Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Uncy Phizer and the Phizerites

When I first got to Korea, people would speak to me in Koren and I would respond in Spanish. I knew I couldn't respond in English so my brain would go to the next familiar language and I would blurt out the old Espanol. It really confused some people, including me. When I went to Mexico this last week, guess what language inadvertently came out. Yup, Korean. I gave a couple of Mexicans the "comp-sa-ham-nee-da" when trying to say "thank you" and responded "ne" when trying to say "yes". Now I have confused a few Mexicans. This is nothing new either.

The trip to Mexico was great. I got to go with my sister who is a rep. for Phizer. She won a regional sales award so the whole trip was on Uncy Phizer. "We love you Uncy Phizer!" At first the treatment at the hotel was a little hard to get used to. I'm used to having to sneak my drinks down to the pool, but here they had specially designed people (I think they were called waiters) bring the drinks to us. Soon enough I got the hang of it and I was ordering sandwiches, margaritas and $5 bottles of water by the pool.

Some activities were included in the trip so Tina and I went on the ATV adventure and snorkeling; actually, we only attempted snorkeling. The boat ride out to the snorkel spot was beautiful and hot, so the water looked so inviting when we actually got there. Water can be particularly deceiving. This water looked so blue and pleasant, but it was actually a very chilly 50 degrees. We lasted about ten minutes in the ocean, chasing fish around, trying to warm ourselves up, but it was no use. Still, it was pleasant enough; beats hanging around the hotel the whole day.

The ATV adventure was the next day where our guide lead us into the desert and then turned us loose. Totally true, he took us to this dry river bed with all these trails and let us go. Tina and I chased each other around, found (what in our opinion were) some gnarly trails, and then headed back both wind and sun burned.

There was a trip to the spa and then shopping. Tina bought some jewelry and trinkets for friends while I bought some tequila and Ambien. It amazing the different souvenirs that people come home with. No, I do not plan on consuming both of my souvenirs together.

Overall, all the Phizerites were really nice and we had a great time. I want to thank my sister Tina for inviting me and for having the courage to introduce me to all her friends, and Uncy Phizer for footing the bill. Pics follow.

Los Banditos Gringos


Los Banditos Gringos
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Getting into the culture. Who says we're not photogenic.

Leader of the Pack


Leader of the Pack
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
I know how to drive an ATV but apparently not how to tie a bandanna.

"Give Me Another"


"Give Me Another"
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
"Give me three strawberry margaritas and my conversation hat."

Tina and Her New Boyfriend


Tina and Her New Boyfriend
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Sorry Scott, she met someone in Mexico.

ATV Terror


ATV Terror
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Get out of the way if you ever see this coming.

Mexican Hell's Angels


Mexican Hell's Angels
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Someone was giving ATV's to these things.

Mexico Vice


Mexico Vice
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Once again, a picture that looks more dramatic than it was in reality.

Pirate Yacht


Pirate Yacht
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
This was actually the Capitan Morgan boat. When you hear, "Give the man in the purple Speedo a shot of tequila," you know it's not an ordinary cruise ship.

Prepare to be Borded


Prepare to be Borded
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Getting ready to commandeer a vessel.

Los Arcos 3


Los Arcos 3
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Pretty arch.

Too Much Fun


Too Much Fun
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Drinks, boats, rocks and ocean. This seems agreeable with Tina.

Mexican Sunrise


Mexican Sunrise
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
I actually got up early enough to witness a sunrise for once in my life.

Monday, June 18, 2007

Bigger and Louder

Howdy y'all. I've been sporadically posting random stuff when I get the chance, whenever I find the time and the internet access. I try not to say that I'm having too much fun in the states, lest I have so much fun that I don't want to come back to Korea, but I've been having a freaking blast. I've been hiking and Frisbee golfing and swimming and Frisbee golfing and to the bars and Frisbee golfing. It's been fun.

