I get a few days off in late May, and the holidays after that all land on weekends. So I devised a possible getaway plan for that week. The question is... am I crazy to do this?
Here's how it looks (this may or may not be possible):
-Tuesday afternoon/evening: come home from work, take a short nap
-Wednesday morning, around 2am: go to Seoul Station (close to my place) and take KTX bullet train to Busan
-Wednesday morning, around dawn: arrive in Busan, take earliest ferry to Fukuoka
-Wednesday, mid-morning or around noon: arrive in Fukuoka, take bullet train to Hiroshima
-Wednesday evening: return to Fukuoka and stay in hostel, or stay overnight in Hiroshima hostel (depends on when my Hiroshima activity finishes)
-Thursday: explore Fukuoka, start heading back in mid-afternoon
-Thursday evening: arrive in Busan, get on KTX bullet train to Seoul
-Friday morning: back at Seoul Station, take the short stroll home and rest up a bit
-Saturday, around 6am: trip to the DMZ
-Sunday: rest at home and sleep in
This schedule assumes that the KTX runs 24 hours, which is a rumor that I heard but haven't verified yet. In any case, this sounds like an insane trip. But since I'm all the way over here, it might be the last chance I'll get in a while to explore East Asia.
I'm still debating whether or not to try this stunt.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
TV shows (Part 4)
This post is the fourth installment of my original "TV shows" post.
---
Show: Leverage
Original network: TNT
Description: Nathan is a former fraud insurance investigator who rounds up a group of thieves, con artists and hackers and gets them to do the unlikely -- team up and fight for the good side. Their clients are people who cannot otherwise go to the police with their situations, but the rightful and wrongful sides are normally pretty clear-cut, no matter how despicable one or both sides may be. Their first job is a heist where their client double-crossed everyone, but they succeed in getting revenge, and everyone gets rich in the process. Faced with unlimited riches, they now have no desire to earn more money and use their skills to help those they can for personal satisfaction rather than for personal gain.
My take: This show got off to a slow start but picks up steam by the end of the first season. There is a lot of tongue-in-cheek humor for most of the episodes, owing to brilliant writing. It's the same type of humor that Burn Notice has but taken to another more sarcastic level. The characters themselves are a little flat but they have well-rounded foundations, allowing the script to sometimes take an extra step, resulting in some quality episodes. This show has hit its stride, but has yet to peak.
---
Show: Life Unexpected
Original network: The CW
Description: Lux is a teenager who has been bumped from foster home to foster home throughout her life. She seems to be unwanted; her heart condition during infancy made her undesirable and by the time she had the problem under control, she was at an undesirable age for adoption. Frustrated by the situation, she applies for emancipation but must confront her birth parents in the process. The judge, dissatisfied with Lux's plans to live alone but equally appalled at how she has been handled so far, denies her emancipation claim but instead returns custody rights to her birth parents, who now must confront the responsibilities of being parents and salvage what they can from their old relationship.
My take: This show, shot in my hometown of Vancouver, debuted earlier this year and while it hasn't really hit its stride yet, it's sure picking up some steam. The premise has a lot of promise, and I'm interested to see where they're going with it. Lux is a great character that, for me, is a clear echo of the character of Andy from Kyle XY (played by Magda Apanowicz, one of my favorites). It clearly picks up some influence from Juno but is a lot more realistic and grounded. This show has some serious potential, and hopefully it is granted a second season to prove itself.
---
Show: Little Mosque on the Prairie
Original network: CBC
Description: In the town of Mercy, Saskatchewan, a small group of Muslims co-exist with the town's majority Christian population in relatively peace. However, with the new events in the world, this balance is constantly being challenged, particularly with the town's conservative radio host and, in recent seasons, a newly arrived reverend who believes that Muslims have no place in the rural Canadian town, where both religions ironically share the church.
My take: This show had a strong start but is starting to wear out its welcome. Its original premise of showing the differences between rural Canada and the immigrant Muslim population is noble but it has strayed away from that in recent seasons in favor of the rivalry between Reverend Thorne and Amaar. I won't be surprised to see this show canceled during this off-season hiatus.
---
Show: Arrested Development
Original network: FOX (no longer airing)
Description: After the head of Orange County, California's largest development company, George Bluth Sr., is arrested, his family (consisting of Michael Bluth, GOB Bluth, Lucille Bluth, Buster Bluth and Lindsay Bluth) must deal with the consequences. The problem is, all of them are idiots or immoral people, with the arguable exception of Michael. As George Sr.'s crimes become more and more apparent, it is up to Michael to both keep the family together and decide whether or not it is better to keep his father behind bars.
My take: This is the best sitcom of all time. I have no hesitation claiming this. There is a reason why DVD sales have single-handedly made this show a household name and made FOX a running joke for canceling quality shows before giving them a chance. This highly addictive series has so many running gags that you can watch the episodes countless times and still not catch them all. The attention to detail is so amazing that you can spot the show foreshadowing storylines and details that are seasons away. Eventually, even the mere mention of "COME ON!" or "Mr. F." will make you giggle, even if the joke has no context whatsoever. This is a very powerful sitcom that wasn't given a fair chance by FOX, but is now getting widely recognized nowadays.
---
Show: Degrassi: The Next Generation
Original network: CTV
Description: A spin-off of the Degrassi High School series from the 1980s, Degrassi: the Next Generation is an updated and modernized version that deals with issues that are an issue in today's world that might not have been such a big deal back then. The issues are often controversial in nature, such as sexuality, teen pregnancy, juvenile drug use, mental illness, school shootings, and so on -- the content of some of the episodes has led to it being censored in the United States, and thus leading American fans to acquire bootlegs from the show's native Canada.
My take: This show does something rare in today's world -- it manages to reinvent itself year after year without starting all over again. Like in real life where students come and go, the show's actors also come and go. Today's cast only slightly resembles the show's original cast, with the exception of the actors playing the teachers and parents. The original cast members make the odd appearance here and there, but have otherwise "graduated" from the show. What's amazing about this is that the show keeps itself relevant despite the high turnover and without making itself stale. However, the high emphasis on sexuality issues seem to overrun the show sometimes. Some have also criticized the show's lack of ethnic diversity, since multiculturalism is one of urban Canada's defining characteristics. But despite these criticisms, it's still a solid show.
