"Who is Marlon Brando?" I heard a 17 year old say "I don't know anything about him, except that he's dead." I'm always glad to be of service. 10 minutes later I concluded my little lecture with "...and he is still alive." My sadness at being wrong goes beyond a need to be right. Marlon Brando was a truely great artist. Rest In Peace.

Austria continued:
The presentation, given under the influence of acute heat-induced brain damage (reversible?) was an instructive experience. Let me briefly describe the setup, so if you ever find yourself in a similar situation you know what to expect: I was asked to give a presentation on teaching, without actually teaching a class. So far so good.
My problem was caused mainly by something I want to call "instinctual conflict" or "conflicting instincts". The presentation had all the elements of a performance or a lecture. That's what instinct number one said. And the rewarding aspect of lecture or performance is that I am always right. Until we leave the room, that is. Like sci-fi movies and politics they are ruled by a mandatory "suspense of disbelief". This, however, was also a job interview (instinct number 2 speaking). And as such it required modesty (jacket) and humility. And now that I think about it, I don't even know what to advise, should you ever find yourself in my place..... I guess it would be advantageous to research the clothing customs in the area. Other than that, it's probably best to listen to the master
Should you need aditional advice feel free to contact me.

Austria part 2:
I got on the train in the early morning and began my journey with utmost serenity and inner peace (admittedly, lack of sleep might have contributed to this state). I had been planning to use my travel time efficiently and to focus on today's presentation or meditate or at least finish the crossword puzzle. But I was back to my regular unproductive irritable non-serene self when I was informed that there was inexplicable and unpredictable construction. And that it would be causing a delay of 80 minutes (pushing my arrival well past the time my presentation was scheduled for). And that I wouldn't be able to make a call.
The remainder of the journey, trapped in a second-class car next to a morbidly obese woman (I chose that seat, but when I realized my mistake I thought it would be too impolite to get up and change seats) was needless to say, rather torturous. And the fact that the delay *didn't* actually occur made things only slightly better. These DB people should go work in Abu Ghraib, these methods of customer intimidation are akin to spraying prisoners with fluorescent paint and having them believe it's radioactive (when it's not).
Anyway, I somehow arrived on time and walked (!) to my appointment and was faced with a whole new set of problems. It had been freezing last time I was there and it was freezing today. But I had planned ahead and was wearing a black zipper cardigan, nice and warm. Inside the presentation room, however, it turned out to be quite cozy. Quite warm indeed and about halfway through my (surprisingly short) presentation there was only one thought on my mind: How inappropriate would it be to take of the cardigan? I was wearing a sleeveless shirt underneath. How immodest in Korea. But how about Austria? Meanwhile I did my best to answer questions (and contradicting pretty much everything I had previously claimed). Sweat was starting to run down my forehead. I was hoping it would register as raindrops. I felt my hand again and again trying to take of the sweater, but my Korean conditioning proved tougher. If I learned anything today it's probably how hot flashes must feel. Remind me to be nicer to menopausal women next time.
Other than that, I want to remark on a very interesting phenomenon: just like most Koreans are named Kim, most Austrians seem to be named Roland (Joerg Haider is the exception). I wonder if there is literature on that.
To be continued.

I do not need to pull my own teeth: from next week I'll be insured and can have them extracted professionally! I shall sing songs of joy while I can.

Not much to do on a German Sunday. I usually visit graveyards and look at the nice graves old famous families have and at the graves little children have and at the dates and at the names. I didn't see too many names I would like to have. Maybe Baumstark would be good.
I'm talking familynames still. After I returned home I checked the phonebook for eligible bachelors with the names I want. Couldn't find any of them. So: if your name is Taugenichts, Löwenherz, Tausendschön, or something else that's really cool (Wolfsblut or Blutig I would consider) email me. Or some "von" name would be nice as well.
Talk to you later!