Comments Posted By John McCrarey
Displaying 3,541 To 3,570 Of 6,593 Comments
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
Kev, 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
Kev, well at least all the good food spots serve beer, so there would be a middle ground for our mutual satisfaction.
“visiting the local churches”
Now, that’s something that’s never really entered my mind, and I am a little surprised that’s one of your interests. I don’t pay that much attention, but we have a relatively large Catholic church in town. The Iglesia ni Cristo has some impressive chapels and an interesting history/philosophy based on the Wikipedia entry I just scanned.“finding some martial-arts establishments”
Again, nothing I’d ever considered but there is a martial arts gym/training facility right here in our little town. The bars are just a block away; I’ll wait for you there. 🙂I’ve only had one in-depth conversation with mama, but I’d wager she does have an interesting story. She’s a local icon, popularly known as the “umbrella lady.” Whenever I see her, she thanks me with an “I love you, papa.” Makes my day!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/June/2022 @ 6:59 am
Yes, I am blessed indeed.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/June/2022 @ 4:22 pm
Those were small sliders. Even so, I could only finish two of them.
Pretty soon I’ll be able to stop complaining about the heat and start griping about the rain…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/June/2022 @ 6:12 am
Yeah, I don’t engage in political debates on FB like I did in the old days. I’ll pass some time there reading about the lives of my “friends” I haven’t seen for years (my high school sweetheart, for example). I was just shocked to see how far FB has gone to support and protect the narrative of our ruling elites. To say anything in what I posted put someone in “physical danger” is so far over the top that it seems like satire.
I actually think FB and the other big social media companies should be considered a public utility and subject to 1st Amendment sanctions. Or maybe Elon can buy them out, too.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/June/2022 @ 6:31 am
I’ve always called beans “frijoles” in Spanish. When I first read your comment, I thought you were saying I shouldn’t have used the “j.” Rather than go back and re-read my post, I looked up “frijoles” to prove I was correct. I was all prepared to launch this comment with a “got ya!” and then I saw what you were actually saying. And then, I checked and realized that I had indeed unintentionally misspelled the word. The mistake was a typo, but I proofread right past it at least once, so once again, the fuck up is mine and inexcusable.
Yeah, Facebook sucks, and I don’t engage there much these days, but it is still a tool in my box. I belong to several groups, including the Hash, where information about upcoming events is posted. I also find it a convenient way to upload photos from my phone so I can save them to the hard drive on my laptop.
I knew the censorship on FB was out of control, but I was shocked that that post from Austrailia was deemed to “be potentially physically harmful” because of COVID misinformation. George Orwell would be shocked that Zuckerturd took his writing as a “how-to” guide rather than a warning. The Aussie simply pointed out that the demonization of the unvaxxed was wrong and that, with hindsight, they were proven right. The only harm that does is to the police state’s narrative.
Oh well, it’s a wake-up call for sure, and we need to find alternative ways to spread the word. Maybe blogs will make a comeback!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/June/2022 @ 7:34 am
Yes, her only job was to relay my order…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 20/June/2022 @ 5:53 am
Good to know that France is ALL bad…
I’m still not sure what was in her mind…” oh shit, I forgot what he said he wanted. Maybe I should go ask him again. Oh well, I’ll just get him a sub and hope I guessed right…”
» Posted By John McCrarey On 20/June/2022 @ 5:15 am
Just sloppy spelling of “Bacchus,” f’n silent letters. From now on, it is just the SOB.
Looks like I can butcher both American and British English equally well. Wot’s up with that?Yeah, I’m glad I was able to get enough perspective in the photo so you could see the falls were quite high. Rainy season hasn’t kicked in yet, but it won’t be long until there is a much greater volume of water cascading down. Of course, that spot may not be accessible when the water level rises.
Yeah, Tom will need a mask in limited situations; I am still required to mask up at the Royal grocery store, for example. No issue with being maskless at 7/11. Guess that’s why it is a convenience store–COVID need not apply. No one has said anything to me since I’ve gone exclusively maskless outdoors–not even the cops I occasionally walk past. It’s such a farce; why do they even bother?
» Posted By John McCrarey On 19/June/2022 @ 7:15 am
No real insect problem other than an occasional beetle. I think the lizards and geckos handle those duties. I actually didn’t want to have to kill the spider but I knew I’d always wonder where he was if I didn’t.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/June/2022 @ 6:11 am
All I really know about the vaccine is that it is ineffective at best and harmful at worse. I’m not afraid of COVID and don’t want the government telling me what I have to do with my body. Reasonable people can disagree of course.
Yes, the Hashmobile has been used to provide assistance in the community, mostly moving household goods. Probably on a break-even basis, so not a money maker. I agree renting a vehicle as needed is the smartest course of action and one we will be trying in the immediate future at least.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/June/2022 @ 4:49 pm
Hey Kev, yes, the SRRV was what I originally intended to do. The bureaucratic hassles involved in getting it done put me off to the point of saying fuck it, I’ll just go the tourist visa route. I expected I’d be leaving the country three or four times a year for recreational travel anyway, so the three years wouldn’t be a factor. Then the scamdemic came along. I may still pursue an SRRV in the future, but I’ll use a “fixer” to do all the leg work.
I think the lack of response can be a good thing when the only motivation for contacting you in the first place was self-interest. Why are so many women attempting to get me to break Rule #1 lately? Last night I had to block another one because I got weary of the persistent begging. Like I told her in my final message, “I never hear from you unless you want something. That’s not the kind of friend I want or need.”
Everything changes. I won’t be surprised if the Hash at some point acquires another vehicle, but it makes no sense to keep paying for repairs on a worn-out piece of shit.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/June/2022 @ 6:31 am
«« Back To Stats PageNaw, you’d sweat it off on some of those hilly trails you’d be hiking after you eat.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 14/June/2022 @ 6:16 am