Of this year.

Still feeling subpar. Based on my internet research I’m suffering from bronchitis. I’m hoping it is a bout of acute bronchitis which should clear up in a few days versus chronic bronchitis which can go on for months. Having COPD, of course, makes any respiratory issue more intense. Time will tell what this is and there’s not much else I can do about it in the interim.

I wasn’t feeling good yesterday but went out for the Hash anyway. I figured I’d play it by ear and not push myself should the trail become too intense. Well, we drove and we drove to the far side of Subic-town to begin the trail. I had never hiked this area and had no clue what was in store. In Barretto I can shortcut a trail as necessary, here I wouldn’t’ have that option since I didn’t know where I was. So, I made the decision to follow the highway back to our “on-home” on Baloy Beach. It was a good hour-long walk on flat ground, and given that I was coughing a lot of the way I think I made the right call. Being out of breath on a climb, heart racing, and having a coughing fit is probably not a good thing for an old fart like me.

So, I don’t think it’s a secret that I’ve been using an app called Grammarly as a means of making fewer mistakes in my writing. I’m not sure it has resulted in much improvement, but they did email me a report card today:

 TOP 3 MISTAKES   

Missing comma? Where have I heard THAT before?

What else? Well, it was 9 years ago today that I retired for the first time and enthusiastically embarked on my new life. Five years later I hit a brick wall and detoured back into the role of a working man. I’m frankly still amazed how that entire world fell to pieces, but it turns out those additional three years of work were the best and most satisfying of my career. Well, it’s not like I had much of a life outside of work. Everything changes and life will take you where it will. No point in kicking and screaming. Just enjoy the ride.

Alright, let’s get this last night of 2019 out of the way, shall we?

If you are thinking WTF, that would be Aunt Pat’s Recipe World Famous Fruit Salad.

It’s a Rizal Day, a national holiday here in the Philippines commemorating the life of Jose Rizal, an independence fighter executed by the Spanish on December 30, 1896. Do I need a better excuse to whip up a batch of fruit salad? I don’t think so!

This is the first time since moving here I’ve managed to make the holiday dish that has been my tradition for over 40 years now. The problem I’ve had is getting together all the needed ingredients that make the unique blend of flavors I’ve enjoyed since first experiencing this concoction as a child at my Aunt Pat’s Thanksgiving feast. But it all finally came together during my last trip to the Royal supermarket.

Let’s see what happens!

How did it taste? Well, different but still good. It might be a tad on the bland side, at least the flavors didn’t seem as sharp as I’m used to. Then again, overnight in the fridge is when the magic takes place as the flavors all blend into a unique mixture of goodness. My initial taste test satisfied my craving for this long-time favorite. And it has now been prepared in three countries!

In other news, I bought a thermometer today and as I suspected I am not running a temperature. That’s kind of a relief. The coughing is much reduced so far today, but my nose is still running like an Olympic medalist. We’ll see how I hold up at today’s Hash.

Here’s some scary stuff:

If these guys ever start a band, could they be named anything other than “Boys in the Yard”?

Happy Rizal Day!

Damn, I might not be running dry but I’m at a low ebb. I think a big part of it is I’m just not feeling well of late. I’m hocking up crap from my lungs at a rate I haven’t done since before I was diagnosed with COPD. It’s worse when I’m laying down, and of course, it’s hard to sleep with a hacking cough/spitting out phlegm. Hopefully, this too shall pass soon.

At least my stye seems to have shrunk and is not as tender and painful now. So there’s that.

I guess my bad mood carried over into a “discussion” in one of the Facebook groups where I’m a member. Some dick posted this and it just rubbed me the wrong way for some reason:

One very simple truth about this country and all the people who retire here : the vast majority of you wouldn’t be here if the locals didn’t almost all speak your language.

