mourningdove

Aikido and Rhetoric: Centering

I’m starting a series on aikido and rhetoric because I’m a rhetorician by training, and for the last two years, I’ve been training in the Japanese martial art of aikido as well. I started noticing a lot of similarities between the two disciplines: similar ethics, similar practices, even similar concepts and terms. And after diggingContinue reading “Aikido and Rhetoric: Centering”

Ceramics Saturdays: Modern Korean Ceramics

There is so much really interesting work going on in Korean ceramics today–young potters taking the clean, organic forms of tradition into experimental lines and colors. The incense burner pictured above is by my friend Jeewon (Mellanie) Jeong, an incredibly talented young ceramicist with a Master’s degree from Seoul National University and now her ownContinue reading “Ceramics Saturdays: Modern Korean Ceramics”

Friday Favorites: Kung Fu Movies, Part Two

This time it’s personal…. Compared to the first list, this one is less orthodox, with newer films as well as more wuxia (sort of the MCU for martial arts, featuring fictional heroes mixed in with actual historical ones): Hero. The fight between Donnie Yen and Jet Li in the rain at the teahouse. Nuff said.Continue reading “Friday Favorites: Kung Fu Movies, Part Two”

ATEEZ 멋(The Real)

So, if you’re new to my enthusiasm for the K-pop boy band ATEEZ, you can catch yourself up to speed here. This post is just a quick update that (1) they have a new video out for “The Real,” a song they performed last year as part of the Kingdom competition; and (2) they’re kickingContinue reading “ATEEZ 멋(The Real)”

Storing Christmas Decorations

Since Epiphany is tomorrow (the 12th day of Christmas) and my city’s tree-cycling program ends this weekend, it’s time to de-decorate. Honestly, it’s fine: as much as I love Christmas, I recognize that its ability to thrill me every year stems in part from the fact that it’s a limited engagement. Also, while I neverContinue reading “Storing Christmas Decorations”

Los Angeles

I had to go to LA to apply for a visa at the German consulate for my upcoming research residency in Berlin, and even though I was only going to be there for a little over 24 hours, I planned to eat some good food and learn a bit about the area where I wasContinue reading “Los Angeles”

Chestnuts and Champagne (or Armagnac, or Ginger Tea)

One of my favorite ways to ring in the New Year is to light a fire in the backyard, roast some chestnuts, watch the fireworks downtown, and have a champagne toast at midnight. If you want to try it, try to get chestnuts that are plump and still feel a bit pliable/moist. Score the paperyContinue reading “Chestnuts and Champagne (or Armagnac, or Ginger Tea)”

Year’s End

Happy to be where I am and grateful for all of you. ❤️

Last Makgeolli update

It tastes good! Pictured here with asparagus and shrimp pancakes with soy-vinegar dipping sauce adapted from Maangchi’s Big Book of Korean Cooking. The makgeolli is mild and sweet and tangy. I maybe watered it down a bit too much as the alcohol is really low, but it has good body and flavor. Not bad forContinue reading “Last Makgeolli update”

Happy Christmas Eve

My decorating theme this year, as I think I’ve mentioned, was Scottish Hunting Lodge. I kind of modeled it on the Kinloch Lodge on the Isle of Skye, an old MacDonald clan hunting lodge that now receives guests and has a wonderful restaurant hung with ancestral portraits, and a sitting room positively swathed in tartan.Continue reading “Happy Christmas Eve”