Damn, after writing that post title, it seems almost morbid in an end of days kind of way. Well, I don’t know how much time I have left on Earth, but this post isn’t about that. Instead, I’m going to share how I filled the time while I was alive yesterday. It didn’t seem any more wasted than usual, but there isn’t a lot to say about it either.
The highlight was the morning walk with Swan and her sister. From the beginning of our relationship, Swan has made clear she is not interested in the Hash or any of our group hikes. She has agreed that Thursday mornings will be our day to walk together. I didn’t object when her sister asked to join us this week. Cathy is a big gal, so I kept the hike shorter than usual, about 3.5K, but also mostly off the road and scenic.
We lost the trail for a bit, but eventually, we reconnected and reached our destination.
Back at my place, I fixed the girls some scrambled eggs, bacon, and waffles. There weren’t any leftovers, so I’ll take that as a sign of satisfaction. After the meal, we parted company to go about the business of our respective days. If napping and blogging on my part can be called business.
And then beer o’clock rolled around, so I made my way into town to help keep the bars in business. I started out at Sloppy Joe’s and shared a table with some friendly acquaintances. I sent Mark, the General Manager of Whiskey Girl, a message, and we agreed to meet up at one of his other bars, La Oficina, later in the evening. When my stomach told me it was feeding time, I paid my tab and headed up the highway.
After my meal I headed over to La Oficina for my meeting with Mark. We are friends and former dart league teammates, so I felt he deserved to know about my bad Whiskey Girl experience. When I told the story about my 500 peso voucher not being valid for the daily beer special, he immediately said, “That’s wrong…the voucher is just like cash.” Exactly what I thought. So, he promised to address the issue with the Whiskey Girl staff. That’s good enough for me.
I stayed for a couple of beers, and we chatted about the happenings in the local bar business. Everyone is excited about the coming additions to the Maze complex, Alaska, and Sloppy Joe’s. They’ll be in the same building as La Oficina, but the consensus of everyone is that all the bars will benefit from the influx of customers to the Maze. I speculated that it could even prove to become a tourist draw and attract folks away from the overpriced Angeles City bars. In my opinion, Subic has so much more to offer.
The other news Mark shared is that his group is opening yet another bar, this one named Oasis–a place to come when you’re thirsty. I’m looking forward to seeing this one; it sounds quite nice and will include an outdoor drinking area that I prefer.
I made Wet Spot my nightcap venue and shared a lady drink with Aine before heading home. And so ended another day in almost paradise.
Started my Friday by sharing coffee with Swan at her/our place.
A pleasant hike with the Friday group that I’ll post about tomorrow. Now it is time to prepare for my Friday night. I’m thinking I’m going to forego the SOB this week. I’m just not feeling it for some reason. Then again, it will be the same old same old in all the other bars I frequent, so what else is new? I guess I’ll just play it by ear and see what happens.
This is something new since the last time I passed this way a couple of weeks ago.
I’m trying to read that. “Allazan Grove”?
Showing the gals what a rural lifestyle looks like.
It’s interesting to think that you expats, with all your walking, know more about this lifestyle than the native townies do.
The famous Sit-n-Bull cheeseburger was on the daily specials menu, so I ordered one with a side of baked beans. I wasn’t disappointed.
No fries, eh? Almost healthy!
I stayed for a couple of beers, and we chatted about the happenings in the local bar business. Everyone is excited about the coming additions to the Maze complex, Alaska, and Sloppy Joe’s. They’ll be in the same building as La Oficina, but the consensus of everyone is that all the bars will benefit from the influx of customers to the Maze.
I assume this is a post-pandemic high. You guys are done with your mask policies, right? I’m afraid I’ve lost track. Sorry.
I’m thinking I’m going to forego the SOB this week. I’m just not feeling it for some reason.
I applaud this. But that’s just me.
People say money can’t buy happiness as if alcohol is for free.
My response would be that people who confuse drunkenness with happiness don’t know what true happiness is. But again, that’s just me.
I read it as Alcazar Grove.
Whatever it is, your faithful readers await what lies behind the sign!!
Yeah, “Alcazar” seems more reasonable.
Alcazar is what I see too. I’ll keep an eye on what’s happening there. It’s near the start of the My Bitch trail, so I pass by pretty regularly.
Kevin, Yes, it is often the case that when a local accompanies me on a mountain trail, it is the first time they’ve seen the countryside surrounding them. I enjoy taking their scenic virginity!
Fries were one of the burger side dish options, but damn, those beans were good!
All the bullshit scamdemic policies have been rescinded, including masking requirements. I’d estimate that around 10% of the population continues to mask up voluntarily. When I see a foreigner walking around with a mask on, I either laugh out loud or feel pity for them. More often, it is laughter.
What? You don’t like the SOB? Why not? Attending every week gets old for me, but I enjoy it once or twice a month.
I’m no expert on happiness, but I have often repeated the old saying, “Money may not buy happiness, but it can buy a lot of things that make you happy!” As for alcohol, I think it sometimes enhances whatever emotion you are feeling, good or bad. Hence another old line–“alcohol may not be the answer, but it makes you forget the question.” Regardless, I know that I am responsible for my failures, not beer.