Some days things don’t go according to plan—nothing to do about that but make the best of it. Let’s get started:

I ordered a new Fitbit from Lazada, and it was delivered on Monday when I was at the Hash. I always have purchases sent on a COD basis to reduce the risk of being scammed. Since I wasn’t going to be home, I left the 8000 pesos with my helper, and she paid for the delivery. I got up Tuesday morning to unwrap and set up my Fitbit, and knew immediately something was wrong. The box was too large and too heavy to contain a fitness tracker.

I’m thinking this has to be a scam rather than a mistake. So, I had Swan help me file the return claim, and the seller has five days to respond. As of now, I haven’t heard anything.

Tuesday is shopping day, and my driver picks us up around 8 a.m. I had confirmed with him on Monday that we were a go. Then I got a message a few minutes before he was due to arrive that he had an “emergency” and was in Manila. I guessed that he had gotten a more lucrative offer for transport there and blew off my measly shopping excursion. It wouldn’t have pissed me off if he had given me advance notice so I could make other arrangements. I can wait a day or two to buy groceries, but yesterday, I was scheduled for an abdominal ultrasound, and I was going to stop by the hospital on the way to the supermarket. Since I’d been fasting all morning, I wasn’t in the best of moods anyway.

So, Swan, my helper, and I hoofed it down to the highway and caught a trike. As we approached the hospital here in Barretto, the trike driver was in the wrong lane, and when I called out, my helper told me the ultrasound appointment was in Olongapo. Bullshit! I told the trike to pull over, and I got out. I admit I lost my temper and yelled a bit about going to Olongapo for a test I could do here in town. My helper said there was no appointment available locally until Wednesday. So what? I ain’t riding a trike all the way to Olongapo City. Again, it wouldn’t be a big deal if my driver had shown up, but I wasn’t in the mood to make a pointless journey. Bottom line, I’ll be doing the ultrasound this afternoon here in town.

I had told Scott I’d see him at the hospital, thinking I was going to be there anyway. So, we made a stop there for a quick visit. He seems to be doing well. Next up on my revised agenda was ending my fast. I got some steps in by walking the 2K to Sit-n-Bull. Since the day had already gone to shit, I threw out my diet plan and surrendered to my craving for high-calorie breakfast.

With my hunger pangs satiated, Swan and I caught a Jeepney to Olongapo (yeah, yeah, the hypocrisy is astounding) and visited the shopping mall. There were some things I’d been needing, so why not?

We took a taxi home, confirming the 300 peso fare in advance. When we arrived at the house, I asked the driver what he preferred: 250 and a 100 peso tip, or 300 with a 50 peso tip. His English was good enough that he got the joke and laughed.

After that, things were pretty much back on track for the remainder of the day. It being Tuesday, we engaged in our usual Baloy Beach adventure.

I neglected to photograph our meals (sweet and sour pork for me, grilled pork chop for Swan), but they were good, as usual. After our meal, we were homeward bound. And so ended my out-of-kilter Tuesday.

I guess seeing Fox News triggered me:

There’s a theme to these. It’s all about what you choose to believe. Don’t take my word for it.

So, now it is August 2007 in the LTG archives. I’m still posting sporadically, but that makes the catch-up posts more interesting than they otherwise might be. A drunken weekend, including my first ever trip to Songtan, is featured in today’s entry for The Story of My Life. Damn, staying out until 0500 drinking soju with trannies…who is that guy and whatever happened to him? As much as I enjoy imbibing my Zeros, I’m out of the old me’s league these days.

Some more memories from the good ol’ days:

Twelve years ago, I posted this amazing Hyundai commercial. One of the best ads ever!

We haven’t checked in with the Filipina Pea in a while. In today’s YouTube video, she explores why men are reluctant to approach women these days. Honestly, I haven’t noticed that, but then again, I spend most of my out-of-the-house time in bars, and that’s where the gals are PAID to approach you. YMMV.

Sending smiles your way:

And now it’s time to get ready to have my innards looked at via ultrasound. The pain I’d been experiencing has diminished significantly, but I have a gut feeling it is best to verify that all is well inside.