life warming

First off, a little complaint about the smoking situation here. They put wet napkins in the ashtrays I guelkijkooiuyuiokiolkiujikokkijkji (pardon that, I got some foam on the keyboard and had to clean it off), where was I? Oh, I guess it makes it easier to extinguish and clean but if you're like me when you're sitting here trying to get some writing done you tend to put your cigarette to the side as you type, occasionally lifting it up to take a drag. The alternative is to leave the cigarette in your mouth but in a room without much moving air smoke inevitably gets in your eyes and make you squint like Popeye. Something has to be done about this. But, then again, I'm always the only person with a laptop at a coffee shop writing.,.

Today is White Day (March 14). This is sort of a reactionary holiday to attempt to balance out Valentine's Day which here mainly is the woman treating the man. So, White day is the opposite, the man treats the woman. They thought this was such a great idea that now there is a holiday the 14 of every month. Next month is black day, it's for all those unlucky bastards that didn't get laid the two previous months. You get together with all your other single friends and eat black noodles, cry in your Soju and talk about how desperately you want to be with someone and console each other in your collective loneliness. Ok, maybe I added some flourishes there but that is the basic idea and you do eat black noodles. After that I think it's tapioca day or something, I'll let you know when the time rolls around. But, there are hellava lot of couple around today, more than usual. Sometimes dressing in unison, usually not without at least one camera between them if not up to three when you count the camera phones that everyone seems to have. Ok, there goes a couple walking by in matching blue "Italia" sports jackets. Sometimes this can be too much. Funny what can be a catastrophic fashion mistake in one country can be an endearing show of affection in another.

Okay, a moment about the flesh colored tights. The gist of it is that almost all the women were them. I feel like this is what would happen if all the Asian Hooter's women escaped, multiplied and swarmed the streets in civilian clothes. Haven't gotten a good answer on this but it's up for speculation. More than likely a simple transition from a more sexually closed society to a more open one. I'll talk more about the perceptions of sex at some point if I can actually get any Koreans to open up the subject honestly.

The weeks are proving rather uneventful for aforesaid reasons but the weather is picking up and actually inspired me to go out for my first Korean run last night. I felt good but didn't go too hard and look forward to getting back into making that a habit. Even though I ran on a rather large public street it was comforting that I was not stared at like I expected with my glowing white, skinny legs and all. Last night I made it out to the PNU area again (Pusan National University) which is thriving with life. P- & A-, the couple who helped get me out here live in the area. P- actually teaches at the University and they took me out for a bit. I was a loser and missed dinner but finally made it out for drinks afterwards. I was mainly looking for some good conversation and they took me over to one of the western bars called "Crossroads" that was rather cozy if not a little bright. A lot of the bars and places tend to go a bit overboard with the light. A- says this is because for so many years electricity was a luxury and as the country has developed over the last 20 or so years, and everything is affordable, that they tend to make it feel like you're under one of the dental lamps every time you walk into a place. Good if you want to check out a person across the bar, not so good if you're hoping for some flattering soft light to cover up a pimple that decided to plague your weekend. It also makes dancing a bit intimidating.

I'm chopping this entry in two, another soon as half of it is already written.

Music: The Remote Viewer - Endorphined



hebetude
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"The worst that being an artist could do to you would be that it would make you slightly unhappy constantly."
J.D. Salinger
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