Today the Wednesday walking group ventured way out past Olongapo City to Old Catlaban and the Forest river. 45 minutes each way in the Hashmobile was a killer on the ass, that’s for sure.

While it is always nice to see new places and things, I can’t say the long drive was worth it. I’d rather be walking than being bounced about in the pick of a truck. But that’s just me I suppose.

Anyway, another day has been filled, so there’s that. Now for some darts and beer drinking!

This afternoon I found a trail that led me back to my Alta Vista subdivision. It wasn’t THE trail I was looking for, dropping me about a block away from where I anticipated arriving, but still…

I’m still going to find the trail I was expecting to find, I’ve got a pretty good hunch now as to where it might be.

I celebrated my discovery by taking a walk down Baloy Beach, just before sundown.

And since I was already there, I figured why not visit the Kokomo’s floater?

Am I posting while drunk now? Why, yes. Yes I am!

UPDATE: Well I’ll be damned, I used the “Eureka” title way back in 2007. No one can blame me for not remembering that.

Welcome to the New Year! Here’s wishing all the faithful denizens of LTG a healthy and happy 2019.

I expect I’ll keep plodding along, both literally and figuratively. Hey, it’s what I do! But I’ve got my eyes wide open for the next big thing and hopefully I’ll have the good sense to know it when I find it. And you my faithful reader(s) will as always be most welcome to follow along.

I did meet a new gal that piqued my interest. Her name is Heidi and she’s a bartender at Cheap Charlies. 36 years old, no kids. I asked her why no children (it’s very unusual here) and she said would not want to raise a child as a single mother. She told me that’s what she experienced growing up and it was a hard and unhappy time. I was impressed with both her candor and strength of character.

Heidi asked me where I lived and I told her Alta Vista. She said she has a friend that lives here and sometimes they walk together. I said “you like to walk?” She responded, “of course”. That scored her some points! I also learned that she plays darts. Anyway, she told me she doesn’t have a boyfriend now (they all say that, they are working for drinks after all) but I’m intrigued enough to maybe invest some effort in the pursuit. You never know.

Yesterday’s Hash was short and easy and done in a light rain. There was a brief bar hop at the end and then the “on-home” at Hot Zone.

After the Hash was done, Justin and I did a New Year’s Eve barhop. Strange night in that many bars were closed or closed early. The one’s that were open had a real shortage of staff. While for Westerners New Year’s is about celebrations and drinking, here it is an almost sacred time to spend with family. Consequently, a lot of the gals go back home. Anyway, we wound up welcoming midnight at a bar I rarely frequent named Rosie’s.

So, that’s how my new year started. Can’t wait to find out what will happen next!

your life is your life
don’t let it be clubbed into dank submission.
be on the watch.
there are ways out.
there is light somewhere.
it may not be much light but
it beats the darkness.
be on the watch.
the gods will offer you chances.
know them.
take them.
you can’t beat death but
you can beat death in life, sometimes.
and the more often you learn to do it,
the more light there will be.
your life is your life.
know it while you have it.  you are marvelous  the gods wait to delight  in you.

“The Laughing Heart” by Charles Bukowski

Today I was on a quest to find a back way out of the subdivision that would give me a more direct route the Purok Barangay I’ve been exploring these past couple of days.  I started as pictured above on a dead end street where I sometimes walk with Buddy.  I’ve never ventured off the pavement this way until today.  And I’ve certainly never braved a new trail into the wild unknown all by my lonesome. What’s life if you don’t live dangerously, right?

As I proceeded there were a couple of forks in the path.  One just came to an in explicable dead end.  Another led back up into the subdivision club house area.  The only other option led in the general direction I thought I needed to go and only had a couple of spots that were a little dicey.  But it too eventually seemed to come to an end in someone’s backyard.  Well, we do walk through the common areas of these squatter villages during the Hash, but it was really uncomfortable doing it on my own.  There were kids outside playing and a couple of adults standing around so I just proceeded on like I had every right to be there.  I got a few “looks” but no one said anything.  After a couple of minutes I encountered an older woman raking the dirt and asked “is this the way to the road?”  She nodded and pointed and I found myself back here:

Anyway, the route I discovered today took about an hour to complete.  I really don’t like invading the space of these poor folks so tomorrow I’ll look for a different path out of the neighborhood.  But the main thing is I’m getting the confidence to venture out on my own into areas I haven’t had the courage to attempt alone.  I’m still not willing to tackle a mountain by myself, too much can go wrong with just one false step.  About the only precaution I took today was leaving my wallet at home.  Who says a fool and his money are soon parted?

