For years I thought there were few things more homoerotic than the American gym. Sweaty men wearing tight shirts that often were little more than leotards, all greased up and staring at themselves in mirrors. On the walls were pictures of famed weight-lifters of the past...donning banana hammocks and showing off the rippling chest and back that these other posers could only dream of. Afterward, many head into the locker room, strip down and shower together. Just shy of frolicking around the shower trying to play grab-ass...this...in my mind was the most accepting homo-erotic thing a homophobic culture could stand.
Then I came to Korea and got a gym membership.
The first time that "It's Raining Men" came on in the middle of a set...I was a little confused. Is this supposed to pump me up? *Hallelujah, it's raining men*--nine.....TENNN. Yes. There's my set. I realized after time that it was actually a Korean techno remix to "It's Raining Men," but don't worry, the choras is relitively unscathed. Other favorites from the gym have been the Abba Medley and Madonna.
A couple days later I was doing dips between two benches. The 30 year old guy who works the gym comes over while I'm doing them and starts squeezing my triceps. "Ooooh! Very good muscle! Handsome muscle! FIGHTING!!! Oh Kevin, you are very strong very good muscle."
There is also the other gym goer who finishes his set of bench presses...gets up and starts dancing provocatively to Dancing Queen. He really loves his Abba, which somehow is JUST NOW making it to Korea.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Jump, Hustle Doo!
I've spent the last 19 years of my life building up false hope from the months of November through March...only to be let down every April through October. Of course, I am talking about Pittsburgh Pirates baseball. Despite following them since 1990, I have only seen 3 winning seasons (the last was before I learned about long division) and zero world series appearances.
Yet this year, my beloved DOOSAN BEARS have reached the Korean championship (is it world series?). They are playing the SK Wyverns...which apparently is some sort of dragon. Tough match-up. American baseball can't appreciate going up against a fire-breathing mythical creature. The Cardinals wouldn't stand a chance.
Series is 1-1. Doosan is down 3-1 in game 3 in the 7th.
Yet this year, my beloved DOOSAN BEARS have reached the Korean championship (is it world series?). They are playing the SK Wyverns...which apparently is some sort of dragon. Tough match-up. American baseball can't appreciate going up against a fire-breathing mythical creature. The Cardinals wouldn't stand a chance.
Series is 1-1. Doosan is down 3-1 in game 3 in the 7th.
Monday, October 20, 2008
China - part er (2)
The Forbidden City was also grand and impressive. Much of the architecture was lost on me being that it is very similar to what i've seen in Korea and Japan, but the amount of it was impressive nonetheless. I bought an audio tour of the grounds where this funny little woman with a British Chinese accent would tell me upon entering a room "Let me tell you a story (she had lots of them). This is the hall of abstinence, where Emperor ZingZowZang would fast as a sacrifice to the gods. He was not permitted any spices or alcohol...but was allowed to eat meat." (f-ing sacrifices man...and to think that I only abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent). Yet, some of the natural ambiance was lost by the fact that EVERY F-ING BUILDING was a rediculous museum to some ridiculous artifact. This smarmy British Chinese woman kept teling me stories about Emperor Xianxao's 14th and most beloved concubine as i looked at ceramic plates from the 14th century. Once a hetero sexual male sees his 11th hair brush from the 1840's....he's gotta start thinking about abstaining from more life....though he could still eat meat. The british chinese accent would then tell me that the house I was standing in was the home of Emperor Wanju's favorite Concubine. However, while she whispers those sweet nothings in my ear...all I see is a fine array of 18th century rulers. I'M A TEACHER! I didn't travel to China to see artifacts of semi-ancient measurement....
However, despite all that...it was a pretty wonderful trip. The great wall was one of the most surreal and serene things I've ever seen. I chose to go on a 12 KM walk along a less travelled and unrenovated portion of the wall...wonderful decision. While most people go to another section where they can hop on the wall...cram through people to get their picture and then buy a heinous hat or t-shirt describing their accomplishment...I actually got to walk the real wall...that was really built 500 years ago. It was sweet. Pictures forthcoming.
