It was a finetastic Saturday, if I do say so myself. I was bored with my Standard Saturday Solo Street Stroll, so I decided to change things up. And for some reason, I thought a hike out Philseco way was in order. I asked Swan if she wanted to join me, and I was surprised when she responded with an enthusiastic “yes!”. So, we grabbed a Jeepney to the far side of Subic town and kicked things off from there. I basically replicated the Hash trail I helped Hare back in April, but I managed to take a couple of wrong turns along the way. No big deal; we still made it to the One-Three Resort for some after-hike refreshments without a problem. My tracker shut off for some reason, so I don’t have an exact count, but our Hash trail was around 7K, and we did pretty much the same thing yesterday.
The Jeepney ride out was unlike any other I had ever taken. A Jeepney typically continuously stops to pick up and drop off passengers. All the way to the Subic Marketplace, the Jeepney made no stops. I assumed it was because we were already pretty full. Nope. No one got off at the market, but two more boarded there. And then there were no more stops until we got off at Philseco. That made the trip much quicker and more enjoyable.And the journey beginsPhilseco road in all its glory. Wider than the National Highway and with less traffic makes it much more pleasant for walking.We didn’t take the side roads up into the hills this time. A long, flat walk was more to our liking.That pretty green hill up aheadThat pretty girl beside meEnough with the highway, let’s get rural!And yes, we had sweets to dispenseA weed farmer?The kind of trail I likeThe kind of tree I likeThe kind of girl I likeAnd she likes me!On Golden PondDown the drainA river runs through itUp the alley Another pond and that lovely green hill againMore sweets for the sweetOn the backstreets of Barangay Ilwasafter one of my wrong turnsBack on trackWhat’s a hike without a rickety bridge?Turns out this wasn’t the right trail, but one of the locals pointed us in the right directionAnother pondAn abandoned resortOn the streets of Calapandayan at last!The view from our seats at the One Three ResortWe shared a Monte Cristo sandwich for lunchThe Hash trail route was similar to what we did yesterday.
The afternoon rains held off, so my plans for a Saturday evening at The Rite Spot were not ruined.
The cloudy skies when I arrived on the roof and popped the top on my first beer.A couple of beers later, it looked like this.A bit later, I wasn’t mad, but I was seeing red.Dinner at The Rite Spot is servedMy dining companionsThe skyline at night. Yeah, I should have turned the flash off.
When I was done at The Rite Spot, I spent a rare hour in front of the TV watching a BBC documentary from the 80s about bargirls in Olongapo. It was interesting to see the Navy base in operation and the impact of those sailors and Marines on the young ladies of that era. Thousands of them found husbands. Thousands of others were left pregnant and brokenhearted. Swan recognized one of the girls, a friend of her aunt’s. One of the featured bars, Rock Lobster, was located in Barretto. We have a Rock Lobster bar here now, but it is nothing like its predecessor. The bar scene now is just us old retired expats with a few tourists sprinkled in. But when one of those Navy supply ships is in port, the girls still get excited about the young two-week millionaires. Here is the video if you want to give it a watch:
Heads up: the first couple of minutes is a test pattern, just scroll forward until the video starts.
I haven’t weighed in on the recent debate, but if you were surprised, you haven’t been paying attention. I’m enjoying the memes, though.
And then there was Hitler’s reaction:
I have this memory from six years ago to share:
My Buddy boy ran away from home. Three days later he was found by a trike driver in a pond off Baloy Road. We both got lucky that day. (The other Lucky came later)
Alright, not much to offer in the way of humor, but I do have this:
I can in fact acknowledge my idiot past. And I also recognize that I’m still an idiot in many ways.It’s what’s inside that counts. And I like Asian innards better.Yes, indeed it is!
Alright, I’ve got a Hideaway feeding to attend to, and after that dinner with Swan at John’s place. See you here tomorrow!
That’s the drone footage from Friday’s hike. I’ve never seen myself walking before, and it’s nice to have an aerial perspective of the surrounding landscape. Thanks, Brian!
I awoke to another morning rainstorm yesterday, but it let up in time to do the dog walk on schedule.
The morning view from my patio
My Standard Solo Saturday Street Stroll didn’t meet my usual standards. I just didn’t have the energy to complete my normal route, so I shortcut and called it quits at 4K (the regular walk is six).
The first portion of the stroll is on the National Highway. A combination of weekend traffic and road construction sucked all the joy out of the endeavor.Rizal Street was a little better traffic-wise, but I just couldn’t get into walking it.So, that’s as far as I got. I’ll try and do better next time.
Swan had a visit from a girlfriend in the afternoon, and she joined us for a bit when we ventured out to Treasure Island to see the Engine band.
We took our usual seats in the shady bar area and waited for the music to begin. In the past, the band started playing at 4 p.m. Yesterday, they didn’t begin until five.Swan and her pal Gerlie enjoying some wine while we waited.A Treasure Island beach viewAnd anotherThe lady in blue is Liza from Kokomo’s. Her hubby Steve and kids are enjoying the pool. We had a chance to get together and chat later in the evening.The Engine band finally beings to rock the joint. They are one of the better bar bands around these parts. I like that they play an eclectic mix of music from my generation.I enjoyed some chicken wings while I listened to the music and sipped on my beers.
Hmm, maybe sipped should be guzzled. When it came time to pay the tab, I was shocked to discover I had downed ELEVEN San Mig Zeros. On the plus side, they had Zero. On my last visit, I had to drink San Miguel Light (5% alcohol versus 3%). And even after all that beer, I was only slightly buzzed. So, the night ended well.
Well, I serve myself at The Rite Spot. Although I will send Swan downstairs to refill the ice chest now and then.
I reckon when the tensions between two nations are escalating, it is only natural that memes would begin to appear.
Fuck you, China!
I saw this and had to laugh. Facebook has slapped fact-checks on my posts now and then and even deleted one with a warning that my account would be suspended for similar violations in the future. Most of my “lies” were Covid scamdemic related, and I have subsequently been proven correct in my assertions.
One of those grown up liars
Facebook did share a memory from way back in 2009 today.
My blog’s new masthead. I don’t remember the one that came before this at all. Of course, with the move to the Philippines in 2018 I updated to the current version.
Today’s YouTube video is an update on the response from the Philippines to China’s attack on one of its supply ships. Maybe it was all a misunderstanding. Henceforth, the Philippines will tell China when it is sending supplies to an island within its own territorial waters. What a ballsy move! And be sure you say please.
Let’s laugh while we can:
It’s easy to get mixed up when you cookSomething doesn’t add upDonut?
Hey, Thompson, are you okay? Haven’t heard from you and I’m thinking maybe you pissed the girlfriend off again and she grabbed another rock.
Gonna do the Hideaway feeding soon, then meet up with Swan for dinner. She requested we go to Pujon Corner, a grilled meat place here in town. I’ll let you know how that goes tomorrow.
Or maybe we circled back. Either way, we started and finished our Wednesday Walkers trek at Mad Willie’s in Castillejos. We did the Govic Highway for a bit, then veered off through houses, farms, and fields on the way back. It made for a rather pleasant 7K hike and since we only come out this way a couple of times a year, it had a fresh feel to it.
