Super Typhoon Maria is passing to the north today and throwing some rain our way. Ought to make this afternoon’s Hash interesting.

Messaging the landlord and his assistant about the promised repairs without response so far. Three weeks living here now and NOTHING has been done. Well, except for the stuff I’m doing.

Like these shelves for the kitchen…

And three ceiling fans (living room, office area, and master bedroom).

There are other things I want and am willing to do (like interior painting) but I need the other stuff fixed before I can proceed. I’m holding onto the remaining four months rent until I some assurance that the promises will be kept. Disappointed to say the least so far.

This afternoon I was laying on my bed trying to catch a nap and Buddy came in whining. I put my hand down and said “what is it boy?” and he playfully attacked. Ha, he was bored and wanted to play! So I got down on the floor and we wrestled some. It was kinda fun for both of us I think.

Buddy still ain’t much for walking on a leash. Marginally better than yesterday, but as the videos I’ve been watching suggest, you have to be patient.

And I’ve got all the time in the world.

Another weekend is drawing to a close. Not that there is much distinction between days when you don’t have a job.

Experienced some of the joys of dog ownership first hand today.

Buddy apparently sniffed out the used Kleenex tissues in the trash can beside my bed and went to town on them. He must really, really love me!

While I was out and about Buddy decided he wanted to enjoy the balcony off my master bedroom. So he tore a fucking hole through yet another screen door. For a free dog he’s been costing me a small fortune!

Tried to take Buddy for a walk this afternoon but he was having none of it. Wouldn’t budge and when I applied some pressure on the leash he dug in his paws and pulled back even harder. Strong little guy, I’ll give him that. Hopefully he’ll come around, I’d love to have him join me on some of my walks.

Anyway, I promise this is not going to be all Buddy all the time here at LTG. It’s been a slow day and not much else to blog about is all.

Oh, and Buddy quite often sleeps on his back.

Alright, alright. I finished third in the dart tourneys on Saturday and today. I’m very inconsistent which is frustrating. And Marissa came home with me after today’s darts and helped ease my frustration. I’m a satisfied man.

I’m drunk and tired, but post I must!

Woke up this morning and was greeted by Buddy sleeping outside my bedroom door. I thought, ah ain’t that sweet? And then I came downstairs to this:

Scratch one screen door. Now, I don’t think Buddy was trying to escape. I think he wanted to get outside to poop. Guess we’ll never know.

Of course, Buddy denies everything…

Today’s big accomplishments include getting my new grill all gassed up. And shopping for the makings of my first grilled meal here in the PI.

I checked every meat shop in Barretto before settling on these Australian ribeyes. The good news I suppose is that I bought four steaks for less than ten dollars. The bad news is you get what you pay for.

Here they are on the grill…

…and on my dinner plate. The steaks were tough. I knew as soon as I cut into one that it was not the tender and juicy meat to which I’d become accustomed. Everything else was fine.

And the company and *ahem* dessert were exquisite.

And before I pigged out as illustrated above, I achieved a long sought after goal…

…breaking the 200 pound barrier! We’ll see how long that lasts!

More to report, but too damn tired to get my mind around it now.

Laters.

Yes, they have 4th of July here in the Philippines. I kid you not.

Celebrating BREXIT since 1776!

As days go, this has been a pretty good one all things considered. Started the day with a nice surprise chat with my high school sweetheart. We’d periodically kept in touch over the years, but then she’d unfriended me on Facebook a couple of years ago for reasons I didn’t quite understand. Anyway, it was good to hear from Karen again.

Ain’t we sweet?

Then I had a traditional Independence Day BBQ lunch on the old Navy base at Texas Joe’s.

I’d eaten here on previous visits. It’s definitely got some authenticity going on. Plus the cute waitresses in cowboy hats are a treat.

The ribs, chicken, and sides were pretty damn fine too. God Bless America!