The food was interesting. Somethings were wonderful and delicious. Other things were Bull's Penis. And while I didn't try this delightful dick dish, I did decide to be adventerous and try Braised Goose one night. I've never had goose...but what the hell, right? It was good enough for Tiny Tim...damnit, it's good enough for me. What greets me is a dish of goose feet (still looked like feet!), goose esophagus, goose heart, goose liver, and probably for all I know...it was marinated in goose brain. I choked down as much as I could....though the feet almost made me experience it twice. My next meal....sweet and sour chicken. I really am not lying about the penis dishes either. I would say about 60% of the restaurants I was in had some sort of genetalia to be offered up. Now...what if there is a rush on dick? I mean...how much can they really keep in the freezer (no shrinkage jokes...please...). There was one restaurant that seriously had about 4 different types of animal wangs. WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE REST OF THE ANIMAL?! Are we needlessly slaughtering bulls for their twigs and berries?
All in all...good trip. The hostel was great. The wall was surreal and the highlight of the whole thing. And I saw some Chinese acrobats do some unspeakable things with their mouths (didn't even have to tip...). No regrets.
However, despite all that...it was a pretty wonderful trip. The great wall was one of the most surreal and serene things I've ever seen. I chose to go on a 12 KM walk along a less travelled and unrenovated portion of the wall...wonderful decision. While most people go to another section where they can hop on the wall...cram through people to get their picture and then buy a heinous hat or t-shirt describing their accomplishment...I actually got to walk the real wall...that was really built 500 years ago. It was sweet. Pictures forthcoming.
The food was interesting. Somethings were wonderful and delicious. Other things were Bull's Penis. And while I didn't try this delightful dick dish, I did decide to be adventerous and try Braised Goose one night. I've never had goose...but what the hell, right? It was good enough for Tiny Tim...damnit, it's good enough for me. What greets me is a dish of goose feet (still looked like feet!), goose esophagus, goose heart, goose liver, and probably for all I know...it was marinated in goose brain. I choked down as much as I could....though the feet almost made me experience it twice. My next meal....sweet and sour chicken. I really am not lying about the penis dishes either. I would say about 60% of the restaurants I was in had some sort of genetalia to be offered up. Now...what if there is a rush on dick? I mean...how much can they really keep in the freezer (no shrinkage jokes...please...). There was one restaurant that seriously had about 4 different types of animal wangs. WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE REST OF THE ANIMAL?! Are we needlessly slaughtering bulls for their twigs and berries?
All in all...good trip. The hostel was great. The wall was surreal and the highlight of the whole thing. And I saw some Chinese acrobats do some unspeakable things with their mouths (didn't even have to tip...). No regrets.
China and Tienanmen Square
Just spent a week in China...and other than trying to dodge eating Bull's Penis (I don't know what happened to the rest of the bull...seriously) in a great majority of the nations restaurants and trying to dodge military people and gates keeping you from seeing half of the actual city, it was a good time.
It's amazing how much of the country and society are completely for show. I went to Tienanmen Square-saw the giant poster of Mao. The square is flanked by these grand and fabulous buildings on the 3 sides not facing the Forbidden City. Giant Roman pillars and sheer beauty and graduer in design. Unfortunately, 2 of them were closed when I was there, but I figured what the hell and I checked out the third - the great hall of the people. It's a beautiful, beautiful building....full of nothing. Absolutely nothing. There are big rooms of nothing...followed by hallways of nothing. An auditorium of nothing. No chairs in most of these places. No art. No anything. Just nothingness. The building is a show for the 99.9% of the people in the world who will never see it. It's a fascade...as are most things related to the communism there.
3 blocks from Tienanmen Square...the embodiment of military and political success in Beijing there are run down little neighborhoods that lack indoor plumbing and rely on the extremely common public bathrooms. These bathrooms aren't gross...they are actually quite clean due to a person who LIVES INSIDE THEM and cleans it incessantly. I'm not kidding. Just a bed pulled up in the bathroom. That is China.
3 blocks from Tienanmen Square...there is a giant broken down neighborhood. However, you can't see it because there is a 20 foot tall poster of an artists rendering of what beijing may have once looked like covering the entire city block. To enter the neighborhood, you need to pass through a gate to the inside which is of course (like everything else in the country) guarded by 4 military officials. These fake scenes are ubiquitous. They are the veil that is pulled over the eyes of the world to promote Beijing. The Hutongs, which are back alleys off of the main drags are one of the most interesting things in the city, as they show the reality of how people live. I saw a person walking out of his apartment--the size of a VW bus and without indoor plumbing--carrying an empty bucket of KFC chicken. I enjoyed that.
