Today was the first day of winter camp. I arrived at school about an hour early because I had to prepare some stuff. Of course, when I got there, the electricity was out in half of the teachers' office, so my computer (which had all of the files I need for the camp) wouldn't turn on. Also, the heating was off, and the internet didn't work in my classroom. Eventually, most of those problems were solved, but it's still freezing in school.
I can't imagine what kind of sick parents sends their kids to school during vacation to take extra English classes. Koreans are insane.
Fortunately, most of the kids who come to extra classes like this are fairly upper-level. Also, there were only about 16 students today, which is a real treat compared to my usual 40.
I just ate a big ol bowl of gamjatang (pork spine soup). Now I'm stuffed, and all I want to do is sleep. I think I may do that. It's snowy out, and this kind of weather really zaps all my motivation. I ain't cut out for it. Hello, bed.
December 28, 2009
December 26, 2009
I'm Watching Gumby on YouTube
Yesterday was my first Christmas away from home. It was fine and actually didn't feel strange. Christmas isn't a big deal in Korea, so I didn't feel like I was missing out on much. Besides, I spent most of the day with friends, eating and drinking way too much. My body was fighting me all day, but I kept forcing food and drink down my gullet.
I bought a bunch of books and Jenga from some of my friends who are leaving the country, so I'm pretty excited about that. I miss obsessively reading and having ten books out from the library at once like I did last year.
Today, I think I'll start one of those books and play Jenga by myself all day.
Or maybe I'll watch Gumby.
I bought a bunch of books and Jenga from some of my friends who are leaving the country, so I'm pretty excited about that. I miss obsessively reading and having ten books out from the library at once like I did last year.
Today, I think I'll start one of those books and play Jenga by myself all day.
Or maybe I'll watch Gumby.
December 25, 2009
Mah pitchure
I already posted this on Facebook, but this is for Ma and Pa. Did you know that I'm famous?
Hohoho
Merry Christmas, y'all. I promised I'd start posting on this damn thing, so here it is. This is my third post in the last 24 hours. I feel rotten. I shouldn't have drunk a bath tub full of beer last night. Anyway, here are some of my favorite Christmas videos of all time.
MARY KRISTMUSS
I promised I'd post more on this rag, so here goes. To tell you the truth, I've been drinking for more than 10 hours, so I'm not so good at typing.
At 7 PM today, I went to a pro hockey game. The game was Korea vs. China. No shit. The game was seriously uri-nara versus the Ching-chong-china men. The funny thing was that no one gave a shit, and the game was free. I prepared a bottle and a half of soju to sneak into the stadium, but it was 100% open, and no one stopped me.
After the game, I went to a 'bar,' to drink more. I met some kool people. Some girl wanted me to speak Spanish, but I kept saying 'No comprendo.' I tried to talk to some Korean broad, but all I could say was, "What's your name? What do you do for a living? Etc?" She said she did "nails" and showed me these horrible things on her fingers. What the hell?
I'm gonna make a tuna melt tomorrow. BTW: Merry Christmas.
At 7 PM today, I went to a pro hockey game. The game was Korea vs. China. No shit. The game was seriously uri-nara versus the Ching-chong-china men. The funny thing was that no one gave a shit, and the game was free. I prepared a bottle and a half of soju to sneak into the stadium, but it was 100% open, and no one stopped me.
After the game, I went to a 'bar,' to drink more. I met some kool people. Some girl wanted me to speak Spanish, but I kept saying 'No comprendo.' I tried to talk to some Korean broad, but all I could say was, "What's your name? What do you do for a living? Etc?" She said she did "nails" and showed me these horrible things on her fingers. What the hell?
I'm gonna make a tuna melt tomorrow. BTW: Merry Christmas.
December 24, 2009
GOOD THINGS
I know I haven't updated in a really long time. Sometimes I feel like I should start writing in this thing. Sometimes I want to update about the minutiae of my boring life, but I figure that no one would want to read that.
However, I feel like I've reached a creative standstill, so I'm gonna start updating regularly so I can feel like I'm accomplishing something. Actually, I haven't been completely useless lately. I've completed a short screenplay, and I've been working on a few other projects, but they're the kind of projects that I'm in no position to complete. I need to write a script that I can actually make right now or in the near future. In fact, I'd like to make some sort of short film when I go home to visit, but I haven't thought of anything yet. The problem is that I need to find actors, and I don't really like using my friends because I don't like writing stories about twenty-somethings.
Anyhow, I've just purchased a coffee maker, after living here for eleven months. So, I'm all hopped up on caffeine right now, which is why I'm rambling on here.