---
Next time: Modern Family, Monk, The Office, One Tree Hill, Psych
---
Show: Leverage
Original network: TNT
Description: Nathan is a former fraud insurance investigator who rounds up a group of thieves, con artists and hackers and gets them to do the unlikely -- team up and fight for the good side. Their clients are people who cannot otherwise go to the police with their situations, but the rightful and wrongful sides are normally pretty clear-cut, no matter how despicable one or both sides may be. Their first job is a heist where their client double-crossed everyone, but they succeed in getting revenge, and everyone gets rich in the process. Faced with unlimited riches, they now have no desire to earn more money and use their skills to help those they can for personal satisfaction rather than for personal gain.
My take: This show got off to a slow start but picks up steam by the end of the first season. There is a lot of tongue-in-cheek humor for most of the episodes, owing to brilliant writing. It's the same type of humor that Burn Notice has but taken to another more sarcastic level. The characters themselves are a little flat but they have well-rounded foundations, allowing the script to sometimes take an extra step, resulting in some quality episodes. This show has hit its stride, but has yet to peak.
---
Show: Life Unexpected
Original network: The CW
Description: Lux is a teenager who has been bumped from foster home to foster home throughout her life. She seems to be unwanted; her heart condition during infancy made her undesirable and by the time she had the problem under control, she was at an undesirable age for adoption. Frustrated by the situation, she applies for emancipation but must confront her birth parents in the process. The judge, dissatisfied with Lux's plans to live alone but equally appalled at how she has been handled so far, denies her emancipation claim but instead returns custody rights to her birth parents, who now must confront the responsibilities of being parents and salvage what they can from their old relationship.
My take: This show, shot in my hometown of Vancouver, debuted earlier this year and while it hasn't really hit its stride yet, it's sure picking up some steam. The premise has a lot of promise, and I'm interested to see where they're going with it. Lux is a great character that, for me, is a clear echo of the character of Andy from Kyle XY (played by Magda Apanowicz, one of my favorites). It clearly picks up some influence from Juno but is a lot more realistic and grounded. This show has some serious potential, and hopefully it is granted a second season to prove itself.
---
Show: Little Mosque on the Prairie
Original network: CBC
Description: In the town of Mercy, Saskatchewan, a small group of Muslims co-exist with the town's majority Christian population in relatively peace. However, with the new events in the world, this balance is constantly being challenged, particularly with the town's conservative radio host and, in recent seasons, a newly arrived reverend who believes that Muslims have no place in the rural Canadian town, where both religions ironically share the church.
My take: This show had a strong start but is starting to wear out its welcome. Its original premise of showing the differences between rural Canada and the immigrant Muslim population is noble but it has strayed away from that in recent seasons in favor of the rivalry between Reverend Thorne and Amaar. I won't be surprised to see this show canceled during this off-season hiatus.
---
Show: Arrested Development
Original network: FOX (no longer airing)
Description: After the head of Orange County, California's largest development company, George Bluth Sr., is arrested, his family (consisting of Michael Bluth, GOB Bluth, Lucille Bluth, Buster Bluth and Lindsay Bluth) must deal with the consequences. The problem is, all of them are idiots or immoral people, with the arguable exception of Michael. As George Sr.'s crimes become more and more apparent, it is up to Michael to both keep the family together and decide whether or not it is better to keep his father behind bars.
My take: This is the best sitcom of all time. I have no hesitation claiming this. There is a reason why DVD sales have single-handedly made this show a household name and made FOX a running joke for canceling quality shows before giving them a chance. This highly addictive series has so many running gags that you can watch the episodes countless times and still not catch them all. The attention to detail is so amazing that you can spot the show foreshadowing storylines and details that are seasons away. Eventually, even the mere mention of "COME ON!" or "Mr. F." will make you giggle, even if the joke has no context whatsoever. This is a very powerful sitcom that wasn't given a fair chance by FOX, but is now getting widely recognized nowadays.
---
Show: Degrassi: The Next Generation
Original network: CTV
Description: A spin-off of the Degrassi High School series from the 1980s, Degrassi: the Next Generation is an updated and modernized version that deals with issues that are an issue in today's world that might not have been such a big deal back then. The issues are often controversial in nature, such as sexuality, teen pregnancy, juvenile drug use, mental illness, school shootings, and so on -- the content of some of the episodes has led to it being censored in the United States, and thus leading American fans to acquire bootlegs from the show's native Canada.
My take: This show does something rare in today's world -- it manages to reinvent itself year after year without starting all over again. Like in real life where students come and go, the show's actors also come and go. Today's cast only slightly resembles the show's original cast, with the exception of the actors playing the teachers and parents. The original cast members make the odd appearance here and there, but have otherwise "graduated" from the show. What's amazing about this is that the show keeps itself relevant despite the high turnover and without making itself stale. However, the high emphasis on sexuality issues seem to overrun the show sometimes. Some have also criticized the show's lack of ethnic diversity, since multiculturalism is one of urban Canada's defining characteristics. But despite these criticisms, it's still a solid show.
---
Next time: Modern Family, Monk, The Office, One Tree Hill, Psych
Sunday, April 25, 2010
TV shows (Part 3)
This post is the third installment of my original "TV shows" post.
---
Show: Glee
Original network: FOX
Description: After finding out that the school's glee club's head was fired for inappropriate behavior, teacher Will Schuster seeks and is granted permission to take over. He has a new vision for the group, but runs into several roadblocks -- the group is made up of a bunch of random people who seem to have no chemistry together. In addition, he is faced with competition from Sue, the head of the school's highly successful cheerleading club, and criticism from his wife, who wants him to be more of a breadwinner. However, Will soon finds a way to recruit more members despite the club's negative reputation, including the quarterback of the school's football team. Beating the odds, the glee club becomes highly successful and meshes together, while being constantly challenged and mocked by the majority of the school.
