News & Views: end of summer edition

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

1. This is the next to last week of summer, and there are things going on next week, so it feels like the last week of easy-going, relaxed summer.

2. SSCP (Super Secret Craft Project) is coming along but I am waiting on something I ordered before I can really dig in. I went with Minor to Michael's on Sunday and there is nothing like a 13-year-old for keeping one under-budget and away from impulse buying.

3. SUGA's DUI has upset me very much. There's no excuse for drunk driving, any kind of vehicle for any length of distance, especially if he blew a .227 as the Korean media have reported, on a Tuesday night. That's near blackout level of intoxication and the fact he could operate anything but the pavement with that much alcohol in his blood means he's an alcoholic, which I knew. I thought he was a functioning alcoholic, but that's not functioning. Korean culture doesn't really embrace rehab as far as I can see, so I don't think he's going to get help. And what kind of help would actually help someone in his position? What he has going for him is time, he's got almost a year of service left so he has time to get himself together. And who knows? Maybe great songs will come out of this situation. But it's a shame because he had a drinking show (see: functional alcoholic) and he had such high hopes for it becoming a legitimate talk show type thing. Anyway, new bias: jhope! He has the alcohol tolerance of a toddler.

4. Still training for the 10 k.

5. Still updating my soap opera. Ficwise, I've recently gotten a lot of lovely comments on my Jeeves & Wooster fics so with a certain disenchantment with BTS growing from #3 maybe I will go back to Bertie (?)

6. Re-listening to some Ngaio Marsh Inspector Alleyn audiobooks.

7 AUG: Particularly Preposterous Packaging Day: What’s the most unnecessary packaging you’ve ever seen?

The most recent example is a book the boys' father got about leadership which he has to read for his promotion and was a normal-sized book which came in a HUGE box.

Also, Lays potato chips are ALWAYS 1/10 of the bag.

8 AUG: Pickleball Day: Do you play pickleball?

No. But I am thinking of learning.

9 AUG: Book Lovers Day: What was one of your favorite books as a child that you haven’t re-read in a long time?

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

10 AUG: S’mores Day: Have you ever eaten s’mores?

I love s'mores! But aparatment living in the suburbs doesn't offer opportunities to eat them.

11 AUG: Popsicle Day: What’s your favorite flavor of popsicle?

Grape! Orange!

12 AUG: World Elephant Day: If given the chance to ride an elephant, would you?

In a heartbeat!

13 AUG: Prosecco Day: What’s your favorite celebratory beverage?

I usually drink cava, but I like everything in the pseudo-champagne line. I've never drank actual champagne.

Comments

[smallhobbit]

Yes, I can see why the DUI would be upsetting - it is a blow to all his fans.

I have had champagne a couple of times, but I'm not fond of it, unlike cava and prosecco.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Yes. I mean, it isn't a surprise he drinks a lot, but I had the idea that he would be self-aware enough to not put himself in positions where he could endanger other people (and driving a scooter counts, especially given that he's had a very significant, life-altering injury ON A SCOOTER, not drunk, when he was younger and a delivery boy). He is certainly wealthy enough to afford a 24/7 car service to take him home. And it's a certain kind of addict's brain/logic which justifies that kind of behavior, which is selfish and immature.

Oh, yeah (re: champagne). I have often wondered if I'd like the real stuff. I shan't worry too much that I'm missing out :)

[falkner]

The Yoongi situation has me very upset as well... the initial lies and obfuscation from him and the company make the situation so much worse, in my opinion. Without that I would be much more sympathetic, especially since I'm realizing alcohol seems to be as much as a systematic problem in South Korea as it is in Japan... (one of the first things a friend in Seoul said after the news broke was just, "oh yeah Friday early evening it's normal to see office people stumbling completely drunk through the city" sigh...)

Hopefully this is the wakeup call he needs to seek help.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Right, that initial statement from him was bullshit, and the kind of bullshit that I did not expect from him if the Korean media report of .227 BAC is right, then we know how drunk he was. And it's a certain kind of addict's logic and selfishness which justifies endangering other people (it's only a scooter, I didn't know (!!!), it was a short distance, drinks with dinner, etc.). The worst thing would be a media ban. I hope it won't come to that.

I am pessimistic that he'll get help. But I hope he does. The right kind of help, whatever that means for him.

Edited to add: On a completely different note, did you see that scene in Are You Sure? of Kookie kneeling in front of the stones to pray for Jimin's recovery? It was such a sweet, sweet scene. It really touched me.

[falkner]

It was such a perfect example of functioning alcoholic making excuses. I can't deny that I'm upset but also incredibly sad for him.

I haven't watched Are You Sure? yet, actually! I was planning to do it tomorrow because both me and housemate have the day off, but tonight she told me she'll be out all day tomorrow so there was no point in waiting (╥_╥) I did watch Run Jin today, though. So cute to see him all shy trying to get people to congratulate him while mountain hiking, haha.

[spiralicious]

Summer seems to have gone by both too slow and too fast this year.

Being upset by the DUI situation is totally understandable.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

I agree!

Yeah, I need to take a deep breath and focus on other things for a while.

[spiralicious]

*hugs* I hope you are doing better now.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Yes, better!

[spiralicious]

:D