General Info

[Mr Enternational]

Not for the feint of heart.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSITUpElxso

* Never seen White Lotus until today. Besides FG, thanks to another board member for bringing this to my attention today.

When he sent it to me I clicked it off when he started talking about ladyboys. You have to be a serious actor to act it out as he did. I could not even listen to it.

[FuriousGeorge]

It really is stunningly deep. And it also sums up what White Lotus is all about. People who are seemingly without problems seeking some kind of solace and peace and their place in the world. Most of these people are broken in some way. I've had this discussion with friends. Is the Sam Rockwell character a bad person? There are indications that he is, but is this monologue indicative of such? Either way, regarding the show, each season is fantastically entertaining and this season is particularly good.

Stunningly deep, 4-minute excerpt from White Lotus*, referencing mongering. Yikes. We've mentioned before (and recently) about not being able to tell folks back home what life is like in-country, and here is a wild example. Not for the feint of heart.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSITUpElxso

* Never seen White Lotus until today. Besides FG, thanks to another board member for bringing this to my attention today.

[WestCoast1]

I would encourage everyone to check out the Sam Rockwell monologue on the latest episode of White Lotus. It is heavy and disturbing. Or is it? What are the differences between ethics and morality?

Stunningly deep, 4-minute excerpt from White Lotus*, referencing mongering. Yikes. We've mentioned before (and recently) about not being able to tell folks back home what life is like in-country, and here is a wild example. Not for the feint of heart.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSITUpElxso

* Never seen White Lotus until today. Besides FG, thanks to another board member for bringing this to my attention today.

[FuriousGeorge]

Some good deep philosophical discussions going on here in the last few days. I haven't seen them until just now, because, sadly, I am a slave to the man still and my commute is long. Hopefully this will end in the next few years. In the meantime, TV is so good now, that I've been able to keep it together through the incredible level of entertainment offered to me weekly. I would encourage everyone to check out the Sam Rockwell monologue on the latest episode of White Lotus. It is heavy and disturbing. Or is it? What are the differences between ethics and morality?

[Mr Enternational]

Also I like to read about interesting stuff, but lately with all the advances in the information technology, it seems that the whole world has become dumber instead to smart up. The news are all about politics and "celebrities", no mentions about science, nature, new discoveries, technology, etc. Like it doesn't exist anymore.

Did you actually say that? The good part about advances in information technology is that you no longer have to sit around and wait for someone to feed you the news that they want to feed you. You can go online and only read about science, nature, new discoveries, etc without reading stuff about politics and celebrities.

My mom still waits around to watch the 6:00 news. Whenever I am at her house and this happens, I ask why she would waste 30 minutes watching this at 6 pm when she could have read it all online in 3 minutes at 2 pm. Old habits die hard.

[Old And Ugly]

Old and Ugly makes some interesting points, as does Goferring. I would like to know how Old and Ugly puts in his days when he is not in the saddle; even cowboys need their downtime Fact is, for most, the Philippines is a struggle for survival and one must fit into that...........................................

My passions in life has always been pussy, and travel, that's what makes me happy, and I'm just continuing on doing just that. By combining the two of them it becomes interesting and not boring at all. Also I like to read about interesting stuff, but lately with all the advances in the information technology, it seems that the whole world has become dumber instead to smart up. The news are all about politics and "celebrities", no mentions about science, nature, new discoveries, technology, etc. Like it doesn't exist anymore. I have good old friends, I'm talking about guys my age, that we grew up together, played together, fucked for the first time together, partied together, and more, we still very close and all alive, but lately with all the politics and fake news (and mostly because of the wifes), we kind of grew apart ideologically, therefore we avoid discussing politics whenever we see each other, we still do reunions few times a year, and everybody comes together some place in the world, even if some of us are separated by thousands of miles.

Despite all that boredom sets in sometimes, and I'm thinking of doing some sort of business, but as soon as I start putting things together (mentally) I realize that I don't really need all the hassle associated with that, and give up.

I like good food, but if not avail, I'm ease to please, when I stay longer in one place, and I rent an apartment, I do cook, especially in the PH were the food is horrible, and despite being an island, agrarian nation, where stuff grows if you spit a seed from your mouth on the ground when eating a tomato, bell pepper, or watermelon, you can't find veggies or fish in 99% of the places. I never understood this. I'm always in search for western restaurants, and good bread.

