• It’s a great day to be from Toronto, as the fine city’s mayor finally admitted to smoking crack last year. He’s not an addict, he says, he just did it once because he was so drunk. So, yeah, that looks pretty terrible. On the other hand, why should I care? He’s hardly the only politician who drinks too much or uses recreational drugs.
  • Anyhow, here’s an overview of the Rob Ford crack situation. (Globe and Mail)
  • As I’ve said before, I’m far more shocked that Ford was elected mayor than that he drinks too much or smokes crack.

As for non-Toronto, non-cocaine news:

  • Usually, I hate attempts at “modernizing” the hanbok, but here are some funky examples. (Korea JoongAng Daily)
  • My wonderful Hongdae neighborhood gets strangely singled out for all its litter. And it can get filthy at times, especially in the center of town on the weekend. But here’s a thought — if you don’t want trash in Hongdae, put out some trash cans. That’s true for pretty much all of Seoul. Also, how about cracking down on room salons and others who crank out those smutty fliers? That’s not even a Hongdae problem (at least compared so some other “entertainment” districts around Seoul). (Korea JoongAng Daily)
  • I find it hard to believe that Korean kids today are just 24th out of 60 countries for English ability. Young people have gotten so much better in recent years. (Korea JoongAng Daily)
  • An interview with conductor Gum Nanse, who, in addition to all his orchestral commitments, helps run the Korea Young Dream Orchestra, a program that sets up youth orchestras in the poor countryside areas around Korea. (Korea JoongAng Daily)