Born and raised in southern California. My career exodus has taken me to Arizona, Oklahoma, Arkansas, South Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, DC. And as of 23 January 2005, Seoul, Korea. Married with 6 grown children (blended family). First grandchild is in the oven! I created this blog to document my adventures as an expat living and working in Korea. I'm also pretty confident that I will on occasion feel the need to express my views on current events and other matters I find of interest.
Somehow, I think we haven’t heard the last from this guy. Give it a day or three.
But this post is about yesterday, so let’s get to it. Swan and I took a tricycle ride out to Naugsol and commenced our hike from there.
maningil ng tapat = to charge honestly. magbayad ng sapat= pay enough
The trike driver said he would take us to Naugsol for 150 pesos. I paid him 200. Win-win.
Crossing the river on Bridge #6The Matain River
Our destination was the Tibag community, with a stop in the Alabang village along the way.
These kids didn’t get any candyBut these kids didWe did a community feeding here in Alabang last December, and the children seemed to remember Swan.I think every kid in the village got something sweet to eat.Heading out of town.Rockin’ it!I already found my queen of hearts.Back on the pavementThe road to Tibag.Bringing smiles to the children of TibagBack in the woodsThe mountain viewA carabao in the river.A long, hot walk to get there and back againOver 10K and gaining some elevation on a hot summer’s day.
Swan wasn’t feeling well after the hike, so I spent the night out on my own. I kicked things off at Cheap Charlies and enjoyed the view along with my brews. These days, with my old regulars long gone, the bargirls ignore me since I won’t spend 250 pesos for a lady drink. That’s fine by me.
A group of rarely seen young men in our retirement community took turns at the ATM across the street. Some of the Cheap Charlies girls tried to get their attention to no avail. It gave a chuckle, though. Was it good looks or cold cash that was the attraction?
When it was time to eat, I crossed the highway (no easy task during Holy Week) for dinner at Myleen’s. It had been quite a while since I last dined here, mainly because they didn’t serve wine by the glass. When the manager came to greet me, I mentioned the reason we hadn’t visited lately. She said the policy was changed, and by the glass service is now available. Good, next time, Swan will join me.
Myleen’s is a clean, well-lighted place.I enjoyed the shredded beef enchilada plate.
After dinner, I popped into the Green Room for my nightcap and enjoyed watching the gals shoot pool. Then it was time to head home, have some dessert, and hit the hay.
I guess I went a little bit overboard on the dessert.But at least I broke the 25,000 step barrier and burned twice as many calories as I consumed, so there’s that.More and more it seems.
So, back in February 2007, I shaved off the handlebar moustache that had earned me my dart moniker of “The Walrus.” That event was deemed worthy of a blog post. I had to smile today when I read something from Glenn Reynolds of Instapundit fame, where he disavows ever being “a day in the life” blogger or engaging in the “My Diary” style. I’m proud to have filled that void for all these years at LTG!
One year ago, I posted on Facebook that a new house was being constructed on my cul-de-sac.
How it looked thenHow it looks today. Nothing happens fast in the Philippines!
Today’s YouTube video is about how Elon Musk purportedly finds Filipino workers to be awesome. I will say that most of the Filipinos I’ve observed are hard-working, but the built-in inefficiencies of the system impedes productivity.
The jokes are on me:
Maybe do something by Dickens.Does that cock smell like chicken?Time for a spellcheck.
Today was an adventure that wiped me out, but at least no one got badly hurt. Some blood was spilled, though. I’ll tell you about that tomorrow. Now I need a nap.
I may be going in circles, but at least it is better than a dead end!
The Wednesday Walkers did a long (for us) 8K journey in and around the Naugsol valley. Another hot day, but this is the time of year that makes you appreciate that rainy season is right around the corner. Once that arrives, I’ll be missing the heat again. And so it goes.
This week’s iteration of the Wednesday Walkers, plus Scott behind the cameraHeading out through Alta VistaPaying the candy toll to cross the bridgeThis Yank made it to 85. That’s my goal!Making our way to valleyNature’s beautyThrough the fields we goHeading for that farmstead.Finding our wayThe kindly old farmer. Is that a dell?One of our group bought some fresh veggies here. We also delivered some lollipops.The journey continues.Heading up for a brief escape from the valley floor.Scott gets credit for this nice shot of Easter Mountain. I’m still on the fence about whether I’ll make Monday’s climb. We’ll see how hot it is and how I feel then.A shady spot somewhere.The way we rambled.
Another chelation session with Dr. Jo in the afternoon. I shared my recent ECG results with her as well, and apparently, my heart output has improved slightly over the past six months. So, that’s good news. Hubby Chris, also a physician, showed me some stretching exercises that might help my aching back. I’m thankful that I have access to doctors I trust here in my little town.
After the medical stuff, I began my evening bar hop at Oasis Bar, where I had a “buy one, get one” coupon to expend. Swan joined me there, and we gave the Oasis menu a try for the first time. Swan ordered a chicken burger, and I went with the wings. A few minutes later, the waitress advised that they had no burger buns. Okay then, we’ll just share the wings. The wings were okay for pub fare, but we’ve had better.
Tryst, that new bar that was supposed to open last Saturday, was our next stop. The manager at Oasis (same owner as Tryst) said they’d be open at 6:00. We arrived at 6:30 only to find a locked door. So, we went downstairs and enjoyed some time at the Alaska Club.
When it came time to choose our nightcap venue, I suggested going next door to the Green Room. Swan surprised me by saying she was in the mood for something different and liked the ambiance at Cloud 69. Fine by me. It was our second time there and we enjoyed ourselves. Keeping on schedule, we called it a night and triked home at 8:30.
There’s always next year!It’s always nice to break the 20,000 step threshold.On and off seems to be my modus operandi
I would never think about not abiding by the Philippines’ immigration laws, and I know what would happen to me if I got caught violating the terms and conditions governing my stay–I’d be out on my ass. So, I don’t get the uproar by the lefties in the USA about deporting illegals. They seem to have a weird set of priorities.
But that’s (D)ifferent
This made some heads explode when I posted it on Facebook for some reason:
It’s sad to see an indoctrinated population that can’t or won’t think for themselves.
I have arrived in January 2007 on my trip through the LTG archives. In this post, I talk about the usual Itaewon antics, but I’m impressed looking back at my long-lost staying power. Dropping into the Grand Ole Opry at 2:30 a.m. and calling midnight an “early” ending. What happened to that guy? I also mentioned a couple of bloggers I’d met, but sadly, the links no longer work because the blogs are no more. Anyone else remember Thoughts of a Goat?
From Facebook memories on this day in history:
Five years ago, this was the line to get into the grocery store during the lockdown. They only allowed a certain number of people inside at once, so the rest of us practiced social distancing outside. Never forget that scamdemic that was foisted upon us.Eight years ago, I was busy being a strict disciplinarian at work.
Today’s YouTube video is also from my Facebook memories, fifteen years ago. It’s a crash test between a 2009 Chevy Malibu and the 1959 version of that vehicle. Pretty impressive to see the progress made over the years.
Now for some funny business:
What doesn’t go in you, goes on you!Wow! Two bad puns in one meme! You are welcome.Karma’s a bitch and so is my wife!
Looks like I’ve done gone and did it again. Thanks for dropping in. Y’all come back now, hear?
Well, for at least sixty more days, anyway. Yep, Immigration has once again seen fit to extend my tourist visa. Lucky me! This being Holy Week and all, I was a tad concerned that Immigration wouldn’t be operating. The holiday schedule posted on the door showed my timing was right–half day Wednesday, closed Thursday and Friday. Still, when I arrived shortly after the opening hour of 8 a.m., only a maintenance worker was in attendance. She kindly told me to take a seat and offered to get me a cup of coffee while I waited. That was a first. I guess having been here almost seven years now, I’ve achieved regular customer status. The actual immigration officers arrived around 8:30, and I was processed in and out in short order for a paltry 3000 pesos. Yay!
Next stop was the YBC supermarket, conveniently located nearby. Only two cashiers were working, which made for irritatingly long lines at checkout, but again, this Holy Week stuff is serious business in the PI, and lots of folks head home to the provinces to celebrate Easter with family.
YBC is where we stock up on candy and cookies that we hand out on our hikes. Two grocery carts full for a little over 5000 pesos.
Then, we were off to Royal for the remainder of our weekly groceries. No shortage of cashiers this time, and I was relieved of another 10,000 pesos in short order.
When we got back home, I did my Tuesday neighborhood walk (turning right this week).
When it was that time of day, we hoofed it out to Baloy Beach for some toes in the sand and quaffing of beverages on the Kokomo’s floating bar.
The view upon arrival.The view onboard.That woman I share my time withSwan made a tuna pasta dish for the crew. They seemed to enjoy it.
The floater isn’t anything like a dancing bar, but once in a while, the girls get up and put on a show. I made a video of the routine they performed during yesterday’s visit. (As I feared, YouTube advises that the background song is copyrighted, and this video is blocked in TWO territories. Hope you can see it where you are.)
