RANTING/VENTING MEGATHREAD 3.0

I went for a run as usual this morning, and I guess my coffee hadn't yet fully kicked in, because I tripped over a rock and faceplanted in the dirt. I tucked and rolled like a pro, and brushed myself off, looking around to see if anybody saw.  And yes, of course, despite is being 5:15 and out in the middle of nowhere, there was an elderly couple watching just down the path. So, like a complete idiot, I knelt down and pretended to tie my shoelaces. That'll fool 'em!
   Anyway, I got to work this morning, and the teacher in my neighbouring cubicle pointed out that I was bleeding through my shirt. My white shirt. My beautiful white sweater. 

  Oh, also, just 10 minutes ago I was informed that 2 of my grade 2 students were tested positive for covid yesterday evening. You know, a few hours after I high-fived them out of my classroom. Now suddenly I'm feeling a touch worried about that minor cold I feel coming on.  Classes are cancelled today, of course, and all the teachers are getting tested at school today, which is great. And also a bit ironic, because yesterday we missed classes because the TB bus rolled in and x-rayed us all (individually, one at a time, I mean).

Interesting start to the week. 

I read COVID-19 won't be over in poorer countries until 2023.

So it makes sense for as many places as possible to pump out vaccines to help end this pandemic.

First they can distribute the vaccines domestically... then after that's done there'll still be plenty of demand from others for a long time to come.

I just can't believe it hasn't occurred to all these countries that are facing political and health firestorms that all they had to do was just start making the vaccine themselves.  Dummies. 

oh nooooo kyndoooooo :( it's only up from here dude!_{i hope}

Foreign business owners have been getting turned away at immigration offices when going in to renew their F-2-7 visas.

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2021/04/177_307481.html

Under the changed way that the rules are being implemented, F-2-7 visa holders who own businesses face the closure of their businesses, and if they are also unable to renew their visas, they will drop to entry-level D-10-1 jobseeking visas.

I renewed my E-2 visa last week.

i was told that you can do the process online nowadays, and the hagwon receptionist did all the forms online but we were informed that because my Canadian passport was issued in Korea (at the embassy) instead of back home, the online option wasn't available. WHY NOT? The receptionist has no idea. I don't get it. My passport looks identical to the previous ones issued back home. Oh well. Just a whole half day of my free time 8am-2pm spent traveling to the provincial govt office and getting it done in person (which took ten minutes flat once I went through the new wait-for-your-appointment procedure.)

The quirks of bureaucracy.

It's 8:45am Monday morning but I have no hagwon classes today due to public school exams. 

I just pulled out a wine cork from Gordon Ramsey's Chilean preference Casillero del Diablo (he was probably paid to feature it on in-studio Masterchef episodes). And it was bloody easy.

The same motion i struggled to do as a young man a quarter century ago.

Either I developed the ideal torque angle/ratio OR corks are somehow easier to extract these days or w.h.y.

I am flabbergasted. In uni I benched 220 lbs. for ten reps but couldn't pull a damn cork out of a bottle. Today, the reverse.

y u drinking at 8:45am on a monday my dude?

y u drinking at 8:45am on a monday my dude?

It does kind of explain why he sees the world through rose-tinted glass.

y u drinking at 8:45am on a monday my dude?

You fell into his trap.  It was a set up and now you've given him an opening to bring up his birthday.  I've noticed over the years Van the Man is one of those people that like to let everyone know it's their birthday.  I have a friend who always does that so I'm not disparaging him as a person.  I just find it perplexing.  Do forced birthday greetings from strangers provide some satisfaction? 

The reason this is my suspicion is because Van came on the other day to announce he was going to buy some cheese the following week.  That comment really seemed pointless, until he worked his upcoming birthday into the post.  Got it. 

You fell into his trap card.

to the shadow realm i go

It does kind of explain why he sees the world through roseRosé-tinted glass.

Is today your birthday, Van?

If so, Happy Birthday, enjoy that wine and cheese. 

Is today your birthday, Van?

If so, Happy Birthday, enjoy that wine and cheese. 

Speaking of cheese, I noticed in Emart the other day they are selling something called Mozzarella Littles.  It was a bag of curd sized mozzarella bits.  You know, for that poutine you're making?

to the shadow realm i go

you fool, that's not the shadow realm. i'm sending you to brazil!

to the shadow realm i go

You forgot, you have that facedown magic card you can activate, that totally negates his trap card! :O

Why are threads gettin’ locked? (>__<) Let’s discuss issues; we’re adults. No need to shut down a discussion because a snowflake got triggered / offended.

I noticed that one or two threads have been locked recently.
They're interesting topics, and I suspect that they might eventually be unlocked once people have had some time to chill.

I was wondering the same thing.  Is anyone having difficulty with the discussions?  I mean, obviously I get censoring a certain someone for threatening violence, but most other responders are having adult conversations.  Just warn "no more personal insults and threats of violence will be tolerated and stick to the issues."  These are relevant conversations that are being locked.  We're adults.  We can handle an argument. 

And is the minimum wage thread locked for everyone?  It looks like the main catalyst for the insults flying is still posting as of last night.  Anyways, Dipped asked a question about why Hangook is receiving vitriol for saying wages are too low, and it would be nice to explain to her that he has never received any vitriol or even disagreement on the fact wages are too low.  He has only received vitriol for how he responds to people that see the root of the problem in a way other than his own.  That's where all the vitriol has originated.  Everyone from the outset has agreed wages have remained stagnant.  It's the cause and solution posts where people have varying opinions, where Hangook has consistently attacked people as secret hakwan owners, idiots , and apologists  that has caused all the discord. 

Hope you read that Dipped. 

I know I had a stab at hangook a while back but he is right about the state of salaries here when measured against inflation.

He's also one of the most prolific contributors of material to the site.  I don't think he gets much credit for that.  Has there been a single PPT or worksheet amongst DM's 10,000 contributions for example?

Finally, I've noticed certain users that just go after him for the sake of it or maybe because he's older (for example, the guy who eats soy morning noon and night - I don't need to say his username lol).

He also dresses perfectly well, more undue attacks from that thread. 

I know I had a stab at hangook a while back but he is right about the state of salaries here when measured against inflation.

Again, he has been asked to provide an example of someone saying salaries have not stagnated over the years, and he dodges that.  That people take issue with him do not do it based on his "hard truths" about salaries.  We all know that and don't dispute it.  It's the way he has responded to people that don't agree with his solutions.  Despite his "I'm a victim" stance we all know he has personally insulted and attacked people that don't agree with his solutions to the issue.  There was never a need for him to go on the attack.  He made those choices and has a certain reputation here because of that.