Rant for Ramen (12 days of Christmas) Comedy Event: December 15

From the Facebook event:

As part of RMT’s 12 days of Christmas, Stand up Seoul will be hosting another long awaited RANT NIGHT.

rant: Verb: -to utter in a bombastic declamatory fashion

It’s simple. You choose your topic(s), and you get 5 minutes to essentially rant and rave and wow the audience with your karaizzy elocution skills. Basically, it’s bitching in a funny, interesting way.

5,000 won to get on the mic. (first come first serve, no more than 12) Anyone can participate!!! You don’t have to be a Stand up Seoul comedian. Winner gets the pot and a pile of delicious Ramen. 5 minutes each. Audience applause chooses the winner.

It’s awesome.
It’s hilarious.
It’s therapeutic.

See you there. Invite your friends on FB.

**This event is NOT in lue of Stand up Seoul’s montlhly open mic show. Stand up Seoul’s monthly will be on Dec 1st. But you should definitely go to both. http://www.facebook.com/events/275898545789305/

 

Random Dan: It will be the first 12 to sign up to get on stage.  I’m really hoping to do this.  Got plenty of stuff to rant about!  Should be a great night!  Everyone feels better after a good ranting!

Back on Blog

It’s been a month or so since my last post.  Been really busy being lazy and not getting anything accomplished outside of my normal jobs.  I’ve done a few stand up acts and even had a paid gig.  But I’m not sure how much more I’ll do stand up.

It’s really fun to get up there and (try to) make people laugh but it just doesn’t seem to be as enjoyable as I thought it would be.  I don’t really like repeating jokes over and over again.  I might get back into doing improv with Improv Seoul.  I did that a few times and it’s a lot of fun.

I did a podcast in the past with my buddy Chance Dorland.  I am going to try to start doing another one pretty soon.  Will probably mostly be me and I’ll try to have different friends and other interesting people I’ve met.

Enough about me…how u doinnn?

The Ultimate Expat in Korea

You need to be able to check off these three criteria in order to be considered a perfect expat in Korea:

1.  Write a blog.  Be sure to include ‘Seoul’ in the title…but use it in place of SOUL or SOLDIER.  Or use ‘Kimchi.’  This will show how clever you are.  Then write about your daily experiences like how the bus was very packed or the Korean people stare at you because you aren’t Korean.  Also write like you are the first person to ever experience these things.

Obviously I am one of these assholes that has a blog but this is just the first step in becoming that ultimate expat asshole.

2.  Get an expensive camera.  With this camera be sure to take pictures of trees and bushes.  Also take a picture of EVERY meal you eat here.  Then you can consider yourself a culinary expert because you took a photo of a plate with rice and meat on it.  Also remember to take many pictures of the same looking temples over and over again.

So now you have a ‘IgotSeoul’ blog and an expensive camera.  You are almost there to becoming the ultimate expat.  Now, the final piece to the puzzle….

3. Get an acoustic guitar.  Some Korean girl told you that you look like John Mayer, so what do you do?  You get an acoustic guitar.  Now you can carry it around in a backpack while you take pictures of Korean trees.  After you’re finished with the pictures, you can upload them to your blog.

YES!  You’ve done it.  You are the ultimate expat in Korea.   Now kill yourself.

***I would like to add that there are plenty of blogs by people in Korea that are actually pretty sweet.  Check out the blogroll on my homepage for the some blogs I enjoy.***

Check-It-Out: Torrents

Every Thursday I post a link or something that’s worth ‘checking out’ on the internet.  Last week was RealGM.com.  An awesome basketball news and rumors site.

 

Today is torrents.  If you’ve never downloaded torrents before, you’re really missing out.  You can download and watch almost EVERYTHING that has ever been on TV or in the movies, as well as software and almost any other thing that relates with computers.

To do torrents, you first need to download software.  It downloads fast and takes almost no memory on your computer.

From there you can just go to the best torrent downloading sites and search for whatever you’d like to watch/use/play.

I ‘have heard’ these two downloading sites are the best:

1.  Torrentz (major search engine of ALL torrent sites)

2. Pirate Bay (most popular torrent downloading site)

*TO LEARN THE BASICS OF TORRENTS (which is really easy when you get the hang of it), JUST GOOGLE: HOW DO DOWNLOAD TORRENTS*

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hacker Group to Destroy Facebook on November 5, 2011

From Mashable.com:

Hackivist group Anonymous vows to “kill Facebook” on November 5, citing users’ lack of choice in privacy as its reason for attack.

Update: Anonymous confirmed via a tweet that while some of its members are organizing the upcoming attack against Facebook, the hacker organization as a whole does not necessarily agree with the attack.

The group of hackers has claimed participation in just about every recent notable hacking attack of this year and successfully broke into 70 law enforcement websites and took down the Syrian Ministry of Defense website this week alone.

