My Tuesday started out normal enough but had a surprise ending. I’ll get to that, but let’s take things from the beginning. It was shopping day, and I had my driver detour to the Pure Gold supermarket. I do this every couple of months, hoping to find things I want or need that Royal doesn’t stock. Not much luck with that yesterday, but I did get this:
I’ve got a bit of a mosquito problem at my place, thanks in part to living near a stagnant river. Hopefully, this bug zapper will reduce those itchy bites.
The Pure Gold is near the old Royal store, so we went there next. Again, sometimes the old Royal has items in stock you can’t find at the new Royal where I normally shop.
Back in the Navy base days, this was the commissary. It is showing its age inside now, and I only occasionally visit since the new store is more conveniently located.
Home again with the week’s groceries, a nap and a blog post, then it was time for my weekly excursion to Baloy Beach to visit the Kokomo floating bar. I baked a batch of brownies before departing to share with the girls. Swan joined me for the adventure.
Here’s how you get there from my house–a little under 2K. And now I know the name of that road that leads to the Alta Vista subdivision–Brisas Del Mar.The sun as it appeared upon our arrival at beer o’clock (4:30).The floater was unusually quiet when we arrived, but this big spender made up for it by buying all the girls multiple drinks.Swan and the couple in the back were the only other customers.But as the afternoon progressed, more folks rode the raft out to join us, including my pals Steve and Alex.Swan’s friend Billy and his gal (and dog) stopped by for a visit as well.Time was passingCaring is sharing those momentsAnother day, another sunsetAnd that was thatWe headed to shore in search of some dinner.We changed things up and had dinner at the Lagoon Resort.That’s just one page from the menu, but we both wound up ordering something from here.I had the marinated grilled chicken, and it was outstanding.And Swan also enjoyed her pork steak medallion.
I used to play darts for the Lagoon team but rarely ordered food there. I was pleasantly surprised it was so good.
After dinner, we caught a trike home, and I went to bed early. I woke up a little before midnight feeling a bit off somehow, so I got up to nebulize. I also checked my blood oxygen on my oximeter and was shocked to see this reading:
Yikes! That’s scary low. Normal is 95-100, although because of my COPD, I’m usually around 93. Some web pages I looked at recommend visiting the emergencyroom if you are in the mid-80s.
Of course, I didn’t even consider wasting my time at the hospital. Instead, I fired up my oxygen tank and self-medicated with inhaled air. That brought me up into the mid-90s. I went back to bed but had to get up again later to ingest more air. A rough night indeed!
I had some doubts and concerns about participating in today’s group hike, but since we were planning on a relatively flat hike from Naugsol back to Barretto, I decided to give it a try. I’ll save the story of how that worked out for me until tomorrow. I’m leaning toward just staying home tonight and treating myself like the old man I’m rapidly becoming. Better old than dead, I suppose.
Today’s Quora Q&A:
Q: What is the quickest way for a male high school graduate with little cash and no car to move out?
A: Join the military.
My daily try at humor:
Next time, take her with you!I’m the one that got away…four times!
I made it through another Hash and lived to tell about it. So that’s just what I will do. I joined the Hash trail in progress 2.5K from my house. My route had some ups and downs, but only one short climb. Once I was with the sane group of Hashers, it was mostly downhill due to our willfully bypassing two of the climbs planned by the Hare. I didn’t push myself too hard, but I still felt like I had made some progress on my 6K road to recovery. I’m taking it slow and trying to keep it fun. Here is some of what I saw along the way:
The only significant climb on the My Bitch trail portion of my hike. Short and sweet but still had me breathing hard at the top. (sorry about the watermarks on the pics; I somehow inadvertently activated that feature on my camera. It’s off again now.)I said hello and delivered some cookies to my mountain mama friend, Onelia, along the way.This is the spot where I arranged to meet up with my fellow sane Hashers. I arrived at 2:00 p.m. and the first Hasher to pass by was Leech My Nuggets at 2:15.My group of slowpokes arrived at 2:30.Gaining a bit more elevation.Moving in the direction of that familiar mountain.The bay view from here.Here come the Gash.Nice and flat, just the way I like it.The up into Alta Vista was more than enough for my tired old lungs.On-On! Heading On-Home via Gabaya Street.Arriving at Johansson’s.A post-hike meal of “beef stew.” It tasted fine, but not exactly how I would define stew.The price you pay for being last to pay.The punishment for wearing new shoes on the Hash.Lady Hashers of the SBH3.Demolition Derby got the Hashit this week.
I opted not to participate in the after-Hash gathering at It Doesn’t Matter this week. I’d had enough to drink and had something sweet waiting for me at home. I’m becoming so domesticated, it seems.
Today’s Quora Q&A:
Q: If you were to choose how and when you would die what would you choose?
A: I’d choose to die like my grandfather did—peacefully in his sleep. Unlike all the screaming passengers in his car when it went over that cliff.
Things that made me smile today:
“A Life of Posting Bad Humor” by M.Y. DestinyThey probably use sheet music.He sounds full of it to me.
All right, that’s just about enough of this nonsense, don’t ya think? Back with more tomorrow.
One of those rare songs posted here that are older than I am.
Yesterday turned out to be as full as Saturday had been empty. So, I guess you could say I had a balanced weekend. I kicked things off with Swan on a candy walk. Later, I fed the girls at Hideaway (they are down to four now; I wonder how much longer they’ll be open). My Sunday routine of late has been to visit the Arizona floating bar, but yesterday was the 30th Annual VFW Beach Bash beauty pageant, being held this year at the Outback Resort. I was on the fence about attending, but in the end, I decided I should show support for the local veteran’s organization.
The Outback beach area was packed when I arrived, but I still managed to secure three decent seats (Swan and Inday) were meeting me there) and settled in to enjoy the upcoming show. Then, I got drafted to be a judge. I had mixed feelings about doing so because it precluded me from bailing if I got bored or drunk and wanted to go home. Still, it was hard to say no when asked to help out, so I moved to the judge’s table. The contest started a little later than scheduled, and there was a snafu with the music during the talent competition that delayed things for almost thirty minutes. By the time it was all said and done, it was after nine, and I was bushed. But damn, a couple of those gals were smokin’ hot, especially in their bikinis.
Here are some photos from my day:
Almost ready to depart for candy deliveries.Sweet partnersHappy recipientsI was looking for some more corny jokes here.
Found one!
A man went to the doctor’s office to get a double dose of Viagra.
The doctor told him that he couldn’t allow him a double dose.
“Why not?” asked the man.
“Because it’s not safe,” replied the doctor.
“But I need it really bad,” said the man.
“Well, why do you need it so badly?” asked the doctor.
The man said, “My girlfriend is coming into town on Friday; my ex-wife will be here on Saturday; and my wife is coming home on Sunday. Can’t you see? I must have a double dose.”
The doctor finally relented saying, “Okay, I’ll give it to you, but you have to come in on Monday morning so that I can check you to see if there are any side effects.”
On Monday, the man dragged himself in; his arm in a sling.
The doctor asked, “What happened to you?”
The man said, “No one showed up.”
Sorry!
Looking for kids…Working the fieldsThe path aheadCrossing Bridge #4Sweet goodnessThere was something I liked about this tree.All roads lead to Easter Mountain.Nature’s beauty aboundsOver Bridge #3Green river…AnticipationRewards!Crossing Bridge #1 with an empty candy bag. Mission accomplished!
When it came time for the Hideaway feeding, I marched over to Jewel Cafe and picked up two orders of garlic prawns, two orders of pork sisig, and five chicken wings. Popped into Dunkin’ Donuts for dessert, then crossed the highway to the alley where Hideaway Bar is hidden away.
Dinner is servedTime for dessert
With my Hideaway business complete, I headed across town to the Outback.
