Yesterday’s Hash was a different kind of challenge and one I’m more suited to endure. In honor of the birthday of the Grand Master (who was also the Hare), the Hash trail was a stroll through several Barretto bars with a special celebration at the On-Home venue.
Hashy birthday, Buddy Fucker!
We gathered at the VFW and at the appointed hour (2 p.m.) began our trek.
And we are On-On!So Hashy together! Swan came along for the adventure.First stop, Hideaway BarOwner Griff seemed pleased to have a bar overflowing with Hashers. It’s the first time I’ve seen the Hideaway crew working so hard. I rewarded them all with a lady drink.Second stop, Roadhouse.I stopped coming here when they installed a kitchen and eliminated half the outdoor seating area. I guess they saw the light, because the kitchen is gone and the table and chairs are back.Third stop, Mugshots. This is another seldom visited venue for me, but it is very nice inside. They’ve changed the hours and open earlier now, so I’ll try and pop in more often.Fourth stop, Gentlemens Bar. I left the apostrophe out because they did.This is the newest bar in town. I visited once before for the grand opening. They have some scantily clad cuties, but that’s really not my thing these days.And then we headed On-Home to Johansson’sBuddy Fucker provided a buffet for all the HashersHash Gash in celebration modeIt’s nice on ice!Make them a cake! It was also Mountain Mama’s birthday.The route we walkedThere was also a post-Hash celebration for Dave at It Doesn’t Matter
I guess I shortcut the party by leaving early, but I know when to say when. At least most of the time.
Five years ago, I was still strolling around Saigon (or Ho Chi Minh City, if you prefer).
The streets were crazy crowded, but this riverwalk was a pleasant find.
In today’s YouTube video, Reekay talks about his biggest mistake in the Philippines. No real surprise it involved a woman.
Humor me these:
Reads like something I’d writeI think this might be a real ad from back in the dayAddition by subtraction?
Halfway through my Tuesday here, and what comes next is going to happen on Baloy Beach. Whatever that may turn out to be, you can read about tomorrow right here at LTG.
And as an added bonus, here is the “hearing the Turtles for the first time” video:
Well, we enjoyed it while we had it, anyway. It’s raining again today, but life goes on. Until it doesn’t. Started the day yesterday with a bit of a scare. I woke up around 4 a.m. feeling frisky, but the happy ending triggered a severe and scary breathing attack. I took a couple of puffs from my inhaler, but it didn’t seem to help much. I stumbled to my desk, and while Swan loaded up my nebulizer, I slipped the oximeter on my finger, which rendered a reading of 85.
I didn’t blackout, but it felt like I might. This article says you should call 911 below 90.
Fortunately, my nebulizer had me back up to a 97 in short order, and I’ve felt fine ever since. I’m going to schedule another consult with the pulmonary doctor and perhaps a cardiologist to try and see WTF is going on. My oximeter reading right now is 98, so whatever it is that ails me seems to be something that is triggered, not constant.
Too soon?
It being Sunday and all, we loaded up our bags and ventured out for the weekly Candy Walk.
2000 pesos worth of assorted candies ready for dispensationThe girl I would die for. But not quite yetThere’s still work to be doneDispensing sweetnessA busy morningSwan’s no saint, but she walks in water.
And then we were forced to alter our planned route by events beyond our control.
This is a photo of the new bridge I took last week.And this is how it looked yesterday. Yep, it didn’t weather the storm. Not all that surprising, really. I feel bad for the residents of this part of San Isidro (a couple thousand at least) who no longer have vehicle access to the mainland.
At first, my thought was to wade across the river. But after making our way down to the bank and seeing the strong current and not knowing how deep the water might be (or what was on the bottom), prudence dictated a retreat. Instead, we followed a path I’d never seen before, and it turned out that it led to Bridge #3, a pedestrian crossing. It was an interesting walk as well.
Out in the middle of nowhere, we came upon a cluster of houses, apparently a family compound. Swan dispensed candies for the kiddies.The womenfolk were busy preparing a Sunday meal.The grill master. Something roasting wrapped in green leavesand something else stewing in the pan.
Swan slipped one of the guys a hundred pesos so they could enjoy some gin with the meal. I enjoyed a close-up view of how the other half lives and it was nice meeting some happy and friendly folks along the way.
Crossing Bridge #3The sedated Matain River heads for the bay.The morning’s final deliveryOur altered route came in at just under 5K. Everything to the right of the river has no vehicle access. Good luck if you need an ambulance or have to drive to work.I used to wear that uniform and drink like I still do. It was yesterday, after all.The feeding at Hideaway went according to plan. Treated the girls to a batch of my brownies for dessert.
