I admit it, off times I get a little bored sitting on the mountain all day. You might think I drink beer all day, but that’s just not true, I like Rum also. Yet I don’t do that every day either. I have a lot to keep me busy, and with the “Honey Do’s” added in, it can be a full day.
There’s firing up the New Old car and going to the big “Olongapo City”, having a nice lunch with friends, or visiting one of the many beaches available here. Then there is the day off. My Father had pointed out to me when I was working, that the downside of retirement was “No days off”. So I thought I’d just plan myself a day off every week, where I do only what I want to do. To show that I’m a good guy, my wife has the same rights as me, if she’s not in the mood to do much that day. I just smile and tell her to take the day off, as I do.
On my days off I go to the Man Cave out back and play with my tools. (Don’t go there in your mind) I mean my power tools. Once a month this guy prowls my purok with a horse and overloaded wagon. Selling odd and unusual items, Items you don’t really need, but just want. Again my hat goes off to the ingenuity of the Philipino people, when I spotted the folding lawn chairs and tables made of wood hanging from the side of the wagon. They were unfinished and poorly constructed, using bent nails to act as pivot points, on both items. Yet the idea is simple and brilliant. And they sell for only a few hundred pesos each. That helps to understand why they’re not built that well.
I bought up a few of the chairs and tables, and the guy even delivered them to my man cave out back. Now I see my wife Mayang, giving me a strange look and scratching her head. And asked me why I wanted them, and did I know that they’ll rot and fall apart within a month. I smiled and said, “They won’t when I’m done with them.”
First I took them apart, and sanded them to a smooth finish. Next I stained them and sanded again. Then I coated them with Polyurethane for a glossy shine and waterproofing. BTW: It takes quite a few of my days off to do all that, as I do like to pace myself, after all it’s my day off. Now that all the prep work is done I’ll reassemble using screws, and bolts for the pivot points. The bolts take time as I must recess them into the wood so the units will fold smoothly.
My wife normally stays clear of the Man Cave unless its laundry day, as her dryer is allowed to be there. (Like I had a choice?) So when I’m done putting them together, she views them with surprise, and deemed them as a good thing. The following day one chair and table are given to her Mother, so she can sit and be comfortable on her patio. I received high praise and many pogi points for that. Next my friend wants a set for his patio off of his bedroom, to have coffee and watch the sunrise. (He’s still sailing and is only home for short periods at a time), Then other friends… You see where I’m going with this, don’t you.
Anyway, it’s fun for me, and I received a lot of pleasure doing it. I know I could build them from scratch, but its cheaper buying them pre-built than buying the wood. I built a set of wooden Adirondack lawn chairs a few years back, they were too heavy to move and I stopped doing that quickly. So if boredom sets in, pick up a hammer and give it a try. Or don’t for that matter. Just enjoy you days off. OH! There is nothing wrong with a cold San Magoo, after a tough day at the Man Cave. (“Man Cave”, term courtesy of Neal from R.I.) But, It’s mine now!!!!
LOL,
I’ll keep you in mind when my 300 feet of teak rubrails need some sanding, and finishing. I just got done doing them, and it took nearly 2 weeks. I will supply the San Magoo to sweeten the deal……lol…….i2f
Imagine;
Sanding? I’m old Navy, break out the Holy Stone, I’ll polish all the brass also, and I do work for beer.
Hi Paul, Very clever projects you have going there! I think that having interesting projects and hobbies such as yours can make for a much more pleasant and productive life. I believe that if you have hobbies and interests to occupy your time, there’s a lot less chance of becoming bored or lonely.
We’ve filled many a BB box with tools, camera equipment, books, classic movie dvds, vintage barware, music, cooking, toys, and hobby and gardening supplies etc. to last for many years. We’ve found that many unique items are not always easy to acquire here, so it’s good to send along what you can and what interests you.
Good luck with all your future projects! You’ll have to show the horse and wagon guy what you’ve been up to with all his offerings!
I’m still waiting to hear how you and your wife made out with the grass…
Hi Queeniebee;
I agree that keeping busy is the key, it sounds liked you shipped enough over to keep you busy. Please remember the important thing is the day off. Grasses is done, story next week, same time same channel.
Hi Paul – I’m sure with you present, your lawn lawn was done right – green side up. WalMart? I’d say better than Ikea.
Jun;
I can’t take the credit, as I was guided by my patron Saint. San Miguel. Ikea I’ve never seen except on the Discovery channel on “Mega Factories.”
Hi Paul,
Outstanding craftsmanship on the furniture looks better than what you get at Wal-Mart. Hey! Got an idea I could use a good led man when I build my house in Subic taking applications. LOL
Any suggestions on how to build the ideal man cave.
Michels;
Man Caves, that’s easy, Roof, screen the walls, Ref. for beer, Boom Box for Country Music. Anything more is extra or nice to haves. Better that WalMart, I doubt that.
Paul
Are you saying that the Chinese furniture at Wal-Mart is superior to yours. When yours are reassembled with Love form the sweat of your brow for pogi points and beer thats non-sense.
You haven’t been to a Wal-Mart lately.
