Shopping day started at the YBC supermarket in Olongapo City.
Got the rest of the weekly goods at Royal, then headed home without a flat tire this week.
When it was time to head for the beach, there was an ominous rumbling coming from the sky. That did not deter us from our quest.
The power went out for a while, but that’s no big deal on an open-air floating bar. Well, except for the lack of music. I felt sorry for the girls and the dearth of big spenders who could fulfill their drink commission dreams. Lady drinks are 200 pesos each, which is the top of my limit. There were five gals working, so I called one over and asked her which she preferred, a lady drink (80 peso commission) or a 100 peso tip. She didn’t hesitate to respond, “The tip, please!” The only one wanting the drink was the bartender. So, I spent 600 instead of the 1000 I was prepared to sacrifice. Everybody’s a winner!
Next stop, Treasure Island.
Then we rolled on home and called it a night. Not quite as boring as this post makes it seem, but that’s my way of living these days.
Meanwhile, back in the USA, things are getting a little insurrectiony:
Glad I’m safe in the Philippines! Then again, I don’t violate the immigration laws here.
Today’s journey through the February 2008 LTG archives brought me to a post I know I’ve linked to several times over the years, a tribute to my friend and soulmate, Linda Ketner. Truly one of the most amazing people I’ve had the pleasure to encounter in The Story of My Life. (The comment from “John Henry” was my mother’s. She used to call me that.)
Yesterday’s old joke was a big hit, so here’s another one from twelve years ago:
I was happy. My girlfriend and I had been dating for over a year, and so we decided to get married.
My parents helped us in every way, my friends encouraged me, and my girlfriend? She was a dream!
There was only one thing bothering me, very much indeed, and that one thing was her younger sister.
My prospective sister-in-law was twenty years of age, wore tight mini skirts and low cut blouses. She would regularly bend down when quite near me and I got many a pleasant view of her underwear. It had to be deliberate. She never did it when she was near anyone else.
One day little sister called and asked me to come over to check the wedding invitations. She was alone when I arrived. She whispered to me that soon I was to be married, and she had feelings and desires for me that she couldn’t overcome and didn’t really want to overcome.
She told me that she wanted to make love to me just once before I got married and committed my life to her sister. I was in total shock and couldn’t say a word.
She said, “I’m going upstairs to my bedroom, and if you want to go ahead with it just come up and get me.” I was stunned. I was frozen in shock as I watched her go up the stairs. When she reached the top she pulled down her panties and threw them down the stairs at me.
I stood there for a moment, then turned and went straight to the front door. I opened the door and stepped out of the house. I walked straight towards my car.
My future father-in-law was standing outside. With tears in his eyes he hugged me and said, “We are very happy that you have passed our little test. We couldn’t ask for a better man for our daughter. Welcome to the family.”
The moral of this story is: Always keep your condoms in your car!
Still funny after all these years. No matter how many times you’ve heard it before. Right?
Today’s YouTube video reminds us of that old saw, “No money, no honey.” It’s not wise to be broke anywhere, but being poor as an expat in a poor country is not a wise choice. I’ve been blessed, and I share those blessings where and when I can, but there are limits to my generosity and early in my life here I learned that people will see you as a sucker until you learn to say no.
You know what comes next:
Okay, my duty here is done for today. If you want something of substance, head on over to The Big Hominid and read his review of the Dylan biopic, “A Complete Unknown.” I have always been a fan of Dylan, but I also enjoyed the music of his one-time girlfriend, Joan Baez. In his review, Kevin mentions a song that Baez wrote about her relationship with Dylan. I believe it is one of my favorites, “Diamonds and Rust.”
Well I'll be damned
Here comes your ghost again
But that's not unusual
It's just that the moon is full
And you happened to call
And here I sit
Hand on the telephone
Hearing a voice I'd known
A couple of light years ago
Heading straight for a fall
As I remember your eyes
Were bluer than robin's eggs
My poetry was lousy you said
Where are you calling from?
A booth in the midwest
Ten years ago
I bought you some cufflinks
You brought me something
We both know what memories can bring
They bring diamonds and rust
Well you burst on the scene
Already a legend
The unwashed phenomenon
The original vagabond
You strayed into my arms
And there you stayed
Temporarily lost at sea
The Madonna was yours for free
Yes the girl on the half-shell
Would keep you unharmed
Now I see you standing
With brown leaves falling around
And snow in your hair
Now you're smiling out the window
Of that crummy hotel
Over Washington Square
Our breath comes out white clouds
Mingles and hangs in the air
Speaking strictly for me
We both could have died then and there
Now you're telling me
You're not nostalgic
Then give me another word for it
You who are so good with words
And at keeping things vague
Because I need some of that vagueness now
It's all come back too clearly
Yes I loved you dearly
And if you're offering me diamonds and rust
I've already paid