It seems like I live my days in halves, walkohilic by day, alcoholic when the sun goes down. It is almost like having two days in one. Tuesday is usually my blandest weekday because I shop instead of walk, but that wasn’t the case yesterday. Here’s how it looked:
The grocery shopping went the same as it always does, but then I changed things up–I walked back to Barretto.
So, that was the morning adventure. When dinnertime arrived, the skies seemed angry:
When the rain finally let up, we headed out to our next stop, Alaska Club. I had a buy one, get one coupon to expend there. I did my usual thing of tipping the Alaska dancers fifty pesos each, and I had brought along some Choco-Pies to share. When the Sit-n-Bull waitress came by, I called her over and requested three large orders of Shanghai lumpia. I had her deliver one each to Wet Spot and Green Room and bring one for the Alaska girls. Hey, I had a 10% discount coupon to use. And maybe those three gin and sodas I consumed during my Alaska visit enhanced my generosity.
Then Swan and I had a should we stay or should we go conversation, and the result was the decision to do a nightcap at Wet Spot. I made the determination that I had had my fill of gin for the night, so I switched to Zero beer. My good intentions to have just one were stymied when I got comped a second beer, but who am I to say no to a freebie? But it was two and out for us, and we made it home safe and sound. The leftover pudding was waiting for me to enjoy as a bedtime snack. All’s well that ends well!
And it appears the USA is making a comeback: Trump has just won the election! I reckon a celebration is in order tonight!
With the future secured (for now, at least), I can indulge in some Facebook memories:
Today’s YouTube features Reekay reacting to the election. I’ve never seen him talk about politics before. He identifies as a “Libertarian-Constitutionalist.” Again, given the options, Trump was the best choice for America. I’m looking forward to Vance in 2028, assuming I live that long.
Since I’m not in mourning for my country, I can afford some smiles:
Alrighty then. Swan is taking a “me day” to spend with her family. And I’ve got some celebrating to do. I reckon a Trump victory is as good an excuse for some beers as any! Back tomorrow!
The Hash gathered at the VFW. The trail went one way, and I went another. Three other Hashers followed my lead. I took them to the beginning of the My Bitch trail, and we followed it to the end, which conveniently left us at the gate to the Sangco Family Farm, this week’s On-Home venue. That was only a 4K journey, but Swan and I boosted our step count by walking halfway down Rizal Extension before catching a trike. Next stop was IDM for the after-Hash gathering. Once we’d had our fill, another trike ride home. I ended the evening with a sugar-free pudding treat. The details of the day’s adventure are in the pictures. Let’s have a look:
So, I mentioned those nine beers I indulged my thirst with yesterday. At 60 calories per bottle, I racked up 540 of them—almost a quarter of my daily goal. But I substituted beer for dinner, and it turned out to be my best diet day overall so far.
I’m not sure skipping meals is the way ahead for me, but eating less overall and walking more should work. It’s early yet, but so far, so good.
The Facebook memories from two years ago in Cambodia are almost better than I remember them:
It’s nice to look back on your life and have an occasional smile amongst the tears.
Today’s YouTube video features the Filipina Pea addressing the issue of strays and the general mistreatment of dogs in the Philippines. This subject is one of my pet peeves here. Yeah, the homeless dogs are sad to see and are clearly suffering, but damn, the dogs that are pets often don’t fare much better. Why have a dog if you are going to confine it on a three-foot leash or lock it in a cage so small it can’t turn around? I see this in Alta Vista, so it is not just a problem associated with the poor- it seems to be more of a cultural thing, kind of like littering.
To the humor, then:
Enough of that lameness. I’ve made a dinner date with Swan, and we’ll be dining at Mango’s. Afterward, we’ll go to Alaska Club to expend an SOB coupon or two. And life goes on.
Well, I did have a pretty sweet Sunday. I report, you decide.
In the good ol’ days, we hit McDonald’s after the Candy Walk. Those days are gone now, but Swan fed me at home.
It wasn’t long before it was time to make the trek to Hideaway Bar for the feeding.
I satisfied my thirst with gin and soda water. Two in an hour, then I paid my tab and headed across the highway for my dinner date at John’s place.
After two more gin and sodas during our dinner hour at John’s, we moseyed up the highway to enjoy a nightcap at the Green Room. We were there for an hour, enjoying watching the pool players, and I imbibed my final two gin and sodas for the night. That made six in three hours, which seems to be my limit. Nothing untoward happened; I just knew that I’d had enough, and it was time to call it a night. Drinking gin is twice as expensive as beer, but I drink half as much. If my math is correct, cutting out the beer carbs isn’t costing much. A sixty-calorie pudding dessert at home and my sweet Sunday was complete.
Calories in: 1600 Calories burned: 3800
Two years ago, I was walking the streets of Phnom Penh, Cambodia:
Back in the USA, there’s an election coming this week:
In today’s YouTube video, Reekay speaks to the skills required to live as an expat successfully. I’ve made it over six years so far. Yeah, there have been some missteps along the way, but luckily, no mishaps. Now, to keep it that way!
Comic time:
So, it’s Hash Monday once again. Vienna Sausage (Guenter) is the Hare and I’ve seen the trail map. I was going to just not go at all today because the trail ends out past the end of Rizal Extension. But Michael will have his car there and I’ve reserved a seat for a ride back to town after the Hash. As for the trail, I didn’t see any good potential shortcuts, so I’ll make my own way. The My Bitch trail will get me to the finish just fine. And yes, beer is the only option at the On-Home, so I’ll get to reacquaint myself with some Zeros. I have to keep count, so I’ll try and drink slow. Full report here tomorrow.
Today is the tomorrow I worried about yesterday. And looking back, I have no complaints. Here’s how it all went down:
We walked the dogs, then walked ourselves to the Subic marketplace to stock up on sweets for the Sunday Candy Walk.
With the buying spree completed, we loaded up two big bags of candy on a trike and headed for home. A small teriyaki chicken breast with broccoli for lunch, a nap, and a blog post. Then, it was time to get ready for the rest of the day. Swan wanted something to beach about so I gave her three options. She chose Baloy, and at the appointed hour, we commenced our walk. [Ha! I’m sure most readers got the “something to beach about” allusion, but Grammarly suggested I change “beach” to “talk.” Get your mind out of the gutter, Gram. I’m talking about the sandy places Swan loves.]