I had a decent seat with Swan and Inday before I got drafted to be a judge.Steve was the official photographer for the event.And Daddy Dave was the MC.Lots of familiar faces in the crowd, including my ex and her new beau.Judge not lest ye be judged.The stage as seen from the judge’s tableThe contestantsThe contestants in swimwear. Number three was my favorite.Dave conducting interviews for the “personality” contestOne of the judging perks…
Number #3 was the well-deserved overall winner. It was quite the eventful day by my low standards.
Today’s Hash once again begins at the end of Rizal Extension. I’m going to hike the My Bitch trail to get there and then assess how I feel about climbing any additional hills. If need be, I’ll find a flat route to walk to the On-Home at Johansson’s from there. I’ll let you know how that works out for me tomorrow.
Today’s Quora Q&A brought back a long-ago memory:
Q: Did you ever have a funny in-person experience with a Hollywood movie star? How so?
A: It was sometime in 1979 or so, back when I was residing in the lovely city of Prescott, Arizona. My wife from that era was working at a local dining establishment, and I came in and sat at the bar while I waited for her shift to end. I hadn’t really noticed the gentleman sitting on the barstool next to me until some female patrons approached and asked him for an autograph. After he obliged, I guess he noticed me looking at him, trying to figure out who in the fuck he was. He smiled, offered his hand, and introduced himself as “Jan.” To be honest, the name didn’t ring a bell, but the face was somewhat familiar.
Anyway, we began to chat. He was in town attending some sessions at a nearby gun school. I don’t recall if he said this was preparation for a movie role or if he just liked guns. As we talked periodically, someone would recognize him and come up to meet him. He was always gracious, but I could tell he found it somewhat irksome. About this time, my wife appeared, and judging by her giddiness, I guess she recognized him, too. As we were preparing to leave, I asked if he’d like to join us. I was mostly just being polite, so I was a little taken aback when he said, “I sure would!” I don’t recall now where we intended to actually go, but it was likely one of the dives we liked on Whiskey Row.
As it turns out, we didn’t make it far. Once we got into my vehicle (an older but rugged Toyota LandCruiser), Jan asked if we’d like to smoke a joint before we left. I was a big pot smoker back in those days, so naturally, I answered in the affirmative. Damn, it was some good shit. In fact, it may have been laced with something because I got really wasted real quick. And then he pulled out a tin of cocaine! I did a snort or two of that, and the next thing I remember, I was leaning out the car door, puking my guts out.
I’m pretty sure Jan found my lightweight antics equally disturbing and disgusting. Suffice to say he changed his mind about joining us, quickly said his goodbyes, and left.
And so ended my chance encounter with the B-list celebrity Jan-Michael Vincent.
Once again I came across a joke I often tell in a comic format. More evidence that my humor is as old as I am:
I’m funny when you’re drunk!
I liked this one for some reason, too:
It’s hard to see with those headlights in my eyes.
Okay, it’s time to get ready to roll on out to the Hash.
I had nothing in the way of energy yesterday, so I wound up doing nothing all day. Which adds up to zip. Just one of those days. I did visit the neighbor Jeff’s place in the evening and enjoyed some conversation, cold beers, and yes, karaoke.
The view from Jeff’s place.
Jeff also prepared an excellent meal featuring grilled beef tenderloin and a twice-baked potato. It was a good time, and I stumbled home a little drunker than usual.
I’m back in the swing of things today, joining Swan for a 6K candy walk. I’ve got a feeding to attend later at Hideaway and the annual VFW Beach Bash beauty contest after that. You gotta enjoy life while you can, right?
Today’s Quora Q&A:
Q: If you had to describe your current life as a movie, which movie would you choose?
A: Leaving Las Vegas.
(I felt that way at one time, especially in the first year after Jee Yeun left me, but that is no longer the case.)
Today’s funnies:
If I could go back in time, I might just stay there.
It has been said that today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday. I sometimes worry about how many tomorrows I have left, but otherwise, I pretty much take each day as it comes and make the best of it. Like yesterday, for instance:
Nobody showed up for the Friday group hike, but Swan joined me for a walkabout on the Subic side of the bridge.
The Matain River was even dirtier than usual.But the fish seemed to be thriving anyway. Not that I’d want to eat one.Swan doing her sweet thingAn almost serene bay viewMuch busier hereMixed feelings about taking candy from strangers?
We did our 6K and headed back home. We’d invited the neighbors on both sides of us for some rooftop fun, so we had some preparation to do. I made a crockpot full of meatballs and baked a carrot-raisin cake. We loaded up the ice chest with beer and wine and waited for our guests to arrive.
Ready for a Friday night of fun at The Rite SpotMeatballs ready to eatI made the mistake of frosting the cake before it was sufficiently cooled. I scooped the runoff back on top, and it was almost as good as new.Things kicked off around 5 p.m.Hangin’ with the neighbors
Jeff brought his Karaoke machine, and shortly thereafter, the singing commenced.
Jeff kicked things off…But everyone took a turn.I’m not a big fan of karaoke, but once in a while it’s a nice diversion.Time was passing……and on we partied. Jossie and Martin are on the right; It was the first time we’dmet because they live in Manila, where Martin works three weeks out of the month. Darkness descendsHome is where the heart is.After six years here, I seem to be about 95% Filipino now…
Good times. Jeff is having a gathering at his place tonight that I plan to attend. I hope the bars don’t go out of business without me!
The Quora Q&A:
Q: Do retired postal workers get a pension?
A: Yes, they do. The same pension as other federal government employees earn.
Today’s memes:
I haven’t been cold for a long time.I kinda saw that one coming.
Boring day so far, but I’ll worry about that tomorrow.
Or at least a day in the life. I’m still not inclined to do hills *ahem* but I did a 7K solo stroll yesterday over mostly flat terrain. I’m not sure what the future holds for me physically, but I’m going to keep pushing forward as long as I can. Here is some of what I saw along the way:
The high view from Alta Vista, but I repeat myself.The path aheadWho is going to keel over first, me or the tree?Talk about having a roof over your head!Take me to the other side, Bridge #3From Easter Mountain……to the Black RockLollipop smilesOn the backstreets of CalapacuanThe poorest family in town. At least that I’ve seen.
Swan had some shopping to do in Olongapo (her sister is getting married on March 8), and I told her she could meet me at Sloppy Joe’s on her way back home.
The place was hoppin’, but we squeezed around a table with Chris, his gal Shay, and Grace.
I had skipped lunch, so a couple of beers later, I was ready for some grub. Swan was hungry too, and I suggested we walk the block to Myleen’s for dinner.
It’s a cozy place, but wasn’t busy when we arrived. Swan’s hungry faceShe enjoyed her lasagna very much, with not a bite left over.The owner hails from Arizona, and as a former resident, I love the menu references to places I’ve been. I had the Flagstaff (chicken) burrito.When I unwrapped the foil, it looked like this and tasted even better. I need to be a more frequent visitor to Myleen’s.
With our hunger satiated, it was time to take care of business. I had a 500 peso voucher for La Oficina that was due to expire, so that’s where we headed. La Oficina is a girly bar (dancers), which is not my thing, so I very seldom visit here. The VFW guys were holding an event when we arrived, so there was a pretty good crowd at first. We got a nice seat overlooking the stage and settled in–Swan with her red wine, me with my San Mig Zero.
