Home is where you hang your hat…

… is an old saying that seems to date back to 1948 and has relevance in today’s interesting times. While taking some time yesterday and reviewing the Korean TEFL Message boards, I came across a thread that asked if North Korea should attack South Korea, would foreigners be so inclined to pick up arms and defend the country.

Most of the responders were quick to respond that if any hostilities should break out, that they would leave immediately. That they felt no obligation to be in Korea or protect its citizens.

I differ from this perspective, because in a way, Korea is home. Not home in the sense that I call my mother’s house or Jo’s Apartment, but home none-the-less because it’s where I live, work, play, and pay taxes.

I am not a fan of war, but I would pick up means to protect myself and those around me. In fact, I’d feel obligagted to do so, since I would interprate the events as a direct attack on me. I was really taken aback by how many teachers were so quick to take jobs here and the money that went with it… but at the notion that their foreign home may come under attack, would just pick up and leave. Do they have no connection?

With all this being said, I know that the chance of an armed conflict is slim to nil, but I guess it does show a marked different attitude and cultural stance from one generation to the next.

What are your thoughts? If you lived in Korea and taught there for multiple years, would you pick up arms and defend the country?

Some thoughts on North Korea

Heading Home…

It’s 26th May and I find myself heading home, sailing above the Continental United States at some 37,000 feet. My stay in Washington, DC with Jo and my brother has been one of my favorite holidays, because it allowed me to achieve two of my pastimes in one visit: spending time with family and seeing new things.

Both Jo and I had been to Washington, DC before, so seeing the city was not new to us. But what was fun was going to places together and seeing new things within its borders. What also made the trip great was having a personal guide in my brother. Here are some of the highlights from our trip. I had originally planned a video featuring some of the sights, but thought a written account would be better suited for memory.

At the Capitol

Jo and I took the opportunity to visit the US Capitol Building when we got to DC. While I had been there before, it has been nearly 25 years since I last took a tour of the seat of government. One of the things that has recently been changed at the Capitol is its Visitor Center. The facility is awesome with a full scale casting of Freedom. It’s here that you pick up your tour tickets and see a brief history of the building, but the gem is the exhibit hall. While photography is not allowed (Jo and I saw docents yelling at patrons to stop taking pictures), the items on display are fantastic. One could easily spend two or three hours learning about the Capitol through its two hundred plus years of existence.

After the tour, we sat for a brief time in the House Gallery. Only a few Representatives were on hand to debate a new Aviation transportation bill, but none-the-less, it was interesting to see our government in action. Following this observation, Jo and I walked over to the Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress.

Upon entering the main hall, I was instantly transported back to my 8th grade field trip to DC. I recall seeing the golden images on the ceiling and using the word “rad” the first time as I sought to capture it all. Jo and I walked the halls and viewed the exhibits as best we could, because our time was short (we had a wedding rehearsal to attend). While some of the items on display were interesting, nothing caught my attention more than the viewing gallery of the main hall. There’s just something special about seeing all those books.

As I mentioned before, we had a great guide in my brother for an amazing night tour of the city’s monument. While both Jo and I had seen many of the monuments before, some new ones had been dedicated or completed since our last visits. In fact, for me, the last time I had seen most of these monuments was back in 1984.

Marine Corp Memorial

The first stop on the tour is the Marine Corp Memorial, or more commonly known as the Iwo Jima Memorial. Its massive rendering of the famous picture of those service men erecting the flag is certainly iconic. One of the things that I didn’t realize was that it was President Kennedy that ordered the flag to fly 24/7, one of the few monuments that allows this.

A Powerful Quote

Stop number two is the FDR Memorial. This was something new to me, and to be honest, one of the most impressive. While dedicated in 1997, I had never heard of its existence until this trip. It’s a massive monument sprawling over 7.5 acres and recalls the history of America’s only four term President. For those who have never been to the monument, it has an amazing water feature that flows through it. Each of the four sections (depicting different eras) has a waterfall. As the events became more complex, so do the waterfalls. Sculptures also depict the life and times of Americans as he rebuilt the country.

The next two stops honor American Presidents Jefferson and Washington. Both monuments had long construction cycles with various enhancements added at latter dates. For example, the bronze statue of Jefferson was added in 1947, even though the monument was completed in 1942. Also, many may not realize this, but the Washington Monument was the tallest structure in the world until the Eiffel Tower dethroned it in 1889.