Only three of us made the trip yesterday (me, Mike, and Scott (the photographer)Heading up the highwayThese guys cheered us on as we passedLitter prisonWe came to a fork in the road and we took it. Turns out I do lean left…Trudging on. Politics in these parts is a family affair. A Kohnghun is a Congressman, Vice-Governor, and Mayor.It’s high time we get Scott in a pictureWe don’t need no edukasyon! Mayor, leave them kids alone!I can’t bear to see a thirsty treeWe are having a gas on this hike so farTurning off the highwaySomeone is living large out hereTrouble ahead!Cookie stop. She remembered Scott taking her picture two years ago.If this “Headquarters” is an example of the Philippine’s military readiness, we are fucked when China invadesThe view from hereI hope that’s recycling…Field workThere must be a sad story here…These gals were kind enough to offer us directionsA street vendor and his wares.My turn to take a picture, ScottBack on the National HighwayArriving at Mad Willie’sA pleasant venuePan-seared tuna and chicken wings were “sorry, sir, not available,” so we all went with the baby back ribs. I’d never seen ribs so cheap (295 pesos).Wasn’t expecting much for five bucks and wasn’t disappointed.The path we took as seen from my Map My Walk appScott’s map puts it all in perspective
Anyway, it was an enjoyable morning jaunt. Swan was busy taking care of some business in Olongapo, so I had some “me” time when beer o’clock rolled around.
I was at BarCelona for almost two hours and was the only customer that entire time. (the guy in the back is the owner)
Nerissa, my old friend from Cheap Charlies, is now working at BarCelona, so at least I had a familiar face for company. BarCelona is for sale, and it is a very nice venue, except for the lack of customers thing. Nerissa said they get busy late at night, so there’s that. I had planned to go to the Green Room, but they were having a wake for an expat who recently passed away. I didn’t know him, and the place was packed, so I moved next door to Wet Spot. Once again, I was the only customer. Had a nice chat with the manager, Brett, and he bought me a beer, so it’s all good. I ordered a chicken burger from Sit-n-Bull and was home by seven. Yeah, I’m not the barfly I once was.
In the memory department, Facebook reminded me of how I used to roll during the 80s in Poteau, Oklahoma:
I guess I haven’t always hated karaoke like I do now.
Eight years ago, I was scouting Samal Island as a possible Philippine retirement destination.
Turns out it wasn’t a good fit.
Things continue to ramp up in the disputed waters off the coast of the Philippines. China has now resorted to violence. The article concludes with this bottom line:
At this point the Philippines has to make a choice about whether it wants to escalate and match China’s belligerence at sea or simply back down and cede the territory. Either way, there will be a price to pay.
Today’s YouTube video also addresses the incident of China boarding a Philippine craft, injuring crewmembers, and stealing weapons. The Philippine government declared it an act of piracy.
Things are going to get uglier I fear.
In the meantime, let’s have a laugh:
My memory lapses are no laughing matter these days. It’s getting scary.What’s done is doneMy dogs can be real brats sometimes.
So, another day, another post. I’m having a date night with Swan, and we are going to make the trip out to Kon Tiki for some quality beach time. Or so we hope. Tell you all about it tomorrow.
When it comes to grammar, I’m not very punctual. My comma tutor has used examples like the above before, but I’d never seen it portrayed quite like this. Anyway, I don’t eat cats, although I’ve had my share of pussy.
A pretty quiet Tuesday around here. The ATM was working, the groceries got bought, and the day proceeded from there. In the afternoon, Swan and I went to the salon, where I had a haircut, and she got a foot spa. I was done before her, so I waited at Snackbar. Two beers later, Swan rejoined me, and we proceeded to Kokomo’s for some beach time.
We were the only customers.Cloudy skies but no rain. The two Navy supply ships are still at anchor in the bay. Waiting for war?
After our Kokomo’s time, we went next door to Foxhole and had some grub. Then we headed back home. A day doesn’t have to be exciting to be good, and I had no complaints about how we filled the hours.
In the Facebook memories department, I was reminded of a “where I stand politically” test I took three years ago:
Where I stood on the compass back then
For shits and giggles, I took the test again this afternoon. I was a bit surprised at the results:
Hard to believe I moved to the left sphere on the spectrum. There ain’t a lefty I know of I’d consider supporting, so they must all be off the charts.
Yesterday was a special Hash for me–the three hundredth time I participated in an SBH3 run.
The recognitionThe vested awardIt’s nice on ice!
Not for the first or last time, I deviated from the path plotted by the Hare and made my own way. I walked from my house to the start, but just wasn’t feeling it when I reached the hill climb portion of the trail. All reports say it was not a bad up and now I regret wimping out. Still, you have to listen to your gut and given the sorry state of my lungs, I opted for prudence.
The Hare’s trailMy trail was a tad over 5K start to finish
Both trails ended at our On-Home venue–Red Bar.
This is the only girly bar venue on our list of On-Home locations. Of course, we are there before the dancing starts, but there were some cuties milling about.The Hash Gash in attendanceMy table mates, Gasman and 18 Kilo Ass. I’m not sure who that guy in the middle is…
After the Hash Circle was completed, I joined the group for the after-Hash at It Doesn’t Matter. After a couple more unneeded beers, I made my way home via trike.
It was another rough night, breathing-wise. This time, I was lying in bed, and the wheezing noise when I exhaled was keeping me awake. I decided to get up and put on my headphones to drown out the annoying sound with music. Then, I had an idea and went to the closet to retrieve a pillow.
My special pillow
I never wheeze when standing or sitting, so I figured avoiding lying flat in bed might help. It worked! I wasn’t sitting completely upright, but a 3/4 posture seemed to do the trick. The wheezing stopped, and I had a decent night’s sleep. A 96 reading on the oximeter this morning, so perhaps whatever it is that ails me can be satiated by a Jefferson-style sleeping posture.
I recall taking a tour of Jefferson’s Monticello home way back when. His bedroom featured a short bed, and the tour guide explained that Jefferson advocatedsleeping upright.
So, I’ll see how this sleep style works out going forward.
Another beautiful morning in paradise. Loved the clouds on the mountaintops today.More beauty on the dog walk.
The Philippines is a land of volcanos, and one was rumbling last week.It’s not near me, but we do have our share here in Luzon, including the infamous Mt. Pinatubo. Anyway, I need a YouTube video for today, and this one is mildly interesting, although the narration is a tad irritating.
And, um, you can cleanse your palate with these:
I’m a big Elton John fan, so this really blew me away.Ain’t that the shits?
I parted ways with the Wednesday Walkers yesterday morning and then had a boy’s night out to say farewell to Gary, who is heading home to the UK for a couple of months. The days keep rollin’ on, and I’m still rockin’.
I fancied a flat walk yesterday, but the group opted to find some shade up in the hills. I tagged along for a bit, but when I saw the up they were taking, I said farewell and went my own way. Martin (18 Kilo Ass) who has been having some knee issues chose to join me. We did the My Bitch trail and came back to town via Rizal Extension.
I took this photo near the beginning of the hike and didn’t take another. I was focused on survival.
Yeah, that’s being a bit melodramatic, but something ain’t right, and I was feeling it yesterday. The lung issues have flared up again, although not as bad as they were previously. I’m also feeling pain in my lower legs and feet and a generalized lack of energy. I think these symptoms are exacerbated by the intense heat we are still experiencing. At least I felt better during the shady portions of the hike.
Oddly enough, when we reached the mountain family’s place, Onelia said something about another group of hikers passing by earlier. And when Martin and I finished our journey, we stopped by Dynamite Dick’s for refreshments, and some of the Wednesday Walkers group were there. They, too, had done a portion of My Bitch, but had taken a different way down and back to town. So, while my route had avoided a hill climb, it was 2K longer than what the rest of the group had done. That felt like vindication.
Not to be a dick about it…
Gary messaged that he wanted to meet at the Annex bar at four, and I was there on time. We had two beers and then moved on to Cheap Charlies. Erik messaged wanting to join us, so now there were three in our group. I checked my SOB coupons that were due to expire and saw I had a couple that provided a 50% discount on customer drinks. So, we made the Green Room our next stop.
The three drunkenteers. That’s Gary in the middle. Safe travels, buddy.
We had talked about moving on to Red Bar next, but after the manager bought us a round of beers, I had had my fill. I had a 15% discount coupon for Sit-n-Bull I needed to use, and the roving waitress conveniently came by our table with a menu. I told her I was bringing something home for my girlfriend and asked if she had any suggestions. She immediately said, “bring her the roast beef dip.” That cracked me up because that was what I had intended to order. It’s another small-town moment when the waitress remembers your gal’s favorite foods.
