Friday, April 29, 2011

ups and downs

well the Sangin job fell through, as a person leaving decided not to and the vacancy disappeared; but with two more interviews lined up I'm not too down. I'm also applying to uni's further afield, but I'm not hopeful there. I'm trying not to harp on work stuff too much, but not knowing where you will be in 3 months is stressful. I know that it's a bit early to be looking for July work, but it would be nice to sort it out in the next week.

I'm also trying to get more excited about Taiwan and then my free week back in Korea. Normally I'd be jumping up and down like a 6 year old on Christmas Eve, but with all that's happening I'm not as gung-ho as I'd otherwise be. I'm also very excited to see my friends and family in Vancouver after such a long time away. In fact, the upside of SEI's collapse is that I'll have an extra week or two there.

It's one hell of a roller coaster, and I'm trying to just enjoy the ride as best I can. After a year and a half of total stability, this is probably exactly what I need, even if it doesn't feel like it now.

Ok, enough emoting.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

the end of an era at SEI

Well I've been trying to sum up how I feel about leaving SEI. The simple answer is happy, simply because I doubt that this job will exist in six months time. However, as recently as three weeks ago they were planning to have two western teachers, Geoff and I. Had I known how badly the company was doing then I would not have considered it, but who knew?

That being said, it's actually been a good ride here, the last three weeks of my contract aside. I remember showing up in October 2009. I had just come back from SE Asia and was tired, sweaty and ready to settle down. I remember staying three nights at a cheap hotel and living out of Kris and Miranda's apartment until John, the teacher I replaced, left. I remember being amazed at the fact that we had real training and a set programme (Yes academy being, "here's a book and tape, do whatever you want"). I thought the material was engaging, if a bit advanced for many kids, and we were kept busy. I also loved having three awesome western co-workers (Kris, Miranda and David) and it was probably my favourite time at SEI. We would often hang out after work and always had lots to talk about. The job itself was diverse and interesting and kept us satisfied. I'll always remember hanging out with K&M at Beer Cabin or WaBar, or Halloween with the party and night out at KMU. It was a time at SEI that went by WAY too quickly.

The transition period, where Kris, Miranda and David were replaced by Sterling and Robbie was okay, but the decreased workload was already evident (though we still were kept busy). While the downsizing was a sign of things to come, it didn't feel like it at the time. In fact, things were going so well that I recommended the job to Geoff when he came out (at the other branch) and he worked there for a year. It was an okay time. While none of us hung out like we did when it was four, we all got along well and we were able to keep work interesting.

The summer saw a drastic decrease in students (the programme, which always rushed kids through, backfired as many kids did poorly on their tests). Combine that with new schools opening and offering substantial discounts and suddenly I was doing 4-5 classes a day and was annoyed (if only I'd known what was to come :P). Sterling left and was not replaced. Four to two in ten months, another sign. At the same time Bobby was dumped in Daegok and Geoff was condemned to spend his last 8 months solo. However, even this period had some ups to it. Robbie and I got to know each other and with all the extra time off had plenty of time to chat and discuss issues related to work/education and many other things. While Daegok was tanking our school was actually doing OKAY. Student numbers stabilized and it was looking better. Though we had fewer and fewer classes we were actually gaining students. So much so that they were again talking three native teachers. So I had no issue agreeing to another contract and Geoff was eager to come over. Of course it was not to be and you all know the rest.

Of course, the way the final downsizing went down means that I will have few really fond memories of the management or policies of the school, but this is not so for much of the time I've had here, especially the first six months but even the first year I remember very fondly. I'm also not totally sad about leaving because it means extra time at home and a move to a more stable school for my final tour of Korea. I really need time with friends and family in Vancouver (and I'd kill for a real turkey dinner).

