New Year's Wishes

I promised myself that I would post at least once more before New Year hits. Well, it's 11:08pm on 31st December, so it's now or never! Aotearoa is currently GMT +13 meaning we are one of the first countries in the world to see the New Year. While I am in 2007, most of my readers are going to be so last year. Ha ha ha.

Anyway, I wanted to wish you all a very happy new year and to each person on my blog roll, individual wishes...

Oriconailin: Freedom from pain and a year when your business goes global enabling you to hire staff and take a break!

Cergie: Health for you and your husband. 2nd place in the rugby world cup for France (1st is NZ!)

KS: AU$6346.33. Apparently, that's what you need...

Mouse: Freedom from spam!

Minty: A noise free video game system

Macro Rachel: Many many t-shirt sales

Deepa: success in your journalistic career

21C Seonbi: Someone to pay your for your hard work

Flowerful: Luckiness in love

BB: A huge book illustrating deal

GH: Same as Flowerful

Seoul Brother: Mac to take market share

Friar: A ministry that will respect your unique talents

Nathan: Financial worry free life in England

Buddhist Guy: Someone to share your life with

Crystal: Cross some more countries off your wish list

Black Feline: All the jellymeat you could wish for ;O)

Fahd: Freedom from blog censorship

Renegade Eye: Social justice for all...

Ashley: A dance with SRK!

Tim: A man with everything it seems... A super SLR perhaps?

Shaun: Fluency in Korean

Roman: A safe 2007

Ruby Slipper Lady: That perfect of all jobs

Well, that's it for 2006! It's been real, it's been fun. Let's do it again next year! Or tomorrow...

San Nakji for President!

2006 in review, Part One

My dear blogging friends. The year is coming to a close. I notice with some surprise that even North Korea agrees that our year is coming to a close. Well done Romans, everyone is towing the line! Well, that's off topic...

My dear blogging friends. The year is coming to a close. Did you enjoy 2006? I have to say that for me, it was a much better year than 2005. A couple of stand out amazing things happened last year, but so many of my favourite famous people kicked the kumara (bucket) that it was a tad on the miserable side. However... 2006 has been much kinder. Therefore, when I look back on my life, this year will get a nice tick from me. I think it may have something to do with even numbers. I prefer the balance of a 6 as opposed to a 5. I don't even know what I am going to do about 2007! It is just too awful to think of.

Again, off topic. Damn!

So without further ado, here are my top things of 2006...

Movies

The sad thing about movies this year is that I have seen a grand total of 3 at the theatre. Further added to this misery is that I have seen only 4 others on DVD. Obviously the top film for me has to come from these. I was quite excited about the reinvention of Superman, but man, was I disappointed! Recently a friend has made me revisit V for Vendetta and that is now out. Sadly this then makes my favourite movie of the year.... (drum roll)

Talladega Nights, The Legend of Ricky Bobby

I laughed a couple of times during the film. That'll do me...

TV

I may possibly be the only remaining person in Aotearoa New Zealand still watching Lost. It is a hell of a frustrating show that kids you into thinking it is going somewhere, but really isn't. When they finally finish the show and turn it into a novel, it isn't going to make 300 pages. However on TV it is turned into at least four series! What the hell?

The show I am downloading right now is Heroes. This looks awesome and I think it will get the tick from me! IT even has an Asian guy (Japanese) as one of the main characters! Wow!

Heroes

This is only because the second series of Extras is not out yet. I like Rescue me too.

Music

I am so totally obsessed with Arctic Monkeys. I can't tell you how much this little band from Sheffield, England has changed my life this year. I try to listen to other music, but I am drawn back every time to my Arctic Monkeys. I should be more open to music, but I find myself comparing everything to them. I know they are not for everyone, but for the life of me I can't figure out why.

Artic Monkeys

Song

Of course it is going to be an Arctic Monkeys song. D'uh.

Leave Before the Lights Come On

Food

The best food of 2006. No doubt is any meal made by Mrs SN containing orzo. Man that is good stuff! Out of the house I will go for the duck I had in Korea.

Mrs SN Orzo dish
Korean Duck

Drink

Coke Zero. I can now enjoy Coke with a Coke taste, but without the Coke masses of sugar. Coke. I know it is probably killing me on the inside, but until then. Coke.