I used to really like writing, and people used to tell me that I was good at it, but I kinda don't care anymore. I feel like everyone wants to be a writer, so it's no use. Besides, I feel like I need a real kick in the pants to get myself to start writing anything. I don't have the innate motivation that I used to have. I guess it's a struggle for most people to create things. It's certainly easier to do nothing, but I'm semi-serious about forcing myself to work. Otherwise, all I do is go to work and get drunk, which feels pretty pathetic.
So, since nothing especially exciting has happened around here lately, I'm going to post my "Best of 2009" lists. I didn't really listen to enough new music or watch enough new movies to properly do this, but I'm gonna do it anyway.
I hate reading music reviews, so I won't say much. In the days of instant streaming, there's really no reason to read a review of a song when you can just listen to it.
TOP 5 ALBUMS OF 2009
1. Kumisolo - My Love For You is a Cheap Pop Song
I just like cutesy Japanese/French dance music.
2. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - S/T
Damn catchy pop music. I can't tell if these songs make me happy or sad.
3. Phosphorescent - To Willie
A cover album of Willie Nelson tunes. I like these better than the originals.
4. Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career
I was kinda into this band in high school, but then I forgot about them because I mostly considered them a "lesser Belle & Sebastian," but I think they're proving to be more than that with each new album.
5. Dan Deacon - Bromst
I made the mistake of seeing pictures of Dan Deacon before I ever heard his music. He looks like the kind of obese ironic sweatshirt-wearing hipster that I hated in Austin, so I didn't give him a chance for a long time, which is a shame because he makes some truly amazing electronic music.
Honorable Mention:
Bill Callahan - Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle
This album has a few really great songs ("Jim Cain", "Eid Ma Clack Shaw," and "Too Many Birds") but it's mostly mediocre. I don't think Bill Callahan (or any other artist) will ever surpass A River Ain't Too Much to Love.
Girls - Album
The name of this band and the title of this album made it really hard to pirate. The first few times I heard this band, I hated them. I hated the singer's voice, and I hated the way they looked. But I kept reading about them everywhere (and I don't even really seek out stuff about new bands), and I kept giving them another chance for some reason. I guess they grew on me. I used to sing "Hellhole Ratrace" to myself in the shower every morning.
NOW, onto the best movies of the year. There's a lot of stuff I haven't seen yet, but whatever.
TOP 9 MOVIES OF 2009
1. Antichrist
This movie is so supremely "fucked up" and retarded that I can't help but love it. The fox saying "CHAOS REIGNS" is one of the greatest moments in film history. I knew it was coming, but I still nearly shit myself. I admire Lars von Trier not because he always makes great movies (he's made some real stinkers), but because he always does something new. Like, he used a robot/computer program for the cinematographer on the movie he did before this one. Who else would even think to do something so ridiculous? Anyway, Antichrist has pretty much everything I could ever want in a movie.
2. Mammoth
This movie has a pretty polished aesthetic for Lukas Moodysson, but I don't think it detracts from its grittiness. Moodysson packs a real emotional punch with this one.
3. Orphan
A great Hollywood horror flick with perfect tone and pacing and a nice surprise ending.
4. I Am Not Your Friend
Gyorgy Palfi is another director who does something wildly different with each new feature. His first film, Hukkle, doesn't use a single word of dialogue. His second film, Taxidermia, is a technically impressive movie despite the complete insanity of the storyline (competitive eaters, enormous mutant cats, and a guy who shoots fire out of his dick). And his most recent film, I Am Not Your Friend, is a real low-budget shot-on-digital movie about horrible people doing horrible things to each other. Somehow, that seems to be the basic plot of almost every single Eastern European movie ever made.
5. Nymph
Pen-Ek Ratanaruang is one of my new favorite directors. His films are reeeally slow, but I find myself really liking "boring" movies these days. I wish I could understand what makes some slow movies effective (stuff by Hong Sang-soo, Bruno Dumont, and Zhang Ke Jia for example) and others completely boring (stuff by Ming-liang Tsai and Yasujiro Ozu). It's a really enigmatic quality. Nymph mostly takes place in the woods and shares a few of the same thematic elements as Antichrist.
6. Crank: High Voltage
This movie is nuts.
7. Tyson
Mike Tyson's story is really compelling, and I love the fact that Tyson speaks so openly. Occasionally, he says something poignant. Often, he says something hilarious.
8. Treeless Mountain
A good Korean movie about cute little girls.
9. Mother
A pretty good Korean movie about a semi-retard.
Holy cow, that took me a long time. I don't feel like proof-reading all that, so I hope it doesn't sound too stupid.
Since I'm considering posting more regularly, let me know if you read this. I want to see if it's worth it.
However, I feel like I've reached a creative standstill, so I'm gonna start updating regularly so I can feel like I'm accomplishing something. Actually, I haven't been completely useless lately. I've completed a short screenplay, and I've been working on a few other projects, but they're the kind of projects that I'm in no position to complete. I need to write a script that I can actually make right now or in the near future. In fact, I'd like to make some sort of short film when I go home to visit, but I haven't thought of anything yet. The problem is that I need to find actors, and I don't really like using my friends because I don't like writing stories about twenty-somethings.
