First things first, and today is the 1st, so here you go:
I apologize for all the punctuation errors. You know they are bad if even I find them irritating.
And me being me, I posted this on my Facebook page this morning:
To hell with it. I’m going to the airport and getting on a plane. Don’t even care where it is going, first jet out to anywhere. When I get to wherever I wind up, I’ll max out my credit cards, drain my savings account, and then decide what to do next. I won’t be back. Goodbye, Philippines!
Most people figured out pretty quickly that I was just fooling around.
Anyway, about that Hash we did yesterday. As I suspected, the trail was a Corona-style monster. How bad was it? Even some of the strongest runners were bitching about some of the treacherous portions they encountered along the way. I’ll have to take their word for it because our sane group received an advance copy of the trail map, and we successfully navigated our way around the worst portions of the path. I still managed to get in over 6K and had a pleasant enough journey, most of which was on the familiar My Bitch trail.
The trail, as laid by the Hare, was just under 10K. Us shortcutters avoided the first climb and then reconnected with the trail here.In addition to the usual chalk and powder markings, the Hare stapled paper to leaves. That felt a little too close to littering for me.We still had a moderate climb to attend to on our version of the trail (this was also part of the Hare’s trail, as the chalk marking on the tree indicates.Where pineapples come from.The standard cookie delivery for Mountain Mama OneliaI’ve got a feeling this treefall did make a sound, even if no one was there to hear it. It did require a slight detour for us trail walkers.Plodding onwardThen we ran into a couple of Hashers going in the wrong direction. We turned them around before they’d gone too far out the way.Time to choose your shortcut option.That’s always an encouraging sign. Some of my fellow Hashers contend that I walk faster when I see this.Yesterday’s run was #1647 for the Subic Bay Hash House Harriers. When I saw this trail marking, I thought at first that I had stepped into the future through some kind of time warp. Turns out the Hare is dyslexic.Arriving at our On-Home venue, Kim’s Place on Baloy Beach.
This was the first time we’d used Kim’s for a gathering. I’d suggested we give it a try, and I was a little worried whether they’d be able to accommodate over fifty Hashers. But it all seemed to go well. Here’s a short (less than three minutes) video to give you a taste of what Kim’s Place is like:
Some Corona Hashers from Angeles City enjoying their beach time.My tableAlmost like campingKim’s is a small place, but we managed to fit in comfortably.Time to Circle up!The grumpy old fuckers are permitted to sit.It’s nice on ice!And the sun sets on another Hash Monday.The Hash was done, but the drinking continued at the after-Hash gathering at It Doesn’t Matter.
Not a bad way to spend the day!
And I ended the month on a low note!
It’s been interesting (to me) as I scroll through the LTG archives in search of stories worthy of inclusion in The Story of My Life. I’ve made to March 2006 so far, and what strikes me is that even back in my early days as a blogger, my posts were inane drivel about my daily activities. Once a diary, always a diary, I suppose. Anyway, I began playing darts competitively the month before, and I discovered that I had some talent for the game. In this post, I recount the tale of winning money for the first time in a tournament. Yeah, as exciting as it sounds!
Fifteen years ago, I posted some photos of my father on Facebook. He’d just opened an account there and needed a profile picture. I posted some that I had and asked folks to weigh in on the ones they liked best. There were my favorites:
Walter Lee in the engine room near the end of his career as a merchant seaman.Dad, after retirement, bought a small farm in Oklahoma. My kids lived there with the grandparents after my divorce from their mother.This would be around 1960 on a camping trip in the desert. I rode many miles in the back of that Jeep pickup truck.
Sadly, my father passed away just over a year later.
I found today’s YouTube video amusing. I’m in no position to argue with a Filipina about what Filipinas don’t like, but advising men not to speak Tagalog seems over the top. She goes about explaining why in a humorous way (and in less than five minutes). I must have found the exception to the rule with Swan, as she is always encouraging me to learn new words in her language.
And then there are these:
I’m totally in the dark about thisWhat kind of dick carries a load like that? That takes some big balls.You’re hired!
And so it goes, on and on. Thanks for letting me share the joy.
Another day, another Hash I lived to tell about. I’d never hiked out in this area of Floridablanca, so everything was fresh and new. I always enjoy that. Leech My Nuggets told us the trail was an easy 6K and mostly flat. I guess everything is relative. It was definitely easier than the trail I did on Sunday with the Angeles Hash. And if by flat the Hare meant only a 176-meter altitude gain, then yeah, it was flat. *cough* bullshit *cough* Anyway, I made it through the entire trail and enjoyed it for the most part. Here’s some of what I saw along the way:
Gathering at the startTelling the Hashers that the Earth is flat, and so is the trailOn-On!Head for the bridge!Turn left at the sari-sari (you can almost see the arrow)Rockin’ it!Hundreds of these picnic huts lined both sides of the riverA dry feet river crossingAnd the bridge wasn’t even rickety!On up to presumably flatter groundLooking back down from whence we cameThe expressway bridge looks pretty impressive from this vantage pointStill looking for that promised “flat” groundI’ve been on that highway many times but never had a walk-eye view beforeOkay, we are still on a slight incline, but it feels comparatively flatAlways Wet leaving me behindLogging onThrough the banana tree forestUps and downs along the wayPineapple plantsLocal yokelsThrough the fields we goHello back there!The view from our “flat” trail proves it could have been worse.Dispensing some sweetnessWhat goes around comes around. Approaching the bridge from the opposite sideA steep down to the river hutsThe end is nearA wet feet river crossing this timeThe rocks were slippery on the riverbed, but I didn’t see anyone fallAnd to be fair, the last part of the trail was flatChillaxin’ at the end of the journeyCircle up!It’s nice on ice!The route of our “mostly flat” Hash in Floridablanca
Swan made a nice ten-minute video of some of the hike highlights:
Speaking of which, I forgot to share her video from Sunday’s Hash with the Angeles group. It’s longer (21 minutes), so you may want to speed it up.
An almost flat calorie intake
In August 2005, I traveled home from Korea and met my first grandchild, a nice addition to The Story of My Life. It’s hard to believe she is twenty years old now.
The only Facebook memory from today worthy of note is a joke I posted thirteen years ago. It’s still funny:
A priest offered a lift to a Nun.
She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg.
The priest nearly had an accident. After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg.
The nun said, “Father, remember Psalm 129?”
The priest removed his hand.
But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again.
The nun once again said, “Father, remember Psalm 129?”
The priest apologized “Sorry sister but the flesh is weak.”
Arriving at the convent, the nun went on her way.
On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129.
It said, “Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory.”
Moral of the story: If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.
In today’s YouTube video, the vlogger discusses the reasons behind what he contends is a mass exodus of expats leaving the Philippines. I’m aware of a few folks who have chosen to depart for various reasons, but the vast majority of people I know are happy with their life here, as am I.
And now for the funny business:
C’mon Spock, a gallon is a volume measurement, not a weight.I just hope that don’t rub it the wrong way…Was the bar named “Mulberry Bush”?
And on that note, we’ll call an end to today’s madness. It’s nice to get out of town for a change of scenery, and it is also good to be home enjoying my routines. Shopping’s done, and Baloy Beach is next on my to-do list. Tell you all about it tomorrow.
Damn, I can’t remember the last time I heard this song. Listening to it again, it sounds like something Trump would say:
After all my bad-mouthing of the Corona Hash, maybe it was Karma that nailed me to the cross on yesterday’s Angeles Hash. There were two options: a short 3.5K trail described as boring and a 5.5K long trail with a hill. Knowing that the Angeles Hash isn’t famous for challenging hikes, my Subic contingent took the long trail. And that resulted in my come to Jesus moment. The “hill” was a 200-meter climb, very steep in places, and often the dirt was soft and offered little traction. I can’t remember ever having to crawl on my hands and knees to overcome gravity before, but I experienced it yesterday. We all made it to the top eventually, greeted our savior, then headed back down the other side (which was mostly paved). We had one more short up before we reached the On-Home, which felt like icing on the cake. Lesson learned: not all Angeles City Hash trails are walks in the park.
