This is the rainiest rainy season I remember since moving here, but at least the intensity of the daily storms has diminished. Luckily, my routines continue unabated, rain or shine. The downside is that I have nothing new or of interest to report, but that’s never stopped me before, so let’s get on with it.
It being Saturday morning, we headed out for our weekly Decay Dance. Just a couple of showers along the way, and we successfully defended ourselves with umbrellas.
That’s all the photos I took during the walk. When you do the same route week after week, there just ain’t much new or interesting to photograph. You are welcome!
As far as the Saturday evening bar crawl goes, things were a little different, but not in a good way. After a rainy walk into town, we popped into Sloppy Joe’s to kick off the drinking portion of the day. The place was packed like I’ve never seen it before. The street-view seats were all taken, but we found a table and chairs nearby. I figured we’d do a round (that’s one glass of wine for Swan, and three beers for me), then move on to the Alaska Club.
Alaska owner Jerry is temporarily back in the States, and his absence was evident. The first thing off was that we were told no red wine was available. That never happens when Jerry is around, and even if it did, he would send someone out to pick up a bottle. We arrived a little after 5:30 (the bar opens at 5), and some of the staff was still coming in late. The thing I enjoy most during my visits (yes, more than the dancers on stage) is the music mix Jerry plays. When we arrived, there was a Toby Keith country song (with video) playing, and that suited me fine. Next up was another Toby song, and I’m like, that’s okay, I like him. Then, the first song repeated itself, followed again by the second. And yep, like a Groundhog Day loop, it started a third round. Either the staff didn’t notice or didn’t give a damn (or both), so I pointed it out and someone did play something new. We were the only customers, and after I finished my beer, I paid my tab, and we departed.
We went to Wet Spot next door, arriving a few minutes before the official 6 p.m. opening. We were served anyway, and yes, they had wine for Swan. When manager Brett arrived, he fired up his usual good music selections (we were both raised in California in the 60s, so our song preferences are similar. A little disappointing that our Hash buddy head waitress wasn’t working, but at least I saved money on lady drinks. I did order some food to snack on from the Sit-n-Bull waitress, who is now back on duty after her maternity leave. Then at the appointed hour, we took a rainy trike ride back home. I made a batch of smoothies, and then hit the sack.
I found this article about “17 phrases our grandparents used to say” to be somewhat amusing. I’ve even used a few of them myself back in the day.
Facebook memories took me back to my last birthday gathering as a working man:
From the June 2021 LTG archives is a Father’s Day post showing three generations of the McCrarey clan. The star of my friends-with-benefits program, Joy, surprised me with a cake and a gift, making a special trip from Subic to deliver it. Looking back now, she was more special than I gave her credit for being. We’d celebrated her birthday the week before, and this post includes a nice picture of her. Thanks for the memories, Joy! Sorry if I wound up hurting you.
Today’s YouTube video talks about the origins of “Filipino time” (always being late). It really is a thing here, and it can be irritating, but it is low on my list of frustrations. Anyway, the video provides some historical excuse-making for this cultural quirk, but I’m not convinced that its foundation wasn’t always, and remains, rudeness.
Speaking of joy:
And so it goes. Still raining today, but that ain’t gonna keep me from my Sunday routines. Onward!
I posted this on Facebook four years ago today:
Into each life some rain must fall
But too much is falling in mine
Into each heart some tears must fall
But some day the sun will shine
Some folks can lose the blues in their hearts
But when I think of you another shower starts
Into each life some rain must fall
But too much is falling in mine
I couldn’t remember writing that, but I didn’t attribute the writer. Thanks to Google AI I found out it is from an old (1944) Ella Fitzgerald song. Let’s give it a listen:
I like it!