The planned dinner at John’s place went awry due to a lack of red wine availability. I stopped in after Hideaway and asked, and for the third week, there was none to be had. I messaged Swan and had her meet me at Jewel Cafe instead. I also messaged John this morning to let him know. He thanked me and said he would take care of it today.
While I awaited Swan’s arrival, I perused the Jewel menu. I decided to give the filet mignon a try.Swan seems pleased with her red wine. I didn’t tell her what I was ordering, but she picked the filet mignon as well. Great minds think alike!The view from our table.
Jewel Cafe is not one of my regular dining venues (other than my weekly purchase for the Hideaway girls), but the food is always good. A steak for 499 pesos is unheard of (that’s less than half of what John’s charges), so I knew the portion would be small. It was, but the meat was very tender and well-prepared. With the veggies and mashed taters, my appetite was satiated.
I would have preferred having the gravy on the side. No need to dilute the taste of a delicious steak. Still good, though.
We did our nightcap at Wet Spot. We got there shortly after opening and were the only customers.
The dancing girls arrived about thirty minutes after we did
One of my neighbors, Maksil, came by and joined us at our table. We had a nice chat about how to turn BarCelona, the rooftop bar that’s for sale, into a successful operation. We both had the same ideas–a barbeque grilled meat menu and an elevator to get to the third floor. Our expat community of old men don’t handle stairs well.
Something like this might work
Anyway, I don’t think either one of us needs the hassle of bar ownership in our lives.
And that’s how I survived my sweet, sunshiny Sunday.
Facebook memories today are all from five years ago when I visited Saigon. I ought to go back again, I really enjoyed myself.
Typical touristy stuffI did enjoy the foodDidn’t learn much of the language thoughSome things make sense in every languageSaigon’s Walking Street bar district
Today’s YouTube video ponders why expats leave the Philippines. Well, I ain’t going nowhere. And if I ever do, it won’t be back to the USA.
Things you might find funny:
See, all those divorces weren’t my fault!I think he’s write about that!Ever seen a ghost when it stairs?
Geez, I’m bad. Anyway, it is Hash Monday. Today is the Grand Master’s birthday, and he is also the Hare. Today’s trail, if I understood correctly, will consist of a Barretto bar hop. It is a good day for one of those. I’ll let you know how it works out tomorrow.
Yesterday’s hike turned out to be a surprising adventure. It all began when Swan said she wanted to come along. She thinks my Standard Saturday Solo Street Stroll route is boring, so I tried something a little more creative. We took a Jeepney out to the Kalaklan barangay area and got off at the hillside cemetery. My plan was to go down to the beach at the lighthouse, then walk the sand to the Bantan Bayan neighborhood, and make our way back to Barretto from there. It had been a while since I walked this route, and I belatedly discovered how much things had changed. One of those changes was the lingering impact of the recent storm, including a higher-than-expected tide combined with rough waters. In the end, these obstacles proved insurmountable. Here’s how things went down:
I see dead people. The massive hillside cemetery was where we exited the Jeepney.From our vantage point we could see the Lighthouse Resort on SBMA. Down the steps we go!Made it down. Next we climb those steps behind SwanThe real lighthouse. In all the time I’ve lived here, this is the first time I went up for a closer look.A bay view from on-highAnd a view of the river meeting the bay.Our pathway to the beachA ship on the bayAnd trash on the beach, more residual damage from the recent storm. I’m constantly amazed at the shit that washes up from the bay.One of these things isn’t like the othersSome of those angry waters I mentioned.Walking the seawall was good while it lastedUntil there were only remnants of the seawall left.And here is where the dilemma began. Back in the day, we’d hike around that structure on the left. Yeah, we’d sometimes get wet feet, but no big deal. That wasn’t an option yesterday because the tide and waves were giving that route a pounding.So, I had the bright idea to climb up and over these rocks. Our destination was right on the other side, and someone built that structure up there, so I figured there would be a path down to the village.Up I go!Right about here, trouble set it. I couldn’t get a grip or good footing, and I started to slip. But I was falling to the side and a drop off to the rocky rough waters below. Yeah, I freaked out but managed to back my way down the way I climbed up.Just some scratches on my leg and a cut on my finger. I was probably lucky.On the way back to the highway, we passed by the grave of Olongapo City’s first mayor, James L. Gordon. Interesting story at the link, including his assassination in 1967.Then back to where we started. I’m glad this wasn’t my final destination.
Splurged for a trike ride home after our abbreviated adventure. Not much distance, but lots of excitement.
Went out for some bar time after a two-day break and started at It Doesn’t Matter. Enjoyed some brews and then Swan’s brother-in-law popped in and joined us for a bit. We went to Wet Spot next, but it was so dead that we carried our drinks next door to Green Room and enjoyed them there. Ordered some food to bring home and called it a night.
