Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Chicago in Seoul



The unique and energetic sound of Chicago filled the Olympic Park Fencing Auditorium in southeast Seoul last night. Here are some photos I managed to sneak

Patiently waiting for the show to start. "Ladies and Gentlemen, the start of the concert will be delayed about 15 minutes due to so many latecomers"


I believe this photo was taken during "Dialogue"


Here's Pankow on the big screen:


I think this is from "Old Days"


Jamming Brass:


Can't remember which song - I just liked the way this photo came out:


Here are three of the original four members still touring with the group:


Second Encore, Feeling Stronger Every Day:


Much to my delight, one of their encores was the full Ballet for a Girl in Buchannan, better known for it's two hit songs "Make Me Smile" and "Colour My World". Take a bow, job well done:


I don't go to a lot of concerts. I could probably count all the concerts I've been to on one hand (at most two hands). This is my second concert in Seoul (first was Norah Jones in 2005). I was susprised how many people came out to hear Chicago, and further surprised at how many young people were there. I expected all the audience would be grey-haired old men like The Stumbler. Admittedly, the average age was probably a bit higher than the Norah Jones concert, but it was still surprising at the strong following Chicago has over here in Seoul.

They played mostly old songs, with a couple of new ones I had not heard before (they were real funky latin beat with lots of brass, very enjoyable). Even after all these years and personnel changes, they still are full of energy and have done a good job of keeping the same, original sound of the band. They were big on audience participation, and kept us clapping during most of the songs. And the whole audience was on their feet and dancing during "Saturday In The Park".

With red hands from clapping, and a hoarse voice from yelling, I walked home from the subway station feeling high on music. It was a great concert, and I'm glad I went.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Planning

The other week I was at the bank, and noticed a large pile of these nice wallets:



The clerk told me these were bank book holders, and let me take as many as I pleased. I took 3 of them (I have a lot of accounts). Just yesterday, I actually tried to use one, by putting my bank book into the wallet. Well guess what?



It doesn't fit! No wonder he told me to take as many as I pleased, he knew they were worthless...

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Tuna Melt

Korea, meet the Tuna Melt:

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Lotus Root

Let me introduce the Lotus Root



It's an ugly thing. You first peel it like you would a carrot or potato



Then you slice it. Which is hard. The root is almost like balsa wood



Then you boil it, like you would a potato, which makes it softer. But it's still one of the firmest vegetables I've eaten. After boiling, you cook it with a mixture of soy sauce, sesame oil, and honey (or sugar)



Looks funny, but tastes great. Had I actually seen a lotus root before having this in the restaurant, I probably would have been afraid to try it. I don't know if you can buy this in the USA or not, but I'm sure The Stumbling Mother will search for one.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Korean Lunch Box

Here is my Korean lunch today:



And it was too much (big burp...)

Big bowl: 참치김치찌개 Tuna and Kimchi stew
Small bowl: Rice
Box, Left: 양배추찜 steamed cabbage leaves
Box, Top: 메추리알 boiled quail eggs
Box, Right/Top: 쌈장 fermented soy bean paste sauce
Box, Right/Middle: 단무지 pickled daikon radish
Box, Right/Bottom: 참치조림 tuna mixed with red pepper
Box, Bottom: 볶음밥 fried rice
Box, Center: 고구마줄기조림 boiled stems of sweet potato

Strong to the Finish

Cause I eat my spinach:



I might not be Popeye the Sailor Man, however I don't know my own strength. I broke the paper cutter today!



Monday, February 08, 2010

Clearance Toy



I just couldn't resist this children's toy that was on clearance this week at the grocery store (mart). I had been wanting a play basketball hoop for some time, and this was a combination basketball AND magnetic dart board!



Surely I am now the envy of every elementary school boy in Seoul. For my birthday present, I want a bag of 10 each 6 inch Nerf basketballs (I'm too lazy to get off the sofa and retrieve the basketball).