You can get that at Crunch, too.

Attention Mini-Do golfers: weather is so far saying 88 and sunny. (Maybe bring a second golf shirt for dinner?) Just got off the phone with Tun's brewmaster: all 7 regular house brews are likely to be available. I'm not nearly as good as others here with the minutiae of beer, but what I have had there I've always liked. If anyone is up for a short tour of the onsite brewing gear, let me know...Brewmaster might be willing to stay a little late to accommodate us.

That's so not ALCO style.

Random story time - I used to belong to NYSC, which for non-NY'ers is an absurdly overpriced gym that's uber trendy. It's kind of a see and be seen while you're sweating your arse off kind of deal.

I was in there one afternoon and I'm on the treadmill overlooking the gym and I realized that something was different, but I couldn't put my finger on it. ... new lights? No. ...new flooring - yeah, but they replaced that about a month earlier. ... new configuration of weights? Nah.

The change was palpable, but I couldn't figure out what it was. It was driving me nuts.

So I get off the treadmill and I run into one of the trainers who I'd say hi to when I was there and I pointed out my observation, and that I couldn't figure out what was up.

He gets this "proverbial droppings" eating grin on his face and says "look around, dude." So, I do. And then it hits me.

Dozens upon dozens of beautiful women wearing impossibly tight workout outfits.

After picking my jaw up off the floor he explained to me that they gave out free memberships to the local strip club. Given the high traffic outside this NYSC they figured it would be a great way to "motivate" guys (and gals) to join.

And they were right.

Best marketing gimmick ever.

My mother used to go to ICN the mid 80's when you couldn't get Reeboks here. She'd go over with an empty garment bag and come back with 23 pairs of shoes for friends and clients. I might be a guy, but I'm jealous of that kind of shopping. Always wanted to shop Seoul.

I really wanted to give Busan a try, but the flights/times weren't practical. However, the W Seoul Walkerhill looks pretty darn sweet, and I'm sure there's plenty to do in the surrounding countryside, as well. Will also have to plan a DMZ visit. Nothing like honeymooning in the DMZ :D

I have to go to the jeweler, but I can't motivate myself to shower and leave the girlfriend's house. Too much FT? Nah.

I'm a member of the WSC (sister of NYSC) in DC, but I would not exactly classify the gyms in my neighborhood "see and be seen." For what I pay in membership fees, my home club could use a bit of a facelift (although they are somewhat diligent with installing new equipment).

If you love to shop this country use to be the place to go. Nothing like walking around Itewan (the shopping district) buying up everything in sight. No need to exchange your money for the local currency as everyone deals in dollars. I use to bring two empty suitcases to fill them up with good looking fake handbags, sneakers and assorted items. You could also visit a tailor and have a suit made or shoes for a great price. Plus there was the experience of walking into Wendy's and ordering a beer to go with your hamburger.

Yeah, all part of TSI. They've branched out to Boston and Philly too.

Each gym, in each neighborhood definitely is different.

By the way, I quit NYSC and now work out at a Y. Which is as sleezy as it sounds.

I believe it.

So I'm going in a little bit, and bringing my girl's sister. It would be charitable to say that the Allies would have lost if she was around in WWII...she can't keep her mouth shut about much of anything. I must really be dumb.

That is so true. I've been toying with the idea of getting a membership since they have a decent spread of gyms between the NJ burbs and the city. Though the price keeps getting to me, maybe one of these days the discount gods will find me and cut me a break. :)

I wasn't allowed to visit my sister between the time that I bought the ring and when I proposed, as she didn't think she'd be able to keep the secret. Good luck!

Speaking of rings. I will start planning my honeymoon next week when the fiance comes to town. We have already decided on Costa Rica and the places we want to stay requires us to fly into LIR. The cheapest tickets I have found are DCA-IAH-LIR and BOS-IAH-LIR. Which flight do you think we would have better chances of getting upgraded on the domestic leg DCA or BOS? I am Gold and she will be Silver. I am also considering purchasing her an F ticket and a Y for myself and praying for an up.

Edit to add: Also, which day of the week has better chances of upgrades for these airports, we are open to leaving any day after June 21. Getting to these airports is fairly cheap right now and I have some small vouchers to burn on delta and AA.

I find that it is somewhat expensive to shop there for many things. Of course if you go to the warehouse areas near the Dongdaemun gate where you shop in bulk (or not) is a little cheaper. But that does take alot of patience because it is building after building that are 6 stories high full of stores (there is a whole building for undergarment and socks! hehe)! Copies of designer handbags are everywhere, and you can get some pretty good ones for $120-$200. Also Namdaemun market (up the hill from the gate that burned down) has a pretty good selection of stuff from touristy to the Shinsegae dept store.