*The post title now contains the vocative comma as required by grammar law.
The plan was for Mary to meet me at Sloppy Joe’s at 3:30 to begin her last night in Barretto until who knows when. Typically, she did the “Filipina time” thing and didn’t arrive as scheduled. I have a very low tolerance for that kind of flat-out rude behavior. So, I left at 3:50 and headed across the highway to the Central Park Reef. While I was on the elevator to the rooftop, Mary messaged asking where I was. She wound up joining me there. I had a beer while she took the pictures she had come for, although sadly, it wasn’t a very clear day.
When my beer was done, we went to the Green Room to await the opening of Wet Spot, last night’s venue for the SOB dance competition. It always pays to arrive early to get a decent seat. It was a good show, with most teams putting on a top-notch performance. In the end, the Wet Spot dancers edged out Alaska Club for the championship.
After the show, I was a little surprised when Mary said she was planning to spend the night with me, but whatever, I was drunk and tired. When I woke up this morning, she was beside me in bed, so we shared a special goodbye moment. I baked her some cranberry muffins; we walked the dogs, then I escorted her down to the highway to catch a Jeepney for home. This afternoon she’ll take a bus from Olongapo City to start her new life as a factory worker in Manila. I wish her well.
I was somewhat distracted during the evening because my thoughts were with Swan. I hadn’t heard from her all day, and once the beer had kicked in sufficiently to cloud my better judgment, I sent her a message expressing my disappointment. We exchanged a series of messages and chalked it up to a misunderstanding. Today I made a crockpot of chili, and Swan will join me this afternoon to eat and talk about what happens next.
I was glad to close the Mary door, and I’m hoping whatever might be behind the Swan door proves worthwhile. A voyage of discovery is what makes life an adventure, right?
Speaking of discovery, I joined Scott in a scouting expedition for the trail we will be Hareing on July 24. We were stymied in our effort to find a suitable path through the hills behind Abra Street, but we will try again in a few days from the opposite direction and see if that works out better.
That was yesterday, and yesterday’s gone. Let’s see what Saturday holds in store.
Was an early morning yesterday I was up before the dawn And I really have enjoyed my stay But I must be moving on Like a king without a castle, like a queen without a throne I'm an early morning lover, and I must be moving on Yeah yeah Now I believe in what you say Is the undisputed truth But I have to have things my own way To keep me in my youth Like a ship without an anchor, like a slave without a chain Just the thought of those sweet ladies sends a shiver through my veins And I will go on shining, shining like brand new I'll never look behind me, my troubles will be few Goodbye stranger, it's been nice Hope you'll find your paradise Tried to see your point of view Hope your dreams will all come true Goodbye, Mary, goodbye, Jane Will we ever meet again? Feel no sorrow, feel no shame Come tomorrow, feel no pain
Goodbye Mary
Gotta remember that vocative comma!
Typically, she did the “Filipina time” thing and didn’t arrive as scheduled. I have a very low tolerance for that kind of flat-out rude behavior.
At least she’s consistent. Hopefully, her upcoming time at the factory will teach her punctuality.
I was glad to close the Mary door
It’s not so much that you closed the Mary door as that it was closed for you. I can imagine you picking up where you left off if/when Mary returns.
That was yesterday, and yesterday’s gone.
I’m surprised you didn’t go with a Neil Diamond song.
You know, I knew I’d need that vocative comma in a sentence, but somehow in the post title, I felt like an exception was in order. I just thought it looked better without it. So much for artistic license exceptions.
That’s what I find irksome about “Filipina time;” it seems to be situational. I mean, I get it that on occasion, shit happens (i.e., the Jeepneys are all full), but I’ve noticed oftentimes it’s the value of the event that dictates promptness–“Oh, it’s just John, no hurry then.” Yesterday, Mary messaged me that she was at the station early so as not to miss her bus and jokingly added, “No Filipina time today!” Yeah, whatever.
As to closing the Mary door, I was disengaging (except for the promised financial support) weeks before learning of her scheduled departure. I’m not sure if that had anything to do with her decision to move or not. It’s true that I am susceptible to seduction, but I don’t expect anything more will occur with Mary if and when she returns.
It’s been a long time since I heard “Love On The Rocks.” I couldn’t really relate to it back in the 1970s, but oh, how it resonates now.
Two Months. I give Mary two months. Factory life is hard in these Not-So-United States but even more so in developing Southeast Asian countries. In two months Mary will be knocking on your door. That picture of you and Steve was crazy. It screwed my vision up. Had perfect vision til I saw that pic. Now I’m cross-eyed and seeing double. Thanks Boss! Peace Out!
Steve’s an Aussie…that’s probably what messed with your vision…you were seeing things from down under.
Knowing the rules of language is the best way to defeat the “it looked better” demon, along with the demon’s various cousins: “It just sounds awkward that way,” “It feels right,” and “It flows better this way.” These are the demons that fill the mind with faulty intuitions. They occupy that space that ought to be occupied by solid grammar knowledge.
Vocative comma: no exceptions for titles!
Damn it! Welp, if thems the rules, I reckon I gotta obey. Don’t want to wind up in grammar jail! (I corrected the title as required to “Goodbye, Mary.”)
There could have also been another Neil Diamond song used – Yesterday’ Songs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vMXo4dkfgA
“Yesterday’s songs
Don’t stay around long
Not much anymore
Yesterday’s words
Don’t make themselves heard
Like they did before
etc”
Brian, weird, but I wasn’t familiar with that particular song. Thanks for the link!