I like watching this more than the dancing:
And so it goes.Next up, dinner at Treasure Island.The sweet and sour chicken I ordered was yummy!
Then, it was home to enjoy the remainder of the evening.
I detect a pattern. It all balances out, hopefully.
Over the years I’ve been blogging, I have occasionally had a chance encounter with a stranger that was a reader of LTG. That was the case when I met Neil (aka Thirsty) in December 2006. He was a frequent commenter for quite a while, and then, like most of my readers over the years, he eventually disappeared. I guess there is only so much of my drivel that can be endured.
Eleven years ago, I visited the Doseonsa Temple in Ui-Dong with my Buddhist wife.
Today’s YouTube video delves into the question of where Filipinos come from (from their mothers, of course, but we are talking about their DNA roots). Living amongst the people here, I see faces that appear like they have Spanish ancestry, others resemble Chinese, and some look like they came from India. Light skin is almost worshipped. When I first visited, I was surprised by all the billboards advertising whitening lotions and thought about the women back home who paid big money in tanning salons. Skin color doesn’t matter to me at all, and honestly, the darker gals are just as sexy as their fair-skinned sisters. Of course, this video talks about ancient roots from thousands of years ago, but I never met any of those. I have been curious about the Aeta natives who look almost African.
Today’s lame attempt at humor:
I busted my zipper and ruined my pants. I erect-em.All choked upJee whiz
That’s all I’ve got for today. But there’s always tomorrow!
We butchered the Hash trail yesterday, cutting it down to a size more appropriate for the heat index. Adding in the 2K journey from my house to the start, it was just about right, with one hill climb and some fresh scenery. Here, see for yourself:
Making our way to the trailhead.A little Genesis (in the beginning)Spoiler alert: The stairs did NOT lead to heaven.Let the climbing commenceA trail even us old codgers could adorePubic Head is getting back to his roots on nature’s stair steps.We passed through the land down under.Our path took us past Mountain Mama Onelia’s place.Nice to see you again, OneliaWe ran into the Hare, Vienna Sausage, as he worked diligently to re-mark the trail after Sunday’s rainstorm, which washed away his previous efforts.A tree I likedThe mountain I may or may not climb next Monday, depending on the heat and my mood.Now what do we do?Follow that old Hasher with over 1000 runs.A respite at Erwin’s place.No rest for Mrs. Erwin, who was down at the creek bathing the kids. She’s got one more on the way, too.The first two non-shortcutters to pass us.The writing is on the walkThat’s encouraging!Stairs at the start and stairs at the finish.On-Home at Johansson’sLeave her alone, Fatso, she’s taken!Post-hike rehydrationCircle up!Pubic Head got the Hashit.The orange is how we eliminated the Kalaklan climbAfter Hash gathering at It Doesn’t MatterThat didn’t go according to plan
If ignorance is bliss, there are lots of happy leftards out there. They can’t handle the truth.
But, but, but…the narrative…
In today’s stroll through the LTG archives, I visited a clean, well-lighted place in December 2006. That’s also the title of one of my favorite short stories by Ernest Hemingway. It ain’t long; give it a read here if you want. Anyway, the post is mostly about one of those unforgettable Itaewon nights (which I had forgotten until I re-read the post). The June gal featured finally found a good man a few years later, moved to the States, and is a happy mother (we are still friends on Facebook). I’m also impressed by my capacity to stay out drinking until three in the morning all those years ago. Those days are long gone for me now, and the occasional staying out until 9 p.m. is about as wild as I get nowadays. Itaewon will always have a place in The Story of My Life.
Seven years ago, the long path to Pyeongtaek awaited me.
Eight years ago, I posted this conundrum on Facebook:
Okay, I can buy into that…
Also from eight years ago:
Damn, now what do I do?
I decided I wanted to retire in the Philippines, and y’all have seen what happens when a wish comes true. I have no regrets about the life I have chosen, and I had no choice about losing the life I loved in Korea. And so it goes.
In today’s YouTube video, the vlogger asserts that Filipino culture is beginning to dominate throughout Asia. I live here, so maybe I missed seeing this happen. Anyone else out there notice a Filipino spin on things?
These smiles are yours for the taking:
Sounds painful. Some bargirls call me daddy, and it really makes me cringe.Yeah, that’s why I use the alarm on my phone.You never know, maybe you’ll wake up next to a Charming guy.
Yep, I did it again! A post a day keeps the readers away! Except for the precious few that are gluttons for my punishment. Thanks for that!
I heard this song again yesterday for the first time in a long time. Thanks Jimi!
One of the interesting aspects of living in a predominately Catholic country is the celebration of holidays that mean nothing to me. Like yesterday’s Palm Sunday. Coming up, Maundy Thursday. I remember that one because I arrived in Cebu on my first visit to the Philippines and noted that almost everything was closed. I’m like, “what’s going on?” only to learn that it’s a special part of Holy Week here. At least I didn’t get crucified for my ignorance.
Here’s how I raised my palms on Sunday:
God sent his blessings as we engaged in the Palm Sunday Candy Walk.The kids were happy to see us again.
Here’s this week’s snippet from section four of our weekly route:
I’d wager this lad is a good listener.Way too young. RIP!The path we took on our 5K trek.
Later in the day, I embarked on my feeding mission at Hideaway Bar.
As seen from my barstool. A newly installed dartboard since my previous visit.Assorted nuts on offer. A new cashier (the owner’s girlfriend). And lots more customers than I normally see.
My normal routine is to meet Swan on the floating bar after the feeding. This week, however, we opted to go straight to John’s place for dinner, as the weather wasn’t ideal for the floater experience.
Predictably, Swan went with the birria tacos.
The waitress advised that there was a special holiday entree being offered during the holiday period. I’m not always up to trying something new, but I was yesterday.
A tuna steak. I’m not a fishy guy, but it was surprisingly good.We dined downstairs in the aircon but weren’t afforded the same views we’ve become accustomed to in the open-air upstairsseating area.
After dinner, I suggested we visit Red Bar, and Swan said that’s what she was thinking too. Damn, talk about being on the same page! We enjoyed sitting in the outside section and also treated our favorites to lady drinks. Then we did our nightcap at Green Room before calling it a night and heading for home.
I’ve got to hand it to me
The journey through the LTG archives is increasingly disappointing without the accompanying photos. The captions tease me, but I need to see to remember fully. Damn. Anyway, I was back home in Virginia for Christmas in 2006. That gave me the opportunity to enjoy the Sunday edition of the Washington Post. And to my surprise, there was a Korea-based Christmas story that Gene Weingarten had written at the request of an English teacher in Korea. That was a hoot to read, and I included it in a blog post entitled: The Seoul of Christmas. Surprisingly, the link to Weingarten’s story still works.
Speaking of Virginia, fellow blogger and frequent LTG commenter Kevin Kim is now returning to Korea after visiting his former home state. Don’t ask me why, but when I saw this today, I pictured Kevin having a similar conversation with his seatmate on the long flight home:
Safe travels, Kevin!
From Facebook memories:
Seven years ago, I was enjoying the signage during one of my hikes in Pyeongtaek.Eleven years ago, I was enjoying coffee with friends at Cafe Coin in Myeong-dong. Tom was one of those “friends” who unfriended me a couple of years later over differing political viewpoints.
Today’s YouTube video talks about things that are unique to the Philippines. It’s worth the watch for the scenery alone.
Humor time:
How about pounding nails?Sounds like you pulled a boner.I’m funny when you’re drunk
And so it goes, and so it went. Hash Monday has arrived once more. Vienna Sausage is the hare, and I’m already plotting my shortcuts. I will walk to the start on Rizal Extension, so that will give me some added distance. I’ll let you know how it works out tomorrow.
An eruption of good times yesterday. Well, maybe I’m blowing smoke, but it was mostly good.
Mount Kanalaon made an ash of iteslf, but that was way south of me on Negros Island.
I do have a friend traveling there today, so I hope things calm down before he arrives. More of the same in my little town, but still tweaking things some to enhance the experience. Here’s the lowdown:
Me and my gal did our standard Saturday stroll, dispensing candy and cookies along the way. Some of what we saw:
Double the pleasure for lechon lovers.Back out and about after missing a weekNothing quite compares to the beautiful Matain River.
Here’s a five-minute video clip of one of the streets we walked.
BesiegedJust a tad shy of 6K
And the best part of the day was yet to come. We had made plans to join our neighbor Jeff and his wife Davina for the grand opening of a new bar named Tryst last night. Alas, we discovered that the opening has been delayed until Wednesday. Despite that setback, we kept our scheduled dinner meetup at Sit-n-Bull for 6 p.m. Swan and I headed out early for some pre-dinner refreshments at Sloppy Joe’s.