Those coupons they hand out at the SOB always wind up costing me money. Yeah, my beers were free, but that didn’t limit my spending. I used to play darts with one of the waitresses, so naturally, I invited her to join us for a couple of lady drinks. One of the dancers caught my eye, but not in the way you might expect. She was attractive enough and young, but the look on her face when she took to the stage was heartbreaking. It was so obvious she hated her job and wanted to be someplace else, but like a lot of these women, she likely had no other viable option to earn money but to put her body on display. The way she held her arms folded over her bare midriff showed how shy she was. I shared my thoughts with Swan, and she agreed with my assessment. Swan also didn’t object to my going to the stage and slipping the sad dancer a tip and some words of encouragement. Yeah, back in the day, the hardcore mongers didn’t like guys like me setting that kind of bad example, dubbing me another “Captain Save-a-Ho.” I always wore that mantle proudly because even prostitutes are worthy of respect. I tried to make my barfines more of a date than just a “wham, bam, thank you, ma’am.” Anyway, those days are long gone, but the sad girl on stage reminded me of why I always hated Angeles City and don’t spend much time now in the dancing bars.
A food vendor came into the bar selling treats Filipinas fancy, so I bought 300 pesos worth for the hardworking girls, and they seemed to appreciate it. My tab came to around 700 pesos, and I tipped my dart buddy and waitress before departing. So, yeah, that 500 peso coupon saved me big time!
I came home feeling no pain and went to bed early. Woke up to another fine morning in paradise. Keep ’em coming! It’s SOB Friday (coincidentally at La Oficina tonight) but I’ve invited the neighbors over for some fun at The Rite Spot On The Roof.
Today’s Quora Q&A:
Q: What do you call Spaniards who were born in Spain and went to the Philippines?
A: Colonizers.
Here are today’s “funnies” (yes, I am aware that’s a matter of opinion):
Didn’t see that one coming.I see what you did their. There sense of humor may not appreciate it, but they will get they’re eventually.
One of my country music favorites, Toby Keith, died earlier this month at age 62 from stomach cancer. I came across a video of him performing a song I’d never heard at a country music awards show last December. I’m not sure if it was his final live performance, but damn, the words really resonate.
Don't let the old man in
I want to live me some more
Can't leave it up to him
He's knocking on my door
And I knew all of my life
That someday it would end
Get up and go outside
Don't let the old man in
Many moons I have lived
My body's weathered and worn
Ask yourself how old you'd be
If you didn't know the day you were born
Try to love on your wife
And stay close to your friends
Toast each sundown with wine
Don't let the old man in
Many moons I have lived
My body's weathered and worn
Ask yourself how old you'd be
If you didn't know the day you were born
When he rides up on his horse
And you feel that cold bitter wind
Look out your window and smile
Don't let the old man in
Look out your window and smile
Don't let the old man in
Welp, for the first time in several years I had a girlfriend to share the love on Valentine’s Day. I mentioned yesterday how the day got off to a dismal start and a canceled hike, but things took a turn for the better as the day progressed.
I’d posted on John Kim’s Facebook page that I’d be coming to his restaurant for dinner. An acquaintance asked if he and his girl could join us, and I said sure. He suggested 7 p.m., and I agreed, even though that’s a tad late to get started for an early bird like me. But I’d promised Swan some live music at Queen Victoria, and the band starts at 8:30, so the later dinner hour was a good fit. We left the house a little before 6 p.m. so we could avoid walking in the dark. I figured I’d pass the time until dinner hour with some San Miguel Zeros.
A sexy street walker
When we arrived at John’s place, we took a table on the second floor. John greeted us and mentioned we were earlier than he expected, and I told him we just wanted to get a good seat. As we waited, several other diners arrived, including a couple of folks I know, but most of them went upstairs to the third-floor open-air bar to dine.
John came out and chatted with us and the guests at another table. He’s still not doing all that well, but he was up and moving about, which is better than I’d seen in quite some time.
So, I got a message from my supposed dinner companions around 6:30, saying they’d be arriving “around 7:20.” Hmm. I responded that we were already there waiting and had after-dinner plans, so we would have to reschedule for another time. Oh well.
Our dinner portrait.The special was an Australian T-Bone steak for 995 pesos. I asked about a USDA ribeye, but it was out of stock. My problem with Aussie beef is that it is always tougher than what I prefer. Sadly, this steak was no exception to that rule. Swan had the beef tenderloin. I took a taste, and it was very tender and tasty. Damn, I made the wrong call.
After dinner, we caught a trike to Queen Victoria.
I got Swan her Valentine’s flower along the way.Our Queen Vic selfie.
We watched the band warm up, and I was surprised there were no female members. Swan was familiar with the group, called Engine, and said they play hard rock exclusively. They definitely played loud. That’s the problem with most bar bands–inadequate sound mixing just leads to noise. I could see that the guitarist was quite talented in the guitar solos. The singer appeared to be good, too, but unfortunately, he was usually drowned out by the other instruments. I had heard raves about Engine being the best bar band around, but for the most part, I was disappointed.
Engine in action. We left after the first set.
Despite my grumpy old man criticisms, it was nice to be out on a date with my girl doing something she had been looking forward to. On the way home, she thanked me for staying out late with her. Late, in this case, was 9:30, but that was out of the norm for me.
Of course, I won’t need a VD excuse to spend more quality time with Swan in the days ahead. It’s nice to have a girlfriend.
In an odd coincidence, Facebook memories shared a moment from one year ago–my last barfine (i.e., paying to take a bargirl home with you).
She helped me walk the dogs the next morning.
I don’t even remember her name now. She was shy and new to the bar. One of her conditions was there would be no boom-boom (intercourse), and I agreed to those terms. For me, it was about the companionship more than the sex anyway. She was a sweetie, and I enjoyed cuddling with her all night. She left the bar shortly thereafter and moved back home to the province. She wasn’t really cut out to be a bargirl.
Today’s Quora Q&A (I’m not sure if I mentioned, I’m just taking the answers I’ve given over the years in chronological order. This one is from May 2022):
Q: Would you press a button that gives you 100 million dollars, but would take away 2% of your memory?
A: I forget.
Yeah, thousands of comedians are out of work, and I’m trying to be funny, right? Well, how about these:
I would just catch a trike.There are lots of exes on my graph, too…
The immigration office showed me some love in the form of a 60-day extension to my tourist visa. I filled my cart with overpriced groceries at Royal and refrained from purchasing my dietary nemesis–ice cream. Then back home for a nap and a blog, filling the hours until it was beer o’clock. And with me being a creature of routine, I headed out to spend Tuesday evening on Baloy Beach, starting at the Kokomo’s floating bar.
Waiting for transport.The eye in the skyThis Military Sealift Command (MSC) supply ship has been anchored in the bay for a couple of weeks now. Not sure what’s up with that.Yeah, it looks like THAT is gonna happen again.I guess when a certain song plays (Cha Cha Slide), the girls all spontaneously get up and start dancing. At least they did yesterday.Where ya goin’?It was nice hanging out with Hash buddy Steve (behind Swan) and the Kokomo’s owner (also Steve) with his back to the camera. The empty stool is my seat. I guess you could say it was even-steven.Me and that girl.Looks like it is dinner time!
So, we headed over to Treasure Island for some grub.
Swan had a Belgian sandwichAnd I did the pulled pork.Ain’t we sweet?
After we got back home, things went a little bit south. I woke up in the night with the uncomfortable feeling that comes with inadequately oxygenated blood. My oximeter confirmed with a reading of 88. I used my nebulizer to little effect, so I fired up the oxygen tank and got the reading up to 97. I went back to bed but couldn’t sleep because of a symphony of wheezing noises when I exhaled. In desperation, I slapped on my headphones to drown out that obnoxious sound, but Stephen Stills couldn’t put me to sleep either. Up once more and messed around on the internet for a while, then saw my blood oxygen was back down to 91. Sucked in some air from the tank again and finally went to sleep a bit after four
I felt better enough this morning to move forward with plans to join the Wednesday Walkers on a hike to Bolon Falls. But while walking the dogs, I had another breathing attack and prudence dictated that I cancel. I am hoping this too shall pass. And I don’t.
I’m taking Swan to dinner tonight for VD at John’s place. Then we will enjoy some live music at Queen Victoria for as long as I can hold out.
