By the Lights, Part 1: The Idea, the Pilot, & the Scot
August 3rd, 2006.
Previously...
Entrepreneurship is what made the world go 'round, at least in America. Someones million-dollar idea plus a little luck, and say hello to success. The problem I saw with that these days was that everything was almost done at least once. This happy shrinking world. The whole globalization and the fact that all of the good ideas were too little, too late made a finding that elusive million-dollar idea. So, what did I know about any million dollar idea? All of them were apparently taken.
And to add more stress, there was something about Seoul that was strangely intoxicating. Orlando was nice, but being overseas again was so much fun. Exploring was becoming fun again. Yes, things were getting complicated.
And now...
Keary and I spent some time talking about my potentially switching majors again, from Psych to Communications. Apparently he noticed that I was really good at speaking to people since my time hanging out with him. He seemed a bit too focused on the practicality of the business world. And I wanted no part of the rest of the world. I didn't want to become another cog in the big business machine. I traded in my dress shoes for a pair of Chuck Taylor's. Life was better that way, able to go where I damn well pleased.
Since Keary was working, I had an opportunity to head out into Itaewon on my own. First stop was Helios, where I quickly ran into Tony, and we joked about how my brother was missing out on all of the dancing. There were a whole lot of soldiers out, most notably officers.
One of them was a helicopter pilot by the name of Jordan. He hadn't been in town too long, and we talked about Army things, the good old days and such. While we were talking, a young lady walked by, glanced over and smiled at me, then continued on. Hmm, that was a little obvious.
Jordan and I got along pretty well, and he admittedly reminded me a little of my old Army buddy from back in 1988, Kris. The Party Pooper Gestapo was in full force again, so I joined Jordan back at his flat, which wasn't too far away. We had a few brews and a really expensive bottle of whiskey (though a bottle of Jack bought on the street cost roughly $140 in these parts, no kidding; I guess tariffs were a total bitch) and I told him about my days in Panama. The good old days when I was 21 and really wild. I bid him farewell and thanked him for the brew.
A quick cab ride later and I was off to a place called the Loft, where most of the English teachers hung out. I had been here before, with Mario when he still in town. I figured it would be a fine place to meet random people.
Of course, random turned up, in the form of the young lady with her smile again. Thats how I met Emily, an English teacher with a rather noticeably thick Scottish brogue. So much so, that I didnt really understand her. Well, that could have been the liquor warping both her voice and my ability to listen.
Throughout all of the dancing, I learned that she was bored at home and didnt really have an idea of what she wanted to do after she graduated from college in Edinburgh. I told her about my running around, trying to find what crazy destiny was out there, going with the flow and all.
But while we were having a great time talking, it was time to go. I somehow remember the directions back to the flat, and relayed them to the cabbie. A quick stumbling up the hill and the staircase, and there was the couch. It would do for the moment. Yes, I could get used to nights like that.
Next: More fun at the King Club with Keary and Rico, as well as the return of Emily and Sora.