Elliott's Blog

Balancing Ball

noreply@blogger.com (Elliott Ashby) — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 17:39:00 +0000

Sitting in a dark room, developing/ These negatives will become better things/ Our pain is nothing to be compared with our greatness/ Maybe our sufferings are sacred/ Counting steps from the basement/ till our feet hit the pavement/ walk straight…why do we walk adjacent/ to what we truly desire/ Letting our fire burn to ashes/ letting our destiny turn past us/ The weight of the world cannot smash us/ we were made for it/ Triumph and Tribulation, the road was paved for it/ Operating from trust, self love was never selfish/ Regardless of what they tell us/ service was never being a people pleaser/ We serve by being us, not be being meager/ Hold your head high/ though Force was never Fly/ And Pride promotes the Fall/ Each day's a work out, staying on the Balancing ball

Dearth

noreply@blogger.com (Elliott Ashby) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:51:00 +0000

9 Shorts

noreply@blogger.com (Elliott Ashby) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:43:00 +0000

Found these in my notebook. Everything is short and written mostly over the last year, at different times, in different places.

New York City

The light cast the building black

Against the midnight sky

Clouds drift

Passing with a dream-like elegance

The beauty of now will never last.

Art

With the eyes of an artist

He paints a world that he sees

A world that will never be

A Nun in a Subway

The wrinkles set naturally in her skin

and did not dissuade the shine

There was this glow about her

When I looked into her eyes, I saw love

And through her love, I saw her faith

And through her faith, I saw her God.

idk

Maybe Dust is just texture

Color to life's asylums

Limestone on rocks

Golden leaves that line the street

GIVE

I'm gonna write till the ink runs dry

Yell to my voice gives out

Run till I collapse

Beast until I break.

Zoooooo4 (Daegu)

Submerged under the water

Wishing it was hotter

The scent & the steam

Trigger dreams

Calming my nerves

I can faintly hear their words

My thoughts flow

I just let go.

Untitled

Her eyes pierced mine

I wanted to speak truth

Her eyes pierced mine

My voice remained mute

Wish she was cute

Then I could just shake it off

Not just 섹시

Then she could just break me off

She broke me

Upon first glance

Resistance was futile

I had no chance

She evokes romance from a brute

She evokes sonnets from a mute

Truth. will tell itself.

Domestic

He couldn't match wits

So he matched fists

She stood there in stupor, thinking he might miss.

Red Devils?

Dragons breathe fire on purpose

They are winged beast

Their flames speak

In degrees of Heat

Mythological manifestations of our fears

Our nightmares consolidated

We shoot arrows to kill what what we are afraid of

Chasing them cause they reflect what we are made of

They're reflect our image-timid

If we kill something bigger

Maybe we don't feel as small

This beauty is beast to the one that tries to control it

But, this beast is beauty to the one who learns to hold it

When God Speaks Pt 1

noreply@blogger.com (Elliott Ashby) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:34:00 +0000

Written by Elliott Ashby
Edited by Sharrise Evans

I can hear voices from The Color Purple singing that old tune, "God is trying to tell you something, right now."

It's funny when God speaks to me it seems like the world around me echoes it. Sometimes these moments are very profound, and at other times they are graceful nudges to guide us along our path.

The summer of 2008 was one of those unique experiences. I was at a point where I was being stretched in every direction; Working two jobs and taking two summer social classes. My life was a mix between working on campus, working at a credit union and dissecting social theory. I realized that I was out of balance and something in my heart told me to quit my 30 hr credit union gig and just focus on school. That sounded crazy I thought, and so did everyone I asked for input. I did technically need the money, since I was gonna be saving up to intern in DC. Plus, the credit union paid well. I knew my on campus job was only going to cover my basic necessities, so, rather than do anything rash, I waited.

After a week or so of contemplation, I needed an answer. I was tired, fatigued and mentally drained the morning that I asked God to give me a clear sign about my job. I got 2 signs. The first was when I went to the break room to grab something to eat, and I fainted. That has never happened to me in my life. Medically explainable, but still apart of my answer. I should have known then, but I wasn't sure so when I went for my lunch break I again sought divine counsel. There, inside Walmart on a bench, I prayed and then rested my head in my hands.

While my head was still down a man came up to me. I heard him say, "excuse me," and I looked up. He was wearing a blue Wal-Mart apron and from the cart behind him, he appeared to work as a stocker. I remember his gentle presence and his words. He said, "I am sorry I don't mean to bother you and I know this might seem strange but I was over there and God spoke to me and told me to give this to you."

