Ulleungdo, Dokdo Museum

For my 3 day vacation I went to Ulleungdo, an island on the east side of Korea. From Ulleungdo, it is possible to go to the disputed (with Japan) island of Dokdo. It was not possible for me to go to Dokdo. In fact, it was not possible to go back to the mainland because the weather turned bad and the ferry service was cancelled. I went to Ulleungdo on Monday, and I only wanted to stay on Ulleungdo for 1 or 2 days, but there was no return ferry until Friday morning, 5:00 am.

I had a chair, but others had better ideas for the rocky ride to Ulleungdo.

Look how happy Ulleungdo immediately made me. This was before I realized that my minbak had no hot water.










Do you know Dokdo?


Their t-shirts read, in English, "Do you know? Dok-do is a part of Korean territory."


This place will tell you how Dokdo is part of Korea, and not Japan.


This tells you how Dokdo is part of Korea, not Japan.

This map is among many, many maps that show you how Dokdo is part of Korea, not Japan.

This car was parked right outside the Dokdo museum. Hello Kitty is a Japanese cartoon character.


Ulleungdo is land of the squid. Or island of squid, I guess.




I made some friends on Ulleungdo. The blurry guy seated next to me is Lee. He ordered us these gigantic mussels. He told me to eat the hairy part along with the meat. I was drunk, so I obliged.


These concrete breakers posed for me. I think they are in love.

WFMU

It's awesome. Check out this blog entry featuring classic, painful, vintage interviews with Johnny Lydon and John Cassavettes.

I have spoken of my fanship for The Dusty Show with Clay Pigeon. It's sort of a This American Life for pallid pseudo-troglodytes. The latest one was quite amusing. It is a podcast I recommend. Someday I hope to be listening live when he does a call-in show so I can call from Korea!

And make sure to check out the 365 project. Erogodyte introduced me to this great resource of novelty records and outsider curios for free download. Here's one of my favorites as of the moment.

Georgia Conflict is

"death and ruin for multitudes who have nothing to do with the violent aggression of corrupt elites on every side." From here.

via cursor.

Meltmaster on the Radio

Little Fyodor's Under the Floorboards keeps on playing my stuff! Here's the playlist. Awesome. Every other Saturday night on KGNU, Boulder.

It is so nice to know that my awful singing has been broadcast to the deepest recesses of space. (Via the tune The Canadian Dollar.)

Here's the link to the podcast feed.

PBR supplant BUD as the great American Beer [sic]

Even though PBR is made in Miller factories, which is owned by a South African company?


Who cares!

The Elephant Song

The Retail Implosion

I think all this news about retail stores going under shows that the middle class is dipping into the lower-class. Pretty soon the malls will just be luxury outlets; it'll be like China (or how China used to be): everyone will either be rich and go to the mall, or buy all their stuff at the open market. We'll all be going to the market in second-hand, stripped-down Hyundai buses we get from Canada or Europe. I'll be the road warrior.

People are eating their iPods...

That's a nice little morsel. Pretty soon they'll start listening to music on them too.

Au Contraire, Mr. Gervais! One word: Craig Charles

J'Accuse! In season 2 of Extras Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchent insinuate into their script the idea that there be no black Britons who can make funny. I love the work of Mr. Gervais, and Extras season two was a real beauty. But this notion of theirs seriously bothered me. Granted, I'm not hugely familiar with every nook and cranny of the comic scene in the UK, but it dawned on me that I do know of one very, very funny man who happens to be black and British. CHECK-MATE, MR. GERVAIS.

Exhibit A:

Ajossi naps and other Seoul phenomena. Updated with notes

Let me explain for those who don't know Korea. (I'm sure this happens in other countries as well, but...) in Korea often the soju is swizzled until you stagger, stupor, and, well, you have to take a little nap. And you can just do it anywhere. Especially if you are ajossi (which means "married man," or "older man--to be respected," or simply "sir.")



This is one of my favorite bars. It's one of two Woodstock bars in Gangnam, but by far the superior. It is close to where I used to live, and I stopped by Friday night. That's Mr. Kim and Heather. Mr. Kim is very particular about his classic rock. He usually let's me listen to David Bowie, and if it's a slow night, Velvet Underground.




I know this is tasteless, shades of Abu-Ghraib. But what can I say. It's standard operating procedure in Seoul.

Korea: Seoul, Shinchon, Dr. Beans, the best coffee in Seoul?; fuzzy nights out, long exposure times, criminals, teachers, and criminal teachers

That's a view from my dorm-apartment. Here are some experiments with long exposures:




I was excited to see that there was a Velvet Underground Bar in Shinchon. Hugely excited. We learned that it had been closed for at least three years. A disapointment. The Doors bar is pretty cool, though.






That is Andy. As you can see, he is a criminal. But he lent me money is my only ally in the office as of yet.



"Dr. Beans" is a coffee shop in Shinchon. It's probably the best coffee in Seoul. I'm addicted.







Drinking in Gangnam. Just like old times.

Bridge Trolls

Atrios posts about an impending crisis that affects both the human and the troglodyte world. Namely, Bridge Trolls. I have not read Atrios' post, but I assume that he points out the main problems that humans face. Namely, the crumbling of your bridges, and the needless consumption of your children. I am not up to date on your scholarship, but I would assume that there is a great deal of elucidation needed on this subject. Humans tend to lump the so deemed 'lower denizens' of the Earth into one ill-stacked pile.

As god of the troglodytes, I know a great deal on this subject.

There is a great difference between The Common Bridge Troll and your garden variety troglodyte. Make sure to do your research, humans.


UPDATE: Dan wanted me to be a little more specific. It should be noted that these are the secret notes of a besieged god. I am in hiding, location undisclosed. When I get a new computer, I can start recording again, using the Skype program.

Anyhow, the things you should know about Bridge Trolls is that they are not higher lifeforms. They are cunning, essentially stupid animals. They are not creatures of reason. Above all, it should be noted, that these benighted creatures do not have recognizably developed palates. They do not appreciate the full, fruity flavors of a child in its prime. They suck it of its nutrients fully ignorant of its savor, of its life-giving attributes.

I have found a youtube video of a Bridge Troll. This one, surprisingly or unsurprisingly, has somehow managed to assimilate itself into your culture.

Don't mess with the Buzz...

This is what happens to those nut cases who want to become members of the ABM (Alien Black Market). Man has never been on the moon.....is this guy crazy?
Don't mess with Buzz Aldrin- former Astronaut, American hero, and bad ass. More on Buzz later....

The Elbow Update: Continuum: revealed.

update from Sarcasmus:
Click here to see the progression.

Goodbye 4th of July and Fourth Amendment

McClatchy on the spineless political elite.

One thing we can all agree on when it comes to torture

Hitchens.

And Larry David Life is Torture.

The Highway to the Danger Zone

Leads to Kenny Login's House.