From the Midwest redneck author of "The Rooster Crows at 4am!," "Lizard Poop!," and "The Philippines Expat Advisor"
Missouri Invasion Slams Iloilo City! The Philippines Project Hits Town!
One of the perks of "working" on this website, "PhilippinesPlus.com" is meeting in person some of the folks that actually read the crap I write and admit it. I recently had the pleasure of getting together with Randall Meek from "The Phillippines Project" and his lovely asawa, Flora. Randall, who hails from Cape Giradeau, Missouri, is on a five-week vacation tour of the Philippines. A former manager for FedEx, he now operates a maintenance contracting business with eight employees and has plans to expand the operation. 
I like what Randall has to say about life on his website: "I subscribe to the premise that if you don’t have your own agenda, someone will make one for you. (Are you living your own life? Or someone Else’s?) As Andy Dufrain said to Red in the Shawshank Redemption, 'I figure you better get busy living, or get busy dying.'"
I had hooked up with American expat friend, Jeff, who was doing some shopping with his asawa, Rose, and their daughter, and told him about the upcoming meeting with Randall. After a stop at SM's Prestige Lounge, which I had never been in before, and was able to enter courtesy of my well-connected Hoosier friend, Jeff (more on that visit later.)
Jeff went searching for wife and child and I headed over to the spot I was to meet Randall, in front of the always crowded Mang Inasal eatery inside SM City. Wasn't long before I spotted him and his wife Flora. It's easy to spy a fellow white guy in a sea of Filipinos.
Asked Randall if he would mind going to Langford Place, just a short walk from the mall, where Jeff might also be meeting us. Randall was agreeable to that. My own asawa was somewhere in the mall shopping so I sent her a text message that we were headed to our favorite watering hole. 
I soon received a text from Jeff that he was on the way, so it wasn't long before we were all sitting at Langford's enjoying a few bottles of chilled Pilsen. In the lead photo that's me on the left next to the self-proclaimed "Crazy Cano" Jeff. Randall is seated next to Jeff, and on the right is Randall's Filipina spouse of ten years, Flora.
I don't know how many bottles of Pilsen Randall had consumed by this point, but he remarked I looked younger in person (I told Randall that he looks a lot younger than his age, 50. I wasn't throwing BS at him. He does. ) He had been searching for a picture of me online to use on his website and could only find the following mugshot:
The above photo was the image I had been using for this website since it's inception in October 2010, but I've recently updated it to the mugshot you see by the "PhilippinesPlus.com" logo and alongside any comments I make. Felt it was time for a change. If you want to have an image of your choosing next to any remarks you make on this site or others, just go to Gravatar. They'll fix you up for free.
My asawa and niece and nephew eventually joined us as did Jeff's crew. They're pictured in the next photo along with Flora. As you can see, Jeff and Rose's little one, Kailey, was already taking her afternoon siesta.
After many buckets of San Miguel Pale Pilsen and hours of stimulating conversation (mainly from Randall), we parted ways with plans to meet again on Wednesday at Langford's. Randall and Flora were headed over to Bacolod City for a week or so, and were winding up their visit in Pavia, Iloilo, where Flora has relatives.
Unfortunately I've been fighting off a flu bug that hit me on Tuesday, and I wasn't able to make the previously planned meeting nor was Jeff. Fortunately I had Randall's cell phone number and was able to advise him that I would not be there.
Had a great time visiting with Randall and Flora, and of course, it's always a pleasure hanging out with my expat friend, Jeff, "The Crazy Cano." I'm living the life! Recently had a great visit from Allen over at "See My Philippines" and now this get together with my new Missouri friend and his asawa. If you're going to be in the Iloilo City area, just contact me, be glad to meet you.
"Missouri Invasion Slams Iloilo City! The Philippines Project Hits Town!" I'm open to more "invasions" like this!
Its all good bro, had fun also in our unexpected Langford trip. Kailey was exhausted from school and shopping as you see but Rose gave me a kitchen pass (Redneck talk) to stop by to our watering hole so again was a blast, Randall and Flora are a very nice couple whom we hope to see again! See you tomorrow bro, same time same place!
Thanks for the comment, Jeff. I finally got Kailey’s name correct, thanks to your help, my fellow redneck brother. I’m ready for a visit to Langford Place tomorrow. The Boss wants to stay home, but I’ve got clearance for the visit. Looking forward to it.
Oh, yep, Randall and Flora are a nice couple indeed. Hope we can visit with them next time they’re in Iloilo.
Cape Giradeau, Missouri? You mean that is a real place? I was born in Kansas City, Missouri and have been from one end of the state to the other. Wow, I learned something today.
Sorry but I just couldn’t help myself.
Love the smiley’s, Gary. Been through K.C. many times. Too much traffic for this Central Illinois boy. And yep, Cape Giradeau actually exists.
Dave,
There is one person born in Cape Giradeau that you may have heard of, Rush Limbaugh. Looking forward to meeting everyone when i come and especially drink several cold ones. Have a nice day my friend.
The Cape is where Rush Limbaugh is from.
Sorry PD, I posted before reading yours. Oh well, have on one me
Oh, you’re right, PapaDuck. I had forgotten that Rush fact. We’re looking forward to your arrival, also. I’m hope the time passes by very quickly for you.
Thanks, Randy. My feeble brain remembered reading that years ago, but I forgot. I forget a lot of stuff, but always remember when it’s meeting time with the guys over at Langford Place, though I only had two bottles of San Miguel Pale Pilsen yesterday afternoon there. Still recovering from my flu bug, I guess.
Rush??? What is a Rush??? Wait, isn’t he the guy that worked for the KC Royals? Wasn’t very good at that job if I remember right.
But I’m sure he’s making a ton of more money than he made when working for the Royals, Gary.
He might be making a ton of money but he spends a ton on his drug habit. Then there is his lawyer fees that must be a ton also. Dumber than a bag of hammers!
Gary, tell us how you really feel.
LOSER! There…how was that???
Hmmmmm, OK, Gary, I think you’ve expressed your opinion pretty clear.
Randy,
No problem lol. Take care.
This visit was one of the highlights of my trip this time to the Philippines. If you’ve never met Dave in person, he is just like what you see on his site. Same dry sense of humor that I like and voted most fun to have a beer with in his high school yearbook I suspect. Yes, I did meet him at the SM and Dave was much taller than I thought. What are you Dave? about 6′ 4″?
Anyway, it was very cool to meet Dave and Jeff. They made us feel right at home as soon as we got there. BTW, I usually don’t sport that bright red color I have in the picture. I had been to the pool for about four hours the previous day. Lovely sunburn in the Philippines.
Who would have thought three mid western dudes would ever meet up at Lanfords? A bar in the middle of a town most people have never heard of, in a country most think is too dangerous to go to. Never limit yourself just to what you know, you never know where you might end up. It’s always more fun in the Philippines..
One more thing. Jeff was a lot of fun to be with that day also. I think he outclassed Dave and I with his movie star good looks and his obvious connections. I’m glad he stopped by to make this trip one of the best I’ve had.
Thanks for the kind words, Randall. My asawa and both enjoyed meeting your spouse and yourself. I’m only 6′, Randall, Jeff is 6’4″ and does have movie star looks. I was NOT a popular guy in high school. Quiet, reserved, a couple of friends. The complete opposite of what I’m like now (except for the friends part.) Look forward to your next visit, Randall. It’s more fun in the Philippines!