Comments Posted By John McCrarey
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Dave, thanks for your support, but it’s really no big deal. I’m over it. My disgust was not so much about the biker guy; rather, it was seeing a “good” girl gone bad. And that’s my fault for being blind to reality.
No idea what your last line means, but back at ya! 🙂
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/October/2022 @ 6:29 am
HaHa, yeah, I guess I was born to be wild.
It’s true; my cookies don’t look like cookies. My oven won’t hold two cookie sheets, and one isn’t enough for the dough batch (I’m also too lazy to bake two separate batches). So, I basically wind up with one massive cookie that I’ll cut down to size after baking. The cookies also come up soft and crumbly, but that’s the way I like it.
Yeah, like the grumpy old man Clint Eastwood portrayed in Gran Torino. Get off my lawn! Foreigners aren’t allowed to own guns here, though, so I’ll have to make do with a scowl and loud voice.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 04/October/2022 @ 5:03 am
I guess it could be argued that being married “upteen times” proves I DON’T know what I’m doing. But it’s all cool. Can you dig it?
» Posted By John McCrarey On 04/October/2022 @ 9:50 am
James, your description of Julie’s character is spot-on. I’ve actually never met any Filipina quite like her. She’s traveled all over Asia by herself, a lot of it touring as a backpacker. I don’t have the balls to do that. And she made it very clear to me that she would never subordinate her life goals to gain the simple comfort of a relationship. Next up on her bucket list is to live and work in Europe.
It is scary how well you know me, James. When Julie told me her efforts at finding employment were being stymied by not having a laptop (she does online international recruitment), I volunteered to help her out in that regard. I didn’t require it to be a loan (or ask for any favors in return); I just declared it an early birthday present. That made her happy, which made me happy. Win-win!
She’s a special one for sure. Loves hiking, loves travel, is smart and articulate, and is cute as a button. She seems perfect for me, but alas, I’m not perfect for her. And so it goes.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/October/2022 @ 6:54 am
Kev, Yes, I understand what you are saying. But love can fill a void, two strong people becoming stronger together. I guess that is why true love is so rare and hard to find. Far too many people merely getting their needs fulfilled–be it money or sex or whatever–call it “love.” But on the bright side, leeches do suck. *ahem*
I have water again, so hopefully, that problem is resolved once and for all. The guy that came out was not impressed with the workmanship of the landlord’s plumber and had to redo some of his work.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/October/2022 @ 6:40 am
Steve, I’m just trying to enjoy the ride and avoid the stupid mistakes I’ve made in the past.
Just to be clear, I’m not looking to bag a buck; I prefer does… 🙂
» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/October/2022 @ 6:27 am
SOBriety is easier said than done
You do get used to the heat after a while, and there’s a big difference between an 8k versus a 24K hike…my hats off to you!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 02/October/2022 @ 3:07 pm
Teddy, you have to remember this is the Philippines. The signage literally calls it the “GOVIC Highway.” And that nightmare that runs through Barretto is actually named the “National Highway.”
They do use concrete for a lot of the roads here, although they are generally laid by hand, and the quality is not up to Western standards.
As to the walking, your body adapts and gets used to it over time. I rarely have pain after a hike, but I start feeling tired after 8K or so. My buddy Kevin in Korea routinely does 30K+ hikes which are totally out of my league.
Every little bit helps, so do what is comfortable for you and just enjoy being out and about in nature. That’s my philosophy, anyway.
Roads with overpasses, off-ramps, etc. do exist here and are called “expressways” and are very much like what we call freeways. There is an expressway to Angeles and onward to Manila, for example.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/September/2022 @ 9:43 am
Thank you for those kind words, James. I actually thought people might find the post even more boring than normal. I’m glad you at least found the flow and structure satisfying. I didn’t really think about it; it just came out that way. Well, I did have fun crafting the post title: playing off roller coaster and up and downs in the first sentence, plus the innuendo later surrounding the massage. All in fun.
On a serious note, writing here is one of my daily routines, and I’m glad to have readers like you who enjoy reading about my life here. In a weird way, it is also somewhat therapeutic for me. Putting thoughts into words invariably makes me think about and seek meaning or insights from the events I encounter. Interacting with my commenters is also often very enlightening.
Thanks again!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 29/September/2022 @ 8:04 am
Yeah, I remembered the ARC from Korea; that’s why I actually took my card to make sure it really is ACR here. They could have just as easily made it Alien Registration Certificate and avoided all this confusion, but no, The Philippines had to do it their way…
Yep, mama says it’s Eithan, and I didn’t argue about it.
Jo? Who’s Jo? 🙂
» Posted By John McCrarey On 29/September/2022 @ 7:53 am
Well, now, Kevin, when have you not spoken boldly?
» Posted By John McCrarey On 29/September/2022 @ 7:47 am
Hmm, I hadn’t even noticed the guy legs. I guess that’s an example of turning a blind eye!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/September/2022 @ 7:43 am
Welcome, Stella! Your description of Marga made me laugh out loud. I had convinced myself that that finger gesture was an attempt to make one of those heart symbols.
