild card.  I do my grocery shopping for the week, surf the net, blog, and play CIV IV.  Saturday night?  Depends on the mood.  I’ll usually take a break from Dolce, and change the pace by visiting Manila bar for some San Miguel on tap.  When I’m feeling bago payo, I’ll hit Don Valley for some bulgogi.  Then depending on my mood level of intoxication and who I’ve encountered out and about, I like to do the norebang thing.  I can’t sing a lick, but that never stops me.  Tonight I will be playing in the Seoul International Dart League mid-season doubles tourney at Bless U Pub.  It starts at 4, so that foretells an early evening.  My capacity for beer drinking generally maxes out at 4 hours or so.  And as everyone knows, darts is just a socially acceptable excuse to drink beer, right? 

Sunday I do whatever I feel like, and don’t do whatever I don’t want to do.  It’s my lazy day (heh, more lazy than normal).  I don’t shave, sometimes cook, usually spend hours on the internet or playing CIV IV (I am bit obsessed with the game).  If I get too bored I’ll venture out to Dolce Vita and chuck some darts.

So, as you can see I like living life on the edge.  It’s a thrill a minute, let me tell you.

I say all of the above as a long winded prelude to my sharing this week’s movies.  As my regular reader(s) know, I recently purchased a giant flat screen TV and blu-ray DVD player.  And signed up for a subscription to Netflix. 

The way Netflix works for those that don’t know is you pay a monthly fee and have movies mailed to your home address.  This works for me because I have an APO (Army post office) address, which is serviced by the good ol’ U.S. Mail.  Given the turnaround time, I can usually watch 3 movies a week through Netflix.  I tend to watch movies on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday nights.  I supplement Netflix by buying movies on the street in Itaewon.  And yes, I am sure these are legitmate because they have the F.B.I. warning on them, and I know Korea would not tolerate anything as illicit as bootlegging DVDs.  That is wrong and tantamount to stealing afterall.  Just say NO!  Alright then, now that we are clear on that, here’s what I watched this week (no spoilers):

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.  A very interesting film starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett.  Based on the short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald.  Which I haven’t read.  The film was technically well made, and the special effects were impressive.  I enjoyed the story because it was different and thought provoking.  The whole concept of living your life is reverse chronology is quite mind bending.  Pitt turned in a fine performance as Mr. Button.  My only real complaint is the movie is a tad long at 3 hours, but for the most part I was sufficiently entertained to make the time investment worthwhile.  Using the LTG unpatented rating scale (1=sucks, 5=excellent) I give this flick a solid 4.

Valkyrie.  This film tells the true story (Wikipedia says it was for the most part historically accurate) of German Col Von Stauffenberg’s failed attempt to assianate Hitler in 1944.  Tom Cruise plays Stauffenberg, and although I’m no fan of Cruise, he did a nice job in this movie.  I’m a bit of a history buff (which is to say I have an interest in history, but I don’t really know sh*t about it), and the WWII genre is something that always catches my interest.  I didn’t have great expectations, but I enjoyed the Dickens out of this movie (sorry, I’m a slave to puns).  The what ifs of history are always intriguing, and the Valkyrie plotters came surprising close to pulling this coup off.  Of course, Hitler was dead in 9 months anyway, but perhaps an early end to the war would have changed the world as we know it today.  Or maybe not.  Anyway, if you have any interest in one of the lesser known events of WWII, I think you will find this movie satisfying.  I give it a hearty 3.

Yes Man.  Typical Jim Carrey fare.  A bit of a farce, but still mildly entertaining.  I like Jim Carrey in his more serious dramatic performances (i.e. e.g. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) and this movie was full of the face gags and physical comedy for which Carrey is more well-known.  There were a few laughs along the way, but in the end I guess I was feeling like I could have better spent those 2 hours (like playing CIV IV).  I’ll be charitable and give it a rating of 2.

Ok friends, that’s this weeks view from the couch.  Keep on Truckin’!

