On today’s walk I was reminded of that old Steve Miller Band song. Not sure why. Well, there was this:
“…you’re the cutest thing that I ever did see, I really love your peaches want to shake your tree….”
I’m the gangster of love, doncha know…
I mentioned the other day that Jin Hee, one of the bar staff at the new Debut, was a familiar face to me.
I did a search in the blog archives and found one mention of her back in August 2005. It was a longish post mostly concerning my trip back to Korea after attending a conference in New York City. This is the pertinent part of that entry:
“On the way back home I stopped off at Bar Episode for some darts. Got my clock cleaned by Jin Hee, one of the bar girls I chat with there. So it was midnight, I had been up about 30 hours and I got home and crashed hard”.
Last night I popped back into Debut to renew acquaintances. She’s hard to read (that hasn’t changed) but she seemed mildly impressed with the above referenced recognition. She claims to have not played darts in years and is sure she is not very good. I know my game is much better these days, so I’d like to think I would extract my revenge. My entreaties to meet up some time for a game (Debut does not have a dart board) drew a non-committal response. I fully understand. Sunday is her only day off and I expect she has better things to do than spend it in my company.
Both of our memories are pretty hazy given the passage of time. I recalled she had a boyfriend in China and she corrected me that it was Shanghai. She said she had waited for him to return for her for 5 years and he never did. If she’s to be believed, that was her last boyfriend. I told her I recalled taking her out to dinner for her birthday (December 5 she reminded me) and buying her a cake. She had a vague recollection of the event. I didn’t mention this, but I had a pretty serious crush on her at the time. When she stopped in at my villa in Hannam-dong for cake I thought maybe I’d get lucky. I didn’t.
Anyway, she eventually left Bar Episode and I moved on to other adventures. Episode is long gone now, except in the fading memories of old farts like me. And yet, here we were on a Saturday night over ten years later sitting at the bar sharing drinks. I guess I was ten years older than her then (which of course I still am). But the difference between 60 and 50 really isn’t that great. And she seems every bit as disinterested in me as she ever did. I am definitely stuck in the “customer zone”. She’ll be nice to me in exchange for drinks on which she earns a commission. And I’ve learned enough over the years to know when the pursuit is pointless. Ah, but thanks for the memories!
When I did my weekly weigh-in this morning my scale registered 243.8 (twice). That’s the same as last week. I was disappointed but not really surprised. When I attended Sung-Ha’s birthday party politeness dictated that I partake in the homemade lasagna. And of course I had a taste of cake and ice cream as well. I’d also snuck in more than a few beers over the preceding several days. I consoled myself with the fact that I hadn’t actually gained any weight and resolved to be more disciplined going forward.
With that in mind, I did a 2 1/2 hour walk along the Han river. My pedometer claims 21,883 steps, but I think it probably runs high. Still, I was tired and sweaty when I returned home. I think that’s about all I have in me as far as continuous walking goes.
So, I figured what the hell, let me re-weigh after the walk. This time my scale says I’m at 239.6! I didn’t believe it, so I weighed again, and it was still 239.6. How the fuck did I lose over four pounds during the course of 3 hours or so? Anyway, I’m going with the afternoon reading because it makes me feel better about myself.
During my ramble today I encountered a fellow Rambler:
That’s a 1950s vintage (just like me!) Ambassador if I’m not mistaken…California tags too, just like me (well my birth certificate anyway).
Always something new to see on the mean streets of Seoul…
From Friday’s lunchtime jaunt around the Army base.
Part of the diet regimen involves walking PAST the food court rather than into it…
General Walton Walker suggested I go “thatta way”…
A tribute to the 8th Army service members who gave their lives in defense of freedom during the war…
And a tribute to the ROKs and KATUSA’s who stand shoulder to shoulder with US Forces to maintain peace on the peninsula today…
And this guy is apparently defending the Yongsan Garrison fire station…
Yesterday I was around Namsan.
The hardest part of the hike was walking in the opposite direction. Beer is the creator of the belly that must be destroyed. Metaphorically speaking.
These are likely the only two lips I’ll be enjoying…
Yesterday’s big discovery was this actual drive-in theater. Will wonders never cease?