I do have some quibbles, however. We were told to be at the Premier Hotel (just a few blocks from where we are staying) no later than 1:45 to sign up and catch the Jeepneys that were leaving for the trail start at 2 p.m. No one was there to sign us in, though, and one of the Angeles Hashers said we could pay at the Circle. That’s fine, and at two o’clock, we loaded into three waiting Jeepneys and took a forty-five minute ride out of town. Upon arrival, we noted that all the Hashers who had driven their cars had already started the trail. The Hare wasn’t there to offer guidance, and no one warned us of what was in store for those who chose the long option. The trail was not well-marked in places, and at the top of the hill we climbed, there was a U-turn that we should have been told about in advance. It took my group about 2.5 hours to finish the trail, and the circle was almost over when we arrived. I had just finished my first beer, and everyone started loading up in their vehicles to depart. But our Jeepneys were nowhere in sight. No one bothered to mention during the circle that the hill was too steep for a loaded Jeepney, so we had to carry our shit up to the Jeepneys before they departed. Undoubtedly, we would have been left behind if we hadn’t rushed up the hill in search of the Jeepneys. Anyway, rant over. It just took the fun out of the day.
Out of the Jeepneys on arrival and looking for guidance that never cameFine, we’ll figure it out on our ownA pleasant beginning, enjoying new scenery through gently rolling terrainSomeone has a sense of humor, marking this as a “short-time room, 20 minutes only.” There was no one present to provide that service, though.The view from hereThis is the type of Hash trail we expectedWe didn’t heed the smoke signal warning us of what lay ahead.And then we came to the hill. It started like this……and devolved into this.
In the worst spots, I was clinging on for dear life and couldn’t snap photos.
And then we saw this. Praise the Lord!Arriving at the summitLet’s go have a lookDidn’t expect to see Jesus hanging around up hereThe view from the topThose tall white buildings in the distance are in Angeles City.On the way downPavement was much nicer than loose dirtMore religious symbolism on the downward trekThe sign says, “The Last Supper.” Looks like we missed it.I don’t know, and I don’t careKiss an angel good morningI’m pro-AnnunciationLeaving Holyland and headed for hellWe did manage to dispense some sweetness along the wayPlease stay flat the rest of the way!It didn’t. Come on up, slowpoke!The sun had seen just about enough of usThe Hash Circle was in progress when I arrivedAnd here comes the remainder of the Subic contingent. Yeah, we were dead last getting back. We also had to climb that hill again when we left.Not quite 6K, and it was a ballbusterA fuckin’ upGave the heart a good workout, at least
Once we got back to town, we headed to the hotel for a quick shower, then out again for some grub.
Close and convenient, the food is good, and the beer is cold.I limited myself to a bowl of clam chowder. I liked it.
We did our nightcap at a bar called Black Satin. It was a typical dancer bar, but there seemed to be a good crowd for a Sunday evening. We handed out lollipops for the girls and it was nice to watch them suck (without paying for it). Then it was time to call it a night (another late one for me, almost 9:30!).
Barely making it is better than not.
Today’s entry from the LTG archives is from August 2005, with photos from my visit to New York City, a place I’m unlikely to ever see again, at least in person. It looks like I had a good time.
From Facebook memories, seven years ago, I was climbing mountains in Asan, Korea:
Climbing to new heights was so much easier back thenI don’t recall the name of the mountain we climbed, but it had a helipad on top. I got a kick out of seeing that someone had added a hanger.
And five years ago, this madness invaded my Philippines life:
I’m in jail it seems:
Enhanced Community Quarantine
24-hour CURFEW for EVERYONE
All public transport is suspended
You may go out ONLY to buy basic needs.
Work and school are suspended.
Restaurants are CLOSED. Only deliveries and take out are allowed, no eating in the restaurant.
Serious resistance or disobedience will subject the offender to arrest.
All the bars closed and stuck at home. What’s a fella to do?
Make a pot of chili, bake some cornbread, and pop the top on a San Mig Zero.
Today’s YouTube video features Reekay telling the sad story of a friend who married a narcissist. It didn’t end well.
The funny business:
Making room for more shitI wonder if he is drinking Scotch whiskeyPut on your poker face
Alright, I’ve got another Hash to do today. The drive from here to Floridablanca is thirty minutes or so. Not sure what to expect from the trail today or what terrain we will encounter. Guess I’ll find out soon enough.
Happy Saint Paddy’s Day to my non-Scottish friends!
At least until I get back. Headed out to Angeles City for the weekend. I’ll Hash with the Angeles group on Sunday, then travel to Floridablanca for a Subic Hash outstation run. I’m always up for a change of scenery, and although Angeles is nowhere near my favorite place to be, I can handle it for a couple of days. There are a couple of restaurants there that I enjoy and some new bars to explore. I’m looking forward to a good time!
My last day in Barretto included hiking the back way to Waltermart in Subic. Some sights along the way:
Walking the goatsOver the rickety bridgeThrough the valleyWalking in NaugsolThe Easter Mountain viewOn the Govic highwayA riverside strollI wouldn’t sit thereFrom here to there
Survived another round of chelation with Dr. Jo. When I get back, I’ll have some tests performed to see if there are any improvements in my health statistics. My blood pressure is significantly lower than it used to be, so that’s a plus.
It was after 5 p.m. when we left the doctor’s office, and I decided we’d stay on that seldom-visited side of town. First stop, Outback.
Beach views at OutbackAn Outback view from the beachA busy afternoon at the poolside barMe and that girl who keeps me company in my old age
Next, we walked up the beach for dinner at Mango’s and enjoyed our usual pork chop platter. I forgot to get a photo this time. With our hunger alleviated, we crossed the highway and had a nightcap at Queen Victoria Bar. It’s been a while since I’ve been there, and there is definitely a changed vibe. They’ve built a larger stage for the dancers and play music that young women prefer when dancing. I liked it better before, but everyone was friendly, and the service was good. It’s not somewhere I’d enjoy hanging out on a regular basis, but I’ll drop in occasionally when I need a change of pace.
I caught Swan cuddling up with this guyAt first glance, I thought this said “Elon.” That seemed a little DOGE-y.
And so ended our last night (this week) in Barretto.
Another fail, but not by as much. Is that progress?I’m more of an “everything in moderation” kind of guy
From the LTG archives is this post from June 2005, where I recount some of the differences I’d experienced with the Korean Employee’s Union and their American counterpart. That was also the day I picked up darts for the first time, a life-altering event in its own way.
Facebook memories shared this photo of three generations of McCrareys.
I was in the Bahamas for my daughter’s wedding in 2002 with my father, Walter Lee, and my son, Kevin Lee.
Despite the AI narration, I found this short (five minutes) YouTube video somewhat entertaining and on point. Coincidentally, Koreans dominate the bar ownership scene in the naughty boy district of Angeles City. Lots of Korean restaurants and even a Korea-town nearby.
The joke’s on me:
Yeah, I missed that, too. Or forgot about it.At least it fills the voidEverything old is new againWho knows where the time goes?
Speaking of which, it’s time for me to get ready to travel. I’ll check in again tomorrow.
Welp, my version of the Hash trail almost qualified as enjoyable. It began with a long, steady climb, which is never my idea of fun, but the fact that I’d never done that portion of the trail before made it easier to take. Coming back down from the top was quite steep in places, but the worst part was those pesky vines that like to wrap around your ankles and trip you up. I had a few stumbles because of them, but I never hit the ground. The Hare, Leech My Nuggets, had another big climb laid out towards the end of the trail, but our sane group avoided it with a street walk through Calapacuan instead. We did 6.5K, and that was plenty!
We began our trek on the far side of Subic townA gathering of Hashers at the starting pointAnd we are On-On!A tree I liked on the riversideThe first rickety bridge of the dayIt carried the loadSo did this oneUp we goHeels to the hillsThe scenery was niceThe half way up viewWorking our way upWe encountered these grannies out looking for firewood to cook with. Swan handed them some biscuits to enjoy. Filipinos pronounce it “biss quits”A shelter from the stormPlaying leap logValley viewEaster mountain under wireThis young mother has the worst shack in the neighborhood. I felt bad for her and gave her cookies and fifty pesos for rice.A refreshing walk through a mango grove after finishing our hill.Through the fields we goStare fight with a carabaoStreet walkin’ shortcuttersOn Home at Smokes and BottlesOne of my favorite Hash venuesRehydration is always vital after the rigorous Hash trailThe price you pay for being the last to payAnother fine adventureAnd a pleasant Hash aftermath at It Doesn’t Matter
Next week we are doing an Outstation Hash in Floridablanca. That’s about halfway between Subic and Angeles City. I’ll be spending the weekend in Angeles and Hashing with the AC Hash on Sunday. Looking forward to getting out of town again.