Today’s Quora Q&A:
Q: Are you happy that you waited until 65 to retire or do you wish you had done so earlier in your career?
A: I actually retired the first time at 55. I went back to my old job five years later and worked another three before retiring for good at 63. I have no regrets about either decision. The sooner, the better (provided you can afford to) is always the best option, in my opinion. I knew I didn’t want to be that guy who died at his desk.
Here’s a smile or two for you:
You’d be a dope not to.I sure do miss my ice cream…
Here’s that song the girls on the floater can’t stop dancing too:
I made it through an abbreviated Hash trail yesterday, which, given my recent performance, is quite an accomplishment. Under normal circumstances, I’d rate the climb moderately difficult, but these aren’t normal times for my tired old lungs. We started out in Subic town in what was unfamiliar territory for me, so the inevitable urge to give up was checked by the reality of not knowing where I was. I pushed onward, slow as a snail, but eventually made it to the top. The down wasn’t much fun either, with a good portion of it being through a creek bed, one of my least favorite places to walk. There were three other guys in my small group of stragglers, and we took a pretty major shortcut to end our suffering. Here’s how things looked on our journey:
The Hashers gather at the start of the trail.And off we go!A little Genesis (In the beginning) on the backstreets of Subic.Over this bridgeThen a stroll along the riverbank.I love how they concreted around this tree so it could continue to live and grow.I wasn’t sorry that our path did not lead across this bridge.And that was the end of the fun for me as the climbing commenced.I took it slow and huffed and puffed as best as I was able.“I think I can, I think I can…”And then things began to level out.A view along the way.And another.What goes up must come down.It was challenging in places, but at least my lungs stopped screaming.As the Eagles sang long ago, Take it Easy!A fallen tree became a bridge.Up the creek without a paddle.Pubic Head only fell once.Our shortcut trail when we’d had enough of the shit creek.A cookie deliveryGetting down on these uneven steps was not as easy as it may appear.We finally arrived at the On-Home venue, the 13 Resort in Calapadayan.I managed to avoid time on the ice.A virgin Hasher is initiated. She sucked it all down, heeding the words, “What doesn’t go in you goes on you. Just like a blowjob.”Another fire on the mountain.And another Hash came to a close.Our shortened version of the Hash trail.
Dave, the Wet Spot owner, and a retired physician, heard my cough the other day and suggested I try Carbocisteine to clear the mucus from my lungs. I started taking it last night, and hopefully, it will help me breathe easier in the future. Feeling like I might pass out during a climb takes away whatever joy there might be in the hike. The day may come when I have to accept being a flatlander, but I’d like to delay that as long as possible.
I came home after the Hash and completed viewing the final season of “Shameless.” I’ll share my thoughts on the series soon, but anything that can hold my attention as long as this show did must be pretty damn good. Next up: Blue Eye Samurai.
A couple of items from my Facebook memories:
Two years ago I knew our country was in the soup with this idiot in charge.I still had a lot to learn back in 2013. I kicked the smoking habit for good two years later.
Today’s Quora Q&A:
Q: Why do Americans call the small room where the toilet is a ‘restroom’ (when there are no chairs or beds in there) or a ‘bathroom’ (when there is no bath in there)?
A: Here in the Philippines, they call it a “comfort room.” And when I’ve got to pee, I take comfort when one is available.
Today’s bad humor:
Let’s get stoned!She must be from the state of confusion.Unless he regurgitates…
Anyway, I’ll leave it at that. Back tomorrow with more goodness.
As days go, yesterday was a pretty good one. Nothing really special about it, but I enjoyed being around to participate in my usual routines. Started things off we a boring 6K Solo Sunday Street Stroll through Barretto. Come along and I’ll show you just how boring it was:
Out the front door onto Bryce StreetA right on RooseveltLeaving Alta Vista on Acadia StreetThat road from the highway to Alta Vista I still don’t know the name of (there’s no signage).On the National HighwayAbra StreetRizal ExtensionA left onto NarraA right on RizalThen Gomez ExtensionAnd onto GomezA right on DaugupanThen Jolo StreetTo Del PilarAnd finishing up at Sit-n-Bull.
I brought home a delicious club sandwich to share with Swan for brunch.
I went thataway.
Swan went out with some friends, and we agreed to meet up at the Arizona floating later in the afternoon. In the meantime, I took care of the Hideaway feeding.
The gals gathering their bountyBye-bye burrito!
I had more beer than usual, mainly because three were free, and I was repaying the generosity with lady drinks, so I guess it was a win-win for all involved. When it was time to meet Swan, I took the back alley to the beach, maybe a hundred yards away.
A big Sunday afternoon beach crowd.Swan was already aboard and captured my arrival on the raft from shore.I joined Swan and her pals at the table they were sharing.I had a nice vantage point to watch the coming sundown.It got more crowded later when a biker club (The Outlaws) came aboard.Lots of activity on the water with banana boats and jet skis speeding by.Are you ready?Another nice one.Even the moon was smiling
When the time came to depart, Swan’s friends headed home, and we walked to Wet Spot for our nightcap. Sat at owner Daddy Dave’s table and had a nice chat. A couple of beers later, it was time to squeeze into the trike for the ride home. And yes, there was no dessert.
Turned on the next to last episode of “Shameless” but passed out fell asleep on the couch before it was over. I’ll have to rewind and see what I missed, then complete my journey later tonight.
Me and the boys on the morning dog walk
I am hopeful that today’s Hash doesn’t leave me breathless, but I’m going to do my best to tackle the trail. I’ll let you know how that goes tomorrow.
I’d wager the fruit is smarter than the vegetable.
Today’s Quora Q&A:
Q: What did your mother or father say to you when you were young that you remembered your whole life?
A: I distinctly remember my father saying in response to a question beginning with “if”…If your aunt had balls she’d be your uncle.” I guess he was ahead of his time.
And to make matters worse, Swan caught me. I’ll share the gruesome details later in this post. Let’s start with the good part of the day–Swan’s weekly candy walk.
Candy, out of the bags……and into the bag.Swan leaving homeMe leading the waySwan at a crossroadsThe Easter Mountain shotFirst deliveryMarian Hills kidsThe kids kept a comin’.AnticipationI peed, Swan didn’t.A bag full of smilesBelieve it or not, I didn’t take a picture of EVERY delivery. But it is fun watching the mutual pleasures involved in handing out sweets.Waiting for the candy lady with kittens in hand.Heading to the valleyDown in the valleyWorkin’ the fields…Over the rickety bridgeKids like candy; the science is settled.A delivery on Bridge #4Next!Beauty on the roadThe most popular woman in San IsidroSomething’s fishyAin’t they sweet?Over Bridge #2More customersThe biggest group of the day and the last of the candyAcross Bridge #1Chicken feet at the Santo Tomas marketplace. I’ll stick with wings.The last stop of the day was a cookie delivery to the homeless family living under the highway river bridge.A tad over 7K, all told.
Swan had a friend coming over to visit in the evening, which meant I would be alone in the bars. Yeah, you can see where this is leading.
Swan and her pal at The Rite Spot On The RoofMy signal that beer o’clock had arrived.
So, I headed out with a pocketful of coupons from the SOB, including a “buy one, take one” for the Green Room. On my way there, I passed Sloppy Joe’s and saw a group of Hashers enjoying cold beverages, so I joined them for a couple.
When I moved next door to Green Room, I was able to secure my favorite table and plopped down to take full advantage of my half-price beer coupon. My regular waitress sat down, and we chatted some, so I bought her a lady drink. A bit later, a woman I met while hiking (I gave her kids some cookies) came over to give me a shoulder rub (she works there now). And then the Hasher I know came and stood beside my table, too. When I ordered my next beer, I bought them all a round of lady drinks. Yeah, those coupons always wind up costing me money!