My take: This is a refreshing change from the type of shows that dominates today's TV networks. It is clever but not in a smart-ass way. It's entertaining without being stupid. It's touching without being too cliché. This show seems to consistently maintain a balance between fantasy and realism, as it's not quite believable but not so out of the realm of believability that you can't take it seriously. This type of show is rare in today's world.
---
Show: Heroes
Original network: FOX
Description: Some chosen few in the world are born with abilities and super powers; nobody knows why or how this happens. However, one thing becomes clear -- they are supposed to use the powers to somehow save the world in the future. However, there are also people who use the powers for evil rather than good, and it is up to the other people with powers to stop them before it's too late.
My take: This show has gone downhill in recent seasons, but it has produced one of the best villains I have ever seen -- Sylar. Sylar is what every TV show villain should be: sadistic, uncaring, ruthless, ambiguous. There are pockets of time where Sylar seems to switch to the good side, but you always get the sinking feeling that he will come back more bad-ass than ever -- and it happens every time without fail. To tell you the truth, Sylar's probably the only reason why this show remains even somewhat interesting.
---
Show: In Plain Sight
Original network: USA Network
Description: Mary is a US Marshal who is part of the witness protection program in Albuquerque. Together with another US Marshal (ironically named Marshall), she must make sure those put under her charge are safe and remain undiscovered. Of course, there are so many things that can go wrong in such situations, and they often do. Also, Mary is probably the most tempermental marshal in the world, which makes people highly uncomfortable to be with her or work with her, but ultimately she always seems to make the right choice.
My take: This show isn't bad but it has the potential to be much better. The characters of Mary and Marshall are works of art, but you get the feeling that there is one more level that this show could reach. Sure, the characters in witness protection are in danger, but sometimes I feel like they're not in as much danger as they could be. This show is annoying in that sense -- it's good but it can kick it up a notch.
---
Show: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Original network: HBO
Description: At Paddy's Pub in Philadelphia, four friends run the relatively unsuccessful place despite having clashing personalities. How do they clash? Well, they're basically all assholes with no morals. They never see the wrongs of their ways, ignoring such things as morals, empathy or common sense. In the second season, they are joined by characters Dennis and Dee's father, Frank (played by Danny DeVito).
My take: This is one of the best comedies to ever hit the air. Period. It is moronic but in a good way since, well, every character is a moron. The rate at which morality and sensibility spirals downhill from the start of the show to the end of it is just incredible, and there are various parts where you'll wonder how they dodged the censors. When Danny DeVito joins the show in the second season, it goes from good to mind-blowingly excellent. Running jokes from the show such as the Green Man and the Day Man song have found their way to everyday life (the Green Men are currently a staple of the NHL playoffs this year), and for good reason. This is a must-see.
---
Show: Kyle XY
Original network: ABC Family (no longer airing)
Description: A teenage boy, eventually named Kyle, is discovered in the woods, without any memories or ability to speak or communicate. A foster family takes in this seemingly feral boy, only to find out some weird quirks about him. He has no belly button, he can pick up language within a day, he can perform calculations that humans can't do, he can remember details of everything, and so on. In other words, he seems to be like a human machine. Eventually it is discovered that he is a pet project of a secret organization desperate to get him back by any means.
My take: Filmed in my hometown of Vancouver, this show was canceled earlier than it should've been. It's a curious mixture of comedy, family values, action and romance. And strangely enough, it actually works quite well. Kyle is trying to discover himself at an age where self-identification is important, while dealing with people who want to hunt him down and dealing with the typical emotions and problems of a teenager. It is ultimately a story of self-discovery and how people around you shape the type of person you are, even if you were born under circumstances that can't be changed and have an effect on your everyday life. This show is also a perfect example of how to create cliffhangers, so it's unfortunate that it was canned before we got some true answers to the final cliffhanger of the last season.
---
Next time: Leverage, Life Unexpected, Little Mosque on the Prairie, Arrested Development, Degrassi: The Next Generation
---
Show: Glee
Original network: FOX
Description: After finding out that the school's glee club's head was fired for inappropriate behavior, teacher Will Schuster seeks and is granted permission to take over. He has a new vision for the group, but runs into several roadblocks -- the group is made up of a bunch of random people who seem to have no chemistry together. In addition, he is faced with competition from Sue, the head of the school's highly successful cheerleading club, and criticism from his wife, who wants him to be more of a breadwinner. However, Will soon finds a way to recruit more members despite the club's negative reputation, including the quarterback of the school's football team. Beating the odds, the glee club becomes highly successful and meshes together, while being constantly challenged and mocked by the majority of the school.
My take: This is a refreshing change from the type of shows that dominates today's TV networks. It is clever but not in a smart-ass way. It's entertaining without being stupid. It's touching without being too cliché. This show seems to consistently maintain a balance between fantasy and realism, as it's not quite believable but not so out of the realm of believability that you can't take it seriously. This type of show is rare in today's world.
---
Show: Heroes
Original network: FOX
Description: Some chosen few in the world are born with abilities and super powers; nobody knows why or how this happens. However, one thing becomes clear -- they are supposed to use the powers to somehow save the world in the future. However, there are also people who use the powers for evil rather than good, and it is up to the other people with powers to stop them before it's too late.
My take: This show has gone downhill in recent seasons, but it has produced one of the best villains I have ever seen -- Sylar. Sylar is what every TV show villain should be: sadistic, uncaring, ruthless, ambiguous. There are pockets of time where Sylar seems to switch to the good side, but you always get the sinking feeling that he will come back more bad-ass than ever -- and it happens every time without fail. To tell you the truth, Sylar's probably the only reason why this show remains even somewhat interesting.
---
Show: In Plain Sight
Original network: USA Network
Description: Mary is a US Marshal who is part of the witness protection program in Albuquerque. Together with another US Marshal (ironically named Marshall), she must make sure those put under her charge are safe and remain undiscovered. Of course, there are so many things that can go wrong in such situations, and they often do. Also, Mary is probably the most tempermental marshal in the world, which makes people highly uncomfortable to be with her or work with her, but ultimately she always seems to make the right choice.
