It’s odd the things in life you remember. I took a typing class in high school, and the sentence in today’s post title contains every letter in the English alphabet. We used it to practice our keyboarding skills (it wasn’t called that back then, though).
I won’t say that things were completely off-key, but yesterday was not as rhythmic as most of my Tuesdays. There was a rainbow at the end of the day, so you take the bad with the good and count your blessings.
Shopping as usual was the first order of business, but on the way to YBC supermarket, we stopped by the computer repair shop. The parts to repair my computer keyboard have STILL not arrived. I sarcastically asked if they were being shipped from Mars, and the repair guy responded, “China.” I’m starting to wonder if I’m being scammed (I’ve already paid 2000 pesos for the parts), but I’ll give it another week before demanding a refund.
No surprises or issues at YBC or Royal, so the cupboards are stocked for another week.
With the grocery shopping completed, I asked my driver to take me to the nearby Harbor Point Mall. I just couldn’t bear another week trying to blog without the letters z, x, c, and v. I never realized how frequently those letters appear in words I routinely use. So, I headed upstairs to an electronics shop in search of a portable keyboard.
I still want my laptop fixed. This new keyboard is a temporary solution and is far from ideal. The layout is different; the keys are smaller and not lighted, making it hard to use in the dark mornings while Swan sleeps. Still, it is Very niCe Having Zero holes left in the words I use.
Exciting shit, eh? But wait, there’s more! When beer o’clock rolled around, it was time for Swan to enjoy some toes in the sand on Baloy Beach.
And shortly after boarding the floater, we saw this on the horizon:
And then we got hit by a rain squall like I’ve never experienced when visiting a floating bar.
Into each life, some rain must fall!
The storm passed soon enough, but the clouds dashed our plans to watch the sunset.
Home a little earlier than usual, but that’s okay. Some internet time, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, then off to bed for this old-timer.
Sometimes, a walk down memory lane can be a walk in the park. Like that time almost twenty years ago when I discovered Yeouido for the first time.
Hmm, I think I know what tonight’s “seldom visited bar” will be.
Here’s more of what makes heads explode on Facebook:
Alright, onward to today’s YouTube video. I don’t view this vlogger often, but the gal he interviews is articulate and full of good advice. It was an enjoyable watch. And by the way, I’m not the “John” that gets mentioned.
To the humor, we shall go:
Life is good, and I’m not bored or feeling the need to change the way things are. Perhaps that’s a vestige of old age, but I’ve come a long way to reach this stage of my life, and I want to enjoy it. One aspect I want to incorporate more of is travel. Swan is big time into that, and we will do a get-out-of-town once-a-month routine to ensure a periodic change of scenery. And something new to blog about!
John mate whatever happened to taking Swan to Korea mate or is that too unaffordable mate?
Remember those? I’ve certainly used those typing skills I learned more than I ever used the algebra.
When I was in elementary school, we had an old neighbor across the way who had been raised on the old manual typewriters. He was freaked out by the at-the-time new electric typewriters, whose keys he found to be “too sensitive.” He’d absolutely hate my 2019 Mac’s chiclet keyboard.
I still want my laptop fixed.
I’m not sure why. It’s obvious the computer’s on its way out.
Looks like the pot of gold is somewhere in Kalaklan
When leprechauns came to the PI…
That reminds me of those old transactional relationships I couldn’t seem to avoid. I guess it made for more interesting blog posts, though.
“Couldn’t seem to avoid” sounds like leftist language for having no free will, and therefore no responsibility. I find your current arrangement much less frustrating to read about. It has the virtue of breaking the cycle of needless stupidity. Swan is a good, decent person, amazingly tolerant of your flaws, and I hope you never lose her.
Re: Travel – as @Aaron asks, I also thought you were thinking of a trip back to Korea. I think you mentioned you were going to Vietnam, correct?
I would think that the PI has direct flights to all over Asia and Australia. Its a big world out there with lots to see. Just need to overcome the intertia. 🙂
jumps not jumped!
Just be thankful for what you’ve got. You won’t be gloating so gleefully if they slash federal pensions. Couldn’t happen?
I’m not worried about it, Drain. It would literally take an act of Congress to change my pension.
Damn it, Paul! I didn’t remember as well as I thought I did. Thanks for clueing me in.
Brian, yes, we are going to Da Nang in July. The problem with Korea is that Filipinos need a hard-to-get visa to enter the country. That and all the memories there can be overwhelming.
Kevin, So, now I remind you of your old neighbor? As a matter of fact, I used to consume Chiclets when I was a kid.
Everything else on the laptop works fine, and it’s the best one I’ve ever owned. A friend got it for me in the USA, and I don’t know if I can find a replacement for it here.
Thanks for the kind words regarding Swan. Truth is, I think I did that transactional phase because I was afraid of a relationship like this one. When you care, you risk getting hurt. But here I am, giving it one last try. Will I fuck it up? Maybe all those life lessons will help avoid repeating mistakes. We shall see!
Lawfully, it would literally take an act of congress to shut down USAID, and a constitutional amendment to end birthright citizenship.
Your hero doesn’t seem to mind those technicalities.
I trust you get the point.
But don’t worry as long as you keep getting yours.
Aaron, we are going to Vietnam in July. The issue with Korea is that Filipinos need a tourist visa that is hard to come by. We’ll see what the future brings.
Drain, I’m not worried. If Trump steps over the line, we have a Supreme Court to enforce the Constitution. I don’t believe “birthright” was ever intended to grant citizenship to invaders.
John, using terms like “if” Trump steps over the line suggests that you’re really not seeing clearly. And he wouldn’t be the first president to defy the Supreme Court if it came to that. At any rate, the opinions that you or I may have about intent don’t change the Constitution. Neither do Trump’s blatantly illegal executive orders.
I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree, Drain.
Fair enough. But I’m really not clear on what, specifically, we’re disagreeing on, unless you sincerely believe a president can unilaterally nullify a constitutional provision you disagree with via mere executive order. I don’t think Trump himself really believes that, but he does revel in distracting spectacle to excite his followers.
Cheers
Drain, I don’t believe any of Trump’s executive orders are unconstitutional. If the Supreme Court rules otherwise, I’ll accept that. Nothing in the Constitution says that illegal invaders who bear children are entitled to birthright citizenship.