Comments Posted By John McCrarey
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Yeah, and at some point, you just get so damn old it’s hard to overcome “why bother?”
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/September/2022 @ 9:29 am
Yeah, I’m the same way–bitch about the heat and look forward to the cooler rainy season. When it arrives, I bitch about the rain. I guess that makes me a racist. 🙂
And as long as we are parceling out blame, those photos of Stallone and Diesel caused me to say “fuck it” and switch back to beer last night. Maybe it is time to just let it all hang out and enjoy life.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/September/2022 @ 7:31 am
Yes, there are some cuties at Snackbar, and they will sit and drink and provide entertaining company. They are not available for takeout, however. Lots of other places nearby where you can find that, though.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/September/2022 @ 7:26 am
QP, I’ve actually stayed at the Pub a couple of times. It’s a basic, no-frills room, but it is clean and comfortable. Not expensive either; the rooms used to be around 1500 pesos a night. It’s a good deal at that price.
Another option is the Outback which is almost directly across the street from the Pub. It’s practically new, on the beach, and has a really nice pool and pool bar. I’ve heard good reports from people who have stayed there and that the rates are fair.
I’ll do a post on hotel options in Barretto soon.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/September/2022 @ 7:22 am
I’ve never worked with Photoshop, and I see I have to pay to get it, but if that’s the best option, I’ll explore doing so. Thanks for the tip.
My initial thoughts on the bar crawl themes were pretty basic: girly bars with dancers, bars with takeout, regular drinking hangouts, etc. The Dante idea variations are good food for thought, and I’ll see about doing something along those lines as well. I mentioned that the Hot Zone motto is “Between purgatory and hell,” so that would be a good fit on the way down (or up).
The rankings are just my opinion, and as we know, opinions are like assholes, so I don’t expect an owner at the bottom of the list would take it personally. For every asshole like me, there’s another asshole who would love his place, I’m sure.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/September/2022 @ 7:41 am
Bars of Barretto: Updated Rankings
Yes, that’s what makes it interesting. Visiting a live band bar before the band plays is a whole other world than during the show.
Glad you like the rankings anyway. And I do intend to revisit the bars and update the rankings periodically. Stay tuned!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/September/2022 @ 12:14 pm
Thanks again for the tips and recipes. I’ll keep practicing!
I’m hearing typhoon talk, but these recent rains are consistent with the regular storms we get on an almost daily basis this time of year. When a typhoon gets added to the mix, the flooding starts. Could be on the horizon. Good luck with your storm; it would suck to see a repeat of what you recently dealt with.
I think Buddy could handle the hike, but I have no desire to bring him along. When Max brings his dog it is a constant battle with strays on the street going on the attack. It’s much better for him up in the hills, but we’ve been pavement-bound lately. You are right though, Lucky is a lazy boy but he is also more aggressive than Buddy. He’d probably enjoying fighting with those strays.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 04/September/2022 @ 6:37 am
Yeah, I’m using the large tortillas, just overloading the hell out of them. Going to go with the “less equals more” method you suggest and do two smaller ones in the future. I’ll learn to wrap better, too; thanks for the tips and link and for that.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 04/September/2022 @ 6:46 am
HaHa! Yes, I did misunderstand the browning method, but it still turned out better than warming in the microwave. Actually, the way I tend to overfill the tortilla would make it difficult to use your method without spilling some of the contents. Yeah, I could just make two smaller burritos, but where’s the challenge in that? Thanks for the link; I’ll give it a look-see and try and learn something.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/September/2022 @ 6:59 am
Andy, I’ve been to Chill just that one time to do my bar review. Not my kind of place. And I have a rule that I won’t buy a “double” lady drink (usually a bottled beer) for 300 pesos. Sometimes I’ll buy two 180 peso singles, so it is more about the principle than the money.
I’m a little unclear what exactly happened that triggered the meltdown. All you can do in that situation is to never go back and warn others to stay away. It sucks to have your night out ruined that way.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 12/April/2024 @ 8:04 am
My readers’ wish is my command! I’m working on the bar crawl idea. Actually might be kind of fun, especially giving it the test ride.
I really don’t write with any particular audience in mind (ha! I guess it shows), but when I’m approached by strangers who know me through my blog, they’ve usually found it through a Google search for something Barretto-related.
