Into the New Year with Old Toys.

I stopped buying toys, meaning gadgets.  I'm happy with a mac laptop and a notebook which are very useful when I blog.

I stopped buying new cellphones, too.  I even stopped watching movies in the regular cinemas; I am often glued to HBO for Hollywood films, anyways.

I figured I can survive; without those new, ever changing- model gadgets, and being mugged.

I am still amazed to see people in malls, in coffee shops, working or playing with their tablets.  I told the mate who also wondered, that these people probably use the mall as an extension of their homes and offices. After all, all the malls in Manila are one big air conditioned pavillion.

Then I saw a news clip where a guy nonchalantly swiped the laptop/tablet of a coffee shop patron right in front of the victim who was busy talking on his cellphone.  The victim jumped over the fence of the sidewalk cafe but didn't catch the hoodlum.  Which reminded me of an incident wherein we were crossing the street going to Megamall when a speeding motorbike with a duo on it passed us by, then a woman was after them, screaming, because her bag had been snatched.

This morning, we went jogging/walking in a section of the village which is still practically under development, with few houses and wide, vehicle-free streets. We drove and parked the car and joined other joggers and bicyclists in their routine.

After the walk on the way to the wet market, I noticed that my wallet was missing, so I turned around to check at home. Then I saw the neighbour who lives in a nearby street and whom I casually greet whenever I see him, in front of his gate.

I rolled down the window and said hi.  Immediately he asked, "what's your surname, again?"

I gave him my last name and he said, "I found your wallet near your gate as I rode my bike this morning." I remembered I tucked it under the waistband of my jogging pants, and closed the gate.

The man let me into his house and returned my wallet. I thanked him profusely while his parting words were "praise the Lord."

Of course, I thanked the Lord.

One of the basics in life is still free: honest, decent people around.