This is the sight that greeted my weary eyes when I awoke at 0600 this morning:

After taking care of my morning chores (coffee, perusing the internet, walking the dogs) I headed out for my traditional a.m. hike. And I noted that it is fiesta time once again in our fair city. Honestly, I’m not all that clear on the concept, check out the link above and you’ll know about as much as I do. I have noticed that at least in Olongapo the fiestas are celebrated within an individual purok (neighborhood), and not necessarily on the same dates.

In news that is more pertinent to someone like me, my beach walk revealed that the Arizona floating bar has been anchored offshore. Word on the street is that it will be opening later this week. I’ll have my own damn fiesta!

On my afternoon walk yesterday I imagined this conversation:

Pulot maaari mong alisin ang basurahan?

Oo mahal

Oh, I guess I should translate that for you.

Honey, can you take out the trash?

Yes, dear.

Yes, yes, I’m showing off my mastery of Tagalog Google translate. But back to my story. As I’m coming down the mountain, I see this:

Now, I can kinda sorta understand this. There is likely no city government trash pick up service out here in the sticks, so what are your options? Lots of people just burn their garbage which is probably equally bad for the environment. I honestly don’t put this in the same category as littering, that’s just pure laziness. Anyway, this is sort of the opposite of my morning rainbow.

And I’m reminded just how filthy some Americans can be.

Alrighty, then. Time to move on. Got a Hash on the horizon this afternoon. Thanks for stopping by!

Somewhere over the rainbow way up high
There’s a land that I heard of once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true

Someday I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That’s where you’ll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh, why can’t I?

If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh, why can’t I?

UPDATE: Well, I’ll be damned. I used “somewhere over the rainbow” as a post title for the first time way back in August 2006. I had totally forgotten seeing The Wizard of Oz performed as a Korean play, featuring an acquaintance of mine in the role of Dorothy. It was really nice taking that stroll down memory lane this afternoon.