It's amazing how much of the country and society are completely for show. I went to Tienanmen Square-saw the giant poster of Mao. The square is flanked by these grand and fabulous buildings on the 3 sides not facing the Forbidden City. Giant Roman pillars and sheer beauty and graduer in design. Unfortunately, 2 of them were closed when I was there, but I figured what the hell and I checked out the third - the great hall of the people. It's a beautiful, beautiful building....full of nothing. Absolutely nothing. There are big rooms of nothing...followed by hallways of nothing. An auditorium of nothing. No chairs in most of these places. No art. No anything. Just nothingness. The building is a show for the 99.9% of the people in the world who will never see it. It's a fascade...as are most things related to the communism there.
3 blocks from Tienanmen Square...the embodiment of military and political success in Beijing there are run down little neighborhoods that lack indoor plumbing and rely on the extremely common public bathrooms. These bathrooms aren't gross...they are actually quite clean due to a person who LIVES INSIDE THEM and cleans it incessantly. I'm not kidding. Just a bed pulled up in the bathroom. That is China.
3 blocks from Tienanmen Square...there is a giant broken down neighborhood. However, you can't see it because there is a 20 foot tall poster of an artists rendering of what beijing may have once looked like covering the entire city block. To enter the neighborhood, you need to pass through a gate to the inside which is of course (like everything else in the country) guarded by 4 military officials. These fake scenes are ubiquitous. They are the veil that is pulled over the eyes of the world to promote Beijing. The Hutongs, which are back alleys off of the main drags are one of the most interesting things in the city, as they show the reality of how people live. I saw a person walking out of his apartment--the size of a VW bus and without indoor plumbing--carrying an empty bucket of KFC chicken. I enjoyed that.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Beijing, China
I will likely put up a few new posts in the next day or two about the various things I saw in Beijing. But for now, I am uploading my pics onto my flickr which I haven't updated in way way way too long. There was a horrid smudge over a part of my lense under the outer glass for the first 3 days. So a lot of the pictures have a dark spot. :( Oh well. It randomly went away on day 4 so the later pics are much better.
Check it out.
Check it out.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Pittsburgh and James Dean
More Pittsburgh love.
Also...3 Korean women I work with agreed that I look like James Dean.
Things are good. ^_^
Also...3 Korean women I work with agreed that I look like James Dean.
Things are good. ^_^
Monday, August 25, 2008
Brown-nosing
Word: Teacher
Sentence: We're teacher is beautiful
Word: Teacher
Sentence: My teacher (Kevin) is handsome.
Both sentences are from 9 year old girls. Pandering will get you anywhere! Bring in an apple next, bitches!
Also funny...
Word: Enemy
Sentence: "I have a enemy its my younger brother."
Sentence: We're teacher is beautiful
Word: Teacher
Sentence: My teacher (Kevin) is handsome.
Both sentences are from 9 year old girls. Pandering will get you anywhere! Bring in an apple next, bitches!
Also funny...
Word: Enemy
Sentence: "I have a enemy its my younger brother."
Monday, August 4, 2008
Kyoto
Most everyone I had talked to said that Kyoto was a must stop in Japan. I was not disappointed. In some ways it is the city that time forgot. While there are massive, sprawling malls and shopping districts that go on for a few city blocks, they are still frequented by women wearing kimonos. Moreover, these women are without question all among the most stunningly beautiful ones I have EVER seen in my life. Jacob and I kept passing a woman and turning to each other aghast.
There are well over 100 temples and shrines that pepper the city. Although we only saw about 5 or 6 of them...we made sure to hit the big and most stunning ones. Some pictures will be forthcoming.
Perhaps the coolest part was a complete unplanned accident. After the three of us got dinner we heard a drum beating and some Japanese music from a nearby park. We walk over and watch about 50-100 Japanese people, mostly in kimonos, dancing these traditional dances in a circle. Within about 10 minutes of getting there...a young guy spotted us...came over to ask us to join the dance. After I coersed Jacob and Diane into coming out...the three of us went out and one middle-aged Japanese woman was teaching us the dances as we did it. Everyone was excited that a few foreigners were out there. It was so awesome. After I got the hang of it, a couple younger Japanese boys came out and copied my moves. I am so awesome.
Despite only truly being in the nation for 3 days...it's going to be hard to ever top this.