I opted for the ham sandwich from the specials menu. Half for dinner, and half for breakfast today.
Woke up this morning a little after four and saw something peeking in at me through the window:
Sneaky bastardI was just talking to the moon…
A rooftop gathering at The Rite Spot is on tap later today. Chili is in the crockpot, muffins and brownies are baked, and Swan has prepared the meat-on-a-stick for grilling. I’m looking forward to a good time.
Today’s YouTube video is from someone I only recently discovered. He lives in Pundaquit and I’ve walked past his house before (without realizing it until I saw one of his vlogs). Anyway, this one shows the beauty of one of my favorite weekend getaway areas, just an hour away.
Here’s some more poor attempts at humor:
Me too!So, she wasn’t your Maine squeeze, then…It’s more sad than funny because it is true.
Alright, have you had enough? Me too! See you tomorrow…
I started my day with a trip to the blood lab. They withdrew several vials of my precious liquid from a vein and 7500 pesos from my wallet. They will be testing for twenty-five elements, including a prostate PSA. I’ll pick up the results tomorrow and then schedule a meeting with Dr. Jo to see what it all means.
Of course, part of the bloodwork routine is the requirement to fast for 10+ hours prior to the withdrawal. That’s why I scheduled an early morning arrival at the lab, so most of the fasting was spent sleeping. After the samples were taken, I was ready to eat. The lab is located at the Harbor Point Mall, and as I was leaving, I spotted a Pancake House franchise. I rarely frequented this diner back in the USA because I had better options like Waffle House and Cracker Barrel. Those options not being available here, I decided to give it a try.
The chain has been around for a while
I was tempted to order a caramel waffle, but I opted instead for a ham and cheese omelet and cinnamon toast. I can’t remember the last time I saw cinnamon toast on a menu—how could I resist? After placing my order, the waiter returned and advised that they were out of raisins for the toast. I told him no problem; I wasn’t expecting raisins anyway.
The omelet was just okayBut damn, that cinnamon toast didn’t disappoint!
With my hunger satiated, we headed out to do the weekly grocery shopping chore.
Another overflowing cart
Home for the usual afternoon activities, and at beer o’clock, we ventured out to Baloy Beach. I wasn’t sure if the floating bar was still out, but there she was, bouncing in the rougher-than-normal bay waters.
A bumpy raft ride got us thereSeveral other customers were aboard enjoying themselvesThe girls did a danceThe sun was shining, more or lessChillin’ with my sweetie
After our time was done on board, we headed ashore to Treasure Island for some dinner.
Swan went for the biggest enchiladas in town. I had the leftovers for breakfast today.I enjoyed some chicken wings.
A nice night out and a happy ending to a busy day.
The Facebook memories took me back to 2016.
I was making the most of a nice morning in Seoul.I really do miss those Han River walksLater that evening, I attended Matt and Sohee’s wedding. Things didn’t end well for them. A divorce, and Sohee committed suicide. Damn, memories are such a bitch sometimes.
Today’s YouTube is from another vlogger I’ve enjoyed over the years, The Filipina Pea. She has some advice for men coming to the PI in search of love.
Some more lame humor:
I’ve got to hand it to her…I can relate…I am happy to announce that my relationship with Swan has reached the level of intimacy where I feel free to fart around her with impunity. I think it is great when you can share what’s inside of you with your love.
That’s all for today; we’ve reached the end of the line.
Yesterday’s trail wasn’t particularly hard or otherwise challenging, but I wussed out anyway. I’m going to blame the heat. I told myself the light-headedness I was experiencing was a warning sign for heat stroke, so I decided prudence dictated that I refrain from strenuous activity. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it! Anyway, I followed the shortcutters as usual, and then I shortcut the shortcutters. I still logged a hot and flat 5K to the On-Home at McCoy’s on Baloy Beach.
The green is the trail as intended by the Hares. I followed the green and then turned right instead of going up the hill. The blue line is my route back.This week’s trail started in Alta Vista, so that was easy enough for me.And we are On-On!Leaving Alta Vista behindOn the street in San IsidroThese kids chased me down on their three-wheeler, saying, “biscuits? biscuits?” Their efforts were rewarded accordingly.Through the fields we goFor some reason I found myself reminiscing about Neil Armstrong’s moon landing.Three fellow shortcuttersParting ways with the shortcutter group and heading onward on my ownArriving at McCoy’s. This is only the second time we’ve used this venue as an On-Home. It is nice in many respects, but they’ve raised our beer prices, so we likely won’t be back.Hashers gather before the circle commencesA view from McCoy’sIt’s Nice On Ice! (the last female Hasher to pay weekly dues is “punished” with holding this dildo while seated on the ice. Most of them don’t seem to mind.
After the Hash, I walked back to the highway and had a couple of more beers with my friends at Snackbar. I might have been a little generous with the lady drinks, but I hadn’t seen them for a while as this venue is no longer one of my regular stops.
On my way to Snackbar, I saw this unique CR. I didn’t feel the need to use it, but I hope my aim would be true if I ever did! It’s located near a trike stand, so I suppose the trike drivers find some relief here.
So that was my Hash Monday. Been a busy Tuesday so far, and I’ve got a visit to Dr. Jo coming up later this afternoon. Tell y’all about it tomorrow.
Today’s Quora Q&A:
Q: Where can I find a city in the Philippines that is safe, has a high-quality lifestyle with a low budget, has greens and beautiful sea view sights everywhere, that is not far from commercial areas and a place to start a new life?
A: Well, I chose Olongapo/Subic Bay, and it meets all of those criteria. Safe is a relative term, but I certainly feel as safe here as I would anywhere in the USA. As for the quality of lifestyle, that’s somewhat subjective and contingent on your personal preferences. For me, hiking in the mountains and on the beaches are my favorite daytime pursuits. For the nighttime, lots of good restaurants and bars. I like to play darts, and there are venues with tournaments and a dart league available. Pool leagues, too, if that’s your thing. There is a close-knit expat community and a small-town feel about living here that I like.
Here’s the view from my living room:
Plenty of green, along with views of the bay and the mountains. I shop at the duty-free grocery stores on the old American Navy base, where I can find most of my favorite American comfort foods. There are several shopping malls, all within 30 minutes of my house. A convenient international airport (Clark) is just over an hour away in Angeles City. In the worst-case scenario, I can go to Manila if necessary, but other than doing business at the embassy there, I try to avoid the big city hassles and traffic.
I started my “new life” here about 18 months ago, and I’m very happy with my choice so far.
That was answered over four years ago. My view has changed since then (I think for the better), and I’m still convinced that Barretto is the best fit for me.
Some quick humor before I go:
It was almost plague-like I betThat would probably be a good Hash name for my wimpy ass.
The longtime and legendary Hasher, known as Bush Diver, passed away yesterday. He lived in Angeles City but traveled to Subic to join with our Hash nearly every week. I really didn’t know him well, but I was always impressed that this old guy was undaunted by the toughest trails. He’d been ill and bedridden for the past year. At least now, his pain and suffering are over. On-On to that Hash trail in the sky!
Pubic Head put together this collage of Bush Diver photos from happier days. You will be missed!
Another weird thing happened yesterday as well. I got an email on the AOL account I use for LTG.
My name is Steve , I am a private investigator in Texas – I am wondering if you can help me with some information about a man in some of your photos. This man is wanted by the FBI for child sexual assault and other charges. I will attach the photos with the man highlighted.