Kokomo owner Steve says the floating bar will be anchored on Sunday, undergo some maintenance, and open for business on Friday. Whoopee!
After my first two wines, we headed up the beach to Treasure Island Resort for some live music and food.
Two glasses of Treasure Island wine, and we departed for home. It was only 7:30, but I’d had enough. I would have drank more beers during the amount of time we spent at the beach, but Zero is 3% alcohol, and wine is 14%. I wasn’t drunk or anything, but why press your luck? Once home, I whipped up a batch of sugar-free vanilla pudding, and that more than satisfied my sweet tooth’s cravings. It was a relatively short but nice evening out.
And that is how day two in my new lifestyle went down.
Those pictures from the Halloween SOB I promised:
And my favorite costume of the night:
In other news, we met a Hasher from Vietnam named Zach at the Subic anniversary Hash, and he told us about a special group of Hashers from around the world who are doing something called the 7-Eleven Hash. It’s basically an urban Hash where the group hikes through town, stopping at every 7-Eleven convenience store along the chosen route. Zach said no Hash from the Philippines had done this event. Well, the Subic Hash took that as a challenge to be the first; this coming Thursday (11/7), we shall march!
Speaking of something different, that trip to Cambodia two years ago was also a nice change of pace.
Today’s YouTube video is something different. Short and sweet (well, maybe sweet is the wrong word) sharing eight facts about farting you might not have known. And now you do. You are welcome!
Smile time:
Back to the usual Sunday routines starting with the Hideaway feeding. I’ll be doing gin and soda there. Then dinner at John’s place. I reckon I’ll wash down whatever I eat with some wine. Got some SOB coupons to burn as well, so we’ll see what we’re in the mood for come time for the nightcap. Exciting shit, eh?
So, day one of the new lifestyle is in the books. Thanks to my readers here for the comments and feedback. I’ve walked the weight-loss road successfully in the past, and although my methods are an unorthodox mix of dieting techniques, the important thing is being able to stay with the plan for the long haul (my calorie-counting app says that at one pound a week, I’ll reach my goal in February 2026!). I hope to do better than that!
Just got to keep on keepin’ on.
No photos from the competition posted yet, maybe tomorrow.
Today this package from Lazada (the PI Amazon) arrived.
Okay, don’t worry, I’m not going to bore you with endless posts about my dieting. Instead, I’ll bore you with pictures from my hikes. Like these from yesterday’s Friday group hike:
In the meantime, there are always memories:
Two years ago, I was vacationing in Cambodia (can you vacation from retirement?):
Good times. I’ve lost touch with my old friend Dennis who was living there and I fear the worst.
Whenever I hear “the science is settled,” I think of stuff like this:
Today’s YouTube is the first one I’ve seen from this vlogger. Honestly, not that impressed, but he is talking about crime against foreigners in Angeles City, a place I occasionally still visit. But yeah, you can’t let your guard down there.
Humor time:
Another Saturday night is on the horizon, and I asked that girl who lives in my house what she wanted to do. She doesn’t care as long as it involves a beach. So, I gave her some options to consider, and I’ll follow her lead. I’ll tell you how that works out tomorrow.
And so it begins—again. My post-title search revealed that I embarked on a similar course of action exactly four years ago. Obviously, I failed miserably, and things are a lot worse now than they were back then. I’m motivated to get it done right this time. And man, oh man, I have a long way to go.
This morning’s starting stats:
Weight: 267.1 pounds
Belly Circumference: 52 inches
Waist: 44 inches
Shocking, I know. I haven’t been on the scale in months, but the last time I weighed in I was around 235. I really let myself go.
So, the plan is a simple one: eat smarter, reduce carbs and calories, and exercise more. That means no more sweet treats, better meal choices, and yes, a significant reduction in beer intake. At tonight’s SOB I’ll be doing the gin and soda water thing. Interestingly, a shot of gin has more calories than a bottle of Zero beer (75 versus 60), although the beer is carby. Still, if I drink fewer shots of gin than than bottles of beer, that’s progress. My style is to order a gin shot in a tall glass, and a can of soda water on the side. I refill the glass from the can three times before ordering another shot. I just need to do a better job pacing myself so as to avoid getting floored.
I’ll be doing the ab work once again as well. Sit-ups and leg lifts to start. This morning I stretched my walk to over 9K as I once again endeavor to achieve a daily goal of at least 20,000 steps.
I installed a calorie tracker app on my phone to help me manage the food intake.
A boiled egg and some apple and orange slices for breakfast. Swan served a banana too, but I rejected that high-calorie option. For lunch I had a salad and a burger patty.
The only way to go from here is down. Or so I hope. My goal is to once again break the 200 pound barrier. Wish me luck!
And so it ends. The last day of my month of tracking expenses looked like this:
Alcohol: 1350 pesos
Dinner: 800 pesos
Lady Drinks: 985 pesos
Fruits and Veggies: 1000 pesos
Trike: 100 pesos
Charity: 2000 pesos
Tips: 200 pesos
Total for October 31: 6435 pesos
Hey, it was Halloween, of course I went a little wild!
And here are the results from the month of logging where it all goes:
Monthly Expenses % of Income
Groceries: 78,600 pesos (21%)
Charity: 59,000 pesos (16%)
Rent: 38,000 pesos (10%)
Helper Salaries: 30,000 pesos (8%)
Alcohol: 27,900 pesos (8%)
Dining Out: 24,400 pesos (7%)
Swan Allowance: 16,000 pesos (4%)
Transportation: 15,700 pesos (4%)
Entertainment: 14,000 pesos (4%)
Utilities: 13,700 pesos (4%)
Lady Drinks: 13,000 pesos (4%)
Healthcare: 12,800 pesos (4%)
Tips: 8700 pesos (2%)
Hotels: 7800 pesos (2%)
Visa Extension: 6200 pesos (2%)
Snacks: 4200 pesos (1%)
TOTAL EXPENSES FOR OCTOBER: 370,000pesos (-5000 pesos)
So, my expenses exceeded my income by 5000 pesos. I can and will fix that going forward. I see several opportunities for being a tad more frugal that will more than make up for the deficit. And just for the record, the 365,000 pesos I call income has a 30,000 peso cushion that goes into savings, so I wasn’t really in the red. Still, my goal is to save at least 50,000 pesos a month, so I need to do better.