Looking back, some of my favourite memories include:

-Halloween parties - when David suggested this I was a bit skeptical, but when I saw what he had in mind I came around. In fact, my favourite day at SEI was probably that Halloween. The four of us built two rooms, one pitch black to scare the kids, the other a play/games room. David and I covered most of the scaring and it was a blast. Afterwards, we met with friends and girlfriends and all went out, dressed up, to the Keimyung uni area and had a great night out. The second halloween party was also a lot of fun. We had three this time and we did more of a graveyard theme. It was a lot of fun.

-field trip - In my contract I can work up to six Saturdays in a year, meaning that I should have worked 9-10 by now. I have worked two. One was the EXCO presentation and the less said about that the better. The other was a field trip to Gyeongju National Museum. It was actually a lot of fun to take the kids out and let them run around, looking up stuff and telling me all about it in English. We also went out for a big dinner afterwards (something the staff doesn't do anymore).

- a few classes. I had several great classes while at SEI, with kids who I will remember for a long time. Really interesting, funny kids. From little brats to young adults. I will miss a few of them.


I still have five days so perhaps this is a little early to write my SEI epitaph, but with interviews and visa stuff to be done I won't have much time over the next couple of days to do this. I'd also like to shift my blog away from depressing work stuff to Taiwan and time back home. Two weeks of depressing blogs is two weeks more than anyone needs.

Monday, April 25, 2011

new job prospects

well at least I know I won't be unemployed.

I've had no less than 5 job offers this week. While some are just ridiculous others seem solid.

The best so far is from a franchise with a TERRIBLE reputation but a school with a WONDERFUL reputation. That is the Sangin Wonderland. Google Wonderland and you'll hear one bad story after another. There's even a book about it that's now been published. However, it is a franchise system and of the 120 Wonderlands in Korea, only about 20 get panned. In fact I have personally talked to two current teachers there who both give it a good review. One is a good friend of Geoff's, so it's a solid review IMO.

At this point I'm well in to my 4-5 year plan of working in Korea to pay down my uni debt, save up for an MA, learn another language and see most of east/SE Asia. Ideally I want a uni job or else a place that I can just work at without hassles as I'm about halfway to reaching those goals (debt crunching much further along than, say, language aquisition). I'll meet with them tomorrow and see how it is. I'm also keeping other options open.

Wish me luck.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

antics and shitshows at work

well what a 48 hours it's been at SEI.

On Monday after work my boss called me in and told me that they were going to go to one native teacher as of May first and so my last working day would be April 30th but that they would send me home May 12th (seven weeks early, after my trip to Taiwan) because the president of the company had decided the saturday before that they didn't need two of us. Then, when my new contract (which has not yet been agreed to) came in to effect, they would fly me back August 1st. This would mean Robbie would just work out his contract and return to London and I would fly in to replace him. This also meant that Geoff (who was supposed to start in June) would not be... would I please let him know.

Well lets see.... 2 weeks to orgaize my life, communicate with family back home and get there with nothing but my last paycheque and visa card to get me through 3 months plus 5 weeks back in Korea. Well a quick phone call to the Korean Labour Board confirmed my suspicions that this was indeed completely illegal. A dismissal requires written notice and one months warning or one months wages up front. Furthermore, a reason for dismissal must be given, and something like downsizing, while acceptable, is open to dispute.

So the next day I went in and stated very clearly that they were violating Korean law and if this was not resolved satisfactorily I would be filing formally with the KLB. Well a whole lot of backpeddling and a "we'll talk to the president" ensued and I was promised that they'd let me know by the end of that (Tues) night. Well here it is Wednesday night and still no confirmed word, though the fact that they already seem to be on another one of the presidents tasks make me think that they've already forgotten about it. Usually the threat of a legal suit shuts people up.

I also posted my resume on eslcafe and now have two interviews lined up for jobs in late July.... perfect. It also amazes me that they STILL want me to sign on at SEI come August (they must be nuts). While I do like my director, the president is incapable of mass organising, has the memory of a goldfish and since he began a hands on approach the company has begun to tank which makes me think that the job will not exist for another calendar year.

