The internet is a wonderful thing. However, there is part of me that gets nostalgic for the "quieter" times before the 24 hour news cycle; before the information overload that comes with literally everyone talking, or, as the case may be, screaming at once. A case in point is the demise of the "Letter to the Editor." Well, the letter to the editor hasn't really died, it has been replaced by the online "comments" section. What has truly died is people taking the time to inform themselves on a subject and then organizing their thoughts into a rational statement or argument before committing them to print.
Writing a letter to a newspaper used to be a commitment. It took time. It took thought. You also had to put your name on it. Sure the paper controlled whose letters got posted, and you had better chance of seeing your letter in print if your views coincided with those of the paper's, but the paper's editors would usually publish just enough from the opposing viewpoint to maintain the appearance of objectivity. The best part was that the editor's were allowed, if only because of a limited number of column inches, to weed out the cranks, racists, lunatics and everyday morons who wrote to them and choose from the letters that actually might merit reading. That, unfortunately, is lost to the ages.
These days, every major newspaper has an online version. There is a comments section for every article or story in every section of the paper. While the moderators do weed out the most offensive posts, their standards are at best arbitrary. Free speech may be the backbone of American ideals of democracy and freedom, but it would seems that the thought that is supposed to go along with that right is in perilously short supply. In fact, I would go so far as to say that there are a lot of folks out there who are simply...well...idiots. You get some readers who take the time to digest an article, inform themselves on the subject and write rational, thought out responses to the issue at hand. Unfortunately, you have to wade through 500 posts of the most inane drivel in order to find them. It's mind-numbing.
I stopped watching television news because it has devolved into a cacophony of voices talking over one another without even the pretense of listening to what is being said. I've stopped reading the comments sections of the newspapers for the same reason. It's just white noise.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Blogger Block
I love to write. I find it to be an often cathartic exercise. It can also be silly, inane, pointless, and, at times, drunken - if only there was an un-send button. However, these days I haven't been writing. I lack inspiration. There are a lot of things to write about. From the ridiculously inept U.S. government to the extremely disappointing Nationals. The problem is that none of the things going on around me seem to spark...well...anything. I am awash in apathy.
Why is this happening? I have a few ideas but no answers. It could be that my life has become too routine. I know I've been in Korea too long and am longing for the day I can get the hell out of here. I don't do anything anymore. I used to be active. Korea used to be fun. Now all I do is go to work, come home, play games or watch TV on the computer, drink too much, and fall asleep. It's not like there is nothing to do. There's disc golf, ultimate, baseball games, and a myriad of simple get-your-ass-out-of-the-house options, yet I can't find the will to do them. Am I depressed? Maybe. Am I bored and unsatisfied with my life? Most certainly.
What can I do? I'm waiting for March to come, so I can move to Taiwan. I'm hoping it will be the change I need to break out of the malaise. It will be an adventure in a number of different ways. I'll actually be living with Rebecca for the FIRST time, which should be interesting at the very least. There are a lot of unknowns that accompany the move as well. Can I find work? Can I find work close to Rebecca, or will I have to live n another city. However, these unknowns are also the things that charge me up. It's the change I need. Korea has been very good to me, but it is way past time to move on to greener pastures. Well...different pastures anyway.
It's a Cruel, Crazy, Beautiful World
Why is this happening? I have a few ideas but no answers. It could be that my life has become too routine. I know I've been in Korea too long and am longing for the day I can get the hell out of here. I don't do anything anymore. I used to be active. Korea used to be fun. Now all I do is go to work, come home, play games or watch TV on the computer, drink too much, and fall asleep. It's not like there is nothing to do. There's disc golf, ultimate, baseball games, and a myriad of simple get-your-ass-out-of-the-house options, yet I can't find the will to do them. Am I depressed? Maybe. Am I bored and unsatisfied with my life? Most certainly.
What can I do? I'm waiting for March to come, so I can move to Taiwan. I'm hoping it will be the change I need to break out of the malaise. It will be an adventure in a number of different ways. I'll actually be living with Rebecca for the FIRST time, which should be interesting at the very least. There are a lot of unknowns that accompany the move as well. Can I find work? Can I find work close to Rebecca, or will I have to live n another city. However, these unknowns are also the things that charge me up. It's the change I need. Korea has been very good to me, but it is way past time to move on to greener pastures. Well...different pastures anyway.
It's a Cruel, Crazy, Beautiful World
Friday, May 17, 2013
Youth is Wasted on the Young
This is one of those posts that is guaranteed to make my mother and uncle shake their heads and smile that knowing smile of those that have tried to explain that, yes, they have experienced the foibles of youth.