What else?  Well, ’tis the season and all that.  And I don’t mean Christmas season, although it is that as well.  I’m talking about tourist season.  This is the first time I’ve been in the Philippines as a non-tourist so I’d never really noticed the difference before.  But the bars are filled with strangers, some of whom are loud and obnoxious or just otherwise rub me the wrong way.  Or maybe I’m just becoming a grumpy old man.  One of those.

Last night my dart bar was packed with these touristas and I just wasn’t feeling the buzz, so I decided not to play in the tourney.  Instead I made my way to the other side of town and visited the Arizona Resort’s floating bar.  I was surprised that it was not very crowded.  Easily found a table and settled in for a few cold brews on the water.

Afterwards I headed over to the videoke bar Double D’s where I ran into my friend Cherry.

So there you have it, another day in the life.  Sometimes I feel bad about my daily output of meaningless drivel here at LTG.  But I know that readers looking for some meat with their potatoes will find their way over to places like Kevin Kim’s Hairy Chasms.  He’s been on a roll with reviews and political insights that I quite enjoy.  Then you can come back here for a dose of “gawd, I’m glad I’m not him!”.  Well, as a girlfriend once told me: no man is totally worthless.  He can always serve as a bad example.  I reckon that goes for blogs as well.

See you tomorrow!

UPDATE: one of the things that happens after fourteen years of blogging is the seeming inevitability of repeating the title of a post.  After publishing this one, I saw the URL was “steppin’ out 2”.  Honestly, I’ve noticed that in previous posts as well (once it was the fourth time I’d used the same title!).  So, I’m going to turn that bug into a feature.  Henceforth I will post a link to all previous entries of that name.  You may be asking yourself “why does he torture his readers like that?”  Well, because I can.  Here is the first “Steppin’ out”.

This riddle thingy seems to have gone viral on Facebook. The answer seems fairly obvious to me, but seeing as how I don’t have anything else to blog today I thought I’d share it here. You can leave your answer in the comments.

Riddle: It’s 7:00 am. You are asleep and there is a sudden knock on the door. Behind the door are your parents, who came to have breakfast. In your fridge: bread, milk (pasteurized!), juice, and a jar of jam.

What do you open first?

Greetings from the heart of the big city! I’m no fan of Manila, but if you gotta be here I reckon Makati is the place to be. Getting here is a real bitch though, Manila is notorious for its traffic jams.

Other than traffic the trip went smoothly. Marissa’s mother lives in the area so I invited her to ride down with me. Gina (my helper’s friend) also wanted to visit her family in Manila and asked if she could come along for the ride. I said “sure” but didn’t mention to Gina about Marissa until we were about the pull out Tuesday morning. But they got along fine which was somewhat of a relief.

Anyway, they got dropped off in their neighborhoods and my driver then proceeded on to my hotel. Got checked in and hoofed it over to the offices of the Philippines Retirement Authority. Honestly, I was not real impressed with level of service. I mean, I was given prompt attention but the bureaucratic processes left me feeling befuddled. For example, I need to provide proof that I have a pension of at least $1000.00. So, I brought in my latest Office of Personnel Management Annuity Statement. I also provided my 2017 income statement from the Internal Revenue Service showing the amount paid and taxes withheld. These weren’t copies, they are the original documents. The PRA rep said I would need to have those documents “certified” as authentic by the U.S. Embassy! I was incredulous but they assured me it wouldn’t be a problem and they would even schedule the appointment for me. Alright, whatever. Then they come back and tell me the next available opening at the embassy is December 7. Well, bullshit. I’m NOT making the trip back down here in December.

