A Bad Streak

I haven't had any hot water or internet for the past few days. Apparently, there have been some problems with the boiler in my building and I've been suffering because of it. What boggles my mind is that the boiler is somehow connect to the internet. There have been several halfway successful attempts to fix the two, but every time the hot water disappears, the internet goes with it. They're both back on now, but I don't know for how long. The fact that the boiler and internet could be connected is just another reason for me to believe that this country is completely fucked in the head.

Cold showers and no access to the information super-highway made me a grumpy man, especially when the Royals have won 6 out of 7 and 8 out of their last 11 (I subscribe to the MLB package where I can watch every game live on my PC). Staying up till seven in the morning Saturday to watch a disappointing ending to the Korean's World Cup only contributed to my fowl mood. It was absolutely amazing to see 700,000 people wrapped up in the hype gather in the middle of Seoul to cheer on their team. Too bad they didn't even create a decent chance all game. Of course, in typical Korean fashion, my students are claiming that the Swiss team didn't play fair and, thus, don't deserve the win. I digress. Already grumpy, I made my way to the market to get a phone card to call my special lady friend on her birthday. I wasn't happy to pay for a ten dollar card that would only give me an hour of conversation when I can get ten hours of talk time for the same price, but I had no choice as my internet was out of commission. When I got home to use the card, the automated voice on the other end of the receiver told me my card number was invalid. Not cool. I rushed back to the store and gave the clerk and ear-full of English he surely didn't understand. He handled my outburst rather well and pointed to the service number on the card. I thanked him and walked back home to give the company a call. The way my luck was working, there was no way that the operator would speak English, and he didn't. He told me to call back the next day. I tried to explain that tomorrow didn't work for me, but I knew I was out of my element. So I went to another store to get another ten dollar phone card that worked. The problem was, I overlooked a major detail in this whole process.
I rarely look at calendars and often depend on my instincts for the date. I was convinced that Saturday was the 25th. No doubt. As everyone in the world now knows, Saturday was the 24th. When I finally got in touch with my lady friend, my 'happy birthday' was met with a 'thanks, but today isn't my birthday.' I'm such an idiot.

As if this all wasn't enough for me to slit my wrists, I got another surprise this morning. Hot water and internet returned yesterday and I was convinced they were here to stay. When I was trimming my hair this morning, I didn't think to check if the boiler was working. With hair that isn't normally attached to my shoulders covering them, I had already committed myself to the shower. Of course, I was in for another cold one. I braced myself and tried to take it like a man, but I screamed like a little girl when the water hit me.

I'm looking for some better luck.


Rotating:

El Sol - Zwan

Passing By - Zero 7

Common Ends - The Rebirth

Funkier Than a Mosquito's Tweeter - Nikka Costa I like the original by Nina Simone too, but Ms. Costa's cover has a great, lively arrangement.

Still Here

I've started writing a few blogs in the past couple weeks, but haven't been able to focus for long enough to complete something worth publishing. For those of you who have consistently read this blog, you'll understand just how bad my recent writing attempts must have been. It's taken me a half hour just to write this sentence, but I'm going to try to push on through.

It's been a good couple weeks. The folks were here last week for a short and sweet visit, and it was nice to see a fresh perspective on Korea. They seemed to enjoy it here and their appreciation of the country helped me look at things a little more positively. This doesn't mean I want to stay any longer though. As I've said before, I really like Korea. I've enjoyed my time here and would've considered staying longer if I didn't have any attachments back home. I do have attachments though, and nothing in Korea can take the place of what's at home. So that's that.

Living in the states my whole life, I haven't really had the opportunity to enjoy the magic of the World Cup. Americans just don't watch soccer. Anyhoo, I've become a bigger soccer fan and entered a pool at work. 2000 won per team. Since there are a good number of people at work, most only got one random pick. I got South Korea. They finished fourth last time, but will not do it again, so I can just throw that 2000 won away. Unexpectedly, during one of my classes, I was summoned into the hallway for a second pick I had requested earlier in the day. Three teams were left. I didn't know who, but I had a feeling the odds favorite were still there. I blew in my hands and grabbed number 20. And the team was...Brazil! As long as they finish in the top three, I'm guaranteed to get my money back and then some. Since I was one of three people to get two picks at school, I've made a few enemies, but I don't really care as long as I get paid. Having Korea as my other pick helps ease the pain they all must feel. I love the pride they have in their country. At any point in the day you can see on TV a) Korea v. Turkey in the last World Cup, b) Korean speed skating from this year's Olympics, or c) Korea in the World Baseball Classic. They don't forget.

Rotating:

I Can Dig It Baby- Little Beaver

Supernatural Thing- Ben E. King

Lady Day and John Coltrane- Gil Scott-Heron

Concrete Reservation- Syl Johnson