This was another pretty good and interesting weekend.

I was planning to go out and do some research and pics for my next magazine article. Then I figured that it was a better day to experiment in the kitchen. I made a good bit of food and freak shows. I also cleaned the place more, including that balcony.

That night, I met Derek, Injoo and Injoo’s two friends Joe and Steve. We headed to Club Psycho for the Anyang Open Mic night. When I got there, I saw a face that looked a little familiar. It was the guy who recognized me as ZenKimchi the night before. I waved to him and asked, “Can I get your name this time?”

“Oh yeah, it’s Peter.”

He introduced me to his wife, Ji-yeon, and the three of us sat and talked through much of the evening. I felt bad that I was neglecting my other friends, but they seemed to be doing their own things too.

Peter is an architect from London who met his wife while designing a bar in Gangnam. They’ve only been in Korea for a month on this trip. Peter was using my site to find places to eat. We came to a better understanding than the meeting the night before. He understood that the places I talk about are good for what they are. We’re dying for something different, and we need to keep any place different in business as much as possible.

The evening progressed, and I progressed on gin and tonics. I become a careless drinker on those because they’re not as water-laden as beer, and they taste so damn good. Unfortunately, I’m a drunk who talks a lot and says stupid things. I also remember everything I say and do the next day.

I shan’t go into that.

The music was even better than the last time I went to open mic. Chris W. is amazing on the guitar, especially when playing the blues. Some bands played. A good time was had by all. Some girls walked in, and a few of us agreed that female teachers in Korea are starting to become easier on the eyes. Before then I thought Canada’s biggest export to Korea was ugly women.

Aren’t I shallow?

Well, the girls had some drinks, and this cute blonde girl seemed determined to go home with a man. She hung on almost everyone. There was one moment that her arms were around Injoo, and he looked very uncomfortable yet polite. She leaned her head in to kiss him, and he turned his head the other way, politely laughing.

By the end of the evening, people were getting her off the pool table and trying to get her home safely.

I myself had fun with my t-shirt. I wore the Korean “Give me a beer” shirt, and it was an easy icebreaker with Koreans. I remember one point where all these girls’ hands were running all across my shirt, reading it and laughing.

That was my kicks for the night.

The bands finished, and everyone disbanded. I had some Frico burgers with Derek at Lotteria, where we had a rare talk about politics, and a good one at that. Again, when I drink, I don’t shut up. I made it home around 4:30 AM.

I got up at 11:00 and got ready to go to Gangnam for the Seoul Survivors podcast. I didn’t have a headache, but my stomach, liver and each muscle in my body were not feeling good. It was as if I had gotten no sleep at all. It took great concentration to keep myself from throwing up on the bus.

When I got to Gangnam, I ran into Karl on the street. I told him I was looking for some food. He pointed out a Burger King, and that was exactly what I needed. I’ve been good about avoiding fast food, but this weekend I have been craving hamburgers. What I like about Burger King is that they now offer a salad as an alternative to fries in their set meals. I could use some vegetables.

The podcast was survived. I did feel hungover during much of it, but it was good. I also got some Tagalong Girl Scout cookies from Jennifer.

After the podcast, I immediately went to the Express Bus Terminal and met Eun Jeong coming back from Gyeongju. She was tired and hot. Funny because I felt hot all day too. It was as if every building had its head turned on too high.

We got home and took a quick nap before going out for California rolls in downtown Anyang. We got tickets to watch “Sweeney Todd” that night. I had been dying to see that movie. I have been a fan of the musical since high school.

We had an hour to kill, so we spent some coinage at the theater’s arcade. Eun Jeong has discovered the joys of air hockey.

The theater was hot, hot, hot. Poor Eun Jeong couldn’t concentrate on the movie, she was sweating so much. I think it added to the tone. One annoyance was a guy behind us started talking on his cell phone, and it became a deep conversation. It was one of the rare times I was about to tell off a stranger in public. I got up to turn around right when he got off the phone.

The movie exceeded all my expectations. Tim Burton was born to direct “Sweeney Todd.” All the performances were stellar. Since it was a film, the singing was less operatic, which made the songs take a new vibe. The blood itself was a character. It did not even try to look real, more like red paint. Yet Burton made it vibrant and artistic. I’m not into gore and violence. I don’t like Tarantino movies because I don’t get the callous detached attitude towards death. Yet each death in “Sweeney Todd” had its own unique beauty, or rather style. And you saw each one, as opposed to the stage play. Okay, well, you don’t see Beadle Bamford’s. But you do see Helena Bonham Carter being turned into a crispy critter. And the final scene was a perfect picture.

Even the taxi ride home was too hot. Are we both going through menopause?