Coke Zero

Blog

Well apart from my own rather tastefully done blog, I would have to say...

All blogs on my blog roll (and one other which is not listed for privacy reasons)

Like I would say anything else!

New Blog Design

Ori's Blog

It's awesome

San Nakji's World Commentor (or is it commenter?)

I have three faithful commentors. Ori and Kira's Slave have always been there encouraging me, although KS... I wish you would take some of my posts the way they were intended! However...

Cergie

She has to win! She comments multiple times on the same post. I can't compete with that!

Podcast

I love podcasts. I subscribe to millions of them. Well maybe not quite millions.. Maybe just a million. The winner of this category is... Well, there are two. One pro and one amateur.

The Ricky Gervais Show

Is the pro. If you have never seen his TV shows The Office or Extras, then you are missing out on comedy gold I tells ya! His podcast is just funny. That's all I can say. I embarrass myself on the bus by laughing out loud a lot when listening. Maybe this is why no one sits next to me? Perhaps it's the fact I only shower on leap years? Hmmm...

Tokyo Calling

Is the amateur. Scott just has a voice for radio. Unlike yours truly who has a voice for blogging... If you are in to podcasting at all, give Scott a try. He is just a really genuine guy and that's what I like about people.

Website

I don't know... sannakji.org perhaps? Really, for me it has to be

Wikipedia

It is the place I learn about all those TV shows I loved from long ago. It where I study up on US presidents for the pub quiz. I love my Wikipedia!

US President

You can't go past President Taft. The heaviest president ever? Now that's a claim to fame!

William Taft

World Leader

He is the fashion leader, never a follower

Kim Jeong Il

Well, that's part one. Did you enjoy it?

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SN Exclusive

It is about time a young relative of mine had his art published. You are the privledged few to be able to view this. He will be so happy that I have done this. He will be 24 years old next week.

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Wikipedia Vandalism

As you all know, Wikipedia is an encyclopedia made by the masses for the masses. This means it can be open for abuse by some pretty annoying bigoted people. However, every once in a while there comes along a pretty funny case of vandalism. Today I found just such a case!

"Bacon is amazing in its uses. Abraham Lincoln ate bacon while he read the Gettysburg
Address. Patton slapped Mussolini in the face with a piece of bacon when he said "You suck."
In short, bacon is amazing, and worth more than your life."

It's true. Bacon is amazing!

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Mountains over There

The view of the Bukhan mountain range in Seoul, from one of the many temples within.

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Nameless

I don't know what this plant is. It resides in my local park. I like it. Do you?

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Horses

I saw some horses racing today. I had never seen these evil beasts in action before. They were kind of cool in a suspiciously nasty sort of way...

I also met a hero of mine. Got his autograph and a photo with him. That was cool!

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Flesh Eater!

Like I said, I love plants that I can eat, or that eat! Here is one of those vicious plants. Don't get too close. Where you are watching is just close enough!

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Cat and Shark

San Nakji's Cat earns her keep by catching a vicious shark!

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Pohutukawa

Another picture (yes, once more!) of our Aotearoa Christmas Tree. I love red, I love this tree.

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To Cergie

Today is St Lucie's Day. Many happy returns to my number one Catholic commentor. I hope you enjoy today and get to tuck into some of those yummy looking saphron buns!

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Son of Orchid

Son of Orchid is very nice with ice cream.

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The King of Flowers

I like an orchid or two. Especially with BBQ sauce. Yummy!

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Colours from my desk

Just playing with my camera phone. I have a bottle / can collection on my desk and here are a few of them.

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Flower on the Water, Fire in the Sky

Not much to say about this picture. I know nothing about flowers. I usually only like plants that can give me food. Or that eat meat... But this one's ok.

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Autumn Reflections at the Beginning of Summer

It must be Summer, I got sunburned today! Next stop, skin cancer...

I loved the gold in these leaves from my favourite mountain, Mt Gaya.

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Happy Birthday Minty!

It's Minty's birthday today. Well, tomorrow his time, but today my time. all very confusing and perhaps cool if you could fly from here to there, thus having two birthdays...

Minty is a great commentator on world events and a great drawer. He just doesn't post very much. Please post more young man!

