Comments Posted By John McCrarey
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Well, safety from crime is not a worry, at least in my subdivision. There are some areas that are purported to house druggies I’d probably avoid late at night, but that’s not an issue for Mr. 9 o’clock to bed me. I didn’t want to walk the dark streets because there are puddles in the street, holes in the sidewalks, and other trip hazards you can’t avoid if you can’t see. Not to mention dog poop.
Yeah, I need to do better at moderation. My brain is addled enough when I’m sober. Freaked me out to have that memory loss. I’ll take it as a warning and act accordingly.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/July/2022 @ 12:55 pm
Thanks for the explanation of the meaning of the taegeuk. Interesting! So, I guess finding it was just a reminder from the cosmos that everything is going to be fine. 🙂
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/July/2022 @ 7:05 am
Yeah, I figured it was making kilometer announcements on a mile basis. I didn’t see any way to change that in the app settings. No big deal, though; it’s good to walk a mile in my shoes!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/July/2022 @ 9:03 am
Well, I can’t verify that it’s an actual Hesse quote. Internet memes take a lot of liberties with the truth. I even saw where Abraham Lincoln warned people not to believe what they read on the ‘net. And he wouldn’t lie.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/July/2022 @ 5:18 am
Hmm, I never heard of anyone disparaging surf-n-turf as hackneyed, but to each his own. I’ve always considered proper “turf” to be steak like you served, but I guess chickens walk on the same ground as cows, so it’s technically correct. I thought the presentation was nice, especially for what is a low-cost resto-bar. Not shown was a tasty salad and a delicious vegetable soup. It was a nice meal for under $10.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/July/2022 @ 6:31 am
Only had four beers at the Hash, half my normal intake. Of course, I didn’t stay until the end. When they ran out of Zero I decided to flee to a safer environment and switch to gin.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/July/2022 @ 7:31 am
Yeah, doing one shot in a tall glass, then taking the whole 12 oz can of soda water to mix it (take a couple of sips, pour in more water) seems to be the right combo for a weak drink.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 04/July/2022 @ 11:57 am
James, nice to hear from you again.
Beer is my preferred drink. It comes in a 12-ounce bottle and is a nice sipping beverage. The gin is in a glass of ice water and not as fun to imbibe. But the biggest difference is a beer will last me longer. On day one, I was sucking down those gin drinks too fast. The gin is also stronger than beer, so it gets you drunk quicker. My goal is to hit that sweet spot of feeling buzzed without becoming obviously impaired. I did better on day two. Either way, I’m still going to enjoy my nights on the town.
My doctor told me I needed to drink more water as well. It reminded me of something someone said to me once: Why is a San Miguel Zero beer like making love in a canoe? Because they are both fucking close to water! Anyway, I drink my gin with soda water…that’s just carbonated water, so I’m getting an enhanced daily dose of h2o. We’ll see how it works out.
Yeah, I hope it doesn’t take me nine months to get rid of the belly like it does the women folk.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/July/2022 @ 4:18 pm
Kev, as for the diet tip, all I can say is “you first!”
Yeah, the frog’s ready-to-jump position is what I first noticed. Then I walked past, and it didn’t move, so I took a closer look. No idea what happened to the eye. You’re right; it gave it a zombie-like quality.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/July/2022 @ 4:05 pm
In a weird twist, I discovered that Mike has insurance–BCBS! So, that was his situation–pay upfront, then get reimbursed. And I’d be in the same boat as Mike were I to be unconscious; I couldn’t pay with my credit card or do a wire transfer from my US bank. I may have to look into a supplemental local policy as a bridge.
In good news, Mike was NOT transferred to “the place where expats go to die” (Gordon public hospital). He was moved to Clark Medical City in Angeles, one of the best hospitals on Luzon. I understand that BCBS is accepted there.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/July/2022 @ 7:29 am
Yeah, apparently Mike doesn’t have insurance coverage and the donations are still far short of his accumulated bill. Not sure how that will play out for him.
I have Blue Cross insurance, but most hospitals here won’t accept that. I have to pay out of pocket and get reimbursed from BC. My plan is to use a credit card with $15,000 credit line for any medical emergencies. The flaw in that thinking occurs to me that if I’m unconscious like Mike, who is authorized to use my credit card on my behalf. I
might have to come up with some local insurance as a bridge.» Posted By John McCrarey On 04/July/2022 @ 12:03 pm
No, I have not visited. We have a nodding acquaintance but have never really even spoken one-on-one. I’d feel weird visiting, knowing he’d probably wonder who the fuck is this guy? He does have regular visitors, though, including Jay, the owner of Hot Zone (also a former Marine), who posts daily updates.
Mike is continuing to progress slowly, but the money situation is getting critical. Donations have not been enough to pay for his treatment at Baypointe (a private hospital), so the plan is to move him to the public hospital in Olongapo. I have a bad feeling about that–we call Gordon hospital “the place where expats go to die.” Let’s hope he’s an exception.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/July/2022 @ 6:26 am
Thanks for the tips, Kevin. Yeah, I understand that ab exercise won’t eliminate the beer belly. My thinking is developing some stronger muscles will help me look firm and fit when (and if) the weight starts coming off. I will read up on that HIIT training, but I’m not sure if my lungs could handle a high-intensity workout. I’m huffing and puffing walking uphill these days.