Lots of you where just being lazy eventually learning another language and thus live in another country. I honestly can’t see any other reason since for almost everything else, PH is a hell hole compared to most other options. I personally lived in other countries (Thailand, Argentina, Ukraine, etc.) and can find sooo many reasons why they were better experiences than PH.

If there was no English and almost no one spoke the language like in Cambodia (for example) the number of expats in Philippines would be divided by 10, minimum.

Prove me wrong? And if you can’t, then, although of course it’s a very important point, ask yourself : is it worth it to be in this country just because people can talk English? (Which implies easiness to find gfs, which is also a very very important point for most here) I guess some will think that yes, some won’t…
/ Discuss

I should have just ignored him and scrolled on down, which is my normal M.O. when I encounter an asshole. Instead, I responded thusly:

I don’t know you so I’ll overlook your arrogance and presumptuousness. And I don’t have to “prove” anything to you or anyone else.

The common language was a factor but not the main reason for my choice. I lived in Korea for 12 years and overcame the language barrier, at least well enough to get by. I chose the Philippines because I genuinely like the people and I’m comfortable here. I like the fact that my being here gives me a chance to make a difference in some of the lives I touch. I have a generous pension and could live pretty much anywhere. I considered Thailand but didn’t like the police state vibe. Cambodia is my Plan B or perhaps Vietnam. Bottom line, if I thought the Philippines was a “shithole” I wouldn’t be here.

It never ceases to amaze to encounter folks who hate their life, and yet here they are. Might I suggest a long look in the mirror to see what the real problem just might be?

I won’t be surprised if I get booted from the group. Not that I actually give a shit.

That’s how my day has gone so far. And really, if this is as bad as it gets I’m one lucky motherfucker.

Oh, please help me,
oh please help me,
I’m livin’ by myself.
I need someone to comfort me,
I need someone to tell.

I’m sorry for
the things I’ve done,
I’ve shamed myself with lies,
But soon these things
are overcome
And can’t be recognized.

I left my love
with ribbons on
And water in her eyes.
I took from her
the love I’d won
And turned it to the sky.

I’m sorry for
the things I’ve done,
I’ve shamed myself with lies,
My cruelty has punctured me
And now I’m running dry.

Not that things ever are. Here’s the latest.

I believe I mentioned a while back that in lieu of the orphanage I decided to sponsor a woman with five kids living nearby. Over the past few months, there have been some bumps as some of my expectations weren’t satisfied. I think we’ve worked through that so at least for now my support continues. Anyway, the oldest of her children, a 17-year-old daughter, gave birth to a little girl on Christmas eve. Yeah, the cycle of poverty continues. So far at least the father is still in the picture which I suppose is a good thing. Time will tell how this plays out.

So my friend Anna is now a lola (grandmother) and she is from all appearances happy about that. I share her thankfulness that the birth went fine and mother and child are doing well. I got a message from her yesterday afternoon saying they were due to be discharged from the hospital. And oh yeah, could she “borrow” some money to pay the bill. How much I asked? P9300 (just under $200). By any measure, that’s quite a bargain for a birthing and two-day hospital stay. On the other hand, when it comes to Filipino medical care it’s been said you get what you pay for. I asked Anna why the father’s family wasn’t paying the bill and she said all they had was P3000. Well, shit. All I had in my wallet was P5000 so I told her to come and get that. She was grateful for my assistance and I’ll reduce her monthly stipend until it’s repaid, so win-win I guess.

This morning I needed to go to immigration and renew my tourist visa. I had my driver swing by on our way to the grocery store. I filled out my paperwork, turned over my passport, and sat down to wait my turn in the queue. And then I remembered I didn’t have any money in my wallet, having used it for someone else’s hospital bill. I asked if immigration accepted credit card payment and of course, the answer was no. Alright. Off to find an ATM.