That would be us.A Sloppy view. A homeless person collects recyclables from trash cans around town. Hard work, but it’s better than begging, I suppose.There he is now. He refuses any kind of handout, and I respect that.The dinner meet-up commences. That’s Jeff and Davina. Matt and his wife Joyce also joined in the fun.Swan and I shared some chicken tacos and a roast beef dip sandwich. Both were excellent.
After our meal, we paid a visit to Alaska Club where Swan and Davina played some pool.
I’d never seen Swan play before. She needs some practice!
We moved next door to Wet Spot for our nightcap. A busy Saturday night in the bar. And then Davina showed Swan how to do a blowjob. Wow! And I’ve got it on video!
You knew I was talking about a blowjob shooter, right? Right?
That’s what I’m talking aboutNo hands allowed!Down the hatch it goes! Good job!
After the blowjob revelry, we headed for home. The nice thing about partying with the neighbors is the free ride home in comfort. My resistance to the call from a brownie smothered in vanilla ice cream was nil.
And that’s the price I paid.Sorry, couldn’t resist
A Thanksgiving post from November 2006 in the LTG archives. It’s pretty worthless without the photos. I hope I can figure out how they might be recovered.
Five years ago, I posted this on Facebook during the early days of the scamdemic. It’s a nice reminder that I was on the right side of history.
Today’s YouTube addresses which is the better choice, Thailand or the Philippines. I know how I chose, although I still enjoy an occasional visit to the Land of Smiles.
And a bonus video from a vlogger friend who made a video of the recent Fralics bikini contest. Go Philippines!
And now for the smiles:
Poke around and find outWe’ll be happy for the meat when all we have are bugs to eatWhat the hell is a clitoris?
And that’s that; I hope I didn’t blow it. Stormy skies and rolling thunder as I write this, so my Sunday on the Arizona floating bar is looking doubtful at the moment. I am blessed to have options, though.
The same old, same old does get old after a while, but that’s just small town life I suppose. That’s not to say I ain’t having fun, and even a small tweak can liven things up a tad. Friday kicked off with the group hike, as usual. It’s been hotter than normal these past few days, so we opted to keep things flat and mainly on the street. We hadn’t done that Matain-Calapacuan-Santo Tomas route in quite some time, so that added a taste of freshness as we marched along.
Heading down the highwayIt occurs to me that this would be a good name for a go-go bar.Sending unsuspecting Filipinas to a nightmare existence in the Middle East.A brief interlude on the bayA busy day on the basketball courtCondos on the waterThe pristine beaches that Subic is famous forLife’s a beachA change of directionHello, childrenWalk this way!Narrowing our optionsPhoning it inGoodbye, Matain!I think they misunderstood the concept of cruising down the highwayLeader of the packThere is something fishy about that pond.Marching onShall we gather at the river?Strolling through Calapacuan in the shadow of Black RockA dirty pathFire down below!Nearing the end of our trek in Sierra HillsHis journey is over much too soon. RIP!8.5K on a hot day ain’t too bad.
When the day had progressed to the point of making plans for the drinking hours, I wasn’t sure what to do with them. The fact of the matter was that I was feeling a little bored with the Barretto bar scene. Then it occurred to me that we hadn’t made the journey out to Kon-Tiki for quite a while.
Still the only “real” beach bar around, but since the floating bars have been back in operation, we just haven’t bothered to go out of town for some toes-in-the-sand time.Not much has changed at Kon-Tiki, although they did have an acoustic duo perform near the end of our visit.The bay view on a hazy day.This beer pong table was a new addition. I had no interest in playing, however.The bar from the beachA happy Swan insideThey’ve also expanded the menu since our last visit. I tried the quesadilla. Thick and meaty, it was.The haze precluded seeing much of a sunset.
When darkness descended, we headed back into Barretto. Our friend Beth was back to work after a two-week vacation, and I was hoping to run into Daddy Dave at the SOB Aftermath, so we did our nightcap at Wet Spot. It was good seeing Beth again, but Dave was a no-show. I hope he is feeling better soon.
I noticed this recent addition to the big spenders’ hall of fame. Wow! 104K (almost $2000) in three hours. Wish I’d been there to see that!
We stuck around for the first raffle drawing at the Aftermath, and my number was the first ticket called.
Lucky me!
It was after the ungodly hour of nine p.m. before we finally headed for home. Hard to believe I was able to stay out that late, I know.
And another surprising win!
From the LTG archives is this post from October 2006 recounting some of my daily adventures as I immersed myself in the South Korea lifestyle. For some reason, the photos I posted back then are no longer showing. Perhaps they were lost when I moved the blog to a new hosting service. Are they gone forever?
Eleven years ago, I was enjoying an evening of darts at Bull and Barrel. The venue is long gone, and so am I.
In today’s YouTube video, the Filipina Pea weighs in on the vlogger Vitaly controversy. She interviews an attorney about the deep do-do this lame motherfucker has gotten himself into. Vitaly is now living my nightmare inside a Filipino jail. It doesn’t look like he’ll be going anywhere anytime soon.
Let’s cleanse the palate with these:
A stormy relationship will do that.This is the norm here in the PI.Why, yes. Yes, I did!
And that’s the way it was. Now, to get on with the way it is. Tell you all about it tomorrow.
Um, it wouldn’t be heaven if they don’t serve beer!
So, we had one of those damn all day brownouts (power outage) yesterday. The lights were scheduled to go out at 8:30, so Swan and I took a morning walk. First stop was at the Outback Resort to inquire about renting a room. I was told to come back at ten o’clock when the receptionist would be available. So, we crossed the highway to my old standby, The Pub Hotel. They have nice, clean rooms for only 1500 pesos. I was seeking early check-in, but alas, was told nothing was available until 2 p.m. Oh, well, lots of other options to consider as we walked.
It’s income tax time in the USA, and I’m still a taxpayer, so I had some paperwork from my accountant in South Carolina (my legal residence) to complete. Since my printer doesn’t work, I popped into the local print shop. They printed the 12-page document, I filled in the blanks, then had it scanned and emailed back to me. I submitted all my documents this morning to complete my tax return filing. I usually get a refund; hopefully, that will be the case again this year.
We finished our 5K Street walk and stopped at Sit-n-Bull for lunch. I had a nice chat with owner Ron while waiting for my Malibu chicken sandwich to be served. Then we returned to Outback Resort, where I successfully secured a room for 2500 pesos with early check-in allowed. Yay! We triked home, packed some fresh clothes, and headed for the Outback.
That’s what 2500 gets you at Outback. Nothing fancy, but it provided me aircon, a heated shower, and internet access. Oh, and a nice afternoon nap.
The main reason I rented a room instead of toughing it out was that I had an afternoon appointment with Dr. Jo. After blogging, napping, and showering, I still had an hour to kill before the 4:30 appointment. So, we went out to the pool area to enjoy the beach views. I was surprised to see Chris and his gal Shie were there, also escaping the brownout.
Nice to see you, Chris.
The primary purpose of the doctor’s visit was my weekly chelation therapy, but while there, I had Dr. Jo take a look at my aching back. She assessed that it was a muscular issue rather than an internal organ problem. She provided me some anti-inflammatory meds and advised Swan (who is a certified caregiver) on some lotion to massage on my lower back before bedtime. I had my best sleep score of the month last night, so I think it helped.
Then, it was time to get down to business. Bar business, that is. Our first stop was the seldom-visited BarCelona.
Looking out from BarCelonaLooking inside BarCelona
Ever since BarCelona opened more than five years ago, I’ve tried hard to like it there. And yet, I always leave disappointed for one reason or another. Great ambiance, open-air views, and rooftop seating don’t overcome indifferent service and a rap music playlist. Too bad for them. As you can see from the photo above, it’s not like the place is packed with satisfied customers. I won’t be back anytime soon.
Next stop, It Doesn’t Matter. Our arrival proved to be good timing because right after we sat down, a waitress came by and advised that a customer inside had bought drinks for the house. Got to love those two-week millionaires!
My free drink chit
We are seldom disappointed at IDM, and last night was no exception. Good service, good music, and some good chicken wings to snack on. A couple of gals Swan knows came by, so she had female company to go with her wine, and I passed the time with my best friend, Zero.
A mutual friend had advised that the Maze owner, Dave Fisher, would be out last night, so we made Wet Spot our next stop. Dave, who is in his 80s now, has been battling some health issues, so he hasn’t been seen much lately, even at the SOBs he normally hosts. I was looking forward to catching up and hearing the latest from him, but alas, Wet Spot manager Brett advised that Dave had decided to stay home and rest. Well, Dave is a retired doctor, so he knows best. I’m probably not going to attend tonight’s SOB, but maybe I’ll catch him at the Aftermath event at Wet Spot.
The Wet Spot urinal was full of ice. Damn, it was cold!
It was time to mosey back to the hotel, but we made the indoor Outback Bar our nightcap stop. This is another bar I almost never visit (when I’m here, I’m at the outside pool bar).
Just one other customer last night, but it is a very nice venue. We enjoyed our brief visit.