He raise his closed hand to me, I hesitated for a moment. He urged ",please take it." With unbroken focus I took it. I realized immediately that it was money. But I didn't look at it right away, I just told him "thank you for being obedient to God." Within a few short moments, he was gone. I never saw him before, and I never saw him again. I close my eyes and asked what this was all about. Man, I am dense sometimes! When I opened my eyes and my hand, I saw what I was holding. It was a crumbled up $100 bill. That shook me. Not the amount but the symbolism of it all. I interpreted it as, "Quit your job, I will provide for you". With that, I knew what to do and I quit my job.

Mary is Superwoman

noreply@blogger.com (Elliott Ashby) — Wed, 19 May 2010 04:49:00 +0000

Mary Farmer: Superwoman from Elliott Ashby on Vimeo.

Wordsmiths ON BEAUTY

noreply@blogger.com (Elliott Ashby) — Wed, 19 May 2010 04:46:00 +0000

Wordsmiths: ON BEAUTY from Elliott Ashby on Vimeo.

An Inconvenient Truth

noreply@blogger.com (Elliott Ashby) — Mon, 03 May 2010 17:36:00 +0000

An inconvenient truth blasted

thought I would go deaf

Suffocated by reality, so I held my breath

Frustrated, so I beat my chest

Like a beast I ran till I could hear blissful lies

told my conscience forty years from now I'll apolgize.

But for now, I'll buy time

Distanced on the tallest mountain

I'll be fine.

Sublime, but fine.

Trading peace for a piece of mine.

Too much thinking,

Where's the the vine?

De-tagging Ugliness!

noreply@blogger.com (Elliott Ashby) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 23:30:00 +0000

Have you ever been tagged in a photo only to discover it's the ugliest picture ever taken of you? Or simply thought, why would someone who calls themself my FRIEND post a photo of me like that? Is this some kind of sick joke!

I definitely have had those responses, so I opt to have the setting where pictures tagged by other people don't show up on my newsfeed. Maybe you can relate to this problem too. For other people it's not so much being caught at the wrong angle, but being caught in photos that don't promote the kind of image they want to reflect on the World Wide Web. I have heard all types of stories where someone's business is all up in the cyber-streets based off of a tagged photo. For less tech savvy people who are new to social networking, it’s easy to get CAUGHT UP whether that is with their significant others, family, or employers.

This reminds me of a dope presentation put together by Jarrad Henderson called "Stop Snitching on Yourself!"

Regardless of the slanted angles these pictures present, they are to some degree reflective of who we are and what we look like. Perhaps, more than we are willing to admit. Maybe it’s not the lighting or fatigue, maybe pictures simply present the uglier side of ourselves. How quick we are to tell the cameraman delete that photo. I feel like this is more acceptable with women because of the standards of beauty that are placed on them. But, I too have seen a few pics where I was looking midnight- black, nappy headed or crack-head skinny. Though I will never make these my profile pics, I am slowing changing the way I look at them and how I view myself.

Over the last few months I have seen some ugly traits in my character. Everything from self-absorption to being annoyingly presumptuous. I wish I could say that in the last few months I have changed my character completely, but that is not the case. However, what has changed is my ability to look at myself, flaws and all, and still have love for myself.

Do I own up to my ugly pictures (character flaws)? Yes

Do I Want to change them? Yes!!!!!

Do I Feel bad about myself? Hell to the Nizzaw!

I see the ugly pictures along with the good ones, and choose to be happy with who I am. I have always wanted to be this perfect image, sort of boy scout-type person, but I'm not. I can be just as much of an immature jerk as the next guy, and instead of arguing that isn't true, I chose to embrace it. I am a complex and unique individual who is ever-evolving. Each ugly picture of me reveals an area that I need to grow in and I’m thankful for them. Though I must say that Lighting is key for shooting darker skinned peoples!

What ya'll think?

Wordsmiths ON LUCK

noreply@blogger.com (Elliott Ashby) — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:29:00 +0000

Wordsmiths is a monthly collaboration between comedians, MC, singers, poets, and anyone else that has something to say.

This episode we focused on the word luck. ON LUCK features poet Marcus Aurelius Higgs, Comedian Brian Aylward and

Poet/ Strumtress Danielle Arsenault.