First stop was at the mall a few blocks up the street. That machine didn’t accept my card. I told my driver to take me back to the old Navy base. On the way, we passed another ATM from a bank I’ve used before. Pulled over, went through the transaction process, and got a message that the machine was out of service. Damn it. We drive on and come to a bank with an ATM out front, and pulled in there. I was third in line, and the woman in front appeared to have never used an ATM before. Then I noticed my driver pointing next door at another bank so off I trotted. No line, but no go on my card either. It seems only a few banks here are set up for international transactions. Back to the previous bank and my turn comes but once again, the machine would not accept my card.

At this point, I was wondering if something else were amiss. Was my account balance depleted? Had my bank in the USA put a block on my card? Well, nothing I could do about it standing on the street in Olongapo, so I had my driver take me back to immigration to recover my passport. I asked what time they closed (4:30) and when they’d reopen (next year), so I had to get the extension today or be an overstay subject to being fined. I keep some dollars on hand at home for emergencies, so I knew I could go to a money exchange to get the pesos I needed for the visa. But first, we’d take care of the grocery shopping.

Once back on base I had the driver pull into a bank branch I’ve used before for one last try at the ATM. And wouldn’t you know, this time it worked! And I guess my luck was changing as I secured everything I need for my fruit salad the grocery store. Well, I still need to go out and buy fresh coconut and have it shredded. And I have to substitute walnuts for pecans. But by God, I’ve got the sour cream!

Back to immigration where I secured another 30 days of legal status, then headed on back home. What an ordeal!

Oh, and the stye is back. Not sure if it is the same one or a new one. It hurts more this time though. I’ll give it a few days and see what happens before I bother with a doctor again. Otherwise, I’m just feeling a little drained or lethargic or something. No motivation. Didn’t even walk this afternoon.

Hmm, maybe some beers will help. I’ll give it a try and let you know.

My friend Edward (Anal Receptive) put on quite the feast yesterday. It was good to have a traditional turkey dinner with all the fixin’s again.

About the way Ed prepared the turkey; I got there after it had been removed from the grill, but here’s how he said it went down: The turkey and stuffing were in the pan and wrapped in foil, then put on a covered charcoal grill. The trick apparently is to arrange the coals so they do not apply direct heat on the pan, essentially turning the grill into an outdoor oven. He cooked it eleven minutes per pound and it really did come out perfect– tender and moist. Tasted just like an oven-roasted turkey. Damn good! My peach pie a la mode and brownies received good feedback as well.

After a nice afternoon at Ed’s, I headed on home for a turkey feast fueled nap. Then I did a Christmas night bar crawl to places I less frequently visit– Rosie’s, Hot Zone, Rum Jungle, and Man Cave. It started raining so I took a trike back home and made it an early night.

Breakfast at Sit-n-Bull this morning:

Okay, I’d like to get y’all’s take on something. I don’t do Twitter but I follow some of what takes place there from a website called Twitchy. Yesterday they had an article highly critical of some rapper in L.A. who stood on the roof of his vehicle and threw money to the hordes of homeless. According to Twitchy, this action was not charitable, it was “dehumanizing”. The link above includes a short video showing the poor folks scrambling about trying to grab as much cash as they can.

So, here’s the thing. When I watched the video it was eerily reminiscent of how the kids reacted to the candy being thrown out to them during our Candy Run. Were we dehumanizing these kids too? Obviously, that was not our intent but were we wrong to do so? On the one hand, they got free candy they wouldn’t have otherwise received. But in scrambling to get the candy, did it cost them their dignity?

I’m of two minds on this I guess. The kids were happy and the parents seemed pleased. No harm, no foul. On the other hand, when I see guys in the bars “make it rain” (throwing cash on stage) and the girls go after it like a pack of hungry dogs, well, it does bother me. My style is to hand the girls a tip individually if I’ve enjoyed their performance. Maybe it is different with the kids. I sometimes hand out candy on the street but honestly, being surrounded by a pack of jostling children grabbing at me can be very disconcerting. I’ll say things like “one at a time, one each” to no avail. Throwing a handful and moving away quickly is sometimes the best means of escape. Looking back on it, I don’t think the Candy Run would work if we tried to deal with the kids individually. It would be utter chaos.

