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.

Headphone fatigue

One advantage to living alone is all the time you can devote to recording music. I've devoted a lot of time to recording music recently. I wish I had an electric guitar and drums, but I've just got my new acoustic. So, I'm manipulating acoustic recordings with computer software. I'm not too pleased with the results. One disadvantage of spending five hours recording with headphones on is that I don't ever feel like listening to real music.

The washing machine here drains all over the bathroom floor. Of course, I always desire to brush my teeth in the middle of a load of laundry. It's not possible unless I want to get my feet wet or wear rubber boots. I don't have rubber boots.

I have a lot of oatmeal. I've been eating a lot of instant oatmeal. I really like instant oatmeal these days.

I need to kill 'Hummer'

In the beginning, the best artist name I could come up with for myself was 'Epiphender.' When I tried to do vocals, I started labeling all my music 'Peter Pan.' When I switched from a 4-track cassette recorder to computer-based recording, I also switched my pseudonym to 'Hummer.' Everything I've recorded since 2006 has been by 'Hummer.' However, I really don't care for the name anymore. Problem is, I've decided there's no good name to be had, and now I've got a big identity crisis going on. I mean, think about the concert poster situation... I guess I don't play any concerts, but I'd still like to have an interesting name.

Happy X-mas (War is over)

The music in this coffee shop is a mix of Frank Sinatra, John Lennon, Sting and artists who idolize Frank Sinatra. I don't think I've ever heard "Happy X-mas (war is over)" on a public sound system. I've just heard it twice in the past hour, though. I guess you can't go wrong if it's a Christmas song by John Lennon. Famous AND seasonal. "Woman Is The N***** Of The World" next? Sure hope so! Think about it. Think about it. Wait, am I the only person among my acquaintances that knows that song? Maybe not - good thing I know Jeff Milburn. Elvis? Gross. I guess I better put my computer away and get out of here.

I can't perform in the subway

Sometimes when I leave class and go to get on the subway I find one of the students that just left my class is waiting for the same train as me. It's not my favorite situation. I don't like trying to force a friendly conversation amidst train noise. I'm not good at faking smiles. The only time I can get into performance/teacher mode is in a classroom in front of at least five people. I just can't perform in the subway. I wonder if I would feel worse about it if my students tried to avoid me at the station. Depends on the student, I guess. Depends on whether they tried to talk about the mountain climbing gear they were about to buy or if they had something interesting on their mind.

I've settled in Incheon - in the Jemulpo neighborhood. I'm connected to Seoul by subway, but there is nothing in Jemulpo that resembles Seoul. Actually, there is nothing in Jemulpo. Right now it's a real 'tower of isolation' situation at my apartment. I'm on top of a hill with no roommate and no internet. Also, no water pressure. It's not all famine though; I have three different colognes from my previous students in Sangdo. They smell pretty good.

Looking for a raisin stain solution

I like the food situation on Singapore Airlines. After looking at the menu, I always choose the "Indian Selection." I haven't been let down by any of their meals - apart from accidentally sitting on a raisin and squishing it into my pants.

I like the entertainment situation on Singapore Airlines. They have Radiohead, Yeasayer, and Them Crooked Vultures albums. Also, lots of boring movies. I guess I don't really like the movie part but am impressed by it.

I like Incheon airport. It only takes about 10 minutes to get out of there. I've never arrived there and had to wait more than 5 minutes for my things at the baggage check. Most efficient and clean airport I've seen.

"Oh... Halloween is so awful."

That last blog was total boreballs so I edited it. Flying out of Spokane at 6 a.m. tomorrow. I'd love anyone to come say farewell at the airport, but my parents might treat you like an interloper. Nobody likes an interloper at 5 a.m. Nobody likes being an interloper at 5 a.m. either. I know all about that.

boreballs

Christmas in Beijing

I went to Beijing, China over Christmas break. They have a lot of gaudy Christmas trees in public places, and every store has a loop of about 10 well known Christmas songs playing. Christmas songs like 'Last Christmas,' 'Frosty the Snowman,' and 'White Christmas.' I've never been very fond of those songs, but I really grew to loathe them in China. Probably because I hadn't anticipated being bombarded with trite American sentiment in China, and it was worse than the malls in Spokane.

The Hostel where I stayed put on a Christmas Eve party for all its guests. They did manage to work in one traditional-ish Chinese dance; however, the majority of the time was given over to karaoke renditions of the same songs I mentioned before. As the only Americans who dared to show up to the event, my friends and I were paraded to the front and continually asked to get up and do something - anything at all. Of course, nobody else in the audience was under pressure to leave their seats.

Thankfully, I spent most of my time in China at historical places or trying to get to historical places... So, the trip was far from a disappointment. I did have my fill of authentic Chinese food - which in contrast to Korean food is VERY greasy but not as fishy.

Well, I think that's all I have to say about that.