Pictures will be in my flickr shortly.
There are well over 100 temples and shrines that pepper the city. Although we only saw about 5 or 6 of them...we made sure to hit the big and most stunning ones. Some pictures will be forthcoming.
Perhaps the coolest part was a complete unplanned accident. After the three of us got dinner we heard a drum beating and some Japanese music from a nearby park. We walk over and watch about 50-100 Japanese people, mostly in kimonos, dancing these traditional dances in a circle. Within about 10 minutes of getting there...a young guy spotted us...came over to ask us to join the dance. After I coersed Jacob and Diane into coming out...the three of us went out and one middle-aged Japanese woman was teaching us the dances as we did it. Everyone was excited that a few foreigners were out there. It was so awesome. After I got the hang of it, a couple younger Japanese boys came out and copied my moves. I am so awesome.
Despite only truly being in the nation for 3 days...it's going to be hard to ever top this.
Pictures will be in my flickr shortly.
Hiroshima
All the history books I read and classes I took could have never prepared me for what I felt when I stood 600 meters beneath where the world's first atomic bomb detonated. There is a building that still sort of exists in what is an otherwise eerily rebuilt city. It's odd being in a city where NOTHING is more than 65 years old. This one building has been preserved a memorial to the 140,000 people who died. Check it out.
Nearby is a museum and memorial to the fallen. It is at least on par with the Holocaust museum as the most visceral and heart-wrenching museums I have ever been on. They have things taken from the fallen. Pictures of bodies that are burnt beyond recognition from a fireball that killed almost everyone within a mile radius. There was a clump of hair that a mother had cut from her dead daughter and saved for the rest of her radiation shortened life. The hair is singed on the end from the fireball. There were fingernails from one boy...one of the few things that survived the blast. One booth contains a watch that a man was wearing at the time of the blast. The crystal face is smashed in and the time is stopped at exactly 8:15am.
This little 4 day trip to Japan was probably one of the most worthwhile experiences of my life.
Nearby is a museum and memorial to the fallen. It is at least on par with the Holocaust museum as the most visceral and heart-wrenching museums I have ever been on. They have things taken from the fallen. Pictures of bodies that are burnt beyond recognition from a fireball that killed almost everyone within a mile radius. There was a clump of hair that a mother had cut from her dead daughter and saved for the rest of her radiation shortened life. The hair is singed on the end from the fireball. There were fingernails from one boy...one of the few things that survived the blast. One booth contains a watch that a man was wearing at the time of the blast. The crystal face is smashed in and the time is stopped at exactly 8:15am.
This little 4 day trip to Japan was probably one of the most worthwhile experiences of my life.
The injury
I got the first 14 stitches of my life and of Korea 2 weeks ago. I got into a nasty fight with a drinking glass while I was doing dishes. And while he may have won the battle cutting a giant chunk out of my thumb...I won the war. Suckkaaa. He's now in the garbage.
While Korean medicine is veryy good...I always fear that the doctors might be crazy...and being that we don't speak the same language, they can't calm my fears. After getting to the hospital, I had to call for my Korean boss, John, to translate for me. He tells me that he wants me to stay there for 5 days...for stitches...no kidding. After telling him flat out..."No"....he sends me home to get the skin that came out of my thumb. Otherwise, "I'll have to take from other body." Being that I didn't know if the other body would be Korean or my own...I went home to get the skin that was still hanging from the bloody glass.
Picture attached...if I figure out how.
While Korean medicine is veryy good...I always fear that the doctors might be crazy...and being that we don't speak the same language, they can't calm my fears. After getting to the hospital, I had to call for my Korean boss, John, to translate for me. He tells me that he wants me to stay there for 5 days...for stitches...no kidding. After telling him flat out..."No"....he sends me home to get the skin that came out of my thumb. Otherwise, "I'll have to take from other body." Being that I didn't know if the other body would be Korean or my own...I went home to get the skin that was still hanging from the bloody glass.
Picture attached...if I figure out how.
Monday, July 21, 2008
USA Today Pittsburgh Profile
Also for the Pittsburgh Pride homies out there in the big 412...check out this link from the USA Today. It is undoubtedly one of the more fair and correct descriptions of Pittsburgh by a national column.
Mud-fest rain out
I was supposed to roll down to the annual mudfest on the yellow sea this weekend, but the people I was heading down with decided to bail out because it was raining.