And then I find out that the $10,000 I’m required to deposit in a Filipino bank must be wired from the USA (I had planned to deposit cash). Well damn, last I checked my credit union will not do wire transfers to other banks. So I could be facing a classic catch-22 scenario. This morning I was supposed to pay the visa processing fee of $1700. and get my physical exam. I decided not to do so. I fear if I pay the processing fee and can’t get the money wired here I’ll be out the fee. So I’m not going to move forward unless and until I get that wrinkle ironed out. I did keep my appointment at the NBI for fingerprinting/biometrics. I’m thinking it may be just as easy to stay here on a tourist visa. We’ll see.

Here’s a few photos for your viewing pleasure:

What the hell? We passed this park like place coming into town with “KKK” signs up all around the perimeter fence. I’m sure it stands for something innocuous here, but it was still a bit disconcerting…

The view from my room.

Now, Makati is the upscale area of Manila with lots of high rise high end condos. And this one street called P. Burgos has a strip of girly bars. And coincidentally, that’s where my hotel is located. No, I wasn’t surprised I’ve visited the area a couple of times in the past. And honestly, I’m not all that interested in dancing girls. I can get my fill of that back home for half the price! Instead I sat down in a nice open bar/resto, drank beer, and people watched. Lots of freelance hookers, some of who were obviously transgender (bakala as they are called here). And in the bar restroom I observed this sign:

Welcome to the danger zone!

I did opt for a legitimate massage which was good enough for me. The masseuse did give me her number in case I wanted to experience an “in-room” service where as she put it, I “could massage her too”. Hmm, what did I do with that number?

Not sure what my next move will be. Really nothing else to do with the PRA this trip. Could go home early I suppose, but I have paid for the room already. Decisions, decisions.

Well I’m lonely now but my heart is free
I enjoy a beer and watch a tree,
I can see a cloud and feel the breeze,
I can buy some bread and a bit of cheese.
And I know full well it is my right
To begin to live the rest of my life

Yep, cracked open one of the poetry books I lugged back from the states. That’s a taste of some James Kavanaugh.

Started my Monday off right with a good walk up the National Highway towards Subic Town.

Which afforded me a new view of the bay from a different perspective.

I think I’m going to establish a walking route for each day of the week. I’m somewhat limited in where I’m willing to hike unaccompanied. I love being up on the mountains but it just feels to risky to do so alone. But I have the Hash for that, so…

Last night Jessa joined me for dinner at Mango’s. It was a bit of a fiasco in that she brought along her friends Kat and RuRu. I mean, that’s fine but I was anticipating our first one-on-one meeting and maybe some intimate getting to know you better talk. It just kind of put me off I guess and I was disappointed. She did stay and join me for a couple of beers after dinner but by then the moment was gone. I think she realized that because she sent me a message saying she’d come alone next time. Well, assuming there is a next time.

It seemed that even the moon was smiling on my foolishness last night.

Well, it is Hash Monday and I’m looking forward to being back on trail after a two week hiatus. So there’s that at least.

Now I have no plans for security,
No proper wife can depend on me,
I’m not too sure of eternity
But I know when a heart is really free.
And I walk along with a step that’s light
To begin to live the rest of my life.
–James Kavanaugh

Buddy has been found. Well, captured is a more apt description of the event.

I got a call from Mike, the guy who got me Buddy, that a trike driver said he had found Buddy. I thought that meant he had him in his possession, but that was not the case. As I feared, Buddy had resisted being brought in and ran off into a nearby swamp. Apparently he swam about 100 yards out before getting tangled up and stuck in some tall grass. When I arrived on scene they were just pointing out at the water saying he “was there”. Well, yeah but what good does that do me?

Then a brave soul waded out into the trash filled morass to try and bring him back in. Despite his dire circumstances, Buddy barked and snarled menacingly at his would be rescuer. So then another guy improvised a harness by running some rope through a PVC pipe with a noose on the end. Somehow the wader managed to loop that around Buddy’s neck and dragged him ashore. It was both sad and impressive.