Michels;
Don’t forget the beer factor involved in my work. And yes it’s been quite a while since I’ve been to Wally’s World.
…need to make one with a woven fiberglass cloth seat….for those people you don’t like !!!
Brian;
The people I don’t like I serve Beer Na Beer, but I’m now thinking of adding your idea.
You inspire me Paul. How about telling us what its like to live in the Subic area. Its a place I have never considered until reading your stories. A little compare and contrast to the old days to now. Thanks Paul as I find your articles enlightening, motivating, and entertaining. You win the trifecta. Ron
Hi Ron;
Being retired Navy this is hard for me to say, but after the Navy left, this area has re-invented it’s self and is better off. I’d still recommend not residing in the City proper, as it is hot and noisy, But great shopping, good people, and very safe. Thanks again for your kind words; I wish you were writing my evals where I was an E-3. (Lol)
Paul,
+100 pt.s for having a day off!
+100 pt.s for having a hobby!
-100 pt.s for allowing laundry facilities in your man-cave!
-100 pt.s for disparaging Beer Na Beer!
LOL, but, +300 pt.s for the holly-stone!
Mike2(self-appointed article rater)
Mike;
I knew someone would get me for the Beer Na Beer comment. There is nothing wrong with Beer Na Beer that filling the empties with San Miguel wouldn’t cure. I feel I’ve now even lost the Holly Stone points (Holy Stone was our pet name for it). (lol) I’m listening to Jerry Jeff Walker why typing so take it easy on me.
Paul,
A picture of Sam Miguel Light I guess teh world is coming to an end in 2012?
Shipmate;
I like both San Miguel’s Light and Regular. I switched to cans because they get cold quicker, and never skunk out. Check your calendar on Microsoft, Bill Gates has us going way past 2012, and I’ll trust him more than a bunch of old dead guys from the Yucatan Peninsula.
I actually have found a use for Beer Na Beer and other unmentionables that guests sometimes bring to a party.
One can cheap beer, one 6 oz can concentrated lemonade or limeade, 12 oz bourbon whiskey. Makes a fairly nice whiskey sour.
Paul, after all that work, the fish pond looks mighty refreshing.
Peter;
I can only hope that the Whisky used is the local brand “White Horse”? Now that it’s stocked with Coe fish, it quite relaxing.
Paul
If I come to subic next year will you introduce me to the guy that makes these pieces of furniture???
I would like to buy 6 tables and about 12 chairs. I will have a great time refinishing them. Of course I will not do as good a job as you did but I will have fun trying.
Do I need to buy in advance???
Tyleen;
No introduction required, here on Luzon they come in caravans like gypsies and ply their wears throughout every purok. Baby cribs, hammocks mosquito netting, baskets for all uses and in all sizes. Table’s chairs and many other strange and wondrous items are overloaded on this one HP rolling emporium. It is much like when you were a kid and the circus came to town. It is a good thing to provide water for the poor horse pulling the wagon.
Paul,
Thanks for the nickle blueprint on how to build a man cave. When I get mine built I’ll have to have you over for a proper inspection and of course a taste test of The Nectar of the Gods to ensure it is chilled properly. Oh yea we could swap lies about the old Subic Bay. I was stationed dito for 4 years and in and out for 10yrs knew it well. If it’s better now like my wife and you say it is thats awesome. She wants to live in Barrio, Subic or San Miguel any suggestions.
Michels;
San Miguel, hell, I just like the name of the town. It’s nice out there but a long drive to go shopping in the big “PO”. Like living in J-Ville and shopping in Saint Augustine. Either Subic City or the Barrio are close to everything and have all the services you would want. Insure any land you look at is above the flood table, or on a hill as dry is good. Renting in both areas is affordable and recommended while you look for the perfect place to live. Remember, research and investigate, and then repeat same. It’s worth the time and effort. The cold ones and telling sea stories is a deal.
Hey Paul, that sure is a great idea that your father had, I was kind of wonder what I would do in retirement but guess I can manage to take a day off once in awhile. thanks for the info…..
Barney;
The thing that surprises me here is all the retired guys from all over the world who still wear a watch. I gave an expensive Rado watch to my Father-in-law the day I came home to stay. We all have an electronic leash (called a cell phone) and if I really need to know the time I’ll check it. I eat when I’m hungry and sleep when I’m tired, and I learned both here and in Puerto Rico, that Americans seem to be ruled by a clock. And thank you, my father was a guy with some great sage wisdom.
The perspective makes that beer look HUGE – wheel me over another one of them 330L cans of ice cold San Mig Light 8-D
Great project, seriously cool. Now you just need to get yourself a cart to sell your wares (lol).
Gary;
You right, it does look like the beer that ate Cleveland. The cart idea, they got me watering the lawn every day, and you want to add caring for a horse. I need help!!!
Caring for a horse, didn’t think about that. Perhaps you could start small and just hitch-up your pups ;-b
Don’t want to skip a day of watering – maybe just on your daze off…
Gary;
If a visitor from outer space watched us with our dogs they would think dogs were the dominate species. Unless we ate them, the dogs that is.
