OK, folks.
This is the last teaching day in Korea. I will be flying out on Saturday, the 3rd. I am a lucky guy, I get TWO Saturdays and I will have TWICE as much fun. There will be a final entry, to sum of the year and to share other thoughts on the happenings of the year-long absence from the U.S.of A.
Thanks for taking the time to read and reply (to the emails and the posts), you know who YOU are.

It was a quiet, peaceful day.......

As you can tell, I love to use song quotes and movie quotes, this one is from a Rage Against the Machine song. If you don't know them, check 'em out. IF you like loud, funk, metal screaming in your ear. If not, move along.

Stella was here.
I was showing her as much as the city as I could, without running. We must have walked 100 kilometers in 4 days. That's A LOT Gramma Pat.
Yongsan. Namdaemun. Eujiro. Insadong. Tapgol Park. Singuemho. Olympic Stadium. The Korean War Museum. Namsan Tower. A palace or two. And Dongdaemun. We hit a couple of these places a few times, because it takes more than once, even in a whirlwind tour of a megalopolis.
I wore her out.
We were threatened by the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Interviewed by thousands of college and high school students, who were in need of an English interview.
We saw a 'Lennonesque' guitar player wearing leotards.
We saw Drunk on Soju guy dancing with him.
A Buddhist 'wedding'.
We walked from the base of Namsan Tower through Yaksu, to Eujiro, to Jongno to Dongdaemnun.
Stella was T-I-R-E-D.
So was I.
Dongdaemun, Saturday night. Korean music show. A metal band, with a decent guitar player. People wearing matching outfits. Corndog covered with potatoes on a stick. MUCH better than alligator on a stick, Dave, IF you're still reading this. (Firsttraxx, call him and tell him to read this). Crowds of people standing, a grampa with his granddaughter, laughing.
Then.
We saw it.
The best Knock-Down-Drag-out-Cat-Fight in the history of Knock-Down-Drag-out-Cat-Fights.
Adjumas.
You have read about my fear of them.
However, they love me.
At least the ones in my neighborhood. Stella thinks they wait outside the gate to say, 'Hello!!!" to me.
Maybe. They are just like the 'Hens' at home. CONSTANTLY gossiping and there isn't ANYTHING in the neighborhood they do not know about.
THIS time was different.
You have read about the 'Brooksider' type fights. Swinging. Missing. Yelling.
Not this time.
We are pushing through the crowd. Stella has learned not to say excuse me, because she would be saying it to everyone on the street. She's gotten damned good at dropping her shoulder. She laid out a couple of people and did a dance around them.
Usually screaming something like, "HUSKER NATION!!!!!!!"
I'm glad she's on MY side.
We are holding hands, using our ams to clothesline people, giggling like junior high school kids. Bloody noses are abound, Adjoshis back away when Stella glares. She's become an Adjuma. Now you know why I am SOOOOO IN LOVE WITH HER.
Birds of a feather, I tell ya.
We have left The Music Show. Stella wants a 'Ramones' t-shirt, she counted 2,673,812 while she was hear and wanted to fit in.
We are on a quest. She rips one off of a kid, but ruined it the process, she wiped her arms with it and threw it back in his face.
HOT, I tell ya!!!
Thud.
Screaming.
Crowd moving.
We run with the crowd. Maybe Kim Dung-joo (my favorite KBO player is here!!!!!)
Nope.
Drunk Adjuma.
Street cafe working smock wearing Adjuma.
We know this, because one can barely stand up and the other is wearing a smock.
Face-to-face.
THEY stare in the eyes, NO FEAR.
Pushing.
Crowd grows.
Stella egging them on. I think I heard her pop her knuckles, ready to join the fray
Slap to the face.
Drunk Adjuma takes a few steps back.
She attacks.
Just like on the Serengeti.
Smock Adjuma reels. Attacks back.
Just like two Rams, butting horns.
Drunk Adjuma goes down.
"Down goes Frazier, Down goes Frazier!!!!!!"
Smock Adjuma with a kick to the stomach.
Then.
The dragging of the hair as she removes her from the area.
Drunk Adjuma cannot take the hint.
Subtle as it was......
She's back on her feet. Shoe missing.
Then, she runs like Jim Brown.
BAM!!!!!
Smock Adjuma goes flying and Drunk Adjuma jumps on top.
Hair in the grasp of both of these Succubi.
Down on the ground, rolling through all of this stagnant water and spillage from the tables they have bumped into.
Then.
A Pride of Adjumas who were watching step in.
They surround Drunk Adjuma like a downed Zebra. They wrestle the Smock Adjuma's hair away from the grip of Drunk Adjuma.
Smock gets up. Kick to the face. Queen Adjuma, a robust 'Lady', the size of Will Shields, attacks Drunk with a fury of a customer at Jalapenos diving into the chips and salsa.
Queen Adjuma and her court are kicking and screaming at Drunk Adjuma and leave her on the ground.
Men are seen laughing, smoking their thin cigarettes and wanting more.
Women have covered their eyes, with enough room between fingers to still watch.
Drunk Adjuma is in a pool of water, whimpering, unable to stand.
Her shoes and coat are thrown on to the ground while she lays there.
Fight over.
Stella finds compassion.
"I don't like to watch people wallow. It's time to go."
Shocked, I comply.
Stella can be VERY convincing.
The crowd disperses, aside from the guy in the front row, he stays to watch the wallowing.
I was jealous.
WOW.
That fight was the best I have seen in about 20 years.
I may exaggerate on here from time-to-time, but folks, this wasn't an exaggeration.
THAT'S how it went down, in ALL it's glory.

