Alright, I promise you this won’t be yet another post of me bitching and moaning about how much being under quarantine rules sucks. In normal times I could mix things up with scintillating stories of my bar life. Alas, those days are gone for the foreseeable future. Although I did have a nice evening (well, from 4-5:30 anyway) up on the rooftop with Jay and a few other friends. Other than walking, that’s pretty much the extent of what passes as my social life I’m afraid. So today I’m going to write about my hike.

But first, let me share this link: The Worldwide Lockdown May Be the Greatest Mistake in History. This article supports what I’ve been saying since day one. Yeah, the lockdown is an inconvenience for me but I’m mindful that it is much much more than that for many of my neighbors.

The forcible prevention of Americans from doing anything except what politicians deem “essential” has led to the worst economy in American history since the Great Depression of the 1930s. It is panic and hysteria, not the coronavirus, that created this catastrophe. And the consequences in much of the world will be more horrible than in America.

The United Nations World Food Programme, or the WFP, states that by the end of the year, more than 260 million people will face starvation — double last year’s figures. According to WFP director David Beasley on April 21: “We could be looking at famine in about three dozen countries. … There is also a real danger that more people could potentially die from the economic impact of COVID-19 than from the virus itself”

I’m trying to remain optimistic that the powers that be will see the light soon and let folks get on with their lives. Sadly, I’m not seeing many hopeful signs in that regard. These decisions are above my pay grade but it is astounding to see the people in charge turn a blind eye to the very real suffering of so many people here in the Philippines.

Just the other day I got yet another request from a gal I know for a “loan” to buy some food. I know that in Filipino a loan means a gift. I guess I was in a foul mood because I responded gruffly: Blow Me! She said, “okay.” Bada bing! Yeah, I joke but I did help a girl out with some cash for her needs and she took care of mine. A quid pro quo if ever there was one. I felt kinda bad about it as if maybe I’d taken advantage of the situation. But she’s been burning up my messenger ever since wanting to come see me again. Maybe that’s an old fashioned “win-win”.

Shit, I guess I broke my promise about not writing about the quarantine. Here’s the walking part of this post:

Going on two years here now and I’m still impressed by the resilience of the Filipinos I encounter, making the best of the harsh circumstances in which they live. I truly respect them more than I pity them.

It was a good day to get up off my lazy ass and make the best of the blessings I have been provided. Like an amazing sense of humor:

Thanks for dropping by!

“Be not intimidated, nor suffer yourselves to be wheedled out of your liberties by any pretenses of politeness, delicacy, or decency. These, as they are often used, are but three different names for hypocrisy, chicanery, and cowardice.”
–John Adams

I woke up in the wee hours of the morning with a cough and congestion. That’s not unusual, just one of those things I deal with from my COPD damaged lungs. Got up and did my nebulizer treatment which does help me breathe easier. Went back to bed but noticed as I climbed the stairs that I had a backache right at the base of my spine. No idea where that came from. After some fitful sleep, I awoke at 5:30, which is pretty much normal for me. Except this morning I still felt very tired and lacking energy. Usually, when I wake up I get up because I’m rested and ready to get on with the day. Well, Buddy seems to know the schedule and he came into the bedroom to let me know he was ready for his backyard time. So I made my way painfully down the stairs and let the boys out. Fixed me a cup of coffee and plopped down in front of the computer. I got to wondering if the back pain, breathing issues, and waking up tired might be symptoms of something else. Took my temperature and registered a 35.3. That’s the coolest I’ve been! So, it appears I’m going to live.

In addition to the quote at the top of this post (man, Adams was WAY ahead of his time wasn’t he?) I came upon these gems during my internet travels (where else can I go?):

If you don’t appreciate this punny humor all I can say is that you are in Dire Straits…

And that’s all I’ve got for today…

Made it through another total lockdown weekend unscathed, unbowed, and unbroken. Yesterday I just embraced the suck with various amounts of boredom, gluttony, and laziness. What else is there?

