Comments Posted By John McCrarey
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Brian, I didn’t know Greg all that well. Apparently, he had spent time in Korea because after I moved here, a Songtan bar owner messaged me a warning to watch my back around him. Still, I feel bad for his wasted life. And his girlfriend is in an LTR with someone else now, and they both seem very happy. The world keeps spinning after we are gone.
Yeah, my attitude doesn’t change much as I drink. If anything, I get more mellow. But we’ve both seen the other types. I could never be a successful bar owner because I have zero tolerance for loud and obnoxious drunks. I got to watch one in action last night, and now my neck is sore from shaking my head.
I also always assumed Hoagy Carmichael was black until I watched the video. My dad was born and raised in Memphis, and although he used the “n” word, he enjoyed black musical artists and had no outward hostility to African-American culture. I remember seeing him drinking with his black shipmates when he was a merchant marine.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/May/2026 @ 4:33 pm
Aloysius, Wow! You have a good memory. Well, it wasn’t much of a joust, but he did manage to turn the mother against me, and in this culture, that was pretty much it for me. When the mom found out it had all been lies, she made a point of apologizing to me. I, of course, was forgiving. Last I heard, “Mick” was managing some crappy bar hardly anyone cares to visit. I’m not saying there’s a connection, but…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/May/2026 @ 4:17 pm
Brian, yes, it would have been more accurate to have written, “chart of inexpensive cities.” On the subject of grammar, your comment on Lisbon says, “I did not mind it cheap.” Couldn’t FIND the right word? 🙂
Well, it’s been seven years, so maybe it would seem new again in Korea. It would be nice to show Swan around as well. We’ll see.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 29/May/2026 @ 10:11 am
Thompson, interesting story. Hw come the beer-drinker wasn’t expelled from the home as well? The preferred drink shouldn’t make a difference. Them rules is rules. Anyway, better not to be involved in a place like that, so he did you a favor.
Yes, I’ve been learning more and more recently about trust and friendship. It’s good to know that counting on others to have your back is a fool’s game.
As for the tampo thing, many of my fellow expats share your view that the “silent treatment” is better than the alternative. I’m the opposite. I’d rather have a shouting match, get the issue out in the open, and then work to resolve it.
Oh, and once again, I deny being an alcoholic.
Nice to hear from you again.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/May/2026 @ 7:28 am
Marc, Kevin is doing fine health-wise and is none of those things you mentioned, and neither am I. Kevin can choose to do whatever he wants, and for now, at least, he has chosen to refrain from commenting here. I miss his wit and wisdom and hope that he changes his mind one day.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/May/2026 @ 7:15 am
In all of our conversations, the subject of Dave Fischer’s religious beliefs never came up.
And no, I will not let the bastards grind me down. Thanks for your support.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/May/2026 @ 8:14 am
Brian, yeah, I need to change it up some, so it doesn’t feel like a chore or obligation.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/May/2026 @ 4:28 pm
Brian, or maybe they chose that photo because they’ve always secretly hated her. Still, have some respect for the dead, right?
Honestly, the girls having better opportunities is a good thing, even if it results in a shortage of eye candy on stage. I’ve always supported a woman’s right to use her body as she pleases, but being a prostitute should be a last resort.
I’m seeing some of that lifestyle creep. I’m saving less each month and spending more on things I could live without. Maybe I’ll start tapping the brakes more often.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/May/2026 @ 4:32 pm
Terry, I’m not in the market for P4P, but I’ve noticed the overall quality of bargirls taking a decided turn for the worse. One bar owner told me recruiting attractive gals is much more difficult because the best ones know they can do better online than in the bars. That said, there are still some hotties out there, but there’s a lot of chaff to sort before you get to the wheat.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 25/May/2026 @ 8:52 am
The end of the season is once again upon us
Thank you so much for this, Yvon. The comments you have seen are not the worst of it. Lately, I’ve had to delete several for the ugly and unfounded attacks calling me a racist and anti-Semite. Absolutely nothing could be further from the truth. I’ve challenged some to give an example of anything I’ve written to support their allegations, and of course, they have not responded.
Anyway, I appreciate your readership and support! Thanks again!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/May/2026 @ 8:08 pm
Brian, I don’t disagree. Relationship dynamics are pretty universal, despite some cultural differences. Just from my observations, I’d say that the break-up rates between foreigners and Filipinas are similar to the percentages of failed relationships in the USA.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/May/2026 @ 4:35 pm
Brian, so what I hear you saying is that women are the same all over the world. You might be right about that, but then, I guess the case could be made that so are us menfolk. The reality is that everyone should hold out for what they want and not settle for less than that. Says the guy who’s been married four times and has a lifetime of other failed relationships.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/May/2026 @ 12:42 pm
Brian, Yep, never seen the old and old relationship locally, but I have seen some Western couples living here in retirement. I can’t help but wonder if the man is thinking, damn, I could have had THAT!
Anyway, I don’t think the age-gap thing is a problem. I know some Western women hate that men come here to find a young girlfriend, calling it shallow. I’m like, yeah, right, and you wouldn’t look at someone like me unless I was rich AND handsome.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/May/2026 @ 7:25 am
Daeguowl, no bluff intended, I’d actually forgotten about that blog post. Given the state of my addled brain, that’s not surprising. So, thanks for the reminder. Here’s the AI-generated post. And here’s my follow-up explanation. I would have been more correct for me to have said it was my first time using AI to modify a photograph. Anyway, I enjoyed the trawl through the archives that you inspired. Thanks for that!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/May/2026 @ 7:20 am
Dr. Greg, you’ve made a serious allegation, now back it up. Give an example of anything I’ve said, done, or written about that supports your claim that I don’t like black people.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/May/2026 @ 4:30 pm
Brian, yeah, I think you are right. I’d forgotten about the quinceañera tradition.
