…as seasoning for more of the same.
What’s different about a morning hike and an evening out in Barretto? Nothing really, except for where we did our Friday group hike way out on the far side of Subic, in Barangay Aningway-Sacatihan, and trekked to Balon Falls. It’s been over a year since we last enjoyed this adventure. It’s dry season, so the creek was low and there wasn’t much of a waterfall to see, but it was still a pleasant journey along the waterside. We also hiked through a friendly Aeta village and enjoyed interacting with the locals. It was a refreshing change of pace.
Back home for a nice nap, a shit post, then a shower and a shave. I wasn’t in the mood to play darts, so I skipped the Friday tourney this week. Instead, we began our evening out at Red Bar.
When it was time to eat, we headed up the highway to satisfy Swan’s craving addiction for birria tacos. Myleen’s is the only place in town to get them these days. Swan has the recipe now, but we need to find some corn tortillas to work with.
We decided to finish our evening out on the far side of town at Queen Victoria. As always, it was an enjoyable time there. Manager Jake has really turned the place around. And that’s where another day in paradise came to a close.
Back to the May 2018 LTG archives, and I’ve rented my first residence in the Philippines–a one-bedroom apartment on Baloy. A step in the right direction, but my future was later found in Alta Vista.
Things are getting a little crazy here with fuel prices doubling since January. A liter of gasoline is now over 100 pesos (around $6.50 per gallon). Diesel fuel is even more expensive. This morning, Swan’s sister couldn’t find a Jeepney available to take her to work in Olongapo. On my walk, I noticed many Jeepneys parked along the side streets. It makes sense…fuel has doubled, fares remain the same. What’s the point of driving all day if it is going to cost you money? I don’t know what the fix will be, but it better come soon, or the poor folks’ suffering will be getting worse.
Today’s YouTube video discusses some more of the impact of the current energy crisis. I’m glad I don’t rely on public transport or have any flights scheduled. It’s a crazy time.
Now is a good time for some humor:
And that’s the story of my slightly different day. Got something a tad different in store for this evening as well. Tell you all about it tomorrow.
‘Ere, mate, I ‘ave a word or two for ya about Ozempic, innit? You’re takin’ the jab, but you’re still neckin’ beers like they’re goin’ outta style, eh? That’s like tryin’ to fill a leaky bucket, guvna! Ozempic’s meant to ‘elp regulate your appetite and blood sugar, but all that booze is counterproductive, know what I mean?
You gotta get your priorities straight, John! A pint or two ain’t gonna kill ya, but doin’ it every day’ll slow down your progress, mate. You’re basically tellin’ your body, “Oi, I’m still gonna party like it’s 1999!” while Ozempic’s tryin’ to sort you out. Cut back on the beers, or you’ll be stuck in a right ol’ pickle!
Blimey, John! You’re a clever bloke, but you’re bein’ a bit of a silly sausage, ain’t ya? Get your diet and lifestyle sorted, and Ozempic’ll do its magic, innit? You wanna be sipping on some fella’s water or a nice cuppa instead, mate. Cheers, and get sorted, John!
Nothing really, except for where we did our Friday group hike way out on the far side of Subic, in Barangay Aningway-Sacatihan, and trekked to Balon Falls.
Clearer punctuation:
Nothing, really, except for where we did our Friday group hike: way out on the far side of Subic, in Barangay Aningway-Sacatihan. We then trekked to Balon Falls.
We were looking for a different way back down, and hired this youngster as our guide.
Spot the error! I can see this is another of your pet errors, never to be corrected no matter how many times it’s pointed out.
It’s rare to see a horse in these parts, but here you go.
Looks tasty. Time for some low-carb horse jerky!
Swan has the recipe now, but we need to find some corn tortillas to work with.
Buy her a tortilla press and some masa harina (or whatever it’s called in the PI). That way, you/she can make your/her own tortillas. Or you can make the tortillas, and she can fry them up after prepping the meat and consommé.
I’m glad I don’t rely on public transport or have any flights scheduled. It’s a crazy time.
The AI god claims the PI gets most of its fuel from the Middle East.
She’s got some skilled fingers there, Cedric. See what else she can do with them!