The swamp where Buddy was trapped.

Buddy swam part of the way back to shore….

Once he was on solid but trashy ground he collapsed. I tried to comfort him the best I could…

….but he was having none of it. He went absolutely wild, jumping and biting the rope to try and escape…

I was startled and stumbled backwards, cartwheeling down this trash hillside several times before landing at the fetid waters edge. I was fucking lucky I didn’t hit any of shards of glass in that heap. My pockets emptied during the tumble, but I only lost one vape pen, so…

Buddy was like a wild animal, never seen a “domesticated” pet act like that. We put him in a muzzle and a small cage and transported him to the vet. They got him calmed down but said I need to wait a week or so before getting his shots and de-worming. I’ve got some meds to give him in the meantime.

But he’s back home now and giving me a look that says “you still suck, but this is better than living on the street!”

…”and the food is marginally better too”

So, the original owner asked if they could have Buddy back in exchange for a puppy. Their son apparently really misses the dog. I briefly considered it, only because I wondered if Buddy would be happier there. But then I said no, he’s staying with me. I’ll give him a much better life in the long run. I’m thinking I’ll still go for a puppy though. I think Buddy might be more comfortable with some canine company around the house…

Anyway, this turned out to be a great day!

My blog buddy Kevin Kim is celebrating the anniversary of 15 years of blogging. Unlike me, his posts usually contain meaning and substance. I’ve been reading him since 2005 when I first moved to Korea. Amongst his thousands of posts over the years, two in particular have resonated with me. I’ve gone back and read them several times when I needed to be reminded of their lessons. And now you too can have the rewarding experience of reading these pearls of wisdom:

Put it down

Arbor Day meditation

And while you are at it, may as well make the Big Hominid a daily read, doncha think?

Thanks for all you have shared over the years Mr. Kim and I will look forward to much more to come!

Guess what woke me up at o’dark thirty this morning? Yep, a dirty dozen of rainy days. Still, it’s been clearing out for a good portion of the day. An occasional cloud burst ain’t so hard to handle. Yesterday was a fine day and it appears that today is shaping up to be the same.

I put my new Fitbit to work and logged me a good day of steppin’ out. No idea though why it’s not registering stairs. I did at least two mountains yesterday.

My walking was enhanced through that special motivation known as the Hash.

And yesterday’s event was the 1300th in storied history of the Subic Bay Hash House Harriers. All participants were gifted this fine new hat in commemoration of that event.

Loaded up in the Hash truck and headed down the highway…and yes, it is as uncomfortable as I look.

In short order though we were on-on for the day’s trail…

As is our custom, the hike took us through the backwoods and countryside…

…where folks live a simple life. Too simple perhaps.

Getting high legally!

It was a good day to be out and about.

And taking time to soak up the amazing views…

The Hares changed it up by taking us through the rice fields instead of around them. Bastards.

Things could always be worse, and this farm family seemed happy and friendly. Well, that’s what Filipino’s are known for…

A lot of the Hash group veered off and took a short cut around the last mountain of the day. Me and these two said “fuck that, the Hare laid the trail and by God we are going to follow it”. I really respected them for that…

The “on-home” was at Johan’s on Baloy Beach, very near my current residence.

And I avoided having to sit on the block of ice during the Hash circle ceremonies/rituals.

So, no blood on the trail this week. I was happy for that accomplishment!

With the sun finally shining I was able to resume my beach walks this morning. While the beaches here are never pristine, I’d never seen them trashed like this before. Those high tides during the recent storms must have washed up a bunch of old litter and flotsam…

Well, it’s a mess, that’s for sure.

I’ll head back out to the house today and hope to see some progress on the repairs. Hope springs eternal and all that.

Still no girlfriend. Money can’t buy me love.

I was walking down the main track
One night
I met a fine chick
She was built just right
She stopped when I flashed my roll
I told her she could have all of my dough
She turned around and with a frown
She said this ain’t no circus
And I don’t need a clown

Your cash ain’t nothing but trash
Your cash ain’t nothing but trash
Your cash ain’t nothing but trash
And there ain’t no need in your hanging around

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1NZ23Lp6L4

More or less. Well, truth be told more less than more.