And now, about last night. Swan and I dressed up and headed out to It Doesn’t Matter to celebrate Halloween.
Swan says IDM is her favorite hangout, and we spent most of our evening there last night. We had a brief nightcap at Wet Spot and ran into my neighbor Mike there. When it was time to go, I hooked up a free ride home with him. And you already saw the banana split I had at home.
Now for a look back at the past:
Someone new for today’s YouTube video: Joy of the Jungle. In just over two minutes, she tells us five things that will make your Filipina angry with you. Okay, if you say so. In my mind, I was comparing and contrasting with one of my favorites, the Filipina Pea. Well, the Pea is in a whole other category, the one where confidence and competence reside. It’s worth two minutes of your time to see for yourself. And Joy is cute enough, but she’s no Pea.
And now, the funny part:
Alright, some sit-ups to perform, then I’ll get ready for the SOB and hope the gin plan goes well. I’ll let you know about that tomorrow.
Today’s song was something I happened to come across randomly. I want to break free, too. But I can’t believe they express that sentiment in North Korea!
Now that we have those annual niceties out of the way, let’s get on with today’s post.
It rained just enough to scare me into not walking this morning. I’ll try not to let that happen again.
Let’s talk about the goodness of yesterday instead. Starting with the Wednesday Walkers trek in the Naugsol countryside.
The cliffhanger on yesterday’s post was whether I’d journey out to the bars under the threat of rain. Those of you who voted “yes” got it right. A few sprinkles on the way, but we were safely inside the confines of The Maze bar complex before the heavy stuff came down.
Finished things up early (before 7:30!) at Green Room, and headed home with some food from Sit-n-Bowl.
Then I baked a batch of brownies for an a la mode dessert. There’s a last time for everything it seems.
I was living large and spending generously yesterday. One more day to go this month, so why not?
Dinner: 1160 pesos
Snacks: 200 pesos
Lady Drinks: 840 pesos
Charity: 7000 pesos
Trike: 200 pesos
Tips: 490 pesos
Alcohol: 885 pesos
Total for October 30: 10,775 pesos
Facebook invited me for a stroll down memory lane today and y’all are welcome to come along:
In the political realm, I’ve discovered that not only am I a Nazi supporter, but I’m also garbage.
I had been planning to dress up as The Invisible Man for Halloween, but I couldn’t see how that would work. Instead, I’m going to try and go out tonight as a garbage bag. Swan is going to help me concoct a costume.
Today’s YouTube video from The Filipina Pea is a little different. She shows a clip from “The View” where those crazed lefties go off about how men need women, but women don’t need men. I know the thought of watching even two minutes of that bullshit show is scary, but hey, it is Halloween. Anyway, Pea interviewed Filipinas on the street, asking questions about needing a man, and they all answered affirmatively. And there you have the reason so many men are fleeing the USA to make the Philippines their home.
And now for the things I find amusing:
There is still a lot of iffy weather out there, but I reckon going out for some Halloween fun is something you can only do once a year. We have tentative plans to start out at It Doesn’t Matter, one of several bars having Halloween parties tonight. The question of the hour for me is whether I can find a way to look like garbage. Or find a bag big enough. Speaking of which, I’ve been doing a little foreshadowing about some changes on the horizon. That horizon arrives tomorrow. See you then!
Make no misteak about it; it was good eating. The highlight of our night on the town was dinner at John’s place. We followed that up with a bit of a bar hop, visiting MacArthur’s, Red Stars, and Hot Zone before calling it a night. But first things first.
Speaking of All Saints Day, that’s also a huge deal here in the Philippines. Driving past the hillside cemetery in Olongapo yesterday, preparations were in full swing for the upcoming big day with the dead this Friday. Food stands were being erected, crypts were being painted and given their annual cleaning and refurbishment so when the families gather to pay their respects and eat in drink in memory of the dead, all will be in order. And the following day, everything will be a mess again. It’s just the way it’s done in these parts.
When the grocery shopping was done, I couldn’t help but notice the car parked next to ours.
Alright, about those steaks at John’s place. Swan and I had both been craving some beef, and we went with the tenderloin special (750 pesos) to fill that void.
The first stop on the bar hop was the newest bar in town, MacArthur’s. The place was surprisingly full when we arrived. The music was blaring loud enough that conversation was difficult. They didn’t have wine in stock, so Swan ordered gin and soda water. They gave her a gin in lime juice. My beer was 120 pesos. It was one and out for us, and we are not likely to return.
Next up was the rarely visited Red Stars. Our waitress remembered me from the Blue Butterfly days and welcomed me back by pointing to my belly and asking when the baby was due. Thousands of comedians are out of work, and she’s trying to be funny! Anyway, I get that a lot and wasn’t offended. They had wine for Swan, and my Zero was reasonably priced at 80 pesos. We sat on the outdoor patio, and Swan engaged the two waitresses at our table in a Tagalog conversation. Naturally, I bought the girls a lady drink, then watched the world go by as I enjoyed my beer(s).
The last stop was Hot Zone. I can’t even remember the last time I was there. Nothing wrong with the bar, just not my kind of place anymore. I visited last night because I got a message from owner Jay telling me he had found a shirt of mine (Jay used to be the Grandmaster of the Subic Hash, so I assumed it was a Hash shirt). I was curious about both the shirt and its origins, so I found myself in the Zone. It turns out it was a special shirt designed to commemorate an ill-fated Hash in November 2019—the one where we got arrested by the Philippine Navy for trespassing. I wrote about it here. Apparently, it got dropped off for me and misplaced for almost five years. Better late than never. Thanks, Jay!
The Hot Zone mamasan still remembered me and gave me a poke in the belly greeting as well.
