28.6.07

Dreaming Of The West Coast

Got the smog test done
And the title switched over
The car is now mine.

Went to see the game
Drove to Dodger's Stadium
They played in Phoenix.

Nerds waiting in line
Not to see the new Star Wars
But for an iPhone.

It's time to move on
I've got more people to see
On this great big trip.

26.6.07

Still Got Twenty Four Hours

Good thing I did not have a case of the Mondays, because yesterday was the longest day I have ever had. On June 25th, I left my Korean apartment at five in the morning. Thirty four hours later, I was going to bed in California, around eleven the evening on June 25th. Fortunately, a good part of the time was spent travelling. Unfortunately, it was with Northwest Airlines.

Now I am trying to get adjusted to life in America. Yesterday, I spent some time wandering the grocery isles checking out all the varieties of foods I have missed out on. Today, I am spending some time catching up on my legal television. Currently it is the honorable Judge Mathis lawing down the verdicts. Wow, I am amazed how many studid people suing other stupid people there are.

Here is a shot of the auto that will soon be crossing America. I need to get Xzibit to stop by and pimp it. It could use a kicking sound system and a couple X-boxes in the back to help with the road trip.
Ready To Roll
I am looking for a cool name for it. If you have any ideas, leave them in the comments.

25.6.07

I'm Not A Hero, I'm Not A Saviour

I am in limbo right now. I left Korea at 11 am on Monday morning, and my flight is set to get into Los Angeles at 10 am Monday morning. In some ways, these hours I sit here in Japan are just bonus. Wrap your head around that.

Here is something funny. While looking around the duty free store, I noticed that they were playing "Mr. Roboto" by Styx on the overhead speakers. I had to laugh. The only other song that could be as humorous would be "Big In Japan" by Alphaville.

I guess this officially starts my summer adventure. This week I buy my car and start the road trip across America. Hope to see some of you out there.

Got to go, only twenty seconds left to post this. Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto.

22.6.07

Are You Ready For The Summer

What were they thinking?
Twenty junior high students
In my cabin group.

Camp is almost done
I hope they go to bed soon
So I can as well.

Monday I leave here
Gonna travel back in time
Heading to L.A.

The road trip starts soon
Can't wait for the open road
Just hope the car starts.

Currently watching: NASCAR Nextel Cup - Race Rewind Plus: Citizens Bank 400"

17.6.07

Leavin' Bread Crumbs

My name is Ryan. I have red hair. I worked in Germany for about six years. There I lived near Lörrach and Freiburg. I work at an international school in Korea, where I have for the last two or three years. Sometimes I go to Seoul and ride the subways, including this last Saturday. Usually when I ride it, I get out at the Seoul Station stop, and exit near the train station. One of my favorite shirts has an eagle on it and the name Sean, although it looks like it is spelled Seam. Oh, and I follow the Eurovision song contest every year. Did I mention I will be driving across America from Los Angeles to Chicago, which is near where I live in the USA? I think every one should travel more, and would like to go back to Europe someday.

This post makes does not make much sense to most of you, but if it makes sense to you, leave a comment.

Currently listening to:

15.6.07

Started Out A Nice Vacation

I was shocked to see
Don Cordell for President
That is my dad's name.

Got a week of camp
Hanging with high school students
And a few good friends.

Saw Casablanca
This evening for the first time
Not a bad movie.

Hey miss cab driver
Do you know where you're going?
I do not think so.

Heading up to Seoul
For BFA reunion
with some of my guys.

Currently watching:

Volcanoes Melt You Down

"Active" is the theme at PhotoFriday this week. Here is Crater Lake on the Taal Volcano.
Taal Lake is home to the "Largest island in a lake on an island in a lake on an island." The Taal volcano is also said to be the smallest active volcano.

13.6.07

Boredom Lines The Shelves

Wayne Campbell once said, "I thought I had mono for a whole year, but it turned out I was just really bored." The last couple days have had that feeling for me. I'm not complaining, but just coming to the conclusion that life without students around can be very boring. I have barely left the apartment in the last 50 or so hours.

I did get out yesterday to go to the bank. I do enjoy living in a country where I can walk into the bank and ask the teller to take a couple million out of my account.

I have also cooked a couple good meals for myself. While I appreciate having ladies who make most of my meals, I miss cooking on a regular basis. So if anyone reading this is getting a visit from me this summer, I'm willing to cook a meal in your kitchen.

Last night "Cool As Ice" found its way into the DVD player. It is probably a safe bet none of my readers have seen that film and/or will admit it. After watching it, I can honestly say it actually is better than I remembered. Sure it is a bit cheesy, but what do you expect? Go out and find a copy for the weekend.

I leave you with the wise words of John Van Owen, "It is not where you are from, it is where you are at."

Currently listening to: Jonathan Rundman -

11.6.07

Fun Is The Thing I Am After

Last Friday, I posted that I was going to see Boney M. in concert. I am guessing that the reaction from most was either questioning who Boney M. is or laughter. What I failed to mention is that this is not the first time I have seen them live. In fact they join a short list of bands I have seen on more than one continent.

My friends and I arrived before the show to pick up the tickets. As I have had difficulty with reserved tickets before in the country, I was not too shocked to have to hassle and wait for my tickets to be found. But when the finally found them, there was my name right on the tickets. I tried to pass it off to my friends that I was listed as "Special Guest," and would be the opening act. They did not buy it.
As we entered the venue, someone referred to it as a large "hangar" with a bunch of lawn chairs. The chairs had been set up in sections, and we were in the cheap seats in section "J." At first I thought it was odd that we were sitting in plastic chairs, but the benefits of those chairs were soon to be discovered. As soon as the house lights went down, many around us picked up their chairs and moved forward. Soon section "J" was somewhere around the middle of section "D." When in Rome...
As concerts go, it was a rather enjoyable one. Boney M. played all their hits, save Mary's Boy Child. It was rather interesting to hear the translator explaining the banter between songs, or encourage people to sing along using words they do not teach in SAT hagwans. During the encore, the band encouraged people to get a little closer to the stage, so I abandoned my relocated lawn chair. I made it right up to the stage, where at one point my friends claim Liz Mitchell was singing directly to me.
After the show the group was kind enough to hang out and sign autographs for the fans. A couple of us stuck around and talked with them for a little bit, about life in Korea, working here, previous Boney M. concerts we have attended, and linguistic differences of North America. All in all a pretty good show.

Here is a video clip from the start of the show.


Currently listening to: Boney M. -

8.6.07

You Must Show The Way

"Purity" is the theme at PhotoFriday. I took this photo of a child of nomads in Mongolia. I can only imagine what it would be like to be raised without the influence of mass media all around.

School's Out For Summer

Students have all left
Nothing left but the clean-up
The school year is done.

Those deprived children
They had never heard about
Jello Pudding Pops.

A concert in town
You can believe I'm going
To see Boney M.

Currently listening to: Boney M. -

1.6.07

Go Back And Try To Graduate

The boys they did walk
And they got their diplomas
So now they are done.

The McDLT
It kept the hot side so hot
And the cool side cool.

Planning the road trip
Think I found a passenger
Trying for one more.

Too tired to write
I have to get up early
For a grad party.

Currently listening to:

Stranger In Moscow

The theme at PhotoFriday this week is "How I See Myself." At this point I see myself as a world traveler, who does not really like photos of himself.