Movie Time

I saw Thor in 3-D Friday night. Amazing. A colleague had 20% off tickets that were expiring that day so a friend and I went. Tickets ran about $11 dollars. Popcorn and two drinks were $7.50. Not bad for a Friday night show. When you buy tickets you choose where you want to sit. I thought it was interesting that the row letters were English which made it easy for me to find my seat. I worry about those kind of things. The previews were all in Korean and were mostly ads. Then the movie began in English.

Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert!
Thor is one of the worst movies I have ever seen! I know. What was I expecting? The answer was, "Not much." Yet, still, I was disappointed. Even the 3D effects were few and far between. At least this time the scientists were not the bad guys. That really is the only positive thing I can say about the movie. The moment I saw Anthony Hopkins in Viking battle garb I thought the movie was going to be really bad. My next thought was more of a plea. "Please don't show Anthony Hopkins in Viking battle gear again." Request denied. Ugh.

Fortunately for Natalie Portman, she had a career before this movie because she is awful. Hey, there is a huge atmospheric disturbance in the middle of the desert. Let's drive top speed directly into it...from the passenger side. You see, the driver thought driving into a sand storm was a bad idea. Too bad the driver never thought to take her foot off the accelerator while fighting the passenger for control of the steering wheel.

After collecting data from the disturbance which resulted in them hitting Thor, the astrophysicist (Natalie Portman) comments on how the edge of the vortex looks like some curve described by Einstein. This leads to the following dialog:

"What kind of curve is that?", asks the female assistant who was driving the van described above.

"I thought you were a science major", says the male scientist.

"Political science."

To which Natalie Portman immediately interjects, "She was the only applicant."

That is good stuff. Later when the government seizes all of her equipment, the three 'scientists' go to the library where one of them finds a book that explains Thor and the vortex and travel between different realms.

"Where did you find that?"

"The children's section."

I give up. An astrophysicist loses all her equipment and data but fortunately finds all her answers in a children's book at the library. I simply give up.At least when my experiments are not going well you will know where to find me.

Later, Thor was able to retrieve her notebook with a picture of nine planets she has drawn.

"At least now I wont have to start from scratch." (Yes, her scientific career resides in that ten page notebook - blogger's edit).

"You must never give up your search," encourages Thor. "Your ancestors called it magic. You call it science. In my realm it is both. Here let me show you." Thor then proceeds to draw a line around the planets in Natalie Portman's notebook. She is absolutely enthralled.

"Oh, tell me more," she says in her most seductive tone.


IT'S A LINE! Ah yes, trans-dimensional travel to other worlds can be explained by drawing a line. It's so simple. How could I have missed it?

Thor is truly one of the worst movies I have ever seen. As such, I was thoroughly entertained. I was also happy the movies here are in English with Korean subtitles (many anyway)  which has an interesting consequence. Sometimes, the subtitles are displayed before the entire line is delivered. That results in the audience laughing before the joke is actually told. Once again the English speaker is slow on the up take. That's okay. I'm really pleased to be able to see movies at the theater ...in 3-D!

I'm a Winner, Baby!

Today at lunch they were handing out scratch off tickets. Everybody got one. The woman across from me scratched hers and saw a bunch of characters which apparently read, "Better luck next time." Since I cannot read Korean, I was prepared to simply claim victory and kid anyone who challenged my win as not really understanding Korean. As I was yelling, "I'm a winner!", it turns out I really was. Instead of characters, there was the English name of the food company 'Woorey' or something like that. I asked what I had won. It took several moments before my colleagues finally said, "a gift." Well, despite my recent success with chopsticks, I really needed a fork today. So, I went downstairs to get a fork and my 'gift'.

I show the guy handing out tickets my winner. He smiles and points me to the winner's area where they have me print my name, write what department I'm in, and then sign my name. It was very official. 'Name', 'department', and 'sign' were all the English they knew, so a lady pointed to a cup. I point back saying, "You choose." She then pours hot water in one and hands me my gift of ...hot tea. Whoo hoo! I ... hate tea. Well, not really. I just hate it as a gift. I had to sign for hot tea? At least it was Liptons.

It's Raining Again

The weather in Seoul is much like the Pacific-Northwest in the U.S. except Seoul has some sunny days. When it does rain here, it is very misty and light. I do not normally carry an umbrella preferring a hooded jacket. You might think that was a fashion-conscious decision, but the truth is that I can never find my umbrella.

