Comments Posted By John McCrarey
Displaying 601 To 630 Of 6,501 Comments
Kevin, no, being a slave doesn’t work for my fantasy afterlife. The alternate universe seems like the best option.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/December/2025 @ 8:42 am
Kevin, thanks for the refresher course. I think I’m better at recognizing when a hyphen is needed more than I am with commas.
Interestingly, I’ve had similar thoughts about the implications of the “do-over life” scenario. One change I’d make is not knocking up my 17-year-old girlfriend. But the ramifications of that are that my daughter would never have been born, and her children wouldn’t exist either. That’s even beyond my level of selfishness. So, I’ve thought about The Matrix workaround. If it’s fake but you don’t know it, it’s still better than being dead. The best fantasy option is a “multiverse” scenario…the life I lived isn’t changed by the decisions I make in the do-over life because it’s a whole other newly-created world. An all-powerful God could surely work out the logistics of making that happen, right?
Damn, the best part of the fantasy is being young again, and now you’re telling me that won’t work either? Shit. You know, in all seriousness, these fantasies are about dealing with the realization that, with old age, options become limited. There’s not much time left for me, so what I have now is all that will be. I guess I’m lucky in that what I have isn’t so bad, but all the doors being closed except for that one at the end of the hall is disconcerting. Oh, well. I’ll just keeping walking towards the light…
I’ll look forward to reading your short story!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/December/2025 @ 11:16 am
Kevin, yep, I missed the hyphenation. For what it’s worth, it was an early-morning mistake.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/December/2025 @ 10:44 am
Kevin, that second kind “do-over” life is my fantasy. Choosing a different path, knowing where the original route led me. Yeah, I’d likely fuck up on that road too, but it would be a new way of doing so. One thing’s for sure: I wouldn’t accumulate four wives along the way.
Yes, the gal you mention is one of the cutest Hashers in Subic. I don’t know her well, but she is friendly and has a great smile. Foreigner boyfriend, too.
Pozorrubio is mostly flat, and I like that. There I fixed it! Pronunciation: Pozo sounds like that clown, Bozo. And rubbio is pronounced the same way as our Secretary of State’s last name.
As for lessons learned, shit happens. Then I react. Yesterday, I limited myself on beer intake. Nothing until I finished the after-hike meal, and then one beer (they had Zero!) every 30 minutes. And none of the Scottish whiskey on offer. It worked, I climbed the stairs to my hotel room without assistance!
“The early morning view, AS SEEN from my hotel room,” sounds better. It links the dependent clause to subject predicate.
Maybe we have a different definition of rare. But I’ve had enough to last a while now.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/December/2025 @ 3:43 pm
Aloysius, I’ve had Burns before and they hurt like hell!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/December/2025 @ 1:34 pm
Nigel, thanks for the tip, but my plan is to reduce the intake.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/December/2025 @ 1:31 pm
Brian, welp, I guess the joke’s on me then!
The La Union Hash is the host for the annual Haggis event. Other Hashes participating included Subic, Angeles City, Manila, and Puerto Galera. Around 160 Hashers attended.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/December/2025 @ 1:30 pm
Aloysius, there is nothing to be gained by speaking ill of the dead. Or his widow.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/December/2025 @ 10:15 am
Kevin, some pain and stiffness, but I managed the trail just fine. Overdosed on painkillers afterwards, but that’s a different story.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/December/2025 @ 10:12 am
Sick, take or leave it. Up to you.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/December/2025 @ 10:11 am
Kevin, okay, from now on I’ll only use catsup on my hotdogs.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/December/2025 @ 10:13 am
Kevin, I always enjoyed the company of the Filipinas I met in Korea. Of course, our conversations were always in English.
It wasn’t so much that they were young; it was more that they were young surfers, mostly from European countries, so we had nothing in common. Expats living together in a community can bond and overcome those cultural differences, not so much with a transient crowd. By the time you get to know them, they are gone.
My apologies to Clint, but that was the way my mama served my hotdogs.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/December/2025 @ 9:22 am
Brian, she lives in Amsterdam, but I understand she is from Finland. They met when Dave was working for Siemens.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/December/2025 @ 9:53 am
Aloysius, nope, no anger at the Shooters staff. Shit happens.
Your disrespect for a dead man who did so many things to assist those in need is nothing short of disgusting. It is one thing to be ignorant of the good deeds of a man you obviously know nothing about, but to blame him for a fire he had absolutely nothing to do with reflects very poorly on your character.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 04/December/2025 @ 10:01 am
Kevin, Dave’s memorial was a nice send-off for a special man. I’ll post some photos from the event later today.
Nope, I checked to make sure I wasn’t billed for what I didn’t get.
Ha! I hadn’t thought of Bubble Up in I don’t know how long. I was curious *ahem* to see if it was still being bottled, so I used that Google thingy to find out the answer. It is! Kiss of Lemon-Kiss of Lime!
Yep, I’m going to see out new adventures for as long as I can.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 04/December/2025 @ 9:54 am
Brandon, yes, I was not impressed with the “dining” experience at Shooters. Never again! I had wanted to try that Filling Station place again, but it was late, so I went with convenience.
