Comments Posted By John McCrarey
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Kevin, Yeah, I kinda ordered the bulgogi as an afterthought but it came out first, so it made for a nice appetizer. Joy loved it more than her tacos. Those taco shells were more like the ones you described as being best–firm, but not crunchy. They had enough flexibility to absorb the impact of teeth without exploding.
Indeed, I thought of what a douche Springsteen is when I posted that video, but it’s the music that matters, not the man. I like country music too, though, and it’s not all twangy these days. I’ll have to expose you to some of my favorites and try to open that mind! 🙂
» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/April/2022 @ 7:21 am
James, thanks for the interesting insights in your comment.
Re: Joy–She seems sweet and not nearly as jaded as many bargirls with more experience become. Actually, I tease her about the “brother” watching her kids while she works and she is adamant that it is the truth. I don’t have evidence otherwise, I’m just naturally suspicious. Also, her two young children are her priority (as they should be) so things I’d want from a pretend girlfriend, like overnight stays and travel, are not in the cards. For now, she’ll just remain an occasional companion.
Here’s to hoping I stumble upon a Miss Right to share this wonderful life. I’d really love to have a partner who enjoyed doing the hikes and Hash with me. She’s out there somewhere.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/April/2022 @ 7:13 am
James, Yep, that’s pretty much how it works–once the girls figure out you are a sucker, er, I mean generous, they rush to greet you as soon as you enter the bar. There is no escape!
I never went back to Finger Monkey. It’s a non-issue now as the bar has been closed and gutted. The story I’ve heard is that there was a raid, an underage waitress was found working, and the owner was arrested. I understand that she is charged with a non-bailable offense and remains in jail several weeks later. I actually feel sorry for her.
There was really no “secret” to my success other than maybe blind luck. Passing the Postal Service entrance exam put me on the road and the people I met and events I encountered along the way ultimately led me to a fulfilling career in government service. I worked hard and had some ability, but being in the right place at the right time and having a willingness to take chances (like moving around the country for promotion opportunities) were key factors. I don’t recall having ever set any goals for myself, I just went with the flow and did my best to keep my bosses happy. I never hated my work, that probably helped a lot too.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/April/2022 @ 7:32 am
Kevin, I’ve actually known Anna for several years having met her prior to moving here. She’s the ex of a guy I know. She’s in her late 30s now, but still attractive when she’s not goofing off.
Yeah, I should have known better with that taco. I’ve gotten to where I prefer a softshell too but that was not an option on the limited menu McCoy’s offered. Ground beef under all that sauce I had poured on.
Jens, aka Almoranus, has been working hard at getting back in shape after his scamdemic exile in Germany.
I had some rat issues at my old house but haven’t seen any up here at the new place. Now I wonder if I should be concerned about snakes! Thanks for the link, I didn’t realize just how little I know about Norse mythology. The presentation was also very well done and professional. I usually can’t make it through an entire YouTube offering, but this one held my interest.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/April/2022 @ 7:02 am
Brian, yes I do get an annual CPI adjustment to my pension. Never quite catches up to the rate of inflation, but it is much better than nothing. There is no question that my Civil Service Retirement System pension is probably the best thing going, private or public sector. So good in fact that they ended that program in the 1980s for newly hired federal employees and replaced it with something far less generous. I was grandfathered into the old system, so I’m a lucky man.
I couldn’t get your link to load, but for the most part, I agree with you. I don’t do politics much here anymore, but I was never a big Trump fan–it’s just that he was a better option than that the crook Hillary. And things were certainly better with Trump than under Biden so far, IMO. Yeah, there would still be consequences for all that “free” COVID money the feds spent. But under Trump, we were net exporters of oil. And Biden on day one ended the programs driving that by executive fiat. The cost of fuel impacts the price of all goods and services, so in that respect, Biden gets full blame for inflation.
Having said that, I do agree that Presidents get too much blame/credit for the good and bad. Their policies and appointments however can certainly make things worse. Biden (or whoever is actually running the show) has been a disaster in that regard. I really hope Trump doesn’t get the nomination in 2024, there are much better options (I’m getting to be a big DeSantis fan).
Anyway, I appreciate your thoughtful comment and insights. We are not so far apart.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/April/2022 @ 8:06 am
James, yes I could afford to live in Korea, albeit with a reduction in some of my lifestyle choices (like frequently going out to the bars and buying lady drinks), but where’s the fun in that? I do miss a lot of things in Korea, but once I lost the wife my life there just felt sad. I needed to move to overcome that.
