Well I had a great Wednesday with my friends from San Diego; Don and Teody they have a house close to me but don’t get to the Philippines that often. We had lunch at Sit-N-Bull then motored over to the Wild Orchid on Baloy beach and parked the car. A quick decision and we found ourselves at the Blue Rock Resort. It appeared that they had never been out to the floating bar. So we boarded the float and away we go. Now to be fair I had informed them that it was a day time Hoochie bar but that deterred them not a whit.
A couple of hours there with the rum flowing we then departed and moved over to Captain Rob’s beach bar at the Wild Orchard Hotel. While sitting at the beach bar I discovered that I had been wildly “Over Served” My head was spinning and my wife was sitting beside me, twice. How did that happen, where did it go wrong? As I turned to my wife and said; “Mahal take me home. It dawned on me. No shot glass, it was a simple as that. I buy shot glasses by the dozen and when my other buddy Tommy and I go out we bring one with us, to prevent the Filipino’s over generous “FREE-POUR” I had more than likely consumed 1/3 more than normal. And to quote “Jimmy Buffett” “I was God’s own drunk, and a fearless man.”
The trip home, Don and I were relegated to the back seat, while our ladies transported us back to the relative safety of “The Mountain” Upon arrival Don and I bolted from the car with the overwhelming need to void bladders. Don’t ask you know what I’m talking about. While knowing that the gate was locked and was a hindrance to a timely satisfaction of quenching our urge, so it was decided that the empty lot and the wall next door would work, as when in Rome, we do as the Romans do.
The ladies now had the car safely tucked into its spot under the carport then I emerged back onto the street. After uttering a loud, “Tabby tabby Po” to the wall. Respect is always important. This is where the day spiraled downhill. I moved towards my front wall, where many a morning coffee had been consumed, and thought to myself; “Self sitting would be better then standing.” My normally “happy feet tangled”, I spun around in a concentric circle, and was now plummeting directly towards Mother Earth or Mother Cement to be more accurate.
The street, now aided by my own wall conspired to whoop me like a red headed stepchild. My head, my knee and since I’m old you know the hip was involved. I didn’t feel a thing, as I was already anesthetized far better than if they were removing a kidney. Mrs. Thompson is in a wild panic, ready to race to the hospital. As I stood up and took stock of the situation and decided a shower and bed would be more therapeutic.
The following day, skipped the internet and dedicated the day to healing, using holistic methods I’ve learned while watching CNN and other shows about unicorn herding and rainbow gazing. Then smeared medicine on my wounds and went back to bed. Friday morning, I rejoiced as I had healed, well somewhat. So I walked up to Don’s house and partook of our morning coffee and yak-yak session, basically two retired Navy guys solving the world’s problems. We really should start writing it down.
Now for what happened last week and along with my epic failure to post on Lip.
Friday sitting at the Puter I just went blank, a major-major brain fart. I had a story to tell but no way to phrase it. Saturday morning was a repeat of Friday, with even less ability to cobble two sentences together. I threw in the towel and E-mailed Sir Bob, whom BTW was most understanding and non-judgmental. So in four years it was my first miss. But you readers needed the break anyway.
Ten days have passed and a beer or a rum and coke still make me shutter and go in the opposite direction, but like all things, this too will pass. I will purchase a gross of shot glasses and keep some in my dash pocket in the car at all times, never to repeat this decade’s most embarrassing moment.
All’s well that ends well.
Was concerned when I opened my confuser Sunday afternoon and found no new chapter in the life and times of Paul.
Checked the calendar and, yes, should be Monday in the Philippines. Looked out the window and the sun was still in the sky.
These two things happen with great regularity. Patience pervailed for privacy so I was sure if an ill wind had hit Casa Thompson, Bob would let us know.
Best regards to you and yours.
LeRoy
I was about to send an e-mail to Mr. Bob Martin and ask if you went back to Dorchestah and see the “mini-glacier” they have there. I am glad you feel better now, though. By the way, the “tabby, tabby po” part really cracked me up. Not too many “kano” would know that. 🙂 Another good article, Mr. Paul T. Thank you for a good “reveille” read.
Jose;
A pox on the man who would go on a wall or mango tree and not pay respect to the mighty Dowende’s.
Leroy;
Over 20 days have passed and still not one cocktail or beer have I had, the memory is still fresh in my mind.
Paul,
Was wondering what happening last week. Those things happen every so often when we drink adult beverages. At least no serious injuries lol.
Randy;
The only thing that was injured was my pride. But as we sailors say; “I’ve never been drunk, only over serve.”
Ah, another memory for Sir Paul’s legacy and I missed it. Of course if Tom, Billy, & I had been there our tendency to moderation most likely would have prevented the over indulgence and there would have been no story. Glad you are back on your feet, and really would like to be there, as today it is snowing, and perfectly miserable here.