While on base I did some grocery shopping and also brought home this beauty:

I’m going to need to get some gas and a different regulator (US vs Philippine standard), but I’ll be grillin’ and chillin’ soon enough! About damn time!

One of the neighborhood goats was asserting his independence today as well…

So, I posted this on Facebook today:

But in the midst of writing this post, I had a text conversation with Marissa. It seems she has had a change of heart. Or more precisely, we cleared up some misunderstanding about what was in her heart. So I guess we are going to give it a go…

And there goes MY independence!

And it wouldn’t be the 4th without some good old fashioned American politics. So let me just say this:

The more things change, the more they remain the same.

America, Fuck Yeah!

A little bit of a change up with yesterday’s Hash. A short trail (2.2 kms) and a long trail (5 kms). Both trails ended with a small bar hop before On-Home at Hot Zone.

Despite being a walker I opted for the long trail which is intended for those who run. When I started out I thought there were several other walkers joining me, but turns out it was just me and one other Hasher hoofing it. About half-way through he picked up speed and left me behind, so I was Hashing alone for the last hour or so. Fortunately, the trail was well-marked so I didn’t get lost. Still makes me nervous to be out in the wild with no backup around given my propensity for slips, trips and falls. Only blood I spilled though was getting my finger in a sticker bush, but that’s no biggie. Walking the long way did result in my being the last person back and missing the first two bars of the bar hop. Ah well, it was still a good day!

No map of the long trail I’m afraid. Luckily I have some photographs!

In a first for me, the Hares actually laid trail through my backyard. That was pretty cool…

But those nasty Hares also made me get my shoes and socks wet by wading through this shit creek. I’m pretty certain shit is amongst it’s slimy contents…

I much preferred taking this bridge on the return portion.

That would be me alone on the trail.

But it sure was pretty out there…and no rain this week! Woot!

People here may live poor lives but they are surrounded by beauty…

Coming down the mountain all by my lonesome. Steeper than it appears and slick with mud, rocks, leaves and grass. I survived!

Got back in time to enjoy a cold brew at the third of three bars on the bar hop…Crazy Horse.

Then we were On-Home at Hot Zone…

And once again I was not charged with any offense that resulted in sitting my bare ass on a block of ice. Thankfully!

In one of those “one door closes, and another opens” scenarios, Pubic Head’s girlfriend, Ice Queen introduced me to her friend Fucking Starfish. Not the cutest girl in town by a long shot, but she was friendly and definitely seemed interested. Perhaps one day we will Cum Together. It would be nice to have a Hash buddy next time so I won’t have to repeat the experience of being alone on the trail. We’ll see.

No news on Buddy. Handed out and posted flyers throughout the vicinity. Posted on Facebook and had my local friends share the post on their feeds. So the word is out on the street and that 2500 peso reward should be a good motivator. If Buddy is still out there surely someone will find him. Two days gone now though so no telling where he is or what has happened to him. I’ve done all I know to do so it’s just a waiting game now while I continue to hope for the best.

Yesterday afternoon I caught some movement in the backyard out of the corner of my eye. For a fleeting moment I thought maybe Buddy had returned on his own. The truth really got my goat.

Grabbed some dinner at Treasure Island before darts yesterday. It’s sort of my place to go when I’m out on Baloy Beach. Check out one of my favorite waitresses there, Angel:

That is without a doubt the longest hair I ever did see. It’s practically a trip hazard.

Speaking of darts, I managed a first place finish which is always nice. Also got to spend some quality time with Marissa which is always a pleasure. She’s such a snuggle bunny.

I’m taking it slow, but so far, so good.

We are going to meet for lunch this afternoon and she will be joining me at the dart tournament afterwards. Marissa told me last night that I was a “blessing” in her life. Now, that could be because of the wad of cash from Friday’s raffle, but perhaps there is more to it than the money. I aim to find out one way or another.

So in regards to both Buddy and Marissa I’m engaging the power of positive thinking. For whatever that is worth.