Not carrying an umbrella in the rain simply amazes Koreans. The disbelieving looks on their faces when I tell them I don't have an umbrella are almost as impressive as the looks I get when I tell them I don't need an umbrella.

"I have a hood. See?"

"Okay, you can share my umbrella."

"No, it's ok. I will just wear my hood."

"Oooohh," which is actually Korean for 'I don't think he understood my English' because they then walk close enough to cover me with their umbrella. Once, I was walking alone to the lab when a stranger who spoke no English felt the need to share his umbrella with me. I tried to pantomime, "Thank you, but no". I can tell he thought I did not understand him. Who in their right mind would refuse sharing an umbrella? He repeats his offer gesturing more dramatically that he is willing to share his umbrella. Of course, I gesture more emphatically that I do not need to share an umbrella. I don't think speaking Korean would have helped this situation. Some behavior they just don't get, but playing charades in the rain was kind of fun.

This interpretive dance experience did convince me of one thing. I should get an umbrella. The question is where. When I first visited here, I was struck by the insane number of shops here in Seoul. And they sell everything.

An alleyway near Insadong full of shops and eateries.

If you walk far enough you will find a shop selling what you need. I do not know how these stores stay open, but sure enough I stumbled upon a jacket and umbrella shop near Korean University which is about a fifteen minute walk from my place. There were scads of umbrellas including one with Michael Jackson's 'This is It' emblem. I almost bought that as a gift since he too was a Hoosier, but I just couldn't do it. I found one I liked and asked how much. The lady told me 4,000 won which is roughly four dollars. I then grab another umbrella for Larry and tell her I'll take two. I give her 10,000 won. She bows and closes the door. One is 4,000 but two are 10,000? I really have to work on my negotiating skills.

Work, Work, Work.

The Cohen half of the Baker/Cohen labs arrived yesterday. It is good to see a familiar face. We have agreed upon the lab renovations, equipment is arriving, and positions are being filled. Since it looks like it's time to get down to business, I thought I would post a few pictures of where I work, the KIST campus.

The reflecting pond last week when the cherry blossoms arrived

Across from the cafeteria is a large reflecting pond surrounded by trees. Behind the trees in the picture is a large field where families will picnic and children will play soccer.

Soccer field with truncated midfield

This soccer field is impressive. I think the width is regulation while the midfield has been reduced. I have seen a couple of 9-on-9 games with a referee keeping the scientists under control. In the distance you can see the building my lab is in. Just left of this picture are bleacher seats set into the side of a hill.

Lighted clay tennis courts

Next to the soccer field are three clay tennis courts. These are extremely popular. It is rare to not see anyone on them. The building to the left is the gym. The gym has a tennis coach that you can hire for lessons. Sadly, I don't think he speaks English.

The gym which has exercise machines on the second floor.

I was going to take a quick picture of the inside of the gym, but I did not have inside shoes to wear. I am still getting used to the idea of outdoor shoes. The people I work with tell me this is a very nice facility. Guess I need to buy some inside shoes.

The driving range

Koreans are golf fanatics. Next to the gym opposite the tennis courts is the driving range. Golf clubs and balls are provided.

When you visit you had better lace 'em up. This is my house!

At the top of the hill across from the gym is a full length, international basketball court. It has a matted surface allowing precision cuts on my dribble-drive penetration. I will have to get my dad here to show the Koreans how post up basketball is really played. Next to the basketball court are some people paying foot volleyball. I've only seen it played once. It has a very low net, and you cannot use you hands unless you are serving. The serve is a drop kick. The ball can bounce once and that's it. Headers appear to be legal.

The view from my balcony

Finally, there was a request to see a picture from my balcony. Directly below my balcony is a parking lot. I will show that photo at a later date. Across the street is a play ground for the kids that live at KIST. That is a nicer picture.

That is most (if not all) of the highlights of where I work. I hope this will encourage you to come to Korea. Seoul is a beautiful place to visit. It seems like a good place to live as well.

And so it Begins

A momentous day for the Baker lab. My first piece of equipment arrived!. The euphoria quickly died. Page one of the instruction manual:

'To set up the patch clamp amplifier requires 5 steps:
Step 1 is described on page 6
Step 2 is described on page 9
Step 3 is described on page 14
Step 4 is described on page 12
Step 5 is described on page 10'

What? Oh boy. So do I skip to page 14 after page 9? Step 5 is titled "Verifying and Testing". I can see why that section is written before the "Installing the Calibration files" which is step 3. I can do this. Oh, how I miss my friends at Yale. I blame the Germans. You know who you are, and you know you are guilty. The amplifier was made in Germany. So, I know it is good. And I'm pretty sure it is over my head, but no time like the present to learn.