And that’s where the story of my yesterday comes to an end. All that fun came with a price:
Medications: 1500 pesos
Lady Drinks: 360 pesos
Tips: 500 pesos
Alcohol: 1560 pesos
Dinner: 1500 pesos
Groceries: 14,700 pesos
Driver: 1000 pesos
Charity: 250 pesos
Trike: 100 pesos
Total for October 29: 21,470 pesos
Eight years ago, I was walking the streets of Seoul.
And during that trek, I was surprised to see this old beauty:
Today’s YouTube video provides an update on the kidnapped American. Arrests have been made, but not sign as yet of the victim.
And now for some laughs:
Alright, a good morning with the Wednesday Walkers and this afternoon the skies are looking angry. Will I stay or will I go? I don’t know yet either. I’ll let you know tomorrow!
Another Hash, another climb to the Kalaklan ridgeline. Kudos to the Hare for finding a new way up. As I’ve often said after one of these hikes, there ain’t no easy way to the top, but some are less gruesome than others. Yesterday’s journey was on the easier end of the spectrum–probably the third least difficult that I recall. Of course, the harder climbs take you to the highest part of the ridge. Achieving the ridgeline road yesterday was not the end of my upward trajectory.
I’m also old and fat, and the hill climbs are always challenging. When we started the trail yesterday, I was feeling some weakness in my right leg. I eventually walked that one off, only to start feeling a pain in my lower back. That triggered the voice in my head urging me just to turn around and walk the highway to the On-Home. We argued a bit, and then I reached the point of no return and ignored the recriminations. I was to complete the entire 6.5K short version of the trail and was pretty damn proud of myself for doing so!
Not a bad trail, glad I didn’t wuss out. After the Hash Circle, we moved to IDM for some food and more beverages. Then it was homeward bound for me and my lady.
Nothing in life is free:
Hash Fees: 900 pesos
Tips: 100 pesos
Alcohol: 700 pesos
Dinner: 750 pesos
Trike: 200 pesos
Charity: 50 pesos
Total for October 28: 2750 pesos
Lots of memories from this date in history:
Last Friday, I was in Bauang, witnessing a whole new dance show experience that included naked women. At the SOB I missed in Barretto, the Alaska Club girls went in an entirely different direction—props for the costumes and creativity. What I missed appears to have been a haunting experience.
Today’s funny business:
Anyway, that’s all I’ve got for today. Thinking about dinner at John’s place tonight since we missed out on Sunday. After that, who knows?
It’s good to be home again, be it ever so humble. I used to take all-day-long cross-country drives when I lived in the USA. Nowadays, four hours feels almost like a marathon. Two-thirds of the trip is on the expressway, free from the clutter of trikes, jeepneys, and scooters. The scenery is pleasant as well. So, it was a good trip all in all. I owe you those Hash photos, and I’ve got a lot of them, but they deserve a post of their own. I’ll try to have them up later this morning. UPDATE: I put the Hash photos up at the end of this post.
Once I had the bags unpacked, it was nearing beer o’clock, but I knew I was already at The Rite Spot, so I stayed there. I baked a carrot cake, then headed up to the roof to enjoy the views.
And then it was time to eat. We’d skipped lunch, so Swan and I were both hungrier than usual. We enjoyed The Rite Spot special and had the helpers up to enjoy the meal with us.
After dinner, I watched some YouTube, then called it a night. Not much excitement in my day, but that didn’t diminish the warm, fuzzy feeling that being home brings.
I knew I’d be home too late to do the Hideaway feeding, so I wired the money to Joy and let her take care of business.
Charity: 2500 pesos
Tips: 100 pesos
Gasoline: 1000 pesos
Total for October 27: 3600 pesos
Six years ago, I traveled “home” to South Carolina. I haven’t been back since.
So, this is one of those videos I watched last night:
So, that screenshot is clickbait, and I fell for it. There is NOTHING in this video that would warrant deletion, and the Filipinas shown above are nowhere to be seen in the video. That said, the “ten secrets” were interesting enough, although there was nothing shocking about them, and they aren’t really secrets. I was not happy about being misled, but otherwise, I found it a worthwhile watch. YMMV.
Today’s dose of humor:
So, it is Hash Monday, Subic-style. Leech My Nuggets is the Hare, and I’ve been advised there is a climb up to Kalaklan Ridge in my near future. Oh well, what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. Speaking of which, I changed my mind–I won’t do a separate post with the La Union Hash photos. Instead, I’m going to post them right here and now. I’ll tell the story of the day in the captions. Let’s go!
And that was how the La Union Hash adventure went down. Hope you enjoyed the photos! I’ll be back with a report on today’s Subic Hash, assuming I live to tell about it. See you here tomorrow (I hope!).
I’m going to be hitting the road soon for that four-hour drive home. I’ve got some nice pics from yesterday’s Hash, but they’ll have to wait until I have more time and a faster internet connection. So, this post is just a placeholder for now.
I’d paid my Hash fees in advance, so most of my expenses for the day were already covered.
Trike: 100 pesos
Tips: 250 pesos
Alcohol: 360 pesos
Dinner: 700 pesos
Total for October 26: 1410 pesos
There’s always time for politics, right?
In keeping with the theme of today’s post, the YouTube video is only two minutes long. The vlogger’s voice is irritating, but the photos are good. Kristine was a bitch, but luckily the damage in this part of Luzon wasn’t so bad. We did have a muddy Hash trail to deal with.
Some quick humor:
Anyway, I’ll get back when I can. But at least this post gives me one less thing to worry about. Later, gators!
Or, to be more precise, hello from Bauang, which is a municipality within the province of La Union. We arrived at our destination after a thankfully uneventful four-hour drive. One of the local Hashers invited us to the local hangout, a bar formerly called Footlights and now goes by Amante. There was a Friday night special on offer that included all you could drink from four until eight pm, food, and a special dance performance. It sounded almost SOB-like and was priced similarly, at 650 pesos per person. So, that’s what we did. No Zero or wine was available, so we drank San Miguel Light. The higher alcohol content and the urge to drink my money’s worth created the drunken result you’d expect. The food was a serving of chicken cordon bleu, which was better than I had expected. The dance performance? Well, it was two gals dancing solo. The first song was typical bar gyrations, similar to what you see in Barretto. When the second song started, everything came off. Yep, totally nude dancing. This is the first time I’ve seen that anywhere in the Philippines. Now, being the old-fashion codger that I am, I prefer some things left to the imagination. But it was nice to see something a little different in a bar. Leave it to beaver!
