Comments Posted By Brian
Displaying 781 To 810 Of 1,084 Comments
Good pics as always. Seems like it was a good day – nothing too out of the ordinary, but a good one nonetheless.
» Posted By Brian On 30/March/2022 @ 12:20 am
Nice write up from 15 years ago. Do you still keep in touch with her?
» Posted By Brian On 28/March/2022 @ 11:40 am
Maybe your dogs are the best companions you will find there in the PI. If so, actually not a bad outcome.
» Posted By Brian On 24/March/2022 @ 2:15 am
I think your recent travails are giving truth to the old adage. You wanted companionship/girlfriend?
Well, be careful what you wish for!!!! LOL
» Posted By Brian On 21/March/2022 @ 10:33 am
Kevin, I was thinking along those same lines. She doesn’t appear the worse for wear even though she lives on the streets.
» Posted By Brian On 19/March/2022 @ 12:20 am
I thought Mr. Bean was pretty much non-verbal.
At least that is the quote I read from Abe Lincoln.
And as we all know, if it is on the internet, it must be true. LOL
(Regardless, the sentiment is true)
» Posted By Brian On 17/March/2022 @ 1:33 am
School supplies for the native kids: Do they have schools up there in the “mountains” or do they head into town? I assume no school bus to take them, so a long hike?
» Posted By Brian On 13/March/2022 @ 1:11 am
So many beaches, so little time
I realize that we are getting the “readers digest” version of your life, love, and relationships, but it seems to me that you tend to fall in “love” too easily.
From my 10,000 foot view, it seems like you have trouble distinguishing between “friend” and something else. A girl gives you a smile, chats with you for a while, and suddenly, she is “the one”. Until she isn’t, and the next girl smiles at you………
I will admit it is a bit trickier to navigate if a person of the opposite sex is a friend or something else. Easy to misread signals put out by them.
(I may be totally off base here, and apologize in advance if I am offending you.)
» Posted By Brian On 11/March/2022 @ 1:42 am
I have re-watched some of the early episodes of the TV show and they seem (if memory serves) a bit more cutting edge than the later episodes. In later episodes, they seemed to be a bit too full of themselves.
Realized that I have never seen the movie. I will have to check it out. The Hot Lips character in the movie just passed away, so maybe that triggered your memory in some way?
» Posted By Brian On 08/March/2022 @ 11:22 am
The more things change, the more they stay the same. LOL
Honestly, I think you should look into a (paid) FWB type of relationship. As I mentioned in another post, I have seen these work. Both sides are getting what they want. From the guys side, companionship and a girl friend experience. From the girls side, stable relationship, comfort level, and a bit of pocket cash.
» Posted By Brian On 06/March/2022 @ 2:12 am
New place looks nice, except for having stools as the seats at a table. At a sit down restaurant, I like to have a back to my chair. Sitting at a bar is a different story.
To each his own I guess. LOL
» Posted By Brian On 04/March/2022 @ 4:06 am
‘Twas just another Saturday night
That first path you take to the main road in your neighborhood looks a potential minefield when a person is sober. After a few adult beverages……..
Roughly, how far from your door to the bar district?
» Posted By Brian On 28/February/2022 @ 1:41 am
Cool walk.
John, I assume that domestic travel is not an issue for you? Seems like it may be worthwhile to take a week (or so) trip somewhere to reset a bit.
I think at least getting out of Barretto for a bit would do be good for the body, brain, and soul. With this new fangled thing they call the “internet”, I am sure you can research a place that would tick the boxes as a getaway.
I know you have a streak going with your Hash, but when something like that becomes more of a business rather than a pleasure, not sure it is worth it. (Not saying that you dont enjoy doing the Hash, but when it comes to “OH, I have to be there Monday, whether I really feel like it or not”, then it starts crossing the line from being fun to being a chore IMO. Maybe you dont have that feeling, so in which case, disregard what I said. LOL)
» Posted By Brian On 27/February/2022 @ 1:26 am
A nice “feel good” story about Sheryl. Sounds like things worked out for her. Kudos to her (and you for getting things started!)