Before deciding on the Philippines, I did visit Thailand and Cambodia. Ultimately, the choice came down to there being less of a language barrier here. Cambodia is still my Plan B, and Vietnam is also in the mix should I ever decide to depart the PI.
It is ironic in a way, but the women were a factor in choosing to leave Korea. I love Korean women but they don’t love me. And once you are over 60 in that culture you might as well give up on romancing a sweet young thing–you become invisible to them. Of course, now I’m in the land of “age is just a number” and the gals all love that big bulge in my pants (my wallet), but here I am as lonely as ever. I guess maybe I’m the problem.
I have no issue with the rank and file folks slaving away in government service. I disagree with the policies and priorities of our so-called leaders, but politics doesn’t play a big part in the day-to-day functioning of the federal bureaucracy.
As far as my “charity” work goes, when I moved here one of my goals was to make a difference in the life of some of the unfortunates I encounter. I won’t deny my selfish motivation for helping others is that it helps alleviate some of the guilt of living rich in a poor country. At least for a few folks, my being here makes their life better.
Ah, Annabelle. Yeah, I was hot for her when I met her as a tourist. Once I made the move, she was the first I tried to date. For whatever reason, she wasn’t receptive to my advances. I went on to other things, none of which turned out well for me. We’ve had fun as dartmates lately and she has at least hinted around that she’d like a boyfriend. I asked her what happened when I tried four years ago and she said that I “gave up to easy”. Hmm. Well, I do enjoy her company. Stay tuned!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/April/2022 @ 7:46 am
Kev, re: the fish and chips–it was advertised as three pieces and that’s what I got. Yeah, they weren’t big pieces like the photo you shared. It was tasty enough though.
Yes, I retired as a GS-15. As to the politics, it’s technically a violation of law (the Hatch Act) to engage in political activity on the clock. Still, you can get a sense of where people stand. I was actually a moderate Democrat and voted that way until 9/11 changed my worldview, primarily because I started getting my news from sources other than the Washington Post. I was shocked to discover that the bias in the MSM is not so much in what they report, but in what they leave out. Now I get lots of perspectives from sources on the internet and make up my own mind.
I spent 24 years of my federal career with the Postal Service. It really was pretty much apolitical. The Postmaster General was not subject to Presidential appointment and the Board of Governors didn’t change when a new administration took power. So, politics really didn’t matter much.
My five years with the Department of Education were entirely different. My boss there was a far-left liberal and I came on board at the same time GW Bush was elected. So, of course, all the top leadership was replaced with Bush appointees. I could hear the chatter throughout the halls as liberal heads were exploding. Bush even visited our headquarters once early in his term. My boss was not pleased!
My time with the Army was much calmer. Although the top Defense Department leaders are appointed by the President, the military mission remains pretty constant and not subject to political whims. I honestly had no sense of where the General Officers I worked for stood politically. That’s how it should be.
Anyway, within the bureaucracy I’d reckon the liberals far outnumber the conservatives. I don’t think working for Uncle Sam changes your outlook, I think lefties tend to gravitate more to government jobs. Implementing the policies of the leadership, regardless of party, is just the day-to-day grunt work. I never saw any of my fellow employees try to subvert whatever mandates we were given. The deep state I guess hadn’t seeped down to my level.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/April/2022 @ 7:17 am
“You should ask Liv to show you her compostela”
I don’t know, she has a boyfriend…I don’t want to start any trouble…
James, technically we were on the grounds of a hotel called Subic Seaborne. It’s next door to Jurassic. That outdoor pavilion is newly constructed and has couches, beanbag chairs, and hammocks. It is indeed very nice.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 20/April/2022 @ 8:09 am
Yeah, that’s how my brain seems to function these days, I’m thinking one thing and writing another. Compulsion does work better, but I was thinking of the context WITHOUT compunction. That’s what I intended, but obviously missed the correct way to use it, i.e. “they litter without compunction”. Good thing I’m not the President!
I didn’t get into details with Liv on the Camino de Santiago trail–I heard her say she walked the entire length…some 900 kilometers. I’m not sure if it was all at once, over a period of time (years?) or just BS. Seems like quite the undertaking…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 19/April/2022 @ 5:09 pm
Hey James, I love comments and questions, so fire away anytime.
