We had a ceremony on Friday that signified the transfer of authority to our battalion and we are now officially on mission in the Korean Theater of Operations. The last 40 or so days have been incredibly busy and there is no way it will die down from here courtesy of a DPRK nuclear test. Boo to you Kim Jung Il. Do you not realize that it is beach season? The weather here has actually been very nice as of late. The yellow dust is only mildly irritating.
Trying to plan out what signs are to be seen this summer. Mudfest, a festival where you consume large amounts of soju and cover yourself in muck is in July and sounds just dandy. I may have to make an appearance. To give you an idea of how cheap this country is I offer you a tale: I went out in Suwon on Friday night. Went to a bar that is a favorite of expats (mostly teachers from the English speaking world) and spent a total of 30,000 won all night (about $18). They have pitchers of Cass (Korean brew) for 11,000 won. The thing is, these pitchers are the equivalent of at least 4 American style pitchers. I crashed at the quarters of a fellow commander on Suwon Airbase. That was clutch as I would not have made it home before our 3am curfew.
Trying to talk Melissa to bring Ella to Korea for a month long visit. I think she is buying into the idea and it will be nice to have my family back for a brief moment.
Hope everybody has a joyous Memorial Day.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Straight Pimpin'
As promised...here is my swingin' good apartment in Korea. A nice place actually, and I feel no less a man with floral patterns on every wall. It is actually relaxing. Click the picture to check out the rest!
Going to test the nightlife in Suwon tonight. Happy Suwon!
Going to test the nightlife in Suwon tonight. Happy Suwon!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Songtan Sally and other Saturday Morning Muses
Its a little after noon here on a Saturday and after working this morning I am enjoying 1.5 days off. Actually, scratch that, one day off as I have to go to Seoul tomorrow to welcome the second part of my battery arriving from the states. As I mentioned yesterday I can officially drink at this point and as I surveyed the selection at the class six (beer/booze store on base) I narrowed it down to two choices: Sam Adams bottles and a Heineken Draught keg. The SA is just a cool beer to chill with and enjoy and anything in keg form (albeit mini keg) screams "party time". I went with the SA and am drinking before noon (justification being that it is still Friday night in the states). I will no doubt turn back to the Heine at a later date as it brings back memories of floating draught kegs with Scotty P and Crazy Joe H in a certain DFW pool.
On duty last night I ran into the legendary "Songtan Sally". She is the local prostitute and though I have seen her before (always from a distance) I just wanted to share the local hooker selection with you. She is disgusting, and shockingly blunt.
Apartment pictures later today...I promise.
On duty last night I ran into the legendary "Songtan Sally". She is the local prostitute and though I have seen her before (always from a distance) I just wanted to share the local hooker selection with you. She is disgusting, and shockingly blunt.
Apartment pictures later today...I promise.
Seven Followers
Just noticed the seven awesome folks who "follow" my blog and I started thinking. I want to begin a contest to see how many followers I can get to view "Dispatches from the Far East". I was inspired by the Ashton Kutcher vs. CNN race for the first person to have 1,000,000 subscribers on Twitter. The millionth person to follow this blog will receive a special gift: an all expense paid trip to Korea where you will dine on the finest Gaegogi (If you are not sure what that it I will allow to you use your Googling skills to find out).
Let me also say that "Coffee is for closers only!" I'm happy to announce that the men and women of the Battery were once again, the first in the battalion to complete our regular certification. Now that it is over I can begin to focus on all the other things on my plate. I moved into my apartment and have completely unpacked. That is awesome news! I will finishing cleaning the place up (Yes Melissa I said cleaning!) and take pictures for you all tomorrow.
I have officially been here for 30 days now and starting tonight I am finally able to consume alcoholic beverages . But, being the ever caring boss that I am I will not drink tonight so I can conduct courtesy patrol and ensure none for my Soldiers are arrested by the Air Force Security Police. They tend to give the Army Soldiers a hard time because 1. We are better looking than them and steal all their chicks (which in Songtan means "Juicy Girls" [again google is useful here]) 2. Because it takes at least 5 AF guys to take down one Soldier and 3. we are so 3008 they are so 2000 and late. Anyway, as we are providing their air and missile defense, keeping them safe from the reds you would think we would get away with more. So, I will be going out tonight like a good shepard to ensure that my flock makes it safely home. Tomorrow though, is day 32, and I will be going out to celebrate a successful certification. Good thing for you all is the time difference...my drunk dials will hit late afternoon your time. Which, hopefully would make you worry about me if you did not know I was in the KTO.
Will touch base with you tomorrow during the pre party...remember: "If you can't close shit, you are shit."
Let me also say that "Coffee is for closers only!" I'm happy to announce that the men and women of the Battery were once again, the first in the battalion to complete our regular certification. Now that it is over I can begin to focus on all the other things on my plate. I moved into my apartment and have completely unpacked. That is awesome news! I will finishing cleaning the place up (Yes Melissa I said cleaning!) and take pictures for you all tomorrow.
I have officially been here for 30 days now and starting tonight I am finally able to consume alcoholic beverages . But, being the ever caring boss that I am I will not drink tonight so I can conduct courtesy patrol and ensure none for my Soldiers are arrested by the Air Force Security Police. They tend to give the Army Soldiers a hard time because 1. We are better looking than them and steal all their chicks (which in Songtan means "Juicy Girls" [again google is useful here]) 2. Because it takes at least 5 AF guys to take down one Soldier and 3. we are so 3008 they are so 2000 and late. Anyway, as we are providing their air and missile defense, keeping them safe from the reds you would think we would get away with more. So, I will be going out tonight like a good shepard to ensure that my flock makes it safely home. Tomorrow though, is day 32, and I will be going out to celebrate a successful certification. Good thing for you all is the time difference...my drunk dials will hit late afternoon your time. Which, hopefully would make you worry about me if you did not know I was in the KTO.
