Paul Matthews

This is incredible.

Surely you’ve got to put one of them in a Saja Boys hat. A pigeon would look so stylish in a traditional Korean Gat.

it might seem surprising that the people who said “look, let trans people live their lives, but i have Reasonable Concerns about sports and toilets” aren’t up in arms about this, but what you have to remember is that those people who said that are liars who were lying

My love’s birthday today. Strange for it to be here, but her not to be.

And yet it is and I am and she is not.

It’s all very perplexing.

I know it’s December because I’m out in the snow and slush heading to Eastern Seoul to pretend I’m a panicked old man who only works one day a year and is having issues getting down the chimney in front of a group of unruly school children.

A brown ink and pencil sketch of a middle aged man with a beard.

Thursday scribbling.

What Korea could have looked like had Yoon’s insurrection succeeded The martial law decree and plans drafted by a shadowy former military commander paint a picture of the type of authoritarian rule that Yoon envisioned, complete with media censorship and the rounding ...

One the first anniversary of former president Yoon Seok-yeol’s attempted autogolpe, here’s a good look back at all the happened.

Once again, I’m so impressed at the resiliency and strength of Korea’s democracy. Proud to living here.

english.hani.co.kr/arti/english...

Great culture can save lives. Literally.

Amazing letter in today’s @thetimes.com about Tom Stoppard

President Moon Jae in doing a book talk in his indie bookstore.

Currently, every living former Korean president from the right is a convicted felon, and every living former Korean president from the left is a booktuber.

I mean, it's only one guy, and he only just started his channel, but it does explain the vibe of the parties.

I love the box and the secrets underneath! A great concept for a bunch of brave mice.

I got my first widower’s pension payment yesterday. Made me feel like I’m in my seventies.

A well armed silly goose has nothing to fear!

I have my meds and my blood pressure is still 120/80. Hurray!

I shall be celebrating by not eating or drinking any of the nice things that are bad for me.

Celebrating the end of the week with a visit to the heart clinic. GIVE ME MY MEDS!

In other news, I’m still alive and losing weight. Haven’t had coffee or booze touch my lips for two and a half months.

If you haven’t seen this and you love magic, then clear your schedule for an hour of utter brilliance.

That first sign is pretty insulting to solo diners... forbidding Youtube less so!

When those errant "wibbles" came I felt so bad for them... One of the tensest final games they've had.

The 1345 immigration call center was brilliant this morning. Took a while to get through, but once I did I was greeted warmly and was quickly given all the info I needed. Really great to have this kind of service available.

For some reason, my brain has chosen musical earworms this week. Yesterday was Little Shop of Horrors, today Wicked and Hamilton.And last night I dreamt of performing as John in Godspell...

Having spent most of this year with a Steam Deck, I am beyond excited about the Steam Machine.

Sadly, I know no-one around me who plays video games, so I'll just be mostly jumping up and down in the corner of my home office, disturbing my cat.

A sepia close up of a black cat.

Glamour shot.

A black cat peeks her head out from under a watermelon patterned blanket.

Frankie’s feeling the cold today.

I was not ready for how sad Christmas carols make me.

Makes sense.

Not fair.

And yet I am not saddened by Mariah’s contribution. Just annoyed.

In this one case…

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.

A black and white close up of a black cat.

Frankie was a 1940s film star in another life.

A view of dawn breaking over the Han River in Seoul. There is a red arched bridge and behind it are a cluster of skyscrapers.

Monday.

A black cat sits on a watermelon blanket covering a man’s lap.

One of Frankie’s happy places was sitting in Euna’s lap. Despite all the cuddling and kneading she gives to me, my lap has never really been a sufficient substitute. Until today. She’s resting here. Quite content.

I can’t give her everything she needs, but at least I could give her this.

I have accepted, at this point in the year, that 3am is now not an unusual time for me to wake up and start my day.

I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it, but at least it’s quiet.

Congratulations! May more pounds follow!

It’s been two and a half months since my love left this world. To be honest, still trying to make sense of it.

The logical part of my brain is very clear on what happened, whereas the emotional part keeps asking why I can’t ever see or talk to her again.

I don’t know who I am without her.

And for anyone interested this is it.