There is something not quite right going on in this tired old body. I usually do a longish Sunday stroll, and I was preparing to head at 0800 this morning when I suddenly felt just about every ounce of energy disappear. I laid down on the couch thinking I’d take a short nap to recharge. Woke up two hours later still feeling empty. It’s not a motivation problem I don’t think because I do enjoy my walks. Just feeling light-headed and bleh today for some reason. I really hope this is not a symptom of old age because it really sucks to feel tired. Hopefully, this too shall pass.
I’m guessing some of my regular readers may be speculating that this feeling like shit thing might be related to the time I spend in the bars. I honestly don’t think so. Take last night as an example. I got to Marick’s a little before 5:00 and left before 7:00. I did stop at It Doesn’t Matter for a couple more beers, but as is my custom I was heading home around 8:00 and in bed at 9:00. I also drink San Miguel Zero (3% alcohol) so I was not really even all that drunk. It is what it is, I guess. For the record, if I fall prey to the worst-case scenario I want to be cremated and have the ashes scattered up on the My Bitch trail. And if there is any kind of wake, have “Time” by the Alan Parsons Project played. Of course, it won’t matter to me if that doesn’t happen–I’ll be dead.
So, about last night. I spent some quality time with girls, played some of my favorite music (they plug into my Spotify), and chatted with the other customer, Eric, who was celebrating his birthday.
When I showed Joy the photos I had taken she didn’t seem impressed with the quality of my camera work. This morning she sent me a better one:
And oh yeah, since I’d bought a round of lady drinks, the girls gave me a nice leg massage.
As I mentioned, I dropped into It Doesn’t Matter on the way home to spend some time with another waitress friend.
Now, to be clear, neither of the bars I visited last night have “take out” available and the girls I drink with are certainly not prostitutes. I don’t normally visit that “type” bar at this stage of my life. What’s been interesting to see, and perhaps it is related to the pandemic somehow, is that Facebook has become a new tool for freelancers. When I get a friend request I check to see if we have any mutual Facebook friends. If there are several, I will usually add them. I had a little bizarre interaction with one of these “friends” over the weekend. It started with a message from someone I’ve never met in person and haven’t really chatted with. She wanted me to accept her sister’s friend request. It was Friday and I was busy with darts, but why not?
Hi sweetie how are
You sent
Doing good. How about you?
Fri 5:37 PM
Madeline
Boring
Fri 7:27 PM
You sent
Okay. We are already friends.
Madeline
Yeah
Madeline
Where are you?
You sent
Barretto
Madeline
Are you busy?
You sent
Going home when I finish eating
Madeline
Can I visit you when you got home?
You sent
Not tonight
Madeline
How about tomorrow?
You sent
I don’t know you. What do you have in mind?
Madeline
Getting horny hehehe
You sent
Ah. I see.
You sent
How much?
Madeline
It’s up to you baby 
You sent
I’ll let you know tomorrow then. You are in Subic?
Madeline
Yes
You sent
Okay.
Madeline
See you
Madeline
Take care
Sat 9:12 AM
Madeline
Goodmorning
Madeline
What you doing sweetie?
You sent
doctor appointment this morning…
Madeline
Can I meet this afternoon sweetie
Sat 11:31 AM
Madeline
Are you home already?
Sat 12:39 PM
Madeline
Where are you sweetie
Sat 4:58 PM
Madeline
Hi sweetie are you home
Madeline
I’m horny heheh
Sat 6:07 PM
Madeline
Missed Video Chat6:07
Madeline
Are you home
Madeline
Can I come
Madeline
Missed Video Chat6:08 PMEnter
Madeline
I’m here in barreto
Madeline
Ok
Sat 7:31 PM
Madeline
Still waiting for your replay
10:13 AM
Madeline
Goodmorning
So, that gives you a flavor of how these things go. You see that I’ve been ignoring her for two days now. I think she is getting the hint. Honestly, as much of a horn dog that I am, I really don’t like hooking up with complete strangers. I’d certainly never bring someone I had never met previously to my house. She looks cute enough in her Facebook profile picture, but I just have no interest in her whatsoever. Go figure.