I think they are saying “Dokdo is our land!”
Dissent will not be tolerated.
I’m a sucker for Korean women with a heart of stone. In my experience that is just about all of them…
Damn, but that was a lot of steps…
Now there’s a sentiment that’s hard to argue with…
…and so I didn’t…
In non-walk related news, I enjoyed helping Sung-Ha celebrate her 21st birthday. She’ll be leaving for Toronto next month for school. Gonna miss her.
And now it is time to say
Regular readers know that I spend the vast majority of my substantial bar time at Shenanigans. I’m likely the most regular regular there. Although I actually only visit the bar on days that end in “y”.
Anyway, thinking that regular status makes you something special is a fool’s game. I got reminded of that fact last night. Now, I’m not in the bar biz but from my perspective as a customer you should never let someone sit there with an empty glass. In fact, you should ask “another?” before the glass is empty. That’s good for the drinker and good for the bar.
Last night I arrived at the bar and ordered up a gin and soda, my preferred drink of choice these days (low in carbs). One of the owners was tending bar and engaged in conversation with the customers sitting next to me. And my glass got empty with no offer for more. So, I sat there patiently (well, patiently for me) and waited. And waited. Finally, he noticed my empty glass, picked it up, and emptied it into the sink. Then continued his conversation.
I was both gobsmacked and a little pissed Well, I can take a hint, so I paid for my one drink and left. My regular barkeep noticed I was an unhappy camper and tried to ask what was wrong, but I waved her off and walked out.
Went to Dolce Vita next door, got greeted by name, and promptly served my second gin and soda of the night. I also got a message from the bar owner and my bartender friend apologizing. I told them not to worry about it. Seriously, I could have fucking asked for a drink but I didn’t think I should have to do that. See? You start thinking there is some privilege to being a regular and you are going to be disappointed.
I didn’t find the service at Dolce much better (my glass set there empty again and I had even less patience by now). So, I went to Scrooge and had another drink. They treated me well and I saw a few people I knew there, but I was admittedly in a foul mood at this point. So it was one and out.
I next decided to meander over to the new Debut location. I was in there last Friday night, but when I arrived it was late and I was already wasted. I vaguely recall ringing the bell (drinks for the house) a couple of times. It’s an expensive way to buy popularity. But last night I had the place to myself. Owner Polly was there and there was one other bar staff working, a gal named Jin Hee.
Jin Hee had been there Friday as well, but in my inebriated condition I hadn’t really noticed her. As soon as I arrived last night I knew she looked familiar. And for good reason.
Time for work now. I’ll tell you that story another time
…a pleasant walk. Of course, I’m not in the same league as the original walking man Kevin Kim. He did a 3 1/2 hour jaunt this weekend and he has the pictures to prove it!
I’ve actually gotten to enjoy my little walks though. And it seems like I invariably find answers to some of the questions running through my mind About 3/4 of the way through my hike today I began to wonder “why am I doing all this walking?” And then I saw this:
When you are old and fat it’s a good idea to be changing me…
It’s warming up though I generated a fair amount of sweat today I fear when summer arrives I’ll be rather unpleasant smelling in the office during the afternoon. Might have to pack an extra shirt. We’ll see.
So, my pedometer app claims I made 12000 steps in one hour today I know that can’t be right.
Kevin posted pictures of statues, here’s mine:
This artist slays me with his work…
Anyway, I did eat after my walk.
This tasty salad with chicken breast pieces and low carb ranch dressing. That’s as sweet as it gets for me these days. Well, except for Sunday nights when I reward myself with a fruit smoothie…
That’s it for now. Time for dart league!
So I decided to pull a Kevin Kim and measure my daily walks in number of steps taken as opposed to time on the road. This morning I downloaded a pedometer app on my phone and set about walking.
Today’s jaunt (Songtan to Osan AB bus stop, Yongsan Garrison to home, and to/from/along the Han riverside) amounted to 18,259 steps in 2 hours and 26 minutes.
Not a bad day’s work. Now I need to step out for my dart match.
Made a quick trip down to Songtan yesterday to participate in a dart tournament. My exit from said tourney was quicker than the bus ride down.