. Wordsmiths: ON LUCK from Elliott Ashby on Vimeo.

For more information about these artist please visit

www.marcushiggs.com/

www.10magazine.asia/1672/comedian-brian-aylward/ or http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=70594819792&v=wall

www.dirtbagstyle.blogspot.com

Wordsmiths: ON LOVE

noreply@blogger.com (Elliott Ashby) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:50:00 +0000

UN SUENO

noreply@blogger.com (Elliott Ashby) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:58:00 +0000

Eyes arced like the East

With the heart of the West Indies

Skin tone, dark and heavenly

A smooth, rich mahogany hue

Hair, dark and full like Indians

High cheek bones resembling Abyssinians

But unique in details

From the curve and fullness of her bottom lip

To the flow of her hips

Body arched

Accentuating beautiful parts

She's art, and an artist at the the same time

Serene like the ocean, reflecting the Sunshine
And I find, below the surface there's depth
She measures her words between each breath
Tries to walk with integrity in each step
Follow her neck to the cleave between her breasts
It seems beauty and virtue have met
Spirit and intellect and this is just a quick sketch
Because she's too deep to dissect
Too textured to be labeled perfect.

Lightning Strikes

noreply@blogger.com (Elliott Ashby) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:22:00 +0000

The Lightning struck darkness-escaped.
For a moment all that stood was truth.
No lies, no distortions, no art,
Just Truth.
Fleeting like fantasy
We forgot reality,
Just passed before our eyes.
A truth we beheld,
But could not hold.
If only we could slow the shutter
And see all as it is-protracted.
Maybe then we could see ourselves, clearer.
With lightning as our mirror.
A bolt from heaven,
Revealing our imperfection and earthly roots.
Spirits bound in earth suits.
With Souls of soot and beauty.

Perfect light cast on imperfect beings.
But, imperfection lends a certain freedom.
We're not, cause we're not.
Though we grow, we remain somewhat the same.
Lightning reveals of the subtleties of change.
In a second,
As transitory as a spark,
We go from light to dark.
How quickly we resume.
Maybe it's best
We don't stand, Staring at something
more brilliant than the moon.

Another Student Shines-Must Watch

noreply@blogger.com (Elliott Ashby) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:30:00 +0000

One of the greatest things about being a teacher is to see your students go on to do great things and shine. For those of you how don't know, prior to teaching in South Korea I taught 5-6th grade and junior high classes at my church. Over the years I've had a lot of talented and well let's just say, entertaining students. Last summer I posted a blog about Derek Drake, one of my former students who won Arizona Idol. Now, this summer I have another talent to share with you-Jarvis Johnson. His dancing skills were featured on the program So You Think You Can Dance. I've known Jarvis and his family practically his whole life, and he has been entertaining and making people laugh since that time. Imagine teaching 30 students for 2 hours with Jarvis in the mix, lol! I have so many stories about this young man but please just check out the video below! WATCH THE FULL VIDEO, trust me you will be entertained. Great Job Jarvis

Soju Boyz at Seoul City Hall

noreply@blogger.com (Elliott Ashby) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:34:00 +0000

"Never Can Say Goodbye Mike"

noreply@blogger.com (Elliott Ashby) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 15:33:00 +0000

Walk Away

noreply@blogger.com (Elliott Ashby) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:08:00 +0000

Time passed as I watched the grains of sand slip through my hands and return to the same. Digging my hands deep, I wrestled with my own thoughts, grappling with questionable notions. I finally decided to mold a mound of sand, and then I set out walking, and thinking. Thinking at times about nothing, and at times about everything. The farther I walked the closer I felt to the serenity of the ocean and the further removed I felt from the loud raucous and revelry I left behind. The sound of the waves became clearer and clearer, and the music began to fade in the background. I walked steadily, but slowly toward the beach's end. Passing people with no voices, only hearing the waves in the ocean and the thoughts in my head. Despite the dark of night and the thick locs that swung in front of my face, I felt remarkably attune and aware of everything around me. From the changes of the sand texture below my feet, to the brilliance of the iridescent light shining off the mud. I passed the inescapable lights of Korean nightscapes and ventured to the darkest place on the beach. There I encountered jagged rocks, shells and other things the ocean rejected. Making my way through the roughest parts, I came to a cliff like area where I decided to retire my wonderings. I perched myself on a rock, taking in the vista and then I sat down. The rain came down softly, the sand began to crackle and I hung my head down, listening to the sounds of the beach. The rain beat down across my back and for the first time that day I welcomed it. In a poetic sense, I wished the rain and the ocean could wash it all away. Centering down there on the rock, I drew enough strength to return to it all again. As I walked back the rain began to pour down with renewed intensity, but I walked with no regard for the rain and no urgency to return.