So.
We hop the 2233, "Got you're card ready?" and head back to the neighborhood.
We need to clean up from the day's activities and meet a group of my friends at Mr. Go-Dong's, a local HOF and watering hole.
My friend, Chris, is heading back to the USA and it's his birthday.
We arrive to much fanfare, Stella is a Goddess, from all of my stories, she HAS to be, she puts up with me.
We tell them of the 'Debacle in Dongdaemun' and jaws hit the floor.
Richard informs her she won't see anymore fights, the Koreans are a peaceful people.
Usually.
The group decides to go to another place, 20 minutes from here and we head out.
No sooner than we get outside to hail cabs, ANOTHER fight breaks out.
THIS time, Adjoshi and Adjuma. Man on woman.
Friends defending, trying to break it up.
Slapping.
Of BOTH parties.
However, cabs arrive and we negotiate which ones we will be traveling in and we're off.
Stella turning her head the whole time to get a glimpse of the happenings.
We never got to see the end of that fight.
We start our own fight.
With Zhúyèqīng jiǔ.
Bamboo liquor that tastes like apple cider.
Stella hates Soju, so she was drinking beer, until the Zhúyèqīng jiǔ arrived.
She found her new favorite Korean drink. She liked it more so than Machouli, the rice wine.
She talked Woo-jin, the owner of the HOF into telling her where to buy the decanter. He wouldn't tell her, instead, presented her with one. The decanters are very cool.
Made from bamboo, some have screw tops, others are sold. Woo-jin's were solid and very nice. Stella tells me she displays it prominently in the house.
I will get to see it in November.
After eating everything under the moon, we decide to leave.
At 4:30 in the morning.
Places don't close until the last person leaves, might I remind you.
The place was still busy when we left.
being the cool people we are, Woo-jin flagged down a cab for us, instructed the cabbie where to go and paid for our cab.
WHAT A GUY.
Stella and I stumbled up the hill to my abode and sat outside to watch the sun rise.
Sunday was a lazy day, we were H-U-R-T-I-N-G.

So.
Stella got to see TWO fights.
Drink several types of liquor.
Try different types of food.
See Seoul, by walking.
Hang out with Koreans.
And she got to see me.
A good time was had by all.

Firstraxx will be here in September, I can only hope to show him half of as good of time.
Without the hand holding, of course.