I caught the bus on Yongsan Garrison which dropped me at Osan Air Force base. One hour ten minutes then a 20 minute walk to Songtan proper…
This is where I’ve always stayed on my Songtan trips. 60 bucks a night.
The scene of my dart crimes last night. Me and my partner were out of sync and neither of us could hit an out shot…
I found my favorite Filipino beer in most of the bars I visited last night. I celebrated by drinking LOTS of them.
Songtan has lots Filipinos working in the bars. I didn’t partake of the food or women though…
My pal Vox who owns Xenis bar. A gracious host…
It was interesting exploring the bar scene in Songtan. Not sure what constitutes an “illegal”. I went in and they didn’t throw me out, so I guess I’m good. Enjoyed chatting with unfamiliar bar staff and even played darts with one barkeep late in the night while I was drunk. Still managed to win though. Crawled into bed a little before the 1 a.m. curfew…
Caught the 10 o’clock bus back to Yongsan this morning. When I was safely home in my cozy villa I did my weekly weigh-in. I didn’t think it would be a good week (I pretty much stuck to the plan, but I just wasn’t feeling it), so I was pleasantly surprised when my scale registered this:
That’s a 4.1 pound reduction from last week and 25.4 overall. My jeans don’t fit me anymore. In a good way.
Half way to achieving my goal I’m sure all those San Miguel Lights last night didn’t help though. Gonna keep on keeping on until I git ‘er done!
Today I didn’t walk over the mountain, I walked around it. Took two and a half hours but it was an enjoyable change of scenery.
No pedestrians allowed in the tunnel, so I went around…
Not sure who this is, but he wouldn’t quit staring at me…
Turns out this wasn’t the tunnel of love..at least I didn’t find any.
The best thing coming out of Columbia, South Carolina is I-20. And I took it…
Ridden the tram several times, first time I ever walked there though…
Who knew there was an Elvis museum in Seoul?
That’s one big ass hostel…
Blossoms past their peak now, but still a nice canopy…
And that’s that. Now it’s time to shower up and catch a bus to Songtan. Need to shop for dart league trophies, play in a dart tourney, and get drunk. I’ll spend the night there I reckon.
The other weekend when I was entertaining, my Muslim friend from Kyrgyzstan asked me if I was religious. I told her I was raised as a Protestant, but I’m no longer a believer. She said “no longer a Christian?”. I told her I’m no longer a believer in ANY organized religion. I do not recognize the Christian God, the Jewish God, or the Muslim God.
But I’m not an atheist. I do believe there is a power that drives the universe. But it is not this jealous God who demands piety and self-sacrifice in his name. And it is most certainly not the God in whose name all the past and current violence is being invoked.
If asked to describe my religion I would honestly have to say that my belief is based on a calling from God to expose the bigotry, hatred, and hypocrisy of organized religion I take my faith very, very seriously.
So if a “Christian” kills an abortionist, I’m calling them out on it. That doesn’t happen too frequently fortunately. And when planes are flown into buildings, bombs are set off in Brussels, murders committed on the streets of Paris, all in the name of Islam, I’m going to have something to say about it.
I’ve got an especially strong hatred for the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Committing genocide against Christians, taking sex slaves, killing homosexuals, and raping innocents, all in the name of Mohammed. A particularly evil individual who set the standards ISIS is now following. And the God I believe in doesn’t like it one damn bit. He expects all right thinking people to stand up now and be counted, or be held accountable for failing to do so for all eternity.
Now you understand my mission. And I honestly believe the vast, vast majority of Muslims stand with me on this, even though we don’t worship the same God. Every Muslim I have ever known personally has been good people that I’m proud to call friends. I’m quite certain that they would not follow the teachings of Mohammed to rape and pillage, and I expect they don’t appreciate those who have hijacked their religion for evil purposes.
I treat every individual I encounter on my journey as an individual. Be they Christian, Jew or Muslim, I will show them all the respect they deserve. In truth, I even respect their religious faith, even of I don’t share it. My religion and their’s are not incompatible. There are many people who belong to organized religions that I actually admire. True faith is a beautiful thing and I have witnessed the comfort it brings to them in times of trial. So, as long as no one is being told to submit or die, I’m all about live and let live.