This puts a lot of stress on me as my plans for the next 12 months have been seriously dented; however, there are so many schools in Korea, and I only want another year-18 months anyway, so I shouldn't have an issue finding work. Just not keen for the move.

and yes, this means that short of a 6 week vacation, 3 million won/m deal I will not be staying on at SEI.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Saturday sucked, Sunday spectacular

well that's the two halves of my weekend.

Thursday night I think I ate something that didn't agree with me, as I woke up Friday morning feeling very ill. At first I thought it was the fact that I'd had a couple of beers the night before, but since I'd had nothing near enough to make me this sick I knew something else was wrong. I quickly realised that the nacho's I had had, that I thought had tasted funny anyway, were in fact made from the Korean butter-bread and so were laced with dairy. This led to me taking my first sick day since coming to SEI and luckily it was a Friday, or I'd have had to take two. This had me flat on my back for Saturday as well. I finally ate again Saturday night, and woke up Sunday feeling VERY hungry. So I went out and got a huge breakfast and I was on my way.

Sunday afternoon I had planned to see the Samsung Lions, the local ball-club. I discussed Korean baseball in a previous post and so won't bother again here. We were playing the Doosan Bears, one of the Seoul teams. It was a great game and great afternoon. Actually the seating is general admission so we got there a bit early to get seats along the first base line. Other people were sitting at ground level in the outfield.... can't imagine you see much out there. Anyway it was a good game. After some 9th inning drama, when a single homer made a 5-3 game 5-4, the Lions closer shut down the top of their lineup to clinch the win. It was a great game in great weather.

After the game we went to a local restaurant. Actually, we had decided to go the other way from the main crowd, thinking that a slightly longer walk to the EMart would get us a taxi faster. On the way though, we decided to stop in for dinner at a place behind the parking lot (where the business district picked up). When we went in the woman asked us "Doosan?" so we told her that we had been at the game. She then took us upstairs where there were seats set up for a small banquet. We then realized that the Doosan Bears were coming in for dinner. I think she realized her mistake too and put us off in teh corner. Sure enough, 10 minutes later they all came in. We smiled and said hi but they looked unimpressed. There was a white guy though so my buddy Kurt went up to him and politely asked him where he was from. He was a kid from Ohio who had come over in March for spring training and was playing a season in Korea. He actually looked quite happy to be speaking English again and was very sociable. However, 10 minutes later they were paid up and out the door with the team bus ready to go back to Seoul for a game today. I wish we'd had more of a chance to talk to him, but oh well.

While the games themselves are not exactly MLB standard they are actually better than I had previously given them credit for being. It's not like the soccer that even the Koreans find hard to watch. While I'd still put my money on the Yankees if such a matchup ever occurred, it's definitely of a higher quality than my local Vancouver Canadians.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Potential Changes to the British Monarchy. What is the Commonwealth?

well for Brits, Canadians, Aussies and kiwi's the news that the British may actually try to update laws around royal succession should come with no interest whatsoever. Personally I'd normally give this law about as much time as I do the upcoming royal wedding (which is to say, none). However, being that British history (well it's colonial history) was a huge part of my BA I felt like I wanted to jump in on this one, if for no other reason than to make fun of the whole thing. The fact is that CNN, as usual, gets the story about half right. The laws passed in 1701 demand that a man inherit the throne if a male heir is available and that Catholics are banned from the monarchy. This was done in response to the 17th century, in which England had the Stewarts, a civil war and a puritan republic (picture Saudi Arabia today) and then another two Stewarts the last of whom, James II married a catholic and brought England to the brink of another civil war. So he was dumped by parliament who brought William and Mary of Orange over to be the new king and queen (they were Dutch, but not Catholic) and upon their deaths laws were written up to make sure that the insanity of the 17th century would not be repeated in the 18th. It worked. Catholics were removed from British politics and to this day no catholic has ever been a monarch or an active PM.

