Back to my old routines for the first time since the sixties. Everything old feels new again!
It being Friday and all, we kicked things off with the group hike.
Wanting to keep things simple, I decided to lead the group on the reverse of Monday’s Hash trail since only Swan and Sheryl had done that trail. I did elect to go up a different way, and that proved harder than I expected. Otherwise, it was a mostly pleasant stroll on the My Bitch trail. When we reached the other side and were ready for our descent, I didn’t want to go down the way we had climbed on Monday, as I wanted to avoid descending through that flowing creek bed. Alas, someone had built a fence blocking the only other path down that I know of. So, the creek it was, although it didn’t turn out as bad as I thought it would be.
And then it was time to make a plan for the Friday evening out. Once again, we opted not to invest our time in the SOB dance competition. Apparently, I’m not the only one who feels it is no longer worth it. I read today that the show was cancelled when only one paying customer showed up. I expect we’ve seen the last of the SOB, absent some significant changes; however, these days, no one is even bothered with promoting the event. Sad to see it go, but it ain’t what it once was.
Swan wanted to kick off things with dinner at Jewel Cafe. Who am I to argue with that? When the waitress came to take my order, she said, “Filet mignon, medium, gravy on the side, with mashed potatoes, veggies, and a San Mig Zero.” I’m nothing if not predictable. Swan had baby back ribs.
Swan had an old friend visiting town and asked if we could meet up with a group at Annex Bar. Fine by me, the beer is cold there. I sat at a table with the highway view up front while Swan and the girls gathered inside.
After a couple of beers, Swan asked if I wanted to join the group at Jumpin’ Jacks. Sure, why not? First time we have been back since bartender Vangie passed away, but the good music and vibe hasn’t changed. Well, until the girls started singing karaoke.
The next stop for the group was IDM, but I had exceeded my limit, so I declined to go anywhere but home. Swan kindly said goodnight to her friends and came with me.
And that’s how this old man rolled through another day.
Nothing worthy of note from the July 2012 LTG archives, but in August, I told the story of my father’s final journey in a post entitled, “To the sea.”
In today’s YouTube video, The Filipina Pea discusses the potential impact of AI in the Philippines. Many people here work in the call centers, and AI may make those jobs obsolete. Oh, and she does the video wearing a bikini.
Maybe these will amuse you:
Little Johnny was in class, diligently working on his math problems when the teacher decided to test him with a question.
“Johnny,” she said, “if there are five birds sitting on a fence and you shoot one with your slingshot, how many are left?”
Johnny thought for a moment and replied,
“None. The rest would fly away after hearing the noise.”
The teacher chuckled, “Well, the correct answer is four… but I like the way you think.”
Johnny grinned. “Thanks, Miss. Mind if I ask you a question now?”
“Go ahead,” she said.
“There are three women eating ice cream cones,” Johnny began. “One is licking her cone, one is biting it, and the third is gently sucking on hers. Which one do you think is married?”
The teacher turned a bit red but decided to play along.
“Um… I guess the one… sucking her cone?”
Johnny shook his head and said with a smirk,
“Nope. It’s the one wearing a wedding ring—but I like the way you think!”
I can’t argue with his logic.
I’m trying hard to stop fretting about the future and just take it one day at a time. That feeling of impending doom hasn’t totally gone away, but for now, I’m still doing the things I enjoy with a woman I love, so what’s to worry about?
Google suggests that your interesting flower is a beach spider lily.
Still, it seems like for every bar that shuts down in Barretto, two new ones open. Not sure how that works.
Hope springs eternal.
That feeling of impending doom hasn’t totally gone away
Where would that feeling be coming from? All your vital signs seem to be okay, or so you say. What could be the problem?
Re: guns meme
As is usual, it is a bit more nuanced than “guns aren’t the problem, people are” vs. “people aren’t the problem, guns are”
Take a homicidal whack job and drop them in Singapore where it is almost impossible for anybody to buy a gun and the odds of them going on a shooting rampage is pretty low. (Not to say they won’t go on a stabbing rampage however.)
As with most things, 100% freedom (ie no laws) and 100% tyranny (ie dictitorial nanny state) usually end up with the same problems under a different name.
What both sides are lacking is common sense. Both sides are so entrenched that their side has all the answers when it comes to gun violence such that the end result is nothing gets done and the best we can do is offer “thoughts and prayers” when another school shooting, etc happens.
Anyway, back to lighter fare
re: chicken or egg
John, here is a way for you to answer that question for once and for all. Next time you stop in at your local McDonalds, order an egg McMuffin and some chicken nuggets. See which one you receive first! 😛
Brian, put the criminals in jail and get the crazies off the street (you noticed what all the latest mass shootings had in common, right?) and you won’t have to worry about gun violence. Gun laws are pretty much worthless (I am not opposed to background checks, however) because by definition, criminals don’t abide by the laws. There is nothing to be gained by disarming honest citizens.
That’s a good chicken joke; I’m stealing it!
That bitch, Lilly, was a spider? Good to know!
My impression is that a lot of these guys getting into the bar business here have more money than sense, and they are more hobbyists than business-minded. Still, there is a transition taking place. Old-timers like Dave Fisher are selling out, and traditions like the SOB are dying on the vine. Anyway, I’ll still have my favorites, and that’s all I need.
I’m not sure what my problem is. My health is fine, probably better than it was ten years ago. For some reason, I just can’t shake this feeling of impending doom. Maybe that’s a good thing, I find myself living more in the moment and appreciating the life I have and the beauty that surrounds me. Whatever the future may bring, I have today.
>My impression is that a lot of these guys getting into the bar business here have more money than sense,
Well, as they say: How do you make a million dollars in the bar business? Start out with 2 million!!
Like you, I have thought it would be a cool idea to have some sort of “Cheers” type expat bar. But also like you, I am smart enough not to do it.
Brian, Yes, the fantasy can’t stand up to the realities. I don’t have the energy to put in the time and effort required. Plus, I have low tolerance for drunken fools. I’d be creating my own enemies.
I wouldn’t mind setting Swan up with some way to earn money after I’m gone, but a bar ain’t it.