Very frustrated with my housing situation. Visited the property this morning. Construction repairs nowhere near complete. No power. No water. No cable/internet. Basically everything that was supposed to happen, hasn’t. Been trying to call and message the landlord with no response. That really pisses me off.

Once I’m in the place I’m going to act like I own the damn thing. Yeah, I’ll fix it up as I please and hopefully only have to interact with Pablo when the rent is due. And that will be on him. I expect money will motivate him. Although I’ve got a wad of cash (five months rent) I’m prepared to hand over once the house is move-in ready.

There was a little break in the rain this afternoon so I was able to get out and walk around some. Found a used furniture where I might pick up a few things I need. And I spent some time inside the house getting a feel for how I’m going to arrange things. Have an idea for the TV viewing area, a corner of the living room for a desk/computer set up, and I’ll even hang a dart board.

I met a couple of my neyyyy-bors….

Enjoyed the view from my master bedroom balcony. I’m going to put my soon to be purchased treadmill upstairs where I can watch that scene as I walk.

And I also enjoyed watching these lawnmowers busy at work.

I needed to make my way over to the appliance store, but stopped into Mango’s resort for some liquid refreshment along the way. The rainy weather has the bay all agitated and the water level is the highest I’ve seen.

The tide is high but I’m holding on…

So I arrived after a goodly walk at the Saver’s Appliances outlet. Bought three LG window air conditioners for the upstairs bedrooms and a nice Samsung smart TV (49 inches). Walked out $1800. poorer, and that’s before installation charges. All well, I’m all about living large these days.

Last night was my debut appearance in the Wednesday night dart league. I went 3-1 in my matches, so I was satisfied with that.

The Alley Cat bar waitresses (Epsie and Mika) were also very supportive…

Well, another day, another opportunity to practice my mantra:

Deep breath.

Relax.

Accept the Filipino way.

That’s hard work, but I’ve got to keep after it.

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

You were such a disappointment. At least the SM Mall in San Fernando, Pampanga was.

Walked everywhere in that largish shopping center and was unable to find the coveted Fitbit I was seeking. I guess the internet let me down as well because the one retail outlet that allegedly carried Fitbit products, Toby’s Sport, did not have any. Neither did any of the several other sports oriented stores or electronics stores I queried. In fact, most of them didn’t have a clue what I was even talking about.

One and a half hours drive each way in the rain. And my driver Donnie is a maniac. Drives like the guys who used to inspire road rage in me back in the day. Pretty countryside though, so there was that.

And I also got to visit the S&R store. It’s a COSTCO type place. Requires a membership, but Donnie assured me no problem because he had one. Seems he runs shopping errands there for one of the local resorts here in Barretto.

Anyway, I picked up a few items to tide me over until the move. I fully expect I’ll be making a monthly journey out to S&R because they had a pretty nice selection of things I’ve not seen anywhere else. Like fresh milk! (The milk here is packaged and sold off the shelf, refrigerated. No idea how that works)

Oh, and there was this:

Some decent sized and healthy looking celery! That almost made the trip worth it. Almost.

So it comes time to check out and Donnie presents his S&R membership card. Expired. 700 pesos ($14) to renew. Of course, he didn’t have the cash so I paid for it. And speaking of cash, my credit card was not able to be used because the “connection” was down. Luckily I had been to the ATM this morning!

Lots of other stuff I can purchase there to outfit my house, which I will allegedly be able to occupy this coming Friday. I’ll get my 700 peso use of that membership I reckon.

I’m so ready.

Here’s another shot I took on my daily walk through the neighborhood.

Anyway, I’m trying to learn to roll with the flow and not let the frustrations of daily life in the Philippines get to me. Much. (deep breath, relax, and accept the Filipino way)

Things will settle down and I’ll settle in soon enough I reckon.

Five years ago I was in Las Vegas.

Vows and promises are made to be broken. Apparently.

Such is life.