Unrest: VLOG

noreply@blogger.com (Elliott Ashby) — Sat, 30 May 2009 01:58:00 +0000

I cried

noreply@blogger.com (Elliott Ashby) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 01:22:00 +0000

There has always been there unwritten list of man-rules and one them suggest that real men don't cry. I've never subscribed to this idea of manhood because I think crying is at times a very useful expression of emotions. I have no shame to admit that when I watching a heart-wrenching movie or in the middle of a powerful church service, that I let the tears flow. These are the moments where I am most comfortable crying, however there are other times that completely catch you off guard. Literally 15 minutes ago I walked my good friend down the hill to a series of new life adventures. The whole time I was think how surreal the whole experience was, and then came the hug and the parting words. The strange thing is this is not THE GOODBYE, this is just the first in a series of separations until our geography and commitments farther and perhaps further than we have been.

We hugged and I verbally acknowledged the change that had just occurred. As the taxi pulled away tears flooded my eyes and ran down my cheek. I'm still not sure as to why as I am writing that I still have tears on my face. My immediate question was are these tears of joy or of sadness? I'm not quite sure why those are the two categories that originally came to mind. I quickly label them as tears of separation. Both of joy for my friend's glistening future and of sadness that he will not be as readily accessible or close. Perhaps that is why Korea has been so much like home for me. The reason why I have not experience much homesickness. Maybe my tears got ahead of my thoughts to tell me how I'm really feeling. Even as I writing, my thoughts are still grappling for a reasonable explanation as to why these drops of the salty liquid are resting on my face.

The last time I cried extemporaneously, it was again something and someone that I didn't expect to cry over. It was something a former pastor said about me, that for some reason shook me to my core.

Perhaps, what surprises me is that there are very appropriate times to cry (i.e. funerals), and yet sometimes there are no tears to be cried, or they are so light that they don't even take you by surprise. Then there are times where you unexpectedly lose it and cannot even put in to words why. Anyways, I'm done trying to internalize. I'm just glad for the tears and for my friend.

Godspeed My Friend. Godspeed My Friend.

Day to Night Skype

noreply@blogger.com (Elliott Ashby) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:41:00 +0000

From night to twilight, the dark night flew to morning skies
Where 'Hellos'become Goodbyes.

Weary at dusk, with the weight of the day.
Waiting for the Sun to come again and usher in a luminous new day.

We wait, and rush, make peace and fuss, cause at the end of the day,
we start anew...A smile is on my face, because my tomorrow includes you.

Not bound by yesterdays, but released from past to present. From present we create anew, saying more hellos, only to bid more adieus.

-Written on February 13th, 2008 (skype freestyle)

Sleepless Nights

noreply@blogger.com (Elliott Ashby) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:43:00 +0000

I can't sleep because my hearts burst at the seems/
with hope, worries, concerns and dreams/
I feen for balance/
with my 12 inch flat feet/
everyday hitting the concrete/pacing,
wondering if my assets are appreciating or wasting
headway? or am I just stylin, coastin on the segway,

we could be, looks hopeful, but we shall see what the deal is,
this odd composition has became my social meal ticket,
but I got in line and lost my appetite,
maybe I looking for a slower life,
I plot my line slowly,
I don't do pyramids,
Pimpin looks fun, but that's for kids,

plus they trying to having me leading a circle to the cross
How does that work if the leader is lost?/
Christ is the only redemption to the puzzle/
The only detour to the trouble/
But sometimes I feel like I need to make mistakes too,
He's kept me, thus I must remain grateful,

I can't ignore it/
My heart is heavy for it/
I did not speak before/
Now, I'm speechless,
I did not speak.
I just minded my business,
unaware of the divine irritation that surfaced as the truth.
Yet, I heard it, and remained mute,

Play 2 Win: My Cardinals, My Life

noreply@blogger.com (Elliott Ashby) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:54:00 +0000

Randoms!

noreply@blogger.com (Elliott Ashby) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:45:00 +0000

So here is my first official post of the New Year! I don't have any profound statements to make or any poetic prose for you. However what I do have it a little to Ramble about.

