When a day of such importance arrives in your life that every other consideration is shoved to the back of your mind, such as the U.S. Government is closed? It’s of no importance to me. So there is Pork Barrel Corruption in the RP? Again of no importance to me, but I had thought some people liked pork?
Why you might ask is this day of such importance? Because it’s my Granddaughter Heather Colleen turns eleven on 3 October 2013 now that is important to me! As I look at my newly minted eleven year old I can only say that that it seems like just yesterday when she was ten. (Nobody on Face Book got this joke)
She and I have a tradition going back to when she was quite young that she informs me what she desires for a present. In this way I can never get it wrong, and always be her “Lolo Daddy Paul”, hero extraordinaire. True the surprise is missing but getting the present right is more important.
And if I involved her mother in the selection process I would be told the young lady needs a new car. Now you know I’m joking. But almost not!
So the “cella” phone rang and Colleen wanted to speak with me earlier in the week and she informed me that as she was on the Swimming Team, she would like a Digital Camera that snapped photos underwater. Since she still has all my other presents from a few years ago, that I’d got for her and they were still in perfect working order, I knew she had the maturity to take care of her things.
Off with Mayang we go on our quest, Ocampo’s dept store in Olongapo, I approach the electronic section and ask the young man, if he had the item I was searching for. He said yes and showed me a Cella (Smart Type) Phone with a nice camera attached; I asked will it also text underwater? He scratched his head and gave me a look, and asked why I thought it would do that? Because if the camera was waterproof would not the phone be too? Oh sir you want an underwater camera. I just nodded in the affirmative and he said; “Not in stock”
Off to the Harbor Point mall with electronic stores galore, I went into nine of them, one showed me the right camera but it cost PNP 19,000.00 Na Lang! Whoa Nellie she’s only eleven, and does not work for Nation Geographic. Out the door once more, the next store had just what I was looking for as they described it to me but they had to go to Manila to retrieve it, many more disappointing attempts, when I walked by the Sony Emporium. And there in the window was a camera within a large tank of water, calling to me. I met a knowledgeable salesperson, who heard what I wanted and showed it to me. That is so refreshing.
First it took pictures and High Def videos both regular and pan-o-ramic size with sound and a lot of other stuff, is was a whiz-bang, super-duper do it all type of camera and good for two atmospheres underwater or 33 feet, 10 meters or one hell of a lot of inches. .
While explaining the warrantee he told me the Camera was covered for three years, and the Memory Card (8gb) was covered for five, so I asked if the camera went out first do I still have to hang on to the memory card for two more years?
Oh the camera is also shock proof, but the young man advised me not to drop it until it was paid for. I saw his grin, and knew he was sharp.
It’s a Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-TF1 PNP 8,698.00 online but with free memory card and camera case I paid PNP 7,689.00. Which for once made me feel good?
Did you think we’re done? With new camera in the bag Mayang and I go to lunch, I want TGIF and she wants the California Café, for their Singapore Shrimp. Guess which one we went to? While at the California Café the young man seemed very happy to see me, I was surprised as I never felt we had got along that well, and then he explained that six weeks prior he had forgot to have me sign the Credit Charge slip. So I looked at him and said; who are you I’ve never been here before!” Then I stated to laugh and signed it for him. With that I had made his day.
The night before her birthday party Miss Colleen came by the house to pick up her present and have a small (Incy Wincy, sorry that’s a Boston term) pizza party, of course the regular party would be the next day, with her school mates, I didn’t attend as it was for kids and they don’t want old folks hanging around. Well it was raining hard and we didn’t want to drive down to town.
So my little girl is a: “Tween” now and becoming a little lady, I know she has to grow up, but does it have to be so fast? I’ll keep Jayden, my little Dude small for a few more years and his birthday isn’t until May. Oh damn Christmas is next. (Am I allowed to say Christmas?
It is true that just yesterday she was 10 but it seems just a short time ago she was 9. How did that year slip by so fast? It is more fun in the PI. Happy birthday to the young mermaid and the old man of the sea.
Thank You Loren;
What a hangover I had after Friday night at Mongolian BBQ, I’m only now starting to feel better!
As usual Senior Chief you continue to display the wisdom of both the Husband and the Lolo. Perseverance in your quest for the perfect gift to fit the needs and want of a little girl pays off big time and makes Everyone (ALCON) happy1 Happy eleventh to little Princess and for the record I saw the Facebook post and joke and thought to myself, ” He stole my Line” but if you need some more lines just ask me LOL
Joe;
Stole your line? I think not I pretty much make up most of my own stuff. But my little sweetheart and I have worked out a good way that I’m never wrong about her present; she is fun to shop for as she does appreciate what she receives. Well the mall employees chip in of the fun part, as they sat the damnedest things.