My take: This show isn't bad but it has the potential to be much better. The characters of Mary and Marshall are works of art, but you get the feeling that there is one more level that this show could reach. Sure, the characters in witness protection are in danger, but sometimes I feel like they're not in as much danger as they could be. This show is annoying in that sense -- it's good but it can kick it up a notch.
---
Show: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Original network: HBO
Description: At Paddy's Pub in Philadelphia, four friends run the relatively unsuccessful place despite having clashing personalities. How do they clash? Well, they're basically all assholes with no morals. They never see the wrongs of their ways, ignoring such things as morals, empathy or common sense. In the second season, they are joined by characters Dennis and Dee's father, Frank (played by Danny DeVito).
My take: This is one of the best comedies to ever hit the air. Period. It is moronic but in a good way since, well, every character is a moron. The rate at which morality and sensibility spirals downhill from the start of the show to the end of it is just incredible, and there are various parts where you'll wonder how they dodged the censors. When Danny DeVito joins the show in the second season, it goes from good to mind-blowingly excellent. Running jokes from the show such as the Green Man and the Day Man song have found their way to everyday life (the Green Men are currently a staple of the NHL playoffs this year), and for good reason. This is a must-see.
---
Show: Kyle XY
Original network: ABC Family (no longer airing)
Description: A teenage boy, eventually named Kyle, is discovered in the woods, without any memories or ability to speak or communicate. A foster family takes in this seemingly feral boy, only to find out some weird quirks about him. He has no belly button, he can pick up language within a day, he can perform calculations that humans can't do, he can remember details of everything, and so on. In other words, he seems to be like a human machine. Eventually it is discovered that he is a pet project of a secret organization desperate to get him back by any means.
My take: Filmed in my hometown of Vancouver, this show was canceled earlier than it should've been. It's a curious mixture of comedy, family values, action and romance. And strangely enough, it actually works quite well. Kyle is trying to discover himself at an age where self-identification is important, while dealing with people who want to hunt him down and dealing with the typical emotions and problems of a teenager. It is ultimately a story of self-discovery and how people around you shape the type of person you are, even if you were born under circumstances that can't be changed and have an effect on your everyday life. This show is also a perfect example of how to create cliffhangers, so it's unfortunate that it was canned before we got some true answers to the final cliffhanger of the last season.
---
Next time: Leverage, Life Unexpected, Little Mosque on the Prairie, Arrested Development, Degrassi: The Next Generation
Friday, April 23, 2010
TV shows (Part 2)
This post is the second installment of my original "TV shows" post.
---
Show: Burn Notice
Original network: USA Network
Description: Michael Weston is a secret agent who gets a "burn notice," which is a bulletin sent out to disown an agent deemed to be compromised or corrupt. Knowing for sure that he didn't do anything wrong, Michael has to find out who burned him without any legal resources (which were cut off after he was disowned). The only people he has to help him are his annoying mother Sharon, his seemingly alcoholic best friend Sam and his violent ex-girlfriend Fiona.
My take: This is a wonderfully written show that somehow finds a way to stay entertaining long beyond my expectations. It has excellent tongue-in-cheek humor that avoids the common cliches found in spy stories, allowing the show to remain intelligent throughout the seasons. Recently, the show was renewed for another two seasons; I can't be happier about that.
---
Show: Caprica
Original network: Syfy
Description: Created as a sort of prequel to Battlestar Galactica, this show tells the story of a group of best friends ripped apart after a terrorist explosion on a train. However, one of the girls killed named Zoe had created a virtual avatar of herself before she died, and the surviving best friend, Lacey, finds it. However, she is caught by Zoe's father, who owns a major defense technology company, and he takes the avatar. He uses the avatar to cope with his daughter's death, but eventually uses it to develop military super-machines. Even though the avatar is still technically a robot, it still has the same human feelings as Zoe. As a result, one of the main debates on the show is about whether robots with feelings should be considered human.
My take: Filmed in my hometown of Vancouver, this is one of the best shows to debut in the past year. The question of robot morality is enough to make this series interesting, but it also mixes in with other pressing issues like morality in personal lives and racism. The acting is extremely strong and complements the writing very well; I found myself cringing during some scenes because they were done so brilliantly. I've never seen Battlestar Galactica, nor am I normally a big fan of science fiction, but this series really blew me away.
---
Show: The Cleveland Show
Original network: FOX
Description: A spin-off of Family Guy, this show follows Cleveland Brown as he moves back to his stomping grounds of Stoolbend, Virginia. He brings his son along with him and moves in with his new wife.
My take: This show has its moments, but they are filled in between by absolutely pathetic episodes. I watch it out of pure curiosity, but I don't see this show lasting for much longer.
---
Show: Curb Your Enthusiasm
Original network: HBO
Description: The series is about a fictional version of Larry David, one of the writers and creators of Seinfeld. Larry is depicted as a misanthropist and bitter man who finds fault with everything in life, whether it be tipping at restaurants or something small that someone does. Things are blown out of proportion to the point of ridiculousness and often results in people just screaming obscenities at each other.
My take: This show is based on one of the simplest concepts out there -- what happens when you speak your mind without filtering your thoughts. I'm sure most of us have considered doing this at one point or another, and this series shows exactly what would happen if we were to act on our impulses. It's not afraid to hold anything back and some of the stuff on the show will make you go, "Are they really allowed to air this?"
---
Show: Family Guy
Original network: FOX
Description: Everyone knows this show already.
My take: This show's quality has waned in recent years, but it still has classic moments. It has long passed its prime but I think it's still relevant. It reminds me of The Simpsons; nobody really expects anything original or new from them anymore, but people still find reasons to follow it as a casual spectator. It's not that its shtick is getting old though. I think it's just the writers' inability to come up with situations and jokes that match the older episodes'.
---
Next time: Glee, Heroes, In Plain Sight, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Kyle XY
---
Show: Burn Notice
Original network: USA Network
Description: Michael Weston is a secret agent who gets a "burn notice," which is a bulletin sent out to disown an agent deemed to be compromised or corrupt. Knowing for sure that he didn't do anything wrong, Michael has to find out who burned him without any legal resources (which were cut off after he was disowned). The only people he has to help him are his annoying mother Sharon, his seemingly alcoholic best friend Sam and his violent ex-girlfriend Fiona.