Where we will be. As I understand it, the trail begins under that bridge.
I’m still struggling with learning to say no to seconds.
I’m not giving up.
Today’s entry from the LTG archives is a post honoring my son on his twenty-seventy birthday. Today he turns forty-seven.
Happy birthday, KevinEight years ago, while on vacation in the Philippines, I met John Brant in person. I’d been following John’s vlog, My Philippines Fantasy, for a couple of years. It was through him that I became interested in Hashing. After I moved here, I see John out and about in the bars (he’d quit the Hash before I arrived) and he’d do videos of the SOB dances. Sadly, John has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and he is rarely seen these days.
The last vlog I’ve seen from John was this one from a year ago.
I don’t bother much with Grammarly these days, not that it ever did my any good anyway. I still have my premium subscription and with that comes an occasional report card. Today the emailed me my weekly fuckups:
Easy for you to say
I’m still poking and prodding on Facebook:
The ignorance never ceases to amazeFuck them both and fuck them all. Russia was wrong to invade, Ukraine is wrong to refuse to seek a negotiated peace. Meanwhile, innocents on both sides are dying.
The best thing about today’s YouTube video is that it is only four minutes long. The vlogger’s accented voice is sometimes hard to understand, but his point about being able to eat cheap here (a dollar a day) is true. Lucky thing, too, given the poverty that permeates this country.
Humor time:
Yeah, but when I do, I’m breaking badSorry to hear that he accidently tripped and fell on a steak knife during dinner.Alrighty then, bad grammar is worse than that fall.
And on that note, we will declare today’s post at its blissful end. I hope to be back tomorrow with more of my usual crapola.
I don’t recall the last time I drank the traditional morning alcoholic beverage known as a Bloody Mary. Not my favorite blend of flavors, but it was offered for free prior to starting our Sunday morning Hash trail. I only had the one because I prefer keeping my walkoholism separate from my alcoholism. The hike commenced at the Blue Cat and was short and flat.
I reckon this would be one of my hangouts if I lived in BauangArt on the wallThe view out the backHashers gathered for the final day of the Nash HashAs seen from my tableMy fellow Subic HashersAn we are On-On for the third and final day of HashingA brief jaunt on the highwayA tree I like along the wayI have to hand it to the Hare for a unique method of marking the trailA pleasant beach strollAnd for once, I wasn’t bringing up the rearThere was something a little ghostly about this placeSunny beachesI think I would enjoy living in La Union, especially if I had a house like this one on the beachLeaving the sand behindA rickety bridge we DIDN’T crossThe rare signage telling folks not to throw trash in the creekCreekside walkingI’ve seen dirtier waterAnother shady carabaoSome time amongst the peanuts, but no sign of Lucy or Charlie BrownThrough the fields we goNearing the end of our trekOur On-Home was at this nice resort a few kilometers out of townThe route of our very pleasant 4K journeyEnjoying some post-hike beverages with Cums AloneAnd a free buffet lunch for all the HashersI managed to overcome my temptation to ride the slideWell, the spelling ain’t rightAfter the closing ceremony at the Hash, we loaded into Jeepneys for the ride back into town
Want to spend a minute riding along?
But the after-Hash fun was just beginning. We were invited to join our Hash host, Booked Up, for some pizza and liquid refreshments at his house.
Thanks for having us!
And then, it was back to the Go Resort for our final night in La Union.
You knew this was going to happen, right?Back home it’s the sun behind the mountainsSo an ocean sunset is a rare treatNicely done!Hanging out with some other Hashers staying at the Go ResortSome tasty sweet and sour pork for dinnerI was just talkin’ to the moon
And then it was back to the room for me. Before I went to bed, I posted my usual bullshit on Facebook.
Like this, which is funny whatever your politics. At least I think so.
But there is more to life than politics, so I also posted this:
I thought it was funny
But Facebook didn’t. I woke up this morning to this:
Did you see any nudity or sexual activity in that photo above? Neither did I.I filed an appeal and requested a review
Lo and behold, I just got this message:
Photo back up……and account restrictions removed. Geez.
Anyhoo, I am safely back home in my humble abode here in Barretto. It was a great four days in La Union!
The YouTube video for today talks about the pitfalls of helping out so-called “friends.” I guess I’ve been lucky in that regard, at least so far. I have a few hundred dollar bills that are the old style, and none of the exchange places will accept them. I don’t have any reason to believe they might be counterfeit (I got them from a US bank the last time I was there), but I’ll just hold onto them for now.
The funny stuff:
He’s noun the wiser!Turn it on, turn it up, turn me looseSounds like tit-for-tat
No Hash for me today, but it’s a Vienna Sausage trail, so I’m not missing much. I’ll still visit It Doesn’t Matter this evening to see my fellow Subic Hashers again. I’ll get back to “normal” tomorrow!
I’ve got another Hash run to attend this morning, so I’m just going to slap up some photos of yesterday’s events for your viewing pleasure. The medium trail (6K) on a hot day with a climb near the end was more challenging than I imagined it would be. But getting passed near the end by a couple of the “ball buster trail” (19K) runners put things in perspective. The first Hasher to finish overall was a ballbuster and his time was three hours and nineteen minutes. It took me two hours to do 6K. I’m just glad I made it back still breathing.
After the Hash, we had the long forty-minute Jeepney ride back to Bauang. A shower at the hotel, then a stroll to the Blue Cat bar featuring free Margaritas for all the Hashers. I don’t usually drink cocktails, but it seemed impolite to decline such a generous offer. A couple of drinks later, it was time to board the Jeepneys again for the ride to our dinner venue. Some good food, music and cultural dancing filled the hours until it was time to head to bed.
The view from my roomOne of the Jeepneys for the forty-minute ride to the start of the trailOut of the JeepneysThe Hares weren’t there but left a greetingOn-On!An easy beginningPleasant countrysideThere were some gentle ups and downs along the way, but easy enoughDam, get over it!Lots of farmland out this wayNature’s beautyThe day’s only cookie deliveryThings got a little woodsyThe first real uphill began hereA good sign at the top, but we were only halfway thereThe view from hereRamshackle hutA shady place to restThe path aheadYeah, I’ve seen that before…The big hill awaitsA rest stop along the way upOnward and upwardThat’s not the topThat gal is one of the ballbuster trail Hashers who passed me. Impressive!Getting down at lastGlad that horny boy was friendly!Farm lifeA not-so-rickety bridge, made of rebar instead of bambooSwan says that’s tobacco Now there’s a good sign!And I get a peaceful, easy feelingAh, this is the definition of rickety Don’t worry, the fat guy made it acrossThe On-Home was in an empty field in the middle of nowhereThe writing on the wallThe route we walkedThe MapMyWalk app statsMy Fitbit said I done good
The long Jeepney ride back to town, a brief rest, then it was time party some more.
Margarita time!
I got a tingly feeling after two of those puppies, so I went outside to wait for the Jeepneys to take us to dinner.
I never knew this hotel existed, about ten minutes out of town at the end of long road off the highwayOn a nice beachSwan got to enjoy her sundownSome nice music was providedMy dinner plate from the buffet line. The main course was lechon baboy(roast pig)And a cultural dance performance
I got drafted by one of the dancers to join in a routine. I wasn’t drunk, I swear!
So, the night ended on a high note.
The fun is not done yet. Here’s today’s agenda:
I’m up for one last trail this morning
In the memories department, three years ago, John’s place moved to a new location.
The upstairs open air bar never took off like the old locationAnd now, John is gone. RIP!
Today’s YouTube video is all about my hometown that I haven’t seen for days now!
Some quick humor:
Sorry!I’m funny when you’re drunkIt’s fun to be nuts!
Running late, gotta go. Heading back home tomorrow, so things will be normal again. Sorry about that!
A long but pleasant Hashful day. And to end any suspense, I was still upright when the day was done. Yesterday’s kick-off event began with a morning Hash run. Three trails were on offer: long, medium, and short. My intent was to go medium, but when we reached the junction with the long trail, I was up for a hill climb and took the long route. Compared to my recent trek to Tralala, getting up and over wasn’t too difficult, and I did not regret my choice.