Muggy.
The only way to describe it....
"Oh, it's HOT in Seoul," I was warned, "Are you sure you can handle it?"
Uh, YEAH. I am from the junction of The Kaw and the Missouri, August is hotter than two rats, er, um, mating in a burlap sack (as Ichiro says. well, in not those words, but you get the gist).
It's approaching August and it feels like Possum Trot (Brown Ale is on my mind today......) and your shirt sticks to your back and the 'Vinyl Seat Warnings' are out. How do I know they are 'Vinyl Seat Warnings'? Because in any language, a scream is a scream is a scream.
Then.
I heard it.
The low buzz of a machine.....Was it the North deciding their time was right? I made a dash to the window, expecting a squadron of Bi-Planes--They are up-to-date in the North--flying in V formation.
Nothing.
"Where is My Mind?" by the Pixies is blasting, kind of appropriate. Where is my duffel bag is more like it.....
I rush to the other side of the building, seeing nothing.
It's here, I thought, it's really here.
What do I grab? Um, pictures, um, iPod, you know, stuff that can't be replaced.
It's getting louder.
"WE'RE DOOMED!!!!!!" I scream, in English AND Spanish. Why Spanish? Because I find myself responding to Koreans in Spanish, it's the only other foreign (and NATIVE) language I can speak.
I am shaking like Larry Johnson at the thought of Priest Holmes actually making the team, making his contract demands seem silly.
The Embassy, WHERE'S the Embassy?!?!?!?!?!
I am envisioning the last helicopter out of Saigon.
Yes, I remember, but I am not that old, dangit.
I have my two duffel bags packed, my backpack on, 17 plastic bags full of stuff I have accumulated. Beer mugs, ashtrays, chopsticks, empty beer bottles, my 5,000 tablet bottle of Tums, an empty Tuaca bottle (thanks, Stella), 4 bottles of Soju, and 5 Xanax (left behind by the previous tenant).
I am ready.
I look out the sliding window and there is a cloud of smoke rising from the street, 150 meters below.
ARRRRRRRGH!!
I am not fast enough.
WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!!!!!!
My neighbors are looking at me like I am a crazy foreigner. No comments, please.
I am sweating like Mike Sweeney at the thought of being in the lineup today.
Out of breathe, I look around.
No one is panicking.
Lemmings!!!!! ALL of YOU!!!!
Then the smoke takes over the building.
Wait.
The buzzing has subsided, but I can still hear it.
EEEEEEEWWWWW!!!!!
The taste. I am ready for the deep breath which will put me out of my misery
What does this taste like???? It's not tear gas----don't ask how I know the taste of that.
Nor is it Mustard Gas. I have read enough Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon to understand the taste of it.
It, it, it, tastes like............BUG SPRAY!!!!
Ortho, to be exact.
You know, when your mom or dad hands you the Ortho bottle and tells you to spray down the yard? AND you happen to stand in the wind and get a mouth full of it? C'MON, you know what I am talking about.
Now I am afraid I might become sterile---NO COMMENTS.
Or that an offspring might have 3 eyes and 14 toes--MY FAULT, Stella.
Or I might lose MORE hair.
Or might become addicted.
Ortho is cheap in the States, isn't it?

OK.
Now the explanation of this all.
At least once a week, a truck goes up and down the streets filling it with bug smoke (as I like to call it) to eradicate the mosquitoes. It only partially works. I spend my nights chasing them around my apartment. They are everywhere and they can get REALLY big and nasty. They hurt. This 'smoke' helps control the population of the the spider's meal. In other neighborhoods, children are seen running directly behind the smoke truck and running through the smoke.
And I'M worried......

So, no invasion, yet and I am safe and, er, sound.
If you care......

Hello from Seoul!!!
Sorry for the the three month lag in keeping you up-to-date. things have been busy, strange, and fun.
Busy:
Work has kept me busy and I am enjoying the teaching. The relationships I have with my students makes it all worth while. I may have a house full of kids, as they all want to come back to KC with me. Warn the Korean restaurants!!!! One of my classes has gone from identifying letters to full-blown reading, that is an accomplishment of itself and VERY gratifying. I have been doing some work at the Guemho-dong (where I live. A Dong is a smaller part of a Gu, which is like a 'suburb') Community Center and have taken those children from letters to words. They should be able to read 'War and Peace' with me, soon. I made the Seongdong-gu newsletter and my picture was featured!!!! Not my face, but there I am, for all of Seoul to see!!!! I was happy my mugshot wasn't the first picture published.

Strange:
The ordeal of my laptop. I sent it to Firsttraxx in Palo Alto on May 23rd to have it serviced and to have a new motherboard installed. LONG story, but the gist: Microcenter dropped the ball. IN THE BIGGEST WAY. Their lack of communication and the fact the sent my laptop to THEIR HQ, rather than HP's HQ has made this process much worse than it should have. It was sent to HP the other day and I am going on SIX weeks without my laptop.
Thanks to my co-worker, Richard, for letting me use his old computer and keeping me from going to the PC Bongs and letting me be able to update the iPod!!!!. Before you ask, Bong is Korean for ROOM. Nothing more. So don't read into that...... PC Bongs are rooms full of computers, all with internet access and all loaded with the newest games all of the Koreans are playing. 'Sudden Attack' is the most popular game, with 'Maple Story' (an adventure game, I liken it to 'Zelda') coming in second. Other games are a dancing game, which all people play, several driving games, and a basketball game with English Dialogue (most of the dialog drives me crazy, as it's replayed over and over and over). The cost of these Bongs is 1,000 Won an hour ($1 US dollar) and it's a good deal, but I was going up there twice a day, so it was starting to cut into my 1,000 Won bills collection.

FUN:
The future Mrs. Kinneman paid a visit to Seoul and we had a blast!!!!!!! It was wonderful to have her here to talk to, be with, and see her. It made the time here worth it. I say FUTURE Mrs. Kinneman, as we are planning our nuptials. Well, she is. It's hard for me to contact and make the plans myself from 10,000 miles away (13,000 KM, Gramma Pat).
6.28.2008 is the date and we are pretty much ready to go, with some of the smaller details to be worked out. Stella (the Future Mrs. Kinneman) has taken the reigns and is fully organized. Amazing woman, she is.... She will be writing a column on 'Axton's Seoulshine' to give her firsthand view of the city, gu, and dong. I kept her moving and walking the whole time she was here. Look for it here in the very near future.