Thank You –
The photos were old photos I’d posted here from the Hash, including a Hasher we called Cupcake. A year or so ago, he disappeared without a word and hasn’t been seen or heard from since. Rumor at the time was that he was a fugitive on the run, but no one knew what happened that caused him to abruptly depart from Subic, where he’d been living for several years. What freaked me out was that this private investigator found some old random photos on my little-read blog that included someone wanted by the FBI. There must be some awesomely scary facial recognition software out there that can search the nooks and crannies of the internet to find fugitives. Damn, that’s scary. What if they criminalize lousy grammar and punctuation? I’m doomed for sure. Anyway, almost all my interactions with Cupcake were Hash-related, and he didn’t give off any child-molester vibes. I guess that’s the most dangerous kind.
Swan joined me for my walk yesterday, which is always nice. I have my standard solo walks, but I change things up on Thursdays and add some extra distance. So, I walked up the National Highway towards Olongapo for four kilometers or so, then took a path down to a little village on the water named Bantay Bayan, which I hadn’t been to for a while. It’s one of those places that has a nice vibe about it, and I could see myself living there if I ever wanted to change my life and live like a local. I doubt I ever will, but who knows? As we passed through, a couple of Filipino guys started talking to Swan, saying they were selling their house and lot. It was not my kind of place, but it was funny that the fates were there to tempt me.
I had intended to walk the beach back to Barretto, but the tide was higher than I’ve seen before, making the beach passage impossible without wading through knee-deep water. So, we headed back up to the Highway and then came back down to the beach at the Samba Resort. Samba only allows pass-throughs with a charge, but there is a new beach bar on the premises that you can visit without a fee. I asked the guard if it was open, and it was (the hours are ten to midnight), so we got a get-off-the-highway card for free!
I’ve never been to the Kon Tiki before, but have heard many good things about it. It is owned by the same guy who has Harley’s on Baloy. I’ve long lamented the fact that there is no true beach bar in Barretto. This one is 3K out of town, but it’s just the kind of place I’d visit regularly if it were more easily accessed. Seizing the moment, I declared the hike over, plopped down on a bar stool, and gave the Kon Tiki a go. At the end of our visit, we caught a Jeepney back to Barretto, but before we departed we got some prices on the available lodging at Samba. One day soon we’ll be back and make an overnight stay there.
Here are some photos from our abbreviated 6K+ hike:
Leaving Alta VistaLeaving the highway behindHeading down to the villageThe lovely village of Bantay BayanThe beachThis abandoned hotel gave off a Stephen King-like vibe.The route we walked prior to our premature evacuation.
Here are the Kon-Tiki shots:
The innards. As you can see, it is a small place.Outside looking inThe view from my barstoolThe menu options. We didn’t eat yesterday.My girlMe and my girl
So, the locals tell me there are no sharks in the bay, but this sign outside Kon-Tiki warns of another danger:
I was stung more than once in the waters off Huntington Beach, California, during my youthful beach bum days.
So, when beer o’clock rolled around, Swan advised she would be staying home. I decided to pay an increasingly rare visit to Cheap Charlies. I enjoyed catching up with one of my old favorites and treated her to some lady drinks and food. When it was time to move on, I considered the many bar options available and decided where I wanted to be most: The Rite Spot. Swan was there when I arrived and we had an enjoyable evening together on the roof.
The Cheap Charlies viewAnd how it looked from The Rite SpotThe end of the day.
And my life goes on.
Looking back to one of my previous lives:
Ten years ago, I was enjoying dinner with my best friend Dennis and his date. My wife took the picture. Six years ago, I spent my last night as a resident of Pyeongtaek doing a bar crawl in Anjeong-ri.The Block bar was my final stop.
And here is a question I answered four years ago on Quora:
Q: Have you ever been reported to your company’s HR department, due to a malicious complaint? What happened?
A: Yes. I have a personal blog, and once, I did a post where I mentioned “the pedophile Mohammed.” Someone sent a complaint to the Command group saying it was inappropriate for someone working in HR to hold such views. A big investigation ensued, and I was counseled by my supervisor and the EEO manager. When the lawyers came back, they determined that what I wrote was a personal opinion written on personal time and that such opinions were protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. I was advised not to identify myself as a Federal employee or to otherwise include a disclaimer that my opinions were my own and did not represent the views of the command or the US government.
And by the way, Mohammed married a 12-year-old. I stand by my description.
These days, my blog provides clues to the whereabouts of pedophile felons. Apparently.
Humor time:
Damn, that stingsMisunderstandings happen.Keep your hands to yourself!
That’s all for today. Time for me to get ready for tonight’s SOB competition. It’s at Alaska Club, one of my favorite venues. I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow.
Somethings burning! My morning dog walk view.On today’s walk, I saw the aftermath. I’ll share that photo tomorrow.
I changed my grocery shopping routine by going to PureGold supermarket and then visiting the old Royal supermarket. I do that every few weeks hoping to find items that always seem to be out of stock at my regular Royal. I’m usually disappointed in the results, but at least I tried. Yeah, that’s about as exciting as it gets around here on a Tuesday.
I saw this display at Royal and thought to myself, “Who wipes shit on their face?”
Later, there was the weekly visit to the Kokomo floating bar. We arrived a little before five o’clock, and the raft guys said we were the first customers of the day (they open at noon). During our visit, two or three others came aboard, but it was not busy at all. I’m hearing May 15 will be the last day of operation this season, so next week might be my last visit for a while.
The bay was as empty as the floating bar. At least the water was calm this week.One of the raft drivers filled the down time by fishing. Didn’t see him catch anything, though.Me and my catch…As usual, there was thisAnd then there wasn’t
When our time on the floater was done, we visited Treasure Island for some dinner.
I had the enchiladas. That’s the biggest serving I ever did see.I had the second one for breakfast this morning.
So, that was my Tuesday.
Six years ago, I enjoyed my retirement ceremony.
A great lunch at Camp Humphreys with my Directorate of Human Resources Management team. That’s what I miss most from working life–the people I worked with.Some recognitionThank you, sir!It’s the least I could doBut the best reward of all was the memories. A great ending to thirty-seven years in the service of my Uncle Sam.
Back to the present day, this was posted on Facebook and I’m doing my part to spread the news:
Apparently, it is asking too much to be allowed to see all viewpoints and make up our own minds. Resist the indoctrination!
Time for the Quora Q&A thing:
Q: As an American living abroad (wherever it was), how long did it take you to acclimate to your new nation?
A: A couple of months, max. That was mostly just getting settled into my permanent house, hiring my domestic staff, and getting into my routines.
I had been visiting the Philippines several times a year before making the move, so I was cognizant of what I was getting into long before I made the move. I visited several areas before deciding on the right one for me. I think that is a big key to being acclimated—liking where you live.
Almost six years here now, and no regrets.
Something a little special in today’s humor category. Give this one minute clip of Norm McDonald a quick watch:
My pal Scott sent that to me after I posted this on Facebook:
It’s much funnier delivered by a professional comedian, don’t you think?
Alright, I got these, too:
I hate when that happensBut what about the rest of the story?This one hits a little too close to home.
I woke up around 4:30 a.m., looked out the window, and saw this.And then we said our goodbyes a little after five…
As usual, my Tuesday chore is a grocery-shopping excursion to Royal. Traffic was heavier than normal, and then the reason why was revealed:
A brushfire at the hillside cemetery. I guess cremation is always an option, after all.Swan unloading our overflowing shopping cart.That’s high, even by my low standards.
With the cabinets restocked for another week, I took it easy around the house while awaiting the arrival of beer o’clock. When it came, Swan and I headed out to Baloy Beach for our Tuesday relaxation on the Kokomo floating bar.
I enjoyed the view of this lovely cloud along the way.
As we neared the beach, Swan commented on how nice the breeze felt on this ungodly hot day. In my mind, I was thinking about the combination of wind and water. And sure enough, the bay was as choppy as I’ve seen it.