How does a mud-fest get rained out? It's mud...one of the ingredients is water! Would the experience really be that different if it is raining in our mud? Would the mudslides or mud wrestling really be that different? Oh my. Well regardless...I didn't get to experience it. Kind of sad about that.
How does a mud-fest get rained out? It's mud...one of the ingredients is water! Would the experience really be that different if it is raining in our mud? Would the mudslides or mud wrestling really be that different? Oh my. Well regardless...I didn't get to experience it. Kind of sad about that.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Get ready to take on the world!
This is the add for our summer intensive program. Bad-ass. I know.
http://www.jhenglish.co.kr/system/system06.asp
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Let the Record Show
AIM Chat transcript from June 4th. All times are local time in Seoul, South Korea.
1:53:32 AM ianjrice: theres no doubt they're winnin game 6
1:53:44 AM Kevin: Dude! How can you say that?!
1:53:53 AM ianjrice: i just feel it
1:53:59 AM ianjrice: no worries
For all Penguins fans who are interested...his name is Ian Joseph Rice. He lives in Pittsburgh, Pa and tends bar at the TGIFridays at the Waterfront. All are encouraged to beat the crap out of him.
1:53:32 AM ianjrice: theres no doubt they're winnin game 6
1:53:44 AM Kevin: Dude! How can you say that?!
1:53:53 AM ianjrice: i just feel it
1:53:59 AM ianjrice: no worries
For all Penguins fans who are interested...his name is Ian Joseph Rice. He lives in Pittsburgh, Pa and tends bar at the TGIFridays at the Waterfront. All are encouraged to beat the crap out of him.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Janghak Language Institute
From my understanding, much of the landscape of Korean hogwans (private schools) is absurdly corrupt and poorly run by people who care little of the employees or children, but instead see those children and employees as vessels for their own financial gains.
Janghak Language Institute is no different. I sent an e-mail a while back about our asshole boss Michael. Through absurd complaining from the entire foreign staff (that's me and my white coworkers), he basically had his balls taken from him and now is just the Fonz of the office. He has no real power. He just pops his collar and gives the thumbs up. Instead, the power has been usurped by Mr. Ha, the owner of the school. While slightly less versed in being an asshole as Michael had been, he makes up for his misgivings by being twice as incompetent in management and disrespectful to the Korean staff. Since this school opened in October, every single initial Korean teacher has quit. Every one. Moreover, one who came in December with me and the one with whom I am the closest, Lucy, just put her two week notice in today. She was given a schedule which would basically mandate that she had no social life outside of school. If she didn't like it...she had no other options.
As an American here, I have more options. I was given a schedule which was actually slightly worse. I talked to my boss...she pushed me to her boss...who did nothing. So I went over his head to the next guy...who then called back down to the 2nd boss...who was embarassed that I went over his head...and my schedule was quickly changed. The Korean system is structured that ALL people will verbally placate you and not do anything until someone over them is going to hold them personally accountable. However, it does not work for Lucy.
They asked us to work Saturday's, we said 'no.' That was the end of it...we're too valuable to lose. They tell her to work Saturdays...if she doesn't..."goodbye." Mr. Ha has had meeting after meeting with us foreigners as well as the Koreans where ample things are promised. Yet, in the face of more dollar signs with pigtails, those promises tend to be forgotten in the name of another $4200 suit...COME ON!
For other people here in Korea who read this...I recognize that this is the system, and that our school is better in some ways and is worse in some ways. I'm more annoyed with the rudeness and desire to tell downright lies to both Americans and Korean workers. I'm more annoyed that this tendency which started only in the high offices of this building has seemed to seep down through the rest of it.
Attitude Reflects Leadership
Janghak Language Institute is no different. I sent an e-mail a while back about our asshole boss Michael. Through absurd complaining from the entire foreign staff (that's me and my white coworkers), he basically had his balls taken from him and now is just the Fonz of the office. He has no real power. He just pops his collar and gives the thumbs up. Instead, the power has been usurped by Mr. Ha, the owner of the school. While slightly less versed in being an asshole as Michael had been, he makes up for his misgivings by being twice as incompetent in management and disrespectful to the Korean staff. Since this school opened in October, every single initial Korean teacher has quit. Every one. Moreover, one who came in December with me and the one with whom I am the closest, Lucy, just put her two week notice in today. She was given a schedule which would basically mandate that she had no social life outside of school. If she didn't like it...she had no other options.