I got a message that my pal Erik was on his way, and he arrived just in time to rescue me from a very aggressive gal who was trying to touch me in ways that even I find inappropriate. With Erik there, she turned her full attentions on him and left me alone. He seemed to be enjoying her company. I stayed for a couple of more (and another round of lady drinks). A large group of big-spending Koreans arrived and encamped on the tables next to ours. They began playing pool, and I saw one tip a girl 1000 pesos, which must have made her week. It’s always entertaining to watch the two-week millionaires in action.
Erik was surprised when I told him it was time for me to go, seeing as how it wasn’t even eight yet. When he asked why, I just said I’d rather be at home. Besides, he appeared to be in good hands (literally) with the aggressive girl. As I departed, I decided to stop into Sit-n-Bull and get a pecan pie for Swan (it’s her favorite). I was a little surprised to see the price has gone up to 260 pesos per pie slice. I usually get two for an even 500, but that won’t work now. My judgment may have been impaired somewhat by the beers, but I impulsively told the waitress to make a banana split to go. I got one pecan pie as well.
When I arrived home, Swan was still on the roof with her friends, so I turned on the TV and “Shameless”ly began devouring my banana split. Unbeknownst to me, Swan had quietly come downstairs and caught me red-handed cheating on my diet. She was none too pleased but calmed down when I handed her the pecan pie. Still, she let me know she expected me to remain faithful in the future to abstaining from ice cream. Yes, dear.
Caught in the act. Pretty disgusting, I know. I can and will do better!
One day at a time. When you fall off the wagon, you just climb your way back on.
Today’s Quora Q&A:
Q: What are some places in the world where an America can much easily afford an early retirement there, whereas if they had stayed in America they would be struggling to get by and probably would run out of money?
A: It’s not hard to find places that are more affordable than the USA. I chose the Philippines and I live very well here on my pension. I love Asia and should I decide on a change of scenery I’d seriously consider Cambodia or Vietnam.
And now for the smiles:
No need to have a fit. Shake it off!Bill Cosby had a fix for that.Keep your Karma to yourself!
I’m going to do a feeding at Hideaway and enjoy some time on the Arizona floating bar today. I don’t foresee any ice cream in my future, though.
Not the best of days yesterday. As I mentioned, I had to bail on the Friday group hike when I experienced some breathing issues early on. Before I even got back home I regretted wimping out. I let those voices in my head saying cowardly shit convince me that prudence was dictated. Looking back, if I had forced myself to press on, I likely would have been fine once the relatively easy climb was completed. Sometimes you just have to push yourself a little harder when the going gets rough. And honestly, in the worst-case scenario, I’d rather die doing what I enjoy than to succumb to laziness at home.
My fellow group of hikers (for the first 1+ kilometer)The incline into Alta Vista winded me.And this hill defeated me.So, I tucked my chicken shit tail between my legs and headed back home like a pussy.
I honestly believe my best option in the future will be to walk through bouts like the one I had yesterday. How does that saying go? “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Or maybe, “live and learn.” One of those.
I’m moving forward with trying to maintain a healthier diet. Yesterday, I consumed some bacon and sausage for breakfast, some celery sticks for lunch, a hamburger patty for dinner, and one chicken finger at the SOB. Several San Mig Zeros were my only indulgence. Yes, I missed my post-drinking sweets while watching “Shameless,” but I resisted the urge. (It helped that I gave away the cartons of ice cream in the freezer to my basement dwellers)
When beer o’clock rolled around, I debated whether I should just stay home, but in the end, Friday night and the SOB overcame my resistance. Queen Victoria was the venue, and it had been several months since my last visit to this particular bar. I was the first to arrive and got a comfortable seat with a nice view. Swan joined me a little later, and we enjoyed the show together.
The way I saw it.The Queen Vic team put on one of the best shows I’ve seen, and their sexy costumes teased my imagination.They started their set with “God Save The Queen” and then transitioned into some songs by Queen. You might say they raised the Mercury.I didn’t judge last night, but I suspect their victory was unanimous. Well done, ladies!
When the show was over at eight, Swan asked where I wanted to go next and I responded, “home.” And that’s just what we did. A little TV and then a good night’s sleep.
We did a 7K candy walk this morning that went well, although I was pretty tired when we finished. I’m just going to keep plugging away for as long as I can.
Today’s Quora Q&A features a weirdly worded question that for some reason I chose to answer anyway.
Q: How is Hoover’s Dam people? Do “the AMERICANS” out there truly appreciate the greatness of a “Hoover Dam?” And why did they name a dam after a Dead President? They never talked about a Dam during school hours. Even at a Private Catholic Elite School.
A: It was originally named Boulder Dam. It was renamed to honor Hoover who was instrumental in using federal resources for the dam’s construction. It is an amazing piece of work.
A ballsy funny:
Yeah, you’d have to be nuts to try that.
Alright, let’s see what Saturday night holds in store. Back tomorrow to let you know.
Yesterday was a stay-at-home day. Well, Swan joined me for a 6K walk on the streets of Matain and Calapacuan, where she sweetened the day of the kids we encountered.
Her work here is done.Ran into a Hasher, Wonder Woman, I hadn’t seen for a while.Better than the highwayLiving on the bay. Literally.Swan is hard at work. No idea why these kids aren’t in school.Yep, you got to watch for those pernicious demons.
Back home to do my usual chores passions like blogging, and then settled into the comfort of not having (or wanting) to go out. Netflix loaded on my TV for a change, and I am now progressing into the final season of “Shameless.” Beer o’clock rolled around, and upstairs I did go.
Yes, I see it too. A couple of Facebook commenters mentioned the obvious weight gain.Besides, there is more of me to love.
I am working on it. Swan and my helper Teri are removing temptations (they took my ice cream supply downstairs), and I’m doing my best to avoid those foods that brought me to this sad condition. The bad news is I’m not feeling well, which may or may not be related to my obesity. I had to abort my participation in the group hike this morning because I had a breathing attack during the first easy climb. I don’t know what to make of that. If I can’t walk, I’m screwed, and for now, efforts like HIIT (high-intensity interval training) are beyond my capability. I’m going to do my best and see what happens.
In the meantime, I’ll focus on the positives in my life.Swan served me a nice bowl of beef bulgogi for dinner.And there was this……and this.I hope to stick around a while longer.
So, a quiet but nice night at home. And up with the morning sun to make the best of a new day.
Enjoy it while you can.Glad to be here!
Today’s Quora Q&A:
Q: What did you do in your first month of retirement after working for over 30 years?
A: After leaving my office for the last time, I went straight to the airport and caught a plane to the Philippines. I spent my first month of retirement settling in to my new lifestyle. Found an apartment to rent short time while I looked for a house, joined the dart league, took up hiking and hashing, and making new friends. Over four years later, I’m still going strong and enjoying my new life of freedom from work.
Yep, another hike on Kalaklan Ridge. Note I said “on,” not “up.” One of the members, Brian, discovered a rough dirt road leading to the ridge from the Olongapo side and offered to drive the group up in his 4×4 pickup truck. I love walking the ridgeline but despise climbing up there, so this idea was a real treat. We took the truck to the top and parked where the road ended, then commenced our walk in the direction of Tralala, a mountaintop village. We arrived 4K later and kept on going for a bit into territory none of us had previously traversed. Then we reversed course and walked back the way we came (no other option on the ridge) concluding what for me was a 9K hike. I enjoyed it very much much. Here are some pictures our group took along the way:
The purple line is the route we drove up. The orange is the route I walked with Scott and Steve. The green is the addition that Brian and Jim explored.Out of the vehicle and ready to ramble!The ridgeline had its ups and downs along the way.A pleasant stroll through the grass.A multitude of views along the way were our reward.The ass-side of Easter Mountain as seen from above. More mountain viewsAnd the Subic Bay.From another vista.Keep on truckin’The view from where I stopped before turning around. Jim and Brian went on to the end of the ridge in the distance.Taking a break on the way back.Cookies and smiles go together.The church in Tralala. The only way up here now is on foot.As trails go, this one was a breeze.I love this panoramic shot.A trail leads to that hilltop, but we opted to save that for another day.Making our wayThe pause that refreshes.The group shot (minus Brian)What’s that up ahead? Men with guns!Turns out they were police. We didn’t ask what they were doing up there and they didn’t say.Armed and friendly.Horsin’ aroundTaking the long viewJim getting his rocks off.Walk on!Back in the truck for the ride home.
