Loose Union

Here's a poster I just did for Loose Union, an indie label in the making based in Seoul. I'm pretty stoked about this design. It's taken from a photo I took at Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, except I replaced the folk within the deity's chest with a cheeky birdy. A bit sacreligious I know. Forgive me Hanuman!

If you're in Seoul, you should go along! Here are the details from the Loose Union event page:
 |        
 |        
 |        
V      


We’ve been hustling hard to produce our first season of videos and EP’s. In celebration of our first six episodes we invite you to join us at our first event, LOOSE UNION PRESENTS:

Loose Union의 첫번제 시즌 비도이와 앨범이 팔매되었습니다. 우리의 첫 시즌 앨범 팔매를 축하하기위한 이벤트에 여러분을 초대합니다! 


LOOSE UNION LABEL & WEBSITE LAUNCH



************FEATURING************


WAGWAK
http://www.facebook.com/wagwak

ON SPARROW HILLS
http://onsparrowhills.tumblr.com/

USED CASSETTES
http://www.usedcassettes.net/

JUCKJUCK GRUNZIE
http://www.myspace.com/juckjuck

LOVE x STEREO
http://lovexstereo.com/


ALSO FEATURING: USED CASSETTES EP RELEASE

The Cost of Living EP
Recorded at Union Studios


(((((((((WITH KICK-ASS BEER BY: THE MAGPIE BREWING CO.))))))))))))

Delicious beer home-crafted in the heart of Seoul.

http://magpiebrewing.com/

CHECK OUT OUR FB PAGE FOR MORE INFO/PICS/VIDS
--------> http://www.facebook.com/LooseUnion


AWEH
http://www.aweh.tv/


VACANT DESIGN PROJECT
http://www.vacantproject.com/shop/main/intro.php

Oh shit - its the Wallets: Skate Gang do Malmo

Oh shit - its the Wallets: Skate Gang do Malmo: I found this video over at Sheffield Black Wallets. It's from a skate trip to Sweden I went on as part of the supercrew SKATE GANG in 2010. Enjoy it!

Yeongsan River Cycle Path

I had a split shift today so I cycled down the Yeongsan River path to the Sungchon Weir. It's not really a beauty spot, but it's a nice easy ride. They are developing the park all along the river, so unfortunately it's a bit of a building site in places.  I rode for 21km before turning back to Gwangju. It is possible to continue along the river path all the way to Mokpo. We met a couple of Korean cyclists who did this the other day. I plan on doing this in the next couple of weeks, but I worry that cycling along a bike path for 110km might get a little bit tedious.




When spring really kicks in hopefully the river will burst into life. Not much going on there today,






This is the Sungchon Weir. Nothing special. Time to turn around.


I actually prefer the road next to the river. It's quiet, smoother than the cycle path and it has better views because you can see in all directions.


Here you can see how far it is to Mokpo in comparison to the 21 km I cycled today. The river is quite windy so it adds quite a few extra kilometres. I want to do this one Saturday soon so I can eat some fried (or maybe live) Octopus and drink some makkoli when I get there. I have a fondness for Mokpo seafood. My guts, not so much!

Donhou Expedition Bike: COMPLETED.

Django is born!

It's been a while in the making, but now my Donhou expedition bike is complete!









I went to Phil's shop in Seoul (Dongdaemun Gu) to get the beast assembled. It's a sturdy ride! I spent the day watching Phil assembling the bike. That was my choice as I thought I might learn a thing or two. It was to be a long day! It was a busy afternoon in the shop: a lot of customers, a lot conversation and LOADS of cake. Yes, cake.

I decided to call the bike Django for two reasons. Firstly it was a beautiful sunny day when it got built and I was listening to Django Reinhardt. Secondly, Django is one of the best western movies I have ever seen and he is a complete badass. Also it has an epic theme tune which I can sing whilst riding!



I took Django for a spin around Seoul yesterday. He rides like a dream - not one of those dreams where I'm being chased and gunned down for murdering someone. I also did a spot of shopping, so I splashed out on a Supernova E3 Pro iris lens dynamo headlamp (see below). It cost an arm and a leg, but it is BRIGHT. I tested it out on the ride home from Gwangju Station and I was impressed. I might have to take it for a whirl in the countryside one night to see just how bright it gets.

I'll be updating my expedition bike page with more nerdy details and photos ASAP.

Big Dogs and Camp Dancers

SUNSHINE! Winter is finally losing it's grip on Korea, thank God! I've got a pretty sweet schedule this session. I have a 5 hour break on Tuesdays and Thursdays so I'll be able to fit in a lot of weekday riding. Today I did the Lake Loop in reverse. It seems to be much more difficult when done in reverse, but that could just be because I'm not used to doing it that way.

I've started skateboarding again, but I don't think my knees like it that much as they were being a little cranky today. I'm pretty disappointed as I was hoping to get back into skating. Hopefully the knee aching will be temporary.


I spotted these HUGE (for Korea) dogs at a farm on the route. This one was going nuts yapping its head of until I pulled my camera out. He's scared of being papped whilst causing trouble on the streets!


However this fella just rolled over and started basking in the sunshine. He needs to start grafting and do his job properly or he'll end up in some 멍멍탕 (woof woof soup).


Glorious! Bit dusty though. Not the clearest skies.

 
This is the most flagrant display of campness I have ever seen in Korea. This makes my day every time I cycle past it. I always forget that it's there and then BOOM! It's high time I started taking some dance classes here. I'm not sure what your average Korean would make of this poster. Most of my students boldly claim that there are no "gays" in Korea. In fact there isn't really a concept of camp in this country which explains the style of the majority of male K-Pop stars. It's like Take That in the nineties; you look at it now and you wonder who it's marketed at.

But seriously, look at those clothes! What I'd give to get my hands on a set of those. Imagine the reaction if I donned them during a discussion class. I feel a lesson plan coming on!

Week of waiting...

Actually this week is going really quickly, I can't believe it's Wednesday already. Two good things are happening  this week. Firstly, my camera is getting mended! I'm going to pick it up from Keumho World today. Unfortunately it's going to cost me 173,000 KRW (about 90 quid). Secondly, I'm going to get my bike finished!

I'm going to head up to Seoul on Friday night so I can be up in good time on Saturday. I'll be heading to Phil's Shop where he is going to build it in front of my very own eyes! Hopefully I'll learn a thing or two about assembling bikes so I won't get in too much trouble if I ever need to do some repairs on the road. I'll will be splattering this wall with photos of the new ride on Sunday, that's a promise. I have yet to give the bike a name. My folding bike is called "Rusty Steve". My Giant bike remains anonymous. Suggestions for names would be much appreciated. Maybe Gordon.

Unfortunately my trip to Seoul coincides with St Patrick's Day. It's not my favourite day of the year. I will be trying to avoid Itaewon at all costs. Drunk ex-pats pretending to take an interest in Ireland is not my cup of tea. Nobody goes hogwild for St Andrew's day, or St David's day. Oh well.

Pranks a lot!

It seems I have developed two nemeses in the form of Jason Randall (aka Randallizer) and Chester. F. George. Someone just turned up the heat in the office... Have a read and get some tissue. No, you're not going to come in your pants, you're going to start crying with laughter.

Chester. F. George
http://pesterchester.wordpress.com/

Jason Randall:
http://pedalsofsteel.blogspot.com/

I think Jonny had a bit too much time on his hands this weekend. These pranks are going to spiral out of control. I'm both nervous and excited.