When it comes to Facebook, I’m not really selective about which friend requests I accept. Usually, just a couple of mutual friends or a cute profile picture is all it takes. Most of these strangers I never meet, and the ones I have met in person, usually disappoint. I only agreed to meet with Marga because she works at a bar I enjoy visiting. In fact, I was there last night and was relieved that she wasn’t.
Thanks again for the comment.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/September/2022 @ 8:06 am
Kev, yeah, I think I’ll be very happy in that house; I hope everything works out.
Thanks for the heads up on the periods; I had to rush out for the Hash and didn’t have time for a proper proofreading. That was a Grammarly screwup–it said I had inconsistent spacing between sentences. I’m old-fashioned and still do the two spaces I learned back when I took typing in high school. When I clicked on the “two spaces” option, for some reason, it just deleted the periods in that paragraph. Weird.
Yeah, I seem to be a Joy magnet. Sitting here just now, I count five that I remember at least. Not sure what’s up with that.
All I know about Marga was in this post, and I have no desire to learn anything more. Yeah, there was definitely a scary vibe under all that makeup. Nope, I’m definitely not going there!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/September/2022 @ 5:58 am
Brian, the blue house is just about the same walking distance to town as my current place. It will actually be easier to access by trike too. Where I’m at now has a steeper hill to climb.
Thanks for the Springsteen link. Assuming everything works out, I’m sure I’ll enjoy my new”mansion” with million-dollar views.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/September/2022 @ 5:43 am
Jimmy, honestly, I got that “girl with something extra” vibe when I first saw Marga. I’m reasonably certain she’s all woman though, because Dave is too smart to have a bakla working in his bar. And yeah, the heavy makeup was off-putting as well. Anyway, as soon as she sat down, I knew there was no there there.
Now get some sleep!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/September/2022 @ 5:35 am
Thanks for the comment, Lenny.
My goal is to walk 15,000 steps every day, so that’s around 12K or 7 miles or so. Highway walking is my least favorite option, but I only venture up in the hills when I’m with the group hikes on Mon/Wed/Fri. I usually do backroads and flat ground when I’m alone, but since I needed to hit the ATM anyway, I ventured out on the highway.
I really didn’t get any funny looks from Filipinos yesterday, just the usual friendly greetings.You are right, though; it just takes one bad driver to ruin your day (or life) on the highway. You gotta stay alert because they cut corners by driving on the shoulder where I walk. That’s why I seldom take this way.
Well, I still have a beer gut, but I used to be 35 kilos heavier before I started walking. Now it is just one of my daily routines. When I’m out alone, I do use the headphones and enjoy listening to my favorite tunes. I’ve got several playlists on Spotify, like “Walk and Roll” and “Walkalholic,” to keep me entertained.
The mall wasn’t busy, but it was still pretty early on a Sunday morning. I noticed Jollibee was packed. I’m sure the usual mall crowd came out in the afternoon. Nope, there are no restrictions on entering, other than the facemask requirement. I had to laugh, though, that once inside, almost everyone had the mask on their chin. Times are finally changing!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/September/2022 @ 7:03 am
Hey, James. Nope, not going to be a love story I write with Juliet. Nice gal, but she’s got her man and doesn’t need (or want) me around. Unless I’m buying drinks.
I prefer to operate on a cash basis, and there really are limited options to do otherwise. I’ve heard of guys who run tabs and pay monthly, but that’s not my style–I prefer to pay as I go. Wet Spot takes credit cards, but I never carry it when I go out at night. I usually just carry 5000 cash, and that’s more than enough for dinner, drinks, and lady drinks. I withdraw 80,000 every week, and that’s normally all I need, but this week, I had some unexpected expenses.
I’d say my top three bars are It Doesn’t Matter, Cheap Charlies, and Wet Spot. But like you say, with over thirty options I don’t visit any bar on a daily basis.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/September/2022 @ 6:42 am
Kev, they seem to be a well-made shoe. I’ve had several pairs previously and walked them until the tread wore off, but that wasn’t doing your kind of marathon trek. I’d say they are a good option next time you are in the market for a new pair of walkers.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/September/2022 @ 6:24 am
Kev, I was considerably closer to people and had lots more “friend” relationships in Korea. I think that had a lot to do with commonalities (a lot of us worked on base) and mutual interests like darts. Itaewon is bigger than Barretto, but the expat community was very close-knit. Back then, I spent almost all my time in one bar (Dolce Vita) and the rest next door at Shenanigans. Here I have some hiking buddies, and that’s about it. I have zero Filipino “hang-out buddies” and just a handful of acquaintances.
