Comments Posted By John McCrarey
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Bars of Barretto: Rock Lobster
HaHa! I was not familiar with those songs. Hearing the B-52s I vaguely recalled hearing it. Never saw the Family Guy Version. Thanks for the education.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 19/November/2021 @ 3:53 pm
Those steps do add up. Of course, spreading 15,000+ over the course of an entire day is much different than the intensity of a non-stop marathon like you do.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 19/November/2021 @ 5:45 am
Sorry, Soju. Hot women find good grammar sexy!
Kev, thanks for the lesson. Participle misuse, dangling or otherwise, doesn’t seem to be as egregious as other type errors. The first Ted example didn’t make me cringe, although the corrected version was smoother.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/November/2021 @ 5:00 am
But Kev, what if I dangle a participle? Whatever that is…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/November/2021 @ 9:25 pm
Brian, yeah, you gotta laugh. Or scream.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/November/2021 @ 8:19 am
I stand corrected, haha! I’ve heard of dangling modifiers before but I hope this is the first (and last) time I’ve used one. They are tricky indeed! The subject “we” was unstated, but obviously implied. Reading your correction made it clear where I’d gone wrong–adding the “we” in the clause made the sentence so much clearer.
Thanks for the lesson!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/November/2021 @ 6:15 am
Well, it’s not very clear and is probably a sentence run-on. Maybe this would have been better:
Having marked the trail on Sunday, all that was left for us to do yesterday was to give the last-minute instructions to the Hashers, send them on their way, and then await their return.
Or perhaps better yet:
We marked the trail on Sunday, so all the hard work was done. Yesterday we just gave the Hashers some last-minute instructions, sent them off, and waited for them to arrive at the On-Home.
Or something else?
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/November/2021 @ 5:44 pm
Kevin, thanks for this thoughtful comment. I do agree with what you say. I’m certainly not part of the problem but I recognize that what little I do to help the unfortunates is not going to make more than a momentary difference. And yes, I’ve acknowledged that those acts of kindness are selfish in the sense that they serve to alleviate my guilt about living large in a poor country. I’m always open to a life-changing project–would love to send someone worthy to college for example. Something like that is how you make a real difference.
As to the root causes of poverty here, I can’t really say definitively. There is a lot of government corruption that contributes to the problem. Also, it seems to me that the wealthy and privileged Filipinos prefer to keep the poor in their place. Why have a robust middle class when you can get cheap labor from the downtrodden?
Some Filipinos do escape the cycle, and as you say, it comes from individual initiative. One of the biggest revenue generators in this country is the OFW industry–Overseas Filipino Workers. Yep, this country exports a workforce worldwide. So, these Filipinos leave their homes and families to make a decent living and send the money back to support those they left behind. But they are willing to do what they need to do and I respect and admire that.
Some people are beyond help in a meaningful way. Homeless “mama” prefers the street life to having a roof over her head. Maris doesn’t want to do the work it takes to run a successful business. I don’t regret the effort in either case, but the outcome was disappointing.
I admire your work with the homeless back in the states. But you are right, those efforts won’t achieve lasting results for the majority of those unfortunates. You’ve got to want to change your life to make that happen. Maybe it is just a coincidence, but when they started closing the mental institutions last century, the homeless problem emerged. I’m not in favor of involuntary institutionalization, but some people are not capable of caring for themselves either. Put them in the mental hospital or leave them on the street? Tough choice.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/November/2021 @ 7:29 am
Yeah, my bad, Brian. I meant it as the German Hashers who are members of the Subic Bay Hash. We have several German members, but only one group. Sorry for the confusion.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/November/2021 @ 3:22 pm
Kev, hadn’t really thought about it. I guess it does in the sense that you can see the folks sitting across from you, but this bar is so large you can’t really speak to them. It’s different from most places, so that’s nice in and of itself.
I was reminded of King Arthur’s round table and the Knight who built it. You’ve probably heard of him–Sir Cumference. (sorry)
» Posted By John McCrarey On 15/November/2021 @ 1:58 pm
Ah, the DHL/Bentley’s combo. Been there, done that. I actually stayed at Palm Tree once as a tourist but never did the bar there until I moved here.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 15/November/2021 @ 11:34 am
Yes, I think there are about ten more bars yet to review. I’m pretty sure I’ve been to all of them at least once or twice in the past. This one, Annex, was new to me under the current ownership.
I’m not sure what I’d describe as the “perfect” bar. These reviews are very subjective as it is, but I like a cheerful, welcoming environment, friendly staff but no drink pressure, good music not played too loud, and other like-minded patrons to hang out with.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 14/November/2021 @ 3:05 pm
Thanks, Dan. It’s all about picking and choosing and trying to be smart about it I think. You have to be on guard for those seeking an ATM, but throwing some pesos around to the others is a good feeling. That’s why I say it is “selfish charity”, it makes me feel less guilty about living well while surrounded by poverty.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 13/November/2021 @ 5:58 pm
Yeah, I try and keep Rule #1 in mind (don’t be a sucker) but it does give me some selfish pleasure to help out now and then. I can’t afford to do the big things like medical treatment often, but that is the kind of thing that truly makes a difference in someone’s life. To me, that kind of charity is the most satisfying.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 13/November/2021 @ 5:42 am
Well, the Fitbit apparently counts 10 feet as a floor. I think it only tracks the up though, not down. I can’t attest to its accuracy, however. Our climb as I understand it was 400 meters, which is only 1312 feet. That 187 was the total floors for the day though, including my dog walk and getting to the bar.
