Comments Posted By John McCrarey
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Kev, yes, I noticed the smiling faces, too.
Eggs are a popular breakfast item with Filipinos. I was given the option of fried or scrambled with my pork side. One type egg I will never eat is balut.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/February/2025 @ 8:11 am
Brian, yes I found the climb harder and longer than Easter Mountain. It may have been the toughest Hash trail I’ve hiked (I didn’t have my usual ability to shortcut).
I last lived in Columbia, SC which was relatively safe, with just some areas to be avoided after dark. But yeah, I still feel safer here in Barretto. When I walk through a slummy area here I never feel threatened. The people are friendly, just poor. I did have my house broken into once, but violence or robberies are almost unheard of here. Probably the most common crime I hear about is pickpockets. I maintain situational awareness for that when I’m riding crowded Jeepneys.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/February/2025 @ 8:04 am
Brian, I’m not what, if any limit, I have on ATM withdrawals on NFCU debit card. I do a 40,000 pesos ($700) withdrawal once a week without a problem. Well, the local bank I use limits the amount to 20,000 per transaction, so I have to do two. The down side is the bank charges me 250 pesos each time. Oh well, it is still the most convenient way to access my US account for cash. I pay my helpers with wire transfers using Wise or Remitly services.
UPDATE: Checked with my credit union and the daily ATM withdrawal limit is $1000.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/February/2025 @ 7:52 am
Kev, I ordered lunch yesterday and breakfast this morning off the Filipino menu! Pictures coming soon.
The thirty-minute service gap went by unnoticed. I guess everyone was distracted.
It’s rare that I drink 12 beers in one night, but when I do I can maintain control unless I’m not drinking low-alcohol Zeros. I’d say “lesson learned” but you know me…
My cognition is definitely in decline. I just can’t remember if beer is a contributing factor. Leaving the door open was more a matter of being focused on the video. But then again, if I can’t managed two thoughts at once…
Yeah, I know how to spell Yongsan and saw the mistake. I just forgot to correct it. That cognition downhill slope is getting steep!
Swan was not happy with my over-indulgence on Friday and kept reminding me at the Hash circle last night to slow down. I’ll try and do better.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/February/2025 @ 9:54 am
Welcome back, Thompson! I was wondering how you’ve been doing, but it sounds like everything is about the same. Maybe you should find a girlfriend just to cook and clean for you. Yeah, you’d have to bang her now and then, but it might be worth it.
When I was ready to upchuck the other night, my girl helpfully brought me the wastebasket to puke in. I’m a lucky guy!
“Sex without love is as hollow and ridiculous as love without sex.”
― Hunter S. Thompson» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/February/2025 @ 8:16 am
Brian, I haven’t been to San Fernando, but I understand it’s a good place for shopping (malls, supermarkets, etc.)
There is a large ex-pat community here in Bauang and it has a nice beach town vibe about. Before the scamdemic there were a lot more bars to enjoy, but it’s still fine as an occasional weekend hangout.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/February/2025 @ 8:11 am
Kev, nope, no parsley for me. No idea what the hell it was doing on top of a taco!
Well, pecan pie is hard to resist, so I’m lucky it is hard to find in these parts. A small slice was 250 pesos, which should help me avoid future over-indulgence.
Yeah, it is always nice to see someone like Baio who is not part of the Hollywood hivemind. That video always cracks me up.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/February/2025 @ 8:32 am
Brian, yeah, those steps that I’ve seen are all on the other side of the river. Hope I never have to use them!
I live about a kilometer from town, do a morning dog walk, and then a me walk. It all adds up.
I don’t know about the Fitbit calorie count, either. I assume it includes the normal burn as the baseline and then adds in the exercise count. The important number is intake, and if I can stay under 2000 a day, I should be okay.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/February/2025 @ 8:25 am
I’d forgotten about that test. I was going to retake it and see what progress (or regression) I’ve made, but alas, the website you linked no longer exists.
