I remembered last night, so it is good to be back to normal in that regard. I didn’t do anything memorable, but still…
The morning started as most of them do with a walkabout. I have several standard solo hikes I do, and yesterday it was my Barretto street walk. I’ve been letting the “Map My Walk” app dictate when I snap a photograph (every mile/1.6K), and here’s how my path looked yesterday:
Easy peasy.
Started my evening out at IDM for the wedding reception of owner Cliff and his bride Ashley. Congratulated them both, gave my waitress a lady drink and generous tip, then headed out. Just wasn’t in a party mood for some reason.
Next up was Cheap Charlies. Marilou seems to be the most popular gal in the bar as she is always occupied with other customers when I arrive. Good for her and well-earned. She knows how to do her job. My other favorite, Rose, took good care of me too. My mood improved, and I started feeling generous. I ordered up some chicken wings, chicken fingers, and lumpia, which was more than enough for me, Rose, and the other unoccupied staff. One of the bartenders commented that it had been a long time since I had bought them food. Yeah, it has been. I guess I let my displeasure with my former “friends” there impact the innocent bystanders.
When I was preparing to leave, I asked Rose if she preferred another lady drink (120 pesos, of which she gets 60 peso commission) or a tip for that amount. I guess that should be a no-brainer, but some bars have a drink quota system. If you don’t get X number of lady drinks, your (already low) salary is reduced). Rose said she didn’t have a quota and would be happy with the tip. When I departed, I stuffed 250 pesos in her cleavage.
That was fun. Now what? Well, I hadn’t been to Sit-n-Bull for a while, and I wouldn’t be going now because I had just eaten. But I know the waitresses there are always wanting ice cream, and I do try to be accommodating. So I popped into the store next door and bought a half-gallon of their favorite flavor: Double Dutch. When I came in, they greeted me warmly as usual and offered me a menu. I told them no thanks; I have a delivery. They were thrilled with my gift. Their smiles were worth every one of those 275 pesos.
Now, where? I hadn’t been to Alaska Club for a couple of weeks, and owner Jerry was outside to welcome me as I walked up. Only one other customer, but it was still early on a Saturday night. A lot of these bars have a late-night crowd, I assume. Five dancers on stage, but not the one (Marissa) I had met at the first SOB last month. My waitress pointed out a new dancer, describing her as an 18-year-old cherry girl. No, thank you! I don’t go for teenagers, and I’m not interested in a virgin. Instead, I called down the oldest one on stage and bought her a couple of drinks. I don’t think I even asked her her name, knowing I’d forget it anyway. She was happy with the drink commissions and tip, though.
The final stop on the night was Outback. They have a very small staff (one bartender, two waitresses), and since I was the only customer, none of them were occupied. Naturally, I did a round of lady drinks for everyone. It was nice having all of their attention to myself. That’s the best thing about giving and getting. We were all happy.
And then I went home. Alone but aware of my surroundings. I’ll figure this out yet!
I'll give a little bit I'll give a little bit of my life for you So give a little bit Oh, give a little bit of your time to me See the man with the lonely eyes Oh, take his hand, you'll be surprised
Great to see you back to your old self 😀
Well, ‘old’ is probably not the best way to put it.
I’ve always admired how your life is so driven by a sense of vengeance. You never forget a slight , whether real or imagined.
It’s almost as if that’s a primal driving force that has led to many of your life’s successes. Revenge is as good a motivation for success as any , probably even better than most.
One day I’d like to read about your stellar career in the government…at least the non-classified version of it. I imagine that you were a tough but fair negotiator, and an inspiration to many in your organization. That would be a good trip down memory lane.
In the meantime, there’s plenty of ale to be consumed in your neighborhood, and a lot of lasses to be ogled.
Thank you for your writing ✍️ as usual
Barfly samsara—around and around and around again!
What goes around, comes around. Or maybe it’s all “Groundhog Day”.
James, vengeance is mine, sayeth the John! Although honestly, I don’t see myself as vengeful. I usually don’t care enough to worry about revenge.
I had an amazing career that far exceeded all my expectations. I’ve written about it some over the years. Here’s an example Do a search for “Working for a living” to see more.
I always appreciate your comments and encouragement, James.
Thanks 👍 😊 I’ll have to read up on that.
But I was jumping off from your mistreatment at the hands of the bargirls at several of your favorite drinking holes , and how you responded by purposefully ignoring the offending parties on your subsequent visits.
I guess it’s not so much vengeance as much as it is the customer’s right. Of course, your generosity in the bars is already quite high 🙄 so any reduction in your expenditure is quite noticeable.
Nevertheless, your battles with these kinds of things really fascinates me.
As to the recent encounters with your former lover and the Dick , do you think there’s a mental health issue at play ? I mean, there’s a level of obsession and idiocy that permeates the entire persona of this individual. Or maybe it’s just the obvious rampant alcoholism combined with the adled brain. Somebody needs some hobbies , and maybe a friend or 2 , or to adopt a stray cat .
Come to think of it, I am now starting to think you with your lonesome habits and lifestyle are the most sane person in your town.
Other than Dave the businessman, not many of the expats that you write about seem to have planted genuine deep roots in the place you all call home. Even he is involved mainly on the business side of things, and spends his time traveling to other locales for many reasons. I guess that’s the real meaning of semi-retired life : the ability to freely relocate coupled with the rather shallow connections to any one place.
As your readers, we all look forward to a time when you start traveling to other places . The stories you tell from there will be just as exciting, but with new characters.
Ah, okay. Maybe I do get a little vengeful now and then. But I move on pretty quickly.
Yeah, that Dick’s crazy behavior does seem mental, but I’m no shrink. They are both pretty much out of my life now, and I’m moving on to the next big thing, whatever that may be. So far it seems like it’s gin and soda.
I’m not sure people aren’t connected here, some have been around since the Navy days. Dave is a fixture and has loved the PI for decades. He’s much more than the sum of his businesses, trust me on that. As for me, even though I have a solitary existence here I really don’t want to leave. I feel like I’m part of a community, even though I’m an outsider. Weird, I know. But I have a comfort level being here and don’t feel the need to start over somewhere else.
I’m really looking forward to getting travel back into my life. I believe Cambodia will be my first journey later this year. The only hangup is whether I can return to the PI in my unvaccinated state of being.
Stick around and see what happens next!