It’s not all fun and games around here. Sometimes you gotta take care of business, even when you work at nothing all day.

Here’s a taste of me working hard:

My driver, Donnie, picked me and Buddy up at house at 0930. Next stop was the vet where Buddy was given the de-worming treatment. Back next week to start his vaccinations. 960 pesos. (current exchange rate is 53 pesos to the dollar, which is an almost record high)

Then it was off to CATV to pay the cable/internet bill. Lots of traffic getting through Subic made this a real pain in the ass. 806 pesos.

Next up, ZAMECO (the local electricity cooperative). Left 4804 pesos poorer.

Buddy was getting antsy at this point, so dropped him back at the house. Then it was time get the laundry done. 420 pesos.

Now we were off to Olongapo City. En route Donnie pointed out where a landslide occurred at the cemetery built into the side of a large hill. He said there were caskets and bones on the highway afterwards. Glad I missed that!

In due course we arrived at the Immigration Bureau office to pick up my ACR card.

I was surprised they used the picture from my passport rather than the one they took when I completed the application. Ah well, give the fat man his due.

With my ACR proudly in hand (well, technically in my wallet) we moved on to Harbor Point Mall at the old Navy base. Paid Globe 3700 pesos for the privilege of having unlimited slow data on my phone. But, it worked good enough when I needed it so money well spent.

Next I did my weekly grocery shopping at the Royal Duty Free store on base. Disappointed that I couldn’t find some of the things I wanted/needed. I mean seriously, how can you not have salsa in stock for crissakes? Still managed to drop 12,500 pesos there though.

Donnie carried me back home, helped me unload, and I paid him 2200 pesos for his efforts. The above represents four hours of labor, and he pays for the gas so even if I’m overpaying it’s a fair price as far as I’m concerned.

Marissa’s mattress was ruined in the flood so I offered to help her out with a new one. She joined me for a pleasant walk (in a light rain) to the Saver’s store where we found one she liked for 11,000 pesos. With my good deed for the day completed I rewarded myself:

Fish and Chips Friday at the Arizona Resort. Marissa had this shrimp concoction from the Filipino menu.

Now it’s time to give Buddy some exercise then I’ll head out for Friday night darts at Alley Cats.

I’m working overtime!

If you ever get annoyed
Look at me I’m self-employed
I love to work at nothing all day
And I’ll be
Taking care of business every day
Taking care of business every way
I’ve been taking care of business, it’s all mine
Taking care of business and working overtime