But my religious beliefs cannot and will not be silenced by those who demand political correctness. I’m going to spread the message my God has demanded that I share. Hell, I guess that makes me an evangelist of sorts. It’s disheartening to be personally attacked for speaking God’s truth, when the real horror in this world can be witnessed on a daily basis. I believe deeply in the power of words, my opponents believe in death and destruction. Still, I have faith that the truth will win out in the end. True believers like myself just need to have the courage to stay the course. I pray to my God for the strength to do so.
You have to believe in something.
How about a darts post?
They are flying pretty well. Thanks for asking!
that’s the way you do it!
I played two Sunday league matches, winning 12-4 and 10-6. The second match was all the more satisfying because I beat a Pinoy who has owned me over the years. Sometimes you’re on your game, and I had just enough to pull it off.
the sweet taste of victory…
In Monday league action, I swept my singles match. Went 3-3 in doubles, but hey, I can always blame that on my partners, right? Anyway, I’m in a dogfight for the top spot in B division. It’s a goal. Top Ten Overall. I’ll take it.
In non-dart related news, today is my third anniversary of my fourth marriage. I sent my estranged wife this message today: “Today is the anniversary of the promise you made and did not keep”. She hasn’t responded. Probably just as well. Why I even care at this point I cannot say.
Finally for some reason sitting at the bar tonight I remembered the girl I didn’t marry. KaraLynne Pope. Odd that she is still on my mind after all these years. Read about her here if you are of mind to.
Speaking of the bar, you know you have achieved “regular” status when this happens: I always do the singles league stats on Tuesday after work (I’m the President, Secretary and Treasurer of the league after all). Lots of matches this week, so it took me until 8:00 p.m. to get it done. Right before I finished I got a Kakao message from the bartender “Are you ok?”. Heh. It was actually touching to have someone worried that I wasn’t occupying my regular bar stool at the appointed time.
You gotta take your blessings where you find them I suppose.
After yesterday’s hike I got an invite to lunch at the neighborhood Vietnamese restaurant. Enjoyed the company even if the food wasn’t to my carb-avoiding liking. Drank a couple of Saigon beers though as a reward for passing on the noodles.
I thought I had dinner plans with a friend for some Samgyapsal, but I kinda sorted got stood up. I was pretty disappointed because I’ve had a hankering for some grilled pork belly for quite awhile. Sadly that is just not something you can do by yourself. So I wound up drinking my blues away. Started at Shenanigans, the moved up the Hill for a few more gin and sodas at Grand Ol’ Opry. There’s a bar upstairs called East and West that features classic rock music, so I gave it a try. It was pretty nice.
I left East and West and crossed the street to Debut Bar. It was the last night at the Hooker Hill location so I wanted to say farewell to Polly.
Obviously, I wasn’t the only one with that idea. Polly treated us to a round of drinks and we wished her “cheers” in the future…
I was very drunk after Debut and discretion being the better part of valor and all I made my way home. And spent some time on the floor. I’ve got to stop doing that! I’m sure it’s the gin. I just can’t handle it like I do the beer. The things I have to tolerate just to lose some weight.
Woke up too early (got to remember to turn the sound off on my phone, although truthfully I was too drunk to even plug in the charger last night). Anyway, I like to make something in the Crock Pot on Sundays, so I set about making a pot roast…
added in some carrots…
…and celery…
…some onion…
…then poured on my “secret” blend of herbs and seasoning…
…then set the timer for 9 hours and prepared for my Han river hike…
It took me an hour to reach this oddly familiar bridge (where have I seen it before?) so I headed back towards home from there…
3/4 of the way back…
…but I took time out to smell the blossoms…
Reached home tired and hungry, so I plopped some chicken on a stick on the grill…
Not pretty, but tasty nonetheless…
Now it’s time to shower up and head out for my Sunday dart league matches. I’ve got to play two today, so that’s a good three hours work. Great exercise though. Ah, the life of an athlete.
Well, 240’s anyway. This week’s weigh-in brings me down to 247.9, a 2.9 pound reduction from last week and 21.3 pounds overall after six weeks.