I, alas, am rapidly approaching my 50th birthday and find myself frustrated by the self-centered, lack-of-work-ethic, disrespectful 20-somethings I meet every day in Korea. When I was younger I was, of course, a model of generosity of spirit, steeped in respect for my elders. I never only thought about myself. I was a paragon of selflessness...cough.
I'm absolutely sure that every generation looks at the generation that follows and wonders how the species will survive. Following that tradition, I despair for the world. I mean, what is it with kids these days? They have absolutely NO taste in music; zero sense of basic etiquette, and a fairly stunned expression that screams, "I don't get the Three Stooges!"
The more I meet the youth of today, the more I have to admit that there is part of me that wants to be that cantankerous old guy on his porch waving his cane and yelling at passers-by, "Listen to REAL music you morons!" I would also like to have the kind of house where kids dare each other to go knock on the door, but that's another story.
I, alas, am rapidly approaching my 50th birthday and find myself frustrated by the self-centered, lack-of-work-ethic, disrespectful 20-somethings I meet every day in Korea. When I was younger I was, of course, a model of generosity of spirit, steeped in respect for my elders. I never only thought about myself. I was a paragon of selflessness...cough.
I'm absolutely sure that every generation looks at the generation that follows and wonders how the species will survive. Following that tradition, I despair for the world. I mean, what is it with kids these days? They have absolutely NO taste in music; zero sense of basic etiquette, and a fairly stunned expression that screams, "I don't get the Three Stooges!"
The more I meet the youth of today, the more I have to admit that there is part of me that wants to be that cantankerous old guy on his porch waving his cane and yelling at passers-by, "Listen to REAL music you morons!" I would also like to have the kind of house where kids dare each other to go knock on the door, but that's another story.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Random Notes
Head Lock
Spring, or at least what is passing for spring in Korea these days, is here. The weather has been completely schizophrenic. Cold and wet one day, warm the next, and war AND cold the day after that. All of this has, of course led to either the worst allergy attack I've had in decades or I have a spring cold that has locked up my sinuses tighter than a drum. Considering the fact that when my sinuses lock, my ears plug as well, teaching has become an interesting exercise. "Eh? What's that? Speak up ye mousey little bugger. I can't hear ya!"
Comin' Around at Last?
It would seem that the Nationals might finally be coming out of the swirling miasma that has been the beginning of the 2013 campaign. They took three of four from the Reds and split the series with the Braves. While the offense is still mired in relative mediocrity, the starting rotation seems to be finding its legs. Jordan Zimmermann, who has been absolutely lights out all season has thrown 17 shutout innings in his last two starts. Dan Haren, an off-season acquisition who has struggled mightily, had a brilliant game against the Braves today, and the bullpen seems to be coming around as well. The Nats still need to get the offense in gear, but there are signs of life. April is gone, and May has started out with a Curly W in the books. The boys are off to Pittsburgh to play the surprising Pirates. Hopefully, things will continue to move in the right direction.
South of Heaven: Jeff Hanneman 1964-2013
The metal world lost a giant with the death of Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman. I have been a fan of Slayer since the early '80s. I had the great good fortune to see them several times at the Stone on Broadway in San Francisco from '83-'85. Unfortunately, location and bad timing prevented me from seeing them after that, but the music has remained a part of my playlist ever since. RIP Jeff!
Spring, or at least what is passing for spring in Korea these days, is here. The weather has been completely schizophrenic. Cold and wet one day, warm the next, and war AND cold the day after that. All of this has, of course led to either the worst allergy attack I've had in decades or I have a spring cold that has locked up my sinuses tighter than a drum. Considering the fact that when my sinuses lock, my ears plug as well, teaching has become an interesting exercise. "Eh? What's that? Speak up ye mousey little bugger. I can't hear ya!"
Comin' Around at Last?
It would seem that the Nationals might finally be coming out of the swirling miasma that has been the beginning of the 2013 campaign. They took three of four from the Reds and split the series with the Braves. While the offense is still mired in relative mediocrity, the starting rotation seems to be finding its legs. Jordan Zimmermann, who has been absolutely lights out all season has thrown 17 shutout innings in his last two starts. Dan Haren, an off-season acquisition who has struggled mightily, had a brilliant game against the Braves today, and the bullpen seems to be coming around as well. The Nats still need to get the offense in gear, but there are signs of life. April is gone, and May has started out with a Curly W in the books. The boys are off to Pittsburgh to play the surprising Pirates. Hopefully, things will continue to move in the right direction.
