When readers ask questions or make comments,
sometimes I will post it here.
11 July 2017
Recollections of Singapore in the 1950s.
Your descriptions of place and lifestyle for the less than well off remind me of Singapore in the late 1950's and early 60's before Lee Kuan Yew became Prime Minister and kept all of the promises that most people thought were impossible and just so much hot air.
Attap huts, with their palm frond roofs and wattle walls were the predominant dwelling. Roads were red dust when dry,and a red swamp when wet. Beggars were everywhere, and the island was pretty much under the control of the tongs or secret societies as they were more frequently known.
Many years after I returned to the UK I was introduced to a Singapore Chinese woman who it turned out, much to the amazement of both of us, had lived less than a quarter of a mile from where I had lived just off Serangoon Garden Way. Just that I was there almost thirty years before she was born.
The changes were quite remarkable, and in a way I selfishly felt sort of sad that so much of the 'real' Singapore had gone forever. She told me that they had been forced to put a conservation order on what remained of the old Chinatown district of Singapore City to prevent it being demolished and redeveloped. Without this the only remaining part of Singapore's heritage would have been lost, maybe excluding Raffles if you count that as part of the heritage.
Anyway, now I've finished rambling, what this is meant to be about is the similarity between the Philippines as you describe them today, and the Singapore that I remember from fifty-seven or fifty-eight years ago.
Nostalgia, one of the biggest blocks to progress.
Keep on writing please. If I read the current library any more I'll probably be able to recite it from memory.
Thanks for all of the wonderful work, and the many happy hours it has helped me pass.
08 July 2017
Sometimes my stories hit a nerve.
[ASSTR is having some problems, so my comments there couldn't post to you properly. So, I'm sending thru SOL.]
And you have done it again!! :) I don't know how it always ends up that I finish your stories while at work, but again, I finished "Sideways" while at work tonight. Just now. (8:30pm Eastern, I'm in Ohio). As I have written before, I say again:
THANK YOU!!!!
I'm sure you have moments of clear inspiration and fits of writer's block like all good authors. I thank you for going thru all of that and for sharing your work with us. On behalf of myself and probably 100 lurkers out here in the nethersphere.
This one was right on time too. I just got divorced Dec. 20, 2016. Nope, the ex couldn't wait 12 days to have the judge sign the paperwork. So, a whole year of taxes coming out at the married rate went down the tubes as I ended up having to file as single. *sigh* Sorry, I digressed!
Yes, the timing was great for my choosing to read this when I did. I have that anger. Been trying to deny it, to a point, but thanks to you, I can at least acknowledge it now. Just wish I had my versions of Jecim and Jelou to help with it. :grin:
And, yes, it is a funny thing how you can want revenge on someone you still love. Will always love, in some way. I'm not to the point Roland was able to get to though. I'm still seething. And we have a 10 year son together, so I try to be nice, but there are times I just want to as her, WTF!!!? Again, sorry, I digressed. LOL
So, as I started to say at the beginning, thank you! Enjoyed it immensely. I was say at least as much as "Bayan Na". Had me laughing at times, out loud even. Had me swear once or twice too. Sometimes at how dense Roland could be, then I would think "is that his reflection in your mirror"?. So, yes, you have done what a lot of authors wish to do: made me think on your story and how it pertains to my real world. Definitely can't say that about most of the erotica I read!! LOL
21 December 2016
A visitor recalls his trip
Hi, VWA,
Back in ********! 6 C., Grey & Damp!
The 16 hour out, 20 hour back flights are a bit heavy, man!
Found my stay in Cebu City very interesting! Must tie back to my time in East Africa, it was exactly as I expected, Hot, dirty and smelly ! I felt quite at home in the place. Didn't do much, mooched around the city, none of the tourist places attracted me at all so I more or less acted like I lived there.
One thing very noticeable after here is the sheer number of armed security guards! Inside and outside the stores and malls with shotguns yet!
A number of professional ladies were attracted by boyish charm & good looks or, more likely, the thickness of my wallet, I did not use their services but bought them a drink and a bite to eat and let them show me around places, a bit of company and information, paid them a few pisos for their time. I enjoyed it and they seemed happy enough!
I did find the beggars, particularly the kids, a hard thing to pass by. I felt guilty for not being poor!
Anyway, came home and am already thinking of returning, I think it was the happiest I've been since my wife died.
Hope I'm not too boring,
Thanks for giving me the idea to visit!
Cheers,
And my response
Hi ***,
The working girls are surely out there in Manila, and Cebu, which is why I tell all those interested in settling here to look elsewhere. For the tourist, such as you, it works out fine.
As to the smell, that too is a matter of the big cities. Get out of the city and unless your neighbor has a piggery, the air smells sweet.