Hopefully, I can achieve my goals through a better diet and beer reduction. I didn’t mean to mislead about the intermittent fasting–I’m not doing anything formal yet, just occasionally skipping a meal. I’m really hoping a calorie/carb reduction will get me to where I want to be. If I need to ratchet that up with some form of fasting, I’ll try. Self-discipline is going to be the biggest factor in this effort. No beers yesterday, so that’s a start of sorts.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 02/July/2022 @ 8:11 am
Dave,
What? You are still reading my drivel? Get a life!Hope you know my comment was tongue-in-cheek. I’ve got nothing but respect for you and your achievements, but mostly for what you do to make life for all us expats better. You da man!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 01/July/2022 @ 7:10 am
Kev, yeah, you’re not the first to notice that there is less of Martin around these days. He’s working hard and made the choice to forego beer a few weeks ago. He’ll be my inspiration.
I’m confident those blood sugar numbers will come down with some disciplined diet and exercise. I’ll do a follow-up in a few weeks to see how I’m doing.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 01/July/2022 @ 7:07 am
Brian, no floating bars this year. It is rainy season now, so they would be docked until October or so anyway. Hopefully, we’ll see them back in the “ber” months. I really miss hanging out on the water with a cold beer.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/June/2022 @ 7:34 am
Well, I didn’t ask since I had shortcut and inadvertently avoided the shit stream. Hares pretty much do what they want, and we either follow or not. My philosophy as a Hare is not to put folks in harm’s way. Keep it challenging but fun.
The sweet and sour came with rice, but I gave it to a Filipina. I’m just not a rice guy.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 29/June/2022 @ 5:34 am
Kevin, in my defense, I was quoting this line from the song lyrics: “So hello Mary Lou, goodbye heart” for the title and beginning of the post. That doesn’t make it right, but that’s my excuse. I pulled the lyrics from one of those sites that publish the song lyrics, but that doesn’t mean they get it right either. Sometimes they even get the words wrong, so punctuation is probably not a priority. I changed the spelling of Mary Lou to match the name of the gal I was talking about, so I could have fixed the comma problem but didn’t.
Anyway, I’ve been trying to do better with punctuation, and I appreciate your pointing out the errors of my ways.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/June/2022 @ 6:56 am
Welcome back, James. I wouldn’t say I’ve got any real hopes for Marilou. She seems nice, and I’ve got plenty of time on my hands if she wants to hang out some when she’s not working. We’ll see what happens when it happens.
I enjoy Cheap Charlies, but it is just one of many options. Some of the girls there took advantage of my generosity, but I just ignore them now. I’ve got a couple of others vying for my lady drinks now, so it’s all good.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/June/2022 @ 6:42 am
Thanks for these insights, Brian. Lots of food for thought and lots of options to think about. I occasionally glance at one of the free dating sites (Date in Asia) but had more luck with a premium service like Filipina Cupid. Of course, that was before I actually moved here. Maybe I do need to go that route again.
But what I need to do first is really decide just what I truly want. I talk a good game, but as Kevin noted, am I really willing to put in the work to change my lifestyle, or do I just want to bitch and moan about it?
There is actually a woman here that has made it obvious she’s interested. Pleasant personality, goes to Hash (I pay her fee), plays pool and darts, enjoys having a night out and some cold beers. Sounds perfect, right? But this is me we are talking about. I don’t find her physically attractive; she’s just not my type. But she could and would do all the things I say I want.
Yeah, I’m the problem here. I need to fix myself first.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/June/2022 @ 7:18 am
Kev, I don’t feel that your comments are negative. I actually really appreciate the honest feedback. That’s so rare these days.
Thanks, though for reminding me that I’m more than a bad example. I don’t talk about it a lot, but I do make an effort to help folks out when I can. The challenge is that I can’t help them all, so picking the most worthy can be stressful.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/June/2022 @ 12:20 pm
Thanks for the comment, Robert. It seems you know me pretty well! 🙂
I’ve actually known the other John you mentioned since before I moved here. I used to follow his YouTube videos in preparation for my move. I don’t see much of him these days, mostly when I run into him while walking. I used to see him in the bars a lot (especially BarCelona) but not anymore. He got married to Mango just a few weeks ago. Maybe that’s all he needs these days.
I wouldn’t call it an “obsession” to have a girlfriend who likes to hike. I get lonely and crave companionship, so the idea of having someone who wants to spend time with me sharing an adventure on trail is appealing. What’s that old saying, a joy shared is a joy doubled?
I have some strongly held political beliefs, but I don’t enjoy engaging in politics much these days. This blog was a lot more political before it became a sad diary. I’m not intolerant of opposing viewpoints either, but there is no point in arguing since minds aren’t likely to be changed. Actually, now that I think about it, part of the problem might be that I really don’t have ANYTHING to talk about–I’m almost completely disengaged from American culture, sports, movies, etc. I enjoy walking and hanging out in bars, but not much you can say about that.