UPDATE:  Corrected the i.e. to the proper e.g. as pointed out by a commenter.  I think I use to know the difference in some forgotten past, and I appreciate the reminder.   I also know my spelling is atrocious.  I have been ruined by a combination of Bill Gates’ squiggly underlines (unavailable here) and my utter laziness when it comes to actually looking a word up…

It pays to advertise…

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Although in my case, it is costing.  Not much and I did it pretty much on a lark.  Yes, today I purchased some Google Ads.  Another effort in my struggle to recover from the theft of my domain.  I’ve not seen any of the ads, but they should be appearing randomly throughout the K-blogosphere.  I just checked the Google Ad stats and one person actually clicked on an ad.  Set me back 66 cents.  Sir or Madam, I hope it was as good for you as it was for me.

Anyway, I only pay when I get a hit and my total budget is fifty bucks.  I’ll be amazed if I get enough hits to max that out, but you never know.

So, if you came here through an ad and are wondering what Long Time Gone is all about, well, you tell me.  This blog is a virtual cornacopia of potporri.  Which is another way of saying it is about everything and nothing at all.  I write what I feel like writing whenever I feel like writing about what I’m feeling, doing, feel like doing, or wishing I was doing.  And sometimes I write nothing at all.  I ain’t much on grammar nor spelling, but I take no offense at criticism in that regard neither.  Feedback is a gift, so feel free to spill your guts in the comment section.

Like me, this here blog is a work in progress.  Stop by anytime you like and see what’s up.  Expect to be disappointed and perhaps occasionally pleasantly surprised.   As Stephen Stills opined: “It’s no matter, no distance–it’s the ride.”  Whatever that means…

And now it’s time to say goodbye from here at Long Time Gone

And I would like to thank you folks for kindly loggin’ on

You’re all invited back again to this locality

To have a heapin’ helpin’ of my hospitality…

Y’all come back now, hear?

(with apologies to the Beverly Hillbillies)

“Don’t think we’re not keeping score, brother”

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More hope and change from The One:

“Don’t think we’re not keeping score, brother.” That’s what President Barack Obama said to Rep. Peter DeFazio in a closed-door meeting of the House Democratic Caucus last week, according to the Associated Press.

A few weeks ago, Mr. DeFazio voted against the administration’s stimulus bill. The comment from Mr. Obama was a presidential rebuke and part of a new, hard-nosed push by the White House to pressure Congress to adopt the president’s budget. He has mobilized outside groups and enlisted forces still in place from the Obama campaign.

Its targets were initially Republicans, as team Obama ran ads depicting the GOP as the “party of no.” But now the fire is being trained on Democrats worried about runaway spending.

Americans United is going after Democrats who are skeptical of Mr. Obama’s plans to double the national debt in five years and nearly triple it in 10. The White House is taking aim at lawmakers in 12 states, including Democratic Sens. Kent Conrad, Ben Nelson, Mary Landrieu, Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor. MoveOn.Org is running ads aimed at 10 moderate Senate and House Democrats. And robocalls are urging voters in key districts to pressure their congressman to get in line.

Support continues to decline for the proposition that a big boost in government spending will lead America to prosperity. A NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll early last month found that 61% of Americans were concerned that “the federal government will spend too much money” (up 12 points from December), and only 29% were concerned “it will spend too little money to try to boost the economy.”

This growing skepticism will not be assuaged by White House Budget Director Peter Orszag’s bewildering response when asked by a reporter last week about increasing federal debt. He said, “I don’t know what spiraling debt you’re referring to.”

Members of Congress should also worry about how Mr. Obama is “keeping score.” He is steeped in the ways of Chicago politics and has not forgotten his training in the methods once used by Saul Alinsky, the radical Chicago community organizer.

Alinsky’s 1971 book, “Rules for Radicals,” is a favorite of the Obamas. Michele Obama quoted it at the Democratic Convention. One Alinsky tactic is to “Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.” That’s what the White House did in targeting Rush Limbaugh, Rick Santelli and Jim Cramer. (The president’s press secretary, Robert Gibbs, went so far as to lash all three from the White House press podium.) It may also explain Mr. Obama’s comments to Mr. DeFazio.

After all, Alinsky’s first rule of “power tactics” is “power is not only what you have but what the enemy thinks you have.” Team Obama wants to remind its adversaries it has plenty of power, and it does. The question is whether the White House will wield it responsibly. The jury is still out, but certain clues are beginning to emerge. “Don’t think we’re not keeping score, brother,” even if said with a wink and a smile, isn’t quite the “new politics” we were told to expect.