As to the noise, yes, Filipinos like to be loud, but if you don't live in a Filipino housing cluster of tiny little houses jammed together, like a rabbit warren, and you are not in a big city, it doesn't always roar like the cities do.
Yes, even if your closest neighbor is too far away to hit his house with a rock, on occasion, he will crank up the Karaoke, but noise is mostly a problem for those who are in the big cities or can't afford better housing. (I have seen blogs and Youtube posts about noise and how the Philippines is the worst. All I can say is that those folks didn't have a clue. There are ways to alleviate the matter.)
Yes, the guards are ubiquitous. Some have short barrel shotguns, some AR15's, and some just handguns. They are great at helping you back into traffic! I have employed them on occasion. After a while, they sort of become background to life. This is not the First World. But then the First World isn't really all that safe anymore, is it?
All the best,
\/\/\//\
7 December 2016
I received this today and removed identifying information
VWA, I want to thank you for changing my life. I was in a really, really bad place in my life. I'm a... well, let's just say I like girls younger than is technically legal. I'm not a monster, I would never force anyone. So, as a teacher, I had a LOT of girls hug me and even some who loved me, but it was never the kind of love I needed. I almost got in trouble a few times, but since I always wanted it to be consensual, as soon as I knew it wasn't, I backed off. But where does that leave me? I hated my life. I was never going to be loved again by anyone that I was attracted to. Then I started reading your stories, for obvious reasons. They couldn't be real, but everything that was checkable, checked out.
So, I started looking online, first in the U.S. I had a lot in common with this one woman who was almost 20 years younger than me. She thought about it, but couldn't deal with the age difference. Then to the Philippines. My goodness there were a lot of REALLY attractive young women. And they talked to me. Maybe they did like me just because I was white.
Well, to make a long story short, I am now married to a 23 year old beauty queen who looks like she's 11. Tiny body, tiny boobs, 75 lbs, and gorgeous. Eleven is a little younger than I would normally be attracted to, but she's so incredibly beautiful. And she'll never mature. I bought her a tiny bikini made for an American 10 year old and it fit her perfectly. Her pussy is so incredibly tight, and she LOVES to go down on me. I bought her this little schoolgirl outfit. OMG! My life is awesome! We're moving to the Philippines in 2 months. Just need to close on the house!
Thank you for a restart in my life. Your stories started the new direction.
30 July 2016
This was an email from the link at the botton of this page.
I just wanted to say thanks for the stories.
I have just retired and your stories have been a fun romp into fantasyland for me.
I spent a year in Korea within the mid-70s and while the people are vastly different from a political and religious background, the culture/street life �then� is what you are describing as the �now� for the Philippines. That past knowledge, from me, adds to some of the descriptions that you portray in your stories. I remember �the smells and the dust and the glances of beggars� type of thing.
Your stories have large grains of truth mixed within them, and the fantasy parts are a fun romp to an old man. You did a great job (no pun) with Bayan Na and From Nothing. Bayan Na for all the detail involved in the business and building aspect, and the �John Wayne-take charge� main character. The sex parts perked me up and the storyline kept making me �turn� the page to read more.
From Nothing hit me a bit differently, but I liked Howard and his attitude seemed (to me) to be a fair assessment of what death of a spouse would be like. I�m not sure I have ever seen a nude 14 year old on the side of the road, but you are the writer and get to put in any plot and ploy you want. Again a good read.
I have never written any �feedback� letters before, but as I stated I retired a December and have a bit more daytime hours that I can fill in different ways. Just wanted you to be aware that you do have a fan base out here in the electronic universe and you stories are appreciated. If you are in need of a proof reader for future work I would be glad to help. I used to do a bit of it as part of my old job.
Awaiting your next story.
Thanks for the ones that you have produced.
Glen
16 May 2016
I got this email this morning from Jeff regarding From Nothing. I asked and he gave me permission to post it.
Hi
This story hit a nerve with me as a widower having recently lost my wife of 46 years. Your description of Howard's feelings precisely matched my own! Unfortunately, living in a cold Northern country, no such cheering outcome has ensued for me! Your stories inspired me to look at the Philippines on Google and Street View, outside the cities, took me back to my childhood in East Africa in the 1950's, the make do and mend which our society has largely abandoned, also the 'us' society as opposed to our 'me' attitude!
Thank you.
12 October 2015
I got a letter from a reader but when I answered the xxxxxxxxmail account, my mail server said hushmail
was not working correctly and the mail cannot be delivered. Here is his mail [edited for privacy] and my response.
Dear Very Well Aged,
Thank you again! Your generosity in giving your wonderful advice is most appreciated!
