Christmas Craziness

One of the things I did not miss while I was living in South Korea was the deluge of ads, carols, and commercialism that comes before Christmas. It used to be that right after Halloween the craziness started. You couldn't go anywhere without seeing Christmas stuff for sale and hearing carols. Usually the switch over would start Halloween night and the stuff would be there on display the next day.

I went to CostCo with my Sister-in-law the first of the month. It was my first ever visit to a non-Korea CostCo. What really stuck in my mind though was the plethora of Christmas crap that was already out. There was more Christmas crap (lights, wreaths, cards, stockings, etc) out than Halloween stuff!!! The first of October? What the hell??!?!?

Mook of the Week

I have to apologize for this Mook of the Week. I didn't have my camera with me but the mook in question is VERY deserving.

Today I ran into what would be considered a very common mook in South Korea. I am still surprised that it took me over 3 months before running into one here.

I had to go to the grocery store to get some stuff. As I turn down an aisle I find it blocked. Some stupid mook (ok that is redundant) is standing with his cart blocking one side of the aisle while his body blocks the other. Why did he stop? He was on his cell phone.

Of course it would have been too much for him to just block one side of the aisle while he was standing there. That would have taken an awareness that there are other people in the world who have the right to use the aisle.

As I approached he kept yammering on the phone. Dunno who he was talking to but the oh so important conversation was about someone at his workplace who is an inconsiderate asshole. How do I know? He was talking quite loudly. Yes, it did feel like I was back in South Korea except for one important factor. We all spoke English. :)

When I got up to him I said "Excuse me."

Now in polite society MOST people would have been embarrassed as they realized they were blocking the aisle. Most people would have at least moved out of the way if not adding a "Sorry."

So I got a little closer and said "Hey, you must be the owner of this store. I have a question?"

He got a strange look on his face and said "No I'm not, why would you think I am?"

I snarled "Because you are standing around blocking the aisle as if it were your fucking home."

At THAT point he got flustered and moved out of the way.

It was so nice to be able to deal with a mook like that in English. :)

Finding Shampoo

It was kind of funny today. I needed to pick up some shampoo. In South Korea the problem was a language barrier. Was it Shampoo or conditioner or body rinse or 2 in 1? It wasn't always easy to tell even when you could read the label.

All I wanted today was some shampoo. Well there was shampoo for dry hair, oily hair, long hair, and the list went on. Finally I found regular old 2 in 1 shampoo, although would have been happy with just shampoo. I had to go through several shelves until I found it.

It reminded me of Denis Leary's coffee skit. I can relate to his problem because I just want coffee flavoured coffee. There are just too many choices and flavours. Too many stupid one. Cappachino, frappachino, it is all CRAPachino to me.

I am not difficult to make happy. Really. Just give me coffee flavoured coffee and regular old shampoo. But not together. ;)