The Capitol Building was the next stop, but was poorly illuminated (we saw the back side). What was interesting was that crews were setting up for Sunday’s concert. Since it was starting to get late, we opted to pass on a drive-by of the White House and move on to some of my favorite places.

The World War II Memorial resides on the Mall at what was once the Eastern Rainbow Pool. It opened in 2004 and sees about 4.4 million visitors each year. It’s dedicated to the men and women who served and contributed during the war. Since we were visiting on Memorial Day weekend, the memorial was even more beautiful due to the flowers honoring those who have passed.

Lincoln

The Lincoln Memorial is probably one of my favorites. There’s something about this Doric Temple that just moves me. In fact, for me, it is the icon of Washington, DC – even more so than the Capitol Building. The memorial of course boasts the large statue of Lincoln, but also two of his speeches. Many flock to its steps to sit and reflect as the night passes and couples converse on dates.

By far the most eerie of the monuments we visited was the Korean War Memorial. Both Jo and I felt uneasy walking its grounds. There was a sense of heaviness that weighed on my shoulders and at times made me feel like I was being watched. The monument has an amazing layout as noted in Wikipedia:

Troops

The memorial is in the form of a triangle intersecting a circle. Within the triangle are 19 stainless steel statues designed by Frank Gaylord, each larger than life-size, between 7 feet 3 inches and 7 feet 6 inches. The figures represent a squad on patrol, drawn from each branch of the armed forces; fifteen of the figures are from the U.S. Army, two are from the Marine Corps, one is a Navy Corpsman, and one is an Air Force Forward Air Observer. They are dressed in full combat gear, dispersed among strips of granite and juniper bushes, which represent the rugged terrain of Korea. When reflected in the pool, there appears to be 38 soldiers, representing the 38th parallel. To the north of the statues is a path, forming one side of the triangle. Behind, to the south, is a 164 foot-long black granite wall, created by Louis Nelson Associates, with photographic images sandblasted into it depicting soldiers, equipment and people involved in the war. This forms the second side of the triangle. The third side of the triangle, facing towards the Lincoln Memorial, is open.

To the north of the statues and path is the United Nations Wall, a low wall listing the 22 members of the United Nations that contributed troops or medical support to the Korean War effort.

Images in the Wall

The circle contains the Pool of Remembrance, a shallow 30-foot-diameter pool lined with black granite and surrounded by a grove of trees with benches. Inscriptions list the numbers killed, wounded, missing in action, and held as prisoners of war, and a nearby plaque in inscribed: “Our nation honors her sons and daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met.” Additionally, right next to the numbers of American soldiers are those of the United Nations troops in the same categories. In the south side of the memorial, there are three bushes of the Rose of Sharon hibiscus plant, South Korea’s national flower.

A further granite wall bears the simple message, inlaid in silver: “Freedom Is Not Free”.

Perhaps why I am so moved by this monument, is that I call Korea home for much of the year, and with recent tensions growing with the North, we may find ourselves one again in combat.

Vietnam

The Vietnam Memorial was our next stop. It had just opened when I first visited Washing, DC as a boy, but seeing at night really moved me. The Three Soldiers Statue almost brought me to tears, as I wondered how many men and women we’ve lost not only in this conflict, but in all combined.

The last stop on the tour took us to something I never knew about, yet was unveiled in 1979 – The Einstein Memorial. It sits adjacent to the National Academy of Sciences and consists of a large bronze statue of Albert Einstein and his manuscripts. The large base is a celestial map, accurate to the date of the Monument’s dedication. Another feature of the display is its curved wall that is able to reflect sound back to you when standing at the focal point.

At Monticello

On Sunday, we made the two-plus hour drive down to see Monticello. This estate of Thomas Jefferson is quite impressive. The new visitor center has many exhibits from his life and times and one can easily spend a couple of hours reading and exploring this area of the grounds. Then take the short walk up past the graveyard to the actual residential area.

While Monticello is really impressive, I think Jo and I were more enamored with the vegetable garden than anything else. It’s still in use today along Mulberry Row (where the slaves lived) and offers some amazing views of the Virginia countryside. Vegetables grown today are shared among the employees of the site, which I think is quite amazing. Its vineyard has also won many awards.