» Posted By Brian On 19/February/2022 @ 9:57 am
Sorry to hear that John. Life will go on, sun will come up, and all those other cliches. Easy to say, but doesn’t really make it any easier on the soul at the moment.
“Value yourself enough to choose to be with someone who wants you as much as you want them”
» Posted By Brian On 17/February/2022 @ 2:46 pm
Happy Valentines day to you John. Hope all continues to go (at least partially) well.
» Posted By Brian On 15/February/2022 @ 1:32 am
As always, good pics.
Here’s hoping that your friend recovers soon with minimal long term effects.
» Posted By Brian On 11/February/2022 @ 6:25 am
The wheel in the sky keeps on turning
Good picture of the food! I think a “Restaurants of Barretto” should be next if you do another review series. Focusing only on the food/atmosphere, and not as a place drink.
With your sweetheart in hand, you could probably visit restaurants that you may be ordinarily would not by yourself.
» Posted By Brian On 09/February/2022 @ 3:53 am
“I told her as long as we are together I will be happy to share my life. When the time comes for her to leave, I will love her and let her go.”
Wise words John. Good on ya’!!
» Posted By Brian On 01/February/2022 @ 12:33 pm
yup, a weekend well spent.
Re: the new restaurant
Is the new one close to the other one location wise? I am sure that the PH is no different from any other country in that finding good managers to operate a facility when the owner is not there is key. Hopefully that is not going to be an issue.» Posted By Brian On 31/January/2022 @ 1:25 am
What James said. We faithful readers will be happy to pick up an occasional tidbit once in a while. If you are otherwise occupied, hey – that’s a good thing.
» Posted By Brian On 30/January/2022 @ 3:25 am
John, glad things are moving in the right direction!
» Posted By Brian On 27/January/2022 @ 4:52 am
John, great pics as always. Really a beautiful place you settled down.
Re: the “relationship thing”. Just to reiterate what myself (and others) have said before.
You mention you do not have any expectations, but you probably should. You should understand what she is looking for in this relationship. I still get the impression that you are looking for a fairy tale romance. Boy meets girl. They fall madly in love WITH each other and live happily ever after. Hate to be cynical, but odds are, the falling in love part is going to be one sided. I dont think that is what she mainly wants out of the relationship.
She may like you, maybe even like you a lot, but what also drives the relationship is the stability, comfort, and benefits (which may take the form of dinners, boat rides around the bay, travel, gifts, etc) you (as an older “rich” 1st world citizen) can provide. Take away that part, and then you become just another nice foreigner guy she sees around town. If you understand that, and are okay with that, the relationship has a chance going forward.
I dont think she, or others like her, are mercenary in the traditional sense. Just a different perspective on relationships, their view of the world, and maybe even past experiences with foreigners, many of whom arrive in town, proclaim their love for someone, and two weeks later, poof, gone forever.
Good luck!!
» Posted By Brian On 25/January/2022 @ 5:42 am
Sometimes it doesn’t go as planned
Seems like the hike fit the saying – “Its the journey, not the destination”
Sounds like a good day, all in all.
» Posted By Brian On 23/January/2022 @ 12:22 am
Just to give another peso of advice.
You have to reset your expectations of what “love” is given that you are looking for someone:
A. 30+ years younger than you and
B. from a third world countryAny late 20’s/early 30’s young lady who would date you (and I mean “you” in the generic sense referring to any expat > 50 years of age in a 3rd world Asian country) is not dating you for love. Especially one who is (relatively) uneducated and not very worldly. That is the hard truth. They are looking for something that you can give them that they cannot get from someone their own age and from their own culture. I believe that “something” is comfort and security.
Will they like you? Most certainly, but if you want reciprocal love in the Western sense, probably not.
Does that mean if (generic) you want to continue to look for the same type of lady (late 20’s/early 30’s, not very worldly, etc.), it will probably be some sort of transactional relationship? Probably.