Swan and I did a nightcap at the hotel bar, although, for some reason, I have little recollection of that event. And now, a new and sunny day has dawned. It looks to be a good day for Hashing!
Sorry to disappoint, but there are no photos of the dancers. After their performance, they came around all the tables (fully dressed again) with a tip jar. I was happy to reward them for showing us everything they have.
So, it was a good first night here in La Union.
Lady Drinks: 450 pesos
Alcohol: 200 pesos
Party: 1300 pesos
Tips: 350 pesos
Snacks: 550 pesos
Gasoline: 1000 pesos
Lodging: 5000 pesos
Trikes: 100 pesos
Total for October 25: 8750 pesos
Today’s stroll down memory lane:
In today’s YouTube video, Reekay provides an update on the body that washed ashore–turns out it was not the kidnapping victim. I doubt he’s still alive though.
Let’s try some humor:
Okay, I’ve got the La Union Hash House Harriers 41st Anniversary event to attend to. Tell you all about it tomorrow.
Power was restored briefly last evening, but it’s been out again since eight p.m. Rain is falling like crazy, and there are some heavy gusts of wind. The downed tree blocking our street has been cleared away, at least. Typhoon Kristine has proven to be a real bitch, and she doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to leave. This doesn’t bode well for our drive to La Union later this morning. Hopefully, it is not still raining when tomorrow’s Hash commences. Nothing to be done but wait and see.
So, let’s find out how long my laptop battery lasts. Yesterday was pretty much a shelter-in-place kind of day. I did visit the cardiologist for my test results. The most surprising news is that I have a urinary tract infection. And now I have some antibiotics to take twice a day. I still need an ultrasound of my leg veins; I am just waiting for the scheduling. Otherwise, the heart is ticking and tocking and doing its job. The goal is to continue that trend as long as possible. I haven’t experienced any breathing issues lately, and I’m especially thankful for that.
After I got back home, the power went out, and I wasn’t looking forward to spending the night sitting in the dark. My neighbor invited us over to join them in the solar-lighted house for some food and beers, and that was a welcome offer. Davina’s shrimp fajitas are amazing:
We also killed an hour or so playing a board game, the name of which I can’t recall this morning. It involved drawing numbered tiles and playing them in sets. My old brain took some time to grasp the strategic imperatives required in choosing where and when to play the numbers, but I was never able to beat neighbor Jeff. Oh well, something different to fill the time. Ah, it was Rummikub.
After the power was restored, we said our goodnights and headed home. The joy of lights and fans didn’t last long, and we were once again cast into darkness. A fitful night’s sleep ensued, punctuated by noise from the howling winds and the drumbeat of rain against the windows. Then, I awoke to another wet morning in darkness.
Well, at least I didn’t spend much:
Prescription Meds: 1300 pesos
Doctor Visit: 700 pesos
Trike: 200 pesos
Total for October 24: 2200
It’s more fun to spend money than not. I reckon I’ll get the chance to make up for it some this weekend in La Union.
Some Facebook memories:
No battery power to preview a YouTube video for you this morning, so I’ll just share this one that looks interesting to this old man’s eyes. Things from the 1980s you can no longer do. Heh, don’t get me started!
The wrath of typhoon Kristine is upon us. Not much rain, but lots of wind. And naturally, the power has been out for hours now. My mission is to finish today’s post before my laptop battery expires. Let’s do this!
Another lazy day yesterday, but at least I can blame the weather for my failure to exercise.
The rain didn’t stop me from donning an umbrella and heading for town with Swan by my side when beer o’clock rolled around.
I was surprised to see that my waitress friend, Jenn, from Whiskey Girl, is now employed at BarCelona. She says the pay is better, and there is less drama. It’s nice to have a familiar face here, even if I infrequently visit this bar.
The news from BarCelona is that the bar has finally changed hands. The new owner wasn’t around yesterday, but hopefully, he can find a way to attract more customers. For our first hour or so, we were groovin’ to the classic rock sounds being played on a quality sound system. And then, out of the blue, some crappy rap (but I repeat myself) began blaring. I told Swan if I had heard that noise when coming up the stairs, I would have turned around. Well, one rap song is one too many, but I can tolerate the discomfort. And then the next song was rap. And so was the one after that. I told Jenn it was time for us to go. While she was getting my bill, the only other customer in the bar (he’d actually been out on the rooftop deck) came in to pay and leave for the same reason. As we left, I told the cashier to consider who the customer base was when picking a playlist. She denied changing the music and claimed not to know how to resolve the issue. Whatever.
Wet Spot wasn’t open yet, so we made Green Room our next stop. Business as usual there, and we enjoyed drinking our drinks and watching the pool players.
We brought sandwiches from Sit-n-Bull home with us for our dinner.
Not much of a Wednesday, but we made the best of it.
Part-time helper salary: 1000 pesos
Trike: 100 pesos
Dinner: 1200 pesos
Tips: 340 pesos
Alcohol: 800 pesos
Lady Drinks: 680 pesos
Total for October 23: 4220 pesos
The rare day of spending less than 5000 pesos!
Today’s memories don’t come from Facebook; instead, I found them in the dark archives here at Long Time Gone. This post from 2009 was a good reminder that there was a time when I occasionally wrote something of substance on the blog. I had recently signed up on Facebook and reconnected with a high school classmate who worked with me on the school newspaper. He was working as a journalist for a major paper in the Pacific Northwest and was lamenting the declining economics of the newspaper industry. I had been a fellow liberal brother-in-arms back in our youth but had outgrown that mindset. I pointed out some reasons why the left-wing reporting bias was hurting the news business. I guess he disagreed, and like many of my lefty acquaintances, he unfriended me. Oh well, at least his echo-chamber world view was preserved. Probably one of the better posts in the almost twenty-year history of LTG.