I don’t see many of those big rooftop solar panel setups. A few houses here in my neighborhood and maybe a couple of big expat houses in town. I’m a renter so I won’t be making the investment. I do see lots of those small solar panels that feed an outdoor light. My old landlord installed several as security lighting. They worked great–when the sun went down, they came on. My mountain family friends mentioned having to hike into town to charge the cell phone. One of our Hashers brought them a small solar-powered charger I thought that was really cool.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 19/April/2022 @ 7:09 am
Nope, it’s an afternoon thing… a couple of hours of anticipation yet.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/April/2022 @ 12:41 pm
Yeah, I honestly thought it would defrost naturally with the crockpot’s assistance. Actually expanded the cooking time to compensate, but, as you say, it was not a brilliant move. I will do better in the future!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/April/2022 @ 12:43 pm
Yeah, that was my expectation. And yes, my lazy ass just put the whole roast in one piece. To make matters worse, I put it in frozen. I will definitely try cutting up the next one prior to cooking. Thanks for the tip!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/April/2022 @ 9:31 am
Yeah, I need to do better on my meat selection. Options are usually limited, so when I see something that looks roastable, I grab it. Not all beef is created equal though.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/April/2022 @ 6:04 am
“I imagine you’ll be dubbed King John 🤴 ,fourth of his name ,conqueror of Easter mountain and provider to all fair maidens.”
Alright, now that gave me a laugh. Thanks!
The ex I am referring to is Marissa. And yes, she is the one I helped open the kitchenette. The business failed and she moved to Manila. I don’t ever hear from her these days.
I’m not sure Alta Vista is like Monaco, but it does afford us the ability to *ahem* look down on our fellow citizens. Easy to rent a bank boat when the urge strikes, I’ve done so twice this year already.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/April/2022 @ 9:50 am
James, I used to give my ex $200 a month in cash. That paid her rent and utilities and combined with whatever else she earned in commissions she lived better than most of her peers. $500. would put you in the upper echelon of the working class here. As an example, I pay my helper $400. a month, but that comes with room and board. That’s probably twice the going rate for live-in domestic help.
Yes, Joy is one of the better ones in her methods of asking for help. For Easter she didn’t come out and say give me money, it was more along the lines of “I’m sad because I can’t prepare an Easter dinner for my aunt when she visits”. Not all are so subtle and some are outright voracious in their money demands. I’ve had to block a few of those. The ones who ask only when they are truly in need are easier for me to accomodate.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/April/2022 @ 6:01 am
Hey James, I normally give the gals 3000 pesos ($60) for their services. The daily salary in the bars is around 250 pesos, so my “gift” is the equivalent of maybe ten days’ pay. Usually, there is an immediate need to use the cash for something past due, like rent and utilities. I’ve seen Joy’s squalid living space that she shares with her two kids and alleged brother. I actually gave her the cash to have running water piped into her kitchen and bathroom. I think the “getting by” required income would be around 7,500 pesos a month. It’s a hard life for most of the working girls here and I do feel sorry for their situation. I’m not sure how Joy does in comparison to her co-workers, but she often complains that no customers = no commissions.
Yeah, Martin really is an inspiration. He can get up those mountains better than I can! And he is definitely getting more and more in shape. Nice guy to and fun to hang out with.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/April/2022 @ 1:28 pm
Thanks, Brian. Have a great one!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/April/2022 @ 6:24 am
Thanks for the comments, guys.
Kev, yeah, I just assumed it was Jesus with the cross but as much as the locals here get into these rituals, they might well have gone to that level of minutiae. That’s the first time I’d witnessed the flagellation in person. It all seemed so bizarre. Would Jesus have approved?
Terry, it’s true that an old fucker like me getting to experience the charms of these young women is pretty amazing. Dealing with the fact that I may have come to prefer that to an honest and traditional relationship is still a little disconcerting.
Dave, John’s place is on the other side of Barretto from me. It was formerly The Pub before he changed locations, and now is officially “John’s Sushi and Steaks”. I just call it John’s place for short. You exposed my ignorance this morning–I had to look up Ciaphas and Chag Pesach Sameach. Now I know!