This recent interest in Facebook, despite a slew of privacy concerns raised against the social network since its founding, may be a result of Anonymous’s recent announcement that it plans to create its own social network, called AnonPlus. After the group’s Google+ account, called “Your Anon News,” was banned, it began fleshing out AnonPlus.com, “a new social network where there is no fear … of censorship … of blackout … nor of holding back.”

Below is a video and statement released by Anonymous explaining the reason for its upcoming battle with the world’s largest social network.

 

---

Anonymous Statement

---

Attention citizens of the world,

We wish to get your attention, hoping you heed the warnings as follows:
Your medium of communication you all so dearly adore will be destroyed. If you are a willing hacktivist or a guy who just wants to protect the freedom of information then join the cause and kill facebook for the sake of your own privacy.

Facebook has been selling information to government agencies and giving clandestine access to information security firms so that they can spy on people from all around the world. Some of these so-called whitehat infosec firms are working for authoritarian governments, such as those of Egypt and Syria.

Everything you do on Facebook stays on Facebook regardless of your “privacy” settings, and deleting your account is impossible, even if you “delete” your account, all your personal info stays on Facebook and can be recovered at any time. Changing the privacy settings to make your Facebook account more “private” is also a delusion. Facebook knows more about you than your family.

http://www.physorg.com/news170614271.html
http://itgrunts.com/2010/10/07/facebook-steals-numbers-and-data-from-your-iphone/

You cannot hide from the reality in which you, the people of the internet, live in. Facebook is the opposite of the Antisec cause. You are not safe from them nor from any government. One day you will look back on this and realise what we have done here is right, you will thank the rulers of the internet, we are not harming you but saving you.

The riots are underway. It is not a battle over the future of privacy and publicity. It is a battle for choice and informed consent. It’s unfolding because people are being raped, tickled, molested, and confused into doing things where they don’t understand the consequences. Facebook keeps saying that it gives users choices, but that is completely false. It gives users the illusion of and hides the details away from them “for their own good” while they then make millions off of you. When a service is “free,” it really means they’re making money off of you and your information.

Think for a while and prepare for a day that will go down in history. November 5 2011, #opfacebook . Engaged.

This is our world now. We exist without nationality, without religious bias. We have the right to not be surveilled, not be stalked, and not be used for profit. We have the right to not live as slaves.

We are anonymous
We are legion
We do not forgive
We do not forget
Expect us

RANDOM DAN – I enjoy Facebook as much as the next guy (or girl).  Shit, for some reason I always keep going back to it whenever I’m on a computer.  There’s something about that red flag that pops up in the top left corner that gets me excited.

If these guys were to actually do this and ‘destroy’ Facebook, I think it might be for the best.  Just imagine how many other random websites I could waste my time on instead of Facebook!

But I have to ask, what is all the hatred of Facebook really about?  I sort of touched on that question awhile ago when Google+ just came out. Well, based off the hacker group’s message, I think the main reason for the hatred of Facebook is that they steal information.  But what exactly what are (or would) they be doing with it?  If you’re not doing anything wrong, why should you be worried about it?

The thing is that if Facebook is shut down others will pop up just like it.  I’m even think that Facebook already has a contingency plan if anything like this were to happen…maybe even a different webpage that is a duplicate of all the information they currently have.

This story isn’t really big news now but I have a feeling as we get closer to November 5 it will be like the year 2000 computer bug that people were worried was going to shut down business and communication.  My guess is that November 5 will come and go and this story will just be a blip in your memory.

Korea: August Events

My favorite site in Korea to look up current events and news is TheYeogiyo.com.

Every month they list a lot of great happenings in Korea (or any other news relevant to foreigners and Koreans):

Here are August’s events:

August 2011 Events

From: TheYeogiyo.com

 

August is here – your vacation might have ended, it might still be upcoming, or you might not have one at all. Take some time this month to explore the RoK and get involved in some of these awesome events. Choose at least three to go to, and you’ll feel less guilty about sleeping throughout most of the weekend days, amirite?

As always, chat on the Forum, tell your friends where you saw the event you’re at, let us know if there are more events to add (contact@theyeogiyo.com) and have a lovely month.

