My adventure of spirits collection began with a math error.  In 2000, I was on a business trip to Seoul for 2 weeks.  By the time I had to return to States, I was fluent in converting Korea Won to U.S. Dollar (1000:1).  On my return flight I had to connect in Tokyo with 3 hours layover.  I decided to browse the duty free shops when a small friendly lady approached me and told me that she has a 'distinguished gift for a distinguished traveler like me'.  I wasn't sure how she determined that I was 'distinguished' but I was curious... The lady showed me 1965 Rèmy Martin Rare Edition and told me it's exceptionally priced at 45,000 yen.  Now I wasn't a cognac expert at the time but I knew rare and aged spirits are costly.  Having stayed in Seoul too long, however, I used wrong conversion ratio and assumed it costs only $45-$65.  This is a steal! so I thought until a month later when I received my credit card statement.  I tucked the bottle away (for fear that someone will drink it without knowing its true value) and didn't forgive myself for many months.  As I told and retold this blunder of mine to friends and family, I learned that these fine and rare spirits become good investments.  Since then I've been adding to my collection... most recent one being a Royal Salute - The Hundred Cask Selection.  I hope in the next few decades, my collection will make Forbes' list of World's Most Expensive Spirits. 

Today my collection extends to wine...  In fact, I spent the weekend in search of good wines.  I couldn't find any of those mentioned in Forbes' Exceptional Hard-To-Find Wines (they're indeed hard to find), but I found a very good bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon.  I must thank the lady at the store for recommending it to me!  BTW, if you don't know about wines and want to try, ask for a recommendation from savvy wine drinkers.  Wines can be hit or miss... and high price tag doesn't always yield guaranteed satisfaction.

It's been a little over a month since I got myself a laptop and broadband connection at home (can you believe it that I didn't before?).  Since then I've been spending a good chunk of time online - perusing news, UCC videos, blogs and even managing this space. 

This is a surprise to me because I didn't think I'd spend this much time online.  I cannot believe how much content there are from commercial to private, professional to amateur, insightful to near jabber (like mine?). 

This experience is like flipping through 300 channels on your cable TV.  After awhile you settle with few channels that you repeatedly watch and hardly ever look at others.  I think I've reached that point now.  This satisfies my need for gestalt :-) 

Moderation is the key... even moderation itself.

They just can't see the problem. 

My dad asked me to change his doctor's appointment.  I called the hospital.  The receptionist asked me what procedure he was scheduled for.  My mind went blank upon hearing this unanticipated question.  I just want to change the appointment time.  I was ready to give his full name, DoB, address, phone number, original appointment time... not this however!

[me]  Uhh.. I am not sure.  Can you just look up his name, address, or original appointment time?

[hospital]  No, ma'am.  You see, the appointments are stacked by procedure.  Unless you tell me the procedure name, I cannot help you.

[me]  -_-

Today is Thanksgiving in Korea - 8/15 Lunar Calendar, when the moon is fullest.  It's a major holiday, and Koreans take 4 days off (that's a lot in Korea). 

My memory of Korean Thanksgiving is from childhood days.  I was dressed in Hanbok 한복 (韓服), a traditional Korean dress, and took 2 buses to visit great uncle's home where all of my extended family gathered.  Women gathered in the kitchen to cook and chat.  Men gathered in the rooms to chat, drink, or play chess.  Children gathered in the yard to play or sometimes fight :-) There were lots of people, food & drinks, music, laughter...

 ref: Naver.com Images

I don't have those days anymore in America.  At best, Korean Americans would buy traditional food from supermarket and share it with neighbors. 

I heard that not many families celebrate Thanksgiving in this grand fashion anymore in Korea.  Its cumbersome and not economic.  That's too bad.  As a child, it was pleasant to see extended families together and even get along.

Global warming wasn't real to me until I witnessed it at Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska.  My cruise ship stopped nearby 22 foot glacier wall, and I heard creaking sound as 4x5 ice chunk cracked and fell in the sea.  I was told that the glacier loses about 8 foot per day.  

In the future (perhaps not my lifetime), will we all claim a land underneath the ocean as Russia claims North Pole?

After sharing office space with a colleague for some time, I finally got my own (with a window!)  My office mate was jealous at the time, but I heard he is getting his own soon.  Now we're competing for who gets a better view  :-D

Amongst high rise buildings in Shinjuku Tokyo, I found this 70+ years old single family tucked in between two tall buildings.  Imagine walking out to pick up morning paper only to find hundreds of salary men and women in black suits hurrying to work.

"すみません. that's my newspaper..."

Have you been asked this before?  Not by your nurse but by a mere acquaintance?  This is pretty common in East Asia.  Asking your blood type is equivalent to asking, "what are you like?".  East Asians believe blood type is related to personality.

I found this ironic cartoon strip. It's in Korean, so I added English translation as best as I could.

ref: Japanese Blood Type Theory

If this were true, my blood type would be ABO+AB... I am in trouble if I ever need a blood transfusion.

Apparently it's one of the hippest hotel in central London - St Martins Lane.  And you're considered cool to stay there.  After 4-5 business trip to London, I had a chance to stay over at this hotel to find out what the fuss was all about.

Well for starters, it's the giant vase and seven dwarfs that greet you in the lobby... and no, Snow white is no where to be found.

More amusing is the famous mood light in the bedroom.  Hmm... what am I in the mood for after 9 hours of flight?

If you have enough energy, try the bar.  Interestingly, bar is worth a visit when it's closed.  There is an overhead projector that reflects natural images off the closed door.

It's an experience!  Would I go there again for dwarfs, mood lights, and fancy bar door?  No, but I will go for its location.  It's nearby restaurants and major attractions.  The utilitarian side of me would give St Martins Lane a thumbs up.

 www.stmartinslane.com