The decision was made to sleep in our own bed last night, so we packed our shit, checked out, and headed home. And that’s how we survived brownout Thursday.
If I upped my budget to 1900 calories, I’d be having a good week.
So, I hear it is Siblings Day. Here’s a shot of me and the bros taken 65 years ago:
Older brother Keith on the left, baby brother Greg on the right. I’m the handsome boy in the middle. We were out camping somewhere in the desert of Southern California.Here’s some more memories of cars that were and are no more…for good reason. I confess that I owned an AMC Pacer for a while.It was a piece of shit, but I did like the way it looked.
In September 2006, I wrote about an adventure I had driving to Incheon Airport for the first time. I think this was before they opened the airport railway. Otherwise, I don’t know why I would have bothered taking the car. It didn’t end well.
Eleven years ago, I was hiking the cherry blossom-lined paths of Bukhansan Park in Korea. If someone had told me what the future would bring, could I have done anything to change it?
I found today’s YouTube video in another old LTG post from September 2006. It’s still fun to watch.
And if that’s not funny enough, how about these:
It’s not the meat; it’s the motion.I forgot why I thought this was funny.What an asshole!
And that’s all I’ve got for now. Let’s see what the future brings.
This is the last time I’ll post about my Wednesday—this week. I promise!
As usual, the Wednesday Walkers gathered for our group hike at 0900. This week, our journey took us up the final climb of Monday’s Hash trail that I had wisely chosen to avoid. Going up that way yesterday confirmed that it was indeed an ass-kicker, despite being the easiest of the insane hills the Hare laid out for the Hashers foolish enough to follow his trail in its entirety. Anyway, I’m glad I explored that path, and I have now added it to my “never again” list.
A small group of four this week.Strolling through Alta Vista was easyHeading out to explore what we had missed on MondayThe up was steep and hard. So hard that this was the only photo I managed to take.The downside wasn’t much better.This portion of the trail was much more to my liking.Now that I think about it, it must have been eight months or so since the last time I passed this way. I also delivered something sweet that time. Our downward route was stymied by this fence, but we found a walk-around.A kid we encountered along the way. Her mother gave us some helpful directions.Some candy to sweeten their day.Enjoy the day!Almost done with the downSlow and steady wins the race!We gave the new Dempsey’s a try for our after-hike refreshments. The burrito was okay.Short but not so sweet
I spent the day alone as Swan was having some family time on the river in San Marcelino. So, I was on my own again when beer o’clock rolled around. I opted to pay a visit to Cheap Charlie’s. One of the old crew greeted me (I forgot her name), and she asked me about Marissa. Yep, she’s been gone a while. She told me she had a baby and was just now returning to work after almost four years. I was going to buy her a welcome back drink and asked how much for a single. She told me they had changed their prices and only offered lady drinks for 250 pesos. Nope, my rule is no more than 200 pesos. Oddly enough, when I declined to buy the drink, she was no longer interested in talking with me, so she got up and left. Funny how that works. It’s a stupid pricing policy. I’ll buy two (or more) lady drinks at 180, but not even one for more than my 200 maximum. I guess I’m too cheap for Cheap Charlie’s.
The view from the rear of Cheap Charlie’s.A peek inside.Looking up the highway
I did my nightcap at the Green Room. Swan messaged that she was home again, so I finished my last beer and joined her there.
Three days in a row of missing the target by less than 100 calories.
I’m still being an asshole on Facebook:
Lots of folks self-identifying these daysI’d forgotten about those two. It sure does undermine that lefty J6 narrative.If you compare Trump to Hitler, you ARE stupid.
Enough politics; no minds will be hanged anyway. I just do it for the reactions.
Today’s episode in The Story of My Life tells the story of my seeing a Korean stage production of The Wizard of Oz in Seoul. The role of Dorothy was played by the girlfriend of a friend. I even got invited backstage after the show.
August 2006 is a LONG time gone.
This is not a Facebook memory, but something I saw there that triggered memories from my glory days in the 1970s.
The caption was “when cars had balls and women didn’t.”
Today’s Facebook memory is from a life that is no longer:
Everything has changed in fifteen years. Gone, but the happiness I experienced then is not forgotten.
Today’s YouTube video talks about expectations versus reality when you move to the Philippines. It made me think of that old Stones’ song lyric: You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need.
Humor time:
A pun too farThis one is dumb by my low standards. But since I’m seeing Dr. Jo in a bit, why not?I’ll have to take a stab at making this salad.
And there you have it. I’m writing this post from a hotel room in Barretto at the Outback Resort. Two thousand five hundred pesos to avoid the all-day power outage in my neighborhood. Oh well, it’s best that I shower up before visiting Dr. Jo.
The way my day began as seen from my bedroom window.
I’ve been having some issues with pain in my lower back, primarily when I sit upright or lie in bed. Standing and walking are fine. So, I wake up early (the moonset above is at 3:30 a.m.) and then plop down in front of the computer, which does nothing to ease the pain. Hopefully, this, too, shall pass.
My big Tuesday event was traveling to Angeles City for an updated ECG. My cardiologist wanted the test taken at the same hospital where I had my previous ECG done, and she thinks the AUF hospital is the best around for cardiology testing.
It’s a pain in the ass to get to and my driver charges 5000 peso for a roundtrip.On the road to AC
My appointment was at ten, and we arrived a little after nine. The cost for the testing was 4800 pesos, and that was paid upfront. There were two different tests, ECG and something called a 12-Lead. The hospital will email the results on Friday.
Since we were in town anyway, I had my driver take me to the S&R store (it’s like a Costco) to do some shopping. I always come away a little disappointed in not being able to find things that I want that aren’t available at Royal, like sugar-free pudding, but I still managed to spend 15,000 pesos on groceries.
It’s a busy store. We filled in some of the gaps by stopping at Royal on our way home, where I spent another 5,000 pesos.A river crossing on the drivehomeA hillside village as seen from the highway
When it was time to hit the beach, Swan opted out because she was preparing for a family outing today. So, I was on my own.
Baloy Beach at beer o’clockMy destination awaitsSwan wasn’t with me, so I had Zero companyShips on the bayA soon-to-be setting sunAnd the beach viewHeading downDucking behind the moutnainUntil next time, then.
Sunset is my cue to head ashore for dinner at Treasure Island.
The roast chicken filled my void.
Well, it filled the void in my stomach. It had been quite some time since I ventured out without Swan by my side. Everyone on the floater and at TI asked where my “wife” was. I admit I was missing her and realized how empty my life would feel without her. My, how things have changed. I don’t think I could ever be satisfied with a transactional relationship again.
I departed Treasure Island after my meal and headed for home. Surprisingly, no trikes were waiting for customers for the entire length of Baloy Beach Road (about a kilometer). I’d never seen that before. Even the trike stand at the highway junction was empty. I finally flagged down a passing trike for the rest of the ride home.
Swan had prepared a cheesecake-like dessert and I enjoyed a slice before bed.
That put me over the top, but not by much.
Tomorrow is going to be one of those days, and I’m powerless to do a thing about it.
An all day brownout is a real pain in the ass.
My plan at the moment is to rent a room at the Outback Resort so I’ll have a place to relax in the comfort that only electricity can provide. We’ll see.
I’ve made it to August 2006 in my journey through the LTG archives. It was nice to remember celebrating my 51st birthday with my good friend, Duke. We went to a play (a Korean version of Grease, if you can imagine that), then dinner at a fancy Korean restaurant that included singing and dancing performances. After that, we hit the bars, played some darts, and drank a lot of beer and shots. We also stayed out well into the wee hours of the morning. Damn, I thought fifty-one was old back then, but from the perspective of being sixty-nine, I seem so young. Lots of pictures in that post to enhance the memories. Definitely a worthy night for inclusion in The Story of My Life.
Today’s YouTube video provides an update on that scumbag vlogger Vitaly. Guess what? He is not being deported after all. Instead, he has been charged with multiple crimes that could potentially result in a lengthy prison sentence. But this being the Philippines, there is no entitlement to a speedy trial. He may well spend years in a hellhole Filipino jail before he has a court date. Honestly, he fucked up big time and is going to pay for it. I almost feel sorry for him.
And now for the fun stuff:
They music was better in those daysHe doesn’t know that I don’t careBeen there, done that, got the t-shirt
And that completes today’s blogging duty. You get what you pay for, and LTG is free!
A lot more comments than usual on yesterday’s post. As always, I appreciate your feedback. Many of the shared thoughts expressed some concern about my alcohol consumption and its potential for negatively impacting my life. I see myself as maintaining control for the most part, and I don’t consider my drinking to be a problem. I know, I know, spoken like a true alcoholic in the throes of denial. But this is the life I’ve chosen, and I will continue to imbibe at or near my current level within the parameters (usually between 5 and 8 p.m.) I’ve established for myself. It’s what I do and what I enjoy, and I hope to live long and die hard.
I think I’ve said all there is to say.
