I really must improve my diet or do something. For the second time in a month I have a cold, mild chest infection and blocked ears. It´s no joke trying to organise lessons, teach and the rest of it. I´m dreading the visit to the doctor, who knows how long I will have to wait being a foreigner and with the general chaotic bureaucracy of this country. Thankfully, I have a social security number now so all should be well.

On the odd occasion I read the message board on the Cheonan World website (www,cheonan.blogspot.com). This was the teachers website that I used when I was working in Cheonan, South Korea. It serves a great purpose. One is able to introduce themselves to the foreign community, get involved in local activities, such as hapkhido, Korean lessons, know all about any social events going on, read other people´s blogs and have lots of useful local information at your disposal. Unfortunately, in the last few months a minority of individuals have hijacked the board to air their grievances about world politics, Korea in general, foreigners and whatever else. Most of the comments are negative and even cruel at times. On some occasions, innocent messages expressing information about upcoming events have been met by patronising respondents who claim to have superior insight into how one should lead their life in Cheonan. Often people can get bored over there and the only answer is to offend others behind the safety of a PC screen. Thats fine. However, I have noticed that some of the regular contributors are not contributing to the message board. Maybe they are concerned that they may receive a negative reply. Who knows. Nevertheless, I despair a little that some people in Cheonan are apprehensive about leaving a message in case they are greeted with some of the responses that have appeared. That to me is a problem. Ok, I'm 8000 miles away, why should I give a toss. But I do. I had two fantastic years in that bizarre town mainly because of the people I met through the website and the good times I had as a result. What annoys me most is that the culprits repeatedly patronise people for spending their free time in places such as M Bar, Dona Marcos and so on. Fuck you. Many of those emotional fairwell meals took place at these establishments. It doesnt matter what these places have to offer, the type of food, drink, music, etc. It's the people that turn up that count. What Cheonan needs is another Roy Freer or somebody with balls to harness the foreigner element and make the Masssive massive again. Forgive me for hankering for the old days (in fact they sometimes wernt that great) but there certainly wasnt that cynical poisonous side that is evident there now. I hope the Cheonan World website is free of these morons by the time I get back next year.