However, the clause about women was added as much because of fears of a queen marrying a catholic and him thus having more power in the realm as it was out of fear of women in power. In those days the king was superior to the queen in all legal things. Charles II of Spain had tried this ploy with Queen Anne (successfully) and then Queen Elizabeth I (less successfully) as a way to add England's power to his own and keep England catholic. British parliament felt that this was unacceptable and with the newfound powers they had after James II was booted they passed laws over decades to secure Britain's sovereignty (much of the laws from these times were cited by American colonists as they rebelled almost a century later. They were claiming their rights as Englishmen, not throwing off a tyranny from afar). Not surprisingly it worked and a united Great Britain rose to become the most powerful state on earth for nearly 200 years. Even by the 19th century, when religious fanaticism had given way to enlightenment principles these laws stayed on the books and lasted through the 20th century and in to today, when the monarchy is little more than a figurehead and the Commonwealth little more than a sports venue.

So does it matter today?

Well in theory William and Kate could have a daughter who chose to marry a non-Commonwealth citizen who would then become king? Nope. As with Elizabeth II's husband he would become a "prince" and thus the Queen would remain the head of state. So the argument for preserving the dynasty are gone. What about those pesky catholics? Well in 2011 the UK does more business, trade and tourism with its catholic EU partners than it does with any of its old Commonwealth buddies. There are more practicing catholics in England (not Scotland or Wales though) than there are practicing protestants (practicing as a definition in this case is weekly church service). Yet no one seems to care. I'll admit that this new pope may very well be the Terminator and that if Polish communism kept him down then I'm not sure those Leninists had it all wrong. However, many Catholics are not as insane as he is, and certainly none that I know of wish to overthrow the British monarchy (even Robopope). So I think we seem cool with catholics in 2011? As a side issue to this, how many Commonwealth citizens are still even practicing protestants (using definition above, which is a solid one both for today and for 1701 when these laws were written)? I mean, there are close to 100 million people that call the Queen their head of state. Most of these live in the UK, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Four very multi-cultural, largely religiously apathetic countries. Others such as Fiji or the Caribbean states are similarly developed. I hardly think it matters in 2011 (or 1811 for that matter).

As to women in power. Well actually the UK has been far more progressive in this manner than revolutionary US or France. Margaret Thatcher was among the top 5 most power people on earth in the 1980's. From Elizabeth I to Elizabeth II England/Britain has had a long history of successful female rulers (throw in Bodeicea and Victoria for good measure). Also, in many other cultures female rulers are villified after their deaths (look at the various dowagers and one female emperor of Chinese history and how they are remembered). I'd be hard pressed to name a female ruler in Spain, France, Italy, Japan, Russia or the USA that was remembered fondly if she even existed. The Commonwealth, in contrast, has been very progressive on this front. Of the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand only Australia has never had a female PM (though Canadians have never elected a female PM, so I'll say 2.5 of 4 have had one if that makes sense). Therefore, it seems very odd that this inheritance law is still on the books at all.

To get this law passed, all 15 Commonwealth states that recognise the monarchy must agree to it. So far only St. Lucia has, though I can't see anyone really vetoing this. However, I think it's the one thing besides sports that still brings the Commonwealth together. I mean, at the end of the day what is the Commonwealth? It's a collection of nations that were connected (often unwillingly) together and from 1949 to 1997 completely went their own ways. It's totally illogical that the institution still exists at all in many ways. As a point I'll use a few former Commonwealth nations as examples:

Canada - has far more in common with the USA than any commonwealth state (don't get petty nationalistic, it's true). From trade and tourism to accents and even social philosophies Canada and the USA share more with each other than with the UK. Heck Canada can't really even jump in to the sports area as we don't play rugby or cricket in any serious capacity so we are left with the Commonwealth games and that is it. Canada's biggest trading partners are in North America and Asia. If it weren't for the queen, NATO and tourism there would be very little that we'd still do together. I mean we're all still friendly (and rightly so) but that's where it would end.

