Backup Plan

[z_k_g]

In light of some really interesting answers to various posts let's see what a democratic poll will tell us.

3 Day poll so get your vote in!!

[thekfc]

For me:
Exclusive - No backup plan.

[Dave H]

For me:
Exclusive - No backup plan.

Same here!

[robert angel]

I really have never been one for planning. I'm more the 'reactant' type, the pipedreamer versus planner. I do exercise my options as required, however and choose the path less traveled usually.

[Capstone]

Exclusive. Backup plan = a very nice vacation in an exotic location, the opportunity to see and experience new things, eat great food, etc.

[Jeff S]

Hell - I used to travel new places without even having a plan A girl - just to see it.

[robert angel]

I think it would be better for a lot of guys if they went to far away places with that kind of mindset, if the girl you were focused on doesn't work out:

>>a very nice vacation in an exotic location, the opportunity to see and experience new things, eat great food, etc<<

Easier said than done though, especially on that first trip to a faraway place. I remember my fears, fears that I know now were irrational, such as things not working out with my girl and I and me spending weeks in an Asian hotel, watching weird TV, etc. The weird TV in Manila consisted of Oprah Winfrey and Brady Bunch reruns.

We sometimes over plan and focus too much on details that really don't matter and what's supposed to help can actually screw us up.

I recently got a car that has more features than I think I really need, but I bought it gently used, so I couldn't really pick and choose and the old lady who had it before me, chose basically everything. I don't need window blinds that go up and down and the nav. system might cause more wrecks than it prevents. My sons like it though--being able to push a button, say "Japanese food' and it tells you verbally and in pictures where to find it--or a Taco Bell if you'd rather. I used it one time to experience the novelty. Whoopee doo.  Maybe my sons will hook up my phone to the system, but I'm in no hurry. All I really care about is that it's a reliable car, quiet and comfortable and has a nice stereo system. I wonder if I'll ever figure out all the stuff, but it really doesn't matter, I suppose. Like news in the Philippines, if it's important, I'll find out, one way or another.

I remember my first boat with a depth finder. The sounder was mounted off the back and I'd be hunched over the screen at the wheel. Well, where I live, the creeks and rivers and sounds are chock full of sand bars that are always moving positions and there are dangerous oyster rakes that can shred a hull into ribbons. It wasn't long before I found myself with the front of my little boat run hard upon a sand bar/shelf and the back of the boat still in about 4 feet of water, my depth finder telling me 'all is well' all the while.

So I learned to read the surface of the water to better tell me if something might have changed ahead and to read charts a bit more and just use tech. very occasionally, maybe to initially scout for fish as I cruise slowly.

I know a guy, born and raised here, who has a 17 foot flats boat, made out of a Kevlar hull, with a race tuned Mercury outboard. The things is stripped down for balls to the wall fishing--no rails, etc. Joe has forgotten more about fishing than I'll ever know and I remember asking him--"What kind of depth--fish finder do you use in these tricky waters?' Joe just tapped his forehead and winked. He doesn't use or need one. That boat runs 85 MPH easy and the guy doesn't even wear a helmet. You catch a bug at that kind of speed and it stings! Joe just goes out and 'plans' on catching fish by going to wherever they are and he never gets skunked either.

[jm21-2]

My first time using a nautical GPS (borrowed it for a day from my dad) it was pitch black and I was trying to stay in an extremely narrow channel going into a harbor with a non-functional depth sounder on my sailboat (about 5' 6" draft). AMAZING! I could barely see the water due to the trees on the bank but the little guy kept me right in the channel. Some of the new technology is pretty darn cool...

There is a guy from the PNW who advocates for engineless sailboats...lived aboard a 30-some foot sailboat for many years with no engine and almost no technology. I listened to a radio interview with him a while back and they asked how he got into certain harbors up here without an engine, since they are difficult to get into. His response was that he didn't go to those harbors. Sort of shows how useful technology can be...

On the topic of girls, any decent non-desperate girl will not meet with a guy who has backups, so it's really not much of a choice. The alternative would be some sort of marriage agency like they have in vietnam. That's sort of like a financial russian roulette.

[robert angel]

Re:

>>My first time using a nautical GPS (borrowed it for a day from my dad) it was pitch black and I was trying to stay in an extremely narrow channel going into a harbor with a non-functional depth sounder on my sailboat (about 5' 6" draft). AMAZING! I could barely see the water due to the trees on the bank but the little guy kept me right in the channel. Some of the new technology is pretty darn cool<<

I dunno, Jm--I suppose like most things, it depends. yes, tech's amazing, but it's the mind that limits it. Some other nations have some awesome jets, but a jet that's not the technological match of another can often be beaten by a pilot who's marginally smarter.