Yes, I think cartoonists are done for in the AI world, and in photography, the line between real and fake is going to be harder and harder to discern. Has anyone tried asking AI to tell if a photo is legit or not? And could you believe the answer?
I’m trying to help my daughter through a rough patch now, so we are communicating more. I still don’t see myself going back to my past life anytime soon. For similar reasons, I’m done with Korea as well.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/May/2026 @ 4:28 pm
Fisted: There is a 30-year age gap between Swan and me. Also, she is the oldest woman I’ve dated since moving here. As is commonly said in the PI, “Age is just a number.” I’m told many Filipinas prefer older men because they are more stable and grounded. I’m blessed to have found Swan for sure.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/May/2026 @ 4:22 pm
Terry, yep, it was a great getaway, and I’m looking forward to a return trip one of these days. The biggest hassle is getting there. I didn’t see any direct flights out of Clark, so we made the journey to Manila. 3+ hours drive, and about 7500 pesos for the car service. The flight itself was only an hour, so that was a plus. Panglao proper is only 3K from the airport, which was convenient.
Yeah, you got a few years on me, but I wouldn’t do well making those long flights these days, even if I could afford business class. That’s the best part of being based in Asia, everything is only three or four hours away.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/May/2026 @ 10:08 am
Brian, bottom line, I could live in Panglao as it suits my lifestyle. Plenty of bars within walking distance of each other and tuk-tuks to get me home. We didn’t get to hike much, but the walks we took were pleasant. It’s all flat, but these days that’s not a bad thing for me. No Hash there, so that’s a downer. I didn’t get a chance to check out things like grocery shopping or hospital availability, but I’d guess there is enough to make do.
Anyway, I have no plans to leave my adopted home, but I believe I could live happily ever after in Bohol.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/May/2026 @ 10:03 am
Brian, it is going to take a cultural change here on Luzon, I fear. They need to come up with a “crying Indian campaign and get young people to care about keeping the environment clean. Yes, it can be done. Maybe the Barretto leaders could start with some strategically placed garbage bins.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/May/2026 @ 3:18 pm
Drain, maybe next time I’ll see a tarsier, hopefully in a more natural setting. I’m guessing they are those “little monkeys” someone told me about.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/May/2026 @ 3:16 pm
Brian, they offered us seats on the beach (the same type of chair), but I was comfortable enough.
They can’t even be bothered to answer my messages these days. It’s okay, I raised them, and now they don’t need me. I must have done something right.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 14/May/2026 @ 12:07 pm
Drain, I’ve been paying 100 pesos per trike ride in town. Oddly enough, the Grab app said our fare from the airport would be 150. Then we tried the Grab stand at the terminal and got quoted 75.
Thanks for the dolphin chasing tip. We might check that out on Saturday. Tomorrow we are doing a day tour of the interior (Chocolate Mountains, etc.). And yes, the touts are inescapable. Welcome to the Philippines!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 14/May/2026 @ 12:05 pm
Terry, even though I was born in L.A., I don’t keep up with the politics there. Well, I mean, everyone knows that Bass is a worthless bitch who let her city burn, but if Angelinos are dumb enough to elect her, they deserve it. Anyway, I didn’t know anything about Pratt until I saw clips from the debate. I’ve seen a few other things since then that make me think he could be a miracle worker in L.A. Again, whether the people living there want to change things for the better is up to them. I hear he has a chance.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 11/May/2026 @ 10:51 am
Brian, the neighbor decided he didn’t want to be my friend and blocked me. My crime was peeing my pants when I couldn’t use the restroom at a bar in Vietnam. I was having a physical issue back then, but luckily, it’s been resolved now. I valued his friendship, and he didn’t value mine. C’est la vie.
Swan said there wasn’t any trail around the Pinatubo crater, just the one up to the edge.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 11/May/2026 @ 10:36 am
Brian, appreciate your readership. And yes, the war is going well. Thanks for noticing.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/May/2026 @ 12:38 pm
Thanks for the comment, Steve. I have no idea where my frequent commenters have gone. In the case of Kevin Kim, I assume he grew weary of my consistently bad punctuation. I’ve known Kevin for years and consider him a friend. I follow his blog, and he’s doing fine.
Interacting with commenters is my favorite part of blogging. I miss those days.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/May/2026 @ 8:47 am
Well, Thompson, that’s an interesting take. I’m a daily drinker, but I don’t qualify as a drunk. I drink because I like it, but rarely to excess. I’ve seen the types you are talking about here in Barretto. Sipping a cold beer at nine in the morning is a dead giveaway. To each his own, though. I have a three-or four-window in the evening when I imbibe, and I rarely deviate from that. I’m home by 8 pm almost every day. That’s how I roll these days.
Are you still living in Arizona?
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/May/2026 @ 4:02 pm
Brian, yeah, I’m sorry about that crap AI rendering. I agree with you 100%. I almost nixed using it, but it was too late to look for a replacement. I’ll try and do better going forward.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/May/2026 @ 3:42 pm
«« Back To Stats PageBrian, I find that hard to believe. I’ll go check it out. Thanks!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 04/May/2026 @ 2:02 pm