The dog walk, the ridgeline, and my trip into town made for one of my biggest days in a long time.
I occasionally break the 20,000-step barrier, but 25,000+ is rare.
About that trip into town. I dropped into Hideaway for Joy’s birthday. Had a pizza delivered and gave her an envelope with the gift I knew she could use. I stayed an hour or so and said goodbye before the cake was cut. Next up was Cheap Charlies, a venue I don’t frequent as often as I used to. Come to think of it, I haven’t been hitting any of the bars as often now that I have more motivation to stay home. None of my old crew was working, but I stayed for two beers anyway.
The view from my stool. And the view from the CR.
Swan was visiting a friend and wasn’t going to join me. I decided to go to Whiskey Girl to say hello to my waitress friend, Jenn. Except she wasn’t working either. The girl I know from Voodoo now works at Whiskey Girl, so I bought her a drink before I headed back down the highway.
I made Snackbar my final stop of the night. Months and months have passed since my last visit, and the vibe was pretty depressing. Things change, and life goes on. There are lots of nice memories there, but the past is gone.
Home before eight (and Swan). For some reason, Netflix still won’t load on my television, so I finished season 10 of “Shameless” on my laptop. One more season to go.
Today, I’m going to spend my evening at the Rite Spot On The Roof. I’m sure it will be more fun than I had last night.
Facebook memories reminded me that it was seven years ago that I was diagnosed with COPD.
The Army hospital on Yongsan Garrison made the diagnosis that my Korean doctor had missed for several months, giving me worthless antibiotics for an “infection.”
Today’s Quora Q&A:
Q: Do you ever think about your old job after retirement?
A: Funny you should ask. I dreamed about working in my old job last night. It’s been over four years since I retired. I guess my subconscious wanted something to do.
And you regulars know what is coming next:
I normally drink out of a bottle, so I should be good. (Zero has 60 calories)I always wanted to get a dog in Korea and name it Bosintang.Now tell me a Covid joke. Oh, wait, the whole thing was a joke. Never mind.
Tuesday is in the books, my shelves are restocked with groceries, and I’m still among the living. Hard to top that!
My big event was a visit to Dr. Jo to review the results of my recent bloodwork. It wasn’t quite as good as I hoped it would be, but not so bad that I’m hopeless. Comparing the results of my previous test in May and this one, here’s the lowdown:
My uric acid is high. Up from 438.74 to 529.52 (high normal is 416)
My fasting blood sugar is high. Up from 6.35 to 6.49 (high normal is 5.49)
I also have increased levels of kidney enzymes:
Blood Urrea Nitrogen. Up from 4.20 to 6.80 (high normal is 8.33)
Creatine. Up from 82.0 to 102.0 (high normal is 104)
In the good news department, my cholesterol is down.
So, I have a couple of new meds to try for the next thirty days. And I have to develop more discipline in my daily dietary habits. Back on low carb and limited sugar intakes. My motivation is not to become diabetic like my mother was and to avoid kidney failure. Wish me luck.
After the doctor’s appointment, I hiked out to Baloy Beach to do my Tuesday gig on the floating bar.
It was only 3:30 when I arrived and the sun was still high in the sky.In an unusual turn of events, I got to sit with some blokes I actually know–Alex on the left, an old dart buddy, and fellow Hasher Steve in the middle. Gary is the guy on the end, and I enjoyed making his acquaintance. An old Navy guy who lived on Baloy in 1985. He has a Filipina wife he’s been with for forty years now. Time was passing as I awaited Swan’s arrival.The girls broke into a dance.The raft carrying Swan approached.Welcome aboard, sweetheart! Glad you are so happy to see me!The moment I’d been waiting for was approaching.A pretty good crowd for a Tuesday.Get down!Swan and the Kokomo owner’s wife hit it off.Going……going……gone!
And when the sun goes, so do we. This time, we visited DaKudos for our supper.
We shared this plate of grilled porkchops.Another nice night out together.
Via Facebook memories came this from five years ago:
Before Lucky was lucky. He was tied up on a short rope with no food or water. I adopted him a couple of days later.
And in the sad news department, Toby Keith has died at 62. I first became familiar with Keith as a performer when I heard “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue,” which resonated with me after seeing the 9/11 attacks up close and personal in DC. That event also transformed me from a Democrat voter to a person who puts America first. And I hear this song frequently played in The Hideaway Bar and others:
You left us too soon. Rest in peace!
Today’s Quora Q&A question:
Q: If you could go back to 1986 and restart your life from that moment, would you do it?
A: Yes, I would. There would be lots of IPO stocks to buy.
Today’s funnies:
Like looking in a mirror.Ferme la bouche
Alright, got to run. I have a birthday party to attend to at Hideaway this evening.
It’s funny the things you remember sometimes. When I was thinking about how to characterize how I spent my time yesterday, the word “satisfice” came to mind. Then, I recalled the days when I was climbing the ladder through levels of government bureaucracy as a supervisor and manager for Uncle Sam. Periodically, we’d be sent to training seminars at the taxpayers’ expense to learn skills to become more effective leaders. At one such session, I was introduced to the concept of satisficing. Contrary to most of my training, this tidbit proved useful over the years. The way the instructor explained it, as managers, we had to both make efficient use of our time and encourage the growth and development of our subordinates. An example I remember from the training went something like this: You assign a staff member to write a policy memo. When you are provided a draft for review, you find that while it conveys the purpose adequately, it is not written in the manner you prefer. So, you can reject the work and have it redone, or you can waste your own precious time rewriting it yourself. The third option was to accept that while it was not done the way you would have, it did serve to communicate the policy’s intent–it satisfices. Over the years, many things passed my desk for approval, and I would invoke that mantra in acceptance. I did a quick Google search of the word today and was surprised to see a Wikipedia entry for satisficing. They describe a more scientific approach than I took, but the idea is pretty much the same.
About yesterday, then. I mentioned that I had decided to forego the Hash, but I needed to determine how I might best fill those hours in a meaningful way. But as I considered options, nothing particularly appealed to me. I hadn’t spent any time over the weekend in the bars of Barretto, and oddly enough, I wasn’t missing that scene. I thought about doing my own hike, but I wasn’t feeling up for a solo walk either. In the end, I walked across town to John’s place, ordered the Korean wings to go, and took them across the street to Hideaway to share with the crew since I hadn’t been there for the Sunday feeding.
After an hour, I moved on. Blue Butterfly Bar was sold and is now called Roadhouse. I like that name much better. I dropped in to see what was up, but other than some new signage and fewer girls, it didn’t seem much different. I had one beer there and departed. Now what? As I stood on the highway, considering the multiple bar options surrounding me, nothing appealed more than the thought of going back home. So, that’s what I did after stopping in at Sit-n-Bull for some pecan pie (Swan’s favorite) to take with me.
When I walked through the door, I put the pie on the counter, grabbed a beer, and headed up to the roof. Swan was already there enjoying a glass of wine and was happy to have me join her.
The sun was mostly gone by now, but the sky still was full of color.We had some music playing, and Swan was rocking the rocker (which is why the photo is blurry).The night was young.