Leaving “home” for the walk to the Hash start location.The gathering crowd at Tropical Garden ResortAnd we are On-On!It always feels nice to walk through an area for the first time.A peaceful pondAbandoned buildings along the wayFeeling a little corny!The hill portion of the hike beginsMaking it under the wireA few steep spots, but an otherwise gentle up and downThen we were back on the flatEaster Mountain’s little brother?Through the fields we goThe final push to the finishThe Hare said the long trail was 6K, but my tracker showed a tad under 5K
La Union Hash doesn’t sit on the ice, they drench you with water instead.
And the bucket brigade was out in force to ensure everyone got to experience a soakingMy turnSplish splashSoaked to the skin
After the Hash circle was done, we were served a lunch. The upcoming event was two hours later, so I went back to my hotel for a nap. Waking up somewhat refreshed, it was time to head to the Blue Cat for some sex on the beach.
Hashers enjoying their free sex on the beachI don’t recall ever having a sex on the beach cocktail before. It wasn’t bad, and best of all, it was free for all the Hashers!The view from Blue Cat The sun went down, but I was still going
The Full Moon Hash was up next. This event was held at the Footlights Bar, about a kilometer up the highway. I walked, which demonstrates how much self-discipline I was maintaining.
Hanging out at Footlights
The Full Moon Hash was for men only (the ladies did a Half Moon at another bar), and only Hashers could attend. There were some games that we were expected to participate in and some topless dancing to keep us entertained. The Hash code of honor precludes me revealing more about the night’s events.
Keeping my wits about me and feeling the pangs that come from skipping dinner, I departed Footlights around eight and took a trike back to the hotel.
Since I’m still in my “fuck it” diet mode, I had my first hamburger on a bun sine November.
That was the extent of the damage done last night. I didn’t fall down, throw up, or make an ass of myself. Let’s hope I can keep it that way today.
The planets all came out to watch last night!Today’s agenda
I’ll be doing the medium trail, which is purported to be 6K in length. The “ball breaker” trail is nineteen kilometers long, and anyone doing that one had to sign a waiver relieving the Hash from any responsibility for an unfavorable outcome.
It’s going to be a long day again. Hopefully, I’ll still be standing at the end of it.
Today’s YouTube video is shocking in the sense that people wouldn’t have figured this shit out before moving here. This is not to say I didn’t have to learn some things the hard way myself after making the move.
Here’s your dose of daily humor:
This hits a little too close to home.I’ve lost my sense of smell and fart with impunity these daysStick with it!
Time to head for Tropical Garden for the start of today’s trail. We’ll be taking a 45 minute Jeepney ride to wherever it is we are hiking today. I’ve been assured it will be nothing like that mountain trek we did here last month. Only one way to find out for sure! Wish me luck.
No, not THAT kind! Buddy Fucker, the Hasher I rode with to La Union, had transmission issues with his vehicle, and the repair took longer than anticipated. So, our noon departure from Barretto was delayed until 3 p.m. We arrived at the Hash registration desk to sign in and pick up our goodie bags just a few minutes before they shut down at 7 p.m. With our Thursday mission accomplished, we retired to our hotel, the Go Resort, checked in (I have the same room as my last time here), had dinner and beer (only two, believe it or not), and called it a night.
The sky on the driveOn the two-lane blacktopStill on the road when the sun went down
The items in the goodie bag that comes with Hash registration included TWO shirts:
The front of the green one…And the back of the shirt with the typical list of sponsorsThe blue one has a collar, a rare thing on a Hash shirt. We’ve been advised to wear it to the Saturday dinner party. I will do so proudly.
The other items in the gift bag:
The blue bag everything came in, a water bottle, a necklace with a whistle and bottle opener attached, a commemorative patch, hydration powder, and a scarf.
For dinner, I stepped out of my comfort zone and ordered off the Filipino menu.
It wasn’t bad, although some of the meat pieces had bone fragments which was a tad disconcerting. It’s all part of the adventure, I suppose.
I’m taking vacation this weekend. From the diet, I mean. Not going to bother counting calories. And I kicked things off with a dessert I’ve been missing:
Nice to see you again, Mr. Split!
Yeah, yeah, I’m a bad boy. But at least I didn’t get drunk. Yet. Today’s Nash Hash itinerary may make maintaining sobriety difficult.
That “Full Moon Hash” should be interesting
Today’s Hash run begins at 10:30 and the beer flows at 11:30. That’s early for me. My plan is to return to my room for a nap after lunch. And to slow down my beer consumption rate in the absence of my preferred low-alcohol brew. We’ll see how that works out for me.
And that’s where things stand. It’s weird blogging so early in the morning, but it’s pretty much a now or never situation. I didn’t bring my new keyboard along (it wouldn’t fit in my computer bag) so I am having to deal with no “c v x z” letters (I had the foresight to send myself a message with those letters so I could paste them in as needed). The things I do for my loyal reader(s)!
Today’s YouTube video is from the Filipina Pea; she is always a good watch. Say what you will about Filipinos, but from my observations, they are anything but lazy.
Some humor before I go:
Buy her a razor I’ll drink to that!A joke like that on my blog got me in trouble when I was working for my Uncle Sam. They can’t fire me now!
It should be an interesting first day here at the Nash Hash. I’ll tell you all about it when time permits. Stay tuned!
So, about that Hash run yesterday. The Hare was Keep The Change, and I’d never done one of his trails before. I’d seen his posts on Facebook about Hash trails he’s done in Angeles City, so when I discovered he would be our Hare, I figured I would be in trouble. He makes Vienna Sausage, the most notorious Hare in Subic, look like a lightweight. I only did a portion of the ass-kicker, and then our “sane” group made our own way. So, it was a steep climb halfway up Kalaklan Ridge, and then we bailed and took a different path back down. I hiked the 2K to the start, so I managed a healthy six kilometers for the day.
Gathering at trailhead at Barretto High SchoolAnd we are On-On and on upA long steep road to start things off. You can see BF’s Wet Spot is already struggling behind me.The road ended and things got worseAt least this obstacle was easily overcomeShit like this was more challenging. I was glad for the branches to hold on to so I wouldn’t fallSteep it wasPlugging awayWe waited quite a while for BF’s Wet Spot to catch up. She said she was dizzy and needed to stop and rest frequently. We were worried for her and decided not to continue the climb.A view on the way downAnother abandoned dreamBack to civilizationIt was a steep descent as wellShoes on a wire. Haven’t seen that in a while.On Home at Red Bar. Over fifty Hashers in attendance
We initiated a virgin Hasher. I don’t think she understood what was going on, but I made a video of the cringe anyway.
Damn, that was painful to watch. Sorry!
Always Wet got the Hashit this week.Part of the after-Hash crowd at It Doesn’t MatterThe change I kept
After consuming my fill of Zeros, I grabbed Swan and we headed for home. My resistance was weak and I couldn’t say no to the dessert I was offered.
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream
My Facebook memories took me on an interesting journey through the past today.
A high school graduate in 1973
I hired on as a letter carrier with the Postal Service in 1976.
And in 1985, I received my first promotion to management as a safety specialist
My next promotion as a labor relations representative took me to Columbia, SC.
I enrolled in the University of South Carolina and made the honor roll. Apparently, grammar didn’t count.Two years later, it was the Dean’s List
Despite those accomplishments, I did not graduate from USC.
Instead, I finished my studies at Central Wesleyan College (now Southern Wesleyan University) and earned my degree in 1991, eighteen years after graduating high school.
This life of mine has been quite a ride. In February 2017, I wrote a post about resolving a dilemma and its painful results. It is a sad but worthy entry in The Story of My Life. All these years later, I still can’t bear to watch the video I included in that post.
Today’s YouTube video discusses plans to upgrade the former American Navy base in Subic to serve as a deterrent to Chinese aggression. Good luck with that. I’ve long felt that China is the biggest threat to freedom in the world today. Whether Trump can convince China to back off remains to be seen. Being killed during a Chinese invasion of the Philippines remains in the top ten ways I might die here.
Your daily dose of humor:
You might have better luck just looking in the window and watching what brand they use.Just tell them to stick it up their ass, Anus.At least she doesn’t have to go to her knees to please
That’s just about enough for one day, doncha think? Heading up to The Rite Spot later for a gathering with some of the neighbors. I’m sure you’ll hear all about it tomorrow. Y’all come back now.