I have been to a bunch of KBO games and had my picture taken with the ace of the LG Twins pitching staff. The players here are so approachable and will sign autographs until all of the people are gone. They let everyone take pictures with them, too. I am searching for Kim Dong-joo, 3rd baseman for Doosan Bears, so I can have my picture with him. He quickly became my favorite player after watching him play: he hits for average, power, drives in runs, and plays a decent hot corner. I saw his 1,000 game with the Bears, which is an accomplishment, seeing they play about 125 games a year. All of the Korean I have learned is from the baseball games, as I go with a Korean friend who was introduced to me by Richard. She is a HUGE Doosan Bears fan, so we catch a game on the weekends the Bears are in town. She helps me with my Korean and I help her with baseball terminology, it works out well for both of us.

I promise to be much better at the updates. It took me a while to figure out my page, as it was in Korean. Then the updates from the blogspot came and I was able to switch to English and navigate this page. I was afraid to click anything, as I didn't want to erase anything. Links to the picture albums will be sent out, too. I was unable to load my pictures from my camera, as the USB ports on the laptop were fried and I could hook the camera up. There are close to 800 pictures to look at, so please don't expect captions for all of them, as it would take me WEEKS. So, if you have a question about a picture, send me the link and I will do my best to describe it to you!!!
I look forward to seeing comments and hearing what's happening with all of you. New columns are coming and maybe a story or three...........
Axton

The Korean Baseball Organization

Sorry for the delay in updating. I realize some of you hang on every word I say in here. And for that, I appreciate it.
Not much going on here, typical going to work, teaching, making kids cry (it's easier than making my fellow workers at Jalapenos cry), going exploring, and trying to stay up-to-date with the happenings in the U.S.of A.
My computer is messing up right now, so new pictures will NOT be posted for a while. Grampa Bernie has been kind enough to find a part for me and ship it to me. The way the Korean postal system is, I should have it by Labor Day.
The adventures of my laptop have been keeping me busy and going all of this city in search of parts, service, and answers. It's tough enough to communicate with people, but to add to thast describing the works of my laptop has been a challenging one. I have talked to over 100 people about a PCMCIA card (I won't bother you with explaining) and have had no luck. To top it off, I have found an authorized Hewlett-Packard service center, but they cannot get parts for foreign made computers. THAT actually defeats the purpose of me purchasing this, I bought it, because HP is an international company. Yet, they cannot ship parts overseas. It confuses me, but what can I do? So as soon as I get the part I need, I will post pictures from various areas around Seoul.
I can feel the anticipation already.

