Tuesdays come and Tuesdays go. The one that happened yesterday went down like this:

It was time to renew my tourist visa, so that was the first stop on the shopping expedition. The Olongapo office of the Bureau of Immigration has posted hours of 8:00 to 5:00. I arrived at 8:30 and was the first person to sign in. The guard said no one was there yet, so I took a seat and waited. And waited. Someone appeared at 8:50 and set about firing up the computer, and at around nine, he called me to the window to process my extension application. I only requested thirty days this go-round because I’m leaving for Vietnam next month. A few minutes later, I paid my 2300 pesos and had a new stamp in my passport. I’ll be back in a couple of weeks to process my Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC), which is required to leave the country after an extended stay. As I understand it, the purpose of the ECC is to verify that there are no warrants, other pending charges, or other untoward activities you are fleeing from. That, and it’s another way to generate revenue for the government. Hey, I’m a visitor to this country, and I’m bound to follow the rules, unlike those millions of illegals back home.

Next up were the weekly visits to the YBC and Royal supermarkets, both of which were uneventful. Back home and confined to shelter from the rain, I set about processing the online visa required for Americans to visit Vietnam (Filipinos don’t need a visa, so Swan is good to go). It wasn’t too difficult filling out the usual forms, although I did have to upload photographs of my passport and a recent mugshot-like photograph.

So, I successfully submitted the paperwork and paid the $79 processing fee. If all goes well, I should have an e-visa in four days.

Without a floating bar option, our plans for the Tuesday outing were undetermined. Swan mentioned going to Kon-Tiki, but the rain made that journey unpalatable. And today this post on Facebook made us regret our decision:

Oh, well. I wish them luck on SBMA, but that’s a bridge too far for us. I’m still hoping someone will open a beach bar here in Barretto.

Our alternative plan was to satisfy Swan’s craving for a birria taco from John’s place. We couldn’t make our regular weekly visit on Sunday as John’s was closed. When we arrived, John’s widow greeted us and apologized for our Sunday disappointment. I told her we needed to get a fix for Swan’s addiction, and I’d take some beef bulgogi. She knew that meant tacos for Swan, and she replaced the rice that is served with bulgogi with a side salad. And of course, a red wine and a Zero beer. It’s nice to be a regular!

After our meal, we walked under umbrellas up the highway to Red Bar and enjoyed more wine and beer.

When it was time for a change of scenery, we hoofed it down the road to Cloud 69 bar. Our regular waitress, Sheryl, was waiting to serve the day’s first customers. Several new dancers were hired since our previous visit. One of them greeted me by name and said she knew me from when she worked at Cheap Charlies. She was vaguely familiar, but I had no recollection of any interactions with her there, and she was certainly not one of my regular lady drink recipients. So, she joined us at our table along with Sheryl, and I bought them both a drink. The new girl claimed to have been Swan’s classmate, but Swan didn’t remember her.

We decided to have our nightcap at Nipsey’s, a bar we almost never visit. I was surprised to be greeted at the door by Jamaica, a girl I used to know from when she worked at Snackbar. We are Facebook friends, so I knew yesterday was her birthday, and I offered her belated greetings. She told us today was her first day working at Nipsey’s, so naturally, we bought her a welcome aboard drink.

So, one round at Nipsey’s and we were ready to head home. Before we departed, I slipped Jamaica the 500 peso note that I couldn’t change earlier, and told her happy birthday. It was a nice ending to a good night on the town.

I’m still slogging my way through June of 2009 in the LTG archives, and I came upon a post I erected about blowjobs. Don’t be too hard on me, I had my reasons. Have a look for yourself.

I made a post on Facebook six years ago about a dream I had. In it, a woman handed me a scrap of paper with those words inscribed:

“Don’t ask for what you can’t give”

Hmm, I ain’t asking for nothin’.

Let’s check in with Smart Girl Philippines for today’s YouTube video. In her usual humorous style, she warns about bad decisions brought on by alcohol and erections. I’ve had a lifetime of bad choices, and most were not caused by beer. Although thinking with that small brain has cost me some. I’m a little ashamed to admit that I’ve experienced some of those outcomes she describes personally. You’ve been warned!

And now for the funny business:

And that’s all I’ve got for today. Still raining, but I’ll venture out for the grand re-opening of Sloppy Joe’s Bar later on today. Back tomorrow with more.