Sometimes, it is just hard to say no regardless of the consequences. C’est la vie.

The Wednesday Walkers took a Jeepney ride out to Calapandayan and commenced hiking from there. We began with a climb up a trail we hadn’t been on for years, and from the look of things, no one else had either—a leafy mess with low overhanging branches to maneuver around. We wandered around up top for a bit before making our way back down to the familiar streets of Calapacuan.

The usual shit at home, then back to Barretto. The first stop was an overdue haircut; then we grabbed some dinner at Sit-n-Bull.

It had been a week since we last visited our regular haunts, Green Room and Wet Spot. I had a bag of treats to share with our bargirl friends. In addition to the usual cookies and lollipops, I brought along two of these:

I’d never had this Filipino delicacy before, but an acquaintance kept sending me begging messages to purchase some for her church fundraiser. I finally relented and bought five.

Naturally, when I got home I had a slice. Smothered in vanilla ice cream, of course.

Fifteen years ago, I was darting and drinking at my old hangout, Dolce Vita, there in the heart of Itaewon.

My lefty pals seem to have fallen in love with that Ukrainian comedian. None of them seem to want to join the fight, though.

Today’s YouTube vlogger suggests that pussified men of the West are fleeing to places like the Philippines. I don’t know; I haven’t seen what he describes in my retirement community. I did witness several young men in the bars last night (probably civilian seamen from merchant ships in port) surrounded by bargirls and spending big on lady drinks. That’s a win for the girls and a profit for the bars, so no complaints from me about that. Have fun!

Funny or not, here they come:

Chelation is on tap for this afternoon, then a gathering at the neighbor’s house. Better get those brownies in the oven!