Anyhow, I've just purchased a coffee maker, after living here for eleven months. So, I'm all hopped up on caffeine right now, which is why I'm rambling on here.
I used to really like writing, and people used to tell me that I was good at it, but I kinda don't care anymore. I feel like everyone wants to be a writer, so it's no use. Besides, I feel like I need a real kick in the pants to get myself to start writing anything. I don't have the innate motivation that I used to have. I guess it's a struggle for most people to create things. It's certainly easier to do nothing, but I'm semi-serious about forcing myself to work. Otherwise, all I do is go to work and get drunk, which feels pretty pathetic.
So, since nothing especially exciting has happened around here lately, I'm going to post my "Best of 2009" lists. I didn't really listen to enough new music or watch enough new movies to properly do this, but I'm gonna do it anyway.
I hate reading music reviews, so I won't say much. In the days of instant streaming, there's really no reason to read a review of a song when you can just listen to it.
TOP 5 ALBUMS OF 2009
1. Kumisolo - My Love For You is a Cheap Pop Song
I just like cutesy Japanese/French dance music.
2. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - S/T
Damn catchy pop music. I can't tell if these songs make me happy or sad.
3. Phosphorescent - To Willie
A cover album of Willie Nelson tunes. I like these better than the originals.
4. Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career
I was kinda into this band in high school, but then I forgot about them because I mostly considered them a "lesser Belle & Sebastian," but I think they're proving to be more than that with each new album.
5. Dan Deacon - Bromst
I made the mistake of seeing pictures of Dan Deacon before I ever heard his music. He looks like the kind of obese ironic sweatshirt-wearing hipster that I hated in Austin, so I didn't give him a chance for a long time, which is a shame because he makes some truly amazing electronic music.
Honorable Mention:
Bill Callahan - Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle
This album has a few really great songs ("Jim Cain", "Eid Ma Clack Shaw," and "Too Many Birds") but it's mostly mediocre. I don't think Bill Callahan (or any other artist) will ever surpass A River Ain't Too Much to Love.
Girls - Album
The name of this band and the title of this album made it really hard to pirate. The first few times I heard this band, I hated them. I hated the singer's voice, and I hated the way they looked. But I kept reading about them everywhere (and I don't even really seek out stuff about new bands), and I kept giving them another chance for some reason. I guess they grew on me. I used to sing "Hellhole Ratrace" to myself in the shower every morning.
NOW, onto the best movies of the year. There's a lot of stuff I haven't seen yet, but whatever.
TOP 9 MOVIES OF 2009
1. Antichrist
This movie is so supremely "fucked up" and retarded that I can't help but love it. The fox saying "CHAOS REIGNS" is one of the greatest moments in film history. I knew it was coming, but I still nearly shit myself. I admire Lars von Trier not because he always makes great movies (he's made some real stinkers), but because he always does something new. Like, he used a robot/computer program for the cinematographer on the movie he did before this one. Who else would even think to do something so ridiculous? Anyway, Antichrist has pretty much everything I could ever want in a movie.
2. Mammoth
This movie has a pretty polished aesthetic for Lukas Moodysson, but I don't think it detracts from its grittiness. Moodysson packs a real emotional punch with this one.
3. Orphan
A great Hollywood horror flick with perfect tone and pacing and a nice surprise ending.
4. I Am Not Your Friend
Gyorgy Palfi is another director who does something wildly different with each new feature. His first film, Hukkle, doesn't use a single word of dialogue. His second film, Taxidermia, is a technically impressive movie despite the complete insanity of the storyline (competitive eaters, enormous mutant cats, and a guy who shoots fire out of his dick). And his most recent film, I Am Not Your Friend, is a real low-budget shot-on-digital movie about horrible people doing horrible things to each other. Somehow, that seems to be the basic plot of almost every single Eastern European movie ever made.
5. Nymph
Pen-Ek Ratanaruang is one of my new favorite directors. His films are reeeally slow, but I find myself really liking "boring" movies these days. I wish I could understand what makes some slow movies effective (stuff by Hong Sang-soo, Bruno Dumont, and Zhang Ke Jia for example) and others completely boring (stuff by Ming-liang Tsai and Yasujiro Ozu). It's a really enigmatic quality. Nymph mostly takes place in the woods and shares a few of the same thematic elements as Antichrist.
6. Crank: High Voltage
This movie is nuts.
7. Tyson
Mike Tyson's story is really compelling, and I love the fact that Tyson speaks so openly. Occasionally, he says something poignant. Often, he says something hilarious.