South of Heaven: Jeff Hanneman 1964-2013
The metal world lost a giant with the death of Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman. I have been a fan of Slayer since the early '80s. I had the great good fortune to see them several times at the Stone on Broadway in San Francisco from '83-'85. Unfortunately, location and bad timing prevented me from seeing them after that, but the music has remained a part of my playlist ever since. RIP Jeff!
Thursday, April 25, 2013
No Joy in Mudville
After being swept by the St. Louis Cardinals over the weekend, the much hyped Nationals, picked by a majority of sports pundits as World Series favorites, have sputtered and gasped to an unfortunate 10-11 record to start the 2013 season. Issues abound with this team. The vaunted starting rotation has been shelled on a fairly regular basis, and the bullpen, once the real strength of this team, has been horrid. The defense until recently has been very sloppy; compiling a league leading 19 errors. And the offense? Well, the team has scored a measly 4 runs in the past 30 or so innings. Punchless doesn't even come close to describing the misery at the plate these days.
We are 21 games into the season. While it is still early - there are 141 games still to be played - there is reason to be worried. The Nats next two series are against the Reds and Braves who are both playing great baseball at the moment. Those are 8 games that, if the Nats don't get their act together, could start a death spiral from which the team may not be able to recover.
I'm not willing to throw in the towel just yet. Baseball is a finicky sport. Teams get hot and cold. Often it's not the best team, but the hottest team, at the end of the season that wins the championship. As Tommy Lasorda once said, “No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one third of your games. No matter how bad you are, you're going to win one third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference."
GO NATS!!
We are 21 games into the season. While it is still early - there are 141 games still to be played - there is reason to be worried. The Nats next two series are against the Reds and Braves who are both playing great baseball at the moment. Those are 8 games that, if the Nats don't get their act together, could start a death spiral from which the team may not be able to recover.
I'm not willing to throw in the towel just yet. Baseball is a finicky sport. Teams get hot and cold. Often it's not the best team, but the hottest team, at the end of the season that wins the championship. As Tommy Lasorda once said, “No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one third of your games. No matter how bad you are, you're going to win one third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference."
GO NATS!!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
NATITUDE, BABY!! NATIONALS 2 - MIAMI 0
Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg led the Washington Nationals with stellar performances in an opening day victory over the Miami Marlins. Harper blasted two home runs in his first two at bats of the season and assisted in a double play started by his rocket throw home from left field. Strasburg, meanwhile, gave up only three hits over seven shut-out innings that included a stretch where he retired nineteen batters in a row.
It's only one game, but if this is any indication of how the Nats are going to play this season, boy oh boy, we are in for a really fun ride.
GO NATS!! GO NUTS!!
On a side note, the Houston Astros, helped by the additions of former Nats players Rick Ankiel and Justin Maxwell, got first time manager and former Nats third base coach Bo Porter, his first ever Major League win by stomping the Texas Rangers 8-2. Maxwell had two triples and Ankiel smashed a three-run homer in the victory. The Astros, whose current payroll stands at a miniscule 18.7 million (there are currently 20 some odd MLB players whose individual salaries are more than the Astros entire payroll), are not expected to do much better than they did last year (55-107), but it's nice that Bo Porter got the victory.
It's only one game, but if this is any indication of how the Nats are going to play this season, boy oh boy, we are in for a really fun ride.
GO NATS!! GO NUTS!!
On a side note, the Houston Astros, helped by the additions of former Nats players Rick Ankiel and Justin Maxwell, got first time manager and former Nats third base coach Bo Porter, his first ever Major League win by stomping the Texas Rangers 8-2. Maxwell had two triples and Ankiel smashed a three-run homer in the victory. The Astros, whose current payroll stands at a miniscule 18.7 million (there are currently 20 some odd MLB players whose individual salaries are more than the Astros entire payroll), are not expected to do much better than they did last year (55-107), but it's nice that Bo Porter got the victory.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Fun, family and my life as a Mahjong widower.
The rattle and clack of the tiles. The constant banter. The whoops of victory and the moans of defeat. These sounds. These sounds. They will haunt me forever. Pushed into a corner with only a cold beer and bad TV to give me solace as I lose my wife to the succubus that is Mahjong...woe is me.
