Was That Really That Color?

Also known as my trip to South Korea. It was a short trip that was basically a layover on the way home from Beijing last time I went there. We only had two nights and one day there and seeing as how Seoul seems to be as big as Rhode Island we really did not see much. What I did see I liked quite a bit though. The food was amazing and the people were all ridiculously nice.

People did regard us a little curiously especially when I decided to kneel down in the middle of the subway and start taking pictures. I think they were more curious of what I could possibly be taking pictures of. My Korean was not up to explaining that we did not have subways in Seattle so I needed to satiate my urge to take photos of them in their fair city.

We went to a great restaurant the night that the bell man recommended. He also called ahead and had a table reserved for us with beer and appetizers waiting. Did I mention the people in Seoul were really nice? The food was great, so great that we ended up going back the following night but found the restaurant closed. Instead we went to a fried chicken joint that beat almost every fried chicken I have had in my life.

I am a big fan of ground effects but have never seen them on anything smaller than a little four banger. This motorcycle now holds that dubious record.

We then wandered down to the Eastern Market where things were poppin'. There was a large karaoke event that also added dancing which was interesting to see. I might mention that it was around 11 PM at the time this photo was taken with all the children out. This reminded me a lot of Spain in that there was no real concept of having to be in early.

The market was pretty cool. They had a large selection of fake goods but also a lot of random things that were pretty nice. Marcelo bought some watches as gifts for various team members and we had a good time seeing the variety of things for sale.

I also partook in some street food as it was too good to pass up. I am not sure how I managed to eat more but I thought I had to at least try some pajeon while I was there.

The next day we wandered over as much of central Seoul as we could and saw lots of palaces and gardens. There was one park where it was just a bunch of people kicking it and playing go which looked like a lot of fun. This was also the place where Marcelo made friends with some older gentlemen who were playing guitar and singing old Johnny Cash songs. He ended up drinking a decent amount of soju with them. I stayed away from the soju then but ended up drinking more than my fair share that evening.

Later I saw this dog. As some back story, Yachi has been telling me for years that she wants a pink poodle. I thought it was all mostly in jest but this was not the only one I saw in Seoul.

This was just a smiley face in the grate that brightened my day.

Seoul was a great time and I would really like to go back there and spend some more time if possible.

Jealousy

I wish I had thought of this and had the composure to achieve it.

http://www.alternet.org/story/57001/?page=1

It is amazing the level of ignorance that exists in the world still. An interesting topic for discussion would be the flip. What happens at a cruise full of readers of the New Republic?

Cupcake Carnage

One of the most enjoyable aspects of this wedding thing is the ability to go to tastings. Yachi and I treated ourselves to one recently at Sugar Rush bakery. They don't have a full blown "here taste some of our cakes" tasting soon so we made our own. 1 dozen cupcakes later we thought that they looked rather forlorn with half of them gone and the rest in various states of disappeared.

Free Light

As part of our trips yesterday Yachi and I bought a bunch of energy efficient light bulbs. While I am excited about this rapidly speeding up slide to hippieness it leaves us with many extra unused and half used normal light bulbs. Before dropping them off at Goodwill I wanted to see if any of my 4 loyal readers wanted them or knew anyone who might. Let me know

Ice Cold Water, Bruised Feet And Whole Paycheck

This weekend was a blast. Yesterday we drove to Leavenworth to go tubing. This is an activity for those unfamiliar with it where you lie in an innertube and float down a river. Oh and you get to have a tube strictly for beer. Kind of making it a first class citizen. The scenery was beautiful and the camaraderie was wonderful. I think we ran a little over our allotted four hours but the company did not seem to mind.

The water was a little brisk when you first entered as it was mountain run off but Marques broke that seal when someone tipped his tube over. By the end I was spending more time in the water than out. Overall a great time and many thanks go to Ann for suggesting it and pushing it along.

Today was not quite as exciting. With sore muscles Yachi and I moseyed down to Whole Paycheck which turned out to be more inviting than I thought it would be. Let's see if we can keep up the weekly walk down there and the associated cooking (or more specifically if Yachi can keep up the cooking).

One Of Those Days

Where it is above 95 degrees in Seattle. I worked from home today and decided to walk down to Nordtroms in the early afternoon as I thought it would be the cooler part of the day. I am still sweating.

Jjang agreed with me.



So did Eileen:



Even Max:



I had a great picture of Yachi asleep as well but have been restricted from posting it due to legal reasons.

Podcatching?

Apparently software used to download podcasts and sync them to an iPod is called a podcatcher. Glad I learned something new today. Why I am looking at this software? A long rant about iTunes should follow that but I don't have the energy. Suffice it to say that I am done with iTunes and looking for alternatives.

If you fall into my boat you should check out podcatch matrix I wish every decision were made this easy.

Labor Fruits

Primarily orange and pink ones. If you have not seen me or I have blown off social obligations it was to make these beauties. I am not traditionally very crafty but this past weekend Yachi and I made our invitations. It was a 10 hour marathon followed by a shorter 6 hour one on Sunday. We finished them for the most part though and I felt really accomplished. The only part to do is address the envelopes which I get a free pass out of because my hand writing looks like someone has a pen in their mouth while having a seizure.

What You Want To See More Pictures Of China?

OK.

Here you go. As you might have guessed from seeing a second post on the same subject these are the photos I like for nothing more than aesthetic reasons.

Many tiles. Piles of tiles you could say, hahahahahahaha!

Some color in the hutongs

$6 tea. That was the equivalent of 176 Oz. of beer. It was worth it though. As mentioned in Marie Antoinette, the flower opens in the pot.

Walls in Summer Palace

The verdant forest in the summer Palace

A wall in the summer Palace

Silhouettes

The famed marble boat that ended the dynasty system in China

Landscape with my camera flaw extremely apparent in the upper left corner

Music:

Smog - A River Ain't Too Much Too Love - Drag City

You won't be supporting a good Seattle label with this record but a good Chicago one instead.

Smog is the moniker of Bill Callhan (who has recently started releasing music under that name). He has released many albums that are predominantly him and a guitar, singing and playing. I think of him as a male Cat Power but he might have been around before her. I think I am losing indie cred as we speak because I don't know that. I am not sure I will be allowed into Linda's anymore having admitted that. He has the same truth in lyrics that draws me to Johnny Cash. His arrangements are also beautiful and sparse which gives his voice a lot of room to impact you. The songs where he decides to incorporate more than just the guitar are usually successful as they have a lot of artists who fit in ways that you would not necessarily expect. Not something you would listen to before something that requires amping up but a beautiful counterpart to the sort of weather we have been having around here recently.