Back in the high life again
And so ended another day in the life.
And now a word from our sponsor:
I posted this on Facebook during the scamdemic, but sadly, it seems just as pertinent now based on folks supporting Kamala
Today’s YouTube video is from Reekay. I’m not sure what is going on, but numerous vloggers are posting on expat fuckups. Reekay has been around a long time (I was following him prior to my move) and he offers sound advice.
Here’s the funny stuff:
Not that I would know what’s going on here.What goes around, comes aroundThis one seems a little flat.
Alright, I’m running late. Got to feed those hungry gals at Hideaway, then meet my sweetheart for our dinner at John’s place. Until tomorrow then.
It’s almost time to bitch and moan about the rainy season and start looking forward to those hot, sweaty days again. Until then, you just gotta make the best of the situation. We had four hearty streetwalkers for our Friday group hike, and we all brought umbrellas for what little good they did. A few sprinkles in the beginning, then some heavy rain for most of the rest of the way. I was soaked when we finished, but as I kept reminding myself, a couple of months ago, I would have been soaked with sweat. At least we didn’t have to worry about heat strokes.
Our journey took us from Barretto, through the backstreets of Matain, into Calapacuan, then some of San Isidro, a taste of Santo Tomas, then back to Barretto. A 9K junket all told.
Starting off on the National HighwayThen over the river and into the ‘hoodThe Bayside Boys–Jack, Mike, and ScottThese kids were enjoying being splashed whenever a wave hit the wallThe angry bayUm, I didn’t see any submarinesA pedestrian only streetInto each life some rain must fallThe covered basketball court is the place to be on a rainy day in CalapacuanGlad to see those houses on the water survived the stormBeached boatBetter close those windows!Piddle puddleThe family that wades together, stays togetherStanding on the corner in San IsidroI was on Bridge #2 when these kids called out for cookies. Come and get ’em, I replied. They did.Looking at my house from the new pedestrian bridge I’m always photographing from my house.Work in progress on the new Bridge #1, even in the rain.The way we walked
The other event of the day was attending a dinner party with neighbors Jeff and Divina and the other invited guests.
The galsThe guys
I fucked up and didn’t do a good job documenting the food. Here’s what I got:
Swan made some great nachos as an appetizerThe shrimp fajitas were amazing. That’s the first time I’ve eaten shrimp on a tortilla with all the usual fixin’sJeff baked this awesome cherry pie for dessert
Anyway, hanging out and enjoying the food and beverages with the group was great. I left about the time the videoke kicked in and felt a little rude for doing so. It wasn’t the music, but I experienced a breathing attack for some reason. That’s very unusual for me when I’m not going uphill and just sitting on my ass. My oximeter read 90, the lowest I’ve been in a long time. Fortunately, my nebulizer brought me back up to 97, and I felt fine when I hit the hay an hour later.
More rain during the night, but as forecasted, the rain finally let go this morning.
Look! Up in the sky, it’s a bird…it’s a plane…it’s, it’s…a sunny day!
September 7 will always be a special day in my life.
On this day forty-nine years ago, my daughter Renee was born. This photo is from the Oklahoma chapter of her life.
Today’s YouTube video is from another vlogger I don’t subscribe to, but he offers five reasons why the Philippines might not be for you. I only struggle with one of them: patience. Back before Loraine broke my heart, she taught me this mantra: Take a deep breath. Relax. Accept the Filipino way. I still use it on occasion, and it does help keep my head from exploding.
Some more of what I call humor:
Shocking! I’d feel so unplugged. I’m glad I’m not current-ly there.Don’t ask the question if you don’t want to hear the answer, Calvin.Stick a pork in me, I’m done
Welp, it’s been over two days since I set foot in a bar. I aim to rectify that situation tonight. I’m not sure where, but I know the bars of Barretto are counting on me, and I won’t let them all down. I’ll tell you about that and the nearly disastrous rock-climbing adventure from this morning in tomorrow’s post. See you then!
Nothing ventured, nothing gained to blog about. I posted about my trip to Pundaquit yesterday and I stayed home last night. So, there’s not much left say. Staying home proved to be a good call because we had some of the heaviest rain of the week during the evening and overnight hours. And yes, it is still raining today. The Friday hikers did an umbrella street walk this morning, but I’ll save that adventure so I have something to post about tomorrow.
Is it any wonder I’m so healthy?
We’ve been invited to a “Fajita Party” at the next-door neighbor’s place later this afternoon. I’ve got a batch of brownies in the oven, and Swan will be making some nachos as our contribution to the gathering. I’ll share how the party goes tomorrow as well.