Australia - well everything I just said about Canada is true with subbing New Zealand for the USA and omitting the sports thing. Australia still has the union jack up in the corner, but that's about where it ends. Australia plays cricket and rugby union with the UK but the UK's biggest sport, soccer, registers barely a blip on the Aussie radar. Add to that half of Australia being more excited for the AFL than any other sport and you have a situation where even the sports connection isn't what it once was. Australians seem to have finally picked up on the fact that they are closer to Indonesia than anyone else geographically and their largest trading partners are east Asian nations such as China, Korea, Thailand and Japan. Tourism between the UK and Australia is still VERY high but that's about it. Australia/New Zealand probably have the closest cultural links to the UK and even those are fading fast.

Malaysia/Singapore - no queen, no union jack and a cultural identity more geared towards China than Britain. Trade is at a minimal, especially compared to their trade with other Asian nations. English is the main spoken language in Singapore, but not in Malaysia and neither recognises it as an official language. In fact, if it weren't for colonialism it would be hard to see any reason for these two nations to be linked in any meaningful way, other than just to be friendly.

Ireland - oddly enough (Barry if you are reading this you may want to stop) the one nation that is completely removed from the commonwealth is the one that may have the most in common with the UK. Two of each others largest trading partners and Ireland's top choice for emigration (those practicing catholics mentioned above, most are republican Irish). They play all the same sports and Ireland actually watches many British made TV shows. In fact, if it weren't for Britains oppressive colonial policies in the past the relationship today could easily be akin to Australia/New Zealand or Canada/USA. Yet Ireland is totally removed from the Commonwealth (not even in the Commonwealth games). Go figure.


So, to sum up what might be the longest blog I've ever done. All this history, culture and geography means precisely nothing to 99% of Commonwealth citizens living today. Our lives will not change one bit. There might be a different face on some of our currencies but that will be about it. However, strictly from the point of view that women should have just as much right to occupy an outdated office of dubious legitimacy, I hope this law passes. Though I hope one day that Canada, Australia and a few others finally have a head of state that lives within their own borders. Well better yet would be one head of state for all of humanity but lets take baby steps :)


*EDIT - It was pointed out to me by my friend Barry that Australia has now elected a female PM (as of June 2010).

Thursday, April 14, 2011

nightly running and weekly hiking

In my effort to get back in to shape for the summer I've been running every night for the last two weeks. I've really enjoyed it and am already losing quite a bit from my mid-section (though not nearly enough :P). Usually I head out to the KMU running track for several laps and then a long walk home. I've also (re)taken up hiking the local mountains now that we are having such warm days.

Last night, however, my legs were feeling really cramped. I think a very inactive lifestyle changed in to a very active one in just a couple of weeks (especially as it corresponds to a sudden rapid increase in outdoor temperature, which has inspired said running). With the idea that I need to rest my legs for a day tonight I'm opting for beers in Sangin instead. I think tomorrow and Sat I'll get back in to the running/hiking, especially now that spring is fully here (22 degrees today :)

we'll see how I look come July :)

trip back to Vancouver booked, timing is pretty good.

well it's booked. June 25th Incheon to Vancouver via Taipei (on China airlines) and back to Incheon on August 2nd. It's a bit less time than I had wanted (I wanted 6-7 weeks and got 5.5) but it's still great and I'm really excited to be heading back.

Being that it's been over two years since I was last in Vancouver this trip is long overdue (My last multi-week break I spent in Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore instead :P). Also, only my dad has been able to make it out here since I arrived and so it's been a long time since I've seen most of family. I'm really excited for it, and for seeing how things have changed (or not) during the time I've been gone. I'm hoping to travel around BC a bit, maybe Seattle for a Mariners game and just relax, eat western food and catch up with everyone.

The timing is great on so many other levels.

