186) Roll 4

These are the highlights from roll number four, from my Contax (film camera). I adjusted the contrast slightly on all of these shots. I thought they looked a little too light (I am still learning how to use this camera!). It could have just been the lighting, or the settings or the film processing or scanning or something else. That is one of the interesting and challenging things about film, I guess.




This shot was taken by Nam ^

185) Roll 3 (from the studio)

These are the rest of the images from roll number 3. All taken at the studio.

184) An Interesting Dish

I met up with some friends last night, and met some new friends.  First I met with Blue Jin and we went to an Allure party.  But she was running late, which made me late for another appointment with someone I hadn't yet met (one of the new friends).  I was supposed to meet my friend Sean's friend who is named Bora.  Sean is in NY modeling right now, but kinda set everything up.  

Bora is studying photography in Paris and just back to Korea for summer break.  Blue Jin also used to live in Paris and is a photographer now- so I suggested Blue Jin come and meet Bora.  And she was surprised to find out that Sean had also planned for them to meet, but so far neither of them had the time.  

Bora had also brought her friend Soo Huh, who turned out to be a really awesome guy.  So the four of us went out to eat, and after dinner Blue Jin had to go home, so the three of us went to a place described by Bora as very interesting.  She warned me the lady who owns the pub is a bit hard on the language.

Bora is friends with the owner, and she welcomed us warmly.  But about two minutes after arriving I heard someone ask for more water, and then some loud yelling proceeded from the owner.  I couldn't understand what she was saying (as I can only understand very limited amounts of Korean) but Bora explained: "bad word, bad word, bad word, bad word, get it yourself!"  

We ordered some kind of special dish- at first glance it looked like a giant bowl of mixed fruit in water and ice.  But the lady who served us (quite large and unkempt) digs her bare hands into the bowl and starts mixing the food all together.  This revealed a lot more than just mixed fruit.  There seemed to be whatever was in the kitchen in there: crab, lettuce, shrimp all sorts of fruits and vegies, pasta, etc.  She really got her hands in there and mixed it all up (which was rather disgusting) and then cut it with scissors and went for round two with her hands and the mixing.  Then she rolled up a bunch of pasta and put an egg on top and hand fed it to Soo Huh.  I couldn't believe it, and after that was in his mouth she got a giant glob of that food ready for me, and hand fed me!  I nearly vomited because of how much food was jammed into my mouth, and having just had to watch her mix it all together with her hands and the laughter!  Anyways, that was one mean I don't think I will be forgetting any time soon!

183) Amber

Amber is going home tomorrow. It's crazy how fast a year goes by. I remember talking with her about her job, and advising her to just stick it out because she only had six months left. Now I have six months left and she is finished. I am sure my last six will fly by as well.

Near the end of September Amber will move to Hong Kong and teach there for two years. I think it will be a great move for her, and I look forward to visiting her there and checking out that city.

Yesterday David (club manager and promoter) had DJ Charles Feel Good at his club ( http://www.djfeelgood.com/ ) and Amber and I and some other friends had the privilege to hang out with him before he started spinning that night. It's always cool to be able to meet some of the famous DJ's and talk with them, then enjoy the show.




That was a pretty great going away party for Amber, and I think she had a really good night! I will be sad to see Amber go, but I think it is good for her to get out after a year, and move on to another city. So many people get trapped because of comfort zones and fear, but I am

182) Roll 3

Here are some of the highlights from roll 3 that I took- (I will post some that my friend took later).

One of the interesting back alley's near my house. ^

In the maze of one of the biggest markets in Seoul- Namdaemoon ^

Henry, Nein and Chip buying pineapple and Namdaemoon ^

Caught taking down the pineapple...and looking good doing it! ^

Henry on the rooftop of an apartment during a bbq party ^

Chip in the same location...but looking like he is from the Revolutionary War with that stache. ^

Ariel on the stairs between classes ^

Ariel in class ^

Billy and Daniel checking the progress of our plants ^

My summer term is finally over and I can get back to working my regular afternoon schedule.  The morning schedule was really starting to wear down on me, and I am happy to see it go.  

181) Mild Days

Mild days mostly in reference to the weather the past couple days.  It has been a very nice relief from the heat that Seoul was getting slammed with.  Yesterday was particularly great- as I had the privilege to enjoy a great sunset while smoking a Cuban cigar on the roof-top patio of my friends studio in Namsan (Namsan is a nice area and mountain in central Seoul).   I took a bunch of pictures from that day, and I will post them later because they are on my G1 (film camera) and I haven't gotten it developed yet.  

I met a guy at the studio who will be opening up a cigar shop nearby, and he gave me a nice Montecristo to enjoy.  It brought back some memories of good cigars I have smoked in the past- beaches in the Bahamas, my parents back yard in the hot tub, an old buddies hot tub and some good conversations.  It was really nice to just watch a great sunset (I have seen very few in Seoul) and have some solitude and reflect on things.  

The days have not been very mild as far as activity lately.  I have been pretty much non-stop busy (except for today and yesterdays sunset) this past week.  Henry has been visiting from the states and staying with Chip.  The three of us all went to college, graduated, and to India together.  It has been good having Henry out here the past few weeks, and we have had some good times.  He will fly back home tomorrow thus ending a nice three week getaway for him.  Chip and him had the privilege of going to Beijing and watching a week of the olympics (lucky enough to see Phelps live and in action).

(These photos are compliments of John (front row center first pic)

180) A Few Tasty Treats

179) Han River Festival

Last night I went to the river with John and Jason. There were some DJ's spinning and a pretty good amount of people. It wasn't great, but it was nice to be out by the river and enjoy some music and take some pictures.

Jason behind the scenes

Me behind the scenes (Jason's picture)

From behind a bunch of sun-umbrellas

The stage

Jason and John and the LG Twin Towers

Ridin' on dad's shoulders

Jason near the stage

Jason with an overview of the festival

A pink bike and pink lights

Stage performance

Stage performance

The DJ and stage

178) Red

The new studio has huge ground to ceiling windows with big red velvet curtains- it is really beautiful with light hitting the back of the curtains. These are some stills from the filming we have been working on. This project is not yet finished, but I am pretty happy with the results so far.


The one thing I have been less than happy with is the weather report from this weekend- it seems to me some mistake was made between Korea and Hades... some how we ended up with Hades weather- I cannot say if they ended up with Koreas.

177) This is the Real First Roll

Here are a few shots from the real first roll of film from my G1.

Hyung Nam at his old studio- on a break from filming.

Me during filming at the old studio (photo is cropped and de-saturated)

During Jason's birthday party.

Another shot from Jason's birthday as we are on our way to another bar.

176) Humidity

It's the humidity that will get you. Seoul has been a steam room lately- I step out of my apartment or the bus and it is like being slapped in the face with a giant hot wet towel. I have found myself demolishing 1.5 liter bottles of sports drinks in a sitting- with out even realizing how much I just drank, and often still feeling thirsty. But it is now August, and summer is soon going to start fading into fall... something I will be happy to see.