A belated Happy Birthday to Heather Colleen. Your shopping trip sounds like it could have been some kind of party in itself. Texting under water ? Hey Paul, that idea could start a whole new trend ! Texting from anyplace and anytime in The Philippines would not surprise me. Speaking of texting, a recent New York State Law has been enacted for texting while driving, a $150 fine and I think 5 points on your drivers license. It would not surprise me if State Police and other law enforcement even have some kind of night vision so they can see drivers in their vehicles at night.
I wonder if those underwater cell phones come in a fresh water version and a salt water version and maybe the aquatic deluxe universal version ?
Bob NY;
I found out yesterday that Sony Ericson does make a phone that will take pictures and text underwater. (I’ll stop by that one store and tell the kid)
The state Police ticketing you for texting, while they drive the highway imputing information into their mounted computer? Well that sounds fair, the night vision? I’ll wager you’re right!
Belated birthday greetings to Heather Colleen, she is a lucky girl.
We Grandparents have to do our bit to keep those kids happy. Mine our too young for that yet, but we are starting to get hints from the oldest boy whose 5.
You will have to start saving up for xmas now.
Marjorie;
Five is getting close to the electronics age, what with Game Boys and such. But with Jayden at 18 months if it has wheels he loves it. Christmas has started here last month and it’s all the kids can talk about.
Paul,
It’s always fun shopping for the grandkids. I know i’m looking forward to seeing my granddaughter in Florida in January and spoiling her. Though she is way too young for the electronic gadgets. Now its time for you to start looking forward to shopping for Christmas. That’s always fun.
Randy;
Yeah shopping for Christmas is a blast, and I try to avoid blasts. But for the Grandkids I will do it. Ah yours is still at the toy age, I have that with my Grandson the “Lil Dude. But he’ll grow out of that soon enough. Have fun in Florida, I like it there.
Paul,
I got your joke on FB, but I had already replied to another one of your posts, so figured I would shut-up for that one. Am sure she will love the camera though. Underwater texting,,,you may have something there.
They need to make the traffic lights here, stay green longer, cause if I have 5 cars in front of me, 4 will be texting or talking on the phone, and it seems to take each driver at least 5 seconds to move, after they discover the car in front of them, is no longer there, and the light is green. Wish I could give out traffic tickets, cause it against the law to text here while driving also. OK, I feel better now that I had my rant for the day.
John;
I wonder how many will understand the Esther Williams reference? Plus she take al Lolo pictures on dry land, as me in a bathing suit might scare the other children. And By-The-Sea Resort (In the Barrio) does not serve the Fire Pot.
Hi Billy;
Not many got that joke, but maybe it just wasn’t funny. (lol) When driving on Subic Free Port it’s the Stop Signs that confuse the Manila drivers as the two they have up there don’t work. The car texting is not as bad as the motorbike texting I see all the time.
Paul,
I thought I had outgrown Billy maybe, havent been called that since I was about 5 or 6, by my grandma, but compared to the names I have been called over the years by others, guess I can live with it Pauly.
Its not just Subic Free Port I dont think, stop signs seemd to be ignored pretty much everywhere, there it seems. Cebu seemed the worst to me, but I havent been to Manila yet, so imagine it is even worse.
BILL;
Forgive that, my oldest Brother was named Billy his whole life, my bad habit. Oh and Paul would be Paulie, and damn if I know why?
Driving in Manila, if you survive that, there is no place on Earth you can’t drive.
Paul, here’s a belated happy birthday wish to the Esther Williams of the family, ang dalagitang si Heather Colleen. Looking forward to lolo’s posting of underwater photos of the binibini taken during a swimming competition. Btw, Paul, this Mongolian BBQ place you always talk about, do they serve Mongolian firepot?
John; I answered you above, don’t ask what happened as I don’t know. (LOL)
That is a nice “Feel good” kind of story Paul. Addressing another point of your story, I also am in now way worried about the US Gov’t shut down…Honestly I am more worried about them starting it back up again.
Cheers Paul
James;
When they are shut down, they can do no harm. Plus the oceans are closed so there will be a marked decrease in shark attacks. (Wow that’s good enough for Face Book, thanks!
And thanks for reading!
Hi Paul – Seems that there’s an awful lot to celebrate this time of year – the “Ber Months” are for much more than just Christmas (yes, we can mention that, here!). Keep the SMB hoisted and “Party on, Dude!” 😆
Hi Paul;
Paul Keating actually said; “Party on Dude!” Who would have thunk it? You need to get home soon.
A lot of Snowbird friends are showing up for the season, as they flock from the states to spend Christmas on the Islands, and I can’t say as I blame them. But the party season will be in full swing by the end of the month and we’re looking forward to it. Safe trip home Shipmate.
Hey Paul, You search fo something, and look and hunt. It always turns out you find what you’re looking for in the last place you look.
I hope your granddaughter had a wonderful time.
Hudson;
Or go have a beer and tell the boss you couldn’t find it! (lol)