“Whenever missionaries encountered tattooing they eradicated it.”
(Gilbert, Steve, Tattoo History: A Source Book, p. 101)

“Evidence indicates that it is the mere presence of the tattoo, not its artistic content, that correlates with certain diagnoses. Thus, any tattoo can be viewed as a warning sign that should alert the practicing physician to look for underlying psychiatric conditions.”
(Raspa, Robert F. and John Cusack 1990, Psychiatric Implications of Tattoos, American Family Physician. 41: p. 1483)

North Koreans don’t need DVR technology any more. The most important purpose of these devices — to fast forward through commercials — no longer applies, now that the reclusive Communist state has banned television commercials from the airwaves.

According to the Yonhap news agency, North Korean leader Kim Jong-il was upset when he saw commercials showing up on Korean Central Television in early July. The report quotes a source close to Kim as saying the ruler’s response to the ad was: “What is this? That kind of rubbish appeared when China started reforms and openness.” He was obviously pissed and hasn’t been open to suggestions that he follow China’s lead in embracing a limited form of capitalism. Cha Sung-Su, head of the station, has been fired, and the last commercials were shown on August 31, 2009.

No one has seen Sung-Su since.

This year I elected to enjoy myself rather than get caught up in cameraville. I held back and snapped very few images. I spent my time catching up, laughing and enjoying the food, drink and festivities. This year’s celebration in Jonesboro was terrific. My family was in good spirits and in good health.My girl went along with me – and that made the whole trip even better. Herein are a few of the images that I captured. Gobble.