Choon

One difficulty of living in Korea is that you really lose touch with music ... I would like to say that I really enjoy listening to the music here but i'd be lying. Korea doesn't really have the whole sub-culture of music that can be found in the U.K. and elsewhere. Everything from disco-punk through to noise can be found at various record stores around Edinburgh which is fantastic. Alas, a trip to a record store in Cheonan is akin to spending time looking at the CD's in Tesco or even Our Price (does that still exist?). It serves it's purpose but you don't get the same level of excitement ... so when I get to record stores these days, I see so much that I would like to get bearing in mind that the likehood of picking up LCD Soundsystem or How to Kill the DJ part 1 are virtually nil. I could, in theory, fill up a trolley purely in CD's that I've missed or on bands that I have heard in passing.

So, to the bloke that owns Fopp ... mate, please open a branch in Korea. It doesn't need to be a large store. It doesn't even need to be in Cheonan. There is a gap in the market and I feel that you would be doing a get service for me and the many others who need quality music.

Tools

Finally recovering from the weekend ... whose idea was it to spend most of friday and all of saturday in the pub? It's not big and it's not clever ... but it's got to be done every once in awhile!

Just trying to get myself organised for going 'home'. Was planning to send money back via Bank Transfer but my god - do they charge you for it. I'm not surprised RBS made of big fat healthy profit last year, so in protest, I'm taking with me.

Met up with the 'oldies' as well ... It's amazing how much the older generation can talk without the need to stop or even to think out what they are saying. They just whittle on regardless. Even the ones that you don't know. I was standing waiting on a bus when this old wifey started speaking to me. Never met her before in my life but it didn't stop her from telling me her life story. Thankfully, LRT buses run quite frequently and got away - it wasn't exactly the bus I was wanting but the choice was 1. Listen to her or 2. Make a sharp exit and walk an extra 5 minutes home. Clearly, number 2 won the day ...

Search

Word of the week: 'Money'

Note to tourists coming to Scotland - bring lots of it.

Phrase of the week: 'Are Ireland playing with a different ball?'

No names but uttered with complete conviction this afternoon whilst watching the rugby. Clearly in rugby, both teams play with the same ball during the match. A simple mistake.

Sight of the week: 'Chavs'

Everywhere.

Song of the week: 'Rip it up' by Razorlight

A song that will forever be played at Indie Disco's - why? Because it's cracking ... 'Get on the dancefloor/Rip it ip/Rip it up like you really don't care.

rbs

England lost then ...

Ultra

of course their are so many differences between Edinburgh and Cheonan. It's frightening to think how so ... however the major difference was one that became apparant during the course of today. A day spent almost exclusively in the pub. I'm pretty sure all day drinking can be had anywhere but it's not just the drinking, it's the company. That's not intended to be a criticism of people in Korea as I have met so many really great, genuine and caring people in my time there however, to be able to go out for lunch, coffee and some beer and just chat about life, the universe and everything is something that I miss, particularly when it's with people that know me and know what to ask, where little is 'off limits'. Plus, to be able to just talk all day without really needing to think of anything to say but just have the ebb and flow of conversation and topics is difficult to beat whether it be the upfront 'Do you love her' questions or the totally off the cuff 'He's a knobhead' or 'I can't believe he did that' observations.

Inspired.

theory

You know how you sometimes just wake up in the morning and you know that the day is just not going to happen ... well, today is that day but since i'm on holiday, i'm not too concerned.

Anyway, i've just been reminded by my dad that I need to record that fact that i just went over to Safeway and bought coffee, milk and biscuits. He is in shock - apparantly that hasn't before ever ... such a lie. Doesn't stop him and the rest of the house eating all the biscuits.
Sorry, domestics!

Toll

So ... I'm watching the Scottish news today. It's the usual mix of serious news stories, sport and the weather but 1 story caught my attention.

Apparantly, some old guy - in his 60's - had stopped his car, got out but left the engine running in order to run to an ATM or as we like to call them a Cash Machine to withdraw some money. He was doing so when some bloke stole his money and his card then ran to the car and nicked it as well leaving this old guy in shock, penniless and carless ... all this not too far from my house! The reporter was interviewing this old guy about it - since it's a 'major' story but whilst watching it, I was thinking that this old guy is actually really thick, I mean what was thinking? Everybody knows that you don't leave your car unlocked with the engine running whilst your not in it ... Surely, that's common sense. Plus, this old guy has gone on National tv to tell the whole nation how stupid he has been.Is this just a Scottish thing or are people this thick in other parts of the world?

answersonapostcardplease.