There are some Filipino dishes I enjoy; lechon is probably my favorite, but there are almost always options I enjoy more available. I’ll concede that I’m not much of an adventurer when it comes to food. What I see the locals eat most often is full of noodles or rice-based. Not healthy choices for me. How about this: You pick a Filipino dish that looks interesting, and I’ll try it and video the experience for your enjoyment.
“Relax, take a breath, and accept the Filipino way.”
I’ll try and remember that! 🙂
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/February/2025 @ 7:10 am
I had intended to get a retirement visa when I moved here, but it was a bigger hassle than I wanted to deal with. The tourist visa isn’t ideal, but it works for me.
I’m not unhappy, so there’s that.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/February/2025 @ 8:34 am
Thanks for the YouTube guidance; I’ll have to check out the purchase option. I had Amazon Prime when I first moved here, but many of the shows weren’t available in the Philippines for some reason.
5K isn’t that much? Did you forget who you are talking to? Do a 5K highway walk BEFORE starting a Leech My Nuggets trail would not be a wise choice for this old fart.
Yes, I do want to have the ability to edit my videos. The first step is learning to use the software so I can use several short snippets in one video. I’d honestly prefer doing narration live, but if the background noises are that much of a distraction, I may have to reconsider. Anyway, it’s a work in progress, but I appreciate your suggestions and advice. I’ll likely be consulting you once I acquire the equipment.
I’ll attempt to make a Mama interview my first. She must have some interesting stories to tell.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/February/2025 @ 8:47 am
Kevin, the starting point wasn’t that much further from my house; it was all those climbs after the start that put me off. Next week, we start at Waltermart, a 5K journey from Barretto, and I have no issues with taking a Jeepney to get there. Leech My Nuggets is the Hare, and I always enjoy his trails. Vienna Sausage, not so much.
Yep, a hands-free camera is on my shopping list. My only concern is finding an easy way to upload the videos to my YouTube account. I also need to find some convenient software for editing.
I didn’t realize you could hear my gnarled old lungs at work in the video. The phlegm is a side-effect of the COPD, but it’s been a little worse than usual these past couple of weeks.
We take a brief rest stop at Onelia’s now and then. She doesn’t speak much English, so the conversation is light. I always dispense some cookies when I pass through.
I treated Mama to dinner a few years back. She’s also hard to talk to, and the conversation is limited and surface. Marissa was with me then, so we learned a little more about her (former bargirl at a place called Kinky’s, had some boyfriends on the ships when the Navy base was here, but not much detail). That was the time when I had rented her a place to stay on Baloy; she went in, looked around, and told me, “No, thank you.” She seems to prefer her homeless lifestyle.
I’ll consider an occasion interview with some of the local characters once I get some better equipment. I’m not sure how comfortable folks will feel being recorded, but we’ll see what happens.
Regarding the Hash attendance, some groups came up from Angeles City and Manila to join us. I don’t think that was specific to Vienna Sausage, but some of the hardcore folks enjoy his insane trails.
Nope, Scott didn’t do a trail this week. It was his girlfriend’s birthday, and he was at her beach party during the Hash run. His not being there as a guide and fellow shortcutter was a factor in my decision to forego the Hare’s trail.
Watching Groundhog Day on YouTube is a no-go. What was listed as the “full movie” turned out to be clips from the film stuck together sequentially. We gave up on that bullshit last night. I guess it is time to visit Pirate Bay.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/February/2025 @ 7:50 am
Brian, we had a bunch of Hashers join us from Angeles City and Manila, which brought the numbers way up. Not sure what made them all decide to come this week, but it’s always nice to see new faces.
Yeah, Seoul was crazy expensive, especially near the Army base. Our housing allowance was generous but not enough to rent the nicest places. My two-bedroom, two-bath apartment was new, modern, and furnished, and $3500 a month 20 years ago. The cost of living is one reason I didn’t stay in Korea after retirement. I really did enjoy my time there otherwise.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/February/2025 @ 7:03 am
Kev, I guess the science of lousy humor is settled. Who knew? I’m not sure my “jokes” have gotten worse with age, but it is what it is. Some folks are born with gifts: artists, writers, actors, etc. My talent is bad puns and lame jokes. And any reaction to my attempts to be funny, even a cringe, is all the reward I need. So, thank you!