So, this post is supposed to be about yesterday’s Hash; now, let’s get back to that. Yesterday’s trail was the first Hared by Kermit the Frog, at least for Subic Bay H3. I heard a rumor that he laid a trail so difficult in Angeles City that they banned him from Hareing there in the future. I’m not going to say that our trail yesterday was as bad as all that, but it was long (over 10K) with three significant climbs, including Easter Mountain. I was shocked to see how long our strongest and fastest Hashers took to finish; a couple of them didn’t make it back until the Circle was over. I heard quite a bit of bitching and moaning about both the difficulty and poor marking of the trail. I will give Hare Kermit credit for providing three trail options: a long one with Easter Mountain, a long one without Easter Mountain, and a short version with only the first climb. Of course, as a dedicated shortcutter, I managed to avoid all three hill climbs and had a mostly enjoyable 8.5-kilometer flat walk. That’s just the way I roll!
And adding to the misery, it was freaking HOT yesterday.We kicked things off on the Govic Highway. (I walked to the start, gaining an extra 2K)Of course, Swan was handing out sweets along the wayAnd we passed by that sari-sari store named after me.After bypassing the first hill, we rejoined the official trail here.Through the fields we goRather than going over Easter Mountain, we went around it.Between the fencesThe “short” trail took us through the streets of San Isidro.And over Bridge #3The Hare had warned that it was a steep down to the On-Home but advised that he had provided a rope to hang onto. No, thank you! We took the long way through Alta Vista instead.On-Home at the Bella Monte HotelThe old folks are permitted to sit during the Hash CircleIt’s nice on ice!The Hare’s trailAnd my version
Some after-Hash revelry at It Doesn’t Matter where I purchased a lady drink for the IDM girls who participated in the Fralics beauty pageant on Sunday. Then I drug my tired ass home with the help of a tricycle.
Better, but not quite good enough
My interesting (to me) journey through the LTG archives continues. What’s been different about the early days of the blog was my inconsistency in posting. These days, I take pride in providing a daily update on my so-called life. In July 2006, “Stuff about things” was my first post in over thirty days. I had a lot of catching up to do, so it was appropriately long and boring.
Fifteen years ago, I came across a clip from the movie “Junior Bonner,” which triggered some memories from my life in Prescott, Arizona, in the early 1980s. So, I shared those thoughts on Facebook, and Facebook reminded me about them today. Thanks for helping an old guy out!
I wound up taking a trip today. Right down memory lane. I saw something on the internet that led me somewhere else and then took me to a link for Steve McQueen. I clicked that and was reminded of the movie Junior Bonner. It was filmed in Prescott, Arizona. I used to live in Prescott. The song that played during the opening credits was “Arizona Morning” by Rod Hart, a musician from Prescott. Hart and his band used to play at the Wagon Wheel, a club I’d frequent when the urge to country dance hit me. And then I recalled a woman I used to dance with and how I met her. I was taking classes at Yavapai Community College, and she was my instructor. One day after class, she asked if anyone was interested in taking “country swing” dance lessons with her, and I volunteered. She was probably ten years older than me (I was 25). We got along great, and before long, we were doing horizontal dancing as well. Until one day she asked me to father a child for her “no strings attached”. That freaked me out big time, and I ran for the hills, leaving her and her biological clock in my dust. I hadn’t thought of her for some 30-odd years. Until today, when I heard this song:
Morning, Arizona morning Almost sets me free Makes me glad to be alive Wondering, why I started wandering Should have stayed right here Underneath the clear blue skies
Sadness, changing now to gladness With the rustle of the breeze through the pinyon trees Where I lay In the morning, Arizona morning A place where I can smile And see a hundred miles away
The birds are flying high above the morning Singing to the colors of the dawn And in my mind I hear a gentle warning You've been a wrangler and a rambler Much too long
And a rover. Wishing it was over All my battles won, resting in the sun this way In the morning, Arizona morning Coming home today, wishing I could stay Wishing I could stay.
What a life I’ve lived! I hope there are some more chapters to come.
Today’s YouTube video discloses that twenty US F-16 fighters have deployed to the Philippines, and China isn’t happy about it. Well, I’m no military expert, but I don’t think twenty of our older jets will be much of a deterrent, but it’s better than nothing. I read somewhere of an intelligence report saying China will invade Taiwan within the next six months. Damn, looks like we are headed for interesting times.
Laugh while you can!
Go ahead, take a shot!Now do punctuation!Yes, to be honest, it really stinks.
And there you have it: another day, another post. I won’t apologize, and you don’t need to thank me. I will try to keep ’em coming!
But I was strong enough to survive my weekend in San Antonio.
Way too many San Mig Lights on Saturday…those damn things turn me into an asshole.
Beer manifested bad behavior resulted in me getting angry and raising my voice at Swan. That pissed her off, but we reconciled before the evening was over. For some reason I don’t recall this, but when two different restaurants were too busy to accommodate our dinner desire, Swan says I mouthed off about posting a bad review. That’s not going to happen, of course, and not just because I don’t remember the names of the eateries. On the plus side, I was in slumberland when Swan had to call the front desk of our resort because some of the other guests were partying loudly outside our room. I didn’t hear a thing.
Sunday morning on the beach
Up and at ’em and ready to roll bright and early Sunday morning. We went to the hotel next door for breakfast (one of the places too busy for us the night before).
This time, we had the second-floor dining room to ourselves.All is forgiven, right Swan? Right?After breakfast, we headed out for the Pundaquit version of the Candy Walk.Things are much quieter away from the beach.Down on main street.A riverside strollThere weren’t a lot of kids out and aboutBack on the beachThe Capones IslandsOn the backstreets of Pundaquit
Here’s a short video of us finishing our walk and passing by the scene of my crime from the night before.
Back to the room for a shower, then packed the bags and awaited the arrival of my driver to transport us to our next destination, the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) in San Antonio.
The day’s event: The 2025 Miss Fralics Beauty PageantI confirmed that San Mig Zero was on offer and purchased ten beer tickets to ensure I remained hydrated during the eventMy seatmates. We arrived at noon and the pageant began at 2:00.Old sailorsSwan filled some of the waiting time playing Bingo. She didn’t win.The Alley Cat’s crew was out in forceThe old feller sitting across from me had a great sense of humor. His “Dysfunctional Veteran” cap was just one indicator.I also had to admire the shirt the beer server was wearing.You could make a mint selling cans of asshole repellant.The birthday of the Navy’s Submarine Service was being celebratedThe submariners went on stage and were serenaded with a rude and crude Navy song I can’t find online.
And at last, it was time to kick off the beauty pageant. There were ten contestants. Here they are in the introductory “Casual Wear” competition:
Number One: Hershe is a waitress I know from It Doesn’t Matter bar.Number TwoNumber Three. Julie also works at It Doesn’t MatterNumber FourNumber FiveNumber SixNumber SevenNumber EightNumber Nine (she’s wearing her number upside down)Number TenHere they are all together. Do you have a favorite yet?I liked this girl, but she wasn’t competing.
Next up was the “talent” competition. Unsurprisingly, eight of the girls did a dance routine as their talent. The other two sang a song. I wasn’t impressed enough to take many pictures, but here are a couple.
Hershe dancingShake that booty
The final round of the competition was the bikini contest. I made a video of the gals strutting their stuff.
Right after uploading the above video, I received an email from YouTube advising that it had been flagged for a “copyright violation”:
Copyrighted content has been detected in your video “Fralics”. As a result, your video can no longer be monetized and has been blocked in 1 territory. The copyright owner may be either monetizing it, or receiving analytics about it in other territories. This is not a copyright strike and does not affect your channel.
The problem is that the music playing in the background is copyrighted by someone, somewhere. I have not been able to determine which “1 territory” is blocked from viewing the video. Let me know in the comments if you are unable to view it.
Just in case you missed it, here is the bikini-clad group shot.
I’m not one to judge, but I support the decision of the judges in selecting this cutie pie.
I didn’t win any of the raffles, but that’s okay. I had some beers, spent time with good folks, and enjoyed watching the girls prancing about on the stage. Then, it was time to load up in the car and make our way back to Barretto. We stayed home last night, and when the dinner hour arrived, Swan wanted to drive her cart to McDonald’s. Oh well, I was still in my “cheat weekend” mode, so why not?
Saturday’s scandalSunday’s surrender
Back after it today. Let’s see how I do.
There’s a story in this picture. I wrote about it in September 2021. I hope those type days in my life are over for good.Eleven years ago, I was hiking in the mountains of Korea with my wife. I had a long way to go.Twelve years ago, I was playing in a pro-level darts tournament in Las Vegas. Ran into this old friend from Korea there. And no, I didn’t throw like a pro that weekend.
In today’s YouTube video, Reekay ponders the questions, “Is the expat life or another marriage for you?” To which I can honestly respond, yes and no.