San Nakji for President!

A Bridge Too Far

While the bridge isn't too attractive, the surrounds were amazing. Autumn in Korea treated me well!

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Gateway

A gateway. But to where? *scary music*

Well, to the public telephone...

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Les Dragon

All hail the scary dragon! Hail! Hail! Or maybe not. It's really your choice I suppose...

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From an Athiest

From one 'without religion'. I love houses of worship. Don't care which religion, they all just impress me so much.

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A Study in Summer

Summer's here! Yes! Yes! Yes!

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The Only Way to Travel

Yesterday as we were making the most of the Summer weather, we drove up north to a regional park. On the way up we were stuck behind the sheep bus. I kept wondering whether they were travelling for their hair, or their meat... I hope it was for their hair!

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Fruits of the Loom

A few months ago posted a photo of the blossoms on my apricot tree. Cergie meanly told me to cut it down. Well, Cergie, I didn't! And now, here is my reward :O)

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Don't Smoke Pot

Koreans like their pots. They use them to make all kinds of Kimchi, or in this case, Dwaenjang (beanpaste). I love Dwaenjang! Love love love! I love these pots too! I wouldn't smoke them though.

San Nakji for President!

So Near and Yet So Far

SN would desparately like to visit North Korea. Unfortunately for him, Mrs SN won't let him go! This is as close as I get. Across the border looking at guards looking at us. The infamous DMZ. So quiet you could hear a mine explode...

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Pohutukawa Time

You know it's nearing Christmas, and therefore Summer, here in Aotearoa when the Pohutukawa starts to bloom. And starting to bloom they are!

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The Lesson

The lesson here is that you can't have too many Buddhas. Although, maybe 438 is the magic number?

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Old Man

I can't claim this photo for my own, but I can claim the photo of the photo! The old man here is decrying the injustice of a divided Korea. I think the photo is quite powerful.

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Stones

Koreans, although mainly Christian, Buddhist or Athiest, still have some affinity with the ancient Shamanist religions. One of the ways this manifests is through the piling of stones, usually around temples or sites of great beauty. If you see these piles, the thing to do is to add your own stone. It's good luck!

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Happy Birthday Deepa!

Dear Deepa,

Happy Birthday for today. I hope you are getting a break from work on your special day!

Ah, to be as young as you.... *sigh*

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Dragon's Roar!

I love Dragonflies. We don't have many here though. Korea, on the other hand, has too many to count! Must be dragonfly heaven. Do they like Kimchi perhaps?

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Shadow's Over Peru

I tried to get a bit arty with this shot. The pagoda is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Bulguksa in Gyeongju, Korea. The sun is part of the sky, seen in a town near you.

San Nakji for President!

Great Injustice

There are so many injustices in the world. The theft of this symbol is one of them.



Can't see it clearly? Try this image.



In many parts of the world, but especially in Asia, the swastika (from Sanskrit) is a symbol of peace. It infuriates me that whenever I see it on a temple I can only think of a short German wanker with a small growth on his lip.

Wikipedia has a very good, although long, article on this ancient symbol. I recommend you having a look at it. The photo of the Korean temple there is the same temple I took the above photos at.

San Nakji for President!

Sans Photos (ha ha ha, get it?)

For a change, no photos in this post. I just thought I would sit down and have a chat with my favourite readers. Yes, you know who you are! I am looking at you right now. There I am winking in your direction. Yes, that's right, you! Now you have it!

So, where to start?

I was looking at my iPod and the list of songs on it. There are some freaky titles. Here are the top ten in no particular order (except for no.1)

10 - Ping Island, Lighning Strike Rescue Op.
9 - The Rise and Fall of Ooo Man
8 - Perhaps Vampires is a Bit Much, But
7 - Elanor Put Your Boots On
6 - Ceiling Fan in my Spoon
5 - 2+2=5 (Lukewarm)
4 - The Skin of my Yellow Country Teeth
3 - I Constantly Thank God for Esteban
2 - Lying is the Most Fun a Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off

and... drum roll please.... My most favouritest...

1 - Disease of the Dancing Cats

Yay!