1. I left America- A Black Man was elected President
2. I left Arizona- The Cardinal are going to the SuperBowl
3. Ice Skating is just like roller skating and therefore it's awesome.
4. Bill Cosby was right, kids say the darndest thing!
5. Jubilee is a great church.
6. What's her name is.....
7. I feel like making music this year
8. I'm traveling to 5 new countries this year!
9. Lucretia has a quiet confidence.
10. Michelle has the kind of worth-ethic you admire. Works hard, but not money hungry and never complains. Reminds of my roommate, 00, and a few other people I know.

Black People & White People

noreply@blogger.com (Elliott Ashby) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 10:47:00 +0000

I'm one of those people that loves words, though I could not accept the title of a wordsmith, I am particular about words. I think about their meanings and the messages they convey.

White People.

Black People.

The "official terms" Black people and White people sound quite strange rolling off my tongue because they bear no literal resemblance to hue, thus it sounds funny. Also because if there are Black and White People there would also have to be Yellow, and Red and perhaps Orange, or Brown people. Yet no matter how silly it sounds it does to a certain degree define people and power relationships. I suppose the same could be said of the term 'race.' The term 'race' has no biological validity because, there is only one race. Race is therefore linked to ancestry, and other phenotypic markers like skin color and facial features. It is important to note that skin color is not the sole determinant of race; because there are many people of the same skin color that belong to totally different ethnic backgrounds. Neither could race simply be about facial features because I know "Blacks" with more asiatic features or Latinos with more Anglo features. Moreover, race is a result of all three factors. Regardless of how scientific race really is, its political ramifications are very real- racism is very real.

Race, racism and color seem to complicate everything because then they are treated as a scientific fact by which we can project information about who people are. We have these amazing brains that are always processing and analyzing information and it is a lot easier to use language to make sketches of people rather than treating each person as a blank slate. Indeed, this is a very valuable skill that we have to utilize but it becomes problematic when we make projections about whole groups of people or countries as if the are one monolithic group of people. Sure, these generalizations are great for comedic sketches but people are more than the 2 dimensional stereotypes that are assigned to ethnic groups. Now I am sure many of the people reading must think this topic of Race is not worth discussion because we live in a post-racial society. While I can agree there has been progress made in race relations over the last fifty years, race and racism are still very much alive around the globe today. I'm not even remotely referring to "Whites" that unashamedly promote White Supremacy, or any other people group that view themselves as superior to another group of people. The type of racism that I am talking about is not the overt statements made by bigots...... "Mexicans are lazy. Blacks are criminals. Native Americans are drunks. Jews are greedy. Arabs are terrorists. Whites are racists, ect."

Rather what I am talking about is the unexamined and subconscious prejudices of good people. Stereotypes have so colored our perceptions of people that it becomes easy to make sweeping generalizations about whole groups of people without even acknowledging these judgments as racist. Just like sin, I think we are all guilty of unknowingly holding prejudices in our hearts. We picked it up somewhere, regardless of how aware we are of it, it is wrong. However, this does not deny the fact that racism as it is classically, and rightfully defined centers on White Supremacy; race is more political than scientific, and therefore involves power relations. Due to time and the sensitivity of this subject, I'm gonna leave with this video clip and this one develop these thoughts further in later post.

My Mom and DMX

noreply@blogger.com (Elliott Ashby) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 03:47:00 +0000

A few weeks ago I was turning past a few of the English channels and I came across a fight scene from Exit Wounds with DMX and one of my brother's favorite fighters, Steven Seagal. Tim and I decided to check out the rest of the film. Two days later, I get a call from my sister at the crack of dawn. All I heard was something about DMX rapping for my Mom. I was tired so I told her I'd call her back. Evidently, my sister was trying to tell me that my Mom had met DMX. Once I woke up I remembered that I had read earlier that week that DMX had been extradited back to Phoenix to face charges, so I called my Mom because I figured it would be an interesting story. Sunday morning I got the full scoop. My mother who is a nurse by vocation, works currently in correctional health. During her shift on Thursday a few of her co-workers were making some buzz about an Earl Simmons. After hearing the name be repeated a number of times, she asked who is Earl Simmons?
"In response a grisly voice responded back," I am.