I’m not the man I used to be. Thinking about the future now, not the past.

36 days.

Kevin Kim has an outstanding post on being sucked dry by emotional vampires. Go give it a read!

This part especially resonated with me:

Love is born of strength, not weakness—of independence, not slavish dependence. First function alone and find your strength. It’s when you stop seeking in a needy way that the right person will come along.

Anyone who has been reading my blog is probably nodding in agreement that I ought to be heeding those words. I’m a work in progress!

Wanna bet? Oh well, it only hurts until the pain goes away…

Here’s hoping vampires don’t exist in the Philippines. 54 days to go.

Let it be forgotten, as a flower is forgotten,
Forgotten as a fire that once was singing gold,
Let it be forgotten for ever and ever,
Time is a kind friend, he will make us old.

If anyone asks, say it was forgotten
Long and long ago,
As a flower, as a fire, as a hushed footfall
In a long forgotten snow.
–Sara Teasdale

Sadly, the unfinished story I alluded to in my previous post appears to have reached it’s conclusion. The love is still there but the hope is now gone. Time to move on with the new narrative for my life. Whatever that turns out to be. 55 days to go.

I climbed a mountain today and didn’t throw myself off, so there’s that.

Me and the workmate Rafael enjoying the summit.

A view from the top.

So, at the top of Mount Asan is a helipad. I’m told choppers actually land there on occasion.

And now they have added a hanger….

So, speaking of my walking life I do tend to get around. And this being a small town, people seem to notice me. Yesterday a young soldier in our HQ building said she saw me walking on the far side of the base and asked how many miles I usually walk in a day. I told I try to do ten, more or less. She seemed impressed. Yeah, I’m pathetic I know.

I have several regular routes of various lengths I traverse depending on the time I have to spend. Being old and all, one key element I try to incorporate into my walks is public restrooms. In one of these restrooms I am always being stared at when I’m using the urinal.

What? Never seen one that big?

Two years ago I was visiting my friend Maria in Cebu.

I’d say all that walking has made a difference at least.

And speaking of Maria, she volunteered to help with a new masthead for the blog. That’s it up above. Much better than the one I created, don’t you think? Thanks so much, Maria!

Started this post off with Sara Teasdale, let’s end it that way as well.

It was a night of early spring,
The winter-sleep was scarcely broken;
Around us shadows and the wind
Listened for what was never spoken.

It was a spring that never came;
But we have lived enough to know
That what we never have, remains;
It is the things we have that go.

Well, we are on the cusp of another government shutdown. Which complicates my working life in so many ways. Like forcing me to, you know, actually work.

So, the last two days have been filled with meetings and planning sessions. Oh, and if the Congress critters don’t pass a funding bill I’ll be starring in a Facebook Town Hall sponsored by the 8th Army Public Affairs Office. Had a hoot at the rehearsal yesterday.

Nothing to be done now but wait and see if the clowns in DC can get their shit together and do the right thing. I’m hoping for the best and prepared for the worst.

May 11th. That’s the day I’ve chosen as my last day.

…but I’ll find it again someday. Or so I keep telling myself.

It seems James Kavanaugh is speaking to me from the grave lately, offering words of encouragement and reminding me that I alone control my destiny.

“I am one of the searchers. There are, I believe, millions of us. We are not unhappy, but neither are we really content. We continue to explore life, hoping to uncover its ultimate secret. We continue to explore ourselves, hoping to understand. We like to walk along the beach, we are drawn by the ocean, taken by its power, its unceasing motion, its mystery and unspeakable beauty. We like forests and mountains, deserts and hidden rivers, and the lonely cities as well. Our sadness is as much a part of our lives as is our laughter. To share our sadness with one we love is perhaps as great a joy as we can know – unless it be to share our laughter.

For wanderers, dreamers, and lovers, for lonely men and women who dare to ask of life everything good and beautiful. It is for those who are too gentle to live among wolves.”

I actually had several of his books in my personal library back home. Of course, that’s all gone now in the wreckage of shattered dreams. But reading this again tonight is comforting and strengthens my resolve to continue the quest. I must not settle for less than I want and deserve in life. Perhaps she is also searching for me at this very moment and if destiny allows our paths will one day cross again.

