Comments Posted By John McCrarey
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I don’t want to make the mistake of pretending I know the difference!
I guess I’d say it’s generally not a mistake to live life on your terms, even if the results are sometimes disastrous. And, as you say, you learn to grow and change or keep trying, again and again, hoping to get it right this time. Either way, the hours get filled, and life goes on.
As Stephen Stills sang long ago: It’s no matter, no distance, it’s the ride.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/May/2022 @ 4:51 am
Thanks, James. It is what it is and that’s the way it is. Rest assured, I will continue to live my life my way.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/May/2022 @ 8:12 am
James, I should be road hard and put up wet for those kinds of mistakes!
Yeah, I am a creature of comfort these days. They didn’t even have internet access–talk about roughing it! I’ve suggested that the next campout be held adjacent to a place with rooms for rent. Then I’d gladly join in with the singing ’round the campfire before retiring to a bed.
I’d say the majority of time, the Filipinas get my jokes or at least pretend to. My puns might be a little too over the top for them to grasp though. Doesn’t stop me from trying!
My daughter-in-law has made it clear she never wants my granddaughter to read the blog. Can’t say that I blame her for that. I guess I come off as a dirty old man to the folks back home.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 29/May/2022 @ 5:29 am
Kev, so much for phonics, eh? It’s weird, but more and more frequently, my brain thinks words like “rode,” and my fingers inexplicably type “road.” Then when I do proofreading, I read the word as it sounds rather than in context. Let’s go, Brandon!
Yes, all the tent dwellers spent the night. Twelve people altogether, and they all seem to have had a good time. They are already planning their next adventure.
Those were indeed batter-fried potatoes, and they were quite tasty. Much better than french fries.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 29/May/2022 @ 5:16 am
James, haha! Yes, this Joy is probably the easiest to take. She pesters me about coming to her bar to buy lady drinks, but she is always sweet when I am there. I let her come visit once a month or so. Husband? She told me it was her “brother”.
Well, I wear shoes because I walk almost everywhere and it is more comfortable than sandals. Yes, some shirts make me look fatter than others, especially those damn Hash shirts. Oh well, I guess a big belly makes me appear to be rich. Nothing more attractive than that in these parts!
It’s weird that you mention people calling out my name. Just happened again the other day when I was hiking. I didn’t recognize her at all, let alone remember her name. And then there are the trike drivers…”where you go, John?” What the hell, I’ve never told a trike driver my name. I just say “Alta Vista, please”. I don’t get it.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/May/2022 @ 12:54 pm
Cool. Is it lighter or easier to pack than those round one-man popups?
I used to be big into camping as a young man. These days, the discomfort outweighs the getting back to nature benefits. When this camping trip was being planned I briefly considered it then thought about the mosquitos, the lack of shower, flushing toilets, etc. Nope. I’ll enjoy the hike and the cookout this afternoon but was happy to wake up in my bedroom this morning.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/May/2022 @ 6:48 am
Thanks. Daniel is a big guy and I’m guessing he’s there with his wife and dog as well. I was surprised, I thought you had a tent you carried in your backpack…the one at the link looks too big for that.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/May/2022 @ 5:30 am
Yeah, that’s why I poured those onions on AFTER the photo…didn’t want to ruin it for you.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 25/May/2022 @ 6:05 am
Kev, all my slow cookers have had that shape, including the brand name “Crockpot”. When I needed to replace the Crockpot I brought with me it would have cost like $150. to get one shipped here. It took a while, but I found the slow cooker I have now at a department store. The brand is Kyowa which I’ve never heard of. It works fine but doesn’t have a timer option, just heat settings.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/May/2022 @ 6:23 am
James, yes, the game is all about separating the customer from his pesos. The fun part is making them work to make you feel “special”. The girls don’t forget the guys willing to participate–the more you spend the more they “love” you…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/May/2022 @ 6:18 am
Yep, the pain doesn’t go away, just gets transferred to the ones you leave behind.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/May/2022 @ 8:00 am
Yeah, there is still a lot of controversy and suspicion. Autopsy results haven’t been issued, but I’ve seen graphic photos of the corpse and to my eye, it is one large slash across the throat. Like you, I don’t see someone being able to pull this off unless he was unconscious. Knowing a little about him, I can picture him in a drunken rage (he’d been attacked by his wife earlier that night) saying “fuck it”, impulsively grabbing the knife, and violently slashing his throat without much forethought or planning. What a waste of life.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/May/2022 @ 6:51 am
Hard to say. There is a good number of Protestant churches around though, most notably Iglesia ni Cristo.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/May/2022 @ 6:43 am
Brian, I would have, but I’m just now hearing (or remembering) this song for the first time. Thanks for sharing!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/May/2022 @ 9:56 am
Interesting. Hadn’t thought about the Catholic/Protestant divergence when it comes to the symbolism of crosses. Good stuff.