August Concert Listings
August Musical Listings

Dogs Vs. Ticks
When: July 14th – October 31st, 2011 
Where: Online (and worldwide!)
How much: W15,000 – W20,000
No really, what?:  With just a small donation, you can help to sponsor a shelter dog and help them to be free from tick poisoning. For more information, check the link below or e-mail Katherine at katherine-hall@hotmail.com
For more info:  https://www.facebook.com

Free Shuttle Bus to Gyeongju, Jeonju and Gangwon province
When: Until 2012 
Where: Departure from Gwanghwamun Station, Seoul at 8 a.m. 
How much: Wfree!
No really, what?:  Foreigners can register for up to two tickets for a free shuttle bus to Gyeongju, the capital city of the ancient Shilla kingdom, or Jeonju, famous for food culture and a village full of traditional Korean houses or Gangwon province including Yongpyong and Alpensia ski resorts  — please note, Busan is an option now too!
For more info:  http://english.visitkoreayear.com

TheYeogiyo Trivia at Traveler’s
When: Wednesdays, 2011 at 9 p.m. (we try to finish by 11 p.m.) ** Resumes August 17th with a guest host
Where: Traveler’s Bar and Grill, Bundang
How much: W5,000 entry free per person
No really, what?:  Trust us, it’s plenty o’fun, even if yer dumb. Plus, there are free beer rounds and big ol’ cash prizes. The winning group takes 80 per cent of the pot and an individual question with the remaining 20 per cent of the pot grows each week until some smartass takes it all. After a winner has been claimed, any lucky team has the chance to win W30,000 through a random draw. Bring a group of two to five people, or join a group that’s there and looking for a random member or two. 
For more info: http://www.theyeogiyo.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=2296

Daegu Theatre Troupe
When: August 1st, 2011 
Where: Daegu, South Korea
How much: Free!
No really, what?: The Daegu Theatre Troupe’s Fall season is gearing up to be its biggest season yet – and with that, comes the need for original works. The DTT has plenty of fun events coming up, including a Halloween Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre show that they are currently accepting pieces for – if you want your work produced, get in touch!
For more info: daegutheatre@gmail.com

Busan Sea Festival
When: August 1st – 8th, 2011 
Where: The beaches of Busan
How much: Free!
No really, what?: Throughout the beaches of Busan, Korea’s largest sea festival will take place for eight days – the massive sea festival actually encompasses nearly 30 festivals including the International Rock festival, the Beach Dance festival, the Sea Literature festival and the Beach Game festival. Take in the beach as well as hip hop and stree dance performances, windsurfing and volleyball tournaments, and free ocean rafting, canoeing, kayaking, scuba diving, banana boat rides and song festivals.  You’ll be so busy, you won’t care how much sand gets into your shorts.
For more info: http://seafestival.co.kr

Mokpo Maritime Cultural Festival
When: August 2nd, 2011 
Where: Mokpo, Jeolla Province
How much: Wfree or small fees 
No really, what?:  You can’t possibly get bored at this busy festival, which includes lights, fireworks, b-boys, a rowing competition, an ocean fountain concert, and some chance for romance. Please note: If you hate all of those things, you might possibly be bored.
For more info:  http://www.mokpofestival.com

Hamyang Wild Ginseng Festival
When: August 2nd, 2011 
Where: Sanglim Park, Hamyang-gun, Gyeongsang Province
How much: Wfree or small fees 
No really, what?:  Ginseng is good for you and this festival will teach you a little somefink about it – besides conferences and events, you can take part in a cooking contest and learn more about how to use this magical root.
For more info:  http://www.sansam.hygn.go.kr

Uzbekistan Food and Cultural Experience
When: August 4th, 2011 – 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. 
Where: Ddeok Museum, Jongno-gu, Seoul
How much: Free!
No really, what?: Here’s an excellent opportunity to learn more about Uzbek culture with your family. Watch a cooking demonstration and then have the chance to make the dish yourself. A traditional Uzbek story will be read and a short tour of the museum’s exhibition of traditional foods from a number of countries will be conducted.
For more info: itaewon@sba.seoul.kr or http://global.seoul.go.kr/itaewon/ 

HOPE summer camp
When: August 5th – August 7th, 2011
Where: Haeryong Elementary School, Suncheon, Jeollannam province
How much: WFree
No really, what?: Helping Others Prosper Through English (HOPE) is looking for four femal and four male volunteer English teachers to teach at the English camp in Jeollannam province. It will be a two nights and three days event. If you want to travel, please contact Eddie at eddieloverobinson@gmail.com
For more info: https://www.facebook.com

Pentaport Rock Festival
When: August 5th – 7th, 2011
Where: Incheon Dream Park
How much: W88,000 – W165,000 
No really, what?: Now that Jisan is over, take in the next big music festival in Korea at Pentaport, an outdoor rock festival featuring a laser show, a digital exhibition, a cultural hall, a souvenir shop and a food zone.
For more info: http://www.theyeogiyo.com/Entertainment/Concerts/2011/03/Pentaport.php
International Rock Festival
When: August 5th – 7th, 2011
Where: Dadaepo Beach area, Busan
How much: WTBA
No really, what?: While you’re at the sea festival, or simply the beach, get a listen in on the Busan International Rock Festival, a leading music festival in Korea.
For more info: http://seafestival.co.kr