It could happen. Will I be wise and brave enough to know and embrace it?

“Human beings are remarkable – at what we can learn to live with. If we couldn’t get strong from what we lose, and what we miss, and what we want and can’t have, then we couldn’t ever get strong enough, could we? What else makes us strong?”
–John Irving

The village of Anjeong-ri is a sad and depressing place. And yes, I’ve considered that I might just be projecting the sadness that permeates my life. But it is not that. At least not completely that. It is just hard to ignore the barren streets and sidewalks. The pathetic bars full of desperate juicy girls hoping for an overpriced drink to augment their meager salary. The old ajummas digging through trash for cardboard to recycle. The emptiness that seems to ooze from every crack in the sidewalk. Okay, maybe I am projecting on that one.

I guess I should be used to the “life” here by now, but I frankly can’t wait to get the fuck out of this burg. I guess the genesis of this rant has been watching several new businesses being opened that I know are destined to fail. I’ve watched these folks pour in their heart, soul and money as they worked so hard in pursuit of their dreams. Now I walk by on my nightly excursions to the bars, and see nothing but empty chairs and tables and the forlorn expressions of the owners as they wonder where the customers are.

Exhibit A. Pippi Burger. Watched these folks working hard for two months preparing to open for business. They’ve been open over a month now. I walk by at least twice a day at what should be peak hours. I’ve seen a total of 2 customers so far.

The newest bar in town. Just opened this past week. It has a bar that seats 4, a pool table, and a couple of other chairs. Even if they fill the place up (which hasn’t happened yet when I’ve walked by) I don’t see how they can turn a profit. I’ll have to drop in soon and see what it’s all about.

And finally, our new Philly steak sandwich joint. Looks nice. I’ve seen a couple of people getting take out, but it is really too far from the main gate to get much soldier traffic I reckon. Good luck!

Ah well, I’ll have a whole other kind of sorrow to view when I’m living among the poor folks in the Philippines. Barrio Baretto is similar in size to Anjeong-ri, but the expat residents are mostly old fuckers like me. At least we can share tales of our glory days. I’m focused on having meaning and purpose in my life there, I’ll just have to figure out what those are. Just over 3 months to go!

“A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams.” John Barrymore.

“I dream of having no regrets” John McCrarey

I did have some company this past weekend.

My old Shenanigans crew from Seoul came down to see what life here is all about. They too were shocked out how empty the streets and bars are. They may have even felt sorry for me a little.

On Sunday morning I fed them a hearty breakfast and they were back on their way to the big city.

I was actually even more lonely and depressed after they left. I guess once you are used to being alone, you don’t miss people so much. Until you get a taste of what is was like to have friends.

Well, I do have my bar friends here I suppose.

It was funny, I had no idea “JJ” was including me in her selfie. I had to laugh when she shared this pic with me. It might explain why I’m always alone. I’m oblivious to what is going on around me. I got to thinking, hey maybe she likes me. But then I remembered there is no point in pursuit. I’m leaving soon and she’s Korean. Been there, done that.

The quote at the beginning of this post is from one of my favorite authors, John Irving. The “Sorrow floats” reference is also from one of his books. It got me to thinking, when did I stop reading? It’s been awhile since I’ve enjoyed a good book. I’m thinking that will be one activity I resume once I wrap my arms around retired life.

And I do love poetry. Recalled this poem today when I was chatting with a dear friend of mine (thanks for everything Eva!).

Will you be my friend?

There are so many reasons why you never should:
I’m sometimes sullen, often shy, acutely sensitive,
My fear erupts as anger, I find it hard to give,
I talk about myself when I’m afraid
And often spend the day without anything to say

Will you be my friend?
For no reason that I know
Except I want you so.

I actually cried when I read it again. Sue me!

Anyway, I’m off to Seoul now. Will spend a lovely evening in Itaewon with the nephew, then hit the Army hospital at 0800 for some CT scans.

Life is grand, ain’t it?