I was stranded in the mouth of Ossabaw Sound, about 7 miles down river from the landing. It was night time and even with a full moon, 12v spot light,  radio and GPS, I wasn't about to try and navigate a mile, never mind seven, slowly or not. There are just too many barely submerged docks left over from hurricanes, stumps of trees and other flotsam for me to risk it. It was mid December and little chilly, but I got out my emergency clothes, put some water proof clothes on top of them and slept out on the front deck under the stars, after phoning the wife on my cell phone. Actually slept pretty good and got my bearings just fine at sunrise. Tech. or not, and regardless of how good I could've been in using it, it was still too risky for me. And too much water and too dark for me to know it all in my head.

Sure there are pilots who can fly blind and do instrument landings in planes, but that's not me...

[Gato4Astrid]

I strongly believe they, all should have backup plans just in case things do not work out.

Last October, I booked a flight to go to Cali (My 5th Colombian trip); and the lady did not turn up at all ......................

Luckily, I already had a Plan 'B' - in fact the 'Plan B' is really a Plan A!!!   I have already asked one of my good friends (the lady who used to work for ACG) to meet me at the airport, because I had a gut feeling that the lady wouldn't be at the airport.   I met this good friend and I stayed in Cali for 4 days (originally planned to stay for 7 days)...... Met good friends who worked in CaliCharm.  We had a good time!  After 4 days, I decided to book the flight to go to Santa Marta to meet my best friend and her family.   Had a good time.

About the lady whom did not turn up at the airport.  She had made several excuses during my 4 days stay.   1)  Mother in hospital   2)  Brother prison 
I met her the 2nd day, saying that her mother was in the hospital.  3rd day – did not turn up when phoned  (5pm) the hotel, saying that she would come at 6pm.  At 7pm, phoned her again  “brother prison”
 
In the 4th day,  my friends and I went to see the Fashion Show  (That’s was my alterative reason to go to Cali).  The fashion show is near Yumbo, and the lady lives in between the fashion show and the hotel.  I went to knock on her door.  The mother answered and told me that the lady was in the dentist!! Jajaj   THE MOTHER LOOKS VERY WELL !!!  HOSPITAL? Jjajaja

To cut the story short, I found out that her ‘other’ boyfriend arrived Cali exactly the same week as I arrived!  Apparently, she had chosen him over me, but guess what, she found out that he was cheating on her!!  Serve her right for choosing the wrong man! Lol
Since then, even this week, she wants me back, considering that she knows I already have a girlfriend!!

TO GET TO THE POINT:
Backup plans are always necessary especially when you are meeting her for the 1st time.







   

[Woody]

Hell - I used to travel new places without even having a plan A girl - just to see it.

Bingo. That's what I'm doing. I'm going to Colombia with nothing serious in place.
Primary Goal: Have fun and scout potential retirement locations.
Secondary Goal: Meet Mrs. Woody

Sure, I have contacts in each city. I talk to them every few days, but nothing serious whatsoever. I am very open and up-front about my travel plans. I make friends with girls that have potential, keep things simmering, then meet in person to see if we have chemistry. I am fully aware that they are talking to or even dating other guys, and I'm fine with that. Friends first. Maybe more later, maybe not. I guess one advantage I have is that I actually travel to their country soon after contacting them. I just turned on my profile two weeks ago, and in a little over two weeks from now I will be in Colombia.

[jm21-2]

Re:

>>My first time using a nautical GPS (borrowed it for a day from my dad) it was pitch black and I was trying to stay in an extremely narrow channel going into a harbor with a non-functional depth sounder on my sailboat (about 5' 6" draft). AMAZING! I could barely see the water due to the trees on the bank but the little guy kept me right in the channel. Some of the new technology is pretty darn cool<<

I dunno, Jm--I suppose like most things, it depends. yes, tech's amazing, but it's the mind that limits it. Some other nations have some awesome jets, but a jet that's not the technological match of another can often be beaten by a pilot who's marginally smarter.

I was stranded in the mouth of Ossabaw Sound, about 7 miles down river from the landing. It was night time and even with a full moon, 12v spot light,  radio and GPS, I wasn't about to try and navigate a mile, never mind seven, slowly or not. There are just too many barely submerged docks left over from hurricanes, stumps of trees and other flotsam for me to risk it. It was mid December and little chilly, but I got out my emergency clothes, put some water proof clothes on top of them and slept out on the front deck under the stars, after phoning the wife on my cell phone. Actually slept pretty good and got my bearings just fine at sunrise. Tech. or not, and regardless of how good I could've been in using it, it was still too risky for me. And too much water and too dark for me to know it all in my head.