I will love you and give you gifts and take you on trips with me and maybe give you money when your family needs a new water buffalo, and in return you will pretend to love me. CHECK
I will love you and you will love me back just because of who I am, with no expectations I will give you anything. XXXXXXXX (not going to happen)
To get the “girl friend experience (GFE)”, I suggest to go to one of the Phillipino dating sites. I would bet that there are many pretty college educated young ladies willing to give you a GFE, and do a very good job of it. I travel (or at least used to travel) quite a bit to Thailand for work. Met a few guys who are in that type of relationship. Stipend/gifts for the GF, and a pretty, sexy young lady for the guy. The girl plays her part quite well, gives the guy the affection and companionship he wants, and in return, she gets that comfort and stability she otherwise would not have. Some have been in this type of relationship for years and seems to work for them.
The reality is that finding “true love” with the demographic you keep chasing IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. PERIOD. FULL STOP.
i dont think you are a bad judge of character, it is just that you continue to look for a relationship in the traditional Western sense and expect the women you are interested in to have the same viewpoint.
If you were back in the States, would you be expecting to be date 20’s/early 30’s type of woman? If you were a billionaire or super famous, maybe. And even in the US, it is doubtful the woman is there for true love. Look at President Trump and Melania. If he was some ordinary guy on the street, would she would have given him a second glance? Ummmmm, probably not. LOL
So, IMO you have a couple of choices
understand that any future relationship with a much younger lady will be transactional (could be short term, though it could be long term as I mention above)Look for women with a minimum age of 45
I am sure you have heard the layman’s definition of insanity – repeating the same action over and over expecting a different result. LOL
Please take the above advice in the friendly manner I wrote it. Not trying to bash you or anything, but going down the same path again and again is not healthy for you mentally.
» Posted By Brian On 21/January/2022 @ 2:57 pm
Another song that sprung to mind was “I Am a Rock” by Simon and Garfunkel.
“A winter’s day
In a deep and dark December
I am alone
Gazing from my window
To the streets below
On a freshly fallen, silent shroud of snowI am a rock
I am an islandI’ve built walls
A fortress, steep and mighty
That none may penetrate
I have no need of friendship
Friendship causes pain
Its laughter and its loving I disdainI am a rock
I am an islandDon’t talk of love
Well, I’ve heard the words before
It’s sleeping in my memory
I won’t disturb the slumber
Of feelings that have died
If I never loved, I never would have criedI am a rock
I am an islandI have my books
And my poetry to protect me
I am shielded in my armor
Hiding in my room
Safe within my womb
I touch no one and no one touches meI am a rock
I am an islandAnd a rock feels no pain
And an island never cries”Keep moving forward.
» Posted By Brian On 19/January/2022 @ 11:09 pm
Was there a message that went out about wearing orange, and you just missed it?
Or was it some weird coincidence that half of your crew wore orange shirts? LOL
» Posted By Brian On 19/January/2022 @ 2:05 am
Nice pics of your mom! Friendly bro hug John.
» Posted By Brian On 19/January/2022 @ 2:01 am
Sounds like 2022 may be three steps forward and one step back. You seem to be moving in the right direction! Keep it up.
» Posted By Brian On 17/January/2022 @ 6:02 am
«« Back To Stats PageInteresting article in the BBC about vaccine hesitancy. The studies that were the basis for the article were conducted pre-COVID, but I think the analysis is valid today.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210720-the-complexities-of-vaccine-hesitancy
They identified five psychological factors which influence a persons health behavior (the 5 C’s)
Confidence: the person’s trust in the vaccines efficacy and safety, the health services offering them, and the policy makers deciding on their rolloutComplacency: whether or not the person considers the disease itself to be a serious risk to their health
Calculation: the individual’s engagement in extensive information searching to weigh up the costs and benefits
Constraints (or convenience): how easy it is for the person in question to access the vaccine
Collective responsibility: the willingness to protect others from infection, through one’s own vaccination
Anyway, an interesting study and worth a read (IMO).
» Posted By Brian On 11/January/2022 @ 12:13 pm