My take: This is a wonderfully written show that somehow finds a way to stay entertaining long beyond my expectations. It has excellent tongue-in-cheek humor that avoids the common cliches found in spy stories, allowing the show to remain intelligent throughout the seasons. Recently, the show was renewed for another two seasons; I can't be happier about that.
---
Show: Caprica
Original network: Syfy
Description: Created as a sort of prequel to Battlestar Galactica, this show tells the story of a group of best friends ripped apart after a terrorist explosion on a train. However, one of the girls killed named Zoe had created a virtual avatar of herself before she died, and the surviving best friend, Lacey, finds it. However, she is caught by Zoe's father, who owns a major defense technology company, and he takes the avatar. He uses the avatar to cope with his daughter's death, but eventually uses it to develop military super-machines. Even though the avatar is still technically a robot, it still has the same human feelings as Zoe. As a result, one of the main debates on the show is about whether robots with feelings should be considered human.
My take: Filmed in my hometown of Vancouver, this is one of the best shows to debut in the past year. The question of robot morality is enough to make this series interesting, but it also mixes in with other pressing issues like morality in personal lives and racism. The acting is extremely strong and complements the writing very well; I found myself cringing during some scenes because they were done so brilliantly. I've never seen Battlestar Galactica, nor am I normally a big fan of science fiction, but this series really blew me away.
---
Show: The Cleveland Show
Original network: FOX
Description: A spin-off of Family Guy, this show follows Cleveland Brown as he moves back to his stomping grounds of Stoolbend, Virginia. He brings his son along with him and moves in with his new wife.
My take: This show has its moments, but they are filled in between by absolutely pathetic episodes. I watch it out of pure curiosity, but I don't see this show lasting for much longer.
---
Show: Curb Your Enthusiasm
Original network: HBO
Description: The series is about a fictional version of Larry David, one of the writers and creators of Seinfeld. Larry is depicted as a misanthropist and bitter man who finds fault with everything in life, whether it be tipping at restaurants or something small that someone does. Things are blown out of proportion to the point of ridiculousness and often results in people just screaming obscenities at each other.
My take: This show is based on one of the simplest concepts out there -- what happens when you speak your mind without filtering your thoughts. I'm sure most of us have considered doing this at one point or another, and this series shows exactly what would happen if we were to act on our impulses. It's not afraid to hold anything back and some of the stuff on the show will make you go, "Are they really allowed to air this?"
---
Show: Family Guy
Original network: FOX
Description: Everyone knows this show already.
My take: This show's quality has waned in recent years, but it still has classic moments. It has long passed its prime but I think it's still relevant. It reminds me of The Simpsons; nobody really expects anything original or new from them anymore, but people still find reasons to follow it as a casual spectator. It's not that its shtick is getting old though. I think it's just the writers' inability to come up with situations and jokes that match the older episodes'.
---
Next time: Glee, Heroes, In Plain Sight, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Kyle XY
Thursday, April 22, 2010
TV shows (Part 1)
I follow a lot of TV shows.
That seems to be a blessing sometimes. During this past dreadfully cold winter, I had the chance to catch up or familiarize myself with a lot of TV shows. I mean, when it's so cold that ice is forming in your apartment, who really wants to go outside?
So I'm going to post some short description and reviews of TV shows that I watch. If you're bored or the weather's bad, and you're looking for something to watch, this can be a good guide.
Some of these shows are no longer airing, so you might have to do a little digging. They will be listed in alphabetical order.
There are many shows on the list, so this post will be broken up into several parts.
---
Show: 10 Things I Hate About You
Original network: ABC Family
Description: Based on the movie with the same name, sisters Kat and Bianca move from Ohio to California. The two siblings are like night and day -- Kat is a passionate environmentalist and feminist, while Bianca just wants to be popular at school. The series follow the two as they try to get through high school, with boyfriends, enemies, an overbearing father and so on.
My take: This show is no award-winner, but it's good for guilty pleasure. There is the odd funny moment, but you've really got to have a particular sense of humor for this show sometimes.
---
Show: 24
Original network: FOX
Description: Jack Bauer kicks ass and saves the world. I think everyone knows this show by now.
My take: This show has its ups and downs. The downside of having every season take place in a single day is that if the storyline isn't good, the show will slump for a whole season. But that's also its strength -- if the storyline is good, the entire season would be excellent. The current season is very well done; too bad it's the show's final season.
---
Show: 90210
Original network: The CW
Description: The Wilson family relocates to Beverly Hills after living in Kansas for a long time. Immediately, there is culture shock as members of the family have to adjust (or, in the case of the parents, re-adjust) to life back in California. But it's not only the newcomers with problems, as the local kids have issues of their own as they deal with love partners, friendship, sexuality and so on.
My take: It's an interesting update to an original series. However, sometimes I feel like it needs to kick it up another notch as the story arcs can sometimes drag on for longer than it needs to.
---
Show: American Dad!
Original network: FOX
Description: Stan Smith is an agent for the CIA is politically and socially conservative, and handles his life like how he handles his work. His wife, Francine, is ditzy and tries to tolerate her husband. The son, Steve, is a nerdy geek who Stan cringes at, while the daughter Haley is a staunch environmentalist. Roger, an alien captured and sheltered by Stan, also lives in the family but acts as mostly an annoyance. The fish, Klaus, can talk as he is actually a human transferred into a fish's body after a botched CIA experiment.
My take: This show is consistently interesting but not consistently funny. But the funny episodes are normally extremely well done, so it's worth tuning in sometimes just to see if it's any good or not. The joke material has toned down quite a notch after George W. Bush gave up his presidency as the show is finding it harder to find relevant material.
---
Show: Being Erica
Original network: CBC
Description: Erica is a woman whose life has been a disaster. She chose all the wrong decisions in her life, and despite having a great education and personality, it seems like nothing has ever gone her way. One day, she meets a man offering to change her life. Skeptical, she shows up and finds out that the man is a "therapist." In reality, the man has the power to give Erica the chance to go back in time and correct the errors and wrong choices in her life. While this sounds wonderful, Erica quickly finds out that sometimes it's better to leave the wrong choices alone than fixing them.