The other memory was a photo I posted on the blog from my days as a cross-country skier in the mountains of Northern Arizona circa 1982. That post contained just the photograph and one of my favorite Sara Teasdale poems:
Man oh man, a good reminder that we don’t appreciate what we have until it is gone. I hadn’t thought about those long ago days in a very long time, and seeing that picture again brought back a flood of memories. Damn, I’d like to be a time traveler and whisper some wisdom in that guy’s ear. But knowing me, I probably wouldn’t have listened.
Speaking of fools, here are some updates on that guy I posted about who was kidnapped a few days ago. The more I learn about this young man, the worse it gets. A white guy’s body washed ashore in the region, but it has not been positively identified as being him yet. Anyway, either way it is doubtful he is still alive. You can read a news account here, and today’s YouTube videos have two different vloggers weighing in with the latest details of this guy’s final days. I found it both interesting and sad that he had converted to Islam and taken the name Muhammed. A lot of good it did him.
Time to cleanse the palate with some humor:
Well, the good news is I made it through this post on low batt. The bad news is the storm has just hit with full fury…heavy winds and rain. And now this just happened:
Oh well, nothing I can do about it. I’m leaving tomorrow morning to spend the weekend in La Union. It’s on the ocean so hopefully this storm has blown through by then. We shall see. I’ll update tomorrow if I have the power to do so.
Another empty page has now been filled, but it being a Tuesday, there were plenty of open spaces. That’s why we have to live them to see what they may bring.
In a break from the normal routine, we stopped at the Ulticare Hospital on the way to Royal. It seems they were in need of a donation. So, I gave them a vial of my blood, but that wasn’t enough for the greedy bastards.
Shopping went as expected, and I was pleasantly surprised to see corn bread mix on sale.
Even with the sale prices, groceries don’t come cheap these days:
With the morning chores completed, it was time to think about those late afternoon hours. I had it in my head to do the Baloy Beach thing, but I asked Swan what she wanted to do first. “How about Baloy?” was her response. It is so sweet that we are on the same page most of the time.
And then I noticed this:
We spent a pleasant hour at Kokomo’s, chatting (and drinking) with the owner. He had planned on anchoring the floating bar this week, but Typhoon Kristine changed those plans. Hopefully, I’ll be spending my Tuesday evenings on the floater starting next month.
When we were ready to eat, we headed up the beach to Treasure Island. They weren’t too busy, and the owner bought us a round of drinks. Swan asked me if I would order some food for the waitresses, and of course, I did not object. Another example of us being on the same page.
We finished our drinks and grabbed a trike to Alta Vista. And so ended another day in the life.
“Money don’t get everything, it’s true, but what it don’t get, I can’t use…”
Dinner: 1160 pesos
Tips: 350 pesos
Groceries: 15,500 pesos
Alcohol: 1110 pesos
Electricity: 3800
Driver: 1000 pesos
Healthcare: 750 pesos
Charity: 200 pesos
Trike: 100 pesos
Total for October 22: 22,970 pesos
Twelve years ago, I was hanging with my pal Simon in Itaewon to celebrate his birthday.
Seven years ago, I penned this gem:
Death to Aria! I was attacked in my sleep last night. The battle raged from 0200-0300. I was unable to digest why it was happening and was in danger of being completely liquefied. I retreated from the bedroom and eventually purged the intruder. When I awoke a few hours later, I found myself on more solid ground. I’m just glad the attack didn’t occur on the subway, or I would have been in deep doo-doo.
Who says those creative writing classes were a waste of time?
I’m laughing at a lot of those Trump doing McDonald’s memes. Like this one:
Today’s YouTube video is the latest from Reekay, talking about mistakes guys make in their search for the perfect Filipina. I’ve found the right one for me, but it took me over five years of fuck-ups. So, here’s your chance to learn from the ignorance of others:
Today’s funnies:
Well, so far, at least, the typhoon has brought some mild rain and very little wind. I’ve seen photos of flooding elsewhere in the PI. It was enough to cancel the Wednesday Walkers group hike this morning, though. I’m likely going to break out the umbrella come beer o’clock and give a local bar or two some business. Hey, I call it disaster relief! I’ll let you know how that works out for me tomorrow.
The Subic Bay Hash House Harriers have been marching for thirty-one years now, and I’ve been honored to be involved in six of them. In a typical week, we have between thirty and forty participants. Yesterday, 133 Hashers, including a large contingent from Pattaya, Thailand, joined the fun. Thanks for sharing in the celebration!
There were three options yesterday: long, medium, and short trails. Long and medium hikers took Jeepneys to Olongapo City and started from there. The short trail (5.5K) involved a harder-than-I-remembered climb, but it wasn’t bad after that. And no, I did not shortcut, even though the thought crossed my mind. The gathering for the Hash circle at Subiza seemed to go well, so that was a relief. The party continued at It Doesn’t Matter following the Hash. There’s a reason we are known as a “drinking club with a running problem.” Good times!
It’s great to still be living the good life after all these years.
The day was not free, of course:
Charity: 11,500 pesos (donation for cancer treatment)
Prescription Meds: 1500 pesos
Tips: 100 pesos
Alcohol: 850 pesos
Dinner: 750 pesos
Lady Drinks: 400 pesos
Trike: 200 pesos
Hash Fees: 1300 pesos
Snacks: 100 pesos
Total for October 21: 16,700 pesos
Ten more days to go before I do my monthly reckoning.
You may have noticed an influx of spam comments. I turned off my blockers to see if that would improve access for those using VPNs. It might have helped some, but deleting all that spam was a chore, so the blockers are back in operation. Sorry for whatever inconvenience that may cause.
In other news, there’s a storm a-brewin’.
Today’s memory is from seven years ago when I made a four-hour roundtrip bike ride from Pyeongtaek to Asan and back.
Election day is approaching, and the voting shenanigans have already begun.
Today’s YouTube video might be my all-time favorite from The Filipina Pea. In it, she takes on a white woman who is critical of men moving to Asia for the women. Pea decimates her in a must-see takedown. The white gal is the perfect example of what Western men are running away from. Have a look and judge for yourself:
Ready for some humor?