Sure there are pilots who can fly blind and do instrument landings in planes, but that's not me...

Certainly there are times when no amount of technology would help, and sure if the user is dumb technology won't make him smart, but it is really convenient. I use a gps all the time and love it. My GF bought one for our trip in Taiwan and it saved us a lot of time poring over maps, aside from all the times when it was starting to get dark and we needed to do a quick search for hotels or restaurants. That thing saved us a ton of headaches. She had never used one before and was absolutely sold by the end of the trip.

At one point I'm sure people thought phones were frivolous. And then they probably felt cell phones were frivolous. But wasn't it nice to be able to give your wife a call and let her know what was going on so she didn't go haywire with worry and send the coast guard, fire department, police, and anyone else she could think of out looking for you? And you maybe left with a hefty bill to pay for all that?

My dad thought GPS's were ridiculous. After driving around on vacation spending hours trying to find the damn golf course he was looking for he now takes one along on vacations. And he bought an expensive one for his boat that shows you a contour map of the bottom, gives you all sorts of information on tides and currents, phone numbers for marinas, etc...I think it's over-kill but I'd sure like it....

[z_k_g]

Make sure you vote!!

Zulu

[robert angel]

Jm,

I recall you mentioning how expensive old fashioned navigational sextants can be. I was at a flea market last week and saw one from a company called Cassins and Plath and I knew the guy selling it. He told me it was a steal at $250. I thought it was pricey at $250. Then i went home, looked it up and saw the thing sells for $1700. It was pretty heavy.

I really have no need for such a thing, so even if it was $2.50, it's still be no great deal for me, anyways.

Interesting how with turn by turn, with voice GPS showing up in more and more cell phones, how the stock values in some of the bigger GPS makers have been a bit shakey lately.

[Dave H]

Hey Rob,

Your new car (gently used) is a beauty! Personally, I really appreciate the little extras...especially the chauffeur that came with your car! 

Dave

[Celtic_Jorge]

Exclusive. Backup plan = a very nice vacation in an exotic location, the opportunity to see and experience new things, eat great food, etc.

Same for me.  I love thai food.  I think my gf might think I am just trying to compliment her culture when I say that... but I really mean it.  Thai food is feckin amazing stuff.  I could go there just for the food, I swear it.

[kojak]

for me, Exclusive. no Backup plan. I've enjoyed traveling since my early 20's some of my best life experiences have happen while I was traveling without a itinerary. Never a dull moment that's for sure.

A couple of guys have been talking about boats and cars, well about a year ago I came across this plane/boat (all in one) that you can actually park in your garage. Been fascinated by this thing (marvel of modern engineering) ever since. I'm hoping to get behind the wheels of one of this babies when they roll out of production, definitely become an obsession of mine. "THE ICON A5 aircraft"

here's a video of this baby in action!!!
 


http://www.youtube.com/v/ldY4Pxg3fcc&hl

[Dave H]

I'm big on GPS! In my car, boat, on my bicycle, and on my wrist! I just wish that I could download some detailed maps of the southern Philippines! At least the breadcrumb trail always gets me back home!  

Dave

[Dave H]

I'm hoping to get behind the wheels of one of this babies when they roll out of production, definitely become an obsession of mine. "THE ICON A5 aircraft"

Hey Kojack,

SWEET! I'm right behind you!

Dave

[jm21-2]

Rob,

Jeff_S sent me a link to some cheap sextants a while back. I don't think it would do me much more good than a chart for the weekend trips I take, but certainly useful if one planned a long distance trip.

Another funny item is lanterns. I wanted to use a lantern for interior lighting and as an anchor light because the lights in my boat are the only things that take any real sort of battery power. But looking around for the price of a lot of the new brass nautical lanterns I could practically install a new LED lighting system. Eventually found some nice stainless/aluminum ones meant for survival kits for around $15 that work OK but it took quite a bit of shopping around.

I like getting back to the basics more than pretty much anyone I know, but some of the new tech is just so useful and cheap.

And some like that Ikon plane are just cool, haha. I was looking around and was really impressed by some of the Russian wing-in-ground (WIG) effect craft that sort of float a few feet above the water, now that would be cool.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSeZ1eQzDvI

[piglett]

Hey Rob,

Your new car (gently used) is a beauty! Personally, I really appreciate the little extras...especially the chauffeur that came with your car! 

Dave

Ya those "extras" are nice to look at

[kojak]

Hey Kojack,

SWEET! I'm right behind you!