My take: This is an excellent show. It addresses what many of us often wish for, while not being overly fantastical. It addresses the question "What if?" and the idea of alternate realities that are even worse than the present situation is intriguing.
---
Next time: Burn Notice, Caprica, The Cleveland Show, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Family Guy
That seems to be a blessing sometimes. During this past dreadfully cold winter, I had the chance to catch up or familiarize myself with a lot of TV shows. I mean, when it's so cold that ice is forming in your apartment, who really wants to go outside?
So I'm going to post some short description and reviews of TV shows that I watch. If you're bored or the weather's bad, and you're looking for something to watch, this can be a good guide.
Some of these shows are no longer airing, so you might have to do a little digging. They will be listed in alphabetical order.
There are many shows on the list, so this post will be broken up into several parts.
---
Show: 10 Things I Hate About You
Original network: ABC Family
Description: Based on the movie with the same name, sisters Kat and Bianca move from Ohio to California. The two siblings are like night and day -- Kat is a passionate environmentalist and feminist, while Bianca just wants to be popular at school. The series follow the two as they try to get through high school, with boyfriends, enemies, an overbearing father and so on.
My take: This show is no award-winner, but it's good for guilty pleasure. There is the odd funny moment, but you've really got to have a particular sense of humor for this show sometimes.
---
Show: 24
Original network: FOX
Description: Jack Bauer kicks ass and saves the world. I think everyone knows this show by now.
My take: This show has its ups and downs. The downside of having every season take place in a single day is that if the storyline isn't good, the show will slump for a whole season. But that's also its strength -- if the storyline is good, the entire season would be excellent. The current season is very well done; too bad it's the show's final season.
---
Show: 90210
Original network: The CW
Description: The Wilson family relocates to Beverly Hills after living in Kansas for a long time. Immediately, there is culture shock as members of the family have to adjust (or, in the case of the parents, re-adjust) to life back in California. But it's not only the newcomers with problems, as the local kids have issues of their own as they deal with love partners, friendship, sexuality and so on.
My take: It's an interesting update to an original series. However, sometimes I feel like it needs to kick it up another notch as the story arcs can sometimes drag on for longer than it needs to.
---
Show: American Dad!
Original network: FOX
Description: Stan Smith is an agent for the CIA is politically and socially conservative, and handles his life like how he handles his work. His wife, Francine, is ditzy and tries to tolerate her husband. The son, Steve, is a nerdy geek who Stan cringes at, while the daughter Haley is a staunch environmentalist. Roger, an alien captured and sheltered by Stan, also lives in the family but acts as mostly an annoyance. The fish, Klaus, can talk as he is actually a human transferred into a fish's body after a botched CIA experiment.
My take: This show is consistently interesting but not consistently funny. But the funny episodes are normally extremely well done, so it's worth tuning in sometimes just to see if it's any good or not. The joke material has toned down quite a notch after George W. Bush gave up his presidency as the show is finding it harder to find relevant material.
---
Show: Being Erica
Original network: CBC
Description: Erica is a woman whose life has been a disaster. She chose all the wrong decisions in her life, and despite having a great education and personality, it seems like nothing has ever gone her way. One day, she meets a man offering to change her life. Skeptical, she shows up and finds out that the man is a "therapist." In reality, the man has the power to give Erica the chance to go back in time and correct the errors and wrong choices in her life. While this sounds wonderful, Erica quickly finds out that sometimes it's better to leave the wrong choices alone than fixing them.
My take: This is an excellent show. It addresses what many of us often wish for, while not being overly fantastical. It addresses the question "What if?" and the idea of alternate realities that are even worse than the present situation is intriguing.
---
Next time: Burn Notice, Caprica, The Cleveland Show, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Family Guy
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Treatment of students
Sometimes the students really drive me nuts.
But sometimes you discover something interesting about them.
Today, when my co-teacher (in my previous post) took over the first half of the class, I had to temporarily change my role to a classroom assistant until his lesson was finished. Apparently the class had fallen behind a bit and needed to catch up on some things.
The co-teacher tends to teach with an air of authority. He is one of those teachers who likes to be strict and force the students to listen rather than ask questions or interact in English; the students were told to be quiet all the time, even when they were. He handed out a worksheet about past tense, and had the students work on it.
I was near the back of the room and looked at the students. Some were a bit confused and didn't know what to do. These are normally my problematic students; they're the ones who are often off-task. When they saw me coming, they looked a little scared.
I stopped and spoke to them in the kindest voice I can manage. "Do you understand?" They shook their heads. So I knelt down and showed them how to do the worksheet. I did it in the gentlest way possible. These students are smart but they were just confused; they didn't want to ask for help because the class was so strict.
After showing them, they started to understand. And one of the most rewarding things with that is how they see you afterwards. In a class where things are strict, I tried to show that I am approachable and care about them. It proved to be helpful later when they discovered an error in the worksheet. Who was the person they asked for, when pointing it out? Me. They specifically asked for me to come and said, "Mr. C., there's a mistake." It appeared like they were more comfortable telling me about it than the co-teacher, which surprised me.
The students, especially the ones who used to be at the back and disruptive, seemed to treat me a lot better when it was my turn to teach the class. There seemed to be a newfound respect and trust as they started to be ease with me.
That is one of the coolest feelings in the world.
But sometimes you discover something interesting about them.
Today, when my co-teacher (in my previous post) took over the first half of the class, I had to temporarily change my role to a classroom assistant until his lesson was finished. Apparently the class had fallen behind a bit and needed to catch up on some things.
The co-teacher tends to teach with an air of authority. He is one of those teachers who likes to be strict and force the students to listen rather than ask questions or interact in English; the students were told to be quiet all the time, even when they were. He handed out a worksheet about past tense, and had the students work on it.
I was near the back of the room and looked at the students. Some were a bit confused and didn't know what to do. These are normally my problematic students; they're the ones who are often off-task. When they saw me coming, they looked a little scared.