Anyway, maybe it is true that no good deed goes unpunished.

No, not those voices in my head. I mean that loud, off-key singing of Christmas songs on the videoke machine. Yep, that can only mean that the day of days has indeed arrived in the Philippines. Merry Christmas to you!

I got into the spirit of the season last night with a holiday pub crawl during which I sweetened up those hard-working bargirls with some chocolates. The Candy Man strikes again! I did Cheap Charlies, Alaska, Alley Cats, and finished up at Queen Victoria, feeling no pain. The gals there were having their Christmas party, which featured them singing their favorite karaoke songs. Suffice to say it’s good that they have other ASSets to attract customers.

Yesterday afternoon I got my fourth rabies shot, only one more to go! I also went to the mall and picked up my new eyeglasses. I want to have better vision in 2020. Ahem. I also went on a quest to find the ingredients for my traditional holiday treat–Aunt Pat’s Recipe World Famous Fruit Salad. I’ve been stymied by my lack of success in finding two key ingredients: sour cream and shredded coconut. You’d think that in a country that grows and exports coconut (buko as they call it here) that should be easy. Well, not if you want it from a bag at the grocery store. Instead, I need to go to the outdoor market, buy a fresh buko, and have them slice it up for me. So, that’s what I’ll do–once I find some sour cream. The two supermarkets I checked yesterday were “wala” (out). Maybe for New Year’s.

Anyway, I’m attending a Christmas dinner this afternoon at a fellow Hasher’s house here in my subdivision. I volunteered to bring some dessert. During my failed supermarket search I decided Plan B would be a pie. Now, my favorite holiday pie is pecan. Pumpkin is a close second. And in a pinch, I can be happy with apple. Of course, the only thing I found in the frozen food section (you didn’t think I was going to bake one from scratch, did you?) was peach. So, peach it is!

I also baked up a batch of brownies and I’m bringing along some vanilla ice cream. Oh, and a tin of Danish-style butter cookies. So, there’s your dessert!

I asked Ed how he was preparing the turkey–oven-baked or deep-fried. He told me that he’s grilling it. That’s a new one on me. I’m assuming it will a rotisserie type deal, but we shall see.

And finally, in keeping with the spirit of the season:

Well, if the metric is handing out copious amounts of candy and getting big smiles from happy children in return, yesterday’s annual Candy Run was a success.

This was my second time participating in this event and I guess I’m still learning the ropes. Most of the Hashers were carrying hard candies and they’d just toss a handful at a time into the crowd of kids. I wasn’t comfortable doing that with my chocolate bars, however. They were a pretty popular treat and I was trying to hand them out individually but that tended to draw a crowd. I was also trying to ration them so I’d have enough to cover the full 6K walk. Eventually, I got out in front of the truck carrying Santa and then told then kids the candy was “back there”. That allowed me to pick and choose my time and place for distribution. After a while, I focused on the mothers and lolas (grandmothers) for the chocolate treats and that worked well. I gave away my last morsels just before arriving back “on-home” at Hot Zone.

Anyway, it was enjoyable to give a little back to the community, especially the ones who have so little.

And that’s the way it was.

Merry Christmas!

Oh, I didn’t mention my bounty from the Christmas party.

The Almost Famous hat almost fits. I have a surprisingly big head holding my tiny brain.

It is said that it is better to give than receive. In the spirit of the season, we will be doing our annual Candy Run at the Hash today.

Oh, who can take tomorrow?
(Who can take tomorrow?)
Dip it in a dream
(Dip it in a dream)
Separate the sorrow and collect up all the cream

The Candy Man (the candy man)
The Candy Man can (the candy man can)
The Candy Man can ’cause he mixes it with love
And makes the world taste good
(Makes the world taste good)

…you’ll be drunk when you are done…

Anyway, a good time at the Alley Cats Christmas party last night. I got all dressed up for the occasion:

Where’s my Ho Ho Ho’s at?