As for Filipino bars, other than the KTV/videoke joints, I’m really not aware of any in Barretto. There is one across the river in Subic I’ve been curious about, but I’d probably want someone to go with me. Being the only white guy in a bar full of drunk Filipinos could be a problem if I said or did anything perceived as disrespectful.
Thanks for reading and commenting. Having a loyal few suits me just fine. If I were a “superstar,” I’d have to be careful about what I do and say. There’s freedom in anonymity!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 04/September/2022 @ 6:57 am
QP, HaHa! Yes, takeout is a good option for tourists. Living here affords me the opportunity to satisfy my hunger in other ways.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/September/2022 @ 8:56 am
Thanks, James. You’ve inspired me to work up a couple of different “themed” bar crawls that should meet your needs on any given night. The newest and nicest hotel in town, the Central Park Reef, is pretty much smack-dab in the middle of the action. It’s also the most expensive hotel here, but there are other lower-cost options nearby. I’m going to figure out how to make a map of the bar strip in Barretto (about 2K end to end) and go from there.
Hopefully, this lung issue will clear up soon. I hate that shortness of breath feeling. Thanks for the good wishes.
I’m afraid Joy might be hoping for more than I’m willing or able to give. She’s a sweet gal and makes good company on the occasions I’m in the mood, but she’s a very young mother, and that’s not relationship material for me.
There’s someone for me somewhere. Or maybe not. Either way, life goes on, and I intend to enjoy the ride as long as I can.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/September/2022 @ 7:19 am
Kev, All the bars are right on the National Highway through Barretto, which runs about 2K total. It won’t be hard to map out a bar crawl; I just need to learn how to make a map. I’ll get to work on that.
There are over thirty bars here now, so I couldn’t do them all in one crawl, but I’m thinking about doing “themed” bar crawls might be fun. Stay tuned!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/September/2022 @ 7:06 am
I was just expecting fried potatoes. The chips were okay, and I’m glad I got to experience John’s guacamole.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 02/September/2022 @ 5:06 am
Well, I’m sure a few parishioners will find their way. The bar opens earlier than most at 11:00 a.m., maybe for that Catholic market.
Yeah, I thought I’d taken a picture of the menu, but for some reason, it didn’t come out. Next time for sure.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 01/September/2022 @ 5:22 pm
Dan, as a matter of fact, I was underneath. That is why it was so surprising. She was doing almost all the work.
I don’t know the legal status of psilocybin specifically, but generally, ALL street drugs are illegal here. I may possession of marijuana is a jailable, non-bailable, offense. No one has ever tried to sell me any drugs on the street except viagra. I’ve never heard of or seen (not that I’d know what it looks like) psilocybin growing wild here.
Just say no! 🙂
» Posted By John McCrarey On 01/September/2022 @ 3:04 pm
Kev, yeah, I’m going to bring the recent COPD exacerbation to my docs attention. Maybe there is something else I can try. Pre-diagnosis, I’d have these attacks with some frequency. I think you were with me once when I had to sit down and catch my breath while walking home from dinner. That attack the other day during sex (it wasn’t a handjob, BTW) was the first in a LONG time, which made it even scarier. It used to be that I’d use a nebulizer three or four times a month; now, I’m nebulizing that much daily. Something is going on, and it ain’t good.
Yeah, this older-younger thing is common here, and no one pays much attention. Folks from elsewhere always seem to assume the worst intentions. Sure, there are some who are scammers, but I also see many very loving relationships, like Eastwood’s. Back home, the gals go for young and handsome. Here it is for the security that comes from being with someone “rich.” Which is more shallow?
» Posted By John McCrarey On 01/September/2022 @ 7:03 am
Teddy, the sign above says Da’Kudos, but it is hard to see in that pic. Both resorts have the same owner, and the dive center is combined, hence the confusing printing on the wall.
One of those lovely bikini gals is a Hash member (see the photo where she’s on the ice); her Hash name is Slot Licker. The other three were just visiting with her from Angeles, where they all live.
I sponsor three or four gals every week for the Hash. It’s one of my “charity” acts–they couldn’t afford the 300P entry fee to participate otherwise. A small thing for me, a big thing for them. In return, they fetch my beers. Win-Win. My part-time house helper liked to Hash before she got pregnant. She’s due to deliver later this month.
