Free Hugs ...

Yes, the offer was too good to refuse.

I've read about these kind of people in China and other countries. They stand in the streets and shopping centers with a sign that reads ... you guessed it, Free Hugs.

One day out with Phil, Kerry and Jed, in Insadong Seoul (which could be best described as the Soho of Seoul) we see a dude holding the sign. "Free hugs."

What do you think I did?


It was an offer I couldn't refuse.

But the free hug thing is more than just people standing with a sign. There are people all over Seoul wearing "Free Hugs" shirts. I'm tempted to just walk up to them and put my arms out for a hug. But I'm also leery of going back to jail or having to re-register, if you know what I mean.

But maybe I can hold the "Free Hugs" sign for a few hours one day. I'll have to have video along with me though, as that's something I want recorded for eternity.

Just when I've gotten back into writing ...

As many of you good readers can tell, I've recently found my muse and am posting on a fairly regular basis.

But in a matter of a week and a few days I'm back home, where, I can't guarantee I will want to write. (My hands might be filled with food the entire time I'm there.)

So now, a loughriedoeskorea.blogspot.com opportunity.

How would you like to post on my blog?

That's write (spelled as such intentionally). I'll let you take the wheel and write an entry for my blog. Just e-mail me a picture and your blog post and I will publish it*

Think about all the things you want to say. Want to tell me I suck? Post it! Want to advocate overthrowing the U.S. Government? Post it! Want to make fun of natural disaster victims? Post it! Wanna tell people about that time we were drunk in a bar and killed that hobo just for laughs? Better not post it, as there is still an investigation open.

I'll be parked by the virtual mailbox waiting. The posts will run from August 17 to August 30.

*This is a special notice for Keller. He thinks some pretty sick shit and he is a sick guy. I do not guarantee I will publish anything that comes in, especially from Keller, who is a good friend and a Trojan brother but also a psychopath. Anyone whose read this blog knows the bar is pretty low when it comes to standards, quality and ethics. But Keller could make me look like a The Pope (the nice one who watched kids breakdance, not the Hitler Youth one.)

The almost silent killer in my flat ...

Yes, this could kill you. At least that's what Koreans believe.

Many Koreans believe if you leave a fan on in the room while you sleep, it could both lower your body temperature or suck the oxygen out of the room.

No, I'm not joking.

Many intelligent people here, including teachers, doctors and nurses, believe sleeping with the fan on is "dangerous."

Unfortunately, now would be the time I posted a link showing one of a handful of news articles that pops up in the Korean press. Except there's one problem: all of the articles are in Korean.

This is one thing that pisses me off. Yes, I laugh at these people on a regular basis for this, and try to explain that it doesn't exist. So the Korean media, which has several English outlets, doesn't translate any of their fan death stories.

HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO MOCK YOU WHEN YOU DON'T GIVE ME THE TOOLS.

I get the second-hand stories from co-workers who tell me they either read about it or see it on television.

But then I get angrier, when I realize the Koreans invited me here to their country so I can teach their children English and better equip them for life in a global marketplace, but don't give a damn if I die from leaving my fan on all night. Thick bastards.

I suspect there are plenty of you who do not believe a damn word of this, so I will provide the following links to peruse:

A site dedicated to fan death, appropriately named, fandeath.net

And this from Wikipedia. Yeah I know, it's wikipedia, but it's the best we can do right now.

When I find an English article you people will be the first to read it.

Until then, I'm gambling with my life as the fan blows in my closed apartment.

I HATE BUGS!

This picture should explain it all.

I'm back at my apartment after 12 days of English camp, and this is what my foot looked like following two days of topical medicine.

I hate bugs. I have my feet wrapped up now. It looks like I twisted my ankles.

On the bright side two weeks until I'm home again. All the gang will be there I'm sure. Barney, Moe, that guy who calls me Bill.