Brownies look done
So, what does that leave to write about today? Swan loves to cook, and she surprised me this morning by asking if I wanted a Monte Cristo sandwich for my after-hike lunch. I asked, “You know how to make a Monte Cristo?” She responded, “I know you like them, and I just watched a YouTube video, so I’ll try it.” Ah, ain’t that sweet?
Not bad for a first try! She remembered my complaint that the only Monte Cristo I’ve found here (at One-Three Resort) didn’t put powdered sugar on the bread. Maybe a little overboard here, but still good.
Speaking of videos, I’m part of a COPD information group, and today, I received a link to a video about walking and breathing. It’s pretty simple, really, and I may be doing it naturally, but I’ll give it a try and see if it helps.
Still in video mode, a commenter recently sent me this YouTube of a Filipina giving Tagalog lessons. In my stay-at-home boredom last night, I learned five new words (the first five in the lesson). Swan was quite impressed. Of course, I don’t remember them today, but I’ll go back and review again. Maybe something will stick in my addled brain.
No funeral banners today, but this one caught my eye:
When I saw this banner, I wondered what philosophy and mathematics had in common. I’m glad I checked before going into mocking mode. I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I never knew what the “Ph” in PhD stood for. Now, it all adds up when you subtract my ignorance.
From Facebook memories comes this reminder from eight years okay. It was the last day of our Philippines vacation and we were enjoying our final dinner at the Arizona Resort here in Barretto.
Eun Oke had a lot of fun on the trip. So, I was surprised when she woke me at one in the morning with the announcement that she was breaking up with me. I asked her why, and she said, “We don’t have a future together. You want to retire and move to a poor country. I don’t want to live in a poor country.” The trip home was tense, and she went her separate way once we landed at Incheon. We did briefly reconcile, but she proved to be too crazy for me. So, she had the part about having no future together right.
Today’s YouTube video is from someone I don’t subscribe to, and after watching this one, I’m afraid I have to disagree with much of what he has to say. He seems bitter and cynical, and his advice to NEVER do certain things seems a bit overboard. Not all Filipinas are scammers. And if you meet a good one and treat her the way this guy suggests, you will lose her. The trick is knowing the difference. I certainly had my share of fuck ups along the way, but that’s just the tuition to the school of experience. Anyway, it’s worth a watch if for no other reason than as a warning not to become as disillusioned as this gent is.
Okay, let’s cleanse the palate with some humor:
Two cowboys were out on the range talking about their favorite sex positions. One said, “I think I enjoy the rodeo position the best.” “I don’t think I have ever heard of that”, said the other cowboy, “what is it?” “Well, it’s where you get your girlfriend down on all fours, and you mount her from behind, then you reach around and cup each of her breasts in your hands, and then you whisper in her ear, “These feel just like your sisters!”, then you try to hold on for 8 seconds.”I don’t think I’m eating there anyway.Especially if you’ve just eaten and are already stuffed.
Okay, I’ll stop now. Hopefully back with more substance tomorrow.
I have arrived safely back home after my twenty-four hour whirlwind adventure to Barangay Pundaquit, City of San Antonio, Zambales Province, Luzon Island, Philippines.
I wasn’t lying about the whirlwind thing. I didn’t pick the best day to travel. It rained a lot, but not constantly.How things looked during the driveHow my driver lookedThe old bridge to Pundaquit as seen from the new bridge.
We arrived at our destination at noon time. I sent Swan to the beach hotel we didn’t have a reservation for to check availability and price. I had her go to avoid the “skin tax” that occurs when a foreigner is quoted a higher price than a local. She returned to report that the resort was undergoing renovation, and no kitchen or bar was available. They did offer Swan a reduced rate of 3000 pesos for the night (down from 3600). Swan also checked the newer and nicer place next door, and they wanted 5500 pesos for the night. It wasn’t THAT much nicer, so we went with the original plan. We did use the restaurant facilities at the other place for lunch.
Our lodging for the nightThe view outside our roomThe outside of our roomInside the room. It was small, but comfortable. I guess that makes it cozy.
The restaurant across the street was devoid of guests, and the upstairs section I had been wanting to try since seeing it on my last trip was closed. The bar was the only area not exposed to the wind-blown rain, so that’s where we sat. Being outnumbered by the staff had an eerie feel about it, but the service was good. The wine prices on the menu were shocking–the cheapest being 500 pesos, so Swan had a beer instead. When I got a closer look at the wine on the shelf, it included Carlo Rossi, the brand we buy at Royal for 350 pesos a bottle. Then the lightbulb in my head turned on, and we asked the waitress if the wine prices were per glass or bottle. It turns out that they only sell wine by bottle. So, getting a whole bottle for 500 pesos was practically a bargain, and we bought one.
