In 1964 when I started the senior year at Dorchester HS in Boston (Where BTW I had always received decent grades), but by the 25th of October I was bored to tears and needed a way to satisfy my wanderlust. I had always wondered what was over that next hill. That day I walked out of school and went to the Boston Army pier took a test and physical and the following day I was standing in the US Navy Boot Camp in San Diego CA. and damn if it wasn’t a warm sunny October day. Score one for the NAVY, as it was a cold back in New England. BTW I received a HS Diploma from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and a Bachelors degree from the University of the Virgin Islands. Which I mailed to my mother and then forgot all about it, as I’d kept my promise that I made to her in 1964.
Now I’ll be the first to admit that leaving school early was a foolish thing to do, yet I did have a productive career in the Navy. Owned two successful night clubs in Puerto Rico, and went on to earn over six figures a year as a Merchant Seaman plus seeing most of the world. But I’ll further admit I was the exception to the rule. Thank you both fate and karma.
The Navy decided to send me to school to learn about radios, I had no desire to learn about radios, but there was a guy in my boot company who did, and he had orders to a Ship in Mayport Florida USS SABINE AO-25, It was now February 1965 and still cold in the Northern part of the country. The Navy let us swap duty and there I was breaking rust in the warm Florida sun and loving it. The ship was heading to Europe (Mediterranean Sea) Hmm I’ve never been there, let’s go. Later I made a deal with the Navy; I’ll take any crappy duty you have, as long as it’s someplace warm. Well Bergen Norway in December above the Aortic Circle wasn’t quite what I had in mind, but the Navy tried its best to live up to its end of the deal.
If you remember last week (Get a Wife, Chang Your Life) I mentioned that I’d left most of my life up to Karma and Fate. Twenty two years have passed, I had tried marriage back in the 1960’s early in my life, and found it lacking. So now here I am, retired from my last Navy Duty station which was Naval Station Roosevelt Roads Puerto Rico in 1986, I now owned a beach condo (Free and clear) and deciding to take a year off from work and relax. I do that very well.
Remember that fate stuff? I came off the beach at 1500 hours a few months later as, it always starts to rain that time of day, and was pulling my Radio Flyer wagon with cooler, beach chair and boom box up to my friends bar for “Happy Hour” On the way there was an elderly lady selling Lotto Tickets, and I stopped and bought a few. That’s right fate caused me to buy a winning ticket, at $ 25,000 (Tax Free) Hmmm, I’m in a bar, I like bars, I should own a bar. Karma; what a funny deal that is.
A few years pass, I’m in my second bar on the beach in Playa Azul Luquillo Puerto Rico, life is good, and I’m making a buck, I now rent my Condo by the week to tourists and I’ve moved to a small beach house. Ahh that tricky rascal Karma, 1989 Hurricane Hugo roars ashore and in 24 hours I went from hero to zero, Condo torn up, (But insured and they paid) House and Bar destroyed by 15 foot tidal surge. (Insurance called it an “Act of God” and refused to pay) Well I’ll assume I need a new job. BTW, even though the church will collect money in the lord’s name, they refused to pay out for any damages. Which I think they got the idea from the Insurance Companies.
Off on a free evacuation flight to McDill Air force Base Tampa Florida on a C-5a. All banks are closed in Puerto Rico plus no ice for Rum & Cokes, so I had only $35, 00 in my pocket. And the Red Cross was going to give me $250.00 for some reason. I had flown up with a young Navy wife, who had three kids with her and no place to go. The Chief Master Sergeant (USAF) assigned this old retired Navy Senior Chief a car and driver, and told the young man to take me wherever I needed to go (Within reason) If you are wondering why, it was because I gave that Red Cross money to that Navy Wife with the 3 kids.
I landed in Treasure Island Florida (Suggested by the young Air Force Driver.) which is by Saint Petersburg. I liked it from the first minute, a laid back beach town with a pirate as the town’s mascot. Seriously what could be cooler than that?
I got a job with the ABC Liquor Stores chain, but was almost not hired. The Regional Manager told me that I was over qualified because of my Navy experience. I asked him if he’d ever had an employee who has no idea how to phone in sick? Because the Navy plus owning my own business it was something I had never done. I started the next day. I was a manager within six months, and at two years he presented me with a two year tie pin I put my motorcycle in the warehouse and started bar hopping (On foot) stopping at every bar putting that “PIN” in front of me., I put in my 4 week notice the following day, the boss laughed and said; “It was that damn pin, wasn’t it?” I went that week to Miami and applied for my Z-Card (Merchant Marine Document)
Four months later I was on the USNS Mars (TAFS-1) in San Francisco, heading to the Persian Gulf by way of Guam. 20 Ship tours later (Some repeat tours on the same ship) and the rest is history. So between the US Navy, and the US Merchant Marine, I’ve been around the world quite a few times, and as any sailor will tell you, the best port visit, was the last place you were, or the next place you’re going. It’s all up to Fate and Karma. And as Sonny and Cher would say; “The Beat Goes On.”
KIDS: Stay in School, as fate and karma can only do so much.