Here I go again:
And thinking, what happened?Yeah, us old fucks have earned that rightThen he had another hole in his head
So, back at it in Barretto. A Hash run is coming up. Here’s hoping it’s a good one. For the past two days, I’ve been having a dull aching pain in my lower left abdomen. If it doesn’t go away soon, I’ll consult with Dr. Jo. Bright and early in the morning, I’ll be making my way to Angeles City for an updated ECG. It seems I’m always on the move these days.
Gonna do a photo dump this morning and get on with the new day. More details to come as time permits.
Getting from thee to here was just shy of 35KSome lunch here upon arrivalNothing to get choked up aboutPork on a plateOur room at the Wave Song ResortThe view from the porch On the beach Looking for a new place I read about onlineFound it!I was surprised to see my old pal, Gary, was thereShe looks happyMoving from the bar to the beach seats improved her moodShowtimeTwo more guys I know showed upMet the owner, Erik (the one in the middle)Life is good Well done, sun
The bar didn’t have the beer I prefer, so it was a Light night. We went to a nearby restaurant in search of dinner, but they said they were too busy to serve us. So, we grabbed some snacks at a small store and returned to our room.
Maybe I’ll do better at that.
In the LTG history pages, my granddaughter turns one. She’s eighteen now.
5 years ago, I was masked and waiting for my turn to purchase essential supplies at the supermarket. Maintaining social distancing, of course. Ten years ago, I met with the leaders of the Korean Union and the U.S. Ambassador. I was the only left-handed person in attendance
Today’s YouTube video discusses the cultural differences he has observed in the Philippines.
Joke time:
It’s a hard lifeLeaves you feeling pooped. I need to get up to speed on this
Okay, hope this post was better than nothing. On with my day!
Back in the day, I’d sometimes use that old putdown, “I’ve forgotten more than you’ll ever know.” Lately, it seems more correct to say, “I’ve forgotten more than I ever knew.” At least it sure does feel that way. Perhaps as my mental decline continues, I’ll become ignorant and stop caring. I can’t remember the punchline. *ahem*
I’m going to make today’s post a quick one as I need to prepare for my weekend in San Antonio. We’ll start towards the end of the day and then work our way to the beginning. Beer o’clock arrived, and we started the quest for entertainment at the seldom-visited Alley Cats. Friday is dart tourney night, but there was only a handful of players there when we arrived. As we soon discovered, the reason was a scheduled “brownout” (power disruption) between 5 and 6 p.m. So, we enjoyed our beverages by candlelight. And it was nice to see some of my old darting pals again.
Next, we crossed the highway to grab some dinner at Mango’s. The power was still out, but Mango’s has a generator, so the lights were on. As we entered the lobby, we heard shouts and saw people running towards us. WTF? Looking up to the second-floor balcony revealed the issue—a fan was ablaze.
Right before I snapped this photo, the fan blade fell to the floor and continued burning.
That is a guest room balcony, and there is no access except through the room. Since no one seemed to have access to a room key, two white guys (I believe they were returning from a just-completed scuba dive) took charge. One boosted the other up to the roof beside the balcony and then handed him a fire extinguisher.
Mission accomplished!
Nothing like a little before-dinner excitement, eh?
The peaceful view from our dining tableAs usual, we enjoyed the Mango’s grilled pork chops for dinner.
For our post-meal nightcap, we decided to try somewhere new. Cloud 69 Bar opened several months ago, but we had never ventured inside before. Imagine my surprise at being greeted by name by two different females that I didn’t recognize. I asked the first one, a dancer, how she knew me. She seemed surprised and responded, “We played darts at Alley Cats.” Honestly, that didn’t ring a bell, but I politely said, “Nice to see you again.” She was one of the cutest gals there, so my forgetting her is more evidence of the brain rot I mentioned above.
The other woman who greeted me was a waitress, and she did look vaguely familiar. I guessed she was my old friend from Whiskey Girl, so I asked, How are you, Jenn? She gave me a funny look and said, “I’m Sheryl. I used to work at Alaska Club.” Oh yeah, now I remember you!
Nice to see you again, Jenn Sheryl
Anyway, Cloud 69 had a really nice vibe. There is a very small dance stage that holds three or four dancers max. There’s another room with a pool table. The music was great; classic rock songs played at a volume that still allowed shout-free conversation. We were there early, but several other customers arrived during our visit. The only weird thing I noted about Cloud 69 was that two of the waitresses were baklas (transgender). I personally don’t get upset by that, but I know other guys are uncomfortable in their presence, so most bars don’t employ baklas for that reason. Anyway, we enjoyed our visit and we’ll be back again someday.
Enjoying our Friday night on the town!
Earlier, we had done the Friday group hike and finished the trail at The Rite Spot On The Roof.
Rest and refreshments after the hikeEnjoying the view from The Rite SpotThe females dined Filipino-style. Chris and I were served hamburger patties.
And here was something I’d never witnessed in my almost seven (admittedly sheltered) years in the Philippines:
Swan says it’s called a “boodle fight.” The food is placed on top of a banana tree frond and eaten communally with the fingers.
Good times! The hike was pretty nice as well. I led the group this time, and most of the trail went according to plan. My planned ascent went a bit astray when I chose the wrong path and ended up with a steeper climb than I had intended, but we survived the mistake, and things went well after that.
This week’s iteration of the Friday hikers.This made me chuckle. At least they are honest about it.That steep uphill climb I mentioned.Back on the path I intended.The view of Barretto from here.And the Subic side of thingsA Swan in the grassThat mountain climb that is coming soon.No off fence intended.Monkeying aroundWalking the BitchMountain Mama Onelia busy in the kitchenSmoke on the ridge. ‘Tis the season.That cabin in the woods I fancyHeading back downThe lot in San Isidro Swan is buying. I predict it will be a lake during rainy season. We’ll see soon enough.Heading for Alta Vista and the renowned Rite Spot.The route of our 6.5K journey
Alas, the day did end on a sour note:
Two too many beers
A sad memory to share from the archives of LTG: the death by suicide of one my favorite bloggers, Shawn Matthews of Korea Life Blog fame. Surprisingly, all the links I included from 2006 are still working, such as this one from Kevin Kim. I was going to say, “Gone but not forgotten,” except I hadn’t thought of Shawn for many years until I came across this post to remind me. I may be wasting my life, but at least I’m still living it.
Another day I would have forgotten but for Facebook memories reminding me.
It is my anniversary. I got married in Las Vegas, Nevada, twelve years ago. As you can see, I was fat and happy in those long-gone days. Ten years ago, I attended a book signing meetup with Kevin Kim and the author, Young Chun, at my bar hangout, Shenanigans in Itaewon.
Today’s YouTube video is from Smart Girl Philippines, during which she purports to resolve the mystery of the lack of privacy in the PI. The way she speaks always makes me smile, and it’s just over five minutes long, so I don’t really care if her reasoning is right or wrong. I know that here in Barretto, everyone seems to know me, and I often don’t have the slightest clue as to who they are.
And now for the funny business:
I nose that alreadyTrue love is timeless and knows no end.He called you a bitch, but they thought he said witch. It’s all a misunderstanding; forgive and forget.
Alright, I’m running late and need to get ready to hit the road. I’ll report in from San Antonio tomorrow. But here’s a bonus video from this morning’s dog walk. Well, bonus or punishment, here it is:
The hard way is just the way things are done in the Philippines. So, you love it or leave it. I’m going to stick around because the good far outweighs the bad. Yesterday, I was able to experience some minor frustration without even having to resort to my mantra: “Take a deep breath. Relax. Accept the Filipino way.” I must be getting more acclimated to the culture. Here’s an example of what I’m talking about:
I need to have the cataract removed from my left eye. A pre-surgery requirement is obtaining clearance from a cardiologist. My helper/caregiver advised that I could see the cardiologist I’d previously used at the local hospital in Barretto yesterday morning. No appointments are available; you show up, sign in, and are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Office hours began at 10:30. I arrived at 10:15 and was fifth in line. I was pleasantly surprised when my name was called at 11:00. The doctor wanted an updated ECG, and wanted it done where I had my previous one at a hospital in Angeles City. So, that means I’ll be traveling again next Tuesday. I’ll also need to get a chest x-ray before my follow-up visit at which time I’ll hopefully receive the required clearance to undergo the next pain-in-the ass medical procedure with the ophthalmologist. That’s my vision for the future.
Otherwise, the rest of the day went fine. Swan joined me for a 3K stroll home from the hospital. Later, we ventured out for some socialization at Oasis. About halfway there I realized I had forgotten my phone. Swan insisted on her going back for it, then joined me at Oasis when I was on my second beer.
The Oasis view. Yeah, those wires are a bummer, but they have the cheapest beer in town (50 pesos each).
Our second stop was at Alaska Club. We were the only customers during our brief visit. The bar upstairs, formerly known as La Oficina, has been renamed Tryst. I like that name better; maybe they will specialize in threesomes. I was told the bar won’t reopen until they can hire some dancers and waitresses. Apparently, the girly bars in town are struggling to find staff, as the ladies have discovered that using the internet for hookups is more profitable. The times they are a-changing.