Yesterday’s Hash outing was an enjoyable, albeit mostly familiar, trail. The Hares were all female Hashers (Gash), but they still managed to chart a course I found worthy of shortcutting (I didn’t do the Black Rock climb at the end). Even so, it was a good 6.5K journey for me. That’s plenty on a hot day.
The trail began at the Alta Vista clubhouse, a mere two blocks from my house. That’s a nice start!The clubhouse with the ever-watchful Easter Mountain in the backgroundAnd we are On-On!Kicking things off we an Alta Vista hill climbMaking our way through the ‘hoodHeading for the junction with the My Bitch trailOn the BitchEaster Mountain from afarA quick hello and cookies to Mountain Mama OneliaMaking it under the wireDoing what we doThat cabin in the woods I’m fond ofHeading back downBack on flat ground againStreetwalkers and a goatEaster Mountain from anear Heading down the road to On-HomeOur venue this week was Smokes and Bottles
I tried my hand at a video of the Hash Circle opening: Introductions and the Hares on ice. (Don’t worry; it is less than four minutes long).
There was a big turnout (55), with Hashers joining from Angeles, La Union, and Puerto Galera yesterdayThe way we went (green is the shortcuts)
And as usual, we did an after-Hash gathering at It Doesn’t Matter.
Let the good times roll
I tried my best, but sometimes your best just isn’t good enough.
Close, but no cigar
Some Facebook memories from this day in history:
Eight years ago, I was here on vacation and looking for a place to live. I saw this one in Alta Vista, and as fate would have it, I rented it eighteen months later.
Three years ago, a new bar opened in town, and the customers were invited to decorate the walls.
My contribution. The bar (can’t even remember the name) didn’t last six monthsOne year ago, I was at the Beach Bash, and so was Barbie from Green Room.
Anyone up for some political bullshit in the form of memes?
Yep, I’ll let AOC do my thinking for me. Not!As we used to say in Arkansas, “That dog won’t hunt!”Based on my Facebook feed, this seems to be the standard position of lefties.
Enough of that nonsense; let’s hear what Reekay has to say about the advantages of dating an older Filipina. I had to smile thinking about that scenario. The youngest woman I’ve dated here was eighteen years old. These days, I’m with one of those “older” gals, Swan, who is forty. Of course, “old” is a relative term, especially in light of the fact that I’m thirty years her senior. But Reekay’s points are all valid, and in my experience, older is definitely better.
Maybe these will make you smile:
Sounds like a stinky propositionMy dad found a gay porn magazine in my brother’s room, and woo boy, he went ballistic. I don’t recall the circumstances of how the magazine came to be there, but my bro is as straight as they come. Not that there’s anything wrong with it.I think that requires further examination, Doc.
I reckon that’s enough of my nonsense for one day. Come back for another fix if you dare tomorrow.
I went my own way for the Hash but wound up in the right place at the right time. As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I opted out of doing the “official” trail laid by the Hare, Vienna Sausage. I had my reasons.
The trail I (mostly) didn’t dowas purported to be 6K
To begin with, it started three kilometers out of town, requiring a Jeepney or trike ride to get there. But more importantly, it had way too many ups and downs for my liking. I don’t mind a challenging climb, especially if it is at the beginning of the hike, but damn, this trail had several hard climbs interspersed with steep descents. Normally, I’d just shortcut the Hare’s trail, but in this case, I wasn’t familiar enough with the area to feel confident in my ability to do so. Instead, I crafted my own path from my house to the On-Home, some familiar (a portion of My Bitch) and the rest areas I hadn’t hiked for a while. It worked for me, and that’s what matters.
Cums Alone and BF’s Wet Spot joined in on the funThe way aheadAn Easter Mountain viewMy trail had one moderate climbA cabin in the woods I rather fancy.
I did a seven-minute long video of the portion of the My Bitch trail that passes through Mountain Mama Onelia’s homestead.
I hope I did a little better quality-wise, but I still have lots of room for improvement.
If you watched it through to the end, you saw the surprise encounter with Buddy Fucker and Fuck Buddy, who had also chosen to hike a trail other than the Hare’s. We joined forces for the remainder of the journey.The view on the way back down to BarrettoAnd anotherAnd then by golly, we intersected with the real Hash trail. Steppin’ on down
As we made our way to the On-Home venue, there was another surprise encounter:
I hadn’t seen Mama around town for several days, and I’ve never seen her way out like this on the backstreets of Barretto.Glad you are okay, Mama! Enjoy the biscuits!Still on the real trailAlmost doneOur On-Home was at the seldom visited Bella Monte Hotel.Sitting around waiting for the Circle to beginSome of the Hash GashCircle up! Over fifty Hashers in attendance yesterday(we are normally in the mid-thirties)It’s nice on ice!Action Man and his gal, She Devil, got lost on the trail, were last to get back and pay their Hash fees, and were rewarded some ice time along with some playthings.On the ice for the socialites! (those who didn’t do a trail and just came for the circle)Recognition on ice: Cums Alone has 22 runs, Cum Together has 333.Maybe it was a dick move, but my trail was just a tad over 4K and quite enjoyable
We did the usual after-Hash hangout at It Doesn’t Matter, then made our way home to watch some of the Groundhog Day movie. Swan was unfamiliar with the creature or the holiday but seems to be enjoying it so far. We didn’t finish watching because we were both tired from the Hash, and the YouTube video I selected wasn’t high quality and was rife with commercials. I’ll try another version when we resume watching.
Made it, but just barely
No memories of note to share today, but here is a blast from the past on the blog: paying the rent for two years in advance in cash. The comments gave me a chuckle, especially the one from my liberal ex-wife #3 complaining about a waste of taxpayer dollars. These days she is pissed at Trump and Musk for trying to save the government money.
That’s what $94,000 looks like. No worries, Uncle Sam picked up the tab.I’m still getting my kicks making lefty heads explode with my Facebook posts
Today’s YouTube video is a hopefully refreshing change of pace. I came upon this randomly, but I enjoyed learning about hygiene issues in the Old West. Perhaps you will, too.
And now for some humor:
You had breast keep your distance. Those appear to be loaded.My hearing and vision are both diminishing, so I’m not sure what to do now.Beats pounding sand!
Another day, another post. Thanks for hanging in there with me.
Another Hash run completed without a trip, slip, or fall. A nice trail overall, some parts familiar and some almost seeming new again after a long absence. Our group made a wrong turn or two but recovered before too much energy was expended retracing our steps. And as is our style, we took a shortcut to avoid an end-of-the-trail hill climb.
Gathering at the VFW starting pointAnd let the climbing begin!Moving through a shanty village on the way upThere goes that girl of mineLeaving the village behindPassing the grass (heh, that brings back memories!)The Barretto viewA rest stop. If it looks like I’m peeing behind that tree, it is because I was.Cums Alone leading the wayThe Subic side of the hillThe final push to the topA brief water break at Four CornersMore grassAnd coming back down the other sideThe view from hereA stroll through Marian HillsThen back up to Alta VistaHeading On-HomeDidn’t even make it to thirty. RIP!Red Bar was our host for the Hash CircleOur version (the yellow) came in just shy of 5K
I’m glad to be healthy enough to Hash. Heart rate and breathing have not been issues of late and I hope it stays that way.
Some more after-Hash enjoyment at IDM. It was nice to see Michael and his gal Tess back in town after a three week driving tour of several of the islands. We returned home in time to enjoy the third episode of the second season of “Squid Game.” More bloody violence and an interesting twist at the end. I’m looking forward to see where things go from here.
Not bad for a beery Hash day
I have no Facebook memories to share today, but here’s a twenty-year-old post about filling the hours one weekend in Korea that I’m including in The Story of My Life.
Here’s a meme I liked:
Another on my list of the unforgiven
Well, we haven’t heard from Mikey Bustos in a while. Hope you enjoy seeing today’s YouTube video:
And now, that other kind of humor:
Me too! And to be clear, those two are quite nice!Make her earn it!Time keeps on ticking into the future(Hmm. Why instead of what kind of spoils the fun. Didn’t notice until now and can’t be bothered to delete this one. Sorry!)