In my last post I wished all my Yank friends a happy Thanksgiving. Now, this blog is for the people. Not just the American people, but all my people. If you happen to have an important national day coming up. Please let me know and I will post especially for it. This offer does not apply to Australia. I also do Birthdays and Bah Mitzvahs בר מצוה (whatever they are).

OMG, I really wish I was eating turkey today! Unfortunately I can see mince in my stars... C'mon America, have an extra slice for me! And don't skimp on the cranberry sauce!

San Nakji for President!

Let us give thanks

Dear America,

Let me be the first to wish you a happy Thanksgiving. I hope you all have enormous amounts to eat and have an extra helping of sweet potato pie for your old pal SN. In celebration I give you some world famous American exports. (well not famous in New Zealand, we don't have them!)

Love SN

Krispy Kreme (yummy!)





Cold Stone Creamery (even more yummy!)





Dear Canada,

Yes I know you have Thanksgiving too, but I always forget when it is. Two weeks ago or something right? Well, the only reason I knew it was America's day today was that someone was towing the Statue of Liberty down our harbour (I kid you not!)

Warmest Regards,

SN

San Nakji for President!

Roof and Leaves

Haein Temple in Mt Gaya National Park is a great place for photos. I spent a night in the temple. It involved eating things that weren't meat (bad) and getting up at 3am... (surprisingly refreshing!). Must tell you about it one day...

San Nakji for President!

Cheomseongdae Revised

I spotted this arty remake in downtown Seoul. A new comment leaver, Jon, took a much better photo here. Made from car headlights apparently... Go figure!

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Cheomseongdae - Say that one three times fast!

One of my favourite buildings in all the world. So simple in it's construction and yet so magnificent... Cheomseongdae!

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Don't Ever Leave

Did I say before how much I love Autumn leaves? Well it's true! Again, Mt Gaya puts out for me on the leaf front. Go Mt Gaya!

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Patterns Alive

To patterns from my recent trip. The first is a temple roof high in the Bukhan mountains.



The other, a wall in the National Folk Museum....



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Sense Overload

From Mt Gaya in Gyeongsang North Province, Korea, a photo of the autumn colours. We don't get autumn leaves here, so I always appreciate the beauty.

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Korea - It's not all about...

Earless bunnies and colourful spiders. Nope, Korea also has alien space craft sneaking on to the planet disguised as green buildings...Cergie has suffered a similar fate!

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Everyone Loves a Squirrel

My trip to Korea put me in touch with squirrels. We don't have them here in Aotearoa, but I always manage to see them in Korea. This one was amazing as he didn't seem to be the least bit worried about my presence. He was sitting on a traditional thatched roof eating... well, I am not sure what he was eating, knowing nothing about squirrels as I don't. He was great to watch though!

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Geomi

This is one reason why one of my friends says she could never live in Korea. Never.

Say hi to a Daegu, Republic of Korea, resident. I think she's cool. Then again, I am a big fan of spiders! Anyone out there know what species she is?

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Hare and the Turtle

At Queen Min's birth place, I also found this turtle, burdened with carrying a rabbit for all eternity. Poor bloke. Turtles traditionally represent long life, didn't help in Queen Min's case though did it?

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Korean Roof

I was going to post a bunch of photos, but it is too late and I am tired! Here's a Korea roof. As I look at my photos I notice a lot of roof shots. Hmmmm... I didn't know I liked roofs that much! Anyway, they are quite impressive don't you think? This one belongs to a building which was the birthplace of Queen Min. Everyone knows that San Nakji loves a bit of monarchy action!

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Soju!

The smiling bottle in a previous post is a soju bottle. Soju is Korea's national drink and is about 21% alcohol. Not the most strong thing, but also not like your average beer. One of the most dangerous things about it though is the price. Less that one US dollar... Imagine getting a couple of six packs of those for a Saturday night!

Anyway, as I said in my last post I went to Icheon and visited a soju factory. It was pretty much like any other factory of it's type, nothing too exciting. The guie proudly told me however that this factory is the largest spirits factory in the world. In the last ten years they have sold 1 billion bottles... That's 100 million a year or over two bottles for every man woman and child in Korea... Quite a lot of alcohol I think you will agree!

The best part of the tour was the end when we were able to taste all the different soju. I have to admit in being a little tipsy, but this was merely preparing me for the rest of my trip!











San Nakji for President!