........................................................Old and Ugly says he prefers to die on his feet, or, in his case, riding high in the saddle, with some buxom wench underneath him. We all have things we want to do and have to do. Bonking random hookers is just one of them and, for me, it lost its novely many moons ago, Now, it is just perfucntory, no different from having my teeth cleaned and, often, a lot less fun.

All of these thigns go to make a happy monger. ;.

Every time I go back to civilization, for a reunion, medical stuff or other matters, always short visits, I'm just like the Vietnam vets that were unable to adapt back to the normal life, and when I see all the bullshit and the fakery and nonsense, I can't wait to return to the PH.

[Goferring]

What do those long timers do? I have sen retired Ossie militry chrge the bars for happy hour drinking, many of them with pathetic, little side jobs selling caskes etc. There are Europeans with small businesses thereto keep their wives happy and themselves busy. Golf and table quizzes are swapping a scoial life here for a lesser one there. Expats / retirees have to keep themselves busy in SE Asia, but with what? Of coruse, everyone is different but maybe someoen wil come up woth an idea that sparks me.

I could go to the provinces nad sponsor a sari sari store but, in more sober moments, fuck that.

I am currently busy with a range of projects. Would be nice if beaches and broads could entice me like Sirens of old. One man's poison etc.

Unless you have extensive experience already, don't even think of starting a business. A retired bricklayer rarely takes the restaurant business by storm. Anyway, I retired to relax not manage staff, chase new business and wonder if today is the day that friends and family magically come in to pay their debts.

What to do? It's the same as back home. Find people, places and activities that you enjoy. No one is going to hand you a good time on a plate. Personally, I travel a lot, dive when I can and, occasionally, revel in doing absolutely nothing. Everyone is different but, yes, it does take some effort and perseverance especially after 40 years of others dictating what we do all day.

Enjoy. G.

[Jarango]

Without speaking for Sir Ugly, it's like any retirement: you have to have interests and friends outside of work or in our case, bars and girls..Enjoy. G.

What do those long timers do? I have sen retired Ossie militry chrge the bars for happy hour drinking, many of them with pathetic, little side jobs selling caskes etc. There are Europeans with small businesses thereto keep their wives happy and themselves busy. Golf and table quizzes are swapping a scoial life here for a lesser one there. Expats / retirees have to keep themselves busy in SE Asia, but with what? Of coruse, everyone is different but maybe someoen wil come up woth an idea that sparks me.

I could go to the provinces nad sponsor a sari sari store but, in more sober moments, fuck that.

I am currently busy with a range of projects. Would be nice if beaches and broads could entice me like Sirens of old. One man's poison etc.

[Goferring]

We all have things we want to do and have to do. Bonking random hookers is just one of them and, for me, it lost its novely many moons ago, Now, it is just perfucntory, no different from having my teeth cleaned and, often, a lot less fun.

What's the contact details for your dentist? 😜.

[Goferring]

Old and Ugly makes some interesting points, as does Goferring. I would like to know how Old and Ugly puts in his days when he is not in the saddle; even cowboys need their downtime Fact is, for most, the Philippines is a struggle for survival and one must fit into that.

Without speaking for Sir Ugly, it's like any retirement: you have to have interests and friends outside of work or in our case, bars and girls. There is nothing worse than walking into a social event only to find a bunch of old mechanics still talking about rebuilding engines or old foreigners holding up a bar and moaning into their beers. Get out and do shit. There is a lot to do in the Philippines. Beaches, golf, sports, natural beauty, social meet ups. If all else fails, it's $20 to go to another island for a weekend or $80 to go to another country.

Enjoy. G.

[Goferring]

Accurate and insightful report.

Speak for yourself!

Kidding aside, this does happen to me. Couple of times a year I either cut way back on my normal schedule, or eliminate it completely for a few weeks. One of the positives of this place is that it puts you in the driver's seat (usually) on when / where. Those in P-prison rarely have such an option. One can stop, then pick right back up at anytime here.