Paul being a Marine we did not do evals for LCpls but we did use Pro and Con marks. Proficiency and Conduct. I never gave a 5.0 the highest but a few 4.9s. If you received anything below a 4.0 you were basically in trouble. So based on what I observe for proficiency I would give you a 4.9 as you have assimilated quite well. For conduct-well go ask your wife. Explain the rating system to her and report back on that one. Ron
Ron;
As you might know the Squids use the 4.0 scale with 2.8 being… well you know, not so good. I once heard my Chief say; “I’m a 4.0 sailor on a 2.8 Ship!” He was allowed to dream. 4.9 On the Marine scale? Walking on water is next. My wife refused to respond.
Tommo.
You sure can keep yourself busy but i reakon your expertise is pulling the top of brown bottles and consuming the contents,
Frank
Hi Frank;
We’ve not heard from you in awhile. Ripping off bottle caps or pull tops is hard work, after a day of that I must rest. I never have passed out, But, I’ve taken’ naps in some very strange locations.
JAX & St. Augustine? I am right in the middle on the St. Johns River in GCSs. Well at least another 7-10 days, and then we set sail for Panama & destinations west. I am going to keep that offer in mind……lolololol……i2f
Imagine;
The Saint John’s; I was stationed a few times in Mayport. A lot of people (not you) don’t know that like the Nile the Saint John flows North. If my memory is still correct it’s the only American river that does. Have a safe and calm passage to Panama, and enjoy “Doin’ the Ditch” as we said on ships. I love the country even if it was hard to figure out their money. (dumb humor) Smooth winds and following seas, to you!
Paul,
You are correct about the St Johns river here in J-ville and like most other cities with a river it is very dirty.
I was thinking on what you siad about the watch and how you really don’t need one since your retired. Well I talk to my long time friend and shipmate M. Burger who lives in Subic (He’s home for vacation will fly back to PI in June). I asked him what do you do over there to stay busy. He laughed and said Boo I’m retired I set my agenda according to how I feel that day. I’m in no hurry to do anything. I answer to know one and don’t punch a clock either. Wow what a concept you guys have it made. He explained what Ber Na Beer was and I felt stupid. It’s the filipino version of Pabst Blue Ribbon. I’m working to hard need to retire LOL.
Shipmate;
Your buddy, sum it up perfectly. That’s pretty much how it goes. Except when the wife has a “plan of the day” set for you. But that’s rare with me and so I just go with the flow. Today is one such a day, and she wants me to go with her. I enjoy being with her so it’s never a chore.
Hi Paul: Like what you did with the vendors merchandise. On the subject of beer, my neighbor invited me to imbibe in a glass of RED HORSE, my opinion was that on it’s journey to the bottle it may have passed through the horses kidneys, however I was grateful for his kind offer.
Roberto;
Red Horse is consumed when you want to make a short day of it. I’ve tried it and recommend everyone else at least try it, and then they’ll know what you’re talking about.
Hi Paul, Isn’t Red Horse sort of like the Colt 45 of the Philippines?
Yes Queeniebee;
They are both Extra Strong beer, very similar to each other in that respect. As I said about it before, if ya just wanna’ be drunk quickly, than that’s a good way to go. Now for the dark side of Paul; when I owned those bars in Puerto Rico, and had a customer who was a major pain, for no extra charge I’d serve them 151 Rum and send them home early.
I can only imagine the hangover in the morning! My father-in-law’s favorite thing to do, used to be to play mah jong with his buddies and drink Red Horse or that other La Tondena favorite, Kulafu. He never had a hangover the next day though, and lived to 84. He was a sweet guy…
Queeniebee;
Hangovers are an important part of the consuming equation, without them to let you know that you over did it, one might over do it every day.
Hey paul,
Nice job on the furniture. I’m afraid that when I move there I will have to buy all new power tools, because of the voltage difference. I really hate using new power tools. 😀 Ok so you see through that one.
Its a good Idea to give yourself a day off. I’m not much of a beer drinker, but I love my Kentucky corn from a bottle.
Hey Hudson;
Luckily I was in the shipyard in Singapore a year before I retired. I thought about power tools and went shopping. The prices in Singapore were so much better than here, and I boxed them up and put them on a sister ship with a friend, that was on its way to Subic. No customs duty and I had everything I needed. That was 10 years ago, with the new malls and big chain hardware stores, the price here is reasonable now. Their just useless during the brownouts, like we’re having today (9am-4pm). Thank heavens for Honda generators!!!
Yep Paul i am travelling again back from Chile last Sunday and off to Kenya this Sunday. But with this dam ear the travelling is getting stressful. Think i must pull up a chair next to you pull the tops off brown bottles and watch life go by.
Hi Frank;
Good wine in Chile, bad beer in Kenya. When it stops being fun it just stops being.
Paul,
Now Bob will have to update his book! There are 50 ways to make a living in the Philippines!
Hi Steve;
You mean I could have been making money? Dumb me I just gave them away, quite the businessman I am. Maybe I should write 49 Ways to Lose Money in the Philippines?