-I will arrive after both the election and the NHL playoffs, so I won't have to sit through either and don't have to feel I am annoying anyone by not participating in either.
-The weather in Vancouver will be wonderful, much more so than 34 degrees and 90% humidity Korea at that time.
-It'll be my Grandma's 85th (I think) birthday while I'm there.
-cousins at uni will all be home for the summer.
-Many friends who are working have vacation at that time.


I will be able to return for what I *think* will be my last year in Korea (without a doubt my second to last) fully recharged and ready to start my work/school here. Given that my Sept-Dec will be insanely busy, I need this even more than I usually would. However, I have a Taiwan week and three months of work to get through first, and my new visa isn't finished processing yet.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Manny won't be Manny anymore

I was saddened to hear yesterday that Manny Ramirez has decided to retire from Major League Baseball. Not that he isn't old enough to be doing it, but the way in which he is leaving is very sad, and only highlights the problems of baseball in the 1990's and 2000's or, as the media have dubbed it, the "steroid era".

For my non-North American friends (others can skip to next paragraph). From 1993-2002 many Major League Baseball players were using various steroids and growth hormones. This was possible because, while they are illegal in the US, MLB had no testing program in place for them (though they did for marijuana, which you think would have the opposite effect, but anyway). The result was that many of the top players such as Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Mark MgGwire and Roger Clemens were all using them and setting various hitting records and recovering from injuries in record time. It has thrown in to question the legitimacy of many records set during that time (including single season and career home run records, some of which had stood for 50 years). It also means that players such as Ken Griffey Jr. who has never tested positive, is denied his rightful place in the record books (he is arguably the best power hitter of all time, but he missed whole seasons due to injury, one wonders what records he'd have set if he'd been using the same drugs, he is still one of only 25 players to have over 400 home runs and one of only 5 to have more than 600) because guys who did use them hit even more home runs than he did. As to Manny Ramirez. He was almost as famous for his off field antics than anything he did on the field. He skipped a games, he lied about family tragedy to get out of spring training and he often said things that sports journalists would then spend days talking about. However, he was undoubtedly one of the best offensive players of all time, and he revitalised the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox (both of which needed serious revitalising). His team mates all seemed to love him and it's hard to argue with four World Series appearances and two wins (2 with Cleveland, two with Boston. Both wins with Boston). In 2009 Manny was busted for using them and suspended for 50 games (of a 162 game regular season). Then this April he was busted again and was set to be suspended 100 games before he decided to retire just 6 games in to his one year contract with Tampa Bay. Thus ends one of the greatest baseball careers of all time.

It's sad because another of the best power hitters of this generation is most likely another steroid user (he tested positive twice AFTER the testing was introduced in 2004, what are the odds it was his first and second time?). Leaving like this also ensures that he will not make it in to the Hall of Fame or even be remembered that fondly. It's a sad reminder of the amount of cheating that actually went on during this period and Manny joins the ever growing list of players that it's hard to like just cause you know that they are cheaters (I guess Mike Lowell, Ichiro Suzuki and Ken Griffey Jr. are still safe... we hope). It's also sad because Manny was a great player when he was key to the offensive success of two franchises. Also, despite the antics, he was just a really fun player to watch.

Let's  hope the rest of the 2011 season is more uplifting.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Radioactive rain, and I don't even have any super powers

well fear and media collide again with reports that rain that is falling in Korea and northern China might contain traces of radiation from the Daiichi plant leaks. Koreans just seem to be even more afraid of the outdoors than usual and hide under umbrella's every day. However, mass panic seems to have largely passed the peninsula by.  Not so in China where the Chinese are freaking out with comic and tragic results. Apparently some idiot started a rumor that salt consumption helps prevent cell damage caused by radiation. The result was that stores from Beijing to Harbin to Dalian were selling out of salt and they soy sauce in store mob scenes not usually seen outside of a Wal-Mart on black friday or boxing day. Apparently several people actually died after consuming too much salt (so yes, it can kill you). I'll let you decide if that is tragic, comic or both.

