Comments Posted By John McCrarey

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Getting what I wished for

Well, in Danny’s defense, he had already pulled out of the parking space when I noticed his flat tire. So, he backed in again, leaving room for the tire changing operation.

Regarding the bad sidewalks, I think we don’t have that much back home because the lawyers would get rich suing the city.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/May/2025 @ 5:40 pm

Brian, it was honestly a bit eerie seeing her sitting there, not being Marissa. I did say something along the lines of, “You look like Marissa, are you the same as her?” She said, No and gave this example: “When I drink too much, I fall asleep. When Marissa has too much, she gets crazy.” Oh, yeah. I remember those crazy times.

The rainy season usually begins in late May, but we’ve had a storm three days in a row now, so maybe things are kicking off early this year.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/May/2025 @ 7:51 am

Leader of the pack

Kev, that’s what they are calling it. He’s not back to hiking with us yet, but he is up and around.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/May/2025 @ 3:11 pm

My trail from my house to the On-Home was only 5.5K, about half of what the Hash trail totaled. And my solitary hill climb was nothing compared to the grueling ups and downs on Kalaklan Ridge the other Hashers endured.

Scott is taking it slow for now, but he’ll be back. He says there are no lingering side effects from his mini-stroke experience.

There are occasional “ballbuster” events that are long (15K+) but not flat. They aren’t regular Hashes, though. I still have that 29K hike from San Narciso on my bucket list.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/May/2025 @ 8:24 am

Once again

Kev, I’m no expert on birria tacos, but I do enjoy the taste of the ones we get at John’s. Maybe the dip would make them better, but who am I to tell them?

Well, good for Rennie. Now he’s more than just a meme to me!

Hopefully, I’m better than I was but not as good as I’m going to be. Time will tell if I repeat past mistakes or make new ones.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/May/2025 @ 8:28 am

Brian, It is fine to be an outsider. I’m here legally and obey the laws of the land. I try and be respectful to the local norms and customs. Those are the standards I expect of immigrants to the USA. Whether they choose to “integrate in US society” beyond that matters not to me.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/May/2025 @ 8:21 am

Spread your wings

Yeah, that’s a typo on the sign. I hadn’t noticed it when I took the photo. It fits, though, because there is something “off” about that bar…

» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/May/2025 @ 8:05 am

Friday night lights

Thanks, Charles. That’s my favorite of yours. Hope you are enjoying the afterlife.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 04/May/2025 @ 9:01 am

Ha-ha, that’s funny, Brian! I don’t always tie the music video to the theme of the post, but try to do so when I can. And yeah, yesterday I had so many options to choose from. I’m impressed that you picked up on that.

Vitaly got what he asked for, that’s for sure. I’m sure he had no clue what a nightmare a Filipino jail really is. I don’t think I’d survive a month in one of those overcrowded underfed hellholes. He is a classic example of FAFO and I am sure he is already regretting being an asshole in the Philippines.

I honestly doubt there are any relationships left to salvage.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 04/May/2025 @ 9:00 am

Kev, the failure to stock wine in the bars is frustrating. Swan’s favorite is only 350 pesos (less than $7) a bottle at Royal. Most bars charge between 150 and 200 pesos a glass. Even if you don’t sell a lot, keeping a bottle in the fridge makes sense. We don’t tend to return to places that disappoint as there are many other options that don’t.

I hadn’t noticed the “scare quotes” (sorry, couldn’t resist) on the menu. It makes no sense unless they were trying to be funny.

Anyone who buys a double lady drink has a learning disability, IMHO. Most bars call a bottled beer a “double” when purchased as a lady drink and charge 300 pesos or more per bottle (the customer price is 100 pesos or less). Wet Spot and Green Room make a big deal out of not engaging in this ripoff practice. I buy my fair share of drinks for the ladies, but I always specify “single” when I order (a single LD is around 180 pesos). I’m not even a cheap Charlie; I often buy two singles for the gal, but I won’t allow myself to be scammed of one “double.” IDM bar charges a flat 200 pesos for any lady drink, including bottles, and I’m okay with that. Cheap Charlies bar just raised their LD pricing to 250, and I won’t buy one there now. It’s not about the money; it’s the principle.

Here’s to hoping I can avoid that being bedridden hell. I’d rather be dead. Although maybe if that day comes I’d reconsider. At least I’d have nothing else to do but watch all the films you’ve reviewed, so there’s that.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 04/May/2025 @ 8:52 am

Mostly normal

“All that flammable hair!”
Yep, lots of hot times in the 1970s…

Yeah, those ruffian fuckers you mention seem to be hiding around every corner, waiting to ambush me. Luckily, I probably won’t know it when they get me.

Barretto is my assisted living facility. If the time comes when I can’t be taken care of here, I’d just prefer to be dead. I’ve left a list of next of kin to notify when the end comes, but I suspect it won’t matter to me or them. I have a will, so whatever I don’t spend between now and then will be distributed accordingly.

As to the future and whatever it may bring, I am going to continue living my best life, shallow though it may be. It’s been interesting to revisit my Itaewon days as I peruse the blog archives. Damn, I was a master drinker back then, beer and the hard stuff all night and into the wee hours of the morning. Nowadays, I drink low-alcohol beer for three hours or so in the early evening hours. I don’t think I need to cut back anymore than I already have; brain cells be damned!