Everybody's asked me if it's strange to be back, and in a way it is. I can understand most of everything that people say. I've been used to wandering along, oblivious to what people say in Korea, and now I'm much more aware of the people around me whether I want to be or not. The one thing that strikes me is how big everything is in the states: the cars, the roads, the houses, the people, the food. Everything in the states is bigger, people are louder, things cost more. I kind of like it. Sure, in Korea the buildings are bigger but the rooms inside the buildings aren't. On the flight from Dallas to Salt Lake I was amazed how loud everyone was. Everyone was talking to everyone else and people were really friendly. It was a nice change from Korea where people tend to get on the bus, subway, airplane and just shut up. Eventually I'll be tired of this too and want to come back to the ROK. Until then, here are pictures of big America.

Fossil Creek


Fossil Creek
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
This is one of the coolest places. Fossil Creek was dammed at one time (or damned, depends on how you look at it) but now it runs free. There are tons of springs and pools to splash around in. See the sink hole on the left? It can be accessed through an underwater arch. It's a little scary to swim through but definitely worth it. Viva el Fossil Creek!

Glorious Fossil Creek


Glorious Fossil Creek
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
This photo was taken while I was ascending.

Flying Owen


Flying Owen
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
He forgot his cape.

Keep off the Damn Flume


Keep off the Damn Flume
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Dave demonstrates improper dam technique.

Canyonlands


Canyonlands
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
The hike down to Fossil Creek.

Yucca and Sunset


Yucca and Sunset
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Quintessential Arizona

Yucca


Yucca
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
A beautiful plant. This flower spike was about fifteen feet tall.

Coolest Lawn Ever


Coolest Lawn Ever
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.

Disc of Glory


Disc of Glory
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
The beautiful and glorious game of disc golf. Discraft, this picture is for sale. Contact me and we'll talk.

AZ Sunset


AZ Sunset
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.

Me and My Tree


Me and My Tree
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
I'm that heavy now days.

Legends


Legends
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Disc golf legends reunited.

Dancing Dave2


Dancing Dave2
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Here's a pic of Dave getting down under the pines. He's taken to sporadic fits of dancing lately. Naw, not really. Any guesses as to what he's really doing?

AZ Highway


AZ Highway
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
It's a little different than Korea.

Croin Yodels


Croin Yodels
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
The Utah mountains and some of the wildlife.

Croin Hucks


Croin Hucks
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Look at that form, the concentration, the focus. It takes a lot of effort to throw a disc into a tree.

Da Boyz


Da Boyz
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
The Wilhelm Disc Golf Crew.

Extreme Croquet


Extreme Croquet
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Screw that weenie croquet that stays land bound. Extreme croquet is where it's at. With launch ramps and tabletops, who wouldn't want to play.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Waterfall


Waterfall
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
I should remember the names of these different places but I never can. I do remember the stories though. A long time ago in a country far, far away a Chinese delegation arrived at this waterfall looking for the elixir of life, the water that would grant immortality. Though they were impressed with the falling waters, they realized the water was not the elixir of life. I have no idea how they discovered that. Maybe they made a guy drink it and then blasted him with a cannonball and then stabbed him. An experiment through trial and error. In any event the delegation decided to practice the age old art of graffiti and so carved some Chinese characters into a rock at the base of the falls. The writings can still be viewed today.

Sunset


Sunset
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
This is sunset in Seogwipo. We spent most of our time around this town because it appeared to have the most beaches, waterfalls and gardens; but also because the name is so fun to say.

Baywatch Needed


Baywatch Needed
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
I've written before about the overzealous lifeguards at Korean beaches that harpoon swimmers who go out beyond the swimming boundary and relocate them back to shore. I hate those guys, but I guess there's a reason they are there and the reason is in the middle of the crowd of people. I'm not quite sure what happened, but Kat and I saw two guys dragging a third guy out of the water and the third guy looked like he'd had enough of the sea. A crowd formed, an ambulance showed up and I took a picture of the whole thing. I hate to say it, but I've got mixed emotions about the situation. I hope the man is alright but I hope he's learned his lesson. Nathan sayz: If you're not a good swimmer, don't pretend like you are. You gots to respect the sea.

