Comments Posted By John McCrarey

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Not the best

Doing my best, Dan. As I’ve often said, my blog is not totally worthless; it can always serve as a bad example.

I had a blueberry muffin for breakfast.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/October/2025 @ 6:01 pm

The bottom line

Kevin, aren’t they all?

Beer is a preservative.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 31/October/2025 @ 4:38 pm

Kevin, I asked for the references because even though you said the sentences were wrong, I couldn’t see the errors. Hard to research when you don’t know what you are looking for.

• Life is good; live it while you’ve got it! (I changed the comma to a semicolon.)
• Are Jeepneys disappearing? (I added the “Are” to the question.)
•They are also building a mass-transit rail line from Manila to Angeles. (I put a hyphen in mass-transit.)

I’m not sure whether those are the fixes needed or not.

I wish I were feigning forgetfulness. Grammar and punctuation rules are the least of my problems. I’m struggling to remember people’s names and places, and I’m having a hard time recalling how to do simple tasks that used to be easy.

My favorite clause has always been Santa. But the other kind is a group of words that contain a subject and a verb. Some clauses have rejected monarchy (independent) and others are on welfare (dependent).

Anyway, I’ll try to accentuate the posítive.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 29/October/2025 @ 8:55 am

Whatever you say, Pete.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/October/2025 @ 6:00 pm

Greg, we’ll be in and around Da Nang…

» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/October/2025 @ 2:03 pm

Brian, no matter how often an old joke is used, it will still be worthy of a Brazilian laughs.

As for getting out and about, yeah, I’m running out of time, so I need to do it while I can. Besides, my readers deserve to read my drivel from some new perspectives.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/October/2025 @ 8:17 am

Kevin, A student’s inability to retain what you have taught them doesn’t make you a bad teacher. So, stop slamming your head against the wall. Since I’m not intentionally failing, I don’t think the passive-aggressive definition fits.

I’d be happy to go back and re-read the lessons covering the cited errors if you will provide the BOE/PTOSP reference number.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/October/2025 @ 8:10 am

Here I am

Pete, thanks for your support!

» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/October/2025 @ 10:14 am

Kevin, it must be some kind of allergy to La Union that makes drinking here a challenge.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/October/2025 @ 10:13 am

Grouphike is just a nine-letter word.

Kevin, keeping it clean and using an anti-bacterial ointment. I will survive!

» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/October/2025 @ 9:14 am

Getting through another day

Brian, true that. When you struggle to make ends meet in the third world, all the problems would seem magnified. I guess that’s why they complain about a 90 peso beer that would cost twice that back home.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/October/2025 @ 4:15 pm

Kevin, Damn. I get what you are saying. Still, it is ironic to make the mistake of using commas I don’t need rather than the other way around.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/October/2025 @ 4:12 pm

Kevin, re-reading those sentences you cited, I would say they could all be better written, but the two most egregious are #1 and #4. I don’t recall the proper terminology, but the problem is using “and” to join what are two complete sentences. I could/should have said:

Then it was on to the SM Mall next door. The department store happened to have the cargo shorts I needed on sale for 500 pesos a pair.

We asked that something more appropriate be played (we were the only customers). They put on some classic rock, but didn’t turn it down.

Some blood was spilled on the trail. I’ll post the details later today.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/October/2025 @ 9:40 am

Take it to the limit one more time

Kevin, yes, I get passed all the time by the “long trail” crew, even when I shortcut.

Hash attendance is pretty standard from the locals, but anniversary events bring in folks from other Hashes as a show of support. That’s why I’ll be joining the fun in La Union this weekend.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/October/2025 @ 10:15 am

Nothing is something

Kevin, Hmm. If I had to re-write that sentence now after thinking about it, I’d say, “Turns out she hanged herself.” Is that better?

I’m left wondering if Whitley committed suicide by alcohol intentionally. What a wasted life.

Yeah, I’ll ask the doc about doing some lung capacity tests, assuming they are available at the local hospital.

Between a corrupt government and a culture ingrained with poverty, it’s going to be hard for the people to find an escape from the cycle. This is a country rich in natural resources, it’s sad the economy is not booming. I feel for Tom and have heard that scenario from others. When you are perceived as being a rich foreigner, people begging for handouts is a fact of life around here. I still get besieged by beggar bargirls I’m barely acquainted with, but I’ve gotten much better at ignoring them.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/October/2025 @ 3:56 pm

Brain, yes, Stick and his unique insights will be missed. And that’s what he said, just too difficult to keep it up without actually being there. Maybe they’ll find someone to replace him, but I doubt it.

Stephen King has a distinctive writer’s voice, but even the best miss the mark sometimes. I think his earlier stuff was better, but maybe I had a different perspective back then. I still can recite this (writing this from memory now):

“The most important things are the hardest to say. They are the things you get ashamed of, because words diminish them — words shrink things that seemed limitless when they were in your head to no more than living size when they’re brought out. But it’s more than that, isn’t it? The most important things lie too close to wherever your secret heart is buried, like landmarks to a treasure your enemies would love to steal away. And you may make revelations that cost you dearly only to have people look at you in a funny way, not understanding what you’ve said at all, or why you thought it was so important that you almost cried while you were saying it. That’s the worst, I think. When the secret stays locked within not for want of a teller but for want of an understanding ear.”
(Okay, I got it mostly right, but wanted to share it exactly like King wrote it, so I did a cut and paste.)

I like your one-eye joke better than the one I posted Thanks for sharing!