As to the kids, sweetness and trauma go hand-in-hand. Serves them right! 🙂
Yep, nobody goes to Hideaway for the skinny girls, that’s for sure.
John’s place is being run by the widow and the children, and I haven’t noticed any drop in food quality. This is not surprising because the wife had been trained by John and was pretty much running the kitchen long before John’s passing.
I’m not looking for juice from the pulled pork joke, but a little sauce would be tasty. 🙂
Putting ice cream on a McD’s pie was a first-time experience for me; sorry, I didn’t document it with a photo. It was a tasty treat, indeed! I didn’t know that they stopped frying the pies in the USA. When I was looking for the picture I posted, I noticed that some of the pies were in green boxes (they are red here), so I guess green means baked.
Sorry for the undesignated photo with my siblings. I did mention that Greg is my baby brother, and I was the one with the goofy expression, but I should have been clearer.
The pictures from the mountain climb in Korea were taken by a co-worker I used to hike with.
Drinking myself to death? Getting plenty of fluids is part of a healthy lifestyle! What next, breathing yourself to death? But yes, the Philippines is a land fraught with peril. Typhoons, earthquakes, volcanos, bad drivers; it’s no wonder most of the funeral banners I see are people who died younger than me. As for construction methods, a bamboo shack is cheap to build and cheap to replace if it blows down in a storm.
Ah, the Pea is a cutie. Love her personality and humor. And those legs!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 04/February/2025 @ 8:25 am
Brian, I’m with you on this. Sometimes when I search for the calorie count of a food item, I get a wide range. Birria tacos go from 270 to 630 calories; I tend to pick something in the middle.
Yeah, that awareness thing is a big help. I always bake a batch of muffins on Tuesday morning for my helpers. Just now, I had a hunger pang and figured, why not have a muffin? Checked the box, and each muffin is 150 calories. Nope, not worth it to me.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 04/February/2025 @ 7:45 am
Kev, I really appreciate the feedback and suggestions for improving the quality of my videos. I’m a work in progress, but I’ll try to incorporate these ideas going forward. This is all new to me as I’ve always been into still shots, but video offers a different quality and perspective. Besides, I’ve taken photos of the same scene so many times even I’m bored with it. Video makes everything old new again!
Hmm, maybe it was a 3-pack of cookies…Swan did the crumbling. As to the accuracy of my calorie count, I just trust what the app says when I enter the food selection. I may misjudge the volume consumed, but that cuts both ways, high and low. I’ve never counted calories before, and it is a pain in the ass sometimes, but it is helpful in a “Is this food really worth it?” kind of way.
Well, twelve beers is a rarity and definitely my max (for example, I had ten last night). That said, I was drinking San Miguel ZERO (3% alcohol/60 calories). San Miguel Light (5% alcohol/100 calories) would floor me if I had a dozen!
I’d love to see you review Groundhog Day! Yes, I picked up on that Murray/McDowell chemistry I’d forgotten about in that clip I posted. Woo-hoo! I just checked, and the full movie is available on YouTube! Something to watch while I’m waiting for the “Squid Game” finale!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/February/2025 @ 7:37 am
Brian, I get what you are saying about inertia, but how do you differentiate that from bland satisfaction? I recall the times I was not happy with my life, and this isn’t the same. Maybe I’m unwinding at the end of the road.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/February/2025 @ 7:13 am
Brian, the nice thing is I’m not feeling hungry all the time. I’m eating smarter and avoiding most of the high-calorie foods I love, but I guess I’m getting enough of what I need.
I didn’t start playing darts until I moved to Korea and was hanging out in Itaewon bars a lot. Darts is a sociably acceptable reason to drink–I used to call my beers “aiming fluid.”