Not even half way to my goal yet, but I’m liking my trend line. Guess I’ll celebrate with a two hour trek along the Han.
Even if you say it’s not.
As observed on today’s hike up, over, and around Namsam…
Other shit I saw:
Magnolia in blossom…
I’m no horticulturist, but I know what I like.
My Saturday companion.
Enjoying the fresh air.
Where I were…
The gaenalee is always the first bush to blossom and I find it quite lovely.
Two hours on the road. And hours yet to kill before the bar opens. Guess I’ll go to Amazon and see if I might purchase a life…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Kh09MuIfIU
Don’t let the lack of posts fool you. I am doing fine. Relatively speaking.
Internet was out for a couple of days, but that’s fixed. I beat my arch rival in darts, which was a first. I’m sticking with my diet and exercise routine. Still drinking every night, but I’m doing mostly low carb gin and soda as my beverage of choice these days. Busy at work, but it fills the hours.
Low carb does not mean low enjoyment. Although my sweet tooth is awful hungry.
I got a little lost on today’s lunchtime walk. Then I saw this and it rang a bell…
And finally this quote from an obscure writer I follow resonated with me for some reason:
“The measure of a man is not the decisions he makes but how he lives with the decisions he has made.” Steve Rosse.
Until next time.
OK, so where did I leave off? Oh yeah, it was Saturday night and I was fixin’ to play darts…
You can see how that worked out for me–a 12-4 shellacking by a Mongolian named Bayar. I actually played pretty well, he just played weller…
The match was played at Dolce Vita which is right next door to Shenanigans. I was feeling like a change of pace though, so I decided to take a stroll down memory lane.
I started out at the Grand Ole Opry located up on Hooker Hill. The link takes you to a post about my first visit there way back in April 2005. Back when I lived in Hannam-dong I’d sometimes drop in for the beer and country music on my walk home. These days I’m very rarely up that way and it’s been even longer since I’ve enjoyed the diviest of dive bars in Itaewon.
This sort of gives you the flavor of the place…
The Opry just might be the oldest bar still operating in Itaewon. Customers from years past have left their money as a reminder of their visit. Every wall in the place is covered in them. Hell, I probably have one up there somewhere too…
I killed an hour or so in there drinking cheap gin and sodas (my low carb replacement for beer these days). Then I walked across the street to my other old time Hooker Hill hangout, Debut bar. I welcomed in the year 2006 there.
I may or may not have left a signed dollar bill here, but damn it, a younger version of me still adorns the wall! (Hint: I’m the handsome one).
When I walked in the door I was surprised to see the owner Polly whom I hadn’t seen in several years (it’s a late night venue and I’m out that late even less frequently than I’m on the Hill). Polly greeted me by name which really made me feel good. A long time bartender So Yong was also there to welcome me. I guess they had just ordered up some Korean food and when it was delivered they insisted I join them. A very pleasant experience!
Polly told me that things were changing on the Hill. Her bar would be relocating into Itaewon proper to make room for a new hotel. I was fortunate to get to experience the Debut style one last time before they close in a week. As an example, while sitting there enjoying my cocktail a group of young people (well, given my age everyone seems young these days) came in doing some kind of perverted scavenger hunt. One of their items was to take a picture of someone in a lewd sexual position on Hooker Hill. I obliged by bending one of the gals over the bar and simulating taking her from behind. They loved it! Anything to help out is my motto.
Thanks for the memories Polly and So Yong!
I next recalled that one of my old bartender friends from way back when at Dolce Vita was now working in a new place called “Just a bar”. So I made my way over there for a visit and had a great time catching up with MK. It was nice but not cheap. If you get my meaning.
Suffice to say I was very drunk by this point and made my way home where I woke up several hours later on the bathroom floor. Yes, I got floored again.
Woke up late in the morning on Easter but wanted to get my walk in prior to my 2:00 dart challenge against the guys from Songtan. I popped a pork roast in the crock pot and headed out. I wanted to get a couple of hours in on the Han river, so I hoofed it over to the Hannam bridge.
