Saturday, October 13, 2007
My availability
One thing that I really enjoy is meeting readers of my various blogs and websites when they come to Davao. Much to my surprise, a number of people who have come to visit the Philippines
So, I have gotten to a point where I have been trying to figure out how to handle this, yet still have enough time for myself. I don’t want to stop meeting visitors, yet, I also need to be able to have time with my family, and time for my work. I have come up with an idea that I think may be workable.
I am contemplating starting to set one day of the week where I will blog from a public area. For instance, I might choose a coffee
I would be interested to see what everybody thinks about such an arrangement? Please let me know by leaving a comment. Would you feel comfortable with such an arrangement? I would put a schedule on my various blogs so that you could go to my site anytime and find out what day and time I will be available, and where I will be located at that particular week.
Give me your thoughts!
Related Posts:
How is the Internet here?Visitors…. we get visitors!
Subscribing to Magazines in the Philippines
Want to meet me? Have a cup of Coffee?
Where will you live in the Philippines?
# 1 AmericanLola said:
I think that is a very good idea! Constant ‘drop-ins’ can wreak havoc with work. Even if no one comes, it is disrupting to be thinking that at any moment, some one might show up! We have had this very experience, and used to have to go to a hotel to get any real work done!
# 2 John H said:
Bob
Sounds like an excellent idea! I was rather disappointed when I wrote you yesterday telling you I would be in the area in a few weeks and you didn’t invite me over since you seem to do that a lot in your column. But I know your a very busy man and I would never want to impose. Something like this would actually be more comfortable for someone like me not wanting to be a bother. The only disappointment would be not meeting your family and see how you live. But we can’t have everything.
With a weekly get together some of your other bloggers and friends may show up. If so I would think it would be much better for new people they would have a chance to network a bit. I’m sure your a great guy and all but your only one man and personalities or schedules might not mesh. Over all in my opinion it would likely be better than what you have been doing.
John H
# 3 Brian said:
You buying????
# 4 Bob said:
Hi AmericanLola - Yep, this is the best idea I could think of. The number of visitors is just getting too much to handle, so I need to make some kind of change. Thanks for your advice.
Hi John H. - I just sent you an e-mail apologizing if I disappointed you with my e-mail to you yesterday. When I read the mail you originally sent me, it seemed that you were coming into Davao and then not planning to hang around. It sounded like you had a real defined purpose for your trip and were just looking for a word of advice on your plans, which is what I offered. I didn’t mean to snub you, I just didn’t think you were looking for such a meeting. I would be happy to sit down for a cup of coffee or something else, if you like.
Hi Brian - I think you are joking, but I am going to reply as if you are serious. Literally, I get hundreds of visitors, many times I get several every day. While I try to be generous with my time, it has gotten to the point that I simply could not afford to buy a meal or drink for every single visitor that comes and wants to meet me. I wish I could, but I’m afraid that I can’t commit to that.
Now, I’ll respond as if you were joking, which I believe you were. No, I’m not buying - are you?
# 5 John H said:
Hi again Bob
Oops I guess their was a little miscommunication. No need to apologize really. I do fully expect to be spending some time in Davao and was hoping to get a place not to far away for the convenience. I was actually hoping you could recommend a good reasonable motel till we find something to rent. I will be bringing a girl from Manila that I met online so we can spend time together. (She was originally from the Ozamis area)
But I really don’t like to be a bother and I do have some special needs. I often have trouble with artificial scents, perfumes and colognes. Either the people I’m around need to be very careful or I need to meet them in a well ventilated area. Here in the states I seldom have trouble in modern well ventilated buildings but mom and pop places can be a problem.
I have lots of other questions but don’t want to get to far off topic here.
John H
# 6 Bob said:
Hi John H - No problem, I just misunderstood. If you are looking for a place in the mountains, as you said on e-mail, you are looking at at least 2 to 3 hours from Davao. I don’t know what you consider “close” (we all have varying tolerances for distance), so I can’t say for sure.