Gokseong Eat Melon Marathon
When: August 6th, 2011 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.  (register by August 1st!)
Where: Boramae Park, Shindaebang, Seoul
How much: 5km (W20,000), Full, Half and 10km (W30,000)
No really, what?: After you’re done racing to your heart’s content, fill up on plenty of local and free watermelon, wave your medal around or perhaps get yourself some free socks.
For more info: https://www.facebook.com

Play in a Day
When: August 6th, 2011 – 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Where: White Box Theatre, Hyochang Park Station, Line 6, Exit 2
How much: W10,000
No really, what?: Everyone’s welcome – regardless of theatre experience. Just register your interest in advance and Probationary Theatre will feed you, water you and lock you in a theatre for a day. If you’d just like to watch, you can do that too – get in touch!
For more info: http://www.probationarytheatre.com

Vegan Summer Potluck
When: Sunday, August 6th, 2011
Where: Haebangchon, Seoul
How much: Free
No really, what?: Join the Seoul Veggie Club for a potluck and the chance to meet some likeminded people.  Directions, contact info, and more details are available on the Facebook page.
For more info:  https://www.facebook.com

The Bundang Book Exchange
When: Sunday, August 7th, 2011 (first Sunday of every month)
Where: Traveler’s Bar and Grill, AK Plaza, Seohyeon Station, Bundang Line, Gyeonggi-do
How much: Free
No really, what?: Come visit for a few hours of expatriate locals meeting up and having a beer. Usually we throw books or DVDs or magazines or Nintendo Wii light sabres on the table if we have them, take what we can get, and have a beer or two before challenging each other to darts. It’s a good way to get yourself ready for the week and you might just get a little something to take home for your downtime. We’re talking about books, but if you’re not, then we’re not either (please note that you don’t need to bring books to get books, and that this is a good opportunity to mingle with people in your neighbourhood if you’ve been feeling lonely lately).
For more info: Check the Forum for details 
 
Bonghwa Sweet Fish Festival
When: July 30th – August 7th, 2011  
Where: Naeseongcheon Stream, Gyeongsangbuk province
How much: W8,000 (children) – W10,000 (adults)
No really, what?: Try your hand at catching sweetfish from a stream, or sign up for a water race, try barehanded fishing, use a water bike or ride a horse, and check out an insectivorous plant exhibition or…stuffed animal specimen exhibition.
For more info: http://bonghwafestival.com

The Great Mountain International Music Festival & School
When: Until August 7th, 2011 
Where: Alpensia Concert Hall, Gangwon Province
How much: W40,000 – W50,000 
No really, what?:  Check out this classical music festival that takes place over a few days so that you can take in more than one day of good music.
For more info:  http://www.gmmfs.com

Taebaek Cool Cinema Festival
When: Until August 7th, 2011 
Where: O2 Resort Ski House and Centre Street, Taebaek, Gangwon Province
How much: W2,000 (adults), W1,000 (students), WFree (under 3) 
No really, what?:  There will be cinema, hence the name, and there will be a water festival to cool you off, also, hence, the name. If those hints are anything to go by, we might also assume that there will be a festival and it will be in Taebaek.
For more info:  http://festival.taebaek.go.kr

Fantasy Dance Performance
When: August 9th, 2011, 11 a.m. (80 minutes) 
Where: KB Haneul Youth Theatre, National Theatre, Seoul (Dongguk University Station, Exit 6)
How much: W10,000 (rice cakes included) 
No really, what?: Check out this show filled with a fan dance, noblemen dance and traditional dances involving drums and other Korean traditional instruments.
For more info:  http://www.ntok.go.kr
Great Battle of Hansan Festival
When: August 10th – 14th,  2011 
Where: Tongyeong City, South Gyeongsang Province 
How much: WFree (participation fees for some events/activities)
No really, what?: Korea’s history has seen quite a few sea battles, and this one will be reenacted with turtle-sips while Japanese ships fire artillery at each other in the middle of the ocean.
For more info:  http://www.hsdf.or.kr 

Korea Science Creativity Festival
When: August 10th – 15th,  2011 – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 
Where: EXCO, Daegu (Samsung Station, Exit 3 or Dachi Station, Exit 3) 
How much: WFree (no charge for activities and hands-on experiences)
No really, what?: The largest science festival in Korea is a fantastic place to visit for plenty of fun and interactive exhibitions of technology and hands-on programs for participants including children, college students and professional researchers. Geeks, get ready, set, go!
For more info:  http://www.ecodaegu.co.kr or international@kofac.or.kr

D Summer Night (free beer!)
When: August 11th,  2011  
Where: 129, Chung Dam-Dong, Gangnam, Seoul
How much: Free with RSVP 
No really, what?: Free beer and a free event starring Major Lazer, G&D and TOP (featuring G-Dragon and T.O.P.) and The Pretty Reckless (starring none other than Little J from Gossip Girl, fer realz). Sign up quickly if you’re keen.
For more info: http://www.seoulcialite.com