Alright, time to get on with my Tuesday. Thanks for dropping by.
A quick post about my yesterday because today involves attending a social event at the ungodly hour of 1 p.m. Yesterday was also out of the realm of normalcy for me. I attended a Saturday Hash. Sponsored by the Manila Hash House Harriers. And the event was held on SBMA (the old Navy Base). By way of explanation: It was a special Hash run to honor Hasher Long John’s birthday, a Manila group member who resides in SBMA now. I’m acquainted with Long John because he frequently Hashes with us in Subic. So, it gave me a good excuse to get off my lazy ass and hike in some unfamiliar territory. Here is some of what I saw.
The birthday boy. By my reckoning, he’s ten years older than me. I hope I’m still going as strong as he is in a decade.Gathering at the community center in Long John’s neighborhoodAnd of we go on what was deemed to be a forest trail. It was indeed!There were some ups and downs along the way, but for the most part it was a pleasant hike.The first of what I counted as five water crossingsSome folks opted to trying hopping across on the rocksLike these folks, I just went with the freedom of wet feetYou’d think a Swan would be agile in the waterI was beginning to feel bamboo-zeledBut there was room to pass through the jungleOn up on a well-marked trailRelatively wide-open spacesThis was the first of several fallen tree trunks we had to maneuver over.Up and overIn the woodsSwan getting back to her rootsMore waterWet feet againLow bridge aheadUnless you happen to be shortStill more waterA dry crossing this timeThis crossing had the added obstacle of a downed tree to limbo underThe last of the water crossings and the final hill climbThis massive trunk was too much for me to scramble over, so I found a way to walk around it.And then back to Long John’s neighborhood. The housing here is duplexes from the old Navy base days. Before I made the move to the PI, I looked at some of these options, but decidedI didn’t want to live in what felt like an American suburb.Our walk through the forest was 5K
There was some food, birthday songs, and a Hash Circle after the hike, then it was back to Barretto. I watched the second Season Two episode of “Squid Game” then hit the sack for some well-earned sleep.
Having only five after-hike beers helped.
One year ago I celebrated the grand opening of this venue:
I should go there more often
Today I posted this photo on my Facebook that I found on Kevin Kim’s blog:
And within five minutes, it looked like this:
Fuck you, Zuck. You suck!
Okay, I’m hoping Trump will convince China to back off on it’s dreams of war in the Pacific, but it won’t be pretty if it ever happens. Seeing that China could literally cut the power to the Philippines isn’t all that surprising.
Some humor before I go:
There is beauty in natureKeep your eyes on the prize!Sounds like she’s all in
Hike buddy Tim is leaving soon for his journey back to the USA. We’ve all been invited for a farewell gathering at his cool rooftop lodging at the Coffee Shop hotel. I’m not keen on starting my time on the town so early, but sometimes exceptions must be made.
Woman: Do you drink beer? Man: Yes Woman: How many beers a day? Man: Usually about 3 Woman: How much do you pay per beer? Man: $5.00 which includes a tip Woman: And how long have you been drinking? Man: About 20 years, I suppose Woman: So a beer costs $5 and you have 3 beers a day which puts your spending each month at $450. In one year, it would be approximately $5400.. correct? Man: Correct Woman: If in 1 year you spend $5400, not accounting for inflation, the past 20 years puts your spending at $108,000, correct? Man: Correct Woman: Do you know that if you didn't drink so much beer, that money could have been put in a step-up interest savings account and after accounting for compound interest for the past 20 years, you could have now bought a Ferrari? Man: Do you drink beer? Woman: No Man: What color is your Ferrari?
Well, only three beers a day is a lightweight! I was going to say I’d have money for a Ferrari in half the time, but then I remember I don’t pay anywhere near five dollars a beer. Luckily, I don’t need a car because I don’t drink and drive.
Alright, now that we have that out of the way, let me tell you about yesterday’s Hash. As expected, the trail was long and hard. But Leech My Nuggets is one of my favorite Hares because he not only lays a well-marked trail (meaning it’s hard to get lost), but he also provides options to ease the burden for those of us who need them. My group did the first big hill climb but then opted for a walkaround Black Rock and the final up. So, it was a good day on trail for everyone!
Where it all beganon the far side of Subic townA pleasant riverside stroll to kick things offLife on the riverI’m not Farmer JohnUp and at ’em!A woodsy interludeThat lone palm tree in the distance caught my eye for some reasonIt has been years since we’ve done this trailBut I remembered this part for some reasonIt seemed like our climb would never endUntil it did.
But the downward part of the trek was whole new experience.
This is a zoom shot from my patio. I’ve been lamenting the rape of that hillside which is visible for miles around. It’s going to be a new subdivision someday, but work is progressing at snails pace.And looking back at Alta Vista (on the hillside to the left) from the scourged earthAnd now here we were walking those roads carved into the hillside. That’s a great view of Easter Mountain with the Kalaklan Ridge in the background.The future residents up here will have some of the best views aroundA pause to take it all inThe hard way down. Leech My Nuggets advised us “sane” folks to take the road instead.And the hard and easy meet again!Going around Black Rock instead of over itThe biggest challenge we faced on our “sane” path was crossing this raging creek.Arriving at our On-Home venueGreetings Lick and SpitCircle up!I joined the Hare on the ice in recognition of his efforts to provide a challenging trail for us all to enjoy
And as is our custom, after the circle some of the Hasher reconvened at It Doesn’t Matter.
Doing what we doAnd Tim doing what he does best–keeping the gals happy!
When we’d had more than enough to drink, Swan and I headed for the safety of home and episode 4 of “Squid Game.” Lots more bloodshed, and this one ended with a cliffhanger–who’s at the end of their rope? I’ll find out tonight!
And I pretty much behaved myself diet-wise
I’m just throwing today’s YouTube video out there for whatever it is worth. Why the US vice-president would engage this issue doesn’t make sense to me, but maybe I’m missing something. Anyway, the vlogger gives it a positive spin, regardless of whether it is likely to happen.
To the humor we must go:
Any cock will doI prefer direct deposit when I donate spermHmm, I’ll be seeing Dr. Jo this afternoon…
That’s pretty much all I’ve got for now. After the doctor visit, we’ll head out to the Kokomo’s floating bar for some rockin’ on the bay. Assuming all goes well, I’ll be back again tomorrow.
Until next year. Anyway, not a bad day on trail. We left Alta Vista and took the back way through the hills to the start of the Hash on Rizal Extension. From there, we did a steep stair climb almost to the top of the Kalaklan Ridge, then meandered through the woods to the On-Home at Tiny Cunts house at the far end of Rizal Extension. The problem is getting back from there after the Hash. My solution was to leave at the beginning of the Hash circle and walk back down the road before nightfall. That worked out just fine, and we chilled at It Doesn’t Matter until it was time to call it a day and head home. Here are a few photos from the adventure:
Heading out, I came upon the proverbial fork in the road. I didn’t take it.Arriving at the meet-upLet the climbing commence!First cookie delivery of the dayOn and on we climbed the uneven stepsThe steps were done but not the uphill climbIf a tree falls on your roof and no one is there to hear it, does it still make a sound?Through the woods we goNature’s litter is much more pleasant than the human kindTwo options: Over or under the barbed wire.I guess whoever was building here got tired of the climb and said, “fuck this!”On the levelWeird to see Christmas wrapping paper discarded out in the wildernessWalking the wallThe Rizal Extension portion of the hikeA little over 5K from start to finish
Hash Monday is a difficult day to stayed focused on the diet plan.
That second helping of pudding put me over the top. Hey, the New Year is coming. I’m resolved to do better!
I was born in 1955 and I’m still booming like there is no tomorrow:
Why yes, yes we are!
And next time I visit Korea, you can call me Kang, Gun Hyo.
Today’s installment in The Story of My Life comes from my brief reflections regarding my final day at work back on December 30, 2010. My big insight on that day was this:
But I’m going to make sure this is merely the transition time between adventures. Or go crazy. One of those.
Maybe I am crazy, but it occurs to me now that life is always just one big transition. I suppose that state of perpetual transition might on occasion include adventure. More often it just hurts.
Back then, I didn’t have a clue about the heartbreak that would befall me the following year. And that ultimately led me to a new life in the Philippines. The only way to find out what comes next is to live it. I’m going to keep at that task for as long as possible.
