I never really had a plan for life; I just reacted to it. Whenever I reached a crossroads, I chose a direction and followed the road without a clue as to where it might take me. I guess it is natural to wonder about the paths that would have led to a different life, but you only get to live the life you chose. No mulligans. But I have been extremely fortunate and blessed. The roads I have taken have led to some great adventures and life-altering experiences. A fool’s luck, perhaps, but even though I could never have imagined what my life would turn out to be, it has been a very nice ride. So it is time to look forward again. And it will be an adventure with an uncertain outcome for sure.

Long Time Gone, January 1, 2005

Today marks the sixth anniversary of my new life in the Philippines. Well, on May 11, 2018, I finished my last day of work at Eighth Army and headed directly to the airport. I landed in Manila and had a driver take me to Subic, arriving at Treasure Island on Baloy at three a.m. on May 12. So, maybe tomorrow is my anniversary. Or they both are. Not that it matters. Here’s the post for my last day in Korea and the one about my first day in the Philippines. I wrote the passage above as I was preparing for my big move to Korea almost twenty years ago now. I had gone back to Oklahoma to visit my parents before my departure. While there, I had the epiphany that I had never really appreciated the good life I experienced while living there because I was so caught up in looking back at the heartbreaks in my former life:

I have discovered that it is important to take the time to enjoy the life you are living, even as you chase rainbows. I think I missed the best part of Oklahoma, and it is only in looking back that I realize that I should have allowed myself to be happy there.

Of course, I have those same feelings when I reminisce about my time in Korea. So, I guess I didn’t learn the lesson I preached in 2005 after all. These six years in the Philippines have been, for the most part, all that I had hoped for, but not entirely without regret. Perhaps I’m getting better at focusing on the present and making the best of what I have. Having Swan in my life is certainly a big step in a new direction. Maybe I’ll get it right this time.

Well, the immediate future will include a foot spa and dinner for two at John’s place–Swan’s treat at her insistence. Sounds like a good way to spend my anniversary!

Four years ago, I was still raging on Facebook about the scamdemic by sharing posts like this one:

I had a “friend” back then who didn’t like the fact that a group of us was still sneaking off into the hills for hikes during the lockdown. I had also found a “speakeasy” venue where a select few were allowed inside to eat and drink. I made the mistake of posting a photo of one of my meals (when only takeout was permitted by the powers that be) that I thought was innocuous, but he somehow identified the location and then outed them on Facebook. I never forgave that asshole.

To the Quora Q&A then:

Q: What are some of the most unusual ways people were caught cheating on their partner?

A: Well, this happened to me (I was the culprit). I was having an affair with a co-worker. She was a big Chicago Bulls fan. I had a ton of frequent flyer miles, so I booked a flight from DC to Chicago for us as a surprise. There was an issue with our connecting flight in Pittsburgh, but a woman in the airline club was able to get us to Chicago in time for the game. I picked up a stuffed toy souvenir at the game and left it for the woman who’d helped us on our return trip through Pittsburgh.

It seems the airline club attendant thought my girlfriend was my wife. Because she called my actual wife to thank her for the kindness we had shown her with the gift. I was SO busted!

I never cheated on my next wife, so I may have learned a lesson.

Time for some humor:

I’m not sure how many more years I have to go, but I’ll continue to share the trials, tribulations, and adventures here at LTG. You’ve been warned!