Yeah, it is sad to see someone lose their life in such a foolish way. Not that I’m one to talk. I was a lot wilder in my younger years but I got lucky and never OD’d or killed myself doing something stupid while drugged up or intoxicated.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/October/2025 @ 3:43 pm

Out of nothing at all

Kevin, yeah, but trying is easier said than done. Honestly, I take the tests primarily as a measure of where I am. I don’t expect to get better. Still, if I can get a “C,” I’ll take it.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 20/October/2025 @ 10:35 am

Still ain’t done

Matthew, luckily, they are not all Fleeders. And you have to be brown to be an LBFM. Gotta take the good with the bad.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 19/October/2025 @ 2:03 pm

Kevin, it is what it is, whether we like it or not.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 19/October/2025 @ 2:01 pm

Above it all

Cat, Swan is one of the most honest people I’ve ever met.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/October/2025 @ 3:03 pm

Brian, nope, no lady drinks at Central Park, but I don’t consider those as an expense; it’s a form of charity. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.

Yeah, I hate inhaling smoke from a leaf pile; burning garbage is infinitely worse. And then the sky reminds me of growing up in the smog of Southern Cal. Of course, what they don’t burn winds up in the river, and then on the beach. And as you say, the locals don’t care.

Well, I was arguing with the nephew about politics, so that sucks in any language. I’m a lot calmer these days.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/October/2025 @ 9:39 am

Keep ’em coming

Other than the comma issues, my correction was pretty good. 🙂

Yeah, I think I’m a lost cause when it comes to punctuation. Still, my grammar is better than my math.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/October/2025 @ 9:51 am

Kevin, I do appreciate your efforts, but the only clause I know is Santa.

And, the only words I know to describe a clause are the ones you taught me. (I think that saves me from a plagiarism charge.)

clause: a group of words with a subject and a related predicate
independent clause: a clause that stands on its own as a complete thought
dependent clause: a clause that cannot stand on its own as a complete thought

What a timely lesson! My problem is remembering this an hour from now.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/October/2025 @ 9:46 am

Glad to hear you are still a reader, Thirsty. Yep, things have mellowed out quite a bit recently. That’s why I’m enjoying reliving those “wild days” in Itaewon via the LTG archives.

Nice to hear from you again!

» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/October/2025 @ 10:27 am

Kevin, it needs more of a total rewrite than a proofread, but here’s my fix to what is there:

“Good things come through times of sorrow.” I disagree with the sentiment, but the sentence seems correctly written.

“Love is share bonds are strenghered.” Yikes. Make it shared, add a ‘that’ after ‘bonds,’ and spell ‘strengthened’ correctly.

“Commitment renewed.” “Faith is stored.” I’m not sure how you can store faith. I’d make it one sentence: Commitment renewed, faith is restored.”

“Have faith that you are strong and you’ll get through this tough times.” Either use these before tough or make it a singular time.

“Better days are ahead..” You need another period in those ellipses…

Anyway, I may have missed something, but that’s my take.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/October/2025 @ 10:24 am

Enough said

Kevin, well, being smothered in liquid cheese isn’t standard fare for an enchilada, at least where I come from. That said, it was delicious!

» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/October/2025 @ 9:53 am

Brian, yeah, having illogical groups in the mix made it a lot easier to identify the actual performer. Still, I knew the songs and groups well enough to have passed a non-multiple-choice test.

A big chair at a small bar is the perfect fit for that guy. Everyone there seems to like him, and he is generous with the gals, so good on him.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/October/2025 @ 9:48 am

An ass-kicking climb

Brian, when I blacked out, it was an oxygen issue. Given how much water you imbibed, I wonder if the problem was dehydration. Maybe you should consult a doctor to be sure.

Seriously, I’m so impressed with those distances you are able to walk. I don’t even have the balls to walk half that far.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/October/2025 @ 9:51 am

Kevin, yes, he made it so hard on her.

The gal in the middle, Fast and Loose, is the fastest Hasher in our kennel, although Leech My Nuggets can give her a run for the money. The other two ladies are also impressive on the trail. They are always WAY ahead of me, but other than the steep climbs, I’m sure they are running.

Yeah, I don’t know all the details about the guy who died, but one of the Subic Hashers told me the guy didn’t have any water with him and that when he offered to share his, the offer was declined. I, too, hope that the girlfriend, Clam In A Cam, doesn’t feel responsible for what happened. He chose to participate, and the consequences are on him.

I don’t know much about the Pea’s personal story, but she’s been in the USA for some time now. Maybe she notices how much quieter it is there. People would be arrested back home for disturbing the peace if they made noise like they do here. Almost eight years later, I still find it shocking.

I listed the ingredients of Swan’s burrito in the response to Brian’s comment.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 15/October/2025 @ 9:02 am

Brian, Wow! 42K is definitely Kim-like impressive. Dehydration is a funny thing; it apparently hits you with little to no warning. I always carry water with me, but I don’t always drink it. Maybe I need to start drinking some at regular intervals. Anyway, I’m glad you didn’t suffer any damage. I had a bar blackout once (no, I wasn’t drunk either) and wound up with stitches in my head.

I’ll defer to the experts on what distinguishes a wrap from a burrito. I know my “burritos” are more like soft
tacos. Anyway, Swan tells me this is what she puts in her burrito:

longanisa (Filipino sausage)
sweet corn
rice
lettuce
tomato
onion
cheese
Spanish paprika
burrito seasoning mix

» Posted By John McCrarey On 15/October/2025 @ 8:48 am