To further enjoy the irony (or perhaps more aptly, hypocrisy) here’s the ad MoveOn.org ran about the comparitively small deficits under Bush (updated to reflect the pending disaster Obama is creating):
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Let me apologize now to my sweet granddaughter Gracyn.  The country went temporarily (I hope) insane.  Sorry you have to pay for that madness.

 

Ten Things I Like About Korea

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Never one to avoid a thrown gauntlet, even if I haven’t really thought much about it.  So here goes (in no particular order):

1. My Korean employees.  Hard workers, rarely complain, and no back talk or passive-aggressive shenanigans you’d come to expect from disgruntled Americans.  Bear in mind I work for Uncle Sam…

2. My ten minute commute to work.  As opposed to the 1.5 hour nightmare I had in DC.

3.  I can smoke pretty much wherever I want (except on base, but that’s Little America).

4.  The Seoul International Dart League.  If you are a regular at LTG you KNEW that would be on the list!

5.  The expat community.  Soldiers, English teachers, Brits, Scots, Canadians, Pinoys, Japanese…the whole eccletic crowd its been my pleasure to meet and interact with on a regular basis.

6.  The food.  Just about anytime, but especially after a hard night at darts (and beer).  Grilled meat in lettuce leaves with kimchi and sauce.  Can’t beat it in my book.

7.  Beautiful women.

8.  Korean culture and history.  I don’t know the half of it (literally), but it is all fascinating as hell.

9.  Seoul subway system and the KTX to Busan.  Nothing in America compares.

10.  Ondol heating.  Nothing like a warm floor on a cold winters day.  Beats a heat pump any day of the year.  Er, well, not in July.  But you get my meaning.

Hell, that was pretty easy after all.  I could come up with more (like the ROK soldiers in their taekwondo stance at the DMZ), but the challenge was ten and I’ve run the gauntlet.

A squeaker

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Last night we eeked out a tough win against Rubbies at Dolce Vita Pub, 19-18.  Scott and I went 3-0 in the last round of doubles mix (cricket and ’01) to secure the victory.  I had an average night, going 7-5 but didn’t hit many marks.  I’ve pretty much come to the conclusion that I am just an average player who occasionally has moments of brilliance.  What I have considered inconsistency is really just a reflection of the reality that I do not throw excellent darts on a regular basis.  I am in fact consistently average.  I believe that realization will help me enjoy the game more as it eases my frustration when I do not meet the inflated expectations I have set for myself.  Of course, I will continue to work hard at improving my game, but I am pretty much resigned to the fact that I will never be in the top tier of amatuer pub darters.  So, having fun and staying in the top ten in my division are I think realistic goals to strive for.

So, the Goat is no longer with us.  He has a new job that keeps him out of town Monday-Friday.  Fortunately, Seung Youb has managed to rejoin the team which is a big plus going into the final third of the seasons.  Barring a major implosion, we should make the playoffs where anything is possible.

 After the match last night, Koichi, Scott, Seung Youb and I went downstairs to the Bless U seafood restaurant for a bite of food and liquid refreshment.  I’m afraid the combination of soju, beer, and saki were a bit overwhelming as I spent some time on the bathroom floor after I arrived home.  Got to remember to stick with beer!

 Anyway, we had a great time darting and partying.  We are planning a team road trip down south in a couple of weeks which I hope to make.  A change of scenery is always good now and again.  I’m also going to make my first trip to the east coast next month if I can work up the courage to navigate the journey by car. 

So maybe I will even have a blog-worthy experience or two.

Stones in the road

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I mentioned my Scottish friend Alisteir a few posts back and how I don’t get a lot of what he says because his English is, well, from Scotland.  One of the words he uses is “Stone” which is apparently some measure of weight back home in the British Isles.  I guess to avoid confusing the monetary unit with the weight of things.  Whatever.  I mention this only to provide context for this newspaper account of a sad family in the motherland: “They weigh 80 stone, claim thousands in benefits – and can’t work. Who do they blame? Anyone but themselves”.  Fascinating read.  I’m not sure how many ‘stones’ I’m up to these days, but it ain’t pretty.  At least I’m employed though.

I had to create a new category “assorted misc.” for this post ’cause it didn’t fit anywhere else.  Nothing like breaking new ground and keepin’ it fresh.  Not that I’d mix metaphors.
Hat Tip: Andrea Harris (The Twisted Spinster)