I can't wait to learn how to play! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Actually, the whole mahjong thing is pretty cool. Rebecca and her family are a very close knit group and this is one of the weekly things they do together. I really like Rebecca's family. While the language barrier is certainly an issue at this point, they are a very friendly bunch of folks and treat me very well. It is very much appreciated.
The first thing one needs to know about Keelong (pronounced JEE-long) and it's satellite, Ruifang, which is where Rebecca lives, is that it rains there. A LOT! In fact, it rained there the entire two weeks I was in Taiwan. Didn't rain anywhere else, just in Keelong. This, of course led to a quick re-write of the classic Bill Wither's tune to:
"Ain't no sunshine in Keelong.
It is raining everyday.
Ain't no sunshine in Keelong!
These clouds ain't goin' away."
The first few days of the vacation were spent with Rebecca's family at her mother's house eating tons of good food and playing dice games, cards, and, of course, mahjong. You have to watch it with this group because they love to gamble, and, if you're not careful, you will quickly lose your shirt.
To take a break, Rebecca and I went for a walk around her mom's house to take some photos and get some air.
The photos went from scenic to silly and back again, but it was fun just to be out and about with my honey.
A few days later, Rebecca's sister San jee-ae (3rd older sister) and her husband, San jee-ae foo (3rd older sister's husband) took Rebecca and I to a small touristy town called San-Shia for a little day trip. It was a nice little town with historic colonial era buildings. Since this was still during the New years holiday, the place was quite busy.
Rebecca crawling under a ceremonial palanquin which is supposed to bring good luck for the coming year.
Random rocks
Lookin' good , babe!
The first thing one needs to know about Keelong (pronounced JEE-long) and it's satellite, Ruifang, which is where Rebecca lives, is that it rains there. A LOT! In fact, it rained there the entire two weeks I was in Taiwan. Didn't rain anywhere else, just in Keelong. This, of course led to a quick re-write of the classic Bill Wither's tune to:
"Ain't no sunshine in Keelong.
It is raining everyday.
Ain't no sunshine in Keelong!
These clouds ain't goin' away."
The first few days of the vacation were spent with Rebecca's family at her mother's house eating tons of good food and playing dice games, cards, and, of course, mahjong. You have to watch it with this group because they love to gamble, and, if you're not careful, you will quickly lose your shirt.
To take a break, Rebecca and I went for a walk around her mom's house to take some photos and get some air.
The photos went from scenic to silly and back again, but it was fun just to be out and about with my honey.
I love this picture of Rebecca
Not sure what's going on here. lol
Very famous bridge. Really. It is. Well...not really.
Look! It's not raining!
A few days later, Rebecca's sister San jee-ae (3rd older sister) and her husband, San jee-ae foo (3rd older sister's husband) took Rebecca and I to a small touristy town called San-Shia for a little day trip. It was a nice little town with historic colonial era buildings. Since this was still during the New years holiday, the place was quite busy.
Rebecca with one of her sisters and brother-in-laws. Super friendly folks.
Yours truly with the Queen of Taiwan. Shortly after this photo was taken some random Taiwanese dude came up and wanted his picture taken with me.
Making candy on the streets of San-Shia. Reminded me instantly of the taffy pulls my mom would do when I was a little kid so many moons ago.
A variety of steamed tofu, which, much to my surprise, I found quite tasty.
My peow lien de tai tai at brunch in Carnegies, Taipei.
Taipei 101 from the patio at Carnegies.
Rebecca helping her niece Vivian with her homework. It'll take some time, but I think Vivian is finally getting used to me being around.
On one of my last days of my trip, Rebecca and I took the train to Hualien on the east coast of Taiwan. Once there we took a tour of the beaches and Toroko National Park. I'm not sure why, but I was quite surprised at the color of the water there. I know it's the Pacific Ocean, but for some reason I didn't expect it to be so blue.
After stopping at the beach for a while and a nice lunch, we headed for the Toroko Gorge. Toroko Gorge is a beautiful, rugged marble canyon. The Cross-Central Highway cuts through the gorge connecting the east and west coasts of Taiwan. The Eternal Springs Shrine (below) memorializes the 450 people who died building the highway.
It's very hard from these photos to get a sense of how high these cliffs are. They have to be a good 1000-1500 ft.
The "paparazzi photo." The guy who we asked to take the photo above this one kept taking pictures snap, snap, snap snap...
Yeah, yeah. You always see signs like this...
It's the concrete patched road next to the sign that makes you look up and go, "Hmmm."
Thus ended the trip. It was a great vacation, albeit wa-a-a-a-a-a-a-ay to short. I miss my baby and can't wait to see her again.
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