Now.
To the title of this post.
My buddy Chris and I went to our first KBO game yesterday over at the Olympic Complex at Jamsil. The Kia Tigers were playing the LG Twins in a match-up of major corporations.
I have been doing a search for a schedule in English with no luck. Until the other night. I was able to get my hands on one, a gentleman (from Kansas, no less) has taken the time to translate a schedule and post it in a forum. What luck!!!! It's a good thing, we were informed all games on Saturdays are at 6:00. WRONG!!! Saturday's game was at 2:00.
Plans were made.
Set in stone.
Take me out to the ballgame, take me out to the crowd, buy me some dried squid and kettlefish, I don't care if I don't get what I wish. For it's il, i, sam strikes you're out at the oooooooold baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallgame!!!!
You read that right folks. Dried squid and kettlefish. Kettlefish is a dried fish, like a jerky. It's not bad, I have had it before, but I didn't get any yesterday.
We were on our way.
Anticipation.
What are we in-store for?
What should we expect?
A transfer on the subway line, knocking people out of our way, tripping some Adjoshi (older, married man. Usually seen drinking Soju and smoking thin cigarettes. Married to an Adjuma).
Planning our course.
Where do we sit? What should we spend? How drunk should we get? Do we chase foul balls? Do we scream at Sweeney for swinging at the first pitch, AGAIN? Do I yell at Buddy for leaving Perez in to long? How do I tell Tony Pena Jr. I love him in Royal Blue? In Spanish or English? I can never tell what to do in that case. Do I tell Emil Brown he is an adventure in the outfield? How would Dayton feel if I came up and hugged him?
Oh.
Wait.
Wrong city, wrong, stadium, wrong teams.
The subway has to make about 45 stops, or at least it felt that way. The feeling of going to a ballgame is overwhelming.
I am nervous. Just the fact I can go to a baseball game is euphoric enough.
Finally. F-I-N-A-L-L-Y. The subway stops and we run out, screaming, "HAVE YOU SEEN MY BASEBALL?" The crowd morphs into one, moving at breakneck speed, running over women and children. The exit is coming closer. I can hear the crowd. I can smell the, uh, um, FISH? We hit the stairs, taking us up to Jamsil Stadium. We walk by the Adjumas selling everything from beer to dried squid to water to spring rolls to candy to Spanish (WHAT?) peanuts to sodas to juices.
It's like a Bazaar.
"Makju (beer)!!!!!!!!"
Trying to draw us near. The Adjuma won't bite in this situation, we think. They want our money, so they are nice.
The sun is shining, the stairs are completing and now we are at the top. Just like everyone else in this city, we stop. Right at the top of the stairs. People scramble behind us, having to choose whether they run into us, stop, or choose another direction.
They choose the other direction.
We scan the area. Tents are set up. Tables, chairs, MORE Adjumas selling stuff. Hats, thunder sticks (don't worry guys, if you are under the age of five, you will get some. Unless otherwise requested), beer, Soju, MORE dried sea life, yet, no hot dogs, no peanuts or Gate's or P-Sub or garlic fries. Those of you on the West Coast or have seen a game on the West Coast know what I am talking about with the garlic fries. Tons of vendors. Cute Korean ladies in cheerleader outfits hawking various hand phones, riding around on two-wheeled machines, and handing out coupons. There is a Burger king and a KFC there, they are handing out seats cushions (next time, I get one from BK), selling burgers, and basically running up to you.
Beers in hand, after Chris negotiated a lower price, we wander.
Where to sit? What do we want to pay? Let's walk around for a bit to soak it in.
It was a carnival type atmosphere; people milling; a batting cage; men yelling, asking you to come over and take a look at what they're selling; more cute little cheerleader types; and the souvenir shop.
We go in and look.
Hats are 3,000 won ($3) and Chris buys a Twins' hat, I buy a Unicorns' hats. Uh-huh, there's a team called the UNICORNS. I went back to buy a Twins' hat later. While we are in there, I notice a picture very familiar. A Hall-of-Famer. In Blue, ne, ROYAL Blue. George Brett. #5 on your score sheet, #1 in your heart. They have elbow armor from Brett's company and there he is, in all of his glory. I AM AT HOME!!!!!
Well, for a moment.
OK.
So we decide it's time to get a ticket. We walk to the ticket window to purchase a ducet. Um, where do we sit? Chris advises the ticket window, we want to sit near the cheerleaders. 7,000 won each, we are in the infield area.
NICE.
Close to the field. IF we would have found our seats. We never really looked for them, there aren't ushers like in the States and we really could have sat anywhere.
We choose to soak the stadium in and see what it has to offer.
Walking through the tunnel, the crowd noise penetrates the ears, the sun beckons us to bask in all its glory, the green of the grass comes into view. The tunnel ends and we are in.
The view is the whole stadium. Think of a larger Minor League park. Maybe about 30,00o seats, 100 meters down the lines, 125 meters to deep center, 110 meters in the power alleys, and dirt around the base paths.
It's about half full, but the crowd makes it sound as though it is packed.
A platform with a male yell leader, speakers blasting music (during at-bats of the home team, THEIR team), and more cheerleaders. Thunder sticks beating, chants in unison, kids crying, cats and dogs, it was chaos.
OK, maybe not cats and chaos, but it was a neat feeling. The Kia Tigers were up when we walked in at the top of the second inning.
We saw our first home run, no sooner than we focused on the field.
The game is slower moving than the US game, but enough to keep your attention.
All teams are owned by corporations here. Kia, LG, Doosan, Hyundai, Lotte, SK, Samsung, and Hanwa. It keeps ticket prices down, not that the salaries are very high.
The type of baseball played here is the small-ball, Billy-Ball, for those of you who know what I am talking about. Advancing runners, sacrifices, slap hits, double-steals, and bunting. There is some power, as we saw TWO homers, but it is nothing like the MLB version.
We eventually found hot dogs. 1,000 Won ($1). However, they were cold. And had HONEY mustard.
Oh, Well, we got what we wanted.
We then went back out of the stadium to wander and find more beer, 3,000 won ($3) in the Tall Boy cans, 2,500 won ($2.50) in the smaller cans. After negotiating with another Adjuma (and losing), we take our beers back into the stadium. You can do that here, although the second time, they gave us a cup to pour it in.
Chris and I found a couple seats down the right-field line and observed for a while, scouting for seats to the next game
It was quite the experience and we were fired up for more games, announcing this would become a Saturday thing for us. And because two teams share the stadium (Doosan Bears and the LG Twins), there are games EVERY Saturday and Sunday.
A couple of rules I will have to get used to: 1.) Games are limited to FOUR hours or 12 innings, whichever comes first. REGARDLESS of the score. Yes, folks, ties in Baseball. Bud Selig would be proud. 2.) Screens around the field. They keep some foul balls on the field. You can keep them here, just like the States, but the percentage of foul balls is lower.
Nice, huh?
Week day games will be tough to go to, since we work at 3:00 everyday, but that won't deter us from heading out on the weekends.
The experience rates as a 10 out of 10, a good time was had by all. Except for the LG fans. Kia won 9-1.