Here is a tip - don’t go around saying you want to find a “motel.” Here, a motel is a place to go for a short time stay (i.e. where you can bring a girl for you know what), it is not a place to get for the night. You are looking for a hotel. For a reasonably priced place, I’d recommend Hotel Galleria or Villa Margarita. Expect either to cost you less than P1,500 per night.
# 7 John H said:
LOL more miscommunication OK I’m looking for a Hotel
What I was really looking for is somewhere with a bit cooler climate so hopefully air conditioning wouldn’t be a necessity maybe I need to go with a beach? Doesn’t have to be on top of a mountain. If I cant find something like that within an hour of Davao I may have to rethink things. I live in the boondocks here in the states its 45 min to a grocery. I do worry about finding decent internet that far out though. I have atrocious dial up here. Even good dial up would be acceptable though.
John H
# 8 Bob said:
Hi John H. - I don’t believe you will be too comfortable living at the beach with no aircon, unless you are quite tolerant of the heat. I know that I would not be. When I say 2-3 hours from Davao for a mountain place, I am not talking a mountaintop. I mean that is how long you need to drive to get up into the mountainous area where the weather would be tolerable without using an air conditioner. If you are going to live in the City, I suspect that you will want Aircon.
# 9 rick said:
Bob
I think your idea of an open forum for meeting people is an excellent idea, i will be over there in Davao in january and hope to meet you then, but i would hate to impose on your family and work time and so, if i could drop by and have a coffee and a chat at a pre-arranged spot, well that would be great for me and i guess for you because you sugested it and it keeps you in touch wih your “public”
# 10 ken said:
hi john h try the red knights gardens they rent studios by the week or by the month very nice place they are on the web
# 11 ken said:
hi bob the only problem with your idea is that im sure my fiance will want to meet feyma ,so you would have to bring her along.
# 12 Bob said:
Hi Rick - Thanks for sharing your opinion!
Hi ken - Just my observation - Red Knight is quite far from the main part of town, and I also find it expensive.
Regarding your fiance, I’m sure we can work out a schedule that will make everybody happy.
# 13 anthony said:
Hi Bob- It sounds like you have created a monster for yourself, but is a reflection of the success of your websites. I promise if I get to visit you in person I will only hang around for 30 or 40 San miguels (or a few liters of tuba) (its an aussie thing!) Keep up the good work.
# 14 Bob said:
Hi anthony - ha ha… since I don’t really drink much, you’ll have to hang out alone!
I do drink about 4 beers per year on average. I’ve already had 3 this year, so I’d have to limit myself to either zero or one! 
# 15 Jim said:
Hi Bob- I must be great to be popular lol.
I know how you feel as when Marilou and I lived in Lagos Nigeria sometimes I thought we would have been better running a hotel with the amount of people who used to drop by our house and sometimes stay over. When we finished from work and returned in the evening we never knew who would be waiting to meet us at our house.
Our Steward (helper) used to also feed them whilst they waited for us and of course serve them cold drinks.
Those were the days and when we retire Marilou said we must visit all our old friends and get our own back with regards to hospitality.
But to be honest Bob I would not have had it any other way although poorer in wealth terms I’m richer in friends.
So don’t worry just stick to your plan give them the benifit of your company and they can nourish you with lunches.
# 16 mark said:
Hi Bob,
I’ve wondered how you were able to make a living and spend time with all your visitors.
Just a thought; I’ve seen some web groups whose members set up a yearly meeting at the beach or a resort and plan their vacations around it.
Mark
# 17 ken said:
i didnt think$ 18.00 per night or $125.00 a weekwas very expensive at all when i stayed there ,and also very nice and quiet.
# 18 John H said:
Thanks for the info on hotels Bob. I found lots of good reports on the hotel Galleria on the web. Sounds like what I need for a temporary base. Couldn’t find much on the Villa Margarita. I will just have to see what long term accommodations are available when I get there.