I did, however, initiate a new member into my FWB club. That gives me two active clients, which is about right for me. A couple of times a month keeps me satisfied. I knew the latest one from when she worked in Cheap Charlies and she’s been desperate for some income to feed her kids and pay the bills. I helped her out a few times no strings attached, but the begging pleas only became more frequent. I started to just block her, sending her a message that it was not my responsibility to take care of her family. But I did make the “massage” job offer (which I had done previously) and this time she accepted. Her performance has been adequate thus far, so we shall see how it goes.
And that’s the grim details of how I roll these days. And yeah, I know it is all fake and meaningless, but it helps fill the hours, and I kinda sorta enjoy the company and attention.
As the good book says, “judge not lest you be judged.” I’m not sure what Buddha would say.
That’s the way I dance with the ladies these days.
Maybe were just shooting stars
Needing something to hold on to
But each thing we touch seems to vanish
Like candles and friends
They burn at both endsDance, they said
Life is only for the moment
The light is brief
Don’t waste it
The taste is sweet so taste it
So I said I understand
I’m dancing as fast as I can
Well, good luck figuring out what may be ailing you. It never even occurred to me to associate lethargy with bars; if there are older guys than you who are still holding their own at those bars, then you can probably rule out bar-hopping as a cause of lethargy.
As for faux companionship… it’s not for me, but whatever floats your boat. As long as you’ve got cash, you can maintain the illusion. Plead empty pockets, though, and these ladies will show their true colors, so keep the money-spigot cranked up to 10.
Later, Captain Pike.
Well you’re not that old but you’re not that young either so why not tske a deep dive into the world of supplementation? No harm to be done and great things are reported, in particular, of resveratrol and NMN.
TRT is also a thing. As is taking rest days…
Not feeling well over a period of time is not something to be ignored. Could be something as simple as low iron. But I think you had said you had blood work done. Does sound like you are geeting plenty of vitimin “f”.
Though a remote possibility, maybe your tiredness issues could be long haul COVID? I know you mentioned you think you may have had COVID a few months ago. Does the timing match?
Daughter of a friend of mine who is in her early 30’s has had long haul COVID for almost a year now. Among other things, general fatigue and lethargy is one of the things she is fighting.
Kev, I’m not getting the Captain Pike reference. Google says he was Kirk’s predecessor on the Enterprise but I’m not making the connection. Did he pay for his company too?
Dan, I’ll read up on those supplements and check on their availability here. Thanks for the tip. And yeah, it occurred to me that my body just might be saying give me a break…
Terry, I did have the complete blood work thing done just a couple of months ago. I eat a pretty healthy diet too. But if I need to increase my lady consumption, so be it! 🙂
Brian, the thought did occur to me because the symptoms I’m experiencing are very similar. Although immediately after my bout with what I assume was COVID I was fine. I wonder if this might be just a very mild infection with the Delta variant? Well, if I’m not feeling more normal in a week or so I’ll consult a doctor.
Thanks to all of you for your concern and suggestions!
McCrarey, would you be OK if we played “TIME” by Pink Floyd at the memorial? Now there’s the mattrer of them ashes. Sorry my friend, we are flying them over to the ROK and spreading them on Hooker Hill in Itaewon. Peace Out!
“And then one day you find ten years have got behind you
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun
And you run and you run to catch up with the sun but it’s sinking
Racing around to come up behind you again
The sun is the same in a relative way but you’re older
Shorter of breath and one day closer to death” Roger Waters.
In the two-part episode “The Menagerie,” a wheelchair-bound Captain Pike is reduced to a life of giving yes/no answers to questions. Ultimately, he is taken to a planet run by aliens who can create realistic illusions, and thus he is given the illusion of health so he can live out his life happy instead of trapped in the actual reality of his existence.
Pike’s character has been rehabilitated of late in the new Star Trek TV shows, perhaps inspired by his appearance in the JJ Abrams movies.
Soju, yeah the Pink Floyd song is one of my favorites. Thanks for the memories.
Kev, ah, now I get it. I hadn’t seen that episode and Wikipedia didn’t mention it. But yeah, maybe I am in the camp of “reality is whatever you imagine it to be.”
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