Tuesday, May 28, 2002

WorldCup 2002. This is exciting stuff. When I first came to Korea in 1996 I never imagined I would be here (still) in 2002. The atmosphere is electric, the itinery is planned for my WORLD CUP MEGA FUN KOREA TOUR . One month, three World Cup cities, two games and many events and activities, not to mention the mass consumption of local potables and the chance to meet many o' football fan.

I have not as yet conducted an exhausitive search for World Cup special editions but have started with Time and Newsweek. The New York Time's Don Kirk and others have put out some information on stuff to do in Seoul and the Seoul Metro Government has also got some information. Note the contradiction between NY Times and Metro Seoul. One says the fireworks are every Saturday and the other says Sunday. I'm trusting the Metro which notes Sunday as the day for fireworks by the Han river.

Roger Moore arrived today and will be taking a cruise down the Han with a bunch of kids on Thursday as part of the World Cup eve celebrations. Lets hope for better weather than we had today. That river cruise is a bit overrated, the only view is uniform apartments and three hours of that hardly sounds appealling. Better him than me. Hopefully the entertainment at Jamsil and Peace Park will be more up-vibe and interesting than the cuise. And lets not forget that all festivities are taking place with the *comforting* thought that Korea has surface to air missiles at the ready around all stadiums to protect us against any potential terrorist attacks.

The only problem: I don't own a tv which means I am doomed to spend every evening roaming the streets and watching the games on any of the big screens set up around town.

Friday, May 24, 2002

Time's has an article this week about Korea's Dirty Dozen. An interesting read about South Korea's dark spy history. And admittedly something I know very little about. It certainly seems that more and more tales exposing (South) Korean and US war tactics that fall well short of our heroic soldier ideal. This report comes out in the wake of the No-gun-Ri controversy and other books popping up that pertain to certain battles fougth during the Korean War.

I can't help but think its a good thing for these stories to come out. It is niave to assume that in war there are "goodies" versus "badies". Both sides fight to win, both fight to the death. The narrations of those who witnessed history should be heard so that we can come to have a greater understanding of what happened, of what both sides did, of what we should never do again. War is hell.

Friday, May 10, 2002

ooooohhhh, that makes me so.....something. The scholarship people who last month refused to give me money to fund my study ambitions (give YOU money, you must be crazy!) today came back and said they were "pleased to offer me a scholarship" after all. This sizable grant is not an amount any sane person would turn down.... I've decided to turn them down. I've already defferred and readjusted my savings plan....and I've missed the deadline to apply for housing. I feel weak....it was a LOT of money!!

I hope it is now given to someone else equally deserving and desperate for cash.


Wednesday, May 08, 2002

A couple of months ago a main topic of conversation around Korean office watercoolers was Korea's dog meat eating "culture" and particularly a certain controversial conversation between Bridgette Bardot and a Korean talk show host. The little chat came to an abrupt end when Ms Bardot hung up the phone because she refused to talk with a liar after the Korean host had the gall to point out to her that foreigners have been known to willing sample this delicacy and even enjoyed! it.

Around the same time the dog meat industry was actually articulating its plans to promote dog meat to foreigners during the World Cup. Afterall its perfect timing, dog meat soup being a meal best enjoyed during the sweltering summer months in Korea. And better yet, its a food believed to provide stamina and who needs more staying power than a bunch of World Cup fans, cheering all day in the hot sun. Sure you have energy drinks like powerade, gatorade and sweat (although the colour is offputtingly similar to the name) but its not quite the same and its certainly not as 'cultural'.

Me? Why no, I've never tried dog but I've heard good reports from many o-foreign friend.

Thursday, May 02, 2002

Working ever harder here at kathreb.blogspot.com. Worked out some graphics as you can see. It should be noted that Calvin is my hero and I thought it most apt that his picture should be on my weblog page. I could go on and on about Calvin (and Hobbes). But the best site for all that is definitely here

Currently reading:

"Hell" by Yasutaka Tsutsui