Now at last I have come to see what life is, Nothing is ever ended, everything only begun, And the brave victories that seem so splendid Are never really won.
Even love that I built my spirit’s house for, Comes like a brooding and a baffled guest, And music and men’s praise and even laughter Are not so good as rest. ― Sara Teasdale
At least I’m not a loser like the one in today’s YouTube video. Get a grip, dude. Yeah, I dislike things about the PI (primarily litter and noise), but the good far outweighs the bad. If I didn’t think that was the case, I would get the fuck out, not post whiny-ass YouTube rants about it.
Laughter helps:
You can’t tell by my posts, but I do care and I am at least tryingto do better.I worked at Blinky’s Pizza in Westminster, California, back in my high school daze. And yes, we kneaded the dough. The bread they paid me was minimum wage.And that’s why I could never be a doctor…
So, today’s post is coming to you from Mope Beach Resort in beautiful barangay La Paz, San Narciso. I didn’t have a plan for this; I just wanted to welcome the New Year by doing something different. So, we packed our bags and had the driver drop us down the road after grocery shopping. And here we are! I’ll let you know how it goes down tomorrow.
In a sweet way. Another Hash Christmas Candy Run is in the books, and I’m happy to report that everything went according to plan. Hundreds of children were deluged with goodies from over fifty Hashers, enjoying the smiles they got in return. So everyone was happy. Does it get any better than that?
Dressing for the occasion in our specially designed shirts for Run #1633And the back of the shirtHashers gathering at the Alta Vista Clubhouse starting locationSanta arrived by trike instead of the sleighThe participants for the Subic Bay Hash House Harriers Candy RunAnd we are On-On!Isn’t that sweet?Candy is dandy!Go ahead, make my day!Don’t be scared little girlI guess old ladies need a little sweetness in the their life, too.Santa (Gasman) made it all the way through the trailPosersHere they come!Crossing Bridge #2Looking for handoutsAnd there you have your Easter Mountain view in the background. Merry Christmas!See you next year, Santa!
Everyone seemed to have a good time doing the trail and there were lots of enthusiastic children, so as a Hare I take satisfaction in a mission accomplished.
The usual Hash Circle shenanigans and then some more beers at It Doesn’t Matter to round out they day. I probably could have cut down on the beer some which may have given me the strength to resist that second helping of pudding before bed last night. Oh well, it’s the holiday season!
I’m detecting a pattern of one day over, then one day under. I guess that balances out.
Seven years ago, I took a rainy-day walk in Pyeongtaek.
I guess I’ve always had a thing for trees.
I posted this on Facebook and got the expected response from my friends on the left:
It seems they can’t stand the thought of people thinking for themselves and making their own decisions.
Today’s YouTube video discusses maximizing your life as an expat in the Philippines. It is really all about appreciating the good and accepting the not-so-good aspects. I’ve been here for going on seven years now, and it is easy to take it all for granted. Taking a step back and looking at the life I’m living, I feel blessed. Sometimes, it is all about letting go of what was and embracing what is.
Here’s your medicine:
Dog turds are one of the perils of street walking in the PI.Acorny jokeNo mouth condiments though…
Christmas Eve is upon us. I was invited to the Alley Cats Christmas party earlier in the week and forgot about attending. Got a message from the boss there saying my present was waiting for me. So, I’ll try to make up for my transgression today. A batch of brownies, some Hershey chocolate bars, and a tin of cookies to share with the staff. I’ll buy a round of drinks for the girls and order a pizza. After that, we shall see.
Or should I say, floating on the bar and enjoying the breeze? I guess it was some of both. I’ll get to that, but first, let’s cover the morning activities. I’m one of the Hares for today’s Hash trail, so that meant going out to mark our path with chalk and powder. Today is also our annual Candy Run, so we’ll be handing out sweets to the kids we encounter along the way. And it just so happens that the trail we laid for today is primarily the same route we take when Swan and I do our weekly Sunday Candy Walk. So, it was the proverbial killing two birds with one stone activity–we marked the trail and dispensed goodies to our Sunday regulars. Here’s a glimpse of how it all went down:
My fellow HaresThe Godmother (Swan) hands off a Christmas envelope and some sweets for her newly acquired Godchild. We have no relationship with the child’s mother other than our encounters on the Candy Walk. Our first big group of the morningLivin’ the life!Refilling the candy sacksA nice fruit stand along the wayThe Easter Mountain viewA friendly Christmas greetingThe largest group we encountered yesterdayThe worst part of our trail is a stretch of a kilometer or so along Sawmill Road–narrow and lots of traffic is not a good fit for pedestrians. There’s no getting around it, though.Dropping some powder along the National HighwayArriving at Johansson’s, the On-Home venue for today’s HashWe had some lunch at Johansson’s. I went with the hamburger steak. I’ve had better.So, this is the trail as we marked it yesterday. It came out to be 8K. Upon reflection, my fellow Hares agreed that it might be a tad long for the comfort of some Hashers, including our Santa Claus (Gasman). So, we are going to delete that loop you see at the top of the map, which should make it doable for everyone.
My plan today is to head out on the trail a little before the main group and let the kids know that Santa is on his way. I’ll also need to remark the portion that we’ve eliminated so no one takes a wrong turn. Here’s hoping for a successful Candy Run!
Some of the sweet treats Swan and I will be handing out today.
Next up was the Hideaway feeding, which went according to plan. I gifted each of the girls a Christmas envelope containing 500 pesos. I told them Santa knows you’ve been naughty, but that’s the way he likes it.
The Hideaway crewJoy to the world
With my work at Hideaway completed, it was time to welcome back the Arizona floating bar.
A view from the beachAnd a view of Barretto’s beachHere comes our ride (Swan arrived at Arizona the same time I did)
So, as I understand it, Friday was the first day of operations this year. That’s about six weeks later than usual. The story I heard was that while in storage, the floater had been hit by thieves who stole everything that wasn’t nailed down, including the wiring. I’ve not seen much buzz on social media about the re-opening. We were the only customers when we first arrived. Other than the manager, none of the gals working looked familiar. And when we sat down, we were surrounded by half a dozen thirsty girls. I don’t roll that way; I might reward my waitress and bartender, but I don’t succumb to lady drink pressure. Swan hates it when the girls invade our space.
As you can see.
Anyway, I knew that once they figured out we weren’t buying their company they’d move on, and soon enough they did. It helped when another customer boarded and they flocked to his side.
And he was just what they were hoping for…bought them all at least one round of bottled lady drinks.
Anyway, I don’t think we’ll be bothered on our next visit now that the girls have figured out we don’t randomly buy drinks.
The bay viewAnd the ridgeline. I took a photo of the floating bar from up there on Friday.This is what we come forThe angles and perspectives differ from the Kokomo’s views. Swan says she likes the view from here better.It was good to be back. See you next week!
Next up, a short stroll to John’s place for dinner.
National Highway and Rizal Street…the busiest intersection in town.
It was nice to see our old waitress friend EmJhae back to work part-time at John’s. Good service and good food are tough to beat. Swan had the birria tacos, one of my menu favorites. I was craving some pulled pork, so I ordered the sandwich without the bun.
It hit the spot. I ate the coleslaw, too, but not the fries.
Swan wanted to do a nightcap at the Green Room, so off we went. A couple more beers for me, a wine for Swan, and a lady drink for Chu and Sally. They both got 500 pesos for Christmas, too.
And the Sit-n-Bull waitress gave Swan this headband. She’s going to wear it on the Candy Run today.
As usual, I kept myself entertained by watching the pool players of varying skill levels compete. And when I saw this comic today, I got a good chuckle:
If you scratch (hit the cue ball in the pocket), you get what is called “ball in hand.” That lends itself to some witticisms, too.
I’m thinking I might play some pool more often during my bar visits. I might as well since I enjoy watching so much. Hmm, a New Year’s resolution?
I got back home a little later than usual (the floating bar experience added an hour or so to our routine), did the pudding thing, and then off to bed. Good times!
Still came in under budget, despite those twelve San Mig Zeros I downed over the course of the evening.And a better than usual day getting my steps in
It just so happens that five years ago, the Hash was also doing its annual Candy Run:
Look at the handsome skinny guy in the knee socks!