The raft operators were really being pushed around.Those swells made for a bouncy ride on the floater. The cashier confessed to feeling seasick.Waves were frequently splashing up on the deckOnly a couple of other customers, but the girls were able to enjoy some freshly baked brownies
There was no music playing when we arrived and when I inquired as to why, they said the Wi-Fi was out. I volunteered to connect my Spotify to the music box, and they agreed. So, no complaints about the songs or volume this visit.
I think I could have made it to shore if the floater were sinking. Swan doesn’t swim, but I reassured her she would be missed.The Korean-named dive boat bouncing at anchorThe sun in the clouds made a nice medleyA golden beam of lightThat’s as close to a sunset as we got yesterday
Shortly before we departed, another customer boarded with his girlfriend and sat across the bar from us. A little later, he called out to me, asking if I was an Aussie. I jokingly responded, why are you insulting me? He laughed and said, “Good, I hate Aussies.” But when he found out I was a Yank, he went into a semi-serious tirade about how we started a war rather than pay our taxes. I responded that you should have given us representation in Parliament then. He went on griping about George Washington being a crappy general, but I couldn’t really hear what he was saying. Then he started in about us invading Canada in 1812 and starting another war. Well, I could have gone off on the shit the Brits were doing, like the forced impression of Americans in the British Navy, but I was growing weary of the pointless debate. Instead, I fired up one of my favorite Johnny Horton tunes–The Battle of New Orleans. That shut him up.
In 1814 we took a little trip Along with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Mississip We took a little bacon and we took a little beans And we caught the bloody British in the town of New Orleans
We fired our guns and the British kept a-comin' There wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago We fired once more and they began to runnin' On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico
We looked down the river and we seen the British come And there must have been a hunnerd of 'em beatin on the drum They stepped so high and they made their bugles ring We stood beside our cotton bales 'n' didn't say a thing
We fired our guns and the British kept a-comin' There wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago We fired once more and they began to runnin' On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico
Old Hickory said we could take 'em by surprise If we didn't fire our muskets till we looked 'em in the eye We held our fire 'till we seed their faces well Then we opened up the squirrel guns and really gave em Well we
Fired our guns and the British kept a-comin' There wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago We fired once more and they began to runnin' On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico
Yeah they ran through the briars and they ran through the brambles And they ran through the bushes where a rabbit couldn't go They ran so fast that the hounds couldn't catch 'em On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico
We fired our cannon till the barrel melted down So we grabbed an alligator and we fought another round We filled his head with cannonballs and powered his behind And when we touched the powder off the gator lost his mind
We fired our guns and the British kept a-comin' There wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago We fired once more and they began to runnin' On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico
Yeah they ran through the briars and they ran through the brambles And they ran through the bushes where a rabbit couldn't go They ran so fast that the hounds couldn't catch 'em On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico
After rockin’ it on the floater, we headed ashore for dinner at DaKudos.
A roast chicken salad for meA club sandwich for SwanAnd we shared a delicious bowl of seafood chowder
My Aussie pal Steve lives on Baloy, and as he drove by, he saw us at DaKudos. So he and his gal Viola dropped in to join us for a nightcap.
Nice seeing you guys
Not bad for a Tuesday.
Facebook had some more scamdemic memories for me today:
Still funnyAs true now as it was then
And then there was this memory from a lifetime ago:
At the Army Ball with Jee Yeun. It still hurts.That’s been the story of my life so far.
As long as we are looking backwards, let’s do the Quora Q&A thing:
Q: Where should I look for something I lost in the house? I can’t remember where I put my extra phone.
A: It’s always the last place you look.
Yeah, that’s a golden oldie. Sorry ’bout that.
Maybe this humor is fresher:
I can relateMakes sense
Okay, enough of this nonsense. I’ve got the rest of Wednesday to attend to. Dog-willing, I’ll be back tomorrow.
And a Standard Saturday Solo Street Stroll plus a five-bar crawl equals ten beers. Funny how that works. Let me show you what I mean.
Walking the back streets of Barretto is nothing new for me, and there ain’t much to see that is particularly interesting. I’ll prove that with a photo from every one thousand steps.
1000 steps: Leaving Alta Vista2000 steps: On the National Highway in “downtown” Barretto3000 steps: Still on the National Highway on the far side of town4000 steps: Abra Street5000 steps: Rizal Extension6000 steps: Columban College7000 steps: Gomez Street8000 steps: Del Pilar Street9000 steps: The back way into Alta Vista10,000 steps: Home againSteppin’ out at just a tad over 7K
Have you recovered from all that excitement yet? Okay then, let’s do a bar crawl:
My plan was to start at the first bar (i.e., closest to my house) and go up the highway from there, visiting each bar in order.
First stop: Snackbar
I have a lot of history with this bar, including a broken heart. It’s been a while since my last visit, and it was nice to see owner Paula has hired back most of the old crew. It’s a small place with most of the available seating outside on the sidewalk and in the parking lot. It was too hot for that yesterday, so the the three of us customers sat inside in the aircon.
Indoors at Snackbar
My methodology for this bar crawl was two beers and out at each venue. I was tempted to extend my stay and catch up with everyone, but I decided it was best to stick with the plan. There is a new SB2 upstairs, a disco bar, that doesn’t open until 8 p.m. and goes into the wee hours of the morning. I’ll visit someday out of curiosity, but discos have never been to my liking.
Next up, OutbackI started at the pool bar. The view from my stool.
Nice bar that I seldom visit, despite the outdoor ambiance I like. Go figure.
Then I moved indoors to the Billabong barIt was still early and not much going on except a couple of guys playing poolI had the bar to myself. Nice sound system with good music at the right volume. Still, time to move on.Whiskey Girl was closed (opens at 6 p.m.)Adam’s was closed, tooAnd so was LuxI haven’t been to Castaway at the Palm Tree Resort for well over a year. But at least it was open.It’s a nicely appointed bar, but the only other customers were outside on the terrace.There was no music playing, and when I asked the bartenderabout that, she just shrugged and said, “We don’t have.”When I did use to visit this venue, I’d sit on the terrace and enjoy views like this oneNext up: Mango’sThe indoor bar is called Rock LobsterI thought they were closed when I walked in, but I was served.It’s a another nice bar that I almost never visitWhen I visit Mango’s it is the Beach Bar for meThe view from my stool
Welp, I was tired of bar crawling alone, so I messaged Swan to join me, and she agreed. I ordered some food for us to eat when she arrived.
The grilled pork chops are our favorite here and there is enough on that plate for two.
So, that was the end of the bar hop. I might make doing an abbreviated bar hop like this every Saturday as a change of pace and a way to visit places I seldom enter. We’ll see.
After our meal, we crossed the highway (a challenge on a Saturday) and stepped inside the newest bar in town, a place called Nipsy’s. It is where Alaska Club used to be, but it has been remodeled. I was surprised it was so crowded. I didn’t recognize any of the patrons. I’m told it is a bar that caters to the Navy civilian crewman on those freighters in the bay. The outside of the building has similar ships painted on the walls. It has dancers on stage who actually dance, although I didn’t care for the music. Again, I’m the grumpy old man, and this bar isn’t trying to cater to my likes. I was surprised when the waitress asked me if I wanted a Zero since I’d never been here before. She laughed and said she used to work at Alaska. Oh, okay. Anyway, the bar seems to be doing well and good luck to them.
Just for the hell of it, I decided we’d finish our night at the new Alaska bar. We had a nice time there, as usual, with our regulars. I’d reached my limit, and it was nearing 9 p.m. (late for me), so we headed back home in a familiar trike.
I may not have been a perfect day, but it was close enough for me.
Sounds like a good plan to me. I pee outside all the time when I’m hiking, but never go back to check the results.That brings back memories. I graduated from albums to 8-tracks, then cassettes, then CDs. And now my music is all on Spotify. What a life!
Speaking of memories, Facebook took me back six years in time to my last month in Korea.
Saturday night bar crawling in Pyeongtaek. I wish I had enjoyed it more at the time.