As to how much damage is actually being done. Well I haven't seen any decontamination suites and hoses or even Patrick Stewart eye-balling anyone (I guess I'm also safe from Klingons :P) so my guess is that I am largely safe from the radioactive rain. The real tragedy is that media scaring people has actually led to deaths in China (I hope the story was worth it). That's the moral I'm getting here anyway.

new visa regulations.... for China

any Korean E2 visa holders want to visit China before their contract is up? better book it before your six month mark or you will be denied a visa. The Chinese government has decided, for reasons that are beyond me, to not allow anyone who's alien card expires in the next six month from when they apply for the visa (note -apply, not be granted) an entry visa. This should do wonders for Chinese tourism, especially to Beijing and Shanghai which are popular as places to go for 5 day vacations from Korea.

There is an easy way around it: just fly to Hong Kong, get the visa there and then fly north. In doing that, you also get to see Hong Kong, which is one of the coolest places in Asia. However, the extra time and cost associated with that may deter a few tourists. Combined with the Japan quake and Seoul's hangeul only decision and I'm thinking Taiwan and/or Hong Kong/Macau could make a killing in the tourist market if they strike now.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Baseball season has started around the globe

and with an 0-4 Red Sox, a 2-3 Mariners and a Blue Jays team that is actually doing well I'll skip discussing the American league (and while we're at it the National - anyone else bet on the Cubs to take it all this year?) and look to baseball on the peninsula.

My local team in the Samsung Lions (corporations sponsor teams and so it's their name, and not the city name, that appears on the team logo's and jerseys, making it very difficult to figure out who plays where).

There are currently 8 teams:

Samsung Lion (Daegu)
Hanwha Eagles (Daejeon)
Lotte Giants (Busan)
SK Wyverns (Incheon)
Kia Tigers (Gwangju)
Doosan Bears (Seoul)
LG Twins (Seoul)
Nexen Heroes (Seoul)


While baseball is the number one sport in Korea, stadiums are comparably small, with the teams in Seoul holding 28000 and the stadium in Daegu a mere 10000 (though it was built in 1948) and turnout on weekdays can be low. However, unlike soccer the local teams are actually popular (people watch Manchester United or Real Madrid but no one watches or goes to the Korean league games). While Major League baseball gets some TV coverage and the Japanese leagues are quite popular (were it not for their archaic rules on foreign players the Japanese leagues could give the US ones a run for their money, and steal a few top players at the same time) the Korean teams are still number one for the people here.

However, the games themselves are somewhat amateurish compared to their US (and Japanese) counterparts. Part of it is, as in Japan, only three non-native players can be on a team (Japan is 4 I believe) and they must be a mix of fielding and pitching. So for example Samsung has an American infielder and two pitchers from the US and Panama and all the rest are Korean. This does limit the quality of players. Also, quite a few top Korean players will go to Japan and a few of the best will go straight to the US, where they will make more money and play in a higher calibre league. These factors make sure that the league will never compete seriously with the US Leagues. However, it is comparable to a Double-A game and is a fun day out.

I'm hoping to go see Doosan (a Seoul team) play Samsung on Sunday afternoon. If it works out I'll blog more then.

Seoul legislators work to end all tourism.

The next time a Korean person asks you why tourists don't come to Korea in the same numbers as they do to Japan or China......

.... refer them to this.

The Seoul government, in its infinite insanity, has decided to make a major chunk of downtown Seoul hangeul only. That's right, the area west on the royal palace will no longer have any non-Korean (ie- English and hanja) signage anywhere. By law. The area is currently a major tourist area as it contains many historical buildings and hotels. There will also be a hangeul/King Sejeong museum (I wonder if it will be hangeul only?) Instead of signage that tourists could read, they will offer a centre where foreigners can learn the hangeul alphabet. Exactly what most tourists want to do while on vacation.