8. Treeless Mountain
A good Korean movie about cute little girls.
9. Mother
A pretty good Korean movie about a semi-retard.
Holy cow, that took me a long time. I don't feel like proof-reading all that, so I hope it doesn't sound too stupid.
Since I'm considering posting more regularly, let me know if you read this. I want to see if it's worth it.
November 3, 2009
Monster Mash
October was a really relaxing month with great weather and lots of time off work. A few weeks ago, I went to the Jarasum Jazz Festival in Gapyeong, which is just outside of Chuncheon. I like jazz, but I'm pretty picky, and I didn't really like most of the music at the festival, but it was still a lot of fun to go hang out with my friends.
The festival began with a really nice firework show, but I didn't manage to get any decent pictures.
My friends Soo-yeon and Areum whom I met at the festival.
This Japanese band was definitely not jazz, but they had matching red pants.
I think I had too much fun at the jazz fest to take many pictures. Sorry.
Last weekend was Halloween, so I went to Seoul and met up with a bunch of people from Chuncheon. My friend, Jean-Paul, and I shared a motel room. The place was surprisingly nice.
The throne even had heated seats and a bidet.
My costume was kind of a generic green guy/monster. I don't really understand it either. And as if I don't already get enough stares walking around Korea, the green head had people going wild and children screaming.
In da club.
I managed to get some free Pakistani food that night (actually, around 6:30 AM, I think) because I happened to see some of my friends eating through the window, and I got their leftovers. In all, on Halloween (counting early Sunday morning), I ate a hamburger, a hot dog, chips and salsa, a meal of tacos with beans and rice, and a bunch of Paki slop. My digestive system has only now forgiven me.
It's been horribly cold these last couple days, and it even snowed a little bit yesterday. I think this is going to be a miserable winter. Anyway, I've only got about two months of teaching left. Then, I'm planning on visiting the Philippines for a couple weeks and then going back home for a while. Next month, I'll start looking for a private school gig in Busan so I can be back in Korea by late February or early March.
I took this on the train back from Seoul about a month ago. It says "I Suck Fuckin' Asshole." I'm pretty sure he has no idea what it means.
The festival began with a really nice firework show, but I didn't manage to get any decent pictures.
My friends Soo-yeon and Areum whom I met at the festival.
This Japanese band was definitely not jazz, but they had matching red pants.
I think I had too much fun at the jazz fest to take many pictures. Sorry.
Last weekend was Halloween, so I went to Seoul and met up with a bunch of people from Chuncheon. My friend, Jean-Paul, and I shared a motel room. The place was surprisingly nice.
The throne even had heated seats and a bidet.
My costume was kind of a generic green guy/monster. I don't really understand it either. And as if I don't already get enough stares walking around Korea, the green head had people going wild and children screaming.
In da club.
I managed to get some free Pakistani food that night (actually, around 6:30 AM, I think) because I happened to see some of my friends eating through the window, and I got their leftovers. In all, on Halloween (counting early Sunday morning), I ate a hamburger, a hot dog, chips and salsa, a meal of tacos with beans and rice, and a bunch of Paki slop. My digestive system has only now forgiven me.
It's been horribly cold these last couple days, and it even snowed a little bit yesterday. I think this is going to be a miserable winter. Anyway, I've only got about two months of teaching left. Then, I'm planning on visiting the Philippines for a couple weeks and then going back home for a while. Next month, I'll start looking for a private school gig in Busan so I can be back in Korea by late February or early March.
I took this on the train back from Seoul about a month ago. It says "I Suck Fuckin' Asshole." I'm pretty sure he has no idea what it means.
October 5, 2009
Seoraksan
I hiked Seoraksan about a week ago. It was pretty fun despite the rain and fog.
I ate some bugs.
And here's a video from my friend's Chuseok party.
I ate some bugs.
And here's a video from my friend's Chuseok party.
Chuseok Fireworks from Justin Taylor on Vimeo.
September 18, 2009
Thailand pictures
I finally bought a new camera yesterday, and I managed to salvage my pictures from the first few days in Thailand. I also saved some videos I recorded with my camera, so here's something I put together last night.
And here are the photos.
The room I stayed in the first few nights.
Our bungalow by the beach.
Now that I'm sober and looking at these pictures, I'm remembering why I didn't have fun at the Full Moon Party. These people are awful.
One of the last pictures I took before my camera was smashed to bits.
Also, I took this picture of some clever graffiti last night after I bought my camera.
And here are the photos.
The room I stayed in the first few nights.
Our bungalow by the beach.
Now that I'm sober and looking at these pictures, I'm remembering why I didn't have fun at the Full Moon Party. These people are awful.
One of the last pictures I took before my camera was smashed to bits.
Also, I took this picture of some clever graffiti last night after I bought my camera.
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