And then, there was this from three years ago:
I attended the 60th birthday party for Swan’s now-deceased boyfriend. It’s weird how you never know what the future will bring. Or won’t.
Okay, let’s move on to the Quroa Q&A:
Q: What is the most inappropriate thing to say to an amputee?
A: Can I lend you a hand?
Maybe I don’t have a leg to stand on with that kind of humor.
Let’s get to the real funny stuff:
That’s a limp jokeRacist cops!Mother Nature sucks!
Alright, gotta go. I have a Hideaway feeding to attend to. Back tomorrow.
The day began with a sweet candy walk and ended in sour disappointment with the Fralics beauty pageant. Well, as they say, you’ve got to take the good with the bad. Let’s start with the good.
Three bags of candy loaded up and ready to goBut first, the walking shoesAnd she’s off!This time, we explored some new nearby neighborhoods. There were a few dead ends and kid-less streets, but in the end, we found them!Word spreads fastNot much hereInterrupting the basketball gameA familiar landmarkThe dog is thinking, “where’s mine?”A sweet Sunday strollThe view from hereCome and get it!All doneThe path we walked
At noon, my driver picked us up for the trip to San Antonio. My helper Terri and Swan’s sister came along. We also picked up Tom and his gal Kate to join in the adventure. Or should I say disappointment? Tom met Kate a couple of years ago when she was a pageant contestant. I’ve attended two or three of these events previously, and I have always enjoyed them. Yesterday was pretty much a disorganized fiasco. Indeed, when long-time fans like us leave almost angry in frustration, you are doing it wrong. Some of the issues were logistics and timing–way too much downtime between events, and some of it was just not giving a shit about why those in attendance were there. The contest seemed secondary. The MC for the event stood on stage practically begging people to buy tickets for the 50-50 raffle (half goes to the winner, half to event organizers). It was pathetic, to say the least. He wouldn’t allow the contest to continue until the raffle pot had grown to at least 15,000 pesos, saying they needed the money to pay the rent and stay open. I enjoy the FRA venue, but I won’t be going back for the Fralics events next year. Okay, rant over.
The Navy veterans organization FRA holds an annual weekend event called Fralics (like frolics, get it?). I think Frasucks fits better this year, at least for the portion I attended.The stage is setWe arrived well before the start time, but these tables at the side of the stage were the best seats left. The other tables around us filled up quickly.The front-facing seats were long goneThe ten contestants.Number 1Number 2Number 3Number 4Number 5Number 6Number 7Number 8Number 9And finally, number 10Contestant number nine was my favorite. She actually sang a pretty song during the talent contest. The other girls did sexy dance routines. She didn’t win.The winners
Oh, well. Shit happens. A long way to travel and not have a good time. Lesson learned.
The Quora Q&A:
Q: Can I say an employee didn’t give a 2 week notice when called for a reference?
A: It’s generally true you just state the facts about employment history…date hired, date left. I did have a tough situation once. We had fired a mailman for drinking and driving in his mail truck! So, I got the call later for a reference check. Gave the basics as specified above. The caller asked if there was anything else I could tell them. I asked what job is he applying for…school bus driver! Yikes. So I honestly said, “I wouldn’t want him driving my kids.” The caller thanked me and said that is all I needed to know. No regrets and no repercussions.
Time to lighten things up a tad:
No need to rub it inScrew that!A little off-key humor
Another Hash Monday has arrived. Vienna Sausage is the Hare, so I expect I’ll be looking for alternatives. I’ll go to the start and decide from there. I’ll let you know how that goes tomorrow.
But this post is about Sunday, so let’s get to that.
I started the day with my Standard Sunday Solo Street Stroll on the highways and byways of Barretto, which was a little over 7K from beginning to end.
Next up on my agenda for the day was the Hideaway feeding.
It was nice to put some smiles on those faces!
A bar devoid of customers can’t survive for long, and Hideaway was deserted when I arrived. I’m only there once a week now and only for a couple of hours, so I can’t say for sure what’s going on. Joy tells me she goes home every night around 7 p.m., even on the weekends. Not good!
One thing Barretto doesn’t lack is options, and I exercised mine with a visit to the Arizona floating bar.
Lots of folks enjoying a Sunday on the beachI prefer the floater to the sandThe Navy supply ship is still anchored in the bay. A big exercise is taking place this month with several navies participating in a show of force to hopefully deter Chinese aggression.Swan was there to share the joyEnjoy your total eclipse today, Mr. SunAnd as is our style, we departed shortly after the sun did.
But we weren’t done with our night on the town just yet. The manager at Green Room was celebrating a birthday, so we popped in to extend our greetings.
Seventy-three years young and still going strong.Happy Birthday to you, Jim!Food and cakes for the partygoersBlowing out the candle
I’m trying to watch my food intake, so I passed on most of the offerings. But for some reason, I just couldn’t resist this cupcake:
I’m not sure why
Anyway, it was a pretty good day.
Quora Q&A time:
Q: What was the age difference of the youngest/oldest person you ever slept with? Was it a fling or did it last?
A: Well, we didn’t sleep a wink, but a couple of weeks ago, I had sex with a 22-year-old woman. I’m 65. Not that unusual, really, because, as they say in the Philippines, “age is just a number.” It only lasted about 30 minutes or so, which doesn’t even qualify as a fling. It was a basic transactional relationship. We both got what we wanted.
That was over three years ago. Subsequently, my lowest threshold was achieved with an eighteen-year-old. That was too weird even for me. And thankfully, those days of meaningless casual dalliances are behind me.
Speaking of perversion, there’s this:
Pour a little sugar on itI was chatting with these gals in the bar once, and as I walked away, they were looking at my butt. I heard one of them say, “What an ass!”
Alright, time to get on with the rest of the day. The map of the Hash trail I saw looks like a tough one. Only one way to find out!
With a stop in BarCelona along the way. A quick post today because I’m running late and don’t have a lot to report anyway. Here goes:
I did my solo Thursday walk as usual. It was hot, and I wasn’t really feeling it, but I overcame the urge to shortcut and managed to log almost 9K when I was finished.
Looking up to where I was looking down from the Black Rock Ridge on Monday.My roadwork route
Swan had some business to attend to, so we agreed to meet up when she was done. As I was heading out, Erik messaged, asking where I was going to be hanging out. I decided a trip to BarCelona was overdue, so we got together there. I really do like the ambiance of this bar (and it is still for sale), but I’m at best a once-a-month customer. I’m still not sure why.
Checking out Cheap Charlies across the highway. Saw three Hashers hanging out in there.When Swan arrived we moved out to the rooftopIt’s nice out there once the sun has retreated some.Keeping an eye on the National Highway from our rooftop perchMe and my galOkay, time to do your thingMaybe you can start cutting us a little slack soonWas that laughter I heard?Fine, be that way.
Alaska Club lay two floors below us, so we popped in there to check on Daddy Jerry. He greeted us at our table and said he was through with ladders. Good! The surgery went well, and he had high praise for the newly reopened hospital in Barretto. I was especially glad to hear that. Hopefully, there will be no more trips to Baypointe, and while I don’t ever want to need an emergency room nearby, I’m glad we have one.
We had an enjoyable visit in Alaska, quenching the thirst of our waitresses, and I tipped the dancers 50 pesos each for their effort. Jerry played almost all 60s music, including some of my favorite old country songs. I grew up listening to Patsy Cline, Marty Robbins, and Johnny Horton when my dad came home from work, put on an album, and opened a bottle of beer. Quite the stroll down memory lane hearing some of these songs for the first time in many years. I even looked up Johnny Horton to see what he’s been up to and was shocked to learn that he died in 1960 in a car wreck at the height of his fame. I didn’t know (remember?) that.
Dinner to go from Sit-n-Bull, then home sweet home.
And it’s still f’n hot.If ignorance is bliss, there must be a lot of happy Biden voters
Anyway, let’s do the Quora Q&A thing:
Q: How can a US citizen stay in the Philippines for a one-year vacation?