As an American here, I have more options. I was given a schedule which was actually slightly worse. I talked to my boss...she pushed me to her boss...who did nothing. So I went over his head to the next guy...who then called back down to the 2nd boss...who was embarassed that I went over his head...and my schedule was quickly changed. The Korean system is structured that ALL people will verbally placate you and not do anything until someone over them is going to hold them personally accountable. However, it does not work for Lucy.
They asked us to work Saturday's, we said 'no.' That was the end of it...we're too valuable to lose. They tell her to work Saturdays...if she doesn't..."goodbye." Mr. Ha has had meeting after meeting with us foreigners as well as the Koreans where ample things are promised. Yet, in the face of more dollar signs with pigtails, those promises tend to be forgotten in the name of another $4200 suit...COME ON!
For other people here in Korea who read this...I recognize that this is the system, and that our school is better in some ways and is worse in some ways. I'm more annoyed with the rudeness and desire to tell downright lies to both Americans and Korean workers. I'm more annoyed that this tendency which started only in the high offices of this building has seemed to seep down through the rest of it.
Attitude Reflects Leadership
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Olympic Torch
So the Olympic Torch came through Seoul today. While not really looking to be a protestor, if there was going to be one, I was going to be damned if I wasn't there. It started in Olympic Park at around 2pm local time with the torch being lit from the eternal flame from the 1988 games that were here. After it ran on its way, the crowd of 99.99% Chinese People turned slightly violent toward the great minority of Tibetan protesters.
I was a few feet from this man who was riding on his bike shouting pro-Tibetan things until he was kicked off his bike and his head slammed off the ground. I will have some pics of this incident of my own up on flickr tomorrow hopefully.
Then we made our way over to the Tibetan protest area, which had turned into a contained platform for the other masses to throw things ranging from rocks, to hamburgers and drinks to freaking bolt cutters -- I shit you not. This video is a pretty good example of what it was like. I was in that mix, but a little further down to the right of where the camera man is. Unfortunately, we sort of all got boxed into the Chinese side of the protest, and while I was most certainly not a vocal member of that group, I would have still felt less dirty being on the side having stuff thrown at them. Despite a complete lack of a plan on how to keep the pro-Tibet people safe, the Seoul police did a really good job of keeping their cool. During the parade route, a couple N.K. refugees tried to set themselves on fire, and the police stopped it and kept on going. There was no pepper spray, there was no violent resistance. I know of no real injuries. They did a good job.
I was a few feet from this man who was riding on his bike shouting pro-Tibetan things until he was kicked off his bike and his head slammed off the ground. I will have some pics of this incident of my own up on flickr tomorrow hopefully.
Then we made our way over to the Tibetan protest area, which had turned into a contained platform for the other masses to throw things ranging from rocks, to hamburgers and drinks to freaking bolt cutters -- I shit you not. This video is a pretty good example of what it was like. I was in that mix, but a little further down to the right of where the camera man is. Unfortunately, we sort of all got boxed into the Chinese side of the protest, and while I was most certainly not a vocal member of that group, I would have still felt less dirty being on the side having stuff thrown at them. Despite a complete lack of a plan on how to keep the pro-Tibet people safe, the Seoul police did a really good job of keeping their cool. During the parade route, a couple N.K. refugees tried to set themselves on fire, and the police stopped it and kept on going. There was no pepper spray, there was no violent resistance. I know of no real injuries. They did a good job.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is scum (UPMC)
The fucking University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is one of the worst fucking instituations in the world.
Not only are UPMC human resources agents incompetent and rude, they have now lowered themselves to downright liars. At the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, they like to send out mailings after a person resigns, telling them that they have money in savings plans and asking what said person would like to do with it.
Wellllllll, when I called the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, also known as UPMC, and talked to someone, they then told me I did not actually have that money. I had not worked there long enough...alas.
Forward to 10 days ago. My father receives a phone call saying that I do (!) have the money, but can relaly tell him no more because, well, he's not me. However, 2 days later, he receives a letter from UPMC (The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) saying that I DID have the money and then forfeited it. I assure you...I did nothing of the sort.