Being an “okay friend” is a worthy goal. As to who the bargirls would name as my best friend, that’s a great question. I’m almost always alone at the bars. They would probably say, “he doesn’t have any friends.” Hey, me and you should get together for one of those nights out you suggest, you up for that?
As to making a move, I don’t see myself doing that anytime soon. I do enjoy my Philippines life overall, and any of the negatives would likely follow me to wherever I might be. Cambodia has always been my Plan B, but something big would have to trigger that move–like when the Philippines becomes a province of China. I do plan to take a trip (probably to Cambodia) later this year to reset the clock on my tourist visa.
Thanks again for the comment, and let me know when you want to get together for a beer or three.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/June/2022 @ 12:16 pm
Being a bit more self-aware is a good first step for me. Now, I need to put forth some effort if I sincerely want to change.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/June/2022 @ 8:52 am
Kev, yeah, that money-for-love thing is about as superficial as it gets. But I’ve thought about it in terms of how relationships often work back home. If you are young, fit, and handsome, the gals want you. Here, if you are old, fat, and “rich,” the girls want you. Is that really so different? I do get the distinction you are making between real love and this shallow pretend kind that is so prevalent here. Honestly, at this stage of my life, I’d be happy to just find some honest companionship–someone who would enjoy a hike now and then, snuggle up on the couch for some Netflix, and join me for some beers. That should be a low bar, and the fact that I haven’t managed to achieve it says more about me than the women-folk, I suppose.
And yes, I was lamenting the lack of substance in my relationships across the board–not just with bargirls. Even before I saw your comment, I thought about friendships being a two-way street and me acting like a cul-de-sac. Looking back over a lifetime, I’ve only had a handful of people I’ve allowed to get close enough for real and meaningful friendships. That might be attributable in part to introvert tendencies. Still, I acknowledge it is also from a lack of effort to do the work of really getting to know someone and sharing thoughts and feelings that are the foundation of being a true friend.
I’ve got some work to do, and maybe the first step is to stop blaming others for my failures. If I don’t feel close to anyone, I should take a long hard look at the man in the mirror. Or just accept things as they are. One of those.
As always, thank you for the thought-provoking comment. Lots to consider.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/June/2022 @ 7:23 am
I’m not a big fan of the dancing bars, but the dance competitions are a little different–the gals are certainly more enthusiastic in their dance routines, and the costumes are better.
A machete, or bolo as they’re called here, can be useful in places but not in a field of thatch grass. Unless the machete is equipped with GPS…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/June/2022 @ 7:42 am
Yes, she definitely qualifies as a cutie. The other one has a smokin’ hot body too. And Bhel is looking good for being in her mid-40s.
I thought back to when I was growing up and all those anti-littering commercials with the crying Indian. I think a similar campaign over a generation could maybe make littering less socially acceptable. Even more effective than the commercials was the whack I’d get upside the head from my father if he saw me throwing trash on the ground.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 25/June/2022 @ 4:34 pm
Maybe a group of foreigners picking up trash would shame the locals into refraining from their littering obsession. I doubt it, though. I don’t think I’d want to wade into that river water…I’m pretty sure there is more than garbage to contend with.
Yeah, the caption was kind of intentionally ambiguous. Seeing the decrepit housing made me feel blessed for what I have, but I also realized people live under much worse conditions, so the residents could also rightfully feel blessed.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 25/June/2022 @ 6:51 am
Brian, yeah, they can be. And that particular one seems to be a dumping ground for the neighborhood. I honestly don’t understand the mentality of trashing your own backyard.
Kevin, even though I’m drinking low-calorie beer (60 per bottle), I’m drinking a lot of them. My only other real indulgence is a bowl of ice cream after a night out. So, I’m going to cut way back on the beer intake and see what happens. The biggest challenge will be pacing myself when I switch to a more powerful mixed drink. Oh, and I wasn’t really offended by the stranger’s comment (rude though it was); it was more of a motivator to get the belly under control.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/June/2022 @ 7:46 am
Brian, it’s interesting you guys experience peace at Holy sites. All I feel is a fear of being struck by lightning! 🙂 My Korean wife was Buddhist, and we’d occasionally visit some Temples. Most of them were on mountaintops and were quite beautiful. I enjoyed that aspect for sure.
Nope, no floating bars this year. With rainy season on the way, they would be going into storage now anyway. Hopefully, a couple of them will be back next year. I do miss that ambiance of having a cold one on the water.
Mike is one of the good guys, and the community is pulling for him. He seems to be making slow progress. Recognized a visitor by squeezing his hand and has regained some movement ability on his right side. Honestly, I was afraid he would be brain dead, so this is encouraging.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/June/2022 @ 7:34 am
«« Back To Stats PageKev, yeah, I remember you blogging about Buddhism and sometimes making comparisons with Christian philosophy. I seem to recall that you actually stayed a weekend with the Monks at a Temple somewhere south of Seoul, right?
If you can do a head kick, all I can say is I hope I never piss you off! And if I convince you to visit some bars, I’ll introduce you as my bodyguard, which will explain why you aren’t drinking.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/June/2022 @ 7:24 am