It took me a minute to figure out what you meant by “Lima Bravos.” 🙂 But I did spot a couple during my Shooters visit.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 04/December/2025 @ 9:40 am
Brian, yes, there are direct flights from Manila to Siargao. Also, Philippines Air has just launched a nonstop Clark to Siargao flight. That’s definitely the route I’ll take for my next trip.
I didn’t make the arrangements for this trip, just followed the plan. We learned some things the hard way, but overall, the good far outweighed the bad. All this online technology was a new challenge for me, but I managed to get booked, check in, and use a QR boarding pass on my phone, so I’m learning.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 04/December/2025 @ 9:37 am
Kevin, yes, travel comes with frustrations, but Siargao was a nice experience, overall. Yes, I do hope to return to Siargao again. I’m already thinking it is way past time for me to hit another island paradise that has been on my list for too long, Bohol. It’s nice to have travel companions, but I have no issue with only sharing the adventure with Swan.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/December/2025 @ 3:55 pm
Kid, There is always water. Cleans better than paper, too.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/December/2025 @ 3:51 pm
Aloysius, made it!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/December/2025 @ 3:50 pm
Koko, if you actually read my blog, you’d know I got back to Luzon last night. But thanks for the kind words.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/December/2025 @ 3:50 pm
Aloysius, I’m paying first-world prices here, and moving your room without notification is wrong in any world. Yes, I’ll be back in time to attend Dr. Dave Fischer’s Memorial.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 02/December/2025 @ 12:07 pm
Brian, I like the variety and connivence Barretto offers. Beaches and mountains, bars and restaurants, close to supermarkets, malls, hospitals, and the airport in Angeles is an hour away. It’s a good fit for me.
Yes, they’ve lost a potential repeat customer by their stupid practice, but lots of other places to choose from, so their loss, not mine.
HaHa! That was a pose, but I’m pretty good with a resting grumpy face. 🙂
» Posted By John McCrarey On 02/December/2025 @ 9:56 am
Brian, as much as I like it here in Siargao, it is in the “nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live here” category. General Luna is too touristy for my taste, and I’ve yet to find an expat community to hang with. No Hash either. The rest of the island seems too rural for me as well. Also, I was told there is a medical clinic here, but no hospital. For hospitalization, you have to be transported by a ferry boat to Surigao City, which takes an hour. I’d wager that’s a death sentence for severe conditions.
Barretto, despite its flaws, is a good fit for me. At my age, it doesn’t make sense to start over again somewhere else. If I needed to escape, I might flee to La Union or maybe the beach life in Pundaquit.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 01/December/2025 @ 9:43 am
Kevin, I guess I won’t know the difference until I come across a properly prepared birria taco. I’ll keep looking!
As for the Kimsaurant, I’m running out of time this trip. I hope to be back here one day, and it will be on my “to-do” list.
We got to Hideaway first because Jeff had to detour to a dress shop so Davina could add to her wardrobe.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 01/December/2025 @ 9:31 am
Kevin, that’s a philosophy I Kant do. (sorry, couldn’t resist). But seriously, what happened to the concept of accepting people for the way they are. If I’m a selfish prick, love me or leave me for what I am.
That said, I’m trying to do better, but damn, I sometimes feel like the caricature of the grumpy old man.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 01/December/2025 @ 5:43 pm
Koko, nothing to worry about, all is fine with Swan and me. I think I’ve walked by the church you mentioned, but I don’t require any assistance from the Priest.
I’ll be flying out on Tuesday.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/November/2025 @ 10:17 am
J, well, I can be an asshole, but I don’t get violent. Thanks for your support and concern.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/November/2025 @ 10:08 am
Kevin, that sentence is shit, period. Maybe one or both of these correct the dependent clause problem:
We did a 6K walk to the outskirts of General Luna and back, and then we finished the day with an ill-fated bar crawl.
We did a 6K walk to the outskirts of General Luna and back. Later on, we finished the day with an ill-fated bar crawl.
What say you?
I’ve seen lots of those leaning palm trees this trip. Some of them grow that way, and others were knocked sideways in the recent typhoon.
I think I hated Paraluman so much that I subconsciously misspelled it on purpose. Twice.
I really do appreciate that Buddhist analogy. It hits really close to home. I acknowledge my inherently selfish nature, and really need to work on not overreacting when things don’t go my way. Thanks for the insights and encouragement. I’m in the final chapter of my life and hope I can finally get it right this time.
Swan is a special woman, that’s for sure. My selfish behavior, as manifested in my lack of patience, does trigger her on occasion. I hope to do better going forward. Maybe I can teach her to do this: “Take a deep breath. Relax. Accept John’s selfish ways.” Hey, it could work!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/November/2025 @ 10:02 am
«« Back To Stats PageTerry, the night definitely didn’t go as planned. Jeff wanted me to leave and reconcile with Swan rather than sitting there brooding over my beer glass and ruining the night for everyone else. So, that’s what I did, and it turned out okay for all concerned.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/November/2025 @ 9:39 am