As Halloween approaches, I'm pleased to find myself getting into the spirit of the season. Just yesterday I dressed up as Frankenstein's monster and sacrificed a goat. Then I ate a dozen boxes of Popeye candy sticks.
Okay, none of that really happened, but I will be carving some pumpkins tomorrow eve, and I intend to watch some horror movies. Can't go wrong with that. Nothing gets the heart pumping like a good scare.
Speaking of being scared, I think I've lived in Korea long enough to make a general observation: Koreans squat very well. It seems to be one of the more preferred stances, and I see it happening at all hours of the day and night. I think elderly Koreans must have the strongest knees on earth, because on my way to work, I often see women in their 80's and 90's squatting and just chilling.
The reason I bring this up is because on numerous occasions I've had the living shit scared out of me by someone squatting. I go for walks in the evening and as I'm walking about through the neighborhoods I'll suddenly see that there is an old Korean man squatting a foot away from me - smoking and staring. Had he been standing up I would have likely seen him, but since he was squatting, he disappeared into the shadows.
It's the kind of fright you get when you think you're alone, and realizing that there's someone right next to you. I would like them to stop doing that. Not just because it's startling, but because it seems dangerous. If you're squatting in the road and a man walking by couldn't see you, how well do you think a car will?
Anyway, that's my thought for the day. Hope everyone has a fun and spooky Halloween. For lovers of candy and groups of five please check out my list of the worst Halloween treats.
Boo.
October 29, 2008
October 14, 2008
First One's Free: Game On!!!
I find it interesting how much the Nintendo DS has been rising in popularity in Korea. Several years ago it made a mild debut, but interest has picked up and I think it's for 4 reasons.
One. Many shops that carry the DS have playable handhelds for people to try. At the mall there are even whole stores devoted to the product with rows of seats for shopper to come in, pick up a DS, and get their game on. They even have stations where you can clean and tend to your game system.
Two. While there is a huge range of people who enjoy the DS (toddlers and businessmen alike), the real target seems to be girls. The sheer quantity of accessories being sold for the DS is insane. The system already comes in a handful of colors, but you got enough additional options to pimp out your DS to satisfy the wackiest customization junkie. Koreans love to bedazzle their cellphones, so I suppose their games should be no different.
Three. Another huge reason for the success of the system is the education angle. I think advertisements and promotions have proven to parents that the DS will boost their child's IQ and teach them English. The system has a considerable collection of language and brain testing titles, so those have been the perfect selling point for this academically obsessed country.
Four. The biggest driving factor for the success of the DS is drugs. Yes, you heard me, drugs. It's obvious that the handhelds that anyone can play at the stores are coated in a chemicals, then absorbed though the hands and tongue (depending on your intimacy level with the game). Those chemicals immediately attack the brain and cause the player to become addicted. If you think the general public can contend with 14 separate games about ponies having birthdays without being high on something, think again.
One. Many shops that carry the DS have playable handhelds for people to try. At the mall there are even whole stores devoted to the product with rows of seats for shopper to come in, pick up a DS, and get their game on. They even have stations where you can clean and tend to your game system.
Two. While there is a huge range of people who enjoy the DS (toddlers and businessmen alike), the real target seems to be girls. The sheer quantity of accessories being sold for the DS is insane. The system already comes in a handful of colors, but you got enough additional options to pimp out your DS to satisfy the wackiest customization junkie. Koreans love to bedazzle their cellphones, so I suppose their games should be no different.
Three. Another huge reason for the success of the system is the education angle. I think advertisements and promotions have proven to parents that the DS will boost their child's IQ and teach them English. The system has a considerable collection of language and brain testing titles, so those have been the perfect selling point for this academically obsessed country.
Four. The biggest driving factor for the success of the DS is drugs. Yes, you heard me, drugs. It's obvious that the handhelds that anyone can play at the stores are coated in a chemicals, then absorbed though the hands and tongue (depending on your intimacy level with the game). Those chemicals immediately attack the brain and cause the player to become addicted. If you think the general public can contend with 14 separate games about ponies having birthdays without being high on something, think again.
October 13, 2008
Behold the Optical Kings Upon Their Emerald Thrones
I recently got a new set of prescription lenses for my glasses after a long long period of not being able to see far away, and convincing myself that there's nothing worth seeing over there anyway. (Look out! A bus!)
I waited so long that I'm reminded of the words of comedian Brian Regan: "I just got new glasses after six years. You ever wait that long? How can instantly improved vision not be at the top of your to-do list? Meh ... I'll see tomorrah."
That's pretty much the situation. I must say, this whole 'seeing' thing is really top notch. Why the hell did I wait so long? Probably because of the price. In Canada when I asked about the cost of new lenses, the woman told me it would cost up to $400.
"Will they be made of crystallized eagle tears?" I asked her.
"No." She said from her small mountain of gold coins.
Well, what's the use of being able to see, if you have to walk around in a paper bag? So I waited until I arrived in Korea, and got new lenses for $60. And it only took a couple hours to get them. Awesome.
Procrastination ... it saves.
I waited so long that I'm reminded of the words of comedian Brian Regan: "I just got new glasses after six years. You ever wait that long? How can instantly improved vision not be at the top of your to-do list? Meh ... I'll see tomorrah."
That's pretty much the situation. I must say, this whole 'seeing' thing is really top notch. Why the hell did I wait so long? Probably because of the price. In Canada when I asked about the cost of new lenses, the woman told me it would cost up to $400.
"Will they be made of crystallized eagle tears?" I asked her.
"No." She said from her small mountain of gold coins.
Well, what's the use of being able to see, if you have to walk around in a paper bag? So I waited until I arrived in Korea, and got new lenses for $60. And it only took a couple hours to get them. Awesome.
Procrastination ... it saves.
October 5, 2008
Hail to the Five
No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. Though I am on the far side of it. Just been busy getting situated in Koreaville.
Sadly, as of right now, I'm without proper means of scanning or capturing images that I've drawn, so that aspect of the blog will be on a temporary hold. You can still expect the occasional rant, because anger makes the world go 'round.
For now I'd like to let you know about another blog I've been working on, which I intend to direct most of my attention for now. It's Five-o-rama. As many of you would know, I have a love of lists, and Five-o-rama is my way of corralling them all in one place. Basically it's a series of top five lists on a variety of topics.
Give it look if you have a chance, and be sure to drop me a comment, or any suggestions you might have for future lists. Peace!
Sadly, as of right now, I'm without proper means of scanning or capturing images that I've drawn, so that aspect of the blog will be on a temporary hold. You can still expect the occasional rant, because anger makes the world go 'round.
For now I'd like to let you know about another blog I've been working on, which I intend to direct most of my attention for now. It's Five-o-rama. As many of you would know, I have a love of lists, and Five-o-rama is my way of corralling them all in one place. Basically it's a series of top five lists on a variety of topics.
Give it look if you have a chance, and be sure to drop me a comment, or any suggestions you might have for future lists. Peace!
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