A Warning Sign...

We ran our diagnostic PT test this morning--292. I have one month to get my sit-ups together! I was 50 seconds under for the run and did the max push-ups in 45 seconds. You show 'em, Arnold!

After my afternoon ride and commissary run for oatmeal, beans, fruit, I hit the books--more oral path. For dinner I rode to Shortie's Canteen for some Korean take-out...

Shortie's has been serving Camp Casey for over 40 years. The owner, Mr. Kim, has a wall full of pictures and certificates from Army brass, including Gen. Colin Powell...who was stationed in Casey back in 1970...

Dinner was chicken/kimchi fried rice with egg and cheese omelette... very yummy for 7,000 won or $5.83...

Happy Chuseok...

Ever wonder what an American eats on Chuseok (추석 - Korean Thanksgiving)?  I had fried chicken, diet Pepsi and oral pathology. Yummy...

Missing the harvest festival spirit, I went out on a culinary limb and made a fruit salad. I even added some Halloween marshmallows...

The vanilla pudding was the kicker! It reminded me that our family always had a salad at every meal... that's so healthy. Thanks mom!

Next time I'm adding pineapple, strawberries, grapes, and maraschino cherries.

Happy Chuseok, everybody!

Friday's ride to Yoencheon...

Heading out from Dongducheon (동두천시 - east bean river city) and riding north on Highway 3... passing Jeongok City and it's paleolithic museum sign (pedestrian overpass)...

A peek east towards Mt. Godaesan range and fields of rice...

Here is a white crane feeding on the banks of the Hantan River. The crane is the official bird of Gyeonggi-do...

Yeoncheon (연천) Station is in the heart of a peaceful country town. Ironically, this was a site of fierce fighting in the Korean War...

After the ride, Dr. Yoon and Captains Geisen and Chi meet for dak galbi (닭갈비 - spicy barbecue chicken) in New Town...

A Reply from The Atlantic...

Dear Editor,

I read and enjoyed greatly the article written in The Atlantic titled “America is No. 2.”  I agree with the overall premise of this article’s argument that refers to America’s power of optimism.  America has been able to succeed because, throughout its history, it has been able to view challenges as a form of growth and a way of re-solidifying its world prominence.  I agree completely with this philosophy and strive to live by this pragmatic ideal.  Through my own experiences, I have found that competition brings out the best in everyone involved.  It initiates progress, creates opportunities, and leads to innovation.

Unfortunately, without competition we don’t have external pressure to aid us in our pursuit for continual growth.  Even worse than not having others challenge you is the weakness of shying away from it altogether.  This appears to be the attitude of the current American society as presented by the author.  Instead of viewing the competition from foreign economic forces as another chance to prove ourselves, we are simply viewing it as a confirmation of our fall from being number one.

I again agree with the author’s claim that “America is at its best when feeling confident—and when feeling challenged.”  Let’s change our perspective and look at our current challenges as motivation to become better in all aspects of our nation.  For it is by this same philosophy that we as a country succeeded in the past.

Sincerely,

Stuart Taylor

Subject: Thanks for your note

I saw your letter to the Atlantic about my "we're number two!" article. I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to write, and to say that I agree with what you say. 

Sincerely, 

James Fallows 

New Digs in the Joint...

Returning to the Casey is a mixed bag. There's new office space and a window...

An op with good lighting and a functioning chair...

Building #691 is the same but check those new pillows...

That's all fine and good but I say...

Bring on Yongsan!

Stormy Weather...

Been working indoors and stepping out just to make it home dry!  I do take off for an afternoon ride rain or shine... like the 20k loop between Kolsan and Seomuk villages. Our path is blessed by the Buddhist mountain dieties...

Just can't get my BLUE self together...

Bem-Dito, Meu Amigo…

Oxford-educated author and well-known atheist, Christopher Hitchens is stricken with esophageal cancer. His clerical critics, have proclaimed "Everybody Pray for Hitchens Day" on Monday, September 20th. Christopher Hitchens won't be bowing his head, even on a day set aside just for him. "I shall not be participating," he told The Associated Press.

 

True Christianity is spent in the service of others, like what is being represented by those offering prayers on this man's behalf. No need for so much hate amongst individuals with different beliefs. I am a Christian and believe in God but promote the individuality to believe in what you feel is correct. This man is atheist. For whatever reason he has come to stand by that claim. What is important is that you seek to understand things for yourself, and from that understanding try to make a conscious decision as to what is right. God bless this man and all those seeking for divine guidance.
                                                                      - Stuart Taylor

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Eid and 9/11...

My return to Korea falls on two noted dates... Friday was Eid ul-Fitr, the completion of Ramadan and Saturday was the anniversary of 9/11...

Eid Mubarak = Blessed Eid

الله أكبر = Allahu Akbar = God is Great

Note that Eid falls at the end of the 9th month of the Islamic calendar (lunar) and so in 2001, Eid was on celebrated on December 17 in the Gregorian calendar (solar)

4 Weeks and 6 States Later...

Being away from home for nine months... is a lo-o-ong time! Homecoming was awesome... we did a lot of fun things together like rafting the Deschutes River and checking out Crater Lake...

And having some fun hanging out in Bend and checking out sights along the way...

Even stopping to contemplate the misguided & obscene... U-GH!

Taking a quick school-night ride down to Hanford...

Followed by riding down (and up) the Hiawatha (30 miles in the rain) and dining at Wolf Lodge Inn...

Then heading through Boise... and "Ahhh... you no fold-ah da pizza?!"

To get to Provo for UW vs. BYU and remembering Jake running over the Cougars in the first half...

And smiling even though it hurts... 'cuz we're HUSKIES for life...

And catching a trip to Ketchikan to see Jordan...

Then one last time to Seattle and finally Sea-Tac...

Goodbye Jordan, Stu, Mason, Mom and Little Miss Avery too...
I miss you guys!!