No, that’s not what she said. But what a difference a day makes. For one thing, I got back to walking:
The big event that got me up early and kept me out all day was our annual outreach feeding at the Iram Aeta village in Old Cabalan, Olongapo. The Friday hiking group headed out from our Baloy meet-up at 0800 and arrived in Iram a little before nine. The natives were waiting expectingly for the food bag distribution. Swan and her friend Sheryl provided a spaghetti meal with cold drinks and candy for the kids. Meanwhile, the rest of us headed for Tago Falls, a place we had never previously visited. That turned out to be a very satisfying 8K adventure. By the time we got back to the village, the handouts were done, and it was time to feed the hungry hikers. Swan and her crew prepared a lunch of grilled sausages, and we washed them down with cold beers. It was close to 2 p.m. when we finally headed for home, but the fun wasn’t over yet. During the drive, the decision was made to stop at It Doesn’t Matter to celebrate our successful mission.
It was late in the afternoon when I was finally back in my Alta Vista homestead. The first thing we did was take a much-needed nap. Then I dashed out yesterday’s blog post before settling onto the sofa for the concluding Season One episode of “Squid Game.” Man, I’m tired again just telling you about the day. I’ll let the pictures fill in the gaps:
Thirty seconds of hiking video for your viewing pleasure:
I suck with these videos, but take a minute and have a look around:
I finished Season One of “Squid Game,” and I’m up for starting Season Two. As an added bonus, I finally allowed myself to read Kevin’s review. I concur with his thoughts for the most part and will delve more into that in a future post. I’m running a tad late this afternoon.
There is only one memory to share today. Today is the fourteenth anniversary of my mother’s passing. Here’s what I wrote that day.
Miss you, Mama!
Today’s YouTube is features the Filipina Pea responding to questions from her viewers. Regarding the baby making, I got that possibility sliced twenty years ago. It cost me a relationship with a woman I loved here because I couldn’t give her the one thing she wanted most.
And some humor:
Anyway, life goes on until it doesn’t. So, I’m going to take my sweetie into town soon and do some living. Back with more tomorrow.
Here’s the song my nephew Jason sang with his Filipina wife (he met her when she was working as a singer on a cruise ship) at my mother’s funeral gathering:
Sounds like an awesome day. That’s twice, now, that you’ve mentioned agreeing with my review “for the most part.” I hope you focus on the disagreements. I’d be interested in your point of view.
Jeremy Jahns reviews Season 1 of Squid Game.
Kev, I posted a comment on your review this morning. I have no fundamental disagreement with your take on “Squid Game.” My “for the most part” remark was premised on my not liking the show as much as you. Also, my rejection of the basic premise of the series (murder and violence to entertain the elites) and my inability to suspend disbelief that they could pull this off without someone on the inside spilling the beans were stronger than yours. That said, it is entertaining, and I’ll be back for Season Two.
Looks like it was a great hike. Enjoyed being (vicariously) along for the trek.
I notice you did give allowances for the show’s outlandishness by bringing up the real-world Epstein Island, which is not for morbid games, per se, but is definitely designed for “play.” I wouldn’t take “Squid Game” seriously as a literal tale rooted in reality, but rather as figurative social commentary on the order of a fable for adults. The show is more interested in saying something than in being realistic. Does it succeed on that level? Personally, I’m not so sure. And remember: as I noted in that review, Hwang himself claims the series isn’t that profound. Like a lot of Hollywood directors, he may simply have been trying to package and put out a jumble of ideas that don’t necessarily cohere with each other.
That said, we both agree that an operation this huge would be noticed by someone, then by more someones, so the implausibility could be bothersome. Even Epstein Island eventually got discovered.
Kev, I hadn’t heard any of the hype about “Squid Game” going in, and I didn’t have any expectations. So, I was shocked when all those contestants got mowed down in the first game. My reaction was, “No way!” I should have just told that voice to shut up and enjoyed the show for whatever it is. I’m curious to see what is going to happen next and will continue watching Season Two to see how things play out.
Thanks for the insights and for turning me on to the series.