I’m halfway through my Tuesday now and unsure what lies ahead. I’ll consult with Swan for her preferences, but I’m thinking Baloy might be a good option. Come back for more of my drivel tomorrow if you dare!
Life is what it is, and this is how it was yesterday: A Candy Walk, a feeding, a dinner, and some liquid refreshment along the way. And I’ve got the pictures to prove it!
Later in the day, I made my way to Hideaway for the weekly feeding.
Next up was surviving a highway crossing and dining at John’s place.
We finished the day at Green Room, where we enjoyed watching some pool competitors in action. Lady drinks were dispensed, and beer was imbibed. I got a shoulder rub from Sally, but it didn’t get any lower than that.
So, I caught some flack in the comments about my criticism of the guy getting his crotch rubbed on Friday night. Let me try and clarify my objections. To begin with, whatever happens between a customer and a GRO is between them, and it is none of my business. I’ve seen worse than the Friday show. I don’t enjoy seeing guys grabbing tits or gals grabbing dick, but that’s between them. That said, Green Room touts itself as a “sports bar,” not a whore bar. I was there on Friday to watch a dance competition, and I had my girl with me. I saw what was happening at the next table and looked away. Swan got offended. I stand by my belief that it wasn’t the time or place for hands-on behavior, but I’ll concede it doesn’t make the guy a ghastly asshole. It’s a Barretto bar full of girls wanting to make money; I can always go elsewhere if I don’t like it. The fact that I was back at Green Room with my girl last night demonstrates that we are both over it.
Here’s what my Sunday cost me:
Tips: 500 pesos
Alcohol: 1190 pesos
Lady Drinks: 1050 pesos
Snacks: 200 pesos
Dinner: 1290 pesos
Trikes: 300 pesos
Charity: 2150 pesos
Trash Collection: 100 pesos
Lunch: 550 pesos
Total for October 20: 7282 pesos
Another Facebook memory from my Korea life:
I was looking at pictures from the Anniversary Hash in 2019 and had a chuckle over this one:
Today’s YouTube vlogger advises against opening a business for the family to operate. The examples given are pretty familiar. My direct experience was sponsoring the eatery Marissa wanted. That lasted all of six months. Still, when I thought about that beach bar in Bantay Bayan I wrote about yesterday, I knew it would have to be in Swan’s name, and I felt confident that it would do fine in her capable hands. I’m just not wanting to upend my life with the major changes that would be required. Still, I’m cognizant of the fact that she’ll outlive me, and I’d like to find a way for her to carry on without my support when the end of my days arrives.
I’ll take this as a sign that today’s humor will be punny indeed:
Speaking of the Hash, today is the 31st Anniversary of the Subic Bay Hash House Harriers. The long and medium trails involve transport to Olongapo City, then a climb up to Kalaklan Ridge and down the other side. Departure for those is at noon from VFW. The short trail leaves at one from the VFW and has a climb, but not a Kalaklan-level (steep?) ascent. You know which one I’ll be doing. On-Home is at Subiza Resort on Baloy. I’m a little worried if they are going to be able to accommodate the needs of an anticipated one hundred Hashers, but we are fixin’ to find out. I’ll share how it goes tomorrow.
But they were pretty small. Here’s where things stood on SATurday.
Swan joined me for the Saturday morning stroll. She thinks walking in Barretto is boring, so we took a Jeepney ride out of town and explored the backstreets of a small village called Bantay Bayan. I’ve walked through there on hikes before and always liked the place’s vibe. It’s an isolated community on the beach but still accessible via the National Highway. The highway doesn’t go through the town; it’s up above it on the hillside. Naturally, Swan handed out sweets to the kids we encountered during our walk.
On my previous walks through this village, I observed a place called “The Index,” but it was never open when I passed by. Yesterday, some construction was going on, and one of the workers said we could come in for a look-see.
As we were looking around, a Filipino man having coffee and a smoke at one of the tables greeted us. The first thing he said to me was, “Index is for sale.” I told him, “Not today,” but it gave me something to think about.
Of course, upon reflection, I realize the fantasy of owning a beach bar and the reality of actually running one are two different things. I’d have to move to Bantay Bayan for one thing. It’s only five kilometers from Barretto, but it would still be a pain in the ass without some major lifestyle changes. And the bar would cater to an almost exclusively local crowd, so I’m not sure how much fun that would be for me. I did see one other white guy on the walkabout, so there’s that.
I promised Swan dinner at Jewel, and we stopped at It Doesn’t Matter for some pre-meal liquid refreshments on our way there. Ran into my pals Scott and Jim, and before we left a couple more bar hoppers arrived. I never get invited to join in those excursions; I guess I have the reputation of being a lightweight. Oh well, I had a date anyway.
There was a large and loud Filipino group at Jewel Cafe when we arrived, but they left shortly thereafter. Before we’d finished our meal, an even bigger group came in, including a passel of kids. Another large group was seated in the outside area. I like Jewel and was happy to see them doing so well with the Saturday dinner crowd.
Swan had been hankering for the Jewel steak dinner–a filet mignon for 499 pesos. I ordered one as well.
We hadn’t been to Alaska Club for a while, and owner Jerry is back in town, so that was our next stop. We were the day’s first customers for them, but the music was good, and the girls were dancing (which is rare in other bars). As is my custom, I rewarded the dance crew with fifty pesos each for their effort (there were ten of them). Our waitress enjoyed two lady drinks and a nice tip for her service. We did our nightcap at Wet Spot and spent recklessly there as well. Aine joined us again, along with waitress Irene and boss lady Beth, and they all quenched their thirst on my tab. Hey, that’s just the way I roll. And nobody rubbed my crotch!
With eight o’clock approaching and my drinking capacity maxed out, we called for our trike and headed home.
A sweet ending to the day, indeed!
Easy come, easy go:
Lady Drinks: 800 pesos
Alcohol: 1500 pesos
Dinner: 1000 pesos
Charity: 50 pesos
Tips: 850 pesos
Jeepney: 100 pesos
Trike: 200 pesos
Total for October 19: 4500 pesos
Memories of Seoul from seven years ago when I did a trek to the summit of Namsan.