Jazz Prismatic
When: August 12th, 2011, 8 p.m. 
Where: Olympus Hall, Samseong dong, Gangnam, Seoul  
How much: R – W55,000, S – W44,000
No really, what?: In need of some jazz? Jazz pianist Gaon Kim will headline this show that combines jazz with DJing.
For more info: http://www.olympushall.co.kr

Little Traveller’s Photo Scavenger Hunt
When: August 13th, 2011
Where: Meet at City Hall Station, Exit 5, Seoul
How much: W15,000 entry fee
No really, what?: Teams up to four (individuals can join a team in advance), will race around the city in an attempt to solve riddles, follow clues and complete tasks before other teams. Prizes will be available to a variety of winners at 5:30 at Beer O’Clock in Sinchon.
For more info: https://www.facebook.com

Full Moon Hash
When: August 13th, 2011, 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. 
Where: The Garage, Okpo-dong 1, Geoje, South Korea
How much: W5,000 for beer
No really, what?: If you haven’t enjoyed a hash yet, try this one – an adventurous hash requiring flashlights – don’t worry, walkers are welcome as much as runners. Check out the info here and get in touch with Ruveena ‘Highly Strung’ Cope if you need more info.
For more info: https://www.facebook.com

Liberation Day
When: August 15th, 2011  
Where: Korea-wide  
How much: WFree!
No really, what?: Liberation Day (광복절 – meaning ‘restoration of light’) celebrates the national liberation from Japan in 1945 when Emperor Showa announced surrender and World War II was ended. On this same day in 1948, the Republic of Korea was established. This is a national holiday and you might find some establishments to be closed.
For more info: http://www.theyeogiyo.com/Community/Culture/2011-holidays.php

Fantasy Dance Performance
When: August 16th, 2011, 11 a.m. (80 minutes) 
Where: KB Haneul Youth Theatre, National Theatre, Seoul (Dongguk University Station, Exit 6)
How much: W10,000 (rice cakes included) 
No really, what?: Check out this show filled with a fan dance, noblemen dance and traditional dances involving drums and other Korean traditional instruments.
For more info:  http://www.ntok.go.kr 

Jechon International Music and Film Festival
When: August 11th – 16th, 2011 
Where: Jechon city, Chungcheongbuk Province 
How much: Small charges for some viewings and activities
No really, what?: The first music and film festival in Korea, begun in 2005, starts on a Thursday with a grand evening celebration. You’ll have a chance to see 71 movies from 25 countries and more than 20 music concerts over the long week-end.
For more info:  http://www.jimff.org

 

Rhythm of Africa Exhibition
When: Until August 18th, 2011 – 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Where: KINTEX – 3 Hall, Daewha-dong, Goyang, Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province
How much: Adults – W11,000, Students – W9,000 and Children Under 5 – WFree!
No really, what?: Check out this cool exhibition that showcases traditional African art and music. Besides Jembe shows and a looksee at one Korean photographer’s trek through Africa, you’ll also be able to take a looksee at traditional sculptures and relics.
For more info: http://www.kintex.com/english/location/incheon.jsp

Hi Dino Exhibition
When: Until August 18th, 2011
Where: KINTEX – 3 Hall, Daewha-dong, Goyang, Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province
How much: tba
No really, what?: This exhibition is meant for children and teenagers, but we can bet you’ll have more than a little fun documenting such exhibits as ‘Mamenchsaurus and T-Rex enjoy their last supper at a dining table.’
For more info: http://kintex-korea.blogspot.com/2011/07/world-largest-dinosaurs-come-2011-hi.html

 

Trick Art!
When: Until August 18th, 2011 – 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. (be there by 6 p.m.)
Where: KINTEX – 3 Hall, Daewha-dong, Goyang, Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province
How much:  W12,000
No really, what?: Trick art can be found all over Korea – including hot spots like Bundang, Jeju, Busan and Seoul. Take your fully charged camera and some friends and enjoy a few hours of Facebook profile picture making!
For more info: http://kintex-korea.blogspot.com/2011/07/mbc-trick-art-special-exhibition-season.html

Hotel Art Fair
When: August 19th – 21st, 2011 
Where: Grand Hyatt Hotel, Namsan, Seoul
How much: W20,000 (draw) 
No really, what?: The Asia Top Gallery hotel Art Fair will feature over 4,000 works of art by 400 artists from 60 countries in Asia on display in 84 of the Grand Hyatt Seoul’s guestrooms. Contact the AHAF committee at 02-741-6320 or through hotelartfair@empal.com for more information.
For more info: http://www.facebook.com/grandhyattseoul