Drain, I think that’s right. I try not to lead anyone on, my dissonance is all internal–is this really what I want? Well, it is what I currently have and I’m going to make the best of it!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/April/2022 @ 7:23 am
I’ve been using that same style calendar for five years now and never noticed the Chinese characters before you pointed them out. Interesting.
We were definitely “low church” Protestants–Foursquare Gospel and Assembly of God. I’ll never forget how freaky it was when most of the congregation would start speaking in tongues!
I will go back and read the first two lessons again, promise! I can’t promise it will make much difference though. When I proof before posting I’m shocked at just how much I fuck up simple things; I’m like the Joe Biden of bloggers. In your two examples above, I can see now that I should have used a comma after “bar” and “Friday”. 20-20 hindsight and all that.
Maybe I should embrace my incompetence and be like e.e. cummings. Instead of using all lower case letters though, I will forego all commas all the time. That way my errors will seem purposeful. Eh, maybe not. I’ll go back and read up again and try to do better.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 15/April/2022 @ 6:52 am
Yes, it’s a little scary for sure! Still, what’s worse–someone who believes the scamdemic propaganda or someone who believes the government is out to get us? All I can say in that regard is that if she were a strident mask/vaxx advocate I wouldn’t have asked her out. If it turns out she’s all about the flip side, there likely won’t be a second date.
And yeah, the checklist is pretty comprehensive. Well done, Brian! No is going to tick all those boxes. Now, to figure out what’s most important to me, what I’m willing to settle for, or whether I ought to just keep on living the single life. Keeping an open mind to all of it.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 14/April/2022 @ 7:04 am
Bob, Jhezza is definitely a hottie. Happily married and very recently a new mother. I was impressed with how quickly she got herself back in shape. Nice gal!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/April/2022 @ 7:01 am
It’s funny that you say that…when I see your posts doing a 35K hike I’m always thinking, “Damn, I’d be dying after 10K…”
» Posted By John McCrarey On 13/April/2022 @ 7:06 am
Good one, Soju! 🙂
» Posted By John McCrarey On 14/April/2022 @ 6:53 am
Thanks, James. This event was technically out of town (45 minutes away in San Antonio) but lots of familiar faces. I was at least acquainted with 4 of the 11 contestants. I successfully overcame the urge to shout out to the judges “you should see her naked!”
» Posted By John McCrarey On 12/April/2022 @ 2:33 pm
She probably is sweet too. The nice thing about this pageant was these were all pretty much “the girl next door” type. Not professionals or jaded bar dancers. Waitresses, moms, girlfriends–at least the ones I’m acquainted with.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 12/April/2022 @ 5:46 am
Yeah, that’s how I was pronouncing it–FRAYlics. Then someone corrected me with FRAWlics pronunciation. I compounded the confusion with my silly post title trying to play off the whole frolic pun. Oh well. I understand what you are saying.
Thanks for the chili support! A couple of my fans were surprised I hadn’t entered the cookoff, but I knew I was out of my league. Doesn’t matter anyway, I like it my way and that’s good enough for me!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 11/April/2022 @ 5:30 am
Brian, the primary motiviation for getting the new phone was having a better camera. I’m not intentionally using any filters but I’m still learning the different features available. I’m really just a “point and click” type photographer. Anyway, you are not the first to mention the change in quality of the photos I post, for the most part positive.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/April/2022 @ 6:24 am
No, it was big. They come in two sizes, regular and large. I always get the large version.
Yeah, my favorite time travel scenario also involves going back to high school for a do-over. Those first tentative steps into adulthood are critical and with no real life experience, mistakes are bound to be made. I’d definitely want to advise my high school me to join the Army, save my money, and buy all the Microsoft stock I could get at the IPO. Ah, well.
Your post also reminded of the “Life’s a Dance” song:
When I was fourteen I was fallin’ fast
For a blue-eyed girl in my homeroom class.
Tryin to find the courage to ask her out
Was like tryin’ to get oil from a water spout.
What she would’ve said, I can’t say.
I never did ask then she moved away.
I learned something from my blue-eyed girl:
sink or swim, you gotta give it a whirl.Life’s a dance, you learn as you go.
Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow.
Don’t worry ’bout what you don’t know,
life’s a dance, you learn as you go.» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/April/2022 @ 5:38 am
«« Back To Stats PageSoju, Why did I know that you would read it that way? 🙂
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/April/2022 @ 1:23 pm