Thanks Paul…always a good read. BTW – were you born with that mustache? I’ve never seem a pic of you w/o it 🙂 All the best!
Tim;
I was at a personnel inspection on one ship, when the Captain asked me if my mustache could crawl to get it’s own food. I answered Aye Aye Sir, and he went away. The Master at arms said; “Trim it after inspection.” I didn’t as that was not what the Captain said. But yes I’ve worn one since after Boot Camp.
Really enjoyed your bio.. Thanks for sharing
Barbara;
All of us who live in the Philippines now, had to come from somewhere. It’s the cap to life’s cake.
Thank you for reading LiP.
You have had an exciting life Paul. “Have had”..well, still have, living in Philippines gives us a lot of excitement in our daily life.Never know what’s gonna happen.
It is a pleasure to read that you take the chances life gives you.
You still live your life to it’s fullest – you are a true hedonist (is that the right word for someone who enjoy life?)
One day we have to get together, i am sure – as a sailor – you have a lot of great stories to tell.
Back in Denmark i had a good friend – merchant sailor – and it was so fun to listen to all his stories.
Have a great day
Axel;
Most ports have a visiting seaman club close to the piers. You meet sailors from everywhere, and hear stories that will curl the hair of a bald man. Some really great people I’ve met there. There is a great one in Copenhagen, have a few cocktails there and then go into town. Hmmm memories…
Life was given to us to live, I pity those that didn’t do it.
I have often wished I had your ability, to just let things slide off your back and just move on, and find humor in it, am guessing all your Navy experiences have maybe had something to do with that trait a little anyway, the rest is all you am sure. I can see why traveling is of little to no interest to you anymore though Paul.
Bill S.
I received many of my traits from my Mother, who was un-flappable. My father was a very serious guy, (In a good way) but only my Mother could make him laugh when she would point out the humor in any situation. I learned from the master. (lol)
But that training helped me enjoy the Navy and life in general.
Travel was always fun, but sometimes like Little Jacky Paper, (Of Puff the Magic Dragon Fame) it becomes time to put down those toys, as long as you do it only when you are ready.
There is enough enjoyment here in the Philippines to keep all of us busy for years to come..
I cannot help but comment to paul. in a handful of paragraphs you unfolded the biggest portion of your life. I enjoyed reading every word. there did not seem to be many dull moments. some day I hope you will fill in the gaps over s few good beers.
rj
Richard Jay;
I worked for a Merchant Captain who told me I should right it all down, but I thought I’d have nothing to talk about over cocktails in the Barrio. This was the condensed version, highly censored for public consumption LiP is a Family Friendly site).
Sit-In-Bulls Bar Restaurant on Pilar Street in the Barrio is the proper venue for what you have in mind. I’ll be there just let me know when.
Hi Paul , another great read your an inspiration to us all , love reading your blog every week you got a
Fantastic family there in Bataan ,I’m like you love a couple of beers ,I tell the wife it’s the heat she said
You were like that back home when it was snowing lol, have a great day Paul hope to see you soon.
Derek in pasig
,
L
Derek;
When I was a kid in Boston we kept our beer in a snow bank to hide it from the police, after the next thaw we’d find all sorts of beer, still cold. It was like Christmas all over again. Hot or cold weather beer is good.
Mr.Paul T. Thank you for another well written, fascinating true life story. “Bravo Zulu. ” 🙂
Jose
I thank Bob Martin, because he lets me do it. But I’m happy you enjoyed it.
Good for you Paul, you may say now that you found your good fate in the Philippines? welcome to the great place…..the Philippines. You must be a good story writer too? Good luck to you!
Al;
I.ve been here for over 20 years but like a ship I make my own water and fate (Luck) I have a well,
As for stories I can hold my own in the Chief’s Mess on ship. Thanks for reading LiP.
Paul,
Very good read but you never explained how you actually ended up in the Philippines. The article concludes with everything up until that point.
I am curious how you exactly ended up in the Philippines?
Met filipina wife and got married and then moved to the Philippines?
Igbaffa;
Go back to last week and read “Get a Wife, Change Your Life” and that is the story about how I got to the Philippines, it was mentioned in this week’s article. Last week’s story inspired this week’s story.
thanks for the reply back.
i’ll go back and read that story.
Igbaffa;
That should answer your question. (Let me know)
yes , question answered. thanks.
i was actually pretty upset that you could not take your jeep with you since i am a car guy.
Lgbalfa;
I was upset at first, but the owner jeep turned out to be fun, and my buddy loved my old jeep. Things just have a way of working out. Oh that fate karma thing again..
Hi Paul! Great Article and just a wonderful read.
Question from husband…
Could you write an article about registering with Immigration this year and what changes have been made and what paperwork is needed. He said it would be a great help to all the American readers and especially in the Olongapo area. Are you going to do it soon?
Thanks so much for your wonderful posts each week. Jocelyn
Jocelyn:
There is no need, if you jumped thru the hoops last year it’s over. Last Wed. I went in, handed in my I-Card, two minutes later I paid the PNP320.00 and was outside done and it took FIVE minutes. I was looking for the camera’s as I thought they were punking me. (lol)