I spent over 30 years of my federal service as a Human Resources professional, primarily in the area of labor and employee relations. In that capacity, I was the guy who gave advice and guidance on how to deal with wayward employees, including discipline up to and including dismissal. Now, I had the extreme good fortune to never have to discipline anyone who actually worked for me. Until now.

Last night my domestic helper was extremely rude to my guest. Rude to the extent that Marissa was very uncomfortable. She told later that she had planned to spend the night with me, but was unwilling to with the “crazy woman” in the house. That ain’t good obviously. She’s off on weekends and left this morning before I could speak to her. I just don’t get what is going on with her.

The job I’m providing is extremely well compensated by Philippine standards (about twice the going rate) and she performs the actual work up to my expectations. Marissa asked if I was having a relationship with her and of course the answer is absolutely not. Physical or otherwise. But her behavior did somehow reek of jealousy. Anyway, I’m going to have to deal with it and termination is certainly on the table if she cannot provide a reasonable explanation for her behavior and some assurance that it will never be repeated. We shall see.

Here’s some more photos of last night that I lifted from Marissa’s facebook page:

My date likes my dog…that’s a good start!

Grillin’ like a boss…

As I mentioned, the meat was tough. Getting a workout cutting through it. Thanks to the readers who sent me links on tenderizing techniques….

Ah….

Facebook also reminded me of memories from one year ago today. I was here in Barretto on vacation and my daughter Avery and I managed a brief reunion:

It was good to see her again. I’m planning a brief sojourn to the USA in October to enjoy a reunion with all the kids and grands…

Last year my “employee” Loraine was with me. She’s gone now of course and so is Avery’s partner Annie. And the world keeps on turning….

Buddy seems to be doing well. Still a little skittish, but with each day he seems more comfortable in his new surroundings.

He seemed to be enjoying catching the morning breeze today…

I’ve also been trusting him to be alone in the backyard. This seems to be his favorite spot out there. He does his pooping and peeing there as well which pleases me greatly….

And that gets you fully up-to-date on the mundane absurdities of my life in the Philippines.

“It is not in the world of ideas that life is lived. Life is lived for better or worse in life, and to a man in life, his life can be no more absurd than it can be the opposite of absurd, whatever that opposite may be.”
–Archibald MacLeish