We did our nightcap at Wet Spot. I ordered the Sit-n-Bull pulled pork sandwich to bring home for my dinner. I only ate the meat, not the bun. Alas, enjoying the last piece of pecan pie (a la mode) was an unwise decision.
Shit happens
My journey through the archives of LTG has progressed to June 2006. I discovered a picturesque post there detailing the event of my first-ever dart league banquet on the rooftop of the Hollywood Grill in Itaewon. It turned out to be a poor venue for the occasion, but the memories captured in the photos were good ones. It’s strange how remembering happy times can feel bittersweet in a ‘never again’ kind of way. Oh well, that’s just part of The Story of My Life.
Five years ago, a friend in the United States posted this on my Facebook, warning me to be cautious. Yes, that is the then-president of the Philippines threatening anyone violating the COVID lockdown order that he’d have the police “shoot them dead.” Duterte is now facing charges in the International Criminal Court for doing just that to alleged drug dealers. I am not a fan of the ICC, but I have very little sympathy for Duterte.
Time to check in again with the Filipina Pea for today’s YouTube video. In this edition, the Pea answers viewer emails, dispensing her usual good advice and wisdom.
The jokes are on me:
I don’t think that adds upAny way you look at it, this makes sense.Just a Tolkien of my affection
And there you have another day’s post. I’m looking forward to my weekend out of town. Can’t promise it will make for better blogging, but at least the photos will be different.
And I’m not lion! What I’m talking about is the journey of the Wednesday Walkers to Balon Falls and the Aeta native village of Aningway out in the wilds of Subic. We only do this hike once or twice a year, so it is always fresh and enjoyable. The natives are poor but friendly. We may plan an outreach mission for them later this year. We observed an interesting charity project in progress—building comfort rooms (toilets) in various locations throughout the village. I’d never considered that those shanties weren’t equipped with somewhere to poop, so it is good to see the problem is being addressed. I don’t even want to think about how and where they answered the call of nature previously. Anyway, now that we have that shit out of the way, let’s get to the pictures:
Our group this week was small enough to allow us to squeeze into Scott’s car to enjoy an out-of-town adventure.Off we go!And here we come.The first of several creek crossings.Dancing on the rocks.Into the jungleNot a lot of water in the creek this time of year, so there was not much in the way of “falls” to see.A creekside farm.Entering AningwayLots of Aeta kids out and about. Not sure why they weren’t in school (there is one in the village)In the background is one of the several restrooms we saw being built throughout the village.Gimme, gimme, gimme!Rest stopBack at itHeading downFinishing with some roadworkAnother successful Wednesday walk concludes.
It’s election season, and campaign posters are ubiquitous wherever we go. I don’t get involved in local politics and have no opinions or knowledge about those seeking office, but there was something about this guy that caught my eye:
Something tells me he sucks and is likely to blow it.We stopped for some refreshments at Shie’s house on the way home.The path of our journey
I started a new round of chelation therapy with Dr. Jo, and when that was done, we hoofed it up the highway to check out the latest addition to Barretto’s bar lineup, Dempsey’s. I had seen the former location in Olongapo City, down a narrow alley my driver would use coming back from the immigration office. I wondered then where they got their customers, but I suppose there remains a small expat community in that part of town, near the old Navy base.
The former location of Dempsey’sThe new location in Barretto
The inside is pretty much as decrepit as the exterior. Only a longish bar, but no tables and chairs.
Behind the bar
They don’t serve San Mig Zero beer, nor do they offer wine by the glass. So, that pretty much insures we will not become regulars here.
An interesting menu, but I have to wonder if they will achieve the customer base necessary to sustain it.
We were the only ones there during our brief visit, but the staff was friendly.
And the owner seems like a nice guy. Given the fact that he successfully operated for a decade or more at his previous location, I wouldn’t bet against him.Lots more competition here, though.
After Dempsey’s, we visited the other newish place, Red Bar. Once again, we enjoyed our outdoor seating and chatting with the friendly waitresses. We stayed longer than intended (the manager bought us a round of drinks), so we had some food delivered from Sit-n-Bull. Then we moved on for our nightcap at Green Room. Swan was craving a chocolate ice cream bar, so we stopped at 7-Eleven on the drive home to get her one. I also bought some for the subdivision gate guards. I’m happy to report that I avoided the temptation to partake as well, instead sticking with a sugar-free bowl of pudding for my dessert.
All is going according to plan this month. So far.
My journey through the archives of LTG led me to an April 2006 post that contains a treasure trove of photographs from my weekend adventures in Seoul. Good times in The Story of My Life.
From today’s edition of Facebook memories:
Nine years ago, I enjoyed a rainy-day hike along the Han River.Seven years ago, I contemplated the life in Korea that was drawing to a close and dreamed of the future that awaited me in the Philippines.Three years ago, I was tasting some of that future I dreamed about at Queen Victoria Bar in Barretto.
Today’s YouTube video is about something that’s been burning up my Facebook feed all morning. A vlogger doing stupid shit here in the Philippines to generate views similar to what that Johnny Somali asshole did in Korea. Like Somali, this guy did an FAFO and has now been arrested and is facing deportation. Lots of outrage, especially from Filipinos, who have very low tolerance for being disrespected.
Here’s a link to a news article about the situation if you want to read more. And the perp Vitaly even has a Wikipedia page.
Humor me:
Easy for you to say.Yeah, that’s why I go to the bars so much. The girls deserve something nice to look at for a change.Just turn a blind eye.
And now I’ve gone and done it again. Until next time.
I was going to title this post something along the lines of “more of the same,” but when I did a search, I saw that I’ve used a similar phrase a dozen times in this blog’s twenty-year history. That says a lot about both the content of LTG and the pathetic routines I write about. I’ll tell you what, though. The retired chapter of my life may be boring to read about, but I’m so glad to be living it here instead of some retirement community stateside. So, without further adieu, here’s today’s edition of same old, same old.
Tuesday is shopping day, and that was accomplished in a way that doesn’t warrant further mention. Well, Swan did ask me to pose for this photo at the Royal supermarket:
Abracadabra!
Back home, I helped unload the groceries, then headed out for my neighborhood walk.
This house is for rent. Out of curiosity, I sent a message inquiring about the cost. I was shocked at the response: 70,000 pesos per month. That’s almost double what I’m paying. And this house is located in the flat section of Alta Vista, without the mountain and bay views that I enjoy every day.I turned left this time. The house for rent is highlighted in yellow.
My faithful reader(s) know that Tuesday afternoons are routinely spent on Baloy Beach. Yesterday was no exception.
Toes in the sand timeWe had a brief rainstorm earlier in the day, but it was over and done with before we left home.A view from the floating bar.That girl who follows me around. As you can see, it was a quiet day on board.Sun and waterAs good as it got at sunset.
Next on the agenda was grabbing some food at Treasure Island.
We shared some fried chicken wings……and chicken quesadillas. Leftovers for breakfast this morning.
In other news from my Fool’s Day, I booked a room at the Wave Song Resort for Saturday in Pundaquit.
We’ll spend twenty-four hours on the beach and thenhead into San Antonio to attend the annual Fralics beauty pageant at the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA).
So, my promise to get out of town at least once a month has been kept for April.
And I have avoided foolishly exceeding my calorie goal all month long!
In April 2006, I visited Gyeongbokgung Palace for the first time. I took some photos before my camera (remember those?) battery died. And I actually managed to post them here at LTG. Another memory in The Story of My Life.
Speaking of Korea, it’s Cherry Blossom Season! At least, it was eight years ago.
A stolen photo I brazenly posted on Facebook. Someone in the comments called me out for it. And now, I’ve posted it here all these years later. Have I no shame?Nine years ago, I did another trek up Namsan to the Seoul Tower. I sure do miss those days now, even though I didn’t fully appreciate them at the time.
Today’s YouTube video is one I found on Facebook from a Hasher who joined us for Monday’s hike. It’s short and sweet and better than mine. Enjoy!
To the humor we must go:
Funny how that works. And “C” doesn’t work on my laptop keyboard. Lazy bastard!One thing is not like the otherI hope he was a sweet man.
Okay, that’s just about all I’ve got for today. Planning to check out a new old bar in town this evening. I’ll explain what I mean by that tomorrow. But before I go, here’s a couple of pictures I took on this morning’s dog walk.
Swan and that other Lucky boyLove casts a long shadow
First things first, and today is the 1st, so here you go:
I apologize for all the punctuation errors. You know they are bad if even I find them irritating.
And me being me, I posted this on my Facebook page this morning:
To hell with it. I’m going to the airport and getting on a plane. Don’t even care where it is going, first jet out to anywhere. When I get to wherever I wind up, I’ll max out my credit cards, drain my savings account, and then decide what to do next. I won’t be back. Goodbye, Philippines!
