Different Drummers and Dreamers

Well...time passed, as time passes, and I'm left with a great many things to report, but before I do, a dedication is in order.

To Kathryn Caroline Van Straten and her many Seoul sounds:

As many know, my sister visited Korea sometime near the end of June before leaving for Japan this midsummer. She spent twelve short days dancing along with the rhythm of the city, and I couldn't have asked for a better sojourn from reality. My mind was set free... And let me tell you, while Seoul continues to paint a glorious picture daily, and meeting new and wonderful people of the world never becomes tiresome, while a city of 14 million people fails to exhibit boredom, and the opportunity for discovery trickles from every stream and brook, what they say about missing someone after they've gone is true. Where they used to be, there is a hole. Void. Empty. I do miss my sister.

But, instead of trying to string the events of her time spent into a coherent narrative, I'll bring the beat like this - imagery.

Seoul Sista! (arrival in Incheon)

Not gonna lie...Kate was used (willingly ^^)

Ssshhh! Waygook speak not on the subway...just smile and look foreign.

Kate has an anime fetish we're trying to exorcise..."out foul Hello Kitty demon, out!!"

A taste of home @ Gecko's in Itaewon

First shisha...note the creepy Shaun expression in the background.

...and just because this picture is great - M M M Morgan!

Mt. Inwansang


Myawng (reflection)

Korean Folk village

She even declared independence from Japan before going there...nobody oppresses Kate! (all in the name of preventative measure)

...and remember folks, Korea is not the place to find ice-cream

EndNote: My hands quiver in the shadow of paranoia as I sit here confounded...confounded as to how. How do constituents of the "crimson guild" wedge through such impassable spaces unobserved? How do the blood-sucking bastards derive such evil magic? How, I say?! So swings the wanton pendulum of battle between seemingly balanced rivals - the incessant scream of little wings, the misdirected swat of flailing appendages. Ssshhh! There it is again... "aawWWW, C'MON!!!," muffled enough to ensure Jasmine's ofttimes fragile slumber in the next room. Pure ridiculousness. I need a damn bug-zapper! "The only good mosquito..."

(Early on I was told of Korea's notorious mosquito infestation during the summer months & monsoon season, but not until recently since the sky's been dumping consistently has it ever been this bad. I wouldn't be so mad if the air in Seoul was clean enough to allow your skin to heal, but as is, parts of my body look like they're revisiting oily adolescence. Enough said - Wisconsin, I miss your regenerative elegance.)

Kate...I love you!