Open Auditions
When: August 20th, 2011 – from 3:30 p.m. 
Where: White Box Theatre, Hyochang Park Station, Exit 2
How much: Free
No really, what?: Do something different and audition for “Dusk Rings a Bell,” a contemporary American play that charts the story of a man and a woman, meeting after 15 years having once shared a kiss on a beach when they were teenagers. Anyone is welcome to attend the auditions, or the performance in October.
For more info: http://www.probationarytheatre.com or tarahoimn@gmail.com

The Help Hannah Bar Crawl
When: August 20th – 21st, 2011 – starting at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Jeongbalsan, Ilsan
How much: W10,000 to take in all of the specials and games (more if you’re feeling generous)
No really, what?: Join the Help Hannah Bar Crawl to help raise money for Baby Hannah,  a baby girl born just a year ago with a lack of trachea, who is now in need of surgery to help her live her life. The bar crawl promises to be a positive event that will help showcase the bar scene in Ilsan, allow for networking with new foreigners, and ultimately help a little girl who needs your help. If you can’t go for whatever reason, try to donate anyway to show your support.
For more info: https://www.facebook.com

Traditional Korean Music at Noon
When: August 23rd, 2011 – 11 a.m.  
Where: Haeoreum Theatre, National Theatre of Korea, Seoul (Dongguk University Station, Exit 6)
How much: W10,000 
No really, what?: Hosted by the National Theatre of Korea, these quality performances at low prices are being presented to showcase traditional Korean music. Tickets would normally cost much more, so get ‘em while they’re cheap!
For more info: http://www.ntok.go.kr

Youth Alpine Climbing Lessons
When: August 23rd – September 15th,  2011 – 3:45 p.m./4:00 p.m.   
Where: Samsung Station, Exit 1, Gangnam
How much: W275,000 (four weeks) 
No really, what?: Sign up for this climbing course, designed for children aged 8 and up, by August 19th. Instructors will share their passion of climbing – including proper fitting and sizing of gear, basic artificial wall climbing safety, protocol signals used for top-rope climbing, basic climbing techniques and movements – through a series of exciting and fun climbing related activities. Parents are welcome to join or watch with their kids.
For more info: http://www.sanirang.net or sanirang.info@gmail.com

Pansori
When: August 27th,  2011  – 8 p.m. 
Where: National Theatre of Korea, KB Cheongsonyeon Theatre, Seoul
(Dongguk University Station, Exit 6)
How much: W20,000 for all seats 
No really, what?: Pansori – a Korean traditional folk play – is exhibited in the 27th anniversary of this theatre event.
For more info: http://www.ntok.go.kr

IAAF World Championships
When: August 27th – September 4th,  2011     
Where: Daegu Stadium, Daegu
How much: W20,000 – W850,000 
No really, what?: Daegu had to beat out Brisbane and Moscow to score the International Association of Athletics Federations and it’s a huge event hosting athletes like Bolt Usain and Yelena Isinbayeva so everything about it is awesome. Check out the web site to see when you should go to cheer for your own country, or go to cheer for someone else’s country. We are the world, and all that.
For more info: http://www.iaaf.org/

House of Sharing English Tour and dinner!
When: August 28th, 2011 – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: House of Sharing, Gwangju (just outside of Seoul – meet at Gangbyeon Station at Exit 1. If you’re coming from Bundang, contact the organizers for directions straight to the museum)
How much: Free (first come, first served – the first 35 people to reserve spots will gain access to the tour) Dinner is free, but donations are always accepted.
No really, what?: We really can’t recommend this tour enough. It’s not exactly light fare for a Sunday afternoon, but it’s most certainly worth it and we’re losing survivors to tell their story as time goes on so don’t put it off. The halmonis (grandmothers) are ‘comfort women’ who were forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese. Come to the museum to hear their story – in some cases, although the grandmothers are frail, they will attempt to tell you your story and move you to compassion. Our humble gratitude always goes out to the young volunteers who lead free tours for expats throughout the country.
For more info: visits@houseofsharing.org

World Press Photo Exhibition
When: Until August 28th, 2011 – 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. 
Where: Hangaram Design Museum, Seoul Arts Centre, Seoul 
How much: W8,000 (adults), W6,000 (teens), W4,000 (children) 
No really, what?: Mind the first place piece, a portrait of Bibi Aisah, an 18-year-old Afghani woman whose nose and ear were cut off as punishment, and take a look at the rest of these poignant and thought-provoking award-winning pictures that represent human life throughout more than 100 cities.
For more info:  http://www.sac.or.kr

 