Most people figured out pretty quickly that I was just fooling around.
Anyway, about that Hash we did yesterday. As I suspected, the trail was a Corona-style monster. How bad was it? Even some of the strongest runners were bitching about some of the treacherous portions they encountered along the way. I’ll have to take their word for it because our sane group received an advance copy of the trail map, and we successfully navigated our way around the worst portions of the path. I still managed to get in over 6K and had a pleasant enough journey, most of which was on the familiar My Bitch trail.
The trail, as laid by the Hare, was just under 10K. Us shortcutters avoided the first climb and then reconnected with the trail here.In addition to the usual chalk and powder markings, the Hare stapled paper to leaves. That felt a little too close to littering for me.We still had a moderate climb to attend to on our version of the trail (this was also part of the Hare’s trail, as the chalk marking on the tree indicates.Where pineapples come from.The standard cookie delivery for Mountain Mama OneliaI’ve got a feeling this treefall did make a sound, even if no one was there to hear it. It did require a slight detour for us trail walkers.Plodding onwardThen we ran into a couple of Hashers going in the wrong direction. We turned them around before they’d gone too far out the way.Time to choose your shortcut option.That’s always an encouraging sign. Some of my fellow Hashers contend that I walk faster when I see this.Yesterday’s run was #1647 for the Subic Bay Hash House Harriers. When I saw this trail marking, I thought at first that I had stepped into the future through some kind of time warp. Turns out the Hare is dyslexic.Arriving at our On-Home venue, Kim’s Place on Baloy Beach.
This was the first time we’d used Kim’s for a gathering. I’d suggested we give it a try, and I was a little worried whether they’d be able to accommodate over fifty Hashers. But it all seemed to go well. Here’s a short (less than three minutes) video to give you a taste of what Kim’s Place is like:
Some Corona Hashers from Angeles City enjoying their beach time.My tableAlmost like campingKim’s is a small place, but we managed to fit in comfortably.Time to Circle up!The grumpy old fuckers are permitted to sit.It’s nice on ice!And the sun sets on another Hash Monday.The Hash was done, but the drinking continued at the after-Hash gathering at It Doesn’t Matter.
Not a bad way to spend the day!
And I ended the month on a low note!
It’s been interesting (to me) as I scroll through the LTG archives in search of stories worthy of inclusion in The Story of My Life. I’ve made to March 2006 so far, and what strikes me is that even back in my early days as a blogger, my posts were inane drivel about my daily activities. Once a diary, always a diary, I suppose. Anyway, I began playing darts competitively the month before, and I discovered that I had some talent for the game. In this post, I recount the tale of winning money for the first time in a tournament. Yeah, as exciting as it sounds!
Fifteen years ago, I posted some photos of my father on Facebook. He’d just opened an account there and needed a profile picture. I posted some that I had and asked folks to weigh in on the ones they liked best. There were my favorites:
Walter Lee in the engine room near the end of his career as a merchant seaman.Dad, after retirement, bought a small farm in Oklahoma. My kids lived there with the grandparents after my divorce from their mother.This would be around 1960 on a camping trip in the desert. I rode many miles in the back of that Jeep pickup truck.
Sadly, my father passed away just over a year later.
I found today’s YouTube video amusing. I’m in no position to argue with a Filipina about what Filipinas don’t like, but advising men not to speak Tagalog seems over the top. She goes about explaining why in a humorous way (and in less than five minutes). I must have found the exception to the rule with Swan, as she is always encouraging me to learn new words in her language.
And then there are these:
I’m totally in the dark about thisWhat kind of dick carries a load like that? That takes some big balls.You’re hired!
And so it goes, on and on. Thanks for letting me share the joy.
Welp, if you can put the cart before the horse, there’s no reason you can’t put the day before the sun, right? But first things first:
The Sunday Candy Walk commencesLeaving Alta Vista behindSome flowers I liked
A crap video of Section Three of the Candy Walk (at least it is less than four minutes long):
The Tagalog word for used clothingWell-disciplined candy recipients posing for a photoMore flowersThe Easter Mountain view5K of smiling faces
The giving wasn’t done yet; I still had the Hideaway feeding to attend to.
Food from Jewel Cafe, and I made the brownies for dessert.That’s one way to eat a burrito.
Then it was time to hit the beach.
‘Tis the seasonThey should have dug a hole before burying the bodyHere comes my rideAnd here comes my girl, right on time!The view we came for.A moderately busy afternoon on the floaterAnother way to enjoy the waterIt’s that time againSwan is enjoying the showThe end of the sun on this day
Then it was off to our Sunday dinner at John’s place.
We shared an order of birria tacos…And Korean-style chicken wings.
We took the leftover wings to our nightcap at Green Room for the gals to enjoy. And that’s where our evening came to an end.
I’m on a losing streak
I’m laughing at the Tesla fools:
That’s the (D)ifference
Is Trump never wrong?
That might help reverse America’s negative birthrate
To the archives, then. My first post in February 2006 was entitled “Stupid is as stupid does.” In it, I recount the tale leading to the first ambulance ride of my life and, not so coincidentally, my first stitches. It certainly warrants The Story of My Life tag.
Nineteen years ago, I was having what appears to be a bad night at 3 Alley Pub in Itaewon. Looks like I’ve just about filled that ashtray as well.Ten years ago, I purchased copies of this book about a dual-citizen (Korean-American) who found himself drafted into the Korean Army. Great story by a nice guy who I’ve lost track of. Do you ever hear from him, Kevin?Also ten years ago, a Korean, a Japanese, a Canadian, and an American walk into a bar. They order up some drinks then throw kick ass darts and win a dart match. Good times!
More common-sense wisdom from Reekay in today’s YouTube video. My personal journey included several visits between 2007 and 2009, followed by an ill-fated detour into another failed marriage, before I resurrected my dream of the Philippines and plotted my future life here prior to moving in 2018. I’ve encountered some bumps in the road along the way, but I’ve no regrets about my decision to retire here.
Are you ready for these?
Damn, that’s bad. I’ll do better, I promise!Either way, you weren’t there when he needed you…Cum what may, you got off easy.
And there you have it. Another Hash Monday has arrived, and I’ve got a bad feeling today’s trail won’t be to my liking (the Hare is also a Corona Hasher), but I’ll shortcut as needed. I ate lunch while finishing this post, so I’m ready to roll.
Well, more like a sprinkling of new on top of the same old, same old. That’s just the way I roll.
Kicked off the morning with the Sweet Saturday Stroll, handing out goodies to the kids in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Encountered the first kid before we were even out of Alta Vista.Another sad reminder that mortality comes for us all. I graduated high school in 1973, just before Reynaldo’s birth. He’s finished now, and I’m still going.Sizzle & Glazed is now open for businessVery pleasant insideA perfect venue for the Diet Cheaters Anonymous meetingsBack at itHere we come!
I did a four-minute video clip of one section of our stroll.
Steppin’ down near the end of our trailFive kilometers of sweet dispensations
Back home and glancing out the window, there was smoke on Black Rock:
That would have made Friday’s hot hike even hotter
So, by now, you are probably thinking, WTF? There’s nothing different here. Well, when we ventured into town at beer o’clock, we went somewhere we’d never been before: the new Red Bar. Or, more accurately, the new location of Red Bar. It occupies the space that was formerly the home of Blue Butterfly, a bar I reviewed here. All the things I liked about Blue Butterfly are still present at Red Bar, but inside, they also added a dance stage. Well, my thing is sitting outside and watching the world go by, and that’s just what we did yesterday.
The outdoor seating area has been upgraded with more comfortable stools.The highway view from my perch
So, despite it being our first visit, we felt right at home. We both knew several of the waitresses working there now, and Swan bought them some food from a passing vendor. I chipped in some lady drinks, and we let the good times roll. Perhaps the best review I can render is reporting that Swan wanted to stay for a SECOND glass of wine. That almost never happens. She said she was enjoying the outdoor vibe and the music.
Susan, who used to work at Queen Victoria Bar, offered to braid Swan’s hair.Swan was happy with itChillin’ with the crew
Sticking with our open-air desires and seldom-visited theme, we did our nightcap at Cheap Charlies.
Our elevated new view
It was a lovely Saturday night out on the town. We will definitely be adding Red Bar to our list of frequently visited venues.
All’s well doesn’t always end well.I like the sound of that!
From the LTG archives is a post from January 2006 written on the occasion of my one-year anniversary in Korea. I’d signed up for a two-year tour, so I was thinking I was halfway home. Except it didn’t turn out that way. Just another tale in The Story of My Life.
Today’s YouTube video strikes a little too close to home. I feel estranged from my family back home, and from my perspective, they’ve turned their backs on me. Perhaps they see the opposite. Either way, it hurts.
And here I go again:
Spread the joy!Make the breast of itThat’s a probing response!
And there you have it. Back to normal today, but I’m okay with that. I’ll share the details tomorrow. Y’all come back now, hear?