The lab is nearly renovated. The walls are up. The heating units are being installed. It looks good. I am just worried that the space for people has been under-estimated.

Space for desks which will face the window. Might be a little cozy

Entrance to the lab where a meeting table will be

On paper it appeared as though the layout was perfect for a meeting table. Again, it is going to be a little cozy with six chairs around a two meter table. If the plan holds, we will have 22 chairs which will double the amount of chairs other labs with similar space will have. I would prefer 13 chairs so there is actually space for people. But whatever. This is a minor problem for the Baker/Cohen labs. Nothing can stop us now! Except for maybe page one of the instruction manual.

I Didn't Mean it Literally!

I have always been uneasy getting my hair cut. Having to wear glasses requires a certain amount of faith in the person cutting my hair. Now, not only can I not see what they are doing, but I cannot even tell them how I want my hair cut.

With the failure in Itaewan, I decided to stay close to home. Once you start looking for barber shop signs, you begin to see them everywhere. Several places near my home cut hair, so I had my secretary write in Korean how I wanted my hair cut. A quick aside about hair style in Korea. This is metrosexual central. I think guys wear more product in their hair than the women. And big hair is the style here. A mop with a part and just out of the eyes seems to be the Korean style. Nearby is a place that sells wigs (I think). I took a picture because the head with a sketchy beard just cracks me up. Anyway, my big hair days have long past. I want my hair short.

A wig place near. Once you see this place, it automatically becomes a landmark.

Well, it turns out the wig place is also a barber shop! Now I have to get my hair cut there. I walk in and show the guy my sheet of Korean instructions. The first question was how much is the cut. He answers,"Shampoo? Cut? Shampoo and cut? 9,000 won" That was about all the English he could speak. A cut and shampoo cost me $30 in the US but here it's under $10. I tell him I would like the shampoo and a cut. I also show him my ID which has a picture of how I would like hair cut. It's clear he thinks I'm trying to introduce myself, so I give up.

He has me sit in the barber chair, gets an old time shaving brush, applies a touch of shampoo, and gently taps my head with the brush. Not exactly what I would call a shampoo, but this is not the first time the translation is a little off. Then he takes a water bottle and wets my hair. This is followed by the sound of razor shears. It was at this moment I realized the instructions I have given might not really convey what I wanted. I like my ears cut out which to me means the ears are showing. But, literally, it means something slightly different. Now, I'm not completely blind without my glasses, so I was able to see (and feel) him take the shears and cut out my ears. A huge swathe of hair goes tumbling as the hair above my ears is significantly reduced. Dang it. I had also emphasized my hair being short. After finishing the sides he begins to frantically cut the top using a comb in one hand to pull up the hair and scissors in the other cutting at a phenomenal rate. I was reminded of Edward Scissor-Hands. That is not an exaggeration. He moved fast.

He cuts my hair for a full 45 minutes, so there is not much hair left. He then pulls out a straight-edge razor and shaves my scalp above my ears. Then he shaves my ears. At least this guy is thorough. He brushes me off and then says,"Shampoo". Here you wash your hair after the cut. I like that better. Get rid of all the cut hair. After the shampoo, he blow dries my hair. He then takes a bottle and shows it to me. "Scent." It was aftershave. He puts that in my hair. "Lotion." He puts that in my hair. Another bottle and another. I couldn't really make out what he said they were, but they all went in. I now have more product in my hair than I have had in all my days combined. It did smell good.

So, with the exception of the gap between my ears and my hair, not too bad. An hour entertainment for nine bucks. I just need to remember that translations are usually taken quite literally.

Day 14 - Black Day

The lunch line was packed today. "People have to eat their black noodles." I'm finding it takes several sentences for me to figure out what is going on. "There is Valentine's Day, White Day, and Black Day". For a while that was all the explanation I was given. "There are a lot of single people at KIST". Imagine that. A lot of single people at a science institute. Shocking! Even in Korea where video game competitors are TV stars, scientists still struggle.

So, what exactly is Black Day? Turns out that on Valentine's day, women give men chocolate. I like the Korean version of Valentine's day, and I don't even like chocolate that much. March 14th is White Day where the men give women candies. I knew it was too good to be true. April 14th, Black Day, is for single people. "So single people celebrate today?", I asked. "Well, they eat. They eat black noodles." Doesn't seem fair to me. Fortunately, pork was in the 'dating' line.