Back when I had originally retired and moved home to the states in 2011, I began watching Game of Thrones on HBO. I guess I got through Season 4 before moving back to Korea fulltime and losing easy access to the show. I managed, for the most part, to avoid reading spoilers about the Season 8 finale, although I heard many fans of the show were disappointed. Anyway, given the amount of time that has passed I decided to rewatch the series from the beginning. I’ve successfully managed to download the first three seasons now and transfer them to a USB that I’ve plugged into my “smart” TV where I can enjoy the story in the relative comfort of my living room.

I got through nine episodes of the first season in a binge-watching marathon. I did consume a half-gallon of ice cream to fuel that effort. I was pleasantly surprised at just how much of the story I’d forgotten. Yeah, the big stuff like Ned Stark losing his head wasn’t a surprise but some of the details leading up to that event were “new” to my beer-sodden memory. I’d also forgotten how much T&A the show features, no complaints seeing that again!

Being stuck at home with decent entertainment is my only available option so you just accept it and enjoy as best you can. Still, it is good to be reminded that my inconvenience is a small sacrifice to make for the greater good of the community. Oh, wait a minute. Fifty days under “enhanced community quarantine” now, and a total of nine confirmed cases in Olongapo City. WTF?

Oh well. I posted this on Facebook yesterday:

And it resulted in this today:

Speaking of Scott, he captured me the other day in my “Candyman” role:

Oh, and I’m still cooking at home (like I have a choice these days). This pot roast may have been my best effort since the move to the Philippines. The meat was both tender and flavorful.

So, there’s the latest update on my so-called life. I know it could be worse and I know it will get better one of these days.

It’s been kind of interesting to watch many of my fellow Americans standing up for the freedoms the government, mostly at the state and local level, are trying to subvert. I expect that trend to continue as more and more people wake up to the fact that they’ve been scammed.

People are going hungry here in the Philippines. Meanwhile, the nonsense continues without apparent rhyme or reason. Today the Bureau of Immigration advised that foreigners who fail to abide by quarantine restrictions will be subject to deportation and banishment. The national government says the ban on alcohol sales has been lifted. The local governments continue to impose them. In fact, I was one day ahead of the ban imposed by Olongapo City yesterday (Barretto has been banning sales for weeks). I obviously am in no position to lead an uprising but at some point, the people need to stand up and say ENOUGH! Come election time I will certainly be reminding my Filipino friends just how idiotic and oppressive their local government “leaders” have proven themselves to be.

Nothing to be done but make the best of it. The total lockdown weekend thing is a dictate from the Olongapo City mayor (which includes Barretto). Next door in Subic town, no such restrictions have been imposed. So, guess where Scott and I hiked today?

It’s been a while since we ventured out that way, it’s in Subic’s jurisdiction, and relatively easily accessible without entering Barretto by going “the back way”.

And that’s all the photos I took today. Scott joined me at my house for chicken wings and beer after the hike, then he successfully snuck his way back home. I’m fixing to watch another pandemic movie tonight (12 Monkeys).

Sorry for the lack of diversity in my posts lately. This blog is mostly about my life and my life is pretty much being controlled by people who ain’t near smart enough for the job. It’s frustrating. Still, it could be worse. Glad I’m not blogging about getting sick. Or being deported.

Two more weeks of this. Yeah, right.

Well they finally came and told me they was a gonna set me free
And I’d be leavin’ town if I knew what was good for me
I said it’s nice to learn that everybody’s so concerned about my health
I said I won’t be leavin’ no more quicker than I can
Cause I’ve enjoyed about as much of this as I can stand
And I don’t need this town of yours more than I’ve never needed nothing else
Cause there’s still a lotta drinks that I ain’t drunk
Lots of pretty thoughts that I ain’t thunk, oh yeah
Lord there’s still so many lonely girls in this best of all possible worlds