“You can’t add time to the end of your retirement, only to the beginning!” That’s a great way to put it, and it’s very true. They tried to get me to stay “just one more year” in Korea, but I couldn’t help but feel it was time to start my new life.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 02/February/2025 @ 8:11 am
Kev, The Microsoft “drunk warning” was intended as a joke. I didn’t get floored or otherwise out of control that night. I stayed out an hour later and drank more than usual, but that was the extent of my abuse. I like to imbibe but don’t want to be the loud and obviously drunk guy in the bar.
Yes, we encouraged Tim to continue hiking back in the States. He said he was going to check around for a local Hash.
That bridge was a rebuild of one that had collapsed while Ed (the first guy in the video) crossed it a few months ago. The thing about bamboo planks is they bend when you step on them. A couple of the guys have balance issues, so that movement underfoot can be off-putting.
The dart game I mentioned was “501.” You start there and subtract the total of your dart throws until you get to zero, but you have to finish with a double out (that ring on the outer edge of the board). A ton score of 100 is usually thrown as a triple 20 and two single 20s. Four tons, then the 101 out (triple 17, single 18, double 16) for the win.
There can be lots of drama in a dart match (alcohol + competitive spirit can do that), but you learn to deal with that early on if you want to be successful. I was a pretty solid player back in the day, but eventually lost my passion for the game, and it stopped being fun.
I have no idea what Jee Yeun is doing these days. I guess neither of us is motivated to go through with the legal process to end the marriage that ended, in reality, nine years ago. I get a tax break, and I guess she just doesn’t care. Losing her and the life we shared was a soul-crushing experience for me.
I always enjoyed Phil Collins’ music, too. I just read his Wikipedia entry, and he is still alive at 74 but has health issues. According to Wiki, Collins wasn’t popular with his peers, who said he was an asshole. Later in the article, it mentions he’s a conservative supporter, which might explain his unpopularity. Neil Young is a stupid lefty, but I still like his old songs.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 02/February/2025 @ 8:01 am
Kev, Finished Season 2 (or part one of Season 2) last night. I’ll definitely be sticking around to see what happens next. Things I find “unbelievable” include the inability of anyone to discover the location of the island. You can’t build that kind of infrastructure to support the population of players and guards without leaving discernable traces on the land. Where are the docks? Where does the electricity come from? The smaller questions about whether regular folks off the street would willingly become brutal murderers for money I can pretty much ignore. Still, once they found out that only one person had survived the previous game, you’d think they’d see the wisdom of voting to leave while they had the chance. The “Matrix” was easier for me to accept as science fiction, “Squid Game” presents itself as reality. Swan is enjoying it very much.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 02/February/2025 @ 7:08 am
Maybe a first-class airplane meal. Tiny portions = low price. The steaks at John’s place cost 3X more.
Yeah, I don’t care enough about the story or characters to be interested in any spinoff shows. I’m hooked enough to want to stick around and see how it ends, but I’m still not believing the basic premise of “Squid Game.”
So, those slimy fat cells aren’t going to slither away? Damn, that bites. (thanks for the link)
It wasn’t really a party; just me and Scott joining him for the SOB. It was more of a fishing expedition for Tim as he searched for a hook-up for his last night in town. Tim had two on the line when I departed. Looks like he’ll be staying at the same place when he returns.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 01/February/2025 @ 7:37 am
Kev, I asked Dr. Jo about that yesterday. She said you can see improvements through things like reduced BP and improved blood sugar measurements (which I don’t monitor). Otherwise, I’d need to redo some of those tests and compare results to know if my veins have less blockage. She said for someone like me without severe symptoms, the chelation was more of a preventative treatment. According to her, folks who are suffering feel the difference after chelation.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 31/January/2025 @ 7:18 am
Brian, it is hard to imagine a crazier thought than that! 🙂 I’ll just keep on keepin’ on this path I’ve chosen.
