No, not this countdown. It’s already too late. We are dead and consumed by the Borg anyway. Or maybe this is more of that “fake news” I’ve been hearing about.  One of those.

The countdown I’m talking about is that in exactly five months my term of appointment expires. My staff is pressuring me to stay one more year, but I’ve made up my mind that it is time for me to go.  The money is great and when (if) I move down to Pyeongtaek, Uncle Sam will even pay my rent.  That alone saves me around two grand a month. But.  I’ll be 62 in August.  The COPD diagnosis certainly reinforced the fact that I ain’t gonna live forever.  So I’d best start living now, or come September anyway.

The job is a pain in the ass. The people I work with are wonderful though.  Seriously, more like a pseudo family than employees.  And really, during this transition from the life I’d planned on to the one I now have, they’ve given me much support and comfort.  As lonely and directionless as I’ve been, I’d have been lost without the forty hours a week I’ve shared with them.

They don’t know I’ve made up my mind to leave them, so don’t say anything!  I’m sure they will be disappointed but I’ve got to put me first now.  Who am I kidding?  I’ve always been a selfish bastard.  And I’m weary of my Korea life and up for a new adventure in the Philippines.  Let’s get on with it.

Paying my share. Last year I graduated to the 25% tax bracket. This year my hard work was rewarded with a 28% tax bite. This check makes up the difference. By my reckoning I’m paying a higher percentage than all the rich people, not to mention the 47% of the population who pays nothing. A fucked up mess of a system, that’s for sure.

On Sunday I braved the polluted air and did a river hike of 20,000+ steps.

That would be me communing with nature…

After my river journey, I swung by the commissary to pick up the ingredients for a side dish to bring to a dart league barbecue at Shenanigans…

I’m sure you can guess what I made…

Only the best goes into my pudding…

By all accounts it was a hit.

Although it wasn’t long before I reached the point of not caring…

Hate the war all you want, but disrespecting the soldiers who serve our nation is beyond cowardly…

Oh, I grilled steaks tonight. Made me a fine steak salad…

Hard to argue with that!

Anyway, that’s all I got.

Peace out!