Near the Blue Square I encountered this lovely lass. My request for a photo was met with stony silence. I took one anyway.
I discovered that there is no access to my side of the river from the Hannam bridge, so I had to cross the long ass thing.
Which afforded me the opportunity to take this photo. But it also added some time and distance to my walk. I was getting nervous about making it home in time to shower up and get to the darts match.
Got back a little after one dead tired, but duty called. And we proceeded to kick some Songtan butt. First time we’ve ever actually won a match in our irregular home and away meetups.
Don’t bother looking for me in this photo, I didn’t bother sticking around after the match. I was tired and hungry…
…and knew this unpulled pork was waiting for me. So I pulled it and had me a good helping.
Lost 2.7 pounds last week, which makes 18.4 over the course of five weeks. I decided I’d earned myself a reward.
So I loaded up the blender with strawberries, bananas, peanut butter, a little ice cream, and milk…
And this was the tasty result…
Up early today because I have to head over to the Soonchunghwan hospital to get some blood work done. Tomorrow I have my follow-up visit with the cardiologist. I’m expecting good things.
Time to get on with it.
Slept in till 0830 after a late-ish night with the crowd at Shenanigans.
Fried up a pound of bacon then cooked my eggs in the bacon grease like mama used to do. Didn’t turn out as well as I remembered…
And no, I didn’t eat a pound of bacon. I will use to the remainder as toppings for my salads this week.
Then I set about on my Saturday ritual of hiking up Namsan. I try to change things up by finding a new approach to the top each week. This morning I walked up through some Haebangchon neighborhoods…
…and eventually came across this trail head…
…I was pleased to have the trail almost entirely to myself…
At the top I enjoyed the view while trying to ignore the hordes of loud talking Chinese tourists. Ate an orange and some nuts then headed back down.
Near my house is a new restaurant…
…not sure what they serve but I’d wager it is purrfect…
Next up I’ll eat the hamburger patties I grilled yesterday, shower, then head out for my dart match at Dolce Vita. Odds are good I’ll finish the day quaffing some drinks over at Shenanigans.
As days go, this was about as good as it gets for me…
Got an email from my accountant today advising that my tax return for 2015 is now complete. She also revealed that in recognition of my devoted service to the United States Government, Uncle Sam has deemed it appropriate to move me up from the 15% tax bracket. It is now my privilege to remit a robust 25% of my pay to the Treasury Department.
It is hard to describe the deep and abiding honor I feel from being given this special opportunity to contribute to the financial well-being of my homeland. And it would not have been possible without my retirement from being retired. Just let me offer a heartfelt fuck thank you for allowing me to give until it hurts. I know the money will be spent prudently in the fashion only a government can master. My accountant asked if I wanted the $1200. in additional taxes stolen taken directly from my bank account or if I wanted to mail a check. I told her I’d send a check as that seemed like a more personal touch. And I’m taking this personally.
Of course, whatever I pay in comes back to me in the form of my taxpayer funded bi-weekly paycheck, so I can’t really complain. Much. Is this a great country or what?
Modesty aside, I deem today’s lunch gathering a success.
Most of the ingredients…
First things first, put the beer on ice!
Marinade on the rib-eyes…
potatoes prepped for baking…
Slathering the ribs in Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce…
Veggies ready to eat…
Banana pudding finished…
Shrimp thawed and in the bowl..
My first guests arrive…my “daughter” Sung Ha and her older “sister” Sonya…
Yesterday was Josie’s birthday, so we helped her celebrate…
My hungry guests. A pretty international crowd..going around the table from the left, Nuri from Kyrgyzstan, Josie from the Philippines, Sung Ha and Han Buel from Korea, Sonya from Mongolia, and Mood (ph) from France…
Sorry, but I wasn’t able to get photos of the actually cooking process as I was running around like a madman trying to keep all the balls in the air. But everything seemed to come out right, and the girls cleaned their plates. Had seconds of some dishes, and took all the leftovers home.
It was great fun!
Of course regular readers are thinking “that goes without saying, Captain Obvious”.
Actually, I’m entertaining some guests for lunch today at my humble villa. This will be the first time I’ve had visitors (5 of them!) so I’m pretty excited.