At the American History Museum

After such a long day on the road, we slept in and opted to visit the American History Museum at the Smithsonian Institute. While I had been to several museums on the Mall, I had never stepped into this one. Jo really wanted to see Julia Child’s kitchen, and we managed to do that just before closing; however, the most moving exhibit was Old Glory: The Star Spangled Banner. It’s the original flag that flew over Ft. McHenry during the War of 1812 that inspired Francis Scott Key to write our national anthem. I am not ashamed to say it moved me to tears. The flag is massive and no picture I can present (photography is prohibited), can possibly prepare you for its size when you come and see it.

Our final day in DC was marred by rain. Nonetheless, Jo and I ventured out to see some historic sites. First, we stopped off at the Sully site (a location my brother hasn’t even visited!). It’s two farmhouses that were owned by Unionists during the Civil War. After Virginia had seceded, the men fled north and left the women to take care of the farmland. During the course of the war, it was used as a hospital and both Northern and Southern troops stopped over. Following this visit, we took a few hours to tour the Udvar-Hazy annex of the Air & Space Museum.

So that completes my retelling of the week’s past events… for more photos you can visit the album.

RAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jo and I are about to spend our last day in Washington, DC but have been side tracked by rain!

What gives? We had planned a day out at Mt. Vernon… but I’m not too sure a day in the rain is going to be worthwhile. We might just have to suck it up and head back to the Smithsonian!

In DC…

The Capitol

It is such a joy to travel in the United States… not!

As Jo and I were preparing to depart on our DC odyssey, I wondered if I was going to encounter trouble at the airport. This is mainly because the idiots that work for the TSA have consistently been some of the dumbest I’ve ever seen at any airport. I was not disappointed on this trip either.

Unfortunately, to make use of our free tickets, Jo and I had to fly different airlines, and thus were remanded to different gate areas. As I went through security screening, I did the usual: took off my flip-flops, took out my laptop, and prepared to empty my pockets. I went into the “pro” line, since I do travel quite a bit and know the routine.

However, I guess those at the TSA are not that familiar with technology or what it takes to make movies. My backpack caused quite a stir, since it had multiple hard drives, cameras, batteries, iPods, and cables. Even though most were compartmentalized, and other airports had no problems with the set-up (Incheon, Beijing, LAX, SFO, etc.), the folks at this airport asked me to step aside and swab every little corner of my bag and asked me why I had so much gear.

I have to say, that flying US domestic is not fun. When you fly an international carrier (even if it is a domestic flight) is far better. They provide you with food and beverages. In the US… we get NOTHING.

Once in DC, Jo and picked up our car and drove out to my brother’s place. We got in a little late and immediately went out to dinner with him and some friends. Thursday we took a tour of the Capitol and Library of Congress. It’s so nice to visit DC during a holiday, there’s so much going on and to see, that you’re never bored.

Tonight, we’re headed out on a special night tour of the Washington Monuments, something that I’m really looking forward to capturing on film!

The Top 10?

So PC Authority (Australia) recently published an article listing their Top 10 Disappointing Technologies. For the most part, I think that their selections are spot-on… However, like any list, it is flawed.

Here’s their list:

Honorable Mention: Biometrics

Honorable Mention: Ubuntu

10: Virtual Reality

9: Alternative Search Engines

8: Voice Recognition

7: Apple Lisa

6: 10gb Ethernet

5: Fire Wire

4: Bluetooth

3: Itanium

2: Zune

1: Windows Vista

First let’s talk about Biometrics. It shouldn’t be listed as an Honorable Mention. Face recognition technology and fingerprint locks are easily bypassed or just don’t work all together. Despite what we see on TV, the technology just falls flat. It needs to be higher on the list.

Ubuntu needs to be taken off the list. It’s nothing more than a distribution of Linux. Sure there was a ton of hype that surrounded it as the “user-friendly” version of Linux, but the truth still holds that to use Linux, you need to be somewhat tech-savvy. If you want an easy home-based computer Linux/Unix machine… get a Mac. A better item for this slot would have been IBM’s OS/2. Never heard of it? Exactly!

The search engine business is quite funny. I remember last year listening to a Market Place article about a new search engine. The reporter asked the question, “Why would anyone lay out money for a new search engine with Google so securely in the lead?” Exactly. It’s not a disappointing technology… it’s just plain stupid.