Our afternoon dining venueThe wine brought a smile to Swan’s faceThe club sandwich I had for lunch was just okay, but it did fill the void. I can’t remember what Swan ordered.Although the upstairs was closed for dining, I was allowed to take some photos from there. That’s our resort on the right.Looking down on the beachAnd a look up the beach. You can even see some raindrops.
After our meal, we walked up the street for a look around. I saw a place I had stopped in once a few years back while on a hike and decided to try it again.
The Sun & Surf. Well, it was the only sun we saw this trip.We had the place to ourselves when we first arrived. And yes, Swan brought her bottle of wine with her and the bar owner had no objection–even gave her a wine glass.The day was young and I still had room for more beer.The view from our seatsIt was great getting to meet and chat with the owner, Kevin.
Kevin gave us a tour of the facilities. He also has a variety of rooms available, from Nipa huts to aircon rooms. He’s owned the Surf & Sand for eleven years but said they’ve never recovered from the COVID lockdowns. I was a little surprised because Barretto is booming with mostly Filipino tourists, at least on weekends. He said that’s not the case in Pundaquit, and the foreigners who used to come pre-scamdemic have not returned. That’s a shame. He said the place needs several thousand dollars in renovations, but he doesn’t expect he’d be able to recover that investment. He’s considering just walking away from it all and returning to the USA. Damn.
I enjoyed interacting with the few customers who dropped in during our visit, like these Aussies.And later in the afternoon, this guy from Norway and his entourage joined in the fun.And then things got a little fuzzy.
I began drinking much earlier in the day than I normally do. I was drinking San Miguel Light (5% alcohol) rather than my usual Zero (3%). And I didn’t get my daily afternoon nap. So yeah, I fell asleep at the bar. I also ordered take-out food from the Car Wash restaurant up the road but have no recollection of doing so (the unopened containers were in the room this morning). Swan says I was unsteady on my feet but made it back to the hotel without incident.
Sleeping beauty, safe and sound
Swan asked me this morning what time it was when I went to bed. I checked my Fitbit stats and was surprised to see this:
Wow. Didn’t even make it to seven.
At some point during the night, the power went out. We had no electricity until nine in the morning. I didn’t even bother unpacking my laptop.
We began our morning with a barefoot stroll on the beachThe beach, the ocean, the mountain, and the cloudsZoomed in on that water making its way down the mountainAnd the Capones island
Back at our hotel, the staff kindly heated a pot of water on their gas stove so we could enjoy some morning coffee on our front porch.
Coffee goes great with the sound on waves crashing on the beachAnd these love birds were nice to see as well
After our coffee break, we loaded up a bag with cookies and lollipops and headed out to explore the backstreets of Pundaquit.
The flooded backstreets, as it turns out.Where the river meets the seaSerenityThe kids in this area were both grateful and politeIt was nice exploring a new part of townThe Sewage Canal?Another road, another puddle. At least we could walk around this one.Back at our hotel and a chance reunion with my brother from another mother. Practically twins!
I’m back home this afternoon, and the deluge continues. In fact, a new storm is approaching, so there is no relief in sight. They have even canceled tomorrow’s SOB as many employees are home dealing with flooding issues.
The river behind my house is as high as I’ve ever seen it, but it has a ways to go yet to overcome those high concrete banks.This shot of the pedestrian bridge up the street from my place gives some perspective on just how high the water has risen.
So, that’s the story of my adventure. All in all, it was a good one.
We need to stop those crazy Trump voters from stealing the election. Here’s a plan that could work:
You can’t get on a plane without an ID, so why can you vote without one?
Today’s YouTube video is a short expose about the sextortion scams and the impact on its victims. I’ve heard tales of this over the years, but it always seemed to me to be limited to a few whacked individuals. Apparently, it’s an organized racket luring in victims these days.
And now for some humor:
Good luck at the dentist, Kevin.Back in my slutty days, it seemed every Filipina I brought home always said the exact same three things: “Ouch!” “Oh shit!” “Already?”I haven’t really been keeping abreast of that whole left/right brain thing.
Welp, wind and rain are telling me that tonight is a good night to stay safe and dry at home. And that’s just what I’m going to do. Later, gators!
My morning view. Looks like perfect weather for the beach!
So, on this stormy Wednesday morning, I woke up in my own bed instead of at the Wild Orchid Hotel in Angeles City. But at least the power is on. I still long for a change of scenery, so on a whim, I messaged my driver to see if he was available for a road trip today. He is, so Swan and I will be heading to Pundaquit in San Antonio for an overnight stay.
