September 2006

This quote from an Air Force officer was in last week’s base newspaper:

“Diversity is important because it’s important to be diversified.”

Just because one has a college degree doesn’t mean he or she isn’t a fucking idiot!

I’m at the Dragon Hill Lodge in Seoul this evening. I’m going to visit my friend Ray tomorrow. Not sure exactly what we’re going to be doing, but I’m feeling like a steak! Maybe we’ll take in the Outback, just down the street.

It took me about 4 hours to get here today from Kunsan. Traffic wasn’t bad until I hit highway 1, just before Seoul. Traffic creeped along at about 20 mph until I hit the tollbooth about 10 miles before my turn-off. I arrived at Yongsan Garrison about 8:00 pm and checked in to my room. It’s not bad: a queen-size bed, couch, table and chairs, cable television (w/ Turner Classic Movies), refrigerator, microwave and computer with internet access.

I had dinner this evening at the Greenstreet Restaurant downstairs. I enjoyed chicken cacciatore and a glass of red wine. Now I’m relaxing a bit before turning in. I’ll probably give Ray a call after breakfast tomorrow morning.

I’ll be heading back to Kunsan on Sunday morning.

In the wake of Apple’s largest product recall in history, Korean Airlines is banning the use of Apple PowerBook and iBook laptops using certain Sony-made batteries. According to an airline spokesperson,

“Due to the risk of onboard fire, we are not allowing passengers to use certain brands of laptops on the plane. Safety always comes first for us.”

The airline isn’t sure when the ban will be lifted.

Passengers may carry their laptop on the plane, but the battery has to be placed in checked baggage. Talk about an overreaction! Of course, Korean Air allows passengers to use their laptop if plugged into the power source in the seat. This effectively eliminates the option for all the economy class passengers because only the first and business class have an in-seat power source.

Apple has recalled 1.8 million batteries and my replacement will soon be here, but due to the ignorance of some airline officials I will be forced to check my battery? I think not. The choice is mine. I denounce Korean Air and will take my business elsewhere!

The concert this evening was outstanding! The pieces were familiar–a good idea since, I assume, the majority of attendees were not well versed in classical music. I’m thinking this because of the folks who applauded at inappropriate times.

Anyway, the concert took place in the base’s fitness center. The acoustics weren’t too bad. They played two encores.

Here’s what they played:

• Leichte Kavallerie (The Light Cavalry Overture) by Franz von Suppé
• Carmen Suite No. 1 by Georges Bizet
  • Prelude
  • Aragonaise
  • Intermezzo
  • Les dragons d’Alcala
  • Les Toreadors
• Kaiser Walzer (Emperor’s Waltz) by Johann Strauss
• L’Arlesienne Suite No. 2 by Georges Bizet
  • Pastorale
  • Intermezzo
  • Menuet
  • Farandole
• Orpheus in the Underworld (Can-Can) by Jacques Offenbach
• ENCORE: Radetzky March by Johann Strauss
• ENCORE: Variations on a Korean Folk Song by John Barnes Chance

What a great evening!

Only 132 days to go; soon I’ll be in double-digets!

Today the “Chiefs” played the “Eagles” in a flag football game. The Chiefs won, despite the fact that the Eagles had some Lt Cols and Majors playing on their team (this essentially lowered the median age of the Eagles team). The Eagles also had about double the number of players. Only eight could be on the field at a time, but the Chiefs had 3 substitutions to the Eagles 10 or so…

I played defense mostly, due to a strained muscle in my right leg. Although we were playing zone, it was still a little too much for–my leg is killing me; I can hardly lift it up! Thank goodness for Tiger Balm!

This evening the Gunsan Symphony Orchestra is playing a special concert for the base. The mayor of Gunsan City offered the orchestra as appreciation for the US military stationed here and all we do for the local area and Korea in general. I’m really looking forward to this!