Damn, I do miss those days.
So, I posted the video yesterday about that poor smuck who was kidnapped in Zamboanga. Turns out he was a vlogger and had posted videos acknowledging that his life was in danger living there.
This news article provides additional information on the sad story of Elliot Eastman.
Good luck to him where ever he may be. He’s going to need it.
Alright, hard to transition from that story to the humor, but here goes anyway:
So, another Sunday feeding at Hideaway is on tap, followed by my dinner with Swan at John’s place. No complaints, even if it does have a “Groundhog Day” feel about it. Kind of like reading this blog, I suppose.
The day began with the Friday group hike. We kept it local this time, and other than fighting our way through the overgrown thatch grass, we had a good walk.
It was SOB Friday, and when I attend, I arrive early in order to secure a good seat. Most of the venues open at five, and the show starts at six. The Green Room’s regular opening hour is four, so that meant having a longer than usual wait. Swan joins me just before the show begins to avoid that suffering. So, how do you kill the time sitting in a bar? Oh yeah, beer!
The show started on time. Seven hundred pesos each for admission, but the beer is free from six to eight. I consider it a challenge to get my money’s worth, but I can’t drink enough to make up for that slowpoke Swan. No big deal. Before the dancing started, Swan observed one of the GROs rubbing the crotch of the guy at a nearby table. She called the guy an asshole, but I pointed out he wasn’t rubbing on the girl. Anyway, people do what they do, and it is not my concern if it doesn’t affect me.
I was a judge for the contest again, and this week, I was totally in sync with my fellow judges:
As usual, when the show was over, I was done. We had our regular trike driver meet us outside and headed home.
Here’s how I emptied my wallet yesterday:
Cable/Internet: 3500 pesos
Alcohol: 450 pesos
Tips: 420 pesos
Trike: 200 pesos
Phone: 3800 pesos
Lady Drinks: 700 pesos
Charity: 3500 pesos
Snacks: 100 pesos
SOB Fee: 1400 pesos
Dinner: 520 pesos
Total for October 18: 14,590 pesos
Ah, the memories.
Yesterday’s YouTube videos about the poor SOB locked up in jail for pot possession were a lesson in the consequences of being stupid. And today, we have yet another example. Reekay shares the story of a Yank who was kidnapped in Zamboanga, a stronghold for Muslim terrorists in southern Mindanao. I wouldn’t even VISIT that area, let alone choose to live there. Stupid is as stupid does, I suppose. I wish him well, but unless he knows someone willing to pay a hefty ransom, he’s screwed.
Alright, to the humor then:
Saturday is in play. Swan says she is craving a steak dinner at Jewel Cafe, and I’m going to leave her feeling satisfied in that regard. After that, who knows? I do have some coupons from the SOB to expend, so we shall see.
Exciting shit, eh? But wait, there’s more! It had been days (two of them!) since I’d last interjected myself in the Barretto nightlife scene. I decided some treats for the girls were in order, so I brought along chocolate marshmallow pies, some lollipops, and this bag of candy:
One of my favorites at the It Doesn’t Matter bar is a gal that goes by the name of Hershe. I’ve teased her in the past by misreading it as “he-she” and asking if she was a bakla (trans). So, my plan last night was to call her over to my table and tell her there is something I’ve wanted to do since we first met, but she should get a lady drink first. When she returned, I would say, I hope you will understand my intentions. I’ve already discussed this with Swan (yes, Swan was in on the joke), and she is fine with me doing this. Having created the appropriate level of anticipation, I would then say, “Hershe, I want to give you kisses!” After enjoying her reaction, I would pull the candy out of the bag and hand it to her. Then we’d all have a good chuckle. Except my plans went awry when Hershe chose not to show up for work. Oh well, I took the bag of candy to Wet Spot and told the head waitress I wanted to give all the girls kisses. I let her do the distribution.
We wound up staying at IDM longer than usual and enjoyed some food with our beverages.
As mentioned, we did our nightcap at Wet Spot. I bought the usual lady drinks for waitress Irene and head waitress (and Hasher) Beth. The surprise of the visit occurred when Aine came down off her high horse and greeted us at our table before ascending to the stage to join the other dancers. Swan had no issues with bringing Aine down to enjoy a lady drink for old-times sake. In a gesture of goodwill, I offered Aine something to suck on, and she gratefully accepted (a lollipop). Anyway, I sensed Swan didn’t engage with Aine with as much camaraderie as she had in the past. I guess that’s what happens when someone reveals the true nature of their character, as Aine did in turning her back on a friend.
Anyhoo, we had a nice enough evening out in Barretto. Dropped more change than usual in the bars, especially on lady drinks. But that’s the price you pay sometimes when you are having a good time. And I’m sure the gals appreciated it.
Alcohol: 1150 pesos
Lady Drinks: 1400 pesos
Dinner: 850 pesos
Charity 600 pesos
Tips: 250 pesos
Trike: 200 pesos
Snacks: 700 pesos
Prescription Meds: 600 pesos
Total for October 17: 5750 pesos
Facebook memories carried me back to Pyeongtaek where I attended a staff dinner party/housewarming at the new home of one of my employees, Ms. Yi.
At least my life has not changed in the way this guy’s did–in a Filipino jail for possession of marijuana. Using and selling drugs in this country is beyond dumb. My number one goal since moving here has been to avoid doing ANYTHING that might be construed as criminal. Yeah, that eighteen-year-old was borderline stupid, but I did at least get a copy of her birth certificate before agreeing to meet her in person. Anyway, this guy is screwed. He was apparently not popular with his fellow Angeles expats, but I wouldn’t wish this fate on anyone. It was his own damn fault, though.
Here’s a take on the situation from another vlogger (including visiting the guy in jail) if you are interested.
I need some humor after watching that shit:
I woke up to this staring at me through the bedroom window this morning.
Swan and I will be attending the SOB dance competition tonight at Green Room. We’ll turn another page in the story of my life tomorrow. See you then!