Voice Recognition software continues to fall short. I’m still reminded of the scene in Star Trek IV where Scotty picks up the mouse and says, “Hello computer.” There will come a time where we can simply speak and get our Earl Grey tea, hot… but I’m sure it will be long in the distance.

The number 4 and 5 slots I’m not too wild about. Sure they have a far greater potential than they’re being used for at this moment. Apple’s recent omission of a Fire Wire port on the MacBook is certainly a move that supports a failed technology position. Especially as solid state cameras grow in popularity. But if this was their gauge, they need to turn the clock back to BetaMax. As far as Bluetooth is concerned, I’m not sure what the authors want for the technology. It’s ubiquitous in the business world as a hands free talking device, which is how Motorola marketed the technology. Sure you can use it to transfer files and print, but no ever told the masses about it.

They list the Zune at #2, and I’m not sure why. While I’m no fan of the player, I don’t think you can call any entry into the MP3 player arena a disappointment when you’re facing the iPod. Apple has such huge share (71% as of Q1 2008) that the closest competitor holds only 11%. Microsoft has somewhere in the neighborhood of 4%, and that is amazing.

Then there’s the Number 1… Vista. Boy did Microsoft miss the mark on this OS. I’m not sure I’d call it a disappointment… I think clusterfuck is a more fitting word.

The Javaale…

Javaale Video Review

A while back I made a little video about coffee presses. It’s a topic I’m quite passionate about, as you can tell. About two weeks ago, the manufacturers at Highwave contacted me regarding their new product, the Javaale. This is what their site has to say about it:

The new 14 oz Javaale is perfect or more java… tea or a beer stein with no handle. The slightly wider base allows this to go where no coffee/stein have gone before. Handy also for California earthquakes!

Keep Java hot in the AM and Ale cold in the PM. All glass in this series are mouth blown, these like the others are packed in gift boxes. The silicone base and glass are microwave and dishwasher safe.

What it doesn’t tell you in the copy is that it comes with a press feature to make fresh coffee right at your desk. While they tout the product can be used beer (hence the ale part of the name), I doubt I ever will. It does make good coffee and tea but there are a few shortfalls.

Pros:

• Double wall construction preserves coffee/tea heat for about 30 minutes.
• The press is easy to use.
• The top flap (see video) can create a water tight seal that prevents spilling (even when inverted).
• Dishwasher safe.
• VERY easy to use.
• Sturdy.
• Rubberized base means you don’t need a coaster.

Cons:

• No fill line. With no markings on the glass, it’s hard to know how much water you need to put in to make your coffee/tea. The glass is rated for 14oz. This also impacts how far down you push the press and affects the seal. It would be nice to have some kind of frosted design to mark where you should stop filling the cup with water.
• The top flap hits your nose. The cup is designed to have you leave the press in while you drink. To allow your beverage to slip into your mouth, you tilt the top flap and drink. If you have a large nose, or are at the end of your dink, you must tilt the cup more and more… and then your nose comes into contact with the lid. It takes a little getting used to.

All-in-all, I really like the cup and it will certainly make the journey with me to Korea as a way for me to make a cup of tea on the spot. They tell me the full product goes on sale in July. By the way, this is the company that brought you THE travel mug some 20 years ago.

Three out of Four Ain’t Bad…

It is rare that Jo and I sit down and watch a series of movies over a weekend. In fact, I really can’t remember the last time we watched more than one film in a weekend. This is sometimes surprising, since Jo likes to watch a series in a go (as in all 10 episodes of Band of Brothers in one day!).

The first film was The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and was based on the book by John Boyne. It tells the story of young Bruno who is taken with his family from their posh Berlin home to their new digs when his father is assigned to “Out-wits.” I have read and studied more about the Holocaust than most, simply because I grew up in a Jewish household and had teachers that were survivors. What makes this story interesting, is that it is told from the viewpoint of a child who knows nothing of what was taking place at the time.

Neither the book or the film are outstanding, but when talking about such atrocities, it does make the topic approachable for a younger audience. I found the film to be a good adaptation to the novel. A few of the more humorous scenes were cut out from the film and I was sad to see them go, as it really reinforced Bruno’s unknowing interpretations of the surrounding events.

But in the final analysis, I did enjoy the film and it’s been one I’ve wanted to see for several months. That being said, if you’re looking for a better story on children dealing with the Holocaust, check out Paper Clips.

