Rules are for slaves, and I refuse to be a slave to my own rules. Yeah, that’s the ticket!
I started my SOB Friday with a stop at Cheap Charlies. I reasoned that CC is directly across the street from the SOB host, Hot Zone. I wanted to keep an eye on when the doors opened to ensure I got a good seat in a relatively small venue. My strategy worked, and I was one of the first to arrive. When the event started, every seat in the house was occupied.
I hadn’t been to Cheap Charlies in a week or two, but that didn’t prevent three of my old regulars from taking seats beside and behind me. I nursed my beer, and the girls rubbed my arms and back. I didn’t relent and buy them lady drinks, though. I was there for less than an hour, and that didn’t burden my willpower much. I did give them each a 50 peso tip when I left, which I considered payment for services rendered.
I also ignored my “regular” at Hot Zone. To be fair, she’s been ignoring me too ever since I declined to give her 2000 pesos so she could visit her kids. Rule #1 (don’t be a sucker) must not be broken! During the show, my waitress also gave me a backrub in between serving other customers. I deemed her worthy of the coveted lady drink in recognition of her efforts. In fact, I bought her three over the course of the evening.
The Aftermath gathering was at The Green Room. My ex, Marissa, is a waitress there, and she had saved me my favorite seat. That warranted a lady drink, right? And then the woman who normally handles the pool table, which was out of service during the Aftermath event, laughed at all of the jokes I told (they were all new to her). She earned a lady drink reward as well. Later, I was approached by this sweet little thing who walked up to me and introduced herself. I could barely understand her and wasn’t interested in her company, so I politely sent her away. When she joined my female Hash friend (What’s Up Doc) at her table, I was curious, so I went over to say hello. Turns out the sweet young thing is her 19-year-old niece. Yikes! Of course, I bought them both a drink but told the cutie she could stay with her Auntie.
So, did I violate my moratorium on lady drink purchases? I declare my innocence. I was not buying company or engaging in the “she really likes me” fantasies last night. I was just being polite and rewarding good behavior. There’s a difference.
My winnings for the night:
The other big event yesterday was the group hike. I mentioned in another post that it had been quite a while since our last venture up to the Kalaklan ridge. So, we hiked a trail we hadn’t down since last November. There is no easy way to the top, but our path wasn’t as crazy as the notorious “Motherfucker” and “Stairway to Heaven” trails. Maybe we should henceforth call it “Better Than Those Others.” Our up took us to the Great Wall of Barretto; then, we had a leisurely stroll along the ridgeline before heading back down to our little town.
A very nice day on trail.
This morning brought the news that a local legend, Johnnie Tango, died after suffering a heart attack. Congratulations on a life well-lived, and may you always Rest in Peace.
Looks to have been a walk for the ages. Congratulations on surviving. I don’t envy you those uphills and downhills.
Condolences re: Johnnie Tango.
The guy in the red tshirt could be the next Jonnie Tango if he doesn’t drop a couple of tonnes for Christmas. Body count greater than the cartel run regions of Mexico there lately. Not to get all qanon but have you noticed an uptick in cardiac events since the vax was foisted upon us all?
Welp, they come in all shapes and sizes around here, that’s for sure. Most expats here would be living in a lot more sterile environment back home, but what’s the fun in that? Barretto: the retirement community with lots of bars and hot young women ready to take care of all your needs and wants. I feel lucky to be here.
There is no question in my mind that the vaxx has killed more people than it has saved. We all gotta die of something I suppose.
gotta say
I feel sorry for Marissa . She’s back working at the bar 🍸 just like when u first met her
Her arc started off with some fireworks 🎆 so much promise.
When the business tanked , it was a bit surprising 😮
I take it you’re still supporting her financially? rent and living expenses at least.
If you are , then her decision to return to working at a bar proves my long-standing theory : that there is a significant number of bargirls who actually do this kind of work because they honestly enjoy it. Getting paid to get drunk and hanging out with friends all night? Free time during the day to do whatever they want? Meeting people from all over the world 🌎? And all of this with the ever-present looming prospect of meeting a handsome generous man like John Mccrarey 😀
who wouldn’t like that ?
that answers the question of : why don’t they just get other jobs instead of allowing themselves to be exploited? The answer is : they don’t hate this job, and they’re no more exploited than the office manager at Google working 60 hour weeks.
Back to Marissa
does she have kids? Seems like she’s an outlier, a unicorn in these parts : a young woman in Barretto working in and around bars, and not a single mom.
Even when she’s not working at the bars, I’m sure she likes to hang out at those particular bars where her friends are….might as well just work there , and get paid even the pittance of a daily wage , which is not a big deal since she would’ve been drinking there anyway.
speaking of which
I know that girls get lady drinks 🍸 and they earn a commission. But what if a girl on duty just wants to drink, but there are no customers there to buy her drinks? Could she just buy herself some drinks out of her own pocket? would they charge her lady drinks prices 🤔 or regular prices 🤔
I guess that’s a question for Mr..Dave the business man to answer 🤔
hehehehehe
Aren’t you glad your blog has become the bulletin board where we can all leave some important messages for the community, or write graffiti
‘Pete was here’
Welcome, Pete! Yes, graffiti is one of the best parts of having a blog.
Regarding Marissa, she is mid-30s and childless, which does make her rather unique. No, I don’t provide her with regular support like rent. I consider her a friend and would help her in a time of need, but she hasn’t asked. I don’t know that she particularly likes working in the bar, and The Green Room is a busy place so it’s hard work. But it pays the bills, so like most worker bees, it’s better than nothing.
Having said that, Marissa does enjoy her SMLs and would definitely spend time in the bars if she wasn’t working. On her one day off each week (Monday), she enjoys the Hash. I don’t think the girls would be allowed to buy their own drinks when on duty, and probably wouldn’t want to even pay the customer price in a foreigner bar.
After the business closed, Marissa moved to Manila for several months. She missed her friends and the beach lifestyle, I guess. I was very impressed to see that she had quit smoking, and I think she is comfortable working hard and paying her own way. I always wish the best for her.