Loren;
We’ve gotten a tad smoked, but I was gawd awful drunk. Normally Mayang taps me on the arm and tells me that I’ve had enough fun. But not this time, for some reason.. We wish you were here too!!!!!!!!!!
Paul –
Can you contact me via email at [email protected] ?
I’d like to share some private info.
Thanks, Peter Fitzgerald
Can do Shipmate. As soon as I can connect to my E-mail.
I’ve wasted many afternoons on the floating bar. When they pull it out for typhoon season, we sit and wait for it to be refloated.
Don;
It gives us something to look forward to, like the passing of a season.
hi paul , was at a beach resort in bataan a while ago drank some beers , a guy give me some whisky
big mistake my legs turned to jelly never again i will stick to the beer i must be getting old ,
nice to see you back paul derek in sunny pasig .
Derek;
Beer first,or it will only get worst, never switch. Plus a lot depends on the brand they serve you. (lol)
Hi Paul,
I have had a day or night of that too in my past.
But that was 30 years ago. I now have a couple of drinks in the evening with no intent of going out. I do not have a minder. And I do not trust myself in social situations.
My dear wife Daisy is my stabilizer, she has half a glass of wine when we go out for dinner, I consume the other half.
She doesn’t smoke and neither do I.
She is my inspiration.
She is the reason I am still alive.
She is very jealous.
I wear blinders in the mall.
I got a good buddy back home in Wisconsin.
He is a regular bar goer.
I do that with him when I’m up there.
I like it.
But I couldn’t keep up with him on a regular basis.
I love getting drunk with my friends.
But I definitely need a minder.
Jade
Jade;
I never venture in to the Barrio life without my wife, she trusts me 100% as long as see can see me. Plus she can drive.
Paul.. Been there and exactly the reason I put down liquor decades ago… Seem to keep my feet and make better decisions when I recycle beer only:) Keep the dust off a couple of those shot glasses… April is coming soon…..
Billy;
You can have all the San Mig you like, Tommy and I will drink the rum and the ladies will watch over us.Just get here soon.
Hi Paul
Ah the wicked grapes and grain!
Reminds me of last spring when I was on my extended stay in Davao.
Long story short, my brother-in-law and his friend asked what Vodka is like so I showed them.
The consequence was that I fell over in the night trying to get to the bathroom to speak the God on the big white telephone, my B-I-L fell against the metal frame of his bed and gashed his shoulder and his friend fell over and sprained his wrist.
They don’t ask me about any other types of drink any more, much to my relief!!!
AJ UK;
At the Chief’s Quarters on Diego Garcia BIOT, we were having a BBQ the Yanks and Brit’s, It got so drunk out we lost two CPO’s to the fire pit, and the base CO’s shut it down. It was Gin that made us sin. Three Cheers for the Royal Navy.
Paul,
Been there and done that shipmate.
Might I suggest your dear wife take some video, and allow you to watch your adventures while drinking coffee. . . .
Then quickly delete it before someone puts it on the web…….
Stay Safe Shipmate
Terry,
Like the photo’s aren’t enough? Remember not all were posted. My wounds were all the evidence I needed the next day. Keep that Tri-Care active.
Thought it was the end of the world last week, no Paul !!.
Done the same a few weeks ago, too many rums, got home put my foot up on a stool to undo my laces, next thing I know , im sitting on my ass in a puddle of dog pee with the wife trying to lift me up.
Not 18 anymore lol.
John J;
I’d place the blame squarely on the stool and not you. Had the stool been sturdier that could never have happened. Or better yet, if you don’t remember it, it could not have happened. I told that to my Division Officer on one ship years ago, and he dismissed the charges. THAT ONE TIME!
Glad to see that you’re up and running! I’m reminded of our little circle here in Virginia. Three of us old soldiers have retired in the same area. All of us were stationed together in Germany years ago. My Brother-in-law was our unit supply sergeant (and the guy who introduced me to his wifes sister, Marlyn). The other guy is a Filipino who was our mess sergeant. (Moral: Always make friends with the supply sergeant and the mess sergeant!)
Anyway, we all tend to gather at each others house for one occasion or another. Early on, each of us would bring a case or more of beer, and often a bottle of harder stuff. All of it would be consumed in the course of an evening. Later we noticed that there were often leftover bottles, so we reduced the amount we would bring to the party, Now, each of us brings a six pack or so, and there’s still bottles left over. And yes, it’s very important that our wives know how to drive.
Take care.
Pete
Pete;
Even in my single days the taxi was my friend. As I’ve had many motorcycles of big style, and to drink and drive a car is foolish, but a bike is insane. When my friends and I get together we try to end it early or our wives do. But the shot glass with the bartender is most important to all of us. Least sometimes I forget.