And just now, this alert popped up on my phone, and the clouds opened up once again.
I’m not sure what they are talking about, but the rain doesn’t look orange to me.
Maybe I didn’t think this trip through properly, but what the hell? The rain at the beach can’t be any worse than the rain is here. I’m ready for some new perspectives! We saw a place on the beach last trip we want to try, but neither Swan nor I can remember the name. I doubt they will be full on a rainy Wednesday, so we are going to take our chances and go without a reservation. It’s all part of the adventure!
Instead of hanging out in AC yesterday, I was back to my normal routines, starting with a trip to Royal for my grocery shopping. One of my Tuesday traditions is baking morning muffins. This week, they were cranberry-orange. I share them with my helpers and driver, of course. “Mama,” the homeless umbrella lady I’ve been helping a bit since before I moved here knows my schedule and is usually waiting outside Alta Vista as we drive by. Yesterday was no exception.
Cash in one hand, muffins and an umbrella in the other. I asked “Mama” how old she was,and she replied, “I don’t know.” But she knows where to find me every Tuesday at 0830.
It poured rain all day, and I was beginning to think there would be no night on the town in my immediate future. But Jesus loves me, and when it was beer o’clock, the rain became a light sprinkle, and we made a dash for Barretto.
We kicked things off at BarCelona with our usual view from the barstool.
Our next and last stop was the Green Room. As usual, we shared drinks with waitress Chu and enjoyed watching a pool tournament in progress. Swan was talking with a GRO (Guest Relations Officer) that I didn’t recognize. Turns out she is the sister of the woman I mentioned in another post. That woman, also a GRO, helped her daughter get hired at the bar when she turned eighteen. That freaked me out, not understanding how a mom could countenance seeing her child doing what GROs do (basically catering to the whims of male desire, including take-out). Swan knew them from when she lived in their neighborhood and did give the mom some shit about her actions. We hadn’t seen either in the bar recently, and the sister informed Swan that the daughter (her niece) has an enlarged heart, and the doctors say nothing can be done for her. So, the plan is to make her as comfortable as possible at home until she passes. Damn.
I wound up adding the sad sister to my lady drink recipients and also had a pizza delivered from Sit-n-Bull for the girls to share (Hawaiian with pineapple, of course). Swan sipped her wine, and I had my fair share of beers. During the course of the evening, Swan snapped a photo of me in full party mode:
Yeah, I’m a handsome devilOr maybe it’s the beer that makes me look that way.
We brought us home some Sit-n-Bull goodness for dinner (roast beef dip for Swan, pulled pork for me) and had pecan pie for dessert. It was a pretty good time for a Tuesday!
And now for the memories:
Eight years ago, then-girlfriend Eun Oke was enjoying her time in the Philippines, even joining the girls on stage in a bar whose name I don’t remember.Five years ago, I was enjoying the views from my hotel in Saigon.And by golly, I even sampled and enjoyed some of the local Vietnamese delicacies.
Four years ago, I was mocking the COVID Nazis:
The scamdemic had some value in that it revealed the true nature of your neighbors.
In today’s YouTube video, the Filipina Pea interviews an OFW (Offshore Filipino Worker). These workers are probably the largest export from the Philippines, and the money they send back is a significant portion of the economy, not to mention essential to the support of the families left behind. I met many OFWs when I lived in Korea, and I know several of them here now. And yes, I’ve heard the horror stories of exploitation that occurs, especially in Middle Eastern countries. I have two friends now looking for OFW work, and I will share this video with them as a heads-up.
And now to soothe your funny bone:
Maybe the dog is cuteIt wasn’t me!You can take that to the bank!
Alright, time for me to pack my bags and get the hell out of town. I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow!
Loved this song back in the day. As an added bonus, here is one of those “hearing it for the first time” videos:
I wound up doing the Hash yesterday. I carried an umbrella but didn’t need it. I guess God loves the Hash because the intense rains that had been falling all day abruptly ceased right around our 2 p.m. start time. The Hare, Anal Receptive, had laid a trail in deference to the weather, primarily flat and, for the most part, paved. I opted for the 5K short version (the long was 8K) and only suffered from wet and muddy feet. Well, two inclines on the Govic Highway left me surprisingly winded. I don’t know what’s up with that. My blood oxygen has been in the high 90s, but there is no denying my age and obesity. And yes, I was the recipient of the traditional Hash cake. I’ve gotta say, that icy cold beer poured over my head made my heart race. That would be a hell of a way to die, wouldn’t it? Maybe next year.