I stopped and spoke to them in the kindest voice I can manage. "Do you understand?" They shook their heads. So I knelt down and showed them how to do the worksheet. I did it in the gentlest way possible. These students are smart but they were just confused; they didn't want to ask for help because the class was so strict.
After showing them, they started to understand. And one of the most rewarding things with that is how they see you afterwards. In a class where things are strict, I tried to show that I am approachable and care about them. It proved to be helpful later when they discovered an error in the worksheet. Who was the person they asked for, when pointing it out? Me. They specifically asked for me to come and said, "Mr. C., there's a mistake." It appeared like they were more comfortable telling me about it than the co-teacher, which surprised me.
The students, especially the ones who used to be at the back and disruptive, seemed to treat me a lot better when it was my turn to teach the class. There seemed to be a newfound respect and trust as they started to be ease with me.
That is one of the coolest feelings in the world.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Moment of truth
My head co-teacher wants to know whether I intend to renew my contract. We're meeting after classes today to discuss it. He needs to know by May, but I plan on telling him this afternoon that I don't intend to renew after my contract expires in August (which I already knew since October but kept it from him).
The main reason I wanted to keep it from him until the last minute is because of anything that they may try to spring on me because I'm leaving. I've heard of some bad stories where the schools would pile on as much work as possible on the native teacher before he/she leaves town. I want to avoid that, although I don't think it'll happen.
I'm just terrified of what to do for a job once I get back to Canada. Will there be jobs anywhere? Will I be able to find something? What if there are no jobs? What if nobody wants to hire me? What if I don't have enough qualifications?
Sometimes I'm quite sure the anxiety I feel over here isn't due to living in a foreign country, but rather by the concerns and worries of what I'll face once I get back.
The main reason I wanted to keep it from him until the last minute is because of anything that they may try to spring on me because I'm leaving. I've heard of some bad stories where the schools would pile on as much work as possible on the native teacher before he/she leaves town. I want to avoid that, although I don't think it'll happen.
I'm just terrified of what to do for a job once I get back to Canada. Will there be jobs anywhere? Will I be able to find something? What if there are no jobs? What if nobody wants to hire me? What if I don't have enough qualifications?
Sometimes I'm quite sure the anxiety I feel over here isn't due to living in a foreign country, but rather by the concerns and worries of what I'll face once I get back.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Singing the blues
Since starting this job in August 2009, it seems that there is a pattern among the people who started at the same time. Around November, there was a period where suddenly a lot of people were expressing homesickness. Around January, it happened again. And again now in April.
I don't know if this is a coincidence or not. It seems that there is a cycle of homesickness going on here.
I'd imagine the novelty of living in Korea was wearing off for a lot of people around November. The honeymoon period was likely coming to an end and for those who hadn't felt it yet, it was the "oh my goodness, I really am in Korea" feeling coming in. That was also when the weather started to change from pleasant and warm to bitter and cold, which is often a reminder that time is indeed moving along.
In January, the winter English camps were getting underway for some of us while others went away on vacation. This had a profound effect, it seems, as some people started hearing about others' vacations and started to long for the same. Also, it was in the middle of Korea's coldest winter on record, which didn't help things when your buddies are posting stuff about snorkeling in Australia or enjoying the sun in Vietnam.
And this brings us to April. It seems that a lot of people are settling back into their schools for the new semester and interestingly, a new wave of homesickness seems to be settling in for a lot of people. Perhaps it's the lack of holidays or the feeling of déjà-vu, but some people seem to be expressing some frustration at the monotonous nature of restarting a semester. Some have even flirted (albeit playfully) with the idea of just handing on a letter of resignation and going back home.
I'm not immune to this. My first bout of homesickness came in mid-October, although I had largely gone past the "oh dear, I really am in Korea" part long before. The first time is really difficult because it's such a new feeling. My next feeling of homesickness came around January, like a lot of other people. However, I was more well-equipped to handle it because I had gone through it before. When I came back in March, I felt another wave, which was much stronger than the January one. That one was hard to deal with; the others are experiencing this in April, but I already got it out of the way a month early.
Sometimes for people wanting to sign up for this job, the money and the perks seem attractive; some Koreans are even a bit resentful that we are here to teach a language that we speak in our home countries. However, one shouldn't overlook the emotional toll it may have on a person. It's impossible to imagine the feelings of homesickness that will eventually hit you, until you're actually here and experiencing it.
While money was a big motivator for me, it eventually became clear that money is of secondary importance. This job is not all about the money. To remain here, you have to also question whether you can handle the emotional burdens that present themselves. Some can handle it, and some can't. At some point, you have to ask yourself if the money is worth it.
I'm making it sound like doom and gloom, but there is a plus side to this. Living here is difficult. However, if you manage to last for a year, then you have accomplished something that few people at home ever get the balls to even try. Living here is a test of endurance and tolerance, and passing the test can have some benefits down the road. I don't know what those benefits might be, since I'm still here in Korea, but there's got to be at least a few.
I don't know if this is a coincidence or not. It seems that there is a cycle of homesickness going on here.
I'd imagine the novelty of living in Korea was wearing off for a lot of people around November. The honeymoon period was likely coming to an end and for those who hadn't felt it yet, it was the "oh my goodness, I really am in Korea" feeling coming in. That was also when the weather started to change from pleasant and warm to bitter and cold, which is often a reminder that time is indeed moving along.
In January, the winter English camps were getting underway for some of us while others went away on vacation. This had a profound effect, it seems, as some people started hearing about others' vacations and started to long for the same. Also, it was in the middle of Korea's coldest winter on record, which didn't help things when your buddies are posting stuff about snorkeling in Australia or enjoying the sun in Vietnam.
And this brings us to April. It seems that a lot of people are settling back into their schools for the new semester and interestingly, a new wave of homesickness seems to be settling in for a lot of people. Perhaps it's the lack of holidays or the feeling of déjà-vu, but some people seem to be expressing some frustration at the monotonous nature of restarting a semester. Some have even flirted (albeit playfully) with the idea of just handing on a letter of resignation and going back home.
