The (official) Website of Alex Clermont

“Missing Rib,” A Short Story, is Now Available at the Kindle Store

Andrew McCarthy thought he found his other half. His other half didn’t agree, and since their break up he’s been moping around his apartment reliving the past. That stops the day his best friend Donald brow-beats him into being a groomsman at a wedding.

The day is filled with events, both tragic and funny, which make Andrew think about what it means to have family; to find love and to lose love. He’s forced to confront what it means to find someone who fits him, like a missing rib.

Korean P.O.V.

Korean P.O.V. – There Is Love (Park Min Soo)

During my first year, while at my first job here in Korea, my first students of the day noticed a second-hand Korean language book on my desk. They looked through it without my permission while I was on my designated five minute break – relieving myself, and cursing at bill collectors in the bathroom.

Korean P.O.V. – Male Bonding

I wasn’t sure what I was seeing at the time, but after my first few months in South Korea a reality about life here made itself clear: Koreans like to drink. Even more, many like to get drunk. Like any and all observations based solely on one’s own experience, it’s biased, and I accept the fact that I may be totally wrong in this generalization. But I don’t think so.

Korean P.O.V. – Mothers and Daughters

When I first came to Korea there were a few things I noticed. Firstly, I’m strange and deserve to be gawked at. Secondly, Korean women dress half naked, at least their bottom half. Anything short of showing pubic hair is socially acceptable. Third, Korean kids are damn cute.

Korean P.O.V. – My Home Until I’m Home

My summer vacation was fun enough. I went to a beach; I drank apple martinis; I spent time writing; I slept late; I got really physical with a Korean woman in a damn sauna of a place called Club Maktum down in Busan on a night where I was a good wing man to a sexually frustrated friend, but slept alone. It was fun enough, but it wasn’t what I planned.

Korean P.O.V. – Venus

A few weeks after arriving in Korea I met someone. We fucked the first night we met, and it was pretty good.

Neither of us were looking for anything serious. What it boiled down to was that everyone has needs, and it’s hard to get those needs met in a foreign country where men strive to look like boy-band members and women want to get married before they’re twenty-four.

Locmin For Senate (2 of 3)

Helen wore a softer version of Isaac’s outfit – with light beige replacing the navy blue. A homely looking woman, Helen had broad shoulders that were accentuated by her many business jackets. Isaac glanced at her with dull eyes before returning his gaze to the trees, bushes and mountain scenery flying past the window. He was glad he married her. She was smarter than him, and he knew it. Helen was the strategist behind Isaac’s campaign who did everything from writing his speeches and policy initiatives, to setting up promotional events and contacting the media.

Korean P.O.V. – Smiles and dating in Korea (vol. 2)

It was a totally new building with glass walls and a wonderful view of the woodsy campus behind the main school building. I sat inside this new cafeteria with six other teachers who, because of the new lunch schedule that accompanied the new building, weren’t used to eating with me – the foreigner. I ate kimchi and occasionally sniffed the queer smelling chemical scents given off by the building materials.

Twitter philosophy

This is a collection of some of my twits (yeah, that’s what I call them) and Facebook statuses over the last few I-don’t-know-how-long. They’re short little bits of what I thought were insightful, and pretty sounding phrases placed in a non-chronological order. Follow me at @alexclermont because I’m cool, just like you.

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If it wasn’t for your delicious Kimchi and easily accessible 노래방s, I’d hate you Korea.

Korean P.O.V. – Smiles and Dating in Korea (Vol. 1)

Me and a co-worker of mine started taking Muay Thai classes in April. His name is Mr. 김 (Kim) and since I arrived last December for my second year in Korea he’s taken to the idea of being my older brother – my 형님.

He knows I didn’t work at a public school before, and he knows this is my first time living in Seoul, so he wants to give me advice and expose me to Korea. He reminds me that kimchi is a very popular is a traditional Korean food. “Oh okay” is all I say after living here for a year.