Here’s the menu I’ve crafted for the event:
Appetizers
Celery and Carrots with Ranch Dressing
Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce
Mixed Nuts
Potato Chips
Main Course
Grilled Ribeye Steak
Barbecue Baby Back Ribs
Baked Potato
Corn on the Cob
Garlic Bread
Dessert
Banana Pudding
Beer (Coors Light), Diet Coke, and water.
Hopefully I can pull off the timing and get everything done and served simultaneously and hot,
In other news, I did a two hour hike up and around Namsan yesterday.
I hadn’t eaten yet, so I packed some snacks to carry with me. Wound up only eating the orange.
And it was the first time I got to try out my new hiking shoes…
…as well as my sexy new hiking pants. Yeah, I know. I’ve become a Korean….
All packed up and ready to go!
With the weather being nice the mountain was packed. Koreans walk the trails much in the same way as the walk on sidewalks, oblivious to anyone who may want to move at a brisker pace. Ah well. Had a nice hike regardless and worked up a good sweat in the process.
When I got back to the house I had to shower up and get ready for the mid-season dart tournament. It’s a blind draw format so you never know who you’ll have as a partner. I had to laugh when I drew Tristan, the French guy I mentioned running into at my hotel in Cebu last weekend. Our destinies seem to be linked at the moment. We played pretty well together, just missed getting into the money round against some very strong competition.
And finally, I came across this establish in Itaewon and thought to myself “I’d need a warehouse to hold all mine.”
Not sure if the misspelling of “mistake” was intended to be ironic or if this is just a typical Konglish rendering…
Today’s weigh in finds me at 253.5, down a disappointing 1.7 pounds for the week and 15.7 overall. It gets harder to lose as the body adapts to being starved for carbs. I’m cutting back on my beer consumption by substituting gin and soda. We’ll see how that works out for me.
And that’s all I’ve got for now. Stay tuned for a photo essay of me being entertaining…
Last weekend found me on lovely Mactan Island in tropical Cebu, Philippines. It was good to get away for a change of perspective. And the weather was nice as well.
There is much to like about the Philippines (and quite a bit not to like as well). I had considered retiring there at one point in my life. I guess it is still in play for the future, but these days I’m just taking things one day at a time and will see what happens next.
Now, Filipinos are generally happy people. I like their attitudes. For example, a fat man is thought of as wealthy. And an older man is viewed as stable and mature. So it is refreshing to go from invisible in Korea to being called a “hansome man” by the brown skinned lovelies.
Anyway, here’s some pictures:
Visited an old Spanish fort from the 1500s.
One of the views from my hotel…
…and another…
Surprisingly comfortable beach side lounger…what a hansome man, eh?
Stayed at the Be Resort which was 90% occupied by Korean tourists. I declared myself King of the resort anyway…
I could be a fuckin’ postcard…
A frosty San Miguel Light is always a nice surprise…
Dined on a mountain top with great views of the city of Cebu..
…like this…
…and this.
Lapu Lapu, the famed slayer of Magellan…
Here’s the story in case you missed it…
Speaking of Magellan, it is said that the original cross he planted in claiming the Philippines for God and Queen was at this spot and it’s remnants are encased inside this one. Who knows and who cares?
I enjoyed this hotel view much better…
…than this one. When I saw the color of the water I nixed the bath…
My favorite eatery was this floating restaurant…
…featuring this view of the bay…
In the tropics it is crucial to drink plenty of fluids. I was not taking any chances, so I enjoyed a trifecta of beer, mango juice, and water. Hell, I even inserted vapor into my lungs…
and the cannons used to roar…
dancing through history…
A smorgasbord of Filipina beauties…
Sadly they weren’t on my diet…
So, one morning at breakfast I ran into Tristan, a guy from the dart league in Seoul. Must be long odds that we would both pick the same resort on the same weekend. I told him to quit stalking me.
oui
Tristan is French and apparently was an underwear model back in the day. Hell, we are practically twins, don’t you think?
Anyway, except for the getting there and getting back it was fine trip indeed. I’m thinking Thailand is next on my agenda. My buddy Dennis is currently ensconced there.