Just another day in the life

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I’ll take as many more days as I can as long as I am able to keep doing the things I enjoy. Getting old sucks sometimes, but it beats the hell out of the alternative. And my little retirement town provides me with everything I need: hills to climb, beaches to walk, and beers to drink. I want to keep on keeping on as long as I can!

By the dawn’s early light, the hills were hiding in the mist.

The Wednesday Walkers gathered up at the usual place and headed up into the hills to see what we could see.

Six of us were ready, willing, and mostly able to make the trek.
Some stairsteps to start things out.
A brief pause to wait for the fat old guy and take in the view.
Still a misty morning.
Let the climbing begin.
Up we go.
Much like on Monday, I was really struggling at the beginning of the climb. So much so that I was having an internal debate about the wisdom of turning around and going back down.
The view from halfway up.
I kept going with the group, and eventually, my second wind kicked in, and I felt much stronger.
Still climbing. This up wasn’t as long as Monday’s Hash, but it was every bit as challenging. Dealing with the tall thatch grass exacerbates everything.
The view from here.
This was reminiscent of the iconic Hollywood sign in the hills above LA. It used to read “Villanueva,” a candidate during the recent barangay elections.
We still had a bit more altitude to achieve.
This spot had an otherworldly feel about it.
A familiar peak in the distance.
And then our path became more pleasant.
A view of the Kalaklan Ridge.
Cookie kids
The end of the down.
Walked by a funeral/memorial taking place. You see a banner like this, and there will be an awning with tables and chairs on the side of the road. Friends and family gather and just hang out playing cards and the like. On the second or third day, the coffin and body are displayed. The coffin was out and open as we walked by. I didn’t take a picture out of respect, of course, but I did leave some candy for the mourners on the table. Rest in Peace, Jennifer. Thirty is far too young to leave this world.
We finished our hike at Dynamite Dick’s. I hadn’t seen Dick (on the right) since last year.
From Dick’s I could see that sign on top of the first hill we climbed.
Just a tad over 5K yesterday.

In other news, Swan started a new job yesterday. She’s a part-time waitress at the Subiza Beach Resort on Baloy. Her shift is 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and for now, she only works on Wednesday and Thursday. She wanted to work, even though she doesn’t need to work as I would, of course, support her as needed, in addition to her monthly allowance. I’m in favor of whatever makes her happy.

I did the feeding at Hideaway last night. They are down to four girls now, and I was the only customer. Not sure what’s going on with that. I had some SOB coupons to expend, so I made my way to Green Room and stayed for a couple of beers. Next up was Wet Spot, and it was pretty dead as well. I decided to make it an early night, so I could be home when Swan returned from work.

I brought Swan a pecan pie, her favorite, and awaited her arrival on the front porch. When the trike pulled up a little after eight, I pulled out my wallet intending to pay the fare but Swan beat me to it. So, when she came up to me, I handed her the fifty peso note. And she refused to take it, saying I give her enough already and she could manage her budget. I tried again and she still wouldn’t accept my gift. So, I threw the money on the ground, grabbed a beer, and went up to the roof to pout. Yeah, I can be a real asshole sometimes. I don’t handle rejection well, and I thought it was rude to not appreciate my kind gesture. Anyway, I eventually regained my sanity, we talked it through and made peace before going to bed.

Swan made me breakfast this morning, we walked the dogs together, and then I walked her to work. You live, and you learn, and you grow together.

My plan tonight will be to imbibe on Baloy and visit Swan’s workplace before she gets off so we can ride home together. I’ll pay for the trike!

Facebook memories took me back to my final 8th Army days six years ago, when I participated in a meet and greet with the Secretary of the Army.

I’m the civilian in the second row.

I found this on my Facebook feed as well:

Cheaper than a lady drink.

In the land of Star Trek there is this:

They love John Deere green…

One bad pun deserves another:

And that’s just about enough for now, don’t you think?

3 thoughts on “Just another day in the life”

  1. I kept going with the group, and eventually, my second wind kicked in, and I felt much stronger.

    This is the second post in recent memory in which you mention a second wind, so I was expecting this at the end of your post.

    From Dick’s[,] I could see that sign on top of the first hill we climbed.

    I’m starting to love your arrows. Are they drawn by finger? They look like blue cacti. I finger-draw things on my phone, too. A stylus (or just a pencil with an eraser) might make my lines a little smoother.

    Her shift is 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and for now, she only works on Wednesday and Thursday.

    It’s good she’s doing that only two days a week. A 12-hour shift is soul-killing.

    So, I threw the money on the ground, grabbed a beer, and went up to the roof to pout. Yeah, I can be a real asshole sometimes. I don’t handle rejection well, and I thought it was rude to not appreciate my kind gesture. Anyway, I eventually regained my sanity, we talked it through and made peace before going to bed.

    Jesus Christ, dude. She wants a measure of independence, too. You’re partners in this relationship, not codependent. If she’s not needy, that’s a plus. No need to add drama, especially after she’s come home from a 12-hour shift. It’s also possible for her to reject a kind gesture while still appreciating it. Anyway, you at least talked it out, so all’s well that ends well, I guess.

    I’ve said this before, but a healthy relationship is between two independent people, not two needy, codependent souls. “Let there be spaces in your togetherness.”

  2. It’s shocking that, as a Billy Joel fan, I have no recollection of ever hearing that song. I read up on it now, and it was a big hit in 1985. Sorry I missed it: catchy tune and a meaningful message.

    Yeah, as I said, I was an asshole and in the wrong. Your point about dependency is well-taken. Hopefully, that bump in the road makes the rest of our ride together smoother.

  3. Just please don’t claim to deplore drama, then end up being the one who manufactures drama. No one wins.

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