My cycle was to alternate about six months in a relationship, six months hookers then rinse and repeat. The relationships were good but with so many temptations I couldn't hold them down forever and the slightest thing would end everything. I broke up with a beautiful great girl because she always wore weird nail polish. You don't see that at home. To be fair, a few broke up with me too. Some after it became evident that we weren't going to get married, others because I'm a Cheap Charlie and a better offer came along. Regardless, lots of great memories.

G.

[Jarango]

Old and Ugly makes some interesting points, as does Goferring. I would like to know how Old and Ugly puts in his days when he is not in the saddle; even cowboys need their downtime Fact is, for most, the Philippines is a struggle for survival and one must fit into that.

Gofering is like Sir Lancelot as he crosses his ts and dots his is. Keeping the home front in order is important; rampant crime is a factor, one amongst many.

I find Angeles good for teeth cleaning, medical and more,. In my case, doctors have told me to have them cleaned more often. Being there for two months gives me that luxury and to get my hair cut three times, in a manner fit for a human, not a sheep.

Food is a major issue as every single time, I have to eat Western food so as not to get sick. At home, I make all my own food and love it.

These are not trivial matters; they are practical matters.

Old and Ugly says he prefers to die on his feet, or, in his case, riding high in the saddle, with some buxom wench underneath him. We all have things we want to do and have to do. Bonking random hookers is just one of them and, for me, it lost its novely many moons ago, Now, it is just perfucntory, no different from having my teeth cleaned and, often, a lot less fun.

All of these thigns go to make a happy monger. ;.

[Goferring]

I did that, and so far in my 4th year I don't regret it a bit, actually I'm "scarred" of the reverse, when I have to go back "home", there is nothing for me there, is expensive, some things are more complicated than PH, the only joy I have is seeing my friends.

The alternative, was to continue to work until death, being invisible, expired. Even if I die tomorrow because of some medical emergency malpractice 3rd world bullshit, I won't regret it a bit, because here you feel alive, and that's more important than leaving in safety in USA, but dying in comfort at a slow precalculated rate.

After living away, the sticker shock is very real. For me it's not the big ticket items, it's the things that were ridiculously cheap but are no longer available: $2 taxi fares; $5 meals; weekends away for $100 etc.

Again, this is very true. Most prefer to die on their feet vs live on their knees.

Enjoy. G.

[Old And Ugly]

........

Post Covid, fewer tourists returned to Phils than pre-covid, and more expats living here seem to have moved into the ISG neighborhood. Fewer solid FR's. .........

The Philippines Government didn't made the early visits after the scamdemic to easy, quarantine, certificates and tests, and so much bullshit and misinformation, that you didn't really knew where and what to look for. Most of the Latin America was a step ahead of the rest of the world, Mexico being the leader. When the covid test was needed to return to the USA, in the Cancun airport they were just touching your nostrils with an ordinary q-tip, then going behind a curtain, trowing the q-tip in the trash, and printing you a negative test result for about $20. Good business.

[WestCoast1]

Accurate and insightful report.

endless pussy is great when you first arrive but actually becomes monotonous after a while.

Speak for yourself!

Kidding aside, this does happen to me. Couple of times a year I either cut way back on my normal schedule, or eliminate it completely for a few weeks. One of the positives of this place is that it puts you in the driver's seat (usually) on when / where. Those in P-prison rarely have such an option. One can stop, then pick right back up at anytime here.

I think the biggest thing is to realise that living is Asia is totally different to visiting.

Have noticed that Covid was a breaking point for ISG threads here in Phils (and possibly elsewhere). Prior to covid, most of our posts were regarding short-term tourists coming to Phils. Tourists asked questions, old guard answered tourist questions or offered insights (Burgos, AC, LAC, Cebu mostly), and solid field reports showed up more often.

During Covid, some A-hole here posted a ton of BS regarding Grab, ECQ, and MECQ, Alert levels, vaccines, rapid tests, face masks, and face shields. He seemed to get laid a lot. F*cker.

Post Covid, fewer tourists returned to Phils than pre-covid, and more expats living here seem to have moved into the ISG neighborhood. Fewer solid FR's. Now we discuss where to get our teeth cleaned.