4 beers a year? Gee I don’t know how you stomach the stuff. Personally I think they should warm it back up and put it back in the horse. lol I guess for you its probably the sugar conversion though.
Looks like your getting lots of positive feedback on the weekly meet thing maybe you will have it worked out before I get there in early Nov.
Ken thanks for mentioning the Red Knights Gardens. I didn’t find any prices on their website but as nice as the place is I would guess Bob is right its probably more than I want to spend. On a rather restricted budget something like that would put a dent in it quick. Though it is tempting to try a few days somewhere nice to impress the gf
John H
# 19 John H said:
Hi again Ken
Seems I just missed your prices before posting thats not bad specially for as nice as it looked in the photos. Is that doubles? What about food? The Galleria supposedly has lots of fast food booths close by from the reviews. Did that include a kitchen? That would make a big difference.
# 20 Bob said:
Hi Jim - After next September, I bet you’ll have lots of time to go back through the list and meet up with all those friends! I am sure you are looking forward to that!
Hi Mark - Luckily for me, even if I just work a couple of hours per day, I can make a good living, but I always feel like I want and need to devote a little more than that. I feel like a once per year thing might not work well because most of the people who want to meet me when they come to town are coming from abroad. It would be very hard, I suspect, for those people to all coordinate their vacations and such. Better, I think to do it once per week, then anybody who happens to be in town can catch me that day.
Hi Ken - If you can stay there at that price, it’s not bad. Still, very inconveniently located, but the price is reasonable. The pricing I have looked at in the past is for monthly rental, and it is very high compared to just renting a house.
Hi John H. - No problem on the recommendations. I hope you find a place that suits your needs.
# 21 Bruce said:
John and Ken,
For pricing and info on the Red Knight in, check out this link. http://www15.addr.com/~yeepeeco/redknight/index.htm
# 22 Louis said:
You know it’s not a half bad idea Bob, maybe I could bring my laptop and work on my blog as well. I just can’t seem to find time here at home. Either family is hanging on the bell or e-load customers, etc. I can’t even lock myself in the office or my wife bangs down the door wondering what I’m up to.
Anyhow, I think you got a good idea there.
# 23 Bob said:
Hi Louis - Yeah, I was actually thinking yesterday that I could invite other local bloggers to join in too, sort of have a “blog party” once per week, and visitors could drop by and such. I bet a coffee shop would love to host it because it would bring in extra customers. I’ll try to put something together, and invite Davao bloggers to join in!
# 24 John H said:
I wrote Red Knight Gardens about a studio and was quoted P7,280 a week. I wrote back asking about the difference in price from the website and got this as a reply.
Sorry for the confusion caused by the site
quoting rates. It is very
old, and can’t find anyone to get rid of it as
the company that put it
up has gone bust. That is the reason on our new
site we don’t quote
prices. Our prices are the same the year round,
and the same to all. I
will not charge extra for ‘foreigners’ as lots of
hotel do in the
Philippines.
regards …
Anyway My gf and I were chatting and she says MSG is in most foods from restaurants and vendors there. I guess we really need a kitchen because I have a bad reaction to it. So unless someone else knows of a cheaper place with a kitchen I will reserve a room with Red Knights.
# 25 Mady said:
Hello John H,
I read your post and see that your allergic to MSG. I think you can order to any restaurant and just specifically tell the waiter or the cook not to put MSG because your very allergic to it. A lot of people back in Philippines are allergic to a certain food too. So they are familiar with allergy reactions. I for one is allergic to shrimps, crabs, beef, all kinds of nuts and a lot more. I’m very careful on shrimp though love it very much but have to avoid it the most.
# 26 Mady said:
Opppsss… John H., unless you have a history of epilleptic shock. Then your right, better get a hotel or apartment that has its own kitchen. We don’t want to mess with that.
# 27 John H said:
No I don’t go into shock but it can make me pretty ill for a few days