A: You can extend your tourist visa for up to 3 years before having to physically leave the country. I get an extension every 60 days. Of course, getting here now is the hard part with the COVID restrictions in place.
Well, the scamdemic nonsense is over now, but my three years ran out, and I had to get the jab. No repercussions so far, anyway.
Today’s funny business:
Don’t be such a dick about itDo you crane much?
Sorry! I am heading out for tonight’s SOB soon. Hopefully, I’ll do better here tomorrow.
It was nice hearing this song again for the first time in forever. Especially while ensconced in Alaska.
Every few months, I get frustrated with fruitless searches for things I want and need at Royal. Well, fruit isn’t the problem, but you know what I mean. So yesterday, my driver hauled us out to the S&R membership store in the neighboring province of Pampanga. It’s a pain in the ass drive that takes over an hour with heavy traffic much of the way. For the most part, the effort was disappointing. Many items I was specifically searching for, like sugar-free pudding, were unavailable. Other items I wanted but couldn’t have, like some of my old favorite brands of ice cream, tortured me as I resisted the urge to place them in my shopping cart. I did come away with things I’ll enjoy snacking on, like this:
Real honest-to-goodness American-sized celery stalks. Seven bucks a bundle, but I was not deterred.
A couple of other pictures from the journey:
I don’t have a clue regarding the “giant lanterns.”They did have these giant hearts lining the highway. I’m not sure if they are old Valentine’s Day decorations or if they signify something else.Arriving at the S&R storeIt is a warehouse-sized store that sells groceries, as well as appliances and other household goods. Many of the food items are large, similar to the Costco model back home.
I’ll likely make another trip before my membership expires in September and then decide if renewing it is worthwhile. Some items were a little cheaper than Royal, others more expensive. But the main issue is the time and expense of making the journey and still not coming home with everything I wanted.
I also maintained my Tuesday tradition of visiting the Kokomo floating bar. Music was loud again, making it difficult to talk, so I just sat there and sipped my beer, taking it all in. There was a large group of Filipinos on board (I understand they are guests at the Kokomo Hotel), and it was surprising (to me) to see them engaged in behaviors normally only seen from “two-week millionaire” tourists. They rang the bell to buy all the girls a shot (3500 pesos) and lots of bottles of beer as well. I was certainly in no position to complain; it is folks like that that keep the floater afloat.
The bayThe barThe sun
I didn’t stick around long enough to watch the sun go down because I’d had enough of the loud party vibe. We walked up the beach to McCoy’s, and I was gobsmacked to hear the videoke blaring as we approached. The last few times I’d visited, the barangay Captain (also named Baloy) had banned videoke, but that’s now been lifted, which is a shame. We started to sit down, but I just couldn’t take it, so we moved on.
I did take one last shot of the sun before we moved on.
Where to next? I suggested Snackbar, but Swan didn’t like that idea (there were too many memories there for her), so we tried Subiza. It was totally empty; no one greeted us as we entered, and her friend was not working. Nope. It was too depressing for my blood. So, we made our way to the highway, and the first bar we went to was Queen Victoria. But when we walked in, the bartender advised there was no San Miguel Zero in stock. Well, damn. After my bad experience with SM Light on Saturday night, I’m trying to confine myself to Zero. So, we turned around and walked out.
Next, we crossed the highway and popped into Whiskey Girl. It was shortly after opening, and we were the only customers. I ordered my Zero, but they didn’t have any wine flavors that Swan prefers, so she drank a San Miguel Apple beer. A bit later, my buddy Chris and his gal Shie arrived with a couple of other folks. We exchanged greetings, and they went to play pool. Then suddenly, the bar came under attack by moth-like critters that were attracted to light. I’ve never seen them swarm indoors before, but there they were out in force. The bar turned off as many lights as possible, and we moved to the back, but the bugs were still bugging us, so we finished our drinks and left.
Our night out seemed cursed, so I suggested we grab some food and head for home. Swan agreed, and our best option was Sit-n-Bull. Now, we could order take-out inside the restaurant, or we could go next door to Wet Spot and order from there. Wet Spot it was, then. While we waited, Swan got her wine, I had my Zero, and her friend Aine and our waitress Irene got a lady drink. And nothing went wrong! Our food arrived, we said goodnight and headed for home.
And that was how I filled the hours on Tuesday.
I posted this on Facebook, and not surprisingly, some of my lefty friends weren’t happy.
One commenter (a Black friend) said since everyone in the meme was White, they must be Republicans. I’m so colorblind I hadn’t even noticed that detail. And no, I didn’t bother pointing out that the biggest influx of Trump supporters is coming from people of color.
Ah, politics. It is pointless trying to change the minds of people who are unable and unwilling to reject the dogma they are being fed each day. I’m still hoping people wake up and see what is happening before it is too late, but I have my doubts about that.
We are in the best of hands. Not!
It has been so hot here lately that the schools are closed. That’s the first time I’ve heard of that happening. Closer to home, I’ve used the air conditioner in my bedroom for the last four nights in a row, and I almost never use aircon. We changed our hike today to a location where we could mostly walk in the shade. Yeah, it is always hot here, but not this hot.
And one of the FB pages I follow about life in Angeles City gave me a laugh today. Lots of expats there are moaning about the Korean “invasion”–lots of their old favorite bars have Korean owners and some of the girls working the bars prefer Korean men, aka “triple three.” So, with that background in mind, this strikes me as funny:
Well, damn, for some reason, the second panel didn’t upload, and now I can’t find it. Anyway, it was two old white blokes at the airport saying it was good while it lasted.
How about we chill with some Quora Q&A:
Q: Does living in Korea make you feel like just giving up?
A: I spent almost 12 years living and working in Korea. Loved the country. Had my heart broken a couple of times but that’s not unique to Korea. I don’t believe in giving up.
I still miss much about my days in Korea. A lifetime ago now, though.
And things that may make you smile:
Seems almost lyricalWell, he did promise “till death do us part.”
Yesterday began sweet and ended sour. I joined Swan for her weekly candy walk and took a different route that worked out well. It’s still too damn hot to enjoy walking the streets, but the kids were out in force and we were well-stocked with goodies.
Let’s get going! We emptied that big bag of sweets three times on yesterday’s walk.First customer of the dayThe backstreets of Purok 13Word spread fast, and it wasn’t long before every kid in the neighborhood arrived for their ration of chocolateNext up was Barangay MatainThe boys in the ‘hoodAnd the girls tooMama wanted treats for her kid at homeBay sideA skilled craftsman at workMore evidence that signs don’t workAcross the highway to a new neighborhood Our only climb of the day, thankfullyMade it to the top!No chocolate for you two or your kids!Crossing Bridge #3 to service our regulars in San IsidroTaking care of businessWe were out of gas and nearly out of candy when we hit the 8K mark, so we grabbed a trike for home.
When it came time to make plans for our Saturday evening, Swan wanted to go to Treasure Island on Baloy to hear the live band. And that’s what we did.
Engine is the band’s name, and they are quite well-known and popular in our little town.
I’ll grant that they have talented musicians and singers, but as always seems to be the case, the sound mixing wasn’t done right, which made everything seem distorted and unpleasant to my ears. Maybe it’s just me, other audience members seemed to be enjoying the performance.
At least I had a cute date
Treasure Island doesn’t stock San Miguel Zero, which forced me to drink SM Light, which has additional calories and alcohol content. But that didn’t slow me down. Over the course of the evening, several friends came by and joined us. So, the beverages were being enjoyed along with the camaraderie.
Steve and his gal ViolaChris and Shie were there as well (Chris went for a swim in the pool)
And then I forgot how to say when and imbibed to excess. No, I wasn’t falling down drunk, but I was drunk enough not to remember much else about the night. That’s not my style and I strive to avoid it. So, hopefully, lesson learned. I had the rare hangover this morning, so I napped instead of taking my hike. That’s not good either. Anyway, what’s done is done, and hopefully, it won’t be done again.