Today’s YouTube video features Reekay holding court on the issue of women with tattoos. I despise them, although a small, discretely placed one (preferably out of sight) is tolerable. Judging from the comments, the vast majority of menfolk agree with my take.
And now for the fun part:
Well, I appreciate the brave few who still visit Long Time Gone.Sounds like a whole lot of fuckin’ going on.I don’t remember how to do that.
Another day, another post. Here’s hoping there are many more days to come. I’ll share how today’s Candy Run goes tomorrow.
And here’s a funny “Jingle Bell Rock” parody music video from that funny Filipino, Mikey Bustos. Enjoy!
Yesterday’s Hash trail came in right at 6K and traveled through territory I’ve hiked frequently enough that almost everything was familiar. Except for the long-ass uphill stretch. And even there, once we started going down some rough and uneven steps, I realized that I’d climbed up those steps a couple of times, and the long up had actually been a down back then. Direction surely does change everything. It was a pleasant enough hike overall, and we finished at our On-Home venue, the One-Three Resort. I hadn’t been there for a while, and it seemed a little shabbier than usual. As I was leaving after sundown, I walked through an almost pitch-black lobby and asked why the lights were out. The gal behind the counter said, “Sorry, sir, not available.” I can only assume someone didn’t pay the electric bill. Oh well, not my problem.
Here are some photos from Run #1632 of the Subic Bay Hash House Harriers:
We gathered for the start at the Subic MarketplaceAnd we are On-On!Swan doing her sweet thingWhere the river meets the bayOver that bridge with the damaged pilingsAnother river viewOn the backstreets of barangay Asinan ProperStrolling past a scenic pondMost of the trail was marked adequately, but there were a couple of places where we missed a turn and had to retreat and look for the right way to go.Passing through the first of three different graveyards on our route.After we crossed the highway, we entered the second graveyard. Swan was surprised to see the grave of a former classmatewhodied from leukemia at thirty-six. (To clarify, Swan knew her classmate had died; she just didn’t know her tomb was here.)And this stranger who also died younger than me. If I didn’t know better, I’d think I was old. On the road in barangay IlwasThen a brief riverside walkThe beginning of the long uphill stretchNot so steep, but still a slog upwardKeep on keepin’ onThe road ended, but not the climbOnward and upward!And then it was back down via some fucked up stairsteps Some nice neighborhood decorationsAnother water crossingThat’s my Alta Vista neighbor, Leech My Nuggets. He walked the 6K to the marketplace start, then did the 6K trail. I envy his stamina.And here comes the fat guy. Until I saw this photo, I hadn’t even noticed the e-cart. It’s the same make and model as Swan’s. I might have accused her of shortcutting if she hadn’t been with me on trail.One more bridge crossingThen a tricky path beside the fish pondA view of the pondSwan in the wildThrough the field we goAnd then across the highway to our On-Home venue.I enjoy the views from the One-Three ResortBite My Titties is hanging around, waiting for the Hash Circle to startSince this is the only place I know that serves a Monte Cristo sandwich, I could not resist the urge to have one. Well, I gave Swan half to reduce the calorie overload.It’s nice on iceWe celebrated three birthdays…Demolition DerbyPubic HeadAnd Tiny Cunt Fucker. Ignore that fat guy in the backgroundWe made them all cake, and when we were done, they went down to bay……and washed away all that hard work!And another Hash came to a close.
We joined the after-Hash at It Doesn’t Matter for a bit before heading home. The party girls didn’t want Swan to leave so early, so I promised that Swan could stay late next week. She’s becoming such a Hasher!
So, blame it on the half sandwich, several chicken nuggets, or ten San Mig Zeros, but I went a tad over the limit yesterday.Still, I burned double the calories I consumed, so I should be okay.
In today’s episode of The Story of My Life, I recount reaching what I thought was the end of the road career-wise fourteen years ago as I said farewell to my Uncle Sam. Of course, nothing lasts forever.
Coincidentally, Facebook memories reminds that a mere four years later, I went back to work.
My Korean wife did not want to join me back in the USA, so I got a part-time job as a contractor for the Army Education Center. I manned this computer center, where soldiers could have free access to the Internet and software programs to meet their needs. My job was much like that of a Wal-Mart greeter—I’d welcome them, sign them in, and assist as needed.I took the job mainly for the SOFA visa and access to the base amenities like the commissary.Within a year, I received a job offer from my former organization, the Directorate of Human Resources Management, and I was back in the big time!
Eight years ago, I was in the GS-15 Director’s Chair again.
Some of my Korean team members. I was blessed to have a highly skilled and hardworking staff.
Also, eight years ago, my marriage had failed (again), and I was taking my first tentative steps back into the dating game.
My first and last Chinese woman. She was a strange one. Of course, the Korean gal I dated next was just as crazy. I reckon I’m better suited to Filipinas. Well, just the one these days, but you know what I mean.
Changing things up a tad content-wise, today’s YouTube video is a 1977 TV commercial for the first portable computer. We really have come a long way.
And that brings us to the daily dose of humor:
That’s actually one of my old jokes (by “my,” I mean I stole it first.)Porn can be painful at timesSo, that makes them different shades of gray. Or should I say grey?
Halfway through a busier-than-usual Tuesday. Immigration, cell phone repair, candy purchases at two different markets in Olongapo City, and then the regular gig at the Royal supermarket. Next up is a visit to Dr. Jo for this week’s chelation treatment. After that, we’ll do our Tuesday visit to the Kokomo’s floating bar and then dinner afterward. It’s a good thing I’m retired; I don’t have any time to work!
Another fun-filled day doing the things I enjoy the most–hiking and drinking!
Only five came out for our pre-party hikeKept it simple with a stroll on the My Bitch trail.GrassyNot so grassyThe Easter Mountain viewChicken on a stickThanksgiving survivorA cookie deliveryThe view from here
And then things took a turn. The females (mom and daughter) took the route down Rizal Extension because that’s where they live. Us menfolk continued on to the trail that used to lead down to Marian Hills. Except the trail is no longer there. Someone has fenced it off. We tried to find a way around unsuccessfully, so we retreated and looked for a different route down. I tried to find a path I had taken in the past, but things were overgrown and unfamiliar. We did our best, including some bushwhacking, and eventually found a route back down to our intended destination.
It’s all downhill from here, boysI’ve thought that marking a trail with these ribbons is tantamount to littering because they don’t wash away like other markings. Yesterday, it was a relief to see that we had found an actual Hash trail from the past.Back on flat ground at lastA tad over 6K all told
Back home for some rest and a shower, then Swan and I departed for the Hash Christmas party at Rowena’s Beach Resort in Barretto. The party (and drinking) started at 1:00, which is way too early for me, but Christmas parties only happen once a year, so I got into the spirits.
That would be usOur compadres in crimeHanging with the boysAnd the gals did their thingYogini manned the grill, firing up some sausages and pork chopsEverything came out tastyChillaxin’ with my galAnd then the games commenced. This one involved feeding a banana to a teammate while blindfoldedAnd this was a contest to see which guy sucked the bestTime was passingClothes were dispensed withAnd bikini dancing commencedBy nightfall, I was feeling no pain. And Swan was drunker than I was, a rare event.
We triked on home before we had anything to regret in the morning.
My pudding was delivered in my absence. I’m glad I had the foresight to leave the money on the counter—seventeen boxes for 3500 pesos.But last night’s dessert was gelatin
Is there any shame in admitting I went to bed at 7:30?
Twelve San Mig Zeros and still managed to come in under the calorie cap. Unless I counted wrong.
Today, I have a post from the travel chapter in The Story of My Life. Twenty years ago, my then-wife and I took a trip to Istanbul, Turkey. It was unlike any place I’d ever been, and I really enjoyed the adventure.
Eight years ago, I was supervising the Christmas decoration installation in our office on Yongsan Garrison.
Today’s YouTube video is about another expat loser in the Philippines. I can’t imagine allowing myself to suffer the consequences that are for the most part self-inflicted.
And on to the humor:
Makes me wonder where that dinner came from…Must have been a tight squeezeSeeing that made them hard as stone
I had a surprise to start the day. Swan asked me to join her at an RSL charity event in the Cawag area. I’d been in the vicinity before, but never that far out. I’ll have pictures of that experience to share here tomorrow. And now, Baloy Beach is in my immediate future. More on that tomorrow as well.