Owner Dean (black t-shirt above) put out quite a feast, including the traditional Filipino holiday favorite, Lechon.

Speaking of pigs, Facebook saw fit to remind me how I looked four years ago:

Anyway, the quest for beauty in my life continues.

It’s a start. You just have to have a little faith.

Carry on my wayward son
There’ll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don’t you cry no more

Once I rose above the noise and confusion
Just to get a glimpse beyond this illusion
I was soaring ever higher, but I flew too high

Though my eyes could see I still was a blind man
Though my mind could think I still was a mad man
I hear the voices when I’m dreaming
I can hear them say

Carry on my wayward son
There’ll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don’t you cry no more

Masquerading as a man with a reason
My charade is the event of the season
And if I claim to be a wise man
Well, it surely means that I don’t know

On a stormy sea of moving emotion
Tossed about, I’m like a ship on the ocean
I set a course for winds of fortune
But I hear the voices say

Carry on my wayward son
There’ll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don’t you cry no more no!

Carry on
You will always remember
Carry on
Nothing equals the splendor
Now your life’s no longer empty
Surely heaven waits for you

Carry on my wayward son
There’ll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don’t you cry
Don’t you cry no more

No more!

Günter wasn’t here today so I got elected to lead the Wednesday Walkers. As is my wont, I made it pretty easy. One hard but short climb up to My Bitch, then a meandering trail back around to near Rizal Extension. My twist was taking a seldom-used path leading back to the valley floor. Near the bottom and out in the absolute middle of nowhere is this statue of the Virgin Mary:

All I know is the damn thing is powerful! As we approached I called out “hey baby!”. And immediately my feet came out from under me and I went down hard on my ass. It was both painful and embarrassing. The Filipinas in the group posed for pictures with the statue and one of them said to me “Don’t call her baby.” I won’t, I learned my lesson.

Once we hit the valley, I let Almaranus take over leadership figuring he would just head us back towards town. Nope, he took us climbing up a mountain. I was cursing my self for being so cursed.

We had lunch at the top then made our way back to Barretto for liquid refreshment at Cheap Charlies. Not a bad day’s work on trail:

That’s about enough for today. But at least I’m not this guy:

Peace out!

…of the Subic Bay Hash House Harriers. I was a co-Hare, but had virtually no input on the trail selection. The other Hares, Pubic Head and Blow My Pipe, knew what they wanted to do and did it. I was basically there to carry the powder as it were. No complaints, it was a good trail. Only hitch seemed to be that no one found the trail through the rice paddy. We suspect the farmer erased our marks as he didn’t appreciate the traffic. Oh well.

Here’s some photos:

That’s it for now. Time to do the Wednesday Walkers group.

Up and out early this morning to lay trail for Monday’s Hash. My co-Hare’s, Pubic Head and Blow My Pipe, picked the trail. I merely carried the powder and marked the path the Hashers will hopefully follow without getting lost. I know what I like to see on trail and that’s what I tried to provide. We shall see how it works out.

It’s a relatively easy hike of 6K with only one real climb. The only thing I don’t like is that we have to be trucked out to the starting point in the Hashmobile. I am a little worried that the number of Hashers present on Monday could exceed the capacity of our vehicle. Oh well, nothing I can do about that.

Speaking of the house, I’ve taken measures to further secure the place from break-ins. One of the weak points was my open-air downstairs bathroom. There was a gap between the ceiling and the wall large enough for someone to climb through.

Anyway, the upstairs windows have also been secured with wood blocks in the window tracks. No one is getting in that way without breaking glass. I have a new neighbor moving in catercorner from me in a house that has been vacant for years. Not to be an ass about it, but if my house is a tougher nut to crack I’ll be a less inviting target. Just saying. And of course, once they are here I’ll give them a heads up about what I’ve learned the hard way.