Next up, Jo and I took advantage of AMC’s AM Cinema (that’s right Hollywood, we only paid $5 for a new release!) and saw Angels and Demons. Both Jo and I had read the Dan Brown novel before and were eagerly awaiting this film to come out.

Now, I’m not the biggest Dan Brown fan and really didn’t get what all the fuss about with the Da Vinci Code. The other book was a fast read and not all that interesting with a very predictable ending. Angels and Demons was a far better book, and as a result, a far better film. There were a few things that were changed in this adaptation, but I was very pleased with the result. Looking at this story, there are a few things that don’t hold up to scientific scrutiny, but one must remember that this is fiction and nothing more.

The gist of the story is that the Illuminati have returned and are ready to destroy the Catholic Church. What better way to do so than to kill all the Cardinals during Conclave with an anti-matter bomb. The story’s pacing is right on director Ron Howard did a great job.

Last night we started out watching Rachel Getting Married. I think we lasted 20 minutes. 30 tops. While I’m sure it was a fascinating film with interesting characters. Nothing in that opening third drew me, Jo, or her sisters into the story. I know Anne Hathaway earned an Oscar nomination for the role, which she was fabulous in, but over all, we wanted something different. So we changed discs.

Enter the last film of the weekend: Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. To say that this movie is a bit odd is an understatement. I guess that’s why we loved it so much. It tells the story of an older woman, who is out of work and somewhat down on her luck. This role is expertly portrayed by Francis McDormand. The cast is rounded out by Amy Adams, who plays a flighty American in pre-WWII London searching for love and fame. Through a series of events and wacky adventures, both find love and happiness.

If you’re in the mood for something a little different, check this film out. I think you’ll enjoy it.

Who will reign supreme?????

We’re back for a Special Edition of the YouTube Family Feud starring two of my favorite ladies of the Kitchen: PrincesDiana161 and Jolene Sugarbaker!

These fantastic women took time out of their day to film this episode, so be sure to stop by and comment and subscribe to their channels!

Diana: http://www.youtube.com/princessdiana161

Jolene: http://www.youtube.com/jolenesugarbaker

Thanks again for watching! If you think it’s easy to be on the Feud, stay tuned for our next contestant call and you just may appear here!

The YouTube Family Feud was filmed with the permission of the Family Feud’s producers to use all aspects of the show.

A funny thing…

A few days ago, I received a phone call from an old High School teacher. After 30 plus years of teaching, she was retiring. At first, I thought, “You are way to young to be retiring!” But then I started to think… “Well, this was my 20th year of leaving High School, which means, she’s been teaching for 35 plus years.” That really made me sit back and contemplate how quickly the time has passed. Where I’ve been and where I’m going.

Many of you might be surprised that when I went into secondary school, I was on a track to become a Forensic Pathologist. I guess it was all those episodes of Quincy, ME I watched with my father back in the 70s.

Since then, I’ve had a long and varied career encapsulating some of the following positions:

• Room Attendant
• Pool Boy
• Deli Man
• Grocery Bagger
• Orderly
• Dorm Director
• Conference Manager
• Project Manager
• System Administrator
• Computer Engineer
• Massage Therapist
• Teacher
• Professional Photographer

So, you can imagine what a difficult time it is for me when I job search, for I can fill up multiple pages on a CV just listing the job titles… don’t even get me started on skills, responsibilities, and publications. With that being said, I’m very thankful for my career path, for each one has taught me something. It’s what makes me the person I am today and why when I step into a role, I approach it from different angles and try to master all aspects of the role.

I bring this up, because while I was talking with the my retiring teacher, she inquired why I was passing up on restarting my Massage Therapy business. There are many answers to that question, but the primary one is this: While I am very good at what I do (or did in this case), I don’t like being stuck in a quite room all day. I like interacting with people and have come to a point where I thrive on it. Not being able to talk all day drives me nuts. I need the social interaction.

So here I am – a teacher. I love it. I love getting up in the morning and discussing the progress of my students and helping them improve their lives. I also enjoy exploring my surroundings and seeing what new things I can find. More importantly, I’m really excited to start the next chapter in my life with Jo. We both love to explore and I think the time we’ll have abroad will be awesome. I hope you’ll be along for the ride!