I don’t think I’m as far on the introvert spectrum as you, but I’m not all that bothered by the lack of close friendships. It was disappointing to discover that some of the people I thought cared don’t give a damn about me at all. It’s good to know, and my thinking is basically it’s their loss. Still, I can’t help but wonder what motivates that kind of behavior and whether I unintentionally said or did something to trigger it. Anyway, I’m not losing any sleep over it.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 25/September/2022 @ 7:03 am
Fill your heart with a little Joy
James, I’m no mole expert, but I’ve had a couple. I guess they are just skin aberrations. There’s something inside, not liquid, so I suppose it’s more mutated skin.
These “relationships” with the bargirls are fun, I suppose. I just need to keep reminding myself not to take them seriously or believe they will lead to anything meaningful. It’s all shallow but better than nothing.
As to the exes, well, I loved all my wives in my own selfish way. Sometimes I caused the pain and sometimes received it. But when the end came and time had passed, acceptance and understanding made it easier to maintain civil interactions. For me, at least, the caring stays even when the love is gone.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/September/2022 @ 7:58 am
Yep, most everyone knows how the game is played. Trying to change the rules is what gets you hurt.
We’ve had several nice mornings in a row, but still getting hit with afternoon showers. Rainy season usually ends around the end of September, so we are getting there.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/September/2022 @ 6:54 am
Martin was back in the USA for a couple of months. He just returned and will be joining us on Friday’s hike.
Sorry about the ‘roids’ photo. I can be such a pain in the ass! You paid me back, though, imagining the photoshop of Joy dining on that asshole. Don’t do it!
Nope, no Hashers with hemmoroid related names that I know of. Yet. Thanks for the suggestions!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/September/2022 @ 6:48 am
Jimmy, yep, the mole thing seems to be a common appendage here in the Philippines. I don’t know if it is genetic and more prevalent here than in other countries where perhaps women are more inclined to have them removed. I’ve got some moles but not on my face, and I’ve had them for decades. No new ones have grown since moving here, so I don’t think it is related to the sunshine.
They have an average lineup at Voodoo, and no, the older gal is far from the best. I wanted to get a picture of the dancers, but they have a “no photography” sign posted, and I was told “not allowed” by my waitress.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/September/2022 @ 6:43 am
Brian, yeah, and especially now when birth control should be easily attainable. It seems to be a cultural thing–young women want kids even if they can’t afford them. And damn, they start young. I’ve seen girls with babies that at least appear to be underage–I tell myself, “that must be her sister,” but who knows for sure.
I know a woman here with a teenage daughter in high school. I was considering sponsoring her higher education and had some preliminary talks with the mom about doing so. One day she comes to me all excited and says, “I’m going to be a grandmother!”. Yep, she was thrilled about her 17-year-old being pregnant. And so the cycle of poverty continues.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/September/2022 @ 9:08 am
Yeah, I was shocked to hear she had six children. Her body (at least the parts I’ve seen) doesn’t show much wear and tear. But if someone asked why poverty is so pervasive in this country, pointing to the abundance of unwed mothers would be high on the list of reasons.
Those cupcakes went like hotcakes with the girls.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/September/2022 @ 8:29 am
Raindrops keep falling on my head
Teddy, well, the Hash marches on rain or shine. I don’t always go out on my own when it is raining, though. The thing is, the rain mostly comes in fits and starts. Sunny when I leave the house, and then a few kilometers down the road, the skies open up.
Hmm, I’ve never noticed that tall girl’s face before; something always distracts me. 🙂
Yes, there are always more people at the On-Home Hash circle than there are on the trail. We call them “socialites,” and they pay the full 300 peso participation fee. That covers beer (or soft drinks if you prefer). The cake ingredients are bought by the individuals making the cake on the head of the birthday celebrant.
We don’t get medals, but we do have patches and headbands that are awarded for certain milestones (50 runs, 100 runs, etec.)
» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/September/2022 @ 6:03 am
Kev, that’s hilarious that you saw the resemblance to Captain Picard. His Hash name is Captain Prickhard. Charles is an English chap who retired to Malaysia. He sailed his boat here and got stuck when the scamdemic lockdowns occurred. He loves it now and splits his time between here and Malaysia. I’ve mentioned him in the past because he’s the guy who was hiking alone on the My Bitch trail and broke his leg. He made it out on his own somehow, but it put me off doing solo mountain hikes. Charles is a tough fucker, especially for a guy in his 70s.
It’s weird, but I’ve seen that video before but can’t recall the circumstances of finding it. But yes, I think his assessment is spot on. It’s the people here who make this country so amazing. They are the poorest I’ve ever lived amongst and also the happiest. Very friendly, always welcoming, and giving warm greetings during our hikes. I, too, have been invited to join in with groups singing and drinking in the yard as I pass by. I covered some of the same territory as the video in response to a question on Quora.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/September/2022 @ 5:54 am
I use the spay-on oil…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 20/September/2022 @ 5:46 am
«« Back To Stats PageThanks, Teddy. Yeah, I’m living a blessed life. I’ve got neighbors who live even larger than I do, but I’m satisfied with what I have.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 20/September/2022 @ 5:48 am