Forward to this evening. I call UPMC Human Resources and speak to two very sweet women who were surely still living in southern Texas. I tell them my story of woe and deception. They do a thorough 30 second background check on me...and tell me that I DO NOT (?!) have the money. The letter simply stated what I COULD have had. And they have Nooooo record or explanation of the phone call. Aparently the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center did NOT have this money for me, and was instead just dangling several hundred dollars in my face only to yank it away when I call from fucking Korea. See...the University of Medical Center (UPMC) Human Resources department is concerned for the well being of their employees, past AND present. I've certainly bent over and taken it from them in BOTH statuses.
See...I worked there 2 1/2 years and only received one "annual" raise, which is ensured to every employee every 12 months...do the math. Thank you Judy Kirkdorfer, HR rep. for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). Then I was written up for an offense that didn't happen, by people by admittedly did not see it. That offense was then taken to HR people who NEVERRR interviewed ANYONE. Yet, still somehow found me to be in the wrong. Thank you Human Resources at UPMC. And now....Now now now now now...they dangle this in my face and jerk it away.
I hope that I put University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) in this post enough that it will show up on SOMEBODY'S google search.
Not only are UPMC human resources agents incompetent and rude, they have now lowered themselves to downright liars. At the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, they like to send out mailings after a person resigns, telling them that they have money in savings plans and asking what said person would like to do with it.
Wellllllll, when I called the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, also known as UPMC, and talked to someone, they then told me I did not actually have that money. I had not worked there long enough...alas.
Forward to 10 days ago. My father receives a phone call saying that I do (!) have the money, but can relaly tell him no more because, well, he's not me. However, 2 days later, he receives a letter from UPMC (The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) saying that I DID have the money and then forfeited it. I assure you...I did nothing of the sort.
Forward to this evening. I call UPMC Human Resources and speak to two very sweet women who were surely still living in southern Texas. I tell them my story of woe and deception. They do a thorough 30 second background check on me...and tell me that I DO NOT (?!) have the money. The letter simply stated what I COULD have had. And they have Nooooo record or explanation of the phone call. Aparently the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center did NOT have this money for me, and was instead just dangling several hundred dollars in my face only to yank it away when I call from fucking Korea. See...the University of Medical Center (UPMC) Human Resources department is concerned for the well being of their employees, past AND present. I've certainly bent over and taken it from them in BOTH statuses.
See...I worked there 2 1/2 years and only received one "annual" raise, which is ensured to every employee every 12 months...do the math. Thank you Judy Kirkdorfer, HR rep. for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). Then I was written up for an offense that didn't happen, by people by admittedly did not see it. That offense was then taken to HR people who NEVERRR interviewed ANYONE. Yet, still somehow found me to be in the wrong. Thank you Human Resources at UPMC. And now....Now now now now now...they dangle this in my face and jerk it away.
I hope that I put University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) in this post enough that it will show up on SOMEBODY'S google search.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Living in a country at war
For those of you who are not historically inclined, Korea is still technically at war. Korean War
It sort of made me smile a little when I heard the first air raid siren around the middle of March. I'm living in a country at war. Not like in the states, where we are at war in a more imperial sense...like Napoleon was at war in Russia (And how did that go?). South Korea is still technically at war and I'm 30 miles from the front lines.
I smiled slightly less last weekend when I read this. Now, don't get me wrong, I am FAR from concerned or anything. It is what it is, and I realize that. But, the idea of being in a city 40 miles away from the last Stalinist state with a certifiably insane person who has a couple dirty nukes....far out. If he gets Alec Baldwin on his side, we're all fucked.
It sort of made me smile a little when I heard the first air raid siren around the middle of March. I'm living in a country at war. Not like in the states, where we are at war in a more imperial sense...like Napoleon was at war in Russia (And how did that go?). South Korea is still technically at war and I'm 30 miles from the front lines.
I smiled slightly less last weekend when I read this. Now, don't get me wrong, I am FAR from concerned or anything. It is what it is, and I realize that. But, the idea of being in a city 40 miles away from the last Stalinist state with a certifiably insane person who has a couple dirty nukes....far out. If he gets Alec Baldwin on his side, we're all fucked.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
One more thing...
I want to be the first to predict it...so that I will get the credit when it happens...Pirates 162-0.
This is the year of perfect seasons...19-0!! WOOO!
WE WILL!
This is the year of perfect seasons...19-0!! WOOO!
WE WILL!
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