Olongapo in My Dreams

It's been an awfully busy morning. This heat wave we're under is about to sap my energy. It forced me to drive to work with my truck windows lowered, and to top it off, I had to switch out my long sleeved wool cover shirt to a nice light short sleeved Columbia. This sun....what can I say, it's awful.

I'm fairly certain my left arm has a tan, you know, since I have a habit of riding with my arm on the trucks window sill...bug splatter and sunburn is always the result.

Sorry, tear drops in my milk...

Please, cherish your winter. Its so very fleeting.

*****

This morning two old timers came into the shop. I can never remember the two of them in here together, which is good, because they hate each other. Both retired Navy men. Old farts and a half. Within five minutes they put on their game faces and squared off for a rumble. Each had served for a period of time in Olangapo Subic Bay. Both are well aware I too served there as part of a detachment of the 'Screaming Green Meanies.'

The place was awful. Olongapo reeks of grilled monkey and dog meat cooked over little street side fires tended by either old women or girls, or at least those young women still too young for the street trade. The town of Olongapo is separated from the base by a brownish river aptly named, 'Shit River.'

Long story short as business is brisk...

These two old fellas had one heck of an argument about the town. One loved it for its ready supply of girls, night clubs and the awful skunk beer, San Miguel. It has the taste and flavor just this side of horse tinkle...but I'm not a beer drinker.

Old timer number two hated the place for its abundance of pick-pockets, murderers in the form of Hucks, the prostitutes, poverty and because he'd been stuck there for months and missed other ports of call.

I took a neutral stance.

They almost came to blows. I held 'em back. Old timer number two flew out the door in a pretty darn good rage.

Me, "What the heck is his problem?"

Old timer number one, "Oh, he's okay. You know we've known each other for years. Attend the same church. See, here's the thing. When he was stationed at Subic he met and married one of those pretty little street girls, know what I mean? Yep, he sure did." He pauses and takes a deep breath. "Well, one day at church, way back when, he introduced his wife. Nice little lady, 'bout four foot nothing. Later that week we bump into each other at the Publix."

He reaches and flicks his ear, smiles, then turns and gives me this evil smile. I'm liking this stuff.

He continues, "Me and him chat a bit and I mentioned he had a nice wife, good stock those Asian ladies. I didn't think really. Went on in a joking manner I'd met her before. He asked where. Said back at Subic in '71. Told him her and I had quite the evening together. I know, stupid of me, but still."

Me, "Ah, man, you didn't." From this guy though, it didn't surprise me.

"Yes, I did and I'll forever be sorry. It was just a stupid joke. Thing is I believe he feels guilt. After all these years, with him in knowledge of my, and now your, service in that cesspool of a town, and knowing we know what those girls did for a living, and then he ups and married one...well, it just about kills him."

I can understand.

"See, thing is, she's been a fine wife and mother. She's a citizen now. Bright lady. Attends church, but he just can't get the image out of his mind she had loved hundreds of other sailors all those years ago..."

Me, "So now you guys fight."

"Yes. He was once my best friend until that day at the Publix."

Stephen

Bits & Pieces

I was awake this morning at zero dark thirty. Felt useless so showered, shaved, dressed and was here at my office at zero dark thirty-one. I paid the mid-month bills and drank coffee and now I see the sun is well on its way to broil.

We had some really nice hard thunderstorms last evening. Must have received at least two inches of rain. The weather-idiot claims we're still six inches behind our normal rainfall. We need more, to say the least.

Thinking, thinking....nothing comes to mind. Insert picture....

I missed her so much yesterday I went to her school's website and found the above. She's on the left.

I have an apartment to furnish. Deposit has been made and I've the keys. This afternoon, when Sweet Wife is off work, we shall do some minor cleaning. Not much to do but we did purchase a leather Ivory love seat for Little Bit's mother and Sweet Wife wants to remove any minor stains. I'll clean the top of the refrigerator. Overall the apartment is beautiful, huge, hardwood floors. I do believe Little Bit and her mother will love it.

Business is awful. This depression has killed our economy. My business is at least, depending on the week, off fifty percent. If a yellow dog were to run against Obama, I'd vote for the dog. Then again, we do have a yellow dog in the race.

Time for coffee...standby.

Have you guys noticed the price of gold. Buy on the dips. Silver too. I read a history of the Denver Mint yesterday. Yes, I read it in one day. Whoop-t-do...it was very interesting. I'd give you the title but left the book at home. If you want it, yell.

Early this morning I grabbed another from my pile, its titled, 'The Power of Gold, the history of an obsession,' by Peter L. Bernstein. Pretty darn good read, so far.

Just rambling.

I haven't prepared a decent meal in days and days. I need to cook. When I find a dish that peaks my interest I'll post it.

A few seconds ago my door bell rang. Went out to answer it and it was a 'crack girl.' Here I am smack dab in the middle of a historic and university district and I have a hooker infestation. She wanted to know if I'd 'loan' her a dollar. Yeah, like that's gonna happen. Bless their hearts, but come on, give me a break. They smell to high heaven. They're walking germ factories. And, someone's child....I feel for them but refuse to help their habits.

God bless 'em.

I was thinking about my weekend trip. I'll leave very early Saturday morning. I've an odd habit when I drive. I count. I keep tabs of all the road kill, not only their numbers but categorical as well. Such as, ten coons, fifteen possums, one deer.
I also count campers. I have rules of course - I only count those campers on the road, not those parked, only those RV's under power. This odd habit helps with the time and makes my drives much less boring. I will drive one thousand eight miles, round trip, in one day. The drive home I shall be followed by Sweet Wife and Birth Mother in BM's Honda. Should be very interesting.

Hey, gotta run. Please, take care out there. I'll see you nice folks later today, I hope.

Stephen