Later, we went downstairs with the intention to watch some “Shameless,” but for some reason, Netflix wouldn’t load on the TV. We settled for a couple of YouTube videos, then headed off to bed for some bliss before sleep.
It was a far from perfect day, but it satisficed.
Today’s Quora Q&A (from November 2022):
Q: What would you say to someone if they became a millionaire overnight?
A: Sharing is caring.
Today’s attempts at humor:
Stop, you’re killing me!Reminds me of the Meatloaf song: So now I’m praying for the end of time To hurry up and arrive ‘Cause if I gotta spend another minute with you I don’t think that I can really survive I’ll never break my promise or forget my vow But God only knows what I can do right now I’m praying for the end of time It’s all that I can do (ooh, ooh) Praying for the end of time So I can end my time with you
We’ll so something a little more upbeat for today’s song:
The brownout party at the Rite Spot On The Roof turned out to be a lot of fun. It was also a bit of a marathon for a lightweight like me, with the first guests arriving just before noon and the last departure around 9 p.m. During the course of the event, we downed over fifty(!) beers, and the lady folk enjoyed several bottles of wine. There were lots of compliments on the chili and corn muffins, and we didn’t have many leftovers from the other food offerings. I think at the peak, we had fifteen or so in attendance, which was a better turnout than I expected. Ironically, we had ANOTHER brownout late in the afternoon, although this one only lasted thirty minutes. The neighbor said it was scheduled, but I hadn’t heard about it. Anyway, the attendees all said they had a good time, and that’s what a party is for, so I’m calling it a success!
The party was slated to begin at one, but Gem messaged they had to check out of the hotel at noon but would stop by before departing for Manila. So, we started the party early.The rest of Gem’s crew.
I have to conclude that the visit wasn’t about me, and I never got a clear understanding of what was going on with Gem’s situation. She said she has an Israeli significant other, but he is currently visiting Thailand. So, maybe she’s just trying to fill in space until he returns. Anyway, it is nice to be remembered after five years, and I hope things work out well for her.
Pancit was ready for the early arrivalsAnd Christian, Inday’s guy, manned the grill.Kebabs coming up!And the lumpia was served.Then the white folk began arriving.It was too early in the day to enjoy a sunset, so I arranged a fire for my guest’s entertainment.(joke lang)The zoom view. I’ve climbed that hill before, and there is a squatter shanty about halfway up. Hope everyone is okay.Dr. Jo and hubby Chris joined in the fun.The Filipina tableWine, meat on a stick, and cheesecake is how they roll.The testosterone table.Let the good times roll!The party in full swing.As I feared, the afternoon timing of the gathering put us at the mercy of this beast.
The shade provided by the roof was inadequate, and throughout the afternoon, we were rearranging tables and chairs to try and capture what shade we could find.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. Christian hung some sheets to block the sun, but damn, him standing on that railing was freaking me out. A misstep would likely be fatal from up there (a three-story fall)and he’d had some beers.A shady spot. Good job, Christian. I’m going to buy some roll-up bamboo blinds to install before the next gathering.But eventually, the problem disappeared.Happy girls. Wine will do that.The lights of the city.Dave and Jo were the last guests to depart. Thanks to my co-hostess, Swan, for all her hard work.
The best damn party I’ve attended all year, if I do say so myself. Good times!
One of my guests, Jim, gifted me one of my favorite treats. He had his sister include it for me in a care package she mailed from the USA. Thanks again!Another guest, Ron, thought the party was for my birthday, and gifted me this shirt and shorts. It fits!
And now, it is Hash Monday, but after a careful assessment, I’ve decided not to participate today. Vienna Sausage (Guenter) is the Hare, and his trails don’t suit my survival instincts. Strike one. The trail begins at Court 4, near the end of Rizal Extension, which makes it very inconvenient for me to reach (it’s all uphill, and some trikes have difficulty getting there). Strike 2. The On-Home is at a Hasher’s house (Always Wet) and is also at the end of Rizal Extension. That makes getting back home, especially after drinking and in the dark, problematic. Strike 3. Yeah, maybe I’m a wuss, but I don’t expect I’d have a good time, so what’s the point?
I’m not sure what I’m going to do in lieu of the Hash. Fact is, I’m concerned about some lung issues I’m experiencing. Even on the morning dog walk today, I was huffing and puffing. I’ll see Dr. Jo tomorrow, but I may go back to the pulmonary specialist for some advice on minimizing my breathing difficulties.
Today’s Quora Q&A (someone’s question, my answer):
Q: Do people regret moving from their original home country and living abroad permanently or do they feel it was a good decision? If so, what makes them feel that way?
A: I’ve been living in the Philippines for over five years now. No regrets whatsoever. Every time I read the news from back home in the USA I am so thankful to be far away from the nightmare my country of birth has become. Of course, the Philippines is far from perfect, but I’ll take the ups and downs that come with living here over the vanilla American lifestyle any day.
Now for the funny business:
LSD=Let Shoes Dance!Unless you were lying down.
Alright, that’s all for now. Thanks for stopping by.
Which version of this song is best?
While I like them both, I’ve got to go with the upbeat sound of the original by The Drifters.
More or less. Yesterday’s brownout ran a bit longer than scheduled, with power being restored at 6:20 rather than the promised 6 p.m. Early this morning, while I was doing my usual internet browsing, the lights went out again. In typical unscheduled brownout fashion, things were back up and running within thirty minutes or so. Until the next one.
There is an all-day scheduled brownout in Barretto today (I’m on the Subic grid, so it doesn’t impact me), and in a show of sympathy and brotherhood to my comrades in the Barrio, I’m hosting a rooftop party this afternoon featuring cold beer and a variety of food offerings.
I’m unsure how many will show up, so I made a triple batch of chili, the biggest in my history. I hope I got the mix of ingredients correct in the large version.
So, I filled the brownout hours by taking care of some business and then heading out of town to Pundaquit in San Antonio. The business part was picking up my blood work results, then hitting Royal for more beer, some snacks, and another table for the rooftop.
After dropping off my purchases at home, I had my driver take us to Baloy Beach to meet up with Gem and her five companions. I had assumed it was all females in her group, but it turns out three of them were guys. Younger guys, so I hesitate to call them couples. Anyway, my driver said we could squeeze all six in his vehicle, but Gem and her friends opted to take their own vehicle and follow us. Sounded good to me.
I’m not sure who was driving Gem’s car, but I was impressed with his ability to keep up with my crazy driver, Danny. Danny seemed to be as well, saying he must be from Manila (where crazy driving is mandatory). My first stop in Pundaquit (a 45-minute drive) was the Car Wash bar and restaurant, my favorite venue there. It was lunchtime, and I was hungry and, of course, thirsty.
I hadn’t seen or heard from Gem in five years. I’m still not sure if the visit was about me or just getting out of town.
Gem has been living in Israel and said it had been scary times since the latest outbreak of war, with her city being subject to frequent rocket attacks. I can’t imagine that nightmare. I dropped some hints about the purpose of her visit, but she didn’t have much of anything to say in that regard. The money issue didn’t come up directly, but she did pay for our lunch, so there’s that.
I had the everything burger…Swan had pork ribs.
I asked Gem what they wanted to do after lunch, and she said her friends wanted to go swimming. I assumed that meant on the nice ocean beach in Pundaquit, but no, they wanted to return to their hotel and swim in Subic Bay. Well, I still had hours of brownout ahead of me, and Gem assured me they could find their way back without us, so we said our goodbyes. Her crew is supposed to join the rooftop party this afternoon. We shall see.
Swan’s sister and her family had also escaped the brownout by visiting Pundaquit, so we stopped in at Monty’s Resort to pay them a visit.
Half the group was swimming in the river; the other half were enjoying Monty’s pool.I sat at the bar and chatted with these gents (the guy on the right is Swan’s brother-in-law, Jack.)When it was time to head home, I fetched Danny, who’d been napping in the riverside nipa hut.
