Love Lockdown

• Hiked up to the North Seoul tower today. The tower's on a mountain, and our small group decided to forego the cable car and just hoof it. While I wouldn't call it a mistake, per se, I think we'd all agree that this was as good a decision as cyclical birth control.
  
  I don't know if you heard me counting but I did over a thousand.
  
  
• Think I shed a few pounds on the hike up here. It's hot, humid, and we were kinda racing. I pity anyone standing within ten feet of me.
  
  
• Took a few pics for the fans back home, overlooking the city. I can't upload them yet but hold your breath. Edit: here they is.
  
  
  
  
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• I have mad respect for the Korean women who make the hike up this mountain staircase in heels. I shit you not. And there are dozens of them. Heels aren't a fashion accessory in Seoul, they're an indication of whether you think you're a hot woman. Continued:
  
  
• Korea, in many ways, is still in the 50's or 60's in terms of women's rights. Madmen looks like a documentary to these folks. PDA is everywhere, and I don't mean affection. This is public displays of abuse. It's not uncommon to see a backhand or two to the wife or kids if daddy doesn't sober up before being told bad news. I've heard stories of a few kids coming to school with shiners, but haven't witnessed any of this myself yet. I hope I never do.
  
  
• There's an out-of-date mural at the Seoul tower showing various heights of the world's towers. The CN is still listed as the tallest, and I puff my chest a little. Luckily the Burj Dubai hasn't been mentioned yet, and they won't be hearing it from me.
  
  
  
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• Here's a cute little factoid: (pictures to be added shortly) the whole perimeter of the lookout fencing at the tower is covered with hanging padlocks. Each has a date and a pair of lovers' names on it, symbolizing their committed affection at the top of the world. Cute, but the magic dies when you see the groundskeeper come along to sodomize their relationship with metal shears when he rids the "viewing" fence of these mementos. Apparently only certain sections of the fence are permitted, the others get the snip. Hopefully these kids were smart and took out pre-nups.
  
  
  
• Scoured the tower fence for my love lock section. Couldn't find the locks dedicated to me. Must be further up. I'm feeling robbed.
  
  
  
• Kanye West's "Love Lockdown" keeps playing in my head.
  
  
• I bought a cell phone today. I played the store owner like a fiddle, too. Got him to cover his display case with different models and accessories, opened every package and turned on each phone, discussed every single phone plan while I only intend to use pay as I go minutes, kept him from serving other customers ( a little greedy, but this is one of dozens of similar stores on the street), I showed eager interest, but then scoffed in his face and walked away when he mentioned the price. Sucker hollered after me, dropped the price and threw in a new battery and two months of free minutes. I doubt he made any money tonight.
  
  
• Finally, we'll be hiring a cleaning lady to do a once-over of the apartment before I switch rooms. But not just any cleaning lady, a Phillippino cleaning lady. Are Phillippinos internationally-recognized as the world's best cleaners? What the hell? Even KOREANS know who to call in for a maid. Unreal. We need more Lemon Pledge.