What got me was I wasn’t being political at all, and my dig at Koreans was done tongue in cheek. Now, if a Korean had taken offense, I’d have been more conciliatory. But from two American Karens? Fuck off!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/May/2022 @ 6:48 am
It’s a dish I never crave and rarely eat. That said, this one did hit all the notes you mentioned.
Re: the highway: The shoulder is wider in some places and almost non-existent in others. Worse yet, when there is a shoulder, the f’n scooters tend to use it like another lane. And on the curves, people tend to cut the corner encroaching on whatever walking space there is. Not a pleasant walk which is why I only occasionally take the chance. And yes, I miss the bike and walking paths in Korea. Your pictures always make me realize how fucked up things can be here. Of course, there are other compensations… 🙂
» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/May/2022 @ 6:53 am
I don’t even want to imagine one of those bastards. Honestly, I’m surprised I don’t see more spiders and snakes when I’m hiking. I like to pretend they are not there. Don’t burst my bubble!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 20/May/2022 @ 5:32 pm
Fuck. What’s wrong with me? I was sober when I wrote that. I think you can see Fiji from Fuji.
I’ve not seen any spiders amongst the trees and if I saw a big-ass tarantula I’d probably shit my pants!
I broke a thumb skiing once and that was a major pain in the ass (I used to wear button-fly Levis–impossible with one hand). Can’t imagine a broken leg.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 20/May/2022 @ 6:43 am
Thanks for the feedback. Onward!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 19/May/2022 @ 6:47 am
Damn, I really need to learn to speak Filipina!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/May/2022 @ 1:41 pm
When I was first diagnosed, I had level 2 COPD. I was advised that the lung damage was permanent, and the best I could hope for was to stop the COPD from advancing to the next level by living a healthier lifestyle. I’m still taking most of the meds I was prescribed back then that primarily deal with alleviating symptoms such as shortness of breath.
My real concern now is that some of those symptoms are returning. Nothing like the bad old days when I’d have to sit down to catch my breath while walking. Still, I have to use my nebulizer on a daily basis instead of weekly. And coupled with my blood pressure rise, I’m concerned that something is going wrong. Hopefully, an adjustment in my meds will make a difference.
Thanks for your concern!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/May/2022 @ 6:48 am
Too funny, DS! And so true!
You should publish a complete book of translations to help folks like me better understand the mind and motivation of the Filipina.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/May/2022 @ 6:50 am
Thanks, guys. You are right, I don’t want my walks to become a chore, I want to enjoy them.
And Brandon, I’m sure I won’t disappoint. I went to Wet Spot last night…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/May/2022 @ 6:52 am
Yeah, that sentence bothered me too. I meant just me and the bartender. We patched up a recent falling out. It seems so clear when you point it out, but at the time I was writing, I wasn’t sure which way to go. I chose wrong this time.
I agree; it’s not something new to star in your own story. A little surprised that it seems to be a big deal now, is all. I don’t recall your Becker post specifically, but I agree with him.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 14/May/2022 @ 5:53 pm
Thanks, guys. I’ll have my helper schedule an appointment.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 14/May/2022 @ 8:01 am
Good point, DS. Although in the case of her teeth, I expect it is a lost cause…she might already be at the stage of needing dentures. But yeah, I intend to be cautious.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 13/May/2022 @ 4:56 pm
When I first started hiking on my own here, I kept looking for a trail that would take me from Alta Vista to Rizal Extension on the other side of town. I kept taking wrong turns and detours, but I eventually learned the right way to go. I remember saying out loud on that day, “you’re my bitch now!”. The name stuck. So, yeah, I broke that horse!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 13/May/2022 @ 5:26 am
Kev, yeah, age is just a number, and I identify as 30, so there’s nothing stopping me from livin’ it up. I hope the day never comes when I can’t walk a single kilometer.
Jerry, no real update on the ex; I have to assume she is doing fine. I miss her and think of her often, but I know I need to let her go.
I do appreciate my relatively good health. Glad the surgery eased your pain some. Hope you are back on your feet again soon.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 12/May/2022 @ 8:01 am
I’ll take that as a “shows improvement.”
» Posted By John McCrarey On 11/May/2022 @ 5:06 am
«« Back To Stats PageDS, I just checked the Bingo cookie bag I hand out. The only place it says “cookie” is in tiny print that I had to strain to see. With Spanish and Yankee cultural influences, not sure how they came to use a British term for what the rest of the world knows is a cookie. Come to think of it, when I hand them out, I usually announce “Bingo time!” and sometimes I sing that B-I-N-G-O ditty…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/May/2022 @ 8:23 am