That’s the news from here. Oh wait, I’ve been meaning to get around to this:

Kevin Kim had recently posted on the Dunning-Kruger effect, or as the accompanying YouTube video put it “why stupid people think they are smart.” Now, Mr. Yglesias is a very educated man. I’d argue his biases and arrogance makes him stupid about many things though, especially politics. And his grammar and comma usage? Oh my!

But who am I to talk?

That’s what time keeps doing. Take the last 24 hours for example:

Went to get a haircut at my usual place. Barber had one in the chair and two more waiting, so I nixed that plan and walked on up Baloy Beach road to see what I might see. What I didn’t see was the Blue Rock floating bar which is apparently still in storage. So I moved on down the beach and ventured onto the Kokomo’s floater. I know a couple of gals working there, Arcel and Julica, both former Hashers. Alas, Julica was busy with a customer and Arcel wasn’t working. I had also “met” a gal on a dating site who works on Kokomo’s but I didn’t see her either. So I wound up drinking alone.

One of the things I enjoy most about the floaters is watching the sun go down.

After three or four Zero’s I headed back into Barretto and popped up to Bar Celona. Found me a seat, ordered a beer, and watched the moon rise.

After a couple of bottles, I decided to move back down the highway and see what was happening in Alaska Club. Turns out nothing was, me being the only customer. And the one gal I like there was nowhere to be found. Oh well. Two more beers and out.

The last bar on the strip as I make my way home is Queen Victoria. Why not? Once again, I had the place to myself. Chatted with the bar staff a bit and then Sean, a fellow Hasher, came in. He was in as foul a mood as I was. So we drank our beers and told Dad jokes for a bit, although they went completely over the heads of the Filipinas present.

While I was finishing my beer I got a message from a woman I know who lives in the squatter town outside my subdivision. She mentioned her water had been out for two days so I drunkenly invited her to come by and use my shower. To my surprise she accepted. And then to my further surprise, she decided to spend the night. Even woke me up during the night to do it again. So there you go. Even the lonely nights here can end well.

She left early and I got about my routine. Walked the dogs then took a quick hike to get my morning steps in. Showered up, then hit the barbershop. Only the customer in the chair ahead of me this time. Afterward, I caught a Jeepney into Olongapo and went to the hospital for the second of five rabies shots.

Instead of the emergency room, I was directed to the outpatient clinic. After checking in and a short wait an RN came to me with some papers and told me I needed to go downstairs to the pharmacy to get my medicine, pay the cashier, then come back to her for the injection. Geez, seriously? So, I did as instructed, got to the cashier and was told I needed to go to billing to get an itemized statement. Grrr. Got the bill, paid the P2000 ($40) and headed back upstairs. The nurse then gave me my shot and I was on my way.

Since I was in town anyway, I did the twenty-minute walk over to the mall and got my head examined. Well, my eyes anyway. A little surprised my prescription hasn’t changed much in two+ years, but I ordered some new glasses anyway. The lenses on my old ones are scratched up pretty bad which is affecting my vision I think. That set me back almost $400.

Lunch at McDonald’s (I know, I know), another hike, and a Jeepney ride back to Barretto. And here I sit telling you all about it. Who says my life isn’t full of excitement?

Sitting on this barstool talking like a damn fool
Got the twelve o’clock news blues
And I’ve given up hope for the afternoon soaps
And a bottle of cold brew
Is it any wonder I’m not crazy? Is it any wonder I’m sane at all
Well I’m so tired of losing- I got nothing to do and all day to do it
I go out cruisin’ but I’ve no place to go and all night to get there
Is it any wonder I’m not a criminal?
Is it any wonder I’m not in jail?
Is it any wonder I’ve got

Too much time on my hands?
It’s ticking away with my sanity
I’ve got too much time on my hands
It’s hard to believe such a calamity
I’ve got too much time on my hands
And it’s ticking away, ticking away from me