I’ve never seen this live and in person, but one of the rituals engaged in during Holy Week is crucifixion reenactments. Yes, devout believers are actually nailed to the cross, albeit through the palm and not the wrist, but still.
Philippine Christian devotees take part in the re-enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday in San Fernando, Pampanga province on March 29, 2024. (Photo by JAM STA ROSA / AFP)
Okay, Quora Q&A time:
Q: Why would a girl tell a guy that he looks hot?
A: She is probably worried that he has a fever and might need to get checked for COVID.
Yep, I have all the answers!
Smiles for today:
That’s one of the jokes from my repertoire. I’m always surprised when I see a joke I’ve told often in comic form. I see this was copyrighted in 2014, so maybe I stole it first–I don’t recall when I heard it.The relationship was obviously unfulfilling…
This has been a dead Easter for me. I’m still unsure about having some hair of the dog that bit me, but I will probably have a couple with dinner. We’ll see how I feel later.
And I made the best of it. Starting with a long hot group hike.
Up the Govic highway……then up the steps.Better at the beginning of the hike than at the end, but still a butt-kicker.My first cookie delivery about halfway upFriendly lolasJim was the only one in the group who wanted to climb Blackrock. So, he went by himself.The rest of us took the roundabout way to meet him at the bottom.Wait a minute…is something moving up there?Sure enough, it looks like Jim is thinking about taking the quick way down.Self-flagellation and reenacting the crucifixion are Good Friday traditions in these parts. And on we marched…The second part of Monday’s Hash (after Easter Mountain) will be hiking the Black Rock ridge. I’ll be doing that portion.The cows had the good sense to stay in the shade on such a hot day, and we human folk pressed on.If you build it we will come.And here we are on what used to be just a footpath.The fishpond lifeThen, we crossed the highway and headed for the beach.Lots of folks out enjoying family time on one of the biggest holidays of the year here.I’m not sure what a volleyball game would look like on this court.Bobbing heads in the waterThese friendly folks were enjoying lunch on the beach. They cheered when I gave them some cookies for dessert.Bayside dwellingsMore holiday revelersThrough the narrow streets of this bayside villageAnd onto the community basketball courtA miniature pool tableThe kids were swarming like I’d never seen. I didn’t have enough cookies for everyone, so everyone got none. Sorry ’bout that!Heading back to Barretto on the highwayAn 8K jaunt in the heat left us all tuckered out.
And that’s how I spent my morning. When evening rolled around, Swan and I decided to visit the Arizona floating bar. Yeah, that’s our Sunday thing, but this Sunday, the girls are going to have a party, and everyone gets wet, even the customers. Nope. Not my thing. So, I baked a batch of brownies off we went.
On the beachAnd on the floater.The girls loved the brownies, which made me feel good.The only thing better than a cold beer is a FREE cold beer. The manager sent this one over to me as a thank-you for the brownies.Party time!A bay viewThe sun getting ready to do its thingFetching ice cream from a vendor on the beach.Going……going……gone.
And shortly thereafter, so were we. We were headed to John’s place for dinner.
The beach at dusk was still crowdedAnd on the highway we encountered a Good Friday paradeThe view from our seats at John’s.
John wasn’t there, but we were surprised to see my waitress friend Em Jhae back. She said she had time off for the holidays and John messaged asking her if she could help out for the weekend, and she agreed.
Of course, we invited her to join us for dinner. She said her new call center job is going well, but the hardest part is staying awake at 3:00 a.m. (she works a 9-5 nighttime shift because the calls come from the USA).I dined on the delicious chicken enchiladas
Swan got a message from a friend that she was at It Doesn’t Matter for a pool tournament, so we visited there for our nightcap. And John was there playing. It was great to see him on his feet and enjoying playing pool again. How Good was my Friday? I stayed out until the ungodly hour of nine p.m.! Hey, sometimes you just have to let go and party hard!
Facebook memories included this old joke from 2012:
A Scotsman, an Englishman, and an Irishman are playing darts at Dolce Vita in Itaewon (you guys know who you are, so I won’t mention any names…).
“Y’know” said the Scotsman, “I still prefer the pubs back home. In Glasgow, there’s a wonderful little bar called McTavish’s. The landlord there goes out of his way for the locals, so much that when you buy 4 drinks he’ll buy the 5th drink for you.”
“Well,” said the Englishman, “at my local, the Red Lion, the barman there will buy your 3rd drink after you buy the first 2.”
“Ahhhhh, that’s nothing, laddies,” said the Irishman.
“Back home in me own Dublin, there’s Ryan’s Bar. Now, the moment you set foot in the place they’ll buy you a drink, then another, all the drinks you like. Then, when, when you’ve had enough drinks, they’ll take you upstairs and see that you get laid. All on the house.”
The Englishman and Scotsman immediately scorn the Irishman’s claims. But he swears every word is true.
“Well,” said the Englishman, “did this actually happen to you?”
“Not to me meself, personally, no,” said the Irishman… “but it did happen to me sister.”
Still as funny as it ever was.
Today’s Quora Q&A:
Q: How is it that amnesiacs don’t forget as much as most people think they do?
A: I don’t remember…
We are on a roll here, so let’s get to the rest of the humor.
That’s more sad than funny…But this one cracked me up.Bad timing?I find most of these crap jokes on my phone…Had enough? Me too!
Another Hash Monday is upon us—er, well, me anyway. Since I’m one of the Hares this week, and we marked the trail yesterday, you’d think I’d have some free time on my hands. But I still want to meet the group at the start to send them off. I’ll leave a bit early for that and get some fatboy steps in for me, too. The trail we laid has one moderately easy climb and is just under 5K in length. The hardcore folks will find it too easy, but thems the breaks. They can always longcut if they feel the need. Here are some photos of the Hares hard at work:
Heading for the hills with Pubic Head and Buddy FuckerLaying down the powderUp we goLeft a bag of cookies hereAnd a bag for the neighbor’s kidsIt’s been hot lately, so finding some shady spots is always a plus.Getting near the top. If I didn’t mind the climb, you know it must have been an easy one.Me and Buddy Fucker hard at workThe view from hereAnd the view from thereTime to make our way back down. This portion of the trail was a little dicey. Hopefully, no one gets lost.Back to civilization at last!Flat, boring, and paved the rest of the way.Today’s On-Home venue–Subiza on Baloy Beach.A view from Subiza.Work is done, time to eat!Honey garlic chicken for me.
I hope my fellow Hashers find something to like about today’s trail. If not, there is always next week. Meanwhile, I took care of some other business.
I fed five at Hideaway yesterday, not counting the chicken wing I ingested.Joy to the world.
Then, it was time to hit the beach.
Sunday on Barretto BeachBound for the Arizona floaterSome fellow passengers.That Navy supply ship is still anchored in the bay.The banka boat next door.Swan brought my helper Inday along so she could enjoy the floating bar experience.A lit sky at the end of the day.
We departed the floater shortly after sundown. Inday had not experienced a dancing bar either, so we took her go-go virginity at Alaska Club. It’s always an adventure walking from Arizona to Alaska on the highway in the dark, but we made it. Then we finished off our night out at Wet Spot. Home for some “Blue Eye Samurai” before falling asleep on the couch. It’s all good.
Time for some Quora Q&A:
Q: Why do retirees flee to Arizona and Florida? I can understand moving to Florida, but isn’t Arizona way too hot?
A: They are both hot, but Arizona is a “dry heat,” low humidity hot. You can also choose to live in the mountains, like Flagstaff or Prescott, and enjoy moderate four seasons weather.
My sense of humor may be a little off, but at least I’m not a dick.
She’s just trying to get a rise out of him.No matter how you slice it…