Now I am normally the first to criticize all the people and blogs that put down Korea without really understanding what is going on, but this is just dumb. Plain and simply stupid. I'm sure this decision comes as welcome news in Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei and even Tokyo, where tourists will now go and spend more time now that Seoul is less appealing. A few thoughts:

1- People who might have come to Seoul otherwise will not. This includes conventions, tour groups and just backpackers. Especially conventions as they will need their attendees to be able to use whatever their native language is for work.
2- Koreans often complain that westerners don't know about Korea. We say Sea of Japan and not east sea, we think Manchuria has always been Chinese, we don't know (care) about Dok-do. Then they go and make their country even less accessable to non-Korean speakers than it already is in the one city that has previously been very accessable.
3- having a museum or district dedicated to Joseon accomplishments is a great idea, so to ruin it by making it inaccessable to non-Koreans is a tragedy and a loss to all non-Koreans.


While it amazes me that someone can live here a year or two and pick up no more Korean than yes, no, thank you and two beers please (and many do) I don't think for a minute that this should apply to tourists. I spent three days in Cambodia. Can't speak a word of Khmer. I've spent about 3 months in Thailand and I know, thank you, hello and foreigner.

I'm not sure what they were thinking, but obviously they didn't think about it hard enough.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

How many great movies can Australia make?

seriously.

For a country of twenty million they are putting many other places to shame. It seems that every year there are several really good films from down under. Recently I watched Chopper, a great film about Australia's second most notorious convict (after Ned Kelly of course :P). It's sort of a Trailer Park Boys meets Pulp Fiction. I also watched the classic comedy the Castle.

But going back, Mel Gibson got his star there (say what you will about him now, he's made some excellent films). So did Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman and Eric Bana. Being that I'm hardly a film buff the fact that I actually know who these people are means that they must be somewhat famous. Aussie films also seem to lack that air of.... well pretentiousness that comes along with many non-US films or art school films (look at us, we are smarter than Hollywood, lets act like dicks until you notice it), instead they just go out and make solid, well written films.

Here's my (incomplete) list of Great Aussie films (any Aussie friend can surely add more, as could a few others I'm sure):

The Year of Living Dangerously (about an Aussie journalist in Jakarta in 1965)
Gallipoli (WWI film)
The Proposition (an Aussie western)
The Castle (see above)
Romper Stomper (film about Aussie white-supremists)
Chopper (see above)
Mad Max (come on, you know it's good)
Ned Kelly (the Heath Ledger version. Good though, not great)
Chain Link Fence (about 3 aboriginal girls in the 1930's)


well that's only nine, but I know I'm forgetting a few and, USA aside, I can't think of another country that's made that many films that I'd actually recommend (not like, yeah it didn't suck, but actually recommend).

friends in town, cherry blossoms

well being the weekend before pay day, it was an in Daegu weekend. It began Saturday morning with a major hike along Woreongsan (the mountain in front of place). Not as nice as Apsan (which in Korean means mountain in front of my place :P) but good excercise. I then met my friend Yunhee who was down from Daejeon for the weekend. We just had coffee and grabbed a snack and chatted a bit. She's a uni student who I met at Marks and who taught me a bit of Korean (and me English to her). I hadn't seen her since last fall so it was good to hear about what she's up to.

Sunday was Italian food and a movie. We went to a restaurant near Apsan to eat. Food was okay but for the price I was a bit let down. However I then went to see the cherry blossoms, which will be blooming all week. It's the same festival as the one in Japan and marks the beginning of spring. It is also supposed to bring good luck, which the Japanese could use right now (please donate to the red cross :P). It was fun and great to be on mountains on a weekend when the sky was so clear that you could see straight across the city.

I also managed to start the final part of the application process for KMU. All I need to do now is get my contract in order, book flights to Vancouver for a summer visit and get ready to start school.