When I worked for the Army, they had a “five-year rule” limiting overseas assignments. The stated rationale was to ensure that skills didn’t deteriorate from lack of exposure to new ideas/challenges. The other reason was to provide opportunities for other people to experience the challenges of working outside the USA. The problem was that while lots of folks wanted to work in Europe, recruiting to Korea was a real bitch. I would argue to no avail that sending someone home because their five years were up and being unable to find someone as good to take their place was not wise. Occasionally, exceptions would be made for critical positions, but it was still a dumb policy, in my opinion. Perhaps the going native thing was the real reason.
I know some expats prefer the province life and being the only foreigner around. I’m the opposite–sharing this PI adventure with other like-minded folks is what I like best. I guess that’s just putting a foot in the water rather than diving in, but it works for me!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 31/January/2025 @ 7:09 am
Yes, a GoPro is on my shopping list! Thanks for the suggestion.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 31/January/2025 @ 7:10 am
The main turnoff for me on SBMA is that “Americanness” you noticed. I looked at a nice duplex there, former officer housing on the Navy base, and it had a huge American-style kitchen, a comfy upstairs master bedroom, and a view of the duplexes across the street. A real American suburb vibe. Except I wanted to live in the Philippines. SBMA is nice to visit, but I have no regrets about my decision to reside elsewhere.
The key to successfully videoing in horizontal mode is starting and finishing recording, holding the phone in that position. It is a bit of a pain in the ass, and I need to improve my targeting. A camera clipped to my hat ought to give a better “John’s-eye view” to my videos. I hadn’t noticed the heavy breathing; I’ll try to control myself better in the future! Yeah, I’ll need to make sure whatever software package I wind up with is easy to use and worth the effort.
Yes, Justin is the third “J” on the nephew list, and he is the one you’ve met. He couldn’t attend the funeral because he was (and still is) living in Korea.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/January/2025 @ 7:18 am
Kev, I did the introductory Korean class on base, then hired a tutor for several months. But spending my days on the American army base and nights in Itaewon, where everyone spoke English, I rarely got to use or develop those Korean language skills. So, I never pursued fluency. My Korean vocabulary is still larger than my ability in Tagalog.
Yes, Carol and I shared many traits in common. Except our dreams for the future.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 29/January/2025 @ 7:37 am
Brian, I’m hoping most of the smoke I encounter is from burning leaves, but I see many remnants of burned garbage piles so that crap is in the mix. You’d think the authorities would make it easier by providing receptacles at collection points, but that’s not the case. Honestly, I would not know where to leave my trash if it wasn’t picked up each week.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 29/January/2025 @ 7:29 am
Kev, yeah, I need to up my game if I want to add some videos to my routine. Some new equipment will be a start. I’m also going to look into some video editing software. We shall see.
I try to be sympathetic to the garbage issue. These folks live in an area that is not accessible for trash collection vehicles. Yeah, they carry the goods home; they ought to be able to take the empties out in the same manner. However, the local government has provided no dumpsters or other drop-off options, so people just find a spot and chuck the rubbish there. Sad, but somewhat understandable. If I were in that situation, I’d probably dig a hole and burn it there. I’m sure many do just that, and that’s why the air is sometimes smoky.
Yep, we watched episode 3 last night. A surprise ending seeing Number One in the game.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/January/2025 @ 6:59 am
I had to look up the name, but yes, that’s a Dao tree. They are very impressive.
Tim is heading back but plans to return later this year. He’s got a few years before he can retire.
And I didn’t get an “interrogation” vibe from your questions. No worries!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/January/2025 @ 8:12 am
«« Back To Stats PageDrain, I’ve gotten better with age at discerning who the liars out there are, and I take pride in sleuthing out the truth. It’s especially satisfying to be proven right in those assessments like I was with the COVID scamdemic bullshit.
Anyway, as you say, there is no point in letting politics distract from the importance of enjoying your life.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/January/2025 @ 7:43 am