Now.
On to MLB.
I have purchased the MLB.TV package and will be able to watch a majority of Royals' games over here. I say the majority, because Saturday's game was blacked out over here. So I am relegated to watching the A's and the Angels right now. Over 3,000 games will be at my fingertips and I can watch archived games, so the games played when I am sleeping will be watched when I wake up.
Nice, huh?
I was up at 4:30 AM for Opening Day, taking a cab to another teacher's place (We're both Royals' fans. Probably the only two in all of Korea. We're working to change that), and watching it on his big screen. We watched the game, rooted and were thrilled at a Royals' win. Made getting up that early worth it. It's doubtful I will be doing that often, but for Opening Day, certain sacrifices have to be made.
I will be avoiding all web pages giving scores to games when I wake up in the morning. So if you think you want to be funny and send me the score or tease me about it, know I will not be checking my e-mail or instant messages until after I watch the whole game. Nice try though.

OK, that's all I have to say about that.
Thanks for reading and taking your precious time to amuse me.
I hope this finds everyone happy and well.

Royals Prediction:

Another year, another gulp of the Royal Blue Kool-aid. And it tastes good this year. Do I think they'll win a division title? NO. Do I think they'll be fun to watch and be a spoiler? YEAH, BABY!!! (Austin Powers, not Dick Vitale)
Like everybody, I believe 2008 to be the year they step up, but we have to play through this year first. It's not like MLB 2007, where you can simulate a season and move on. I do not believe they will lose 100 games, but I have been wrong before. A lot. Especially when it comes to the Glass run Royals. This year is different. In Dayton, I trust. At least for now!!!

Looking back, Allard didn't do a bad job, at least in the scouting position players. And that's where that ends. His mismanagement on the Major League level was atrocious; his signing of pitching prospects, suspect; his signing of players to long term deals, a joke and who would have guessed Sweeney (or Swenie, as I like to really spell it) would be hurt for the rest of his career...it was a good signing at the time (29 HR, 144 RBI, what's not to like); signing Berroa to a long term deal, when Baird didn't have to be signed; and the long list of pitchers who came to KC to die. Baird did stock one of the cupboards and that was in the outfield, but I think he forgot about shortstop. Things will change with this new regime.

The following is my idea for the lineup. These choices are subject to change and if I am way off, I blame it on the dirty air in Seoul. If I am correct, I will attribute it to the wonderful air in Seoul.
I will miss the entire season, but I will be watching on MLB.TV and doing my best to stay abreast of our Kansas City Royals.

CF-DeJesus
2B-Grundzielanek (German for now)
RF-Teahan
DH-Sweeney, at least for Opening Day's 1st Inning, then put Brown at DH
1B-Shealy
3B-Gordon-you can move him and Brown back and forth, until Moore/Bell figures out what's best for Gordon
LF-Brown, until Sweeney gets hurt, then move Gload (Maybe Sanders, if he's not traded) to Left.
C-Buck, with LaRue at the ready
SS-Berroa, and hold your breath.

UTIL/Extra OF:
German
Gload
LaRue
Gonzalez--We will need a back up SS.


IF and that's a BIG IF, Gaithright can make the club, start him in CF, Move DeJesus to LF, Brown to DH and Sweeney to the Chapel.

What about the pitching and the bullpen/ Isn't it all based on Spring Training?
Tentative:
Starters
Meche
Hudson
Perez
Bannister
DeLaRosa

Bullpen
Soria
Gobble
Riske
Ray
Wellemeyer
Peralta
Dotel

that's 12 pitchers and 13 positions.

I have omitted Geinke and Butler , I think they will be in Omaha, but Greinke seems to be making a case for himself and DeLaRosa is pitching his way out of the Major Leagues, he'll probably clear waivers (Seriously, who would want him?) and end up in Omaha, too. Wellemeyer thought he wanted to start, yet, he too, hasn't proven himself worthy. Soria could be a starter, perhaps in place of DeLaRosa, but I think he should be in the pen to start. My co-worker (a big Royals' fan, too, thinks he should start in the rotation then, if he struggles, put him in the pen. I think not).

