Ah, Lincoln

What could ever compare to you, my first geographic love? My first metropolitan love? What could ever truly compare?

Here I am on the other side of the world, with a strange and comfortably tense relationship to Korea. The kids are fun, even inspirational, and the people are nice, even pleasant. We have a community here, now. One I've come to enjoy for what it is. I'm more here in Asia than I've ever been before. I'm better off here now than I was three months ago. Even a month ago. The arrival of the new people has been good for me. And I have come to, dare I say...like it here?

Oh but, Lincoln, Nebraska you were so damned good to me, even when you didn't have to.

I ate at a sushi restaurant, or I should say Korea's absurd take on a sushi restaurant. My co-workers called it a sushi restaurant. I called it what it was, a bait shop. I might be ten months gone at this point but I know fish food when I see it. I know it even better when I smell it. This restaurant, whatever the hell it's name is, presented me for the first time in years with a sincere desire for a fishing pole. After the meal I could have gotten a doggie bag and gone down to the river and caught bass.

What was on the menu?

You know the skin of fish, the outside part that's usually some degree of grey? They just sliced that off and tossed it on some rice. No cooking, as you'd expect. Just tossed it on some rice. They did manage to get a little cooking done, the flash-fried fish was truly horrific. I don't want to feel like apologizing to my meal. There it was though. Dead fish looking at me with a look of unfettered sorrow. The best part being that wasn't the worst. Have you ever eaten food that could play with you? I have. They just got an octopus and cut it's arms (or legs) off and put them on a plate and you eat them. Yeah, still moving and everything. They suction on to your tongue and don't taste like anything. They just squirm there on the plate and in your stomach.

Yes, Lincoln my love. You will always have this place beat. I miss beef, Mexican food and Camel Cigarettes still.