That water crossing is over the Matain river, not the bay. Takes just a couple of minutes.
That youngish guy is taking a break from drinking and lives on the other side of Subic; I guess he decided the hiking part is not worth the journey. It is rare to see 40-somethings in Barretto, but there is a handful.
I’ve never been to BGC, but I hear it is very nice. I don’t mind Makati, but as you say, once you leave your enclave, you are surrounded by the ugliness that is Manila. No, thank you! Baguio is a very nice mountaintop city. I’ve visited a couple of times, and it appears to be very livable. The downside is a long twisty road to get there, no beaches, and being isolated from the world (no nearby airport). The only place I’ve visited in northern Luzon is La Union–I’ve Hashed with the local group there a couple of times. Very nice area and I could live there, but I like Barretto better. I despise Angeles City; I find it dirty, ugly, and, since I’m not a whore monger, boring. Back in my tourist days, I’d get depressed after a few days, with nothing to do during daylight hours. AC is back to its old self, though, the bars are open, and the tourists are coming back. There are other places I’ve not visited yet, like Dumaguete and Bohol, but they are on my list.
Yeah, I’ve been intentionally avoiding spoilers for Manifest. Let me know how you like it.
I’ll be getting my second Sinovac vaxx shot next week; then, I’ll start planning for my first international travel in three years. Stay tuned!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 01/September/2022 @ 6:52 am
We had 45 paid attendees on Monday when that photo was taken. Depending on the weather/location/Hare, we generally have 30 to 50 every week.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 31/August/2022 @ 7:54 am
I’m not sure why, but the woman who gifted me calls me “boss.” I sponsor her at the Hash (pay the 300 peso participation fee) each week, and in return, she fetches my beers from the ice chest. I guess that somehow makes me the boss. Anyway, she’s a nice gal and fun to have around, so it’s all good.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 31/August/2022 @ 7:52 am
I only had one slice of toast in deference to those nasty carbs.
Yeah, I knew the meaning of that classic phrase in French. Didn’t know the backstory and the animal variations, though. Kind of like gaesakiya (sp?) in Korean. I said it in jest, and I think (hope) Karen knew I was teasing.
I was surprised the trail came out looking so phallic, walked that way many times but never paid attention to the appearance on a map.
Finished season 3 on Manifest, and now I have to wait until November to find out what happens next. I suppose there is still time for the government to be redeemed and religion blamed. We’ll see.
I’m thinking I’ll buy some of those New Zealand steaks and try them at home. They are smaller and cheaper than their American cousins. John says they are grass-fed and not so tough. As for fish tacos, they don’t even sound appealing to me. They looked okay, but I’ll stick to beef or chicken.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/August/2022 @ 7:21 am
Yes, there are. And they aren’t jaded or mercenary (yet), still sweet like the girl next door.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 31/August/2022 @ 9:24 am
Damn, 68 sounds so old!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/August/2022 @ 5:09 pm
Yes, I do.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/August/2022 @ 7:05 am
Thanks, BW. Just doing my best to enjoy life.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/August/2022 @ 3:17 pm
Thanks, Rascal. It’s fine to make concessions that make life a little easier.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/August/2022 @ 3:16 pm
I consider Marissa to be a friend, and I hope she finds her path to happiness. I don’t blame her for wanting out of a hellhole like Manila–one of the worst cities I’ve seen.
Yes, it was sweet of the Snackbar crew to want to celebrate with me. I’ll post some pics from the gathering on the blog today.
I wound up having to postpone my steak dinner until today, but I’m looking forward to it. I’ll tell John he has a big fan in Korea!
I want to live as long as I am relatively healthy and able to do the things I enjoy. Some of my hike buddies are in their 70s, so there’s hope. My dad made it to 83 and was a smoker and a drinker until the end. Maybe I’ve got good genes (and a strong liver!) from him.
I reckon I’ll chase skirts as long as I have the money in my pocket to be attractive.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/August/2022 @ 8:04 am
thanks, Brian.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/August/2022 @ 7:34 am
«« Back To Stats PageThanks, Kev. Rather be a geezer than dead, so there’s that! And yes, the pain stopped around noon yesterday, and I had a painless night. I hope it lasts.
I just can’t even imagine actually using a fleshlight. The real thing here is cheaper than the toy…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/August/2022 @ 6:20 am