I will be attending many baseball games in Seoul, every weekend there are games. As you have read before, there are TWO teams who play at the same stadium, so the opportunity to catch a game every Saturday night and Sunday afternoon is there. The style of baseball is different, they platy small ball and the fences are closer, so I will give updates on how the season progresses.
BUT.

First and foremost: GO ROYALS!!!!!

"If the people prosper, how can the king not prosper with them?
And if the people do not prosper, how may the king prosper without them?"
-King Sejong, 4th Ruler of Choson Korea

1 March 1919

This is an important day in Korea.
It's a national holiday and all schools and government offices are closed.
It is a commemoration of an attempt to reclaim independence from the colonization laid forth by Japan.
Read about it HERE.
I inquired about it from several people, getting a few different answers, some saying it's Independence Day, some saying a 'Memorial' type day, others disputing both.
It an 'attempted' independence day and it's a day of remembrance for the people who perished in 1919.
The gist (and forgive me if I get the details wrong, one of the reasons I provided a link. This is for those of you who didn't click it):
The Koreans tired of Japan and laboring under their control and a couple of people set forth to write a 'Declaration of Independence' and many peaceful rallies were held, supporting the proclamation.
The Japanese, in their infinite wisdom, decided it wasn't for them to make such a claim. Many rallies were held and the Japanese took offense.
So, with this and many of the crowds not dispersing, they fired into the crowds.
7,500 people were massacred that day, many wounded, and an estimated 40,000 arrests were made.
Follow the link I provided and click the other links
please, there are some harrowing pictures, please view at your own discretion and please be present when children are viewing:

http://www.kimsoft.com/2004/Samil-2004.htm

http://www.kimsoft.com/2004/3-YuKwanSoon.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_independence_movement

Not all of the pictures are bad, but some may be considered 'graphic'.
They provide a much better explanation than I could ever hope to give.

I happened across a ceremony in Jongno-sam (3)gu today.
At this moment, I wished I was fluent in Hangul, for the ceremony was very moving, no matter what language you happen to speak.
It was in TapGol Park, a place I have been before and find to be very beautiful. I like going over there, especially on a Sunday afternoon. The park is packed with the older generations and it is their place. Singing, dancing, games, music, Soju, and a lot of other activities. It is very cool to be around, just to watch.
Today, it was for refection and remembrance.
In attendance were many older people, some dignitaries, and all of the branches of the military were represented. The military band played somber music, as well as The Korean National Anthem. A choir led the crowd in many songs, people bowing, and paying their respects. A monument was set up, with people's names being read off, as older people (I would guess them to be relatives of many of the survivors and deceased. See why I wish I was fluent?) laid flowers at the base of the monument, while the color guard handed them out and stood at attention. A 21-Gun salute preceded the events, sending chills up the spine, it would not be the last time it would happen. As the names were read, there wasn't a sound to be heard. Nothing. It sends chills up my spine and goose bumps on my body just thinking about it. It was beautiful. These are a very proud people and today it showed. I am glad I got to see this, it puts things into perspective.

The Koreans are a very proud people and they should be.
They have endured Chinese occupation, Japanese occupation, and a war, which affected everybody in this country. What we call 'A Police Action', devastated this country and as far as they are concerned, North and South Korea are still at war. A cease-fire stops any transgressions from either side.
That, and the presence of the United States Army.
The U.S. is wanted (by some) and needed (by all) to be here and insure the peace. Many believe when the United States leaves South Korea, it will open the door for the North. So it's not all that bad having our presence here, it provides a safe feeling for many South Koreans, which is worth it.

I may crack jokes and make outlandish stories about various happenings here and pick on certain groups, but I respect these people and their culture immensely. They will celebrate things, from the biggest to the smallest, Seoul seeming to be one large museum. Do they take it for granted? NO. The Koreans are quite aware of what has happened to their ancestors and celebrate the youth of this country, as to prevent them from forgetting. Their patriotism is very high, as it should be, in any country.
For example: They lost their first soldier, on foreign turf the other day. It was the first since The Vietnam War and it's big news here.
My heart goes out to these people and I now see why many foreigners choose to stay. Quirks aside, this is a pretty country and the people respect it VERY much.
As do I.

Quirks
As I have alluded to in previous 'updates', there are some cultural quirks (not Jamie, either) I have noticed while here.
I am not whining nor am I trying to change the culture, these are observations, just observations. Every culture has them and Lord knows, the USA has plenty.