Lego Playworld
When: Until August 28th, 2011 – 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (7 p.m. on weekends)
Where: KOTREX in Daejeon
How much:  Adults W10,000 / Children W15,000
No really, what?: How often do you go to an exhibition where kids pay more than adults? Cough up your coins, children, and explore the magical world of Lego!
For more info: http://kotrex.com/english/sub/sub02.htm#asd
Fantasy Dance Performance
When: August 30th, 2011, 11 a.m. (80 minutes) 
Where: KB Haneul Youth Theatre, National Theatre, Seoul (Dongguk University Station, Exit 6)
How much: W10,000 (rice cakes included) 
No really, what?: Check out this show filled with a fan dance, noblemen dance and traditional dances involving drums and other Korean traditional instruments.
For more info:  http://www.ntok.go.kr 

 

Starry Night at the Seoul Zoo
When: Until August 31st, 2011 – 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Where: Seoul Zoo Grand Park, Seoul
How much: Adults – W3,000, Teenagers – W2,000 and Children – W1,000
No really, what?: Bring your camera for super fun at the nighttime zoo. Activities include mask making, cookie making, henna painting, a magic show, a night cinema and African dance and performances.
For more info: http://english.seoul.go.kr/cav/ena/eview.php?pidx=7&pYear=2011&pMonth=07&idx=131

Gangneung Danoje Festival
When: July 5th – September 6th, 2011
Where: Gangneung City, Gangwon Province 
How much: WFree admission 
No really, what?:  This traditional holiday festival celebrates the fifth day of the fifth month (Dano) and is a treat for anyone interested in learning about Korean culture while being just a hop and a skip from the beach. Folk performances, wrestling, swing riding, tug of war competitions, wedding ceremonies, rice cake…there’s a little bit of everything Korean at this festival.
For more info:   http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu

Traditional Music Class for Foreigners
When: every Saturday morning, beginning September 17th (sign up by September 2nd)
Where: National Gugak Centre (next to the Seoul Arts Centre in Seocho-gu)
How much: W30,000 (covering the whole 12-week course)
No really, what?:  The fall semester of 2011 Korean Traditional Music Class for Foreigners starts on Saturday 17 September at the National Gugak Center. The program will be conducted in English and Korean (with language assistants) and the instruments necessary for the lesson will be leased during the class. A final presentation (performance) will be held on the last day of class.
For more info: gugakwon@gmail.com
The Art of Disney’s Classic Fairy Tales
When: Until September 25th, 2011  
Where: Hangaram Design Museum, Seoul Arts Centre, Seoul 
How much: W14,000 (adults), W12,000 (teens), W10,000 (children) 
No really, what?: You already know the lyrics to all of the songs, so go ahead and sing ‘em while taking in this exhibition, curated by the Walt Disney Animation Research Library. Take in more than 600 artworks including paintings, concept art, production notes, maquettes, photographs and film clips. English tours are available by group reservations.  TheYeogiyo enjoyed this exhibition, but doesn’t necessarily recommend the audio tour – it doesn’t hurt, but you don’t need it.
For more info:  http://www.dctexhibition.com

Musee d’Orsay Exhibit
When: Until September 25th, 2011 – 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. 
Where: Hangaram Art Museum at Seoul Arts Centre
How much: W5,000 – W12,000
No really, what?:  Why go to Paris, when you can visit a part of it in Seoul? Van Gogh, Monet and Gauguin will be presented alongside other people who can paint real nice.
For more info:  https://www.sac.or.kr

 

American Art Exhibition
When: Until September 25th, 2011
Where: National Museum of Contemporary Art, Doeksugun Annex, Seoul
How much: W12,000
No really, what?: The Whitney Museum of American Art is lending 87 pieces to Seoul so that you can look at some art from home, perhaps get a little homesick, and use your melancholy and infinite sadness to create your own art.
For more info: http://www.moca.go.kr/
All That Jazz
When: Until October 30th, 2011
Where: SH Arts Hall – Jongnogu, Heywhadong, Daehakno
How much: W55,000 (R seats), W45,000 (S seats)
No really, what?:  The producer of a cable network, Yu Ra Seo, is headed for New York on the network chief’s orders to make an exclusive interview for the cover story with the world’s most famous choreographer, Tae Min Yoo. Things are not looking so bright when the cover story subject is known for his adamant refusal towards any types of press, and the fact that both Yu Ra and Tae Min were previously in a complicated relationship can’t make the situation any worse.
For More info: tgifrank2011@gmail.com or 010-3432-2477

Check-It-Out: TopDocumentaryFilms.com

Every Thursday I’m going to post a link or something that’s worth ‘checking out’ on the internet.

Top Documentary Films is a great website.  You can watch hundreds of free documentaries online.

If you’re not a fan of documentaries, you should be.  I think the world would be a smarter place if we watched these in school instead of teachers just telling us to read from the book while in class (where most of us just read the words without really trying to comprehend what we were actually reading).

There is such a variety of subjects on there.  If you want, you can subscribe to a newsletter which is more of a note of what new documentary has been added to the site.