Holy smokes! A perfectly written meme!
Took me a bit longer than it should have to get this one.
Immediately followed by a poorly punctuated meme. Sigh…
re: Bach meme
I had to look it up. “Think outside the Bachs.” Ha ha. But at least the pun shows some cleverness. It’s one of those visual/spatial puns like
stand
I
and
take in take
I used to do those with my EFL students.
I guess your site doesn’t allow the HTML for underlining—just boldface and italics. The “stand/I” visual pun is supposed to have an underline or fraction bar or underscore beneath the “stand,” with the “I” being centered beneath. You can still get the pun even without the fraction bar, though.
Kevin, help me out here. I’m not sure what you mean by the “stand/I” reference.
Kevin, re: “We were looking for a different way back down, and hired this youngster as our guide.” I see the error right away once you point it out, but I’m blind to it when I proofread. In my head, when I write these, I see two independent clauses: “and WE hired.” Why I neglect actually adding that necessary word repeatedly is another sad commentary on my competence.
You’d think after 500 years of Spanish rule, tortillas would be a thing here. I’ll keep looking.
Thanks for your concern, Gazza. A San Miguel Light has 100 calories per bottle. Ozempic seems to have curbed my appetite for sweets and snacks, so even with the beers I consume, I’m taking in a lot fewer calories these days. I’m only doing a weekly weigh-in, so I won’t know until Tuesday if I’m moving in the right direction.
Are you saying you don’t see the stand/I pun in my comment or, or that you see it but don’t get it?
stand
I
Basically, it’s “I understand.” And
take in take
—is “in between takes.”
Kevin, NOW I get it! Good ones!
Re: Aeta village
These indigenous villages seem pretty isolated, even though they seem to be quite close to population centers. Do the residents intermingle with non-Aeta people? I would suspect that there probably some discrimination against them, even if it is done unknowingly. Trying not to sound too woke (LOL)
Re: gas prices
If things don’t come to an end soon in the middle east, there will be a significant jump in prices of everything. For example, sending a truck full of imported goods from Manila to Baretto will cost more and the stores will have to increase prices.
I mentioned before that something had to be done in Iran, but the thing that concerns me is that I have yet to hear any coherent information from the current US administration as to what is the end game. The goalposts seem to be constantly shifting or are non-existent at the moment.
Brian, that’s pretty much the case as I’ve witnessed it. The Aeta villages are not usually so far from town as to be inaccessible, but they are definitely enclaves separated from the Filipino communities that surround them. I have never witnessed any overt racism directed towards Aeta people. In fact, they are often the recipients of charity projects to bring food and comfort to the village. That said, I’ve noticed that Aetas are not integrated into the rest of the population at all. I have never seen an Aeta person working in the community as a store clerk, construction worker, or in any other job serving the Filipino community. My sense is that this is by choice, not because of discrimination. The Aetas are close-knit and prefer to live among themselves.
Yes, with transport costs up, everything transported will cost more, too. I can bitch about it, but I can also afford to pay more. The poor folks here are going to suffer all the more until this is fixed. I expect it will be worse before it gets better.
Regarding the war effort, all I know is what I’ve read. The clock is ticking, boots are on the way, and Iran will either accept Trump’s peace terms or see the remainder of their infrastructure go up in flames. I think we’ll see something happen in that regard in a matter of days, not weeks. Ultimately, Hormuz will be reopened, and places like the PI will have their fuel supply restored.
I dont disagree, but what are Trumps peace terms?
Killing the old leaders? done, though it is more of the same right now
Putting in a government friendly to the US? How has that worked in Libya, Iraq, Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc.
Annihilating the country? Nah,long term negative consequences
Saw a meme that made me LOL. “Trump brags that oil never worth this much under Biden.”
We had to do something, but again, there doesnt seem to be any plan. Kind of like the dog chasing after and then catching the bus. Now what?
Brian, I think Rubio made it pretty clear yesterday that the objectives are what they have always been: an end to the nuclear bomb program and stopping Iranian-sponsored terrorism. You know, those things Obama gave pallets of cash to achieve. I’m not sure where you get your news, but here’s what Rubio had to say on Good Morning America.