Well, no one collects the trash up there, that’s for sure. People up on the mountains either burn their garbage or create their own backyard landfill. It’s pretty disgusting, but if I had to carry the trash all the way down I can’t say I’d not find a similar alternative.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 11/November/2021 @ 6:22 pm
Hey Brian, good points on how bar vibes vary depending on time of day. My reviews are also very subjective, based on things I like in a bar. Someone else might view it entirely differently. I’m definitely an early bird, but I’ve heard things get much wilder in some bars later in the night.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 12/November/2021 @ 2:59 pm
Glad you enjoyed it, Chip!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 11/November/2021 @ 10:57 pm
Yeah, it is almost criminal what goes on in these public hospitals. I know Thailand actually promotes medical tourism, obviously in their private institutions. My friend had something growing in her female plumbing is what I understand. She’s currently suffering from the catheter they’ve inserted.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 11/November/2021 @ 12:51 pm
I honestly didn’t know what makes it Salisbury, so I asked Google. Generally, the difference is the steak-like shape of the patty and the mushroom gravy is why it is not a hamburger. It seems some folks make an egg-based seasoning mix as well. I’m not sure what they add at Sit-n-Bull.
As far as health care goes in the Philippines, it kind of depends. You are screwed if you wind up in a public hospital, that’s for sure. The private facilities range in quality of services, but most expats speak well of Clark Medical Center in Angeles or St. Jude Hospital in Manila. If something major needs to be done and you are able to travel, people go to their home country or somewhere like Thailand for treatment. I just hope I never get that sick. I don’t think the quality of medical service here compares favorably to Korea, so you can gauge by that how things are here.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 11/November/2021 @ 6:51 am
Kev, I am clueless when it comes to Google Earth. Scott does the maps and he’s the master. Maybe he’ll chime in here. I know he’s got every trail known to the Hash on a map–one map has them all!
Chip, glad you are enjoying. Thanks for coming along!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/November/2021 @ 6:21 am
So, I can blame my bad punctuation on my Scottish heritage? Cool! It’s in the genes.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/November/2021 @ 6:16 am
Oh, shit. Religion must be renting space in my head. Of course, I meant tenets of faith. Jesus, the downward Biden slide continues. You said “error” so I stopped looking after one. I’m guessing I fucked up the punctuation as well–maybe a semicolon after either?
Yeah, I knew that not all Muslim folks are in the burka/hijab-wearing extreme, so I was just trying to figure out where she is on the spectrum. More than in name only, but not a lot more I’m thinking.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/November/2021 @ 3:36 pm
Bars of Barretto: It Doesn’t Matter
My intention when I moved here was to go that route. Made a trip to Manila to apply directly with the Philippine Retirement Authority. Submitted my paperwork and they kept finding new hoops for me to jump through. On day 2, they told me my U.S. government pension statement issued by OPM and on government letterhead, would have to be apostilled at the US Embassy. That would mean making another appointment and another trip to Manila. I never went back.
I can renew the tourist visa every 60 days at the local immigration office. Costs about $60 each time. I have to leave the country every three years and then the clock resets. So it is pretty easy. I’ll still probably do the retirement visa at some point, but I’ll use a “fixer” to do all the leg work.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/November/2021 @ 6:13 am
Well, perhaps I should have said leaseholder instead of owner. I honestly don’t know the rules on starting a business, but the usual workaround is to put it in the name of a Filipino, usually a spouse. As for immigration, I know you can’t work on a tourist visa but I’m guessing that is not their status. They probably have a marriage visa or retirement visa.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/November/2021 @ 3:26 pm
Dave, a dangerous OLD man with money in his pocket…
Kev, yeah, I’m looking forward to seeing your meat in action. Er, let me rephrase that…
As to the ATMs, it is strange to me that all the machines don’t allow a $400 withdrawal. Still, maybe I should consider myself lucky that BPI doesn’t join the $200 max crowd.
It wasn’t about the carbs, I’m just not big on white rice. That’s why I prefer my bulgogi in a stew. I didn’t hesitate to devour those baked potatoes!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/November/2021 @ 6:08 am
QP, she actually has a good set of teeth. That is rarer here than you might imagine.
Soju, I think I mentioned how inexperienced she was… 🙂
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/November/2021 @ 12:42 pm
I’m still in Alta Vista, just higher up the hill. That makes everything further away and the climb back home is a pain sometimes. My new place is just okay. A little too small and I like having a place to myself The upstairs neighbors are fine, Hashers in fact, but I can’t let my dogs run loose in the common area, for example. So, I’m keeping my eyes open here in the neighborhood to see if something larger becomes available before I renew my lease.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/November/2021 @ 6:16 am
The rankings are subject to change and they are entirely subjective. Went to some of the already ranked places last night and will adjust the standings based on those impressions too. Did the poolside bar at Outback and it was a pleasant change of pace. Also went to Queen Victoria and it was awful.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/November/2021 @ 12:40 pm
Dick’s suffers from poor geography, I’d spend more time there if it were convenient to do so. Alley Cats is a much easier hike and is near two of my favorite places to eat, The Pub and Mango’s. And there is a certain comfort level with hanging out with familiar faces.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/November/2021 @ 1:35 pm
Bars of Barretto: Blue Butterfly
«« Back To Stats PageThe gals in Blue Butterfly are consistently much cuter than you see in a lot of bars…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/November/2021 @ 6:02 am