Monday, September 21, 2009

Korean TV

I am currently enthralled with a television program that may be the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen.  
It's all in Korean so I really can't understand anything.  
There are 6 guys in full yellow jump suits.  The first thing they were doing when I turned onto the channel was one fat guy was top rocking the most basic break dance move and all the other guys would run up to him knowing they would be pushed to the ground by his fat belly.  So they run up to the fat guy and then fall down and there is a loud laughing track (fake audience) that follows.  It all happens over, and over, and over again.  Guy after guy rushes up to the one fat guy and just fall down.  I said it was ridiculous, but I never said it wasn't funny.  This thing had me and the "audience" in stitches.  
The next thing they did was one guy would be "up" from what I could tell.  He would have a guy frantically wave a certain amount of fingers in front of his face for a few seconds and then would have to guess how many fingers there were.  The object is to wave your rock fist for example so fast that the guy who was "up" would not be able to see your fingers long enough to guess that there were two fingers waving in his face. Then he would guess wrong and everyone would laugh at him and flick him in the face. The guy who showed the fingers would also slap the guy who guessed wrong on his arm with as many fingers as he waved.
Next they had staring contests with their knuckles pressed against each other on a table and pushing against each other.  The winner pushed his opponents fingers over a certain line. Sort of an arm wrestle/tug of war.  
The next thing they did was have a  competition to see who could do the most pushups on the least amount of fingers. 
Next they are danced in skin tight outfits, and the winner was the one whose belly falls out of his zipped up jumpsuit last.
Did I mention that these are all grown men? Also they have cheerleaders.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Fan Death

Wow.  Ok.
So there is an urban legend in Korea that if you turn on an electric fan (or air conditioner) and leave it on all night when you fall asleep, that you will die.
All fans sold in Korea have a timer switch on them that you are encouraged to turn on before you go to bed.  
People believe they will die from fan death I think because as your body relaxes in sleep it becomes more susceptible to changes in temperature.  They think you will get hypothermia.  I think they may also think that the fan blades will cut up all the diatomic molecules of oxygen, leaving nothing left for your body to breathe. 
I have fallen asleep nearly every day with my AC on.  I should be more careful next summer.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Epiphany

I came to an important realization today.  I am lucky to be living where I am.  My apartment, while perhaps not as aesthetically pleasing as one may desire, is in a good location, being 5 minutes from work and a great part of town.  The YMCA is 5 minutes away, good groceries are 5 minutes away, and the bus stop and subway station are 5 and 10 away.  Good show.

Spitting

You will be randomly walking down the street in this country and suddenly you will hear the grossest sound you could know:  a Korean dude clearing his throat so loudly preparing to spread it out all over the pavement you’re walking on.  Thanks.  

September 7 2009

Today I ducked out of the way of a rat sized dragonfly.  Then walking back home one flew into my face.  

September 2 2009

Koreans randomly make U turns in the middle of the street.  Then when one car goes, 5 more follow.  This is usually followed by a series of aggressive honking and very nearly an accident every time with an oncoming car usually traveling at full speed.  

August 31 2009

Koreans wrap subway sandwiches like they are being quarantined.