Now the reason this interaction has any significance to me is not simply because my Mom met someone famous. I have met a number of people who I either admire or would categorized as famous, but their are a few people that you click with, and somehow think that beyond their public persona you know them and actual feel what it is they are talking about. This was certainly, the case for me with DMX. The chasm that existed between our two world expressed the same paradox of a white kid in the burbs' channeling the frustration of a Black man living in the hood'.Yet, in High School I had a serious bout with depression and I remember connecting specifically with rap music that expressed real emotion, and aggression. I listened to Dark Man X, and after coming out of my season of depression I still enjoyed listening to his music until I basically stopped listening to secular music altogether.

Anyways, in addition to buying tickets to the Hard Knock Life Tour, watching his movies and reading his biography and interviews I also had a burden to pray for him for a number of years. So when my Mom told me she met him it was meant something to me. Apparently, my Mom said she couldn't really remember who he was, so when he said he was a rapper she told him,"Okay then bust me out one. Let's hear it.....But it can't be no craziness, give me something I can feel." Moments later a few guards and physicians came into the room and he performed a few bars from "Lord Give Me a SIgn." My mom said she really enjoyed the song and afterwords he explained to her all the tatts on his arm. The ones on the right being after his conversion and the ones on the left attached to his former life. He also expressed to her that he is currently studying to become a pastor; which of course is nothing new, X has always had this dynamically complex and contradictory personality. Perhaps, that is where I relate to him because we all have two leanings.

She said that he seemed very respectful, polite and charming. She said his eyes had a glow about them, but beneath that you could see a piece of his troubled soul and for this cause he avoided prolonged eye contact. There is more that could be said but I just wanted to share a piece of it. I still hope to meet him someday and perhaps work him on a project, but for now I pray he recovers from the cycle that he has been on the last couple of years.

Random things:

1. My housemate ScholarLee once saw DMX in Metro Mall in Phoenix, and told me that he wanted to punch X in the face. I asked why and he told me, "Just to say that I punched DMX, I did'nt care if I got a beatdown for it." Of course this was a fleeting thought because he is still alive to recount the story, lol.

2. I do impressions of DMX when asked, and I did something on Youtube called Year of the Horse. My impression is kinda spotty, but I've never heard anyone do a better impression of DMX besides Arie Spears. Hmm, I wonder why Frank Calliendo hasn't tried. :)

3. I also dressed up as DMX for one of our high school spirit days. I had a puppy dog doll with me and I talked like him for the whole day. The next day my voice was gone!

4. I used to have the movie Belly memorized. That movie was the ish back in the day.

That's all....I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Shoulder Checking in Seoul :)

noreply@blogger.com (Elliott Ashby) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 04:06:00 +0000

I never really got into hockey, but growing up my block was one of those neighborhoods where kids played seasonal sports in the streets. Whenever we played hockey in the streets, we normally moved to the Zach or Robbie's driveway. Robbie was the kid you had to beg to come out and play, to make the teams even. The good thing about playing on Zach's driveway is that you could shoulder check players against the garage. I'm pretty sure that's why most of the kids played! As soon as a player was approaching goal post to score, you could slam him into the garage!

I was reminded of this childhood experience by something that I've witnessed on occasion in Seoul. In the same manner that some people only play hockey to check someone, my friend Jered joked that some people only ride subways to shoulder check people! Now obviously Seoul is the second largest metropolitan area by population, aside from Tokyo, so it's only natural that people are going to bump into each other from time to time. Unfortunately, because it is so normal for people to push and bump during the busy and crowded times of the day, some people have set this as their default mode even when there is tons of space. I have certainly taken a number of hits, but I strategically do a number of things to reduce physical contact. Because I commute to work each day, I normally get on and off at set locations, and near the end of each ride I begin to position myself in the lead exiting position. Yesterday while rocking my Santa hat, I glanced over and saw a man to my left that was not exuding the same holiday cheer. I could tell he was a, *Checker-( noun) someone who is overly aggressive during metropolitan travel, and in life in general." So instead of holding my lead position, I acquiesced, because I was sure this dude was gonna try to squeeze through the narrow opening with me, or at the very least push me as I tried to exit. As I slid to the right, he marched out of the train and as he passed a woman waiting to board, he lowered his shoulder and shoulder checked her. The odd thing is that she was not even standing directly in the path of the doorway. The Woman looked back in the direction of the man with a scowl on her face, the Man was already moving down the staircase, and I just smiled to myself and thought, "Oh how joyous this Christmas season is."