The trail started at the Alta Vista Clubhouse, and we took the familiar back way out of the ‘hood. A good portion of the first half of the trail was the same route we took on Sunday’s Candy Walk.Hashers will not be cowed!Even by the horny onesWe pavement beats mud any dayWell, there’s wet and then there’s floodedAnd we had our share of mud as wellThe Govic Highway portionOver Bridge #3The muddy waters of the Matain RiverSwan made a rare appearance at the HashWet and wildAll in a day’s HashOn-Home was at Smokes and BottlesThe Hash GashThe HashitHash cake for the birthday boysThe long and short of itThe after-Hash gathering at It Doesn’t Matter
So, the Hash turned out better than I thought it would. Lucky me.
In other news, I should be posting today from Angeles City but I’m not. Late in the afternoon yesterday, our power company, Zameco II, posted this:
So, that all day power interruption was postponed due to inclement weather. Ironic, isn’t it?
Anyway, the neighbors had made the plans and reservations in AC based on the assumption that their kids would not have school to attend on Wednesday. When that changed, they had no choice but to cancel the trip. And so it goes.
Facebook reminded me that five years ago I was enjoying my first visit to Saigon.
That seems like a Phucing Long time ago
Some of the internet forums I follow devolve into controversies, like which is better, Angeles City or Barretto. The same goes for the comparisons between the Philippines and Thailand. Everyone has their own preferences, and today’s YouTube video tells why the vlogger prefers life in the PI.
Here’s something to smile about:
Since I share both here at LTG, am I foolishly wise or wisely foolish?Welcome to the party, son.Well, that’s a new wrinkle…
Another rainy day here to deal with; we’ll see what’s happening when beer o’clock rolls around. Hasta la vista for now.
There was a huge storm that washed hundreds of starfish onto the beach. A little boy was picking them up and throwing them back into the ocean one by one. An old man approached and said, “Little boy, you can’t save all these starfish.” “Maybe not,” the lad replied as he picked up another and threw it in the water, “but I saved that one.”
Swan posted this on her Facebook and I agree with the sentiment.
I’ve mentioned that we had a chance encounter with a youngster named Jason during a candy walk who wanted to attend school but didn’t have the means to do so. Swan talked to the mother and offered her assistance. Since the mother doesn’t have a phone, Swan interacted directly with the teacher to determine what Jason required.
School supplies and uniforms to get Jason startedAnd a backpack to carry it in
We did the handoff during yesterday’s Candy Walk.
Hopefully, that will get you started, Jason.That’s Jason’s house on a hill
According to the mother, the next hurdle is securing a birth certificate. Apparently, one wasn’t issued at birth, so there is government bureaucracy and paperwork to be dealt with, which involves money, of course. We are standing by to help if we can.
As alluded to above, we kicked off our Sunday with the weekly Candy Walk through the streets of San Isidro.
Loaded up and ready to roll The escape route from Alta Vista is rapidly becoming overgrown with the seasonal grassesAh, the joys of rainy season!Almost like a version of FroggerThe kids appreciate the effort thoughA drier path to walkSweetnessWhat’s that I see?The new (temporary?) bridge is holding up so farMore muddy roads to traverseBut we got the job done
A couple of hours later when we were safe at home, we experienced one of the hardest downpours I’ve seen this year.
The view from my patio. The rain was as thick as fog. Oh, and a bolt of lightning knocked the power out.
Luckily, the rain let up some and I could do an umbrella walk to Hideaway without getting too wet.
Feeding in progress. That’s Hideaway owner Griff in the background.The joy of Joy
I opted not to visit John’s place this week. Swan wanted the Mango’s pork chops for dinner anyway, and I was still disappointed about last week’s lack of red wine. I’ll give John another shot next week.
When I arrived at Mango’s, I was surprised to see neighbors Jeff and Divina sitting with Swan. When Swan left the house to meet me, Jeff and the wife were looking to escape the continuing power outage. Swan got a ride into town and company while awaiting my arrival. The neighbors left before our food came, but we agreed to meet up again after dinner next door at Thumbstar.
Stormy day beach at Mango’sSwan and her wine. We were the only customers on this rainy dayAin’t we sweet?Sorry, I forgot to take a picture of the dinner as served. The plate comes with two pork chops. They weren’t as thick this time, but still quite tasty.
After our meal, we went to Thumbstar as promised for the meet-up. I don’t go to Thumbstar for personal reasons, but it is a nice enough venue. We had one drink there, then moved to the more familiar and friendlier Green Room to finish our evening out.
Celebrate good times, come on! Most of these characters will be rockin’ Angeles City tomorrow.
Not a bad Sunday. And now it is Hash Monday and things aren’t looking good.
Tropical Storm Enting has us in it’s sights. And judging by the rainfall outside right now, it has scored a direct hit.
