Comments Posted By John McCrarey
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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
Thanks, 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
Well said, Bob. To be honest, living in a retirement community anywhere in the USA sounds like a nightmare to me. Life here is far from perfect, but I’m living it large and mostly enjoying the things I do. With my ability to travel now restored, I expect I’ll be gaining new perspectives and appreciation for the things I have.
Yes, when I had the part-time life in South Carolina (six months there, six months in Korea), the kids were a big part of it. The distance is as much physical as it is emotional; I need to get back on track for an annual visit at least.
Heh, I just had to Google Laura Loomer, never heard of her. But yeah, I am glad to be far away from the snakepit of American politics.
I sometimes think of those “what if” moments in life, too. And you are right; we have to travel the road we are on–those other paths not taken are just a distraction.
My road does indeed pass right through the bar district, and there are many hungry and thirsty bargirls waiting for my arrival. Every life has a purpose, it seems!
Thanks again for the insightful comment, Bob
» Posted By John McCrarey On 19/September/2022 @ 7:41 am
Kev, yeah, I have almost no contact with either of my brothers and only hear from my kids on holidays and birthdays. I visited once after my move to the PI, and of course, I have been trapped here for most of the time since. I will likely plan a visit next year. I honestly got depressed during my last visit because I was constantly reminded of the life I shared with Jee Yeun there.
Anyway, there is no bad blood that I know of, they are just living their lives, and I’m too far away to be a part of that. And yes, I’m as much or more to blame for not making more of an effort to maintain those relationships. During the years after retiring that I was living in the USA part-time, we had lots of shared experiences–eating out, babysitting, etc. So, I do believe it is mostly a matter of distance. During all these years that I’ve been living overseas (17+), no one from my family has come to visit.
I know my DIL doesn’t approve of my lifestyle here, and she has let me know she doesn’t approve of what I post here on the blog, worrying that the grandkids will find it and read about their perverted grandfather. Oh well, I am what I am, and make no apologies for it.
Anyway, being remembered or missed or whatever isn’t likely to matter in the big scheme of things; it was just something I thought about at Don’s memorial–would anyone come to mine? I reckon I won’t care one way or the other. I think you are right, though–paying the rent or giving grocery money doesn’t really make a difference long term. My current “good deed” project of helping Bhel get the heart surgery her son needs could literally save a life. I hope I can be a part of making that happen.
As always, thanks for the honest and thoughtful comment. Bottom line, at a minimum, I need to do better with my blood relationships. And if I want to be a bigger part of the lives I encounter here, I need to open up and take steps to make that happen.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 19/September/2022 @ 7:25 am
Ted, interacting with my commenters is one of the pleasures of blogging, so nudge away!
Other than Alta Vista, the only other subdivisions I’m familiar with are Santa Monica and Sierra Hills. Santa Monica is old, flat, and tends to flood. There are some nice houses there, but a lot of them are in late-stage deterioration. I don’t recommend it. Sierra Hills is next door to Santa Monica but newer and has more elevation. In addition to nice houses, they have some multi-story duplexes that look really nice. Both of those subdivisions are on the Subic side of the river, which makes them somewhat less convenient to access the Baretto bars.
I’ve never actually been through the gate at Buenaventura, but my impression is that it is more of an apartment complex than a subdivision. It’s right on the main highway in Barretto, so it doesn’t get much better than that for barhopping. It’s pretty popular with expats, and vacancies are rare from what I’ve heard. I found this vlog that features Buenaventura you may enjoy. I don’t think there are any good views from this complex, though.
Jay from Hot Zone lives upstairs from his bar, and I believe Jerry from Alaska lives behind his. Dave has a duplex on Baloy, but I think his “mansion” is in Makati (Manila). I don’t know the Thumbstar guy.
Anyway, hope that helps.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 19/September/2022 @ 6:57 am
Thanks, James. My dad made it to 83, so if your scenario plays out, I’ve still got a long road ahead of me. The main thing for me is being healthy enough to keep doing the things I enjoy right up to the end. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 19/September/2022 @ 6:32 am
Teddy, yep, you pay 700 pesos to enter, and between 6 and 8, all you can drink for no charge. Yeah, that Red Horse is powerful stuff not to be trifled with.
Seven bars currently participate in the SOB. Of those, only four are really competitive. doing shows and wearing costumes. The other bars just have three girls on stage doing their normal bar dance routine. It’s something to do on Friday night that involves drinking, so why not?
You are correct; I intentionally avoid politics for the most part. There is not much point in preaching to the choir, and nothing I can say is going to change the minds of folks with whom I disagree. I’m disgusted by what is happening back home in the USA and glad I don’t have to be there to see it up close and personal. The other day some guy at the next table in IDM was arguing about how Trump should go to jail for having classified documents. His ignorance was astounding, and I almost got up and moved to another table, so I didn’t have to hear it. The other folks he was with did a good job with the counterarguments, so I didn’t have to get involved.
I knew Don well enough to have spent some time enjoying beers and chatting with him, but other than that, not so much. Gave my condolences to his widow, who was there with their kids last night. She seems to be keeping a positive attitude, so that’s good, at least.
Yeah, I’m thinking November might be my travel month. I’ll give thanks for my freedom of movement.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/September/2022 @ 12:23 pm
Kev, I guess I don’t count. Or can’t count. Yeah, with me, that makes six. Duh!
Yes, the SOB does tend to feel like “same old, same old” after a while. Back in the old days, I’d only attend once a month or so. I’ve been coming out weekly since they restarted the event to show my support for the bar owners. And since I’m not playing darts on Friday these days, there’s not really a better option.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/September/2022 @ 6:00 am
Thanks, Dan. I wasn’t even trying!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/September/2022 @ 5:53 am
James, well, you’ve pretty much covered the Joy saga in your comment, but I will give a little more in today’s post. Enquiring readers want to know! 🙂
» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/September/2022 @ 6:20 am
Well, damn. I spelled Bongbong wrong, too, and somehow didn’t catch the “defyers” error. I’ll try to do better!
I don’t interact much with the locals I run into during these hikes beyond a friendly greeting. Scott’s been here for going on twenty years, and his comfort level in doing so is much better than mine. I have had some chats with mountain mama Olivia, and we are on a first-name basis. I’ve met her kids and grandkids but don’t really know the story of how she ended up living an apparently hard life isolated on a mountaintop.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/September/2022 @ 7:06 am
Brian, yeah, but be late one day renewing your visa and see how “rubber time” applies. It is true. though, that this culture is much more laid back than the Western standard of being on time. If I’m meeting someone, I always specify, “no Filipina time, don’t be late!”
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/September/2022 @ 7:12 am
Well, like the mantra Loraine taught me all those years ago: “Take a deep breath. Relax. Accept the Filipino way.”
» Posted By John McCrarey On 15/September/2022 @ 6:02 am
«« Back To Stats PageBrian and Kevin, I, too, ran cross country in high school and was referred to as a Harrier. In this context, it’s not about a bird but derives from an old English schoolyard game called “Hares and Hounds.” In the Hash version, the Hashers are the hounds, hence the term “kennel.”
You may find this brief history of the Hash interesting. I did.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 14/September/2022 @ 5:48 am