Being home with no power sucks. Without fans, it is uncomfortably hot. I tried to nap a bit on the couch where I could catch a breeze through the window, but I didn’t achieve forty winks. So, I headed up to the roof to wait things out.
Set up my new table and chairs.Watched the sun do its thing.Buddy kept watch on the road down below.Lazy Lucky just chilled out.And as the sun disappeared, the lights finally came back on.
I finished my beer, went downstairs, turned on the fan and the TV, and enjoyed a few more episodes of “Shameless.” I had a good night’s sleep, then up this morning to start the party prep.
No RSVPs, so no clue. But I can comfortably accommodate up to twenty guests, I think. I’m cooking the chili here rather than carrying a hot crockpot up those stairs again.Forty-eight San Mig Zeros……and forty-eight San Miguel Lights.
And yes, I’ve got them on ice now. When it comes to beer, I’m not worried about leftovers. I spend a lot more time at home these days!
Swan and Teri preparing more food selections…lumpia and……kebabsI baked some cornbread muffins to go with the chiliAnd brownies for dessertSwan made this cherry cheesecake.
Tomorrow I’ll tell you how it went.
Today’s Quora Q&A:
Q: What is the difference between a restroom and a bathroom? What do they call it in other English speaking countries, if anything at all?
A: In the Philippines, they are called a CR—comfort room.
And for your amusement:
Gandalf visited the Philippines and met some bargirls…lucky wizard!I only posted this one because that Vulcan gal is so damn cute.
I’m in the dark this morning and operating on battery power, so I’m going to knock out this post as quick as I can, while I can.
Yesterday Swan joined me on an end-to-end hike of the My Bitch trail. It’s been quite some time since I’ve done the entire length. To make it a tad more interesting (for me), I did the photo every 1000 steps routine. Here’s how it came out:
Zero steps on the front porch1000 steps. A goat road as we left Alta Vista.2000 steps. My Bitch.3000 steps. Mountain mama (Jennifer and her kids)4000 steps. The view from here.5000 steps. Looking down on Naugsol Valley.6000 steps. Off the trail and onto the road (Rizal Extension).7000 steps. A nice home on Rizal Extension.8000 steps. A narrow passage9000 steps. Jasmine StreetBonus shot: You can rent a hoe to use?10,000 steps. The Rizal Market. The tall building on the left is the local jail. I never want to see the inside of that place!11,000 steps. A poser at Hotel Bella Monte.Such a lovely place, such a lovely face.The hike ended at Sit-n-Bull where we ordered some take-out for lunch.When I showed Swan the map of our hike, she immediately burst into laughter. I assured her I wasn’t trying to be a dick.My lunch: A roast beef dip au jus with baked beans.
My visitor from Manila was running late, and since she’s staying on Baloy, I figured we could meet up there, and I’d wait at McCoy’s for her arrival. Swan and I headed out at beer o’clock.
The sky as it appeared when we departed the house.A zoom shot.Baloy Beach upon our arrival.The bay view from McCoy’s.McCoy’s. If you look close you can see my sweetie.The beach portion of McCoy’s as seen from our perch.
That’s the manager on her phone. The big news is that the barangay has disallowed McCoy’s from having videoke. Now, that made me selfishly happy, but I could see how upset she was. McCoy’s is primarily a Filipino hangout, and videoke is a big part of their business. I suggested they try the norebang (private singing rooms) style like they do in Korea. She said they might look into that.
The beach from my seat. That four-wheeler is much more dangerous than videoke, especially when the beach is crowded. I was surprised it was even allowed.Sundown on the beach
My friend messaged that they were still in Manila (there was some issue with their driver), and I said I’d see her tomorrow then. I guess we’ll meet up later this morning.
I wasn’t drunk last night, but I had enough beers where this seemed like a good idea to bring home for dinner:
Typical McDonald’s quality, but service there sucks.
So, we’ll see what the day without power brings. Lights are back on at six, and I plan on killing some of that time in San Antonio. Full report tomorrow.
Today’s Quora Q&A entry:
Q: Can you share any humorous moments that have occurred during a meeting at your workplace?
A: My boss, Sherrie, was holding a meeting with her senior staff members in the conference room. After an hour or so, she said she needed a cigarette break. One of the staffers jokingly said, “Gee, Sherrie, do you smoke after sex, too?” Without hesitation, Sherrie responded, “I don’t know. I’ve never looked.”
Yesterday was a different kind of nothing. It began with a morning fast and then a trip to the clinic in Olongapo to have my blood work done. They require at least an eight-hour fast, but more than ten is a disqualifying “over fast.” I split the difference and did nine. Once the blood was drawn, I was free to eat once again, so we visited the Xtreme Xpresso Cafe on SBMA.
I broke my fast with waffles with a mango topping.Coffee came with the meal.
On the way back home we stopped at DiviMart where I purchased these:
Six more chairs for the Rite Spot On The Roof
I’m planning a rooftop gathering for Sunday afternoon and wanted to be sure I’d have adequate seating for everyone.
Back at the house, I was feeling lethargic and lightheaded all day. I don’t think they took that much blood, so it must have just been one of those days. I blogged and napped, but I just didn’t feel like going out when beer o’clock arrived. That meant sacrificing the last day of validity on my “buy one, get one” coupon at Alaska Club, but some things just can’t be helped.
But The Rite Spot On The Roof was ready and waiting for me.
I settled in to watch Mother Nature’s show with a cooler full of cold beers, a comfortable seat in my rocking chair, and a personally tailored playlist of songs from Spotify.
No bargirls available, but Buddy was there to keep me company.Buddy seemed to enjoy the view, too.
I placed my order for dinner, and it arrived in due course.
Good job, Swan!R&R for the cook.Inday joined us on the rooftop with her mother and daughter.Let the show begin!Ya done good, Mr. Sun.
I enjoyed another beer by lamplight, then headed back downstairs for my daily dose of “Shameless.” I’m into Season 10 now, and it is still holding my interest, which says a lot. There is one more season to go after this one.
A good night’s sleep, and I woke up feeling somewhat better this morning. Still, I bailed on the Friday group hike and took a walk with Swan instead. I’ll post about that tomorrow.
On this morning’s dog walk, it occurred to me that this was the first time I’d left the house in over 24 hours. I don’t think that’s happened since the scamdemic.
Someone posted the virtues of hiking on Facebook this morning and I stole it to share with my faithful readers here:
I didn’t write this, and it is pretty poor grammatically, even by my low standards. But the sentiments are good.
Today’s Quora Q&A (these are questions I’ve answered over the years):
Q: How do I find out what my purpose is in my life?
A: Well, I’m not a religious man, but the other day, I was feeling depressed. So, I got down on my knees and prayed to God, asking, “Why am I here? What is my purpose in life?” Again, I’m not a true believer; I’m just getting it off my chest. I certainly wasn’t expecting an answer. And then, I heard God’s voice. He said, “John, what is your purpose in life? You are my gift to women!” At least, that’s how I remember it.
It has over a hundred views and not one upvote. Go figure.
Luckily, I only saw this sign on the internet. But it brought to mind that scene from “Deliverance.”
I’m not exactly sure what’s on tap for tonight. I’m supposed to meet up with an old “friend” I haven’t heard from in five years. I have no idea why she wanted to see me again, but she traveled to Olongapo from Manila to do so, so I’m curious enough to find out. And don’t worry, she knows I have a girlfriend, and I’m bringing Swan along. I’ll let y’all know how that goes.
Oh, and we have a scheduled all-day (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.) brownout (no power) tomorrow. I’m having my driver take us to Pundaquit to fill some of those hours. I’m not sure when or how I’ll blog, but I’ll do my best to post some form of update. Till then.
Today’s song is even older than me. Not sure why it came to mind.