I'm not immune to this. My first bout of homesickness came in mid-October, although I had largely gone past the "oh dear, I really am in Korea" part long before. The first time is really difficult because it's such a new feeling. My next feeling of homesickness came around January, like a lot of other people. However, I was more well-equipped to handle it because I had gone through it before. When I came back in March, I felt another wave, which was much stronger than the January one. That one was hard to deal with; the others are experiencing this in April, but I already got it out of the way a month early.
Sometimes for people wanting to sign up for this job, the money and the perks seem attractive; some Koreans are even a bit resentful that we are here to teach a language that we speak in our home countries. However, one shouldn't overlook the emotional toll it may have on a person. It's impossible to imagine the feelings of homesickness that will eventually hit you, until you're actually here and experiencing it.
While money was a big motivator for me, it eventually became clear that money is of secondary importance. This job is not all about the money. To remain here, you have to also question whether you can handle the emotional burdens that present themselves. Some can handle it, and some can't. At some point, you have to ask yourself if the money is worth it.
I'm making it sound like doom and gloom, but there is a plus side to this. Living here is difficult. However, if you manage to last for a year, then you have accomplished something that few people at home ever get the balls to even try. Living here is a test of endurance and tolerance, and passing the test can have some benefits down the road. I don't know what those benefits might be, since I'm still here in Korea, but there's got to be at least a few.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Well, my living quarters could be worse
I got a message on my door on Thursday after work. It was all in Korean, so I wasn't sure what it said, but it had some sort of cost figure in there and it involved water, so I was a little concerned. It turned out to be something with the water tank in the building, and everyone in the building needs to pay about $10 each to have it fixed.
They asked to wire the money but I had no idea how to do that, so it was arranged that I hand it over in person instead. So I went down to hand it in. The owner's place is a basement suite and the lights were off so it was hard to see anything. It turned out that the entire basement level is under about an inch of water. Yikes... No wonder it needed repairing!
Thank goodness I live on the top floor, I guess.
They asked to wire the money but I had no idea how to do that, so it was arranged that I hand it over in person instead. So I went down to hand it in. The owner's place is a basement suite and the lights were off so it was hard to see anything. It turned out that the entire basement level is under about an inch of water. Yikes... No wonder it needed repairing!
Thank goodness I live on the top floor, I guess.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
This is why reality shows should be banned
Embedding has been de-activated, so you'll have to watch the video HERE. I came across this video before and was reminded of it again today.
I've never been a big fan of reality shows but I can understand why they can be addictive. I once got sucked into a season of Britain's Top Model and let me tell ya, when my favorite got voted off, I got majorly upset. At that point, I figured it was smarter to swear off all reality shows altogether.
However, my reaction was nowhere close to these girls' reactions. I mean, holy bloody crap. This is precisely why reality shows should be banned. They feature people you normally wouldn't care about, and are about such trivial things (such as being the next big singer or model) that you otherwise wouldn't care for. So why would you suddenly care for it all of a sudden? Because it's on TV? I don't know, I just don't see the appeal of these shows beyond getting ridiculously obsessed with them (like I did at one point).
Some shows are fine. Game shows are fine because you learn something. Talent shows are fine because they are just damn cool. But a reality show about a bunch of people eating bugs to stay alive on an island or a catfight involving two hateful personalities just seems a tad stupid. Thankfully the Top Model season I watched had some quality characters and not the shallow ones that you normally see.
Maybe this is just me being an asinine dick, but to me, the vast majority of reality shows suck.
I've never been a big fan of reality shows but I can understand why they can be addictive. I once got sucked into a season of Britain's Top Model and let me tell ya, when my favorite got voted off, I got majorly upset. At that point, I figured it was smarter to swear off all reality shows altogether.
However, my reaction was nowhere close to these girls' reactions. I mean, holy bloody crap. This is precisely why reality shows should be banned. They feature people you normally wouldn't care about, and are about such trivial things (such as being the next big singer or model) that you otherwise wouldn't care for. So why would you suddenly care for it all of a sudden? Because it's on TV? I don't know, I just don't see the appeal of these shows beyond getting ridiculously obsessed with them (like I did at one point).
Some shows are fine. Game shows are fine because you learn something. Talent shows are fine because they are just damn cool. But a reality show about a bunch of people eating bugs to stay alive on an island or a catfight involving two hateful personalities just seems a tad stupid. Thankfully the Top Model season I watched had some quality characters and not the shallow ones that you normally see.
Maybe this is just me being an asinine dick, but to me, the vast majority of reality shows suck.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
International Pillow Fight Day 2010
Yesterday was the 2010 International Pillow Fight Day. Here in Seoul, it took place in front of Seoul City Hall. It was awesome beyond belief. It was a bit amusing because most of the participants were fellow foreigners, with only a few Koreans involved (and the Koreans who were involved could speak English pretty well).
Now THIS is how the Korean War should've been settled.
Here's a video clip of it from EatYourKimchi.com (I actually saw Martina from that site at the event, but didn't put a name to her face until I got home):
And here are some photos I took at the event.
Now THIS is how the Korean War should've been settled.
Here's a video clip of it from EatYourKimchi.com (I actually saw Martina from that site at the event, but didn't put a name to her face until I got home):
And here are some photos I took at the event.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Dokdo is Canadian
From an article in the Chosun Ilbo today:
The answer is clear.
Dokdo isn't Korean. Dokdo isn't Japanese.
It's part of Canada.
Japan's Education and Science Ministry on Tuesday approved five elementary school textbooks that represent Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo as Japanese territory. Three of them already made the attribution, but the other two added it only recently. That means all elementary schoolchildren will now be taught that Dokdo belongs to Japan.Seriously, both countries are being idiots. There is evidence of empty Timbits boxes and broken hockey sticks found on the islands estimated to be over 200 years old. In addition, it has been proven that Dokdo's rock consists of an 8% concentration of not magma or limestone, but hockey puck rubber.
The two new textbooks do not go into details but contain maps where they are labeled "Takeshima," the Japanese name. The new texts also show a boundary line between Dokdo and Ulleung Island, making it look as though Dokdo is part of Japan.
The answer is clear.
Dokdo isn't Korean. Dokdo isn't Japanese.
It's part of Canada.