Check it out!  Enjoy.

I’m Going to Japan!

I Googled: “read Japanese fast” because I’m going to Japan next week.
One link says “Try our 21 day trial of Read Japanese Fast.”

Not sure what their idea of ‘fast’ is…

Arnold Schwarzenegger is My Baby Daddy: Social Experiment

In honor of it being reported that Arnold Schwarzenegger does not want to pay any kind of alimony to his wife, Maria Shriver, I figured I should try to collect all the data from a little social experiment I did a while back when it hit the news waves that Arnold had been cheating on his wife with his housekeeper:

**Some links, messages, and other Arnold stuff will be updated soon

When I first heard that the Terminator was separating from wife Maria Shriver I wasn’t really surprised.  I’ve seen plenty of old Youtube videos and heard lots of rumors in the past of him doing what any other millionaire, Mr. Bodybuilder, superstar would do: Have sex with lots of women.

I figured the separation was due to his womanizing or something along those lines.

I was surprised how quickly word got out about it.  When I heard he was cheating on Shriver with someone I wondered what every other person (man) wondered: What’d that girl look like?

I was sitting at home on my laptop with CNN on TV in the background when they posted ‘breaking news’ information and images of Arnold’s woman friend (accompanied by what looks like little Arnold with down syndrome).  Damn, was I disappointed.  She is not a looker.  I think Arnold and Bill Clinton were in a competition for ugliest woman to cheat on while in office.

What got my attention was how CNN mentioned they got the woman’s information and photos off of Myspace.  Right then I realized that many, many people would be searching her all over the internet.  I did what any other bored, crazy mf’er would do: I made a Facebook account using the housekeeper’s name and photo I found off of Google.

Why?  There’s no real reason I guess.  Maybe I wanted to see how fast media/internet worked.  Maybe, I wanted to see what happens when someone with no name can suddenly be a household name.  But when it comes down to it, I think I just wanted to see if people would actually believe I was that person, just because you see a name with a photo on Facebook.

I made the account and put everything on private (so only accepted friends can see the account information).  I did this about 7pm on a Wednesday.

By noon Thursday the account had over 400 friend request and 70 private messages!  Unbelievable.  At 1am Thursday night/Friday morning there was over 550 friend requests and about 90 messages.  After thinking about it, I’m surprised it wasn’t more with the way media, rumor, and gossip works around the world.

At that time, I hadn’t accepted ANY friend requests.  I figured then it would without a doubt give the whole charade away.

The greatest thing about this whole little social experiment has been THE MESSAGES.  They range from “I’m praying for you and your family” to “you are a whore”…stuff like that.  I am dedicating a page just for the messages I received.  You can read them here.**

What was most shocking was the fact that I was messaged by the booking manager for the Piers Morgan Tonight show.  This is the show/host that replaced Larry King! ha!  They wanted to do an exclusive interview! I had an ongoing conversation with that person.**

I’ve also received messaged from other media outlets.**

The woman from this local California TV station was really anxious to get the first interview. **

I also received multiple messages from some crazy ass dude.**

This was an entertaining and interesting experiment.  It’s really shown the power of media and social networking.  It’s also shown me the dark side of that power.  Anyone with a computer can suddenly intrude into one’s life in the blink of an eye.

Facebook v. Google +

Google Plus: the next big thing?  Millions have signed up with Google’s new social networking site.  I got my invite via a friend on ‘Facebook.’..oh the sweet irony.

I went through and checked out GP but it’s hard to really get an idea of what the advantages/disadvantages are without having a bunch of people on there.  I’m a visual learner, ya dig?

I have noticed many people posting on Facebook, ready to make the switch due to Facebook’s consistent privacy infringements, as well as other fine tunings it has done like setting changes on profiles and chats.  I think it’s funny that people would leave Facebook for Google because of privacy.  I mean, this is GOOGLE we’re talking about.  Like, the largest collector of information (of all kind) in the world.  You really feel safer with Google?  It’s like Coke and Pepsi.

That said, I do have the feeling that many people want to make the switch for a reason different than those listed.  In their minds  “Facebook isn’t hip anymore.”  It’s cool to be hating on Facebook nowadays.  

I don’t know another product that people hate so much (while at the same time expressing that hatred by using the same product they hate).  But, you know hipsters…

…once everyone likes something, it can’t possibly be cool.  So, they’ll move on to Google Plus and the cycle continues (see MySpace —> Facebook).

Either way, if Google Plus’ product is better than Facebook, I will eventually make the change (like I did MySpace to Facebook).  I’m never in the front when it comes to technology.  Shit’s too hard to keep up with.  I’ll let my more adept friends get into it and I’ll trust their opinions.

But for now, Facebook fits all my possible needs (that I know of) for social networking.