I saw part of today’s Hash trail on the Candy Walk yesterday. It’s not a bad rainy-day walk, except for the muddy roads. Right now, I’m on the fence about doing the trail or just making my way to the On-Home venue at Smokes and Bottles. We shall see if things let up in the next hour or so.
Ah, the memories:
Eight years ago, I took my then-girlfriend Eun Oke on a trip to the Philippines. She had a great time.
Funny story about that photo. We spent the first night in Angeles City. We went into this bar after midnight and were the only customers. I guess the girls had never seen a Korean female before, and they all came down off the stage for a closer look. They treated Eun Oke like a movie star, and she told me, “Buy them all a drink!” I told her the way it works is you pick your favorite and buy her a drink, but she insisted on getting one for each of them. The next morning, she asked me how much we had spent, and I told her it was 5000 pesos. Then she asked how much do we spend for just the two of us in Seoul? I grinned and admitted it was about the same.
Seven years ago, I was doing a bar crawl in Anjeong-ri and saw my friend Mi Young. I sure did have a crush on her, but alas, the feeling was not mutual.
There was a little controversy in the comments yesterday over the political memes I’ve been posting. No apologies, but I also realize it is a waste of time. Nothing I post here is going to change any minds.
Not that that will stop me
Today’s YouTube video from the Filipina Pea addresses women who don’t want their man to act like a man. I’m joking, of course, and I don’t condone cheating on your significant other. That said, couples need to have shared values. I know of guys in open relationships, and both sides enjoy the variety. Pick your partner wisely!
Let me leave you with these:
When Jane initially met Tarzan of the Jungle, she was attracted to him and during her questions about his life, she asked him how he had sex: “Tarzan not know sex!” He replied. Jane explained to him what sex was. Tarzan said. “Oh, Tarzan use hole in trunk of tree!” Horrified, she said. “Tarzan you have it all wrong, but I will show you how to do it properly!” She took off her clothes and lay down on the ground. “Here!” She said. “You must put it in here!” Tarzan removed his loincloth, stepped closer with his huge erection, and then gave her an almighty kick right between her legs. Jane rolled around in agony, but manages to gasp for air and screamed. “What did you do that for?” “Tarzan check for bees!”Jesus, those fish haven’t even been gutted.That’s so bad it has me singing another tune
Still raining out there, so it’s looking like a wet Hash. I also think there is a Hash birthday cake in my near future. Good times! I’ll let you know how it goes tomorrow.
Here in the Philippines, they call it the “ber” months, and it is the traditional start of the Christmas holiday season. Yep, decorations will be going up, and Christmas songs will be blasting in the shopping centers. For the next four months. I have found a way to cope at least:
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
Ah, the first ad of the season from right here in Barreteto!
Anyway, everything is going pretty much as it always does around here. Yesterday, there was a bit of a modification to my Standard Modified Saturday Solo Duo Street Stroll. Swan came along, and we walked a slightly different route than I usually do.
Swan always brings some goodies for the kiddiesAdding some sweetness to their dayGoing out of her wayThe way we rolled
Once again, Swan wanted to go see The Engine Band at Treasure Island on Baloy. They serve cold Zero there, so who am I to complain?
The bayThe bandThe food. Swan had something called tequila lime chicken.l snacked on chicken wings
We listened to the band’s first two sets and then headed home at 7 p.m. I fired up the TV and finally got around to watching the second half of Filipina Dream Girlson YouTube. It is a nice trip back in time to the early 1990s in Manila, with some English guys looking to hook up with bar girls. My hearing is not great, and some of those Brit accents were tough to decipher at times, but it is still a good watch.
And so ended another Saturday in my simple life.
Once again, Facebook memories carried me back in time to my former life.
The 2011 view from my Gireum-dong apartment in Seoul
It’s pretty scary when I see otherwise intelligent people regurgitating the lies they’ve been sold about Trump as justification for supporting ignorant Kamala. I guess they are not as smart as I gave them credit for being.
It’s a waste of time to try and change the thinking of the indoctrinated.Probably works for Facebook
Let’s take a three-minute stroll back in time with today’s YouTube video. I couldn’t help but think how everyone you see is dead now, but I guess that’s part of the time travel phenomenon.
And some humor before I go.
Be careful what you ask for!Funny how that worksA wanton disregard of your orders, Captain!
Welp, the lighting is flashing, and the thunder is booming outside my window right now. But I’ve got a feeding to attend to at Hideaway, so hopefully, this, too, shall pass. I’m going to pop into John’s and ask if they have red wine in stock. If not, I’ll take Swan to Mangos for dinner. She’s been craving those grilled pork chops. I’ll be back tomorrow with more of this goodness.