Can you recommend any specific match making, dating or communication sites to use?
How do you find women from smaller more rural towns and locations?
I love reading your stories. They are moving, intelligent, fun, interesting, informative, erotic and just overall great entertainment -- fantastic writing!
I just read Bayan Na -- LOVED IT!!!!
I have never used bit coin before. I sent you .0025 bit coin via a purchase on ebay as a trial.
If convenient could you please let me know if you received it? No way for me to confirm it was sent other than feedback from you.
Again very best regards to you and your family.
And my answer
Hi! First, yes I saw the bitcoin deposit and thank you for your contribution.
Second, thank you for the list of corrections. I will post a revised version in all the formats in 24 hours. I really do appreciate this.
Third, no I can't recommend any specific service. There are a number, and, if that will be your way, subscribe to two or three of them. As to find girls from less populated areas, there are two things. If they list Manila, stay away. If they list Cebu City, or Angeles City, stay away. Otherwise, look at Google maps and use Wikipedia. It's really very easy. However, my best recommendation is that you get your ass over to the Philippines, find a nice place to stay, away from Manila, or Cebu, or Angeles City and then use the sites,
if you haven't found what you are looking for by just being here.
Thank you for your kind wishes. My girls are fine. All are well.
21 May 2015
A letter that stands as an answer to those who think this is all fantasy.
I have been married to a filipina for darn it, about 37 years now.
We have had our home in many countries also Philippines. We lived there about 10 years in the 1980s.
It was in Manila, and I did get tired of traffic, noise, raising prices and crime in the end and then I got a green card in the late 90s and a good job in the states so we left. I did love the people though, and I often think back on the good times we had there.
I can recognize many of the situations you describe, and while a few situations are outside my experience most things is absolutely true, even prices, streets, hotels etc.
And by the way, it is common as you said, to fire employees after 3 to 6 months of employment. You are never sure, especially if you are female.
Just wanted to say that I love your stories
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01 May 2015
I got this email from Barron (or Barren) of Ideas regarding Bayan Na.
Great story, well proofread. Not sure the acronyms (CUNT, PUSSI, FUKME) are appropriate, but authors get to chose. Just a little jarring once in a while when reading.
The Muslim thing didn't go forward as I sort of expected. Did other ferry operations ask to get the software developed by our hero's businesses? Seems that government pressure might be applied in that direction to help hold down smuggling. Clearly the retail operations were very successful. Did all their competitors fail or did some adapt to find niches where they could survive if not thrive. I would have expected some pressure from them before they finally went under, perhaps through government action. I have no idea what kind of antitrust laws work in the Philippines, if any, but there must have been some backlash about throwing their workers out of jobs. Or did the old locations and most of the staff get taken over by the two surviving retail operations?
And the final question, what happens next?
And my answer:
As to the acronyms: FUC, FUCME, PUSSI and CUNT. Sorry, but in the first instance, Wenelyn was pissed and in the others, Dian is raunchy. Plus, Philippine culture has a raunchy side. A very proper side and a very raunchy side.
1: Did other ferry operations ask to get the software developed by our hero's businesses?
Yes and No. The San Jose opperation could sell them a license for the modules but not the proprietary code and hardware developed by GLS by Sea. The weight on and off technology is not proprietary. Only the displacement at sea technology is.
2. Seems that government pressure might be applied in that direction to help hold down smuggling.
The Government is not as powerful vis a vis private concerns in the Philippines.
3. Did all their competitors fail or did some adapt to find niches where they could survive if not thrive. I would have expected some pressure from them before they finally went under, perhaps through government action.
Unstated in the novel. We can assume some fell away while others, in larger places like Cebu City and Manila may have only lost a little business. No, the Government stays out of this for the most part.
4. I have no idea what kind of antitrust laws work in the Philippines, if any, but there must have been some backlash about throwing their workers out of jobs. Or did the old locations and most of the staff get taken over by the two surviving retail operations?
The Antitrust laws are very week, but in this case, the Home Place and Bayan Na look like competitors, even to the Government, (they file their taxes separately,) so no antitrust is triggered. People lose jobs here by failing businesses all the time. It would be incremental over large swathes of territory. A little here, a little there.
5. And the final question, what happens next?
Gordon's story is complete. He may show up in other stories, but this one is done. Bayan Na is what he said he would make it. While Zelle will not own what she started with, she makes a good living and her children will inherit a large part of an empire. Jana, has discovered that she is happy in Cynthia's arms and raising, with Cynthia, the kids that her husband has given Cynthia. She is happy and no longer in any fear. Eve has Gordon in her life as her forever guy, with his kids and she not only got to be by his side as he did his magic, she is now a full fledged magician of the process.
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