Will touch base with you tomorrow during the pre party...remember: "If you can't close shit, you are shit."
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Sorry...
It has been a week since I have spoken to you through cyber space. We have been busy with certifications at work and I have found that I have just enough time after to talk to Melissa and Ella before going to bed. I have great news: I found an apartment!!! Thank you for looking at the pictures and voting for your favorite! I am absolutely kidding...there was no vote, no pictures online. I had just enough time to look at a place, decide it wasn't horrible, and tell them I was ready to sign on the line that is dotted. So, they gave me my apartment pin code (keys are so 20th century over here) and I have slowly started to move in. Tonight is my last night in the hotel and I am ready to go. As I was looking at my place I realized that the wording on every appliance is in Korean. And since it is all uber high tech I am starting to think there will be some issues figuring everything out. Crazy, very crazy.
Yellow Dust is in full effect over here. The dust blows over from China and is a mixture of pollution and fine desert sand. Probably not that healthy to breath but I am faring better than most. Thoughts of the dust lead me to my latest Saturday Haiku:
Blowing Yellow Dust
Mongol, evil, Chinese dust
Filling my poor lungs
Note: I feel that the dust is evil therefore "evil Chinese dust" in no way equates to "evil Chinese people".
I promised pictures, until I produce I understand this blog is lame.
Melissa will celebrate her second Mother's Day tomorrow...Ella is quite the trophy, I love them both so much.
Yellow Dust is in full effect over here. The dust blows over from China and is a mixture of pollution and fine desert sand. Probably not that healthy to breath but I am faring better than most. Thoughts of the dust lead me to my latest Saturday Haiku:
Blowing Yellow Dust
Mongol, evil, Chinese dust
Filling my poor lungs
Note: I feel that the dust is evil therefore "evil Chinese dust" in no way equates to "evil Chinese people".
I promised pictures, until I produce I understand this blog is lame.
Melissa will celebrate her second Mother's Day tomorrow...Ella is quite the trophy, I love them both so much.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
A rainy Saturday afternoon here in Asia. I went to the office this morning to get a head start on next week. It was totally necessary as I need to find some time for myself to begin the great apartment hunt. I have spent 17 nights here already...all in a hotel. Needless to say I am ready for a place of my own. I bought a car and will be taking the car of the guy I am replacing. It is a '94 Hyundai Sonata and it is every bit as cool as it sounds. Since it will the the second model year 1994 car I will have owned it will be great to see how it compares to the American built Saturn that roped in many ladies in the late '90s including Melissa who proved helpless against its powers. (note: the Sonata will not be roping in any ladies no matter how awesome a ride it may be)
A few more observations:
1. I am really looking forward to trying the dry cleaners over here...hey "It is what it is!"
2. Korean Mountain Dew tastes like American Mountain Dew. That was not the case in Germany.
3. You can't beat 3 pirated DVDs for $10. Especially when the movies are not out in the states yet. You even get the added bonus of learning a little Russian when it switches languages for 10 minutes in the middle of the movie.
4. Mom, I promise I will call you at some point. Hey I'm here for a year, no reason to burn out the circuits in the first month. I have been really busy and when I think about giving you a call it is usually the middle of the night your time. Don't think I haven't though of calling anyway for payback as I do recall many wake up calls from you at 3 am when I lived in Germany. Paybacks can be a bioatch.
5. Haiku of the week: (I know it is Japanese but I like it)
Steadily rain falls
Here in the same beat as there
Oklahoma rain
6. I promise some more pictures...blogs are kinda lame without them.
7. A 7pm Rays game starts about 9am the next morning here. Nothing beats waking up to taking the first two from the Red Sox, even if the Rays can't beat any other team in baseball this year.
8. To my two top lady friends: I miss you, keep bloggin, keep rockin'!
Until you hear from me again, salutations.
A few more observations:
1. I am really looking forward to trying the dry cleaners over here...hey "It is what it is!"
2. Korean Mountain Dew tastes like American Mountain Dew. That was not the case in Germany.
3. You can't beat 3 pirated DVDs for $10. Especially when the movies are not out in the states yet. You even get the added bonus of learning a little Russian when it switches languages for 10 minutes in the middle of the movie.
4. Mom, I promise I will call you at some point. Hey I'm here for a year, no reason to burn out the circuits in the first month. I have been really busy and when I think about giving you a call it is usually the middle of the night your time. Don't think I haven't though of calling anyway for payback as I do recall many wake up calls from you at 3 am when I lived in Germany. Paybacks can be a bioatch.
5. Haiku of the week: (I know it is Japanese but I like it)
Steadily rain falls
Here in the same beat as there
Oklahoma rain
6. I promise some more pictures...blogs are kinda lame without them.
7. A 7pm Rays game starts about 9am the next morning here. Nothing beats waking up to taking the first two from the Red Sox, even if the Rays can't beat any other team in baseball this year.
8. To my two top lady friends: I miss you, keep bloggin, keep rockin'!
Until you hear from me again, salutations.
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