You're Going To Love This

I just made a "smart playlist." It's restricted to songs I've rated five-stars but have only listened to five or fewer times. There are 1,371 songs in the playlist. I'm going to listen to this playlist on shuffle exclusively until I've eliminated at least half the songs. I'm so excited I've been listening to it for the past two hours already. So far, three songs have been eliminated. There aren't very many remaining that are on the brink with five plays, so it may take a month or more to reach the goal. I highly recommend everyone else to do this as well or go on a week long music fast. I love music fasts!

Since you've been pining for a blogpost, Jeff Milburn.

I've pretty much stopped taking pictures. Feel like I don't have the right, sort of. But here are some documenting what's been going on in the Wangshimni area.

Kitchen window.



bedroom view.



Where I run.



What I wear to class.



Easter eggs from a grandma in my class.



Where I like to walk.



Army base?



Seoul from above.



Downtown in the distance.



The secretary, 미친 원숭이.



Adoring fans, I think.



V for victory.



Coffee giggles.



Movie director and dental hygienist.



I'm a giant.



Candid!



There's one on every hill.

My Sunday minus the meals

Skyped with my parents, bought trash-bags at the local grocery, walked to Caffe Bene, wrote poetry in Caffe Benne, rode subway home, watched Jack White on youtube for a couple hours, did a laundry, Modest Mouse marathon while playing Japanese Mahjong.

I'm a beggar riding, so far

First day of 2011 is my first day in a new apartment. That's pretty good. Upgrades: water pressure, much closer proximity to subway/institute, kitchen/refrigerator clean and in working condition, washing machine location (not in the bathroom), efficient heating system, front door that closes all the way, convenience store 30 seconds away. Downgrade: smaller bedroom. I'm happy about moving. Hopefully, the good fortune will continue with my schedule for next term... If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

Wheel-weel seat strategy

I went outside today after spending 90 straight hours in my apartment. I took out the trash and then I walked to a big grocery store - maybe two miles away. I bought cereal, soymilk, tortilla chips, and salsa. I loaded them into my basket in that order. I rode a bus back home because it was too cold to carry a bag bare-handed. The grocery store was quite crowded, but the buss had 10 or 15 empty seats. I was stoked about that. I sat in the seat closest to the driver; that's my favorite seat on a bus. Old people never sit in that seat because they have to step up too high to get there; the seat's over the wheel-well, you see. So, I don't have to worry when I see old ladies getting on the bus that I need to give up my seat to them. I was very happy on the bus today.

Today

My new trick for avoiding head-phone fatigue: wear the hadphones on the outside of a jacket hood.

Today I didn't see any people. I stayed in my apartment all day, and for the 30 seconds I looked out my bedroom window, there were no people in the parking lot. Tomorrow will be the same.

Today I discovered the band Chavez. I'm enamored.

Today I sung some vocals for an alternate version of an old song. I though it came out alright. Of course, whenever I record anything, one thing leads to another and I start wishing I had a drum-set.

Today I finished the last two packets of instant oatmeal. The good news is that I still have some cold cereal and raisins left.

December 5

I got a cold recently. So, one of my students was really eager to give me this stuff Yonggaksan. It looks suspiciously like cocaine and comes with a small spoon. It's pretty effective. My voice comes back really quickly. I couldn't find any information about it on the internet in English... but I started taking it anyway. I'm living on the edge - using traditional Korean medicine. One step closer to voodoo - or cocaine. I couldn't be happier about it.