When One Door Closes... (Bizarre Twists part 2)

I used to believe in fate. I liked the idea of a grand plan in which I played an important role. Life was simply me trying to figure out that role. I'm still working on that role, but I have given up on the grand plan. Instead, there are a million different paths that lead to some extraordinary experiences.

Today's post is a result of having lost a basketball game (http://ahoosierinkorea.blogspot.com/2011/09/im-mercenary-bizarre-twists-part-1.html). I was rather upset and venting to whomever was in earshot.

"Our department has no representation on Sports Day."

"There is always the talent show," said a secretary in the business office. "I've signed up to do a belly dance."

I immediately asked her if she needed backup dancers. You see, I have always wanted to be a 'Pip'. That might sound strange until you watch Gladys Knight and the Pips perform 'Midnight Train to Georgia' (especially at the 1:10 mark, woo hoo!).

Once she agreed I was off to find partners in crime. I already knew my Japanese colleague could dance (see http://ahoosierinkorea.blogspot.com/2011/11/when-in-doubt-high-five-strangers-and.html). Another colleague had suffered a similar 'coaching' experience on the soccer field; he was in. We pressured our Iranian friend to join. Whenever he wants to make a strong statement he says, "Thank you very much!" as he puts his arm straight out with his hand up to signal there is nothing more to be said. We all do that now. We also took advantage of the new post-doc from Ghana. What can I say? He was new.

It turned out that our lead dancer is quite talented and modified a dance to a very popular K-pop song, 'Roly Poly'. We had a week to prepare. I was warned the first practice might be strenuous. It was definitely hilarious. Teaching us was like herding cats.

And then a miracle happened. Sports day was canceled due to weather. Too bad because we had gotten quite good (yeah, right.) Anyway, two weeks later the Brain Science Institute had a retreat to promote closer interactions between the various departments. The retreat was out in the boonies with traditional Korean accommodations (you sleep on the floor).

I actually had a really good time. There was one science talk, one Korean folk music talk (in Korean), a poster session, an adventure trail, a version of paint ball, and of course a talent show.

High bridge leading to a zip line

Paintball without paint in a fake city with real cars

We signed up for the talent show. There had been rumors that another dance group was doing the same song, but one of them hurt her knee so they didn't perform. There were two other entrants, a band performing Justin Bieber and a soloist violin player. We were the final act. After our lead dancer did her belly dance, this is what followed (note: our Iranian dropped out. I really can't blame him).

I love the posters in the background. We won 50,000 won gift certificates for our efforts. I don't think the Koreans have laughed that hard in a long time. The crowd started chanting encore, but we were having too much fun backstage showing off our winnings.

Needless to say, we were a huge hit. A few weeks later another talent show was announced to mark the anniversary of the institute. This time we prepared another song just in case the audience wanted another encore. I think it is safe to say that we were quite taken with ourselves.

Our new song was another K-pop song that translates to 'Having an affair'. It starts off with a phone call. In Korea there are several mascot balloons used in advertising whose arms flail about to get your attention. I mention that to sort of explain the next video.

This effort won us 100,000 won gift certificate. We are no longer considered amateurs. I think that is rather obvious (I hope the sarcasm translates here). I do fear for the future of the group. I'm considering a solo endeavor (those guys are just holding me back). And of course there is the documentary of when scientists go bad.

Anyway to wrap things up, it amazes me how losing a basketball game set off quite a series of events. Sometimes a loss results in a win. When one door closes, another door opens. Good God, close that door quickly. Those guys think they can dance.  I would have been such a good 'Pip'.