Dave

Yeah H. I love this plane, was wondering what type of permit or license you need to operate this aircraft. Is been marketed as a recreational aircraft, I can already see my neighbor Billy Bob AKA "Bubba" scaring the hell out of every single person at the lake trying to fly and land this baby.

[robert angel]

Ha ha, Dave:


>>Your new car (gently used) is a beauty! Personally, I really appreciate the little extras...especially the chauffeur that came with your car!<<

With a chauffeur like that, we wouldn't get anywhere--at least not past the back seat of that Phantom Model (stretch version) Roll Royce. Even the no stretch model has oodles of room and like the early 1960's Lincoln Continentals, it has 'shot gun' style opening doors.

The options are getting to be near ridiculous. Even the high end Japanese cars now offer doors that open and close themselves under power. Now Korea's Hyundai is entering the same high end market with their 'Equus', which in somewhat different form, they've been producing and trying to perfect overseas for a few years now. Man, the first Hyundai Excels brought into the USA rusted if you looked at them. Then again, the first USA Honda imports were total crap too.

When we go to Detroit to visit family, I usually take my sons to the exotic/luxury car dealerships. We explain up front that we're on a Chevy budget and up on vacation from Georgia, which you'd think wouldn't bode well. The sales staff pretty much already know every potential serious customer, even their name and how much they earn. And they know fer sure it ain't us!!

But even in our jeans and billy bob T shirts, they were very nice--they even gave my older son a leather bound 'sales' brochure for the R.R Phantom, after we put our banjos in the corner.
 
But we really maxxed out on the cheap at the Maybach dealership--inside the parent company, Mercedes dealership. That place was even swanker--walnut wood paneled room, free Godiva chocolates and upscale drinks. They had a drop down from the ceiling big screen TV, and held us captive as we watched how they made a car that cost twice of what our house costs.

The Bentley dealership was friendly. The Ferrari and Lamborghini folks were nice, but somewhat cooler--for instance, no test drives for my teenage son. I think maybe they caught him carving his initials onto the carbon fiber dashboard or something trivial. It seems that they all are trying to outdo each other, but at least they didn't run us off--maybe because it was a slow day--no one else in there...

[z_k_g]

Browsing some past posts, I just thought this was a very spot on message from Dave H. that was worth re-posting.

I dont necessarily share Dave's view, but he makes some excellent points!

Thanks Dave!

Hey veryserious,

I have seen this happen to guys like Bear mentioned. On the otherhand, as Ray said, it "has worked for a few guys." I used to think that was a good way to meet a Filipina. After living in the Philippines for a short time, I realized this could lead many foreigners into trouble. We really don't understand their culture. The problem being that most Filipinas that are good candidates to make a nice wife, will not talk to you. If you try to meet one in public without a proper introduction, they will hide their faces with their hands and turn away in shyness, then walk away. Most of the ladies that will talk to you and agree to go to lunch or out with you are Ho's. Even most Ho's in the Philippines seem so innocent and sweet. Many dress conservatively and attend Catholic mass or church on a regular basis.

Before I learned, sometimes I used to talk to "nice" school girls and young ladies who I thought were practicing their English skills. My wife or others would have to tell me their real intentions. One seemingly nice high school girl (in uniform) used to visit a house in our barangay. She would stop to talk to me when I was working on one of our vehicles in our nearby garage. Sometimes other young girls would come with her. I thought that she was visiting a friend. I later found out she was on their way to the boyfriend's drug house to sniff "rugby" (glue) or do shabu. She ended up getting pregnant at 14 or 15 and had all kinds of complications due to her immature physical structure and drug usage.

The exception might be someone who interacts with foreigners on a regular basis through legitmate employment. Don't get me wrong, there are many nice school kids and ladies who will practice talking to you, usually in a group. They will take turns asking questions, giggle a lot, and act very shy.

If you are planning to go to the Philippines in October, I would recommend meeting some ladies first as Ray said. I prefer introductions through friends or family, but other methods such as penpal clubs and online chat have worked for others. Or just go with the goal of having a wonderful vacation. Since you are looking for a wife, I would recommend staying out of the "candy stores" (bars with ladies for "rent"). I have seen many foreigners who have gotten sidetracked there, even the so called devout "born again" religious type!

Good Luck!

Dave

[robert angel]

That's a great post. Scary  in parts too, because you might want to think those sweet and friendly young things are 'wife material'. And all too often, we really don't want to know--they're so cute  that we're able to overlook things and possibilities that we might otherwise suspect in lady not nearly as attractive.

If you follow the advice there, it takes longer and it isn't easy to initiate contacts and expand upon them. It involves making extra links and then expanding upon them. But it for sure can't hurt.