Ashtrays
This is a smoking society, so if you are one of the people who cries every time you walk into a restaurant and see smokers, DO NOT COME TO KOREA.
As is the case at places in KC, they won't listen to you and you'll continue to cry about it, as you sit down and eat, anyway. There is no such thing as a 'non-smoking' section.
The few places you cannot smoke are subways, buses, and schools, although I am sure there are other places, I haven't seen them. Actually, you can't smoke in office buildings, which makes perfect sense, anyway.
BUT.
They do try to alleviate the amount of smoke in places, they put water in the ashtrays.
This can be good or bad.
This makes people hold their cigarettes and not put them down, which also makes for a chain smoker.
And, there is NO chance of an ashtray fire, which is always nice, but it leads to another problem.
Spitting in ashtrays.
Yep, spitting. Not the big-hocking-lugie type, but the regular type of spitting.
I cannot bring myself to do it, but many others do it and though it grossed me out to start, I have learned to look the other way when someone is doing it.
Spitting is for the floor or outdoors or the bathroom or the baseball field and in Pacman Jones' case, women's faces.
One of those things it took a little getting used to, save for Pacman.

Street Puke
Yep.
Puke.
THAT I cannot get used to, ever. That is one thing which should be done in only one place, OK, maybe a couple.
1.) The restroom. One of the many uses for the toilet.
2.) Harling's Upstairs. I mean, that place always smells of a fraternity's basement. Every time I have been there. I don't get it.
3.) Behind dumpsters. Away from the public eye and the smell of the dumpster will mask the odor.
4.) Home. The most obvious place. GO HOME and get sick.

I myself, haven't gotten sick here, or at home, for that matter. Not to say I haven't, but I chose (as in the past) to do it in the privacy of my own home. That's part of having a place to go home to. (I know, I ended a sentence with a preposition, but I don't care)
NOW.
It's everywhere. At first I thought it to be just an accident, they happen, but when I started to continually see it, on streets, sidewalks, and in the restroom (at least someone tried), I realized it is accepted and probably embraced. I will NEVER get used to seeing it, ever.

Walking in a straight line
No matter the time of day, no matter where you are, you will be bumped.
Example:
I am walking down a hall in the subway, pretty much have the place to myself, except for the lady walking towards me. I give her, or so I thought, enough room. The hallway was about eight meters wide (that's almost 24 feet, Gramma Pat) and I have one side ALL to myself.
So I am walking, thinking I am doing OK and the lady runs into me. I looked around, maybe she was trying to get out of the way of someone, but no, she cannot walk in a straight line. Weird, I thought and NO, she wasn't drunk. It was only 11:00 AM.
I figured this was an isolated incident and moved on.
NOPE.
It happens all of the time. And not in the mad rush on the subway. Being bumped is part of the game and I have actually come to enjoy it. I am twice the size of people and I love to watch them bounce off of me. Except for the adjumas, I hide from them. My mama only raised one fool and he lives in Omaha.
I will be in subways, with no people around and the guy in front of me, walks right into me. I will be on sidewalks and will be run off the curb or into a storefront. I will be in the grocery store and be run into the huge can display (I wasn't even IN aisle seven!!!!).
I attribute most of this to the hand phone talking and walking. They cannot do that, walk and talk at the same time.
Myself? I only mastered this within the past five years. You should see them walk and chew gum at the same time.
Which brings me to another quirk.

Gum Chewing
They love for you to know they are chewing gum.
Snapping, chomping, just regularly rude.
At home, if you did it in my presence, I would say something to you. Be you a stranger, family, or friend.
I DO NOT WANT TO HEAR IT.
I could not care less if you are chewing gum, there is no need to advertise it to me or anyone else for that matter.
I cannot do that here.
I thought, again, it was maybe the person I happened to sit next to, but NOOOOOOOOO, it's everyone. To me it's like fingernails running down a chalkboard, so if I hear it, I quiver and move away. I moved away from a lady on the subway one day, all the while giving her the evil eye and wincing EVERY time she did it.
One of my pet peeves.
I cannot help it, it's just who I am.
So. If you ever do it around me and I punch you in the stomach, reach in your mouth and grab your gum, it's nothing personal.
It's ME, not you.
Actually, it is YOU and I don't want to hear it.
And when I come back to KC, I look forward to the people who chew their gum in silence, besides, if you chew your gum with your mouth open, it lets all of the flavor out, right Mom?

Where do YOU stand?
And I don't mean politically or religiously or any other idea.
Where do you stand when you are waiting for an elevator?
Hopefully, you stand off to the side, as to allow others to get off the elevator.
Not here.
I find it funny.
They stand right in the middle and try to get on as people are trying to exit.
Same goes for the subway.
There will be 10-15 people attempting to exit, while one person is right in the middle, trying to get on and race for the nearest seat.
The funny thing is, people get run into more by doing this.
I find myself standing to the side, laughing out loud, wondering if anyone else thinks it's as funny as I do.
By the looks on their faces, NO.

As stated, THIS IS NOT WHINING.
Observations.
You all wanted to know what I observe and well, you got it.