Beach 2


Beach 2
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
And then Jesus came down to the beach in a ray of holy light.

Iris


Iris
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
The man-eating, monster Iris of Jeju.

Prepackaged Children


Prepackaged Children
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
I thought you weren't supposed to give plastic bags to children.

Cliffs, Sea and Falls


Cliffs, Sea and Falls
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
I guess I can understand why they call Jeju the Hawaii of Korea.

Me and My Hog


Me and My Hog
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Sunshine yellow is the new black. I tried to blend and did not succeed.

Biker Babe


Biker Babe
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Meet the new Korean, American Hell's Angel.

I Spy


I Spy
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
My attempt at being artsy.

Jeju Sea


Jeju Sea
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Yeah, it's kind of pretty.

Jeju Sky


Jeju Sky
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Blue sky is nice, one of the things that Seoul doesn't offer too much of.

Kat Presents


Kat Presents
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Look at what we found.

Kat's Self Portait


Kat's Self Portait
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Kat drew this picture and I love it. I was thinking of folding it up and tucking it into my wallet so when someone asks if I have a picture of my girlfriend, I can show them this.

Last Night at the With Me


Last Night at the With Me
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Us at our fancy outdoor patio drinking our fancy drinks.

With Us


With Us
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
I will miss the With Me, the twenty-four hour convenience store located in the apartment complex. By comparison stores and place in the states will seem light years apart from each other.

Friday, June 08, 2007

I wrote the following awhile ago and never posted. Tip of the day: if you want to see more pics, click on an existing pic and it will take you to my flickr site. Korean crew, there's probably a pic of you on that site whether you like it or not.

Step Into the Past, If You Dare


I was reviewing my past posts recently. I've never thought that I've had a refined sense of humor. I like a good fart joke just as well at the next, but when I go through the topics I've written about, well I could have taken things more seriously. Here are some things I've written about in the past:

-The Advantages of Food Poisoning
-Kids Eating Crap (they misspelled crab)
-The Royal Outhouse
-Kids Discussing Horror Houses
-Lice Cream
-Kids Swearing
-The Boys Naming Themselves the Testicles
-Girls Telling Me They Have Testicles
-Toilet Man
-Breastworks
-Scott Getting Shot By Bidet
-Playing in the Mud-- that's dirty
-Receiving a Pair of Sand Boobs
-Scott Torturing Me By Knocking Me in the Nads.
-Korean Ass (donkey)
-Beer and Fireworks
-Making Kids Cry
-Salsa as Diarrhea
-Picking Up Chicks in Korean
-Porn Star Mustache
-Beer Bonging Out of a Snorkel

In an attempt to make this blog a little classier than it already is, I have posted the poem below. I've had it in my e-mail in box for awhile. I usually get rid of mass e-mails as soon as they pop up, but my grandma sent me this one and I've held on to it. It is my last attempt at contrived mushiness before I leave Korea.

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much
bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

--Unknown


There, I can hardly believe I posted that. To compensate the other way again, below are pictures of us drinking beer, enjoying salsa and singing in an outhouse. Enjoy.

Cross Cultural


Cross Cultural
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
Cowboy Batman in Korea with a sword. Sometimes the randomness of life is just mind blowing.

Matt on the Way to Work


Matt on the Way to Work
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
I snapped this pic on the way to work. Matt's an interesting character but of even more interest is the aujushe (old Koren dude) in the background tending to the gardening.

The Schoolyard


The Schoolyard
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
My former place of employment. I took this picture so I could remember it's scenic beauty. Avalon School was on the left, fifth floor. Other noteworthy venues include Skin and Food, bottom right. Yuck.

Happy Girls


Happy Girls
Originally uploaded by karmking1111.
A Happy pic featuring three of the departed.