Does that make me ignorant or apathetic?

» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/May/2025 @ 10:26 am

Health and well-being

I’ve only heard it called GPS here, but I’ve only heard foreigners say it. As for the driver, I think he was full of bola bola (bullshit). All he had to do was ask the guards, and they would have escorted him to my place.

Yeah, I’m doing pretty well for an old fucker. My goal is 15 more years of this…

» Posted By John McCrarey On 02/May/2025 @ 10:21 am

Nice to hear from you, Tom. You were always one of my favorites in LOTR.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 02/May/2025 @ 10:18 am

A beach of a day

Kev, I must be addicted. Maybe a warning label should be required. My phone app keeps count of the steps, but I miss being able to check my stats with the flip of the wrist. But it seems I have no options now other than to switch over to a Garmin…we shall see.

The ultrasound results were mostly positive…a cyst on my kidney seems to be what was causing the pain. It’s too small for surgery, though.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 01/May/2025 @ 8:30 am

Thanks, Cherry.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 01/May/2025 @ 8:23 am

S-H-I-T-T-Y

You can’t spell Santa without Satan…

» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/April/2025 @ 9:40 am

Kev, sorry about the typo. It’s Kala klan.

Martin hasn’t been Hashing or hiking for quite some time. Once he became a member of the Hell’s Angels, he spent all his time with his biking buddies. Do you want to come out and be our Santa this year?

I’m unsure of Joakim’s age, but I believe he was still in his fifties.

Yep, it was one of those days, for sure.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/April/2025 @ 8:29 am

Brian, I’m not aware of Martin’s personal situation. I know he was a Marine, so he should have VA benefits, but the Tri-Care insurance is only accepted in a limited number of hospitals here. The accident happened way out in Mindoro, so he’s lucky to be alive. Hopefully, the fundraiser goes well next week.

I’ve heard two different versions regarding Joakim–he died in his sleep or during prostate cancer surgery. He was back in his native Sweden when he passed. Not sure of his age, but I’m guessing in his fifties. I know his Filipina recently gave birth. Not sure what comes next for the bar and his family.

At least Scott seems to be on the upswing now.

Yeah, I’m not riding that roller coaster anymore, but the blog was more interesting during my drama-filled days, don’t you think?

» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/April/2025 @ 8:24 am

Jack, we have black folk in our expat community. They seem to fare as well as the rest of us.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/April/2025 @ 8:14 am

Under the Sunday

No, not sure they have figured it out yet. He’s seeing a cardiologist today.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 29/April/2025 @ 1:47 pm

Just winging it

Scott goes by Pubic Head at the Hash. Leech My Nuggets is a different Hasher.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/April/2025 @ 8:19 am

Brian, yeah, I have no idea what criteria were used to declare Barretto the champ, but the ugly girl example may well be apropos.

I do support Trump’s tariff and trade policies. We’ve been disadvantaged by the unfair tactics of our “partners” for far too long. It’s time to level the playing field, even if the transition is painful. What has concerned me for a very long time is that the USA has lost much of its manufacturing capabilities. It’s also good to take China down a notch and hopefully rein in their expansionist objectives without resorting to war.

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

Litter me this

Sorry, Bentley. The ladyboys are all for Aaron. Glad you liked the pizza!

» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/April/2025 @ 3:56 pm

Brian, yep, I stand corrected. No wonder things never added up for me in life. I didn’t get different toppings, but I was able to do a thin crust version thanks to my flawed logic.

It really wasn’t about the money. I just believed getting two pizzas was a better deal and I was so proud of myself for figuring that out! Plus, I knew I would be sharing with the bargirls, so a separate pizza was better logistically. Live and learn!

» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/April/2025 @ 8:43 am

Kevin, I never was good at math in school, grammar and punctuation were my strong suits. That said, until I read your explanation, I thought my logic was sound. Oh, well. It all makes sense now. But, by ordering two small pizzas, I got the crust I prefer, so there’s that.

Jesus, yes, I meant Bentley. What the fuck has happened to my brain?

» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/April/2025 @ 8:37 am

The road is long

Thanks, Daeguowl. It makes more sense now. The drawing makes it seem the boil is on the anus, but better ointment there than a knife, I suppose.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/April/2025 @ 8:38 am

Kev, I’m not THAT ambitious! What I hope to do is walk the 29K someday, and I’ll probably try to do it by walking home from there. But yeah, scouting some spots to rest along the way is a good plan. I know there are fast food joints like Jollibee and McDo, so that’s a possibility.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/April/2025 @ 5:24 pm

Kev, yeah, I was thinking something intestinal. I’ve been a tad constipated as well. Or maybe it’s a kidney stone.

I’m tempted to try that San Narciso walk, even if I have to bail before I finish. I’m thinking I’ll spend a night at Mope Resort, then walk back to Barretto (as far as I can) bright and early the next morning.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/April/2025 @ 8:21 am

Aaron, things are fine with Swan and all the trannies are for you.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/April/2025 @ 8:16 am

The hills are alive

Not back to normal yet, but trending in that direction. Thanks!

» Posted By John McCrarey On 25/April/2025 @ 1:14 pm