Comments Posted By John McCrarey
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Brian, as far as I can tell, the only “responsibilities” associated with being a godparent here involve money. You are expected to gift cash on birthdays, Christmas, and other occasions when your godchild is in need. I understand my name was included in the christening documents (I didn’t attend the event) and I gave my goddaughter’s mother 1000 pesos to commemorate the occasion.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/December/2024 @ 7:50 am
So you marked the Hash trail yesterday, then did almost the same trail for your candy run today?
No, what I meant to say was that we marked the Hash trail DURING our Candy Walk on Sunday. The Hash trail was mostly the same, just a little longer.
I don’t fully understand the godparent process, but no formal ritual was involved. Swan gave the mother a piece of paper with her name on it, and a small cash donation, and that was it. I’ll find out more tomorrow when I become one for a niece of Swan’s.
We were the only customers we we first arrived
The scary thing is my brain was still farting when I did the proofreading.
Maybe you made the error on purpose…?
I wish I could take the coward’s way out and say the error was in fun. Alas, it was just another embarrassing fuck-up. The crazy thing is I fully understand the distinction between “discrete” and “discreet.” I guess in my discretion, I chose to be wrong; I just should have been more discreet about it.
“Hump Day”–that’s a good one. For Kirk, every day is Hump Day!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/December/2024 @ 7:46 am
Heidi was married to a well-off Brit who built the house before he passed away several years ago. These days, the second-floor rooms are used for Airbnb rentals, and the rooftop is a community space. I know if I lived there, I’d spend all my spare time on the roof. And yes, the food was outstanding.
Yep, Mark’s passing is a good reminder that you never know when your time will be over. I read that he was the father of a young child here. I hope he made provisions for the widow so the family is taken care of. That’s right—six years in the country—just like me.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/December/2024 @ 7:23 am
I will enjoy a nice Christmas feast. Even though I’m counting calories, I’m still enjoying myself and eating well.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/December/2024 @ 7:13 am
Brian. Precisely. I just don’t get the thinking. Let’s charge 150 and make a hundred pesos profit on each beer we sell, and MAYBE sell ten a day (the place is always empty when I pass by). Or, I can charge 100, make fifty per bottle, and sell fifty beers a day. Let’s do the math.
Again, it could be a very nice beach venue but they are apparently to mathematically challenged to make it work. Oh well, I’m glad for all the other options!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/December/2024 @ 7:54 am
Kev, it was a discrete mistake that I didn’t make discreetly. Thanks for the reminder; surely, I knew that at one time. Maybe that girl who knew me that I couldn’t remember was named Grammar.
I couldn’t climb 6000 stairsteps in my dreams. It would be more like a nightmare!
Wet Spot is one of those dark bars, and I’m shy about ruining the vibe by using a flash, so my pics are a red alert. That’s why I don’t mind stealing shots taken by the event’s official photographer.
Yeah, the dancer gave that pole a workout. I was thinking the same thing about the potential collapse as I watched her performance.
I’ve had the Viking pizza before, but it doesn’t compare to Gino’s in Itaewon.
With Aussies, it’s the accent my brain struggles to decipher. With my Scottish friend back in Korea, it was the expressions. “My bonnet’s full of heavy sheet. How many stones can that lift carry?”
» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/December/2024 @ 7:40 am
Kev, Johm’s is the correct rendition of the bar’s name, although I shake my head every time I see it. Most Filipinos write my name as “Jhon” for some reason. In the case of “Thumstar,” that is just sloppy work from the sign maker. We constantly deal with misspellings on Hash shirts we have made here. I’m not sure if the workers are ignorant or apathetic. *ahem*
» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/December/2024 @ 7:10 am
Swan is what I call my girlfriend here.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/December/2024 @ 7:00 am
Brian, yep, that’s true of most big cities–all the negative aspects are amplified. I don’t even like to go to the airport in Manila if I can avoid it.
The expat community in Barretto is primarily old retired guys like me. I always shake my head in wonder when yet another new bar opens in town. There ain’t enough of us to keep them all going as it is, and the foreigner tourists have not come back at a pre-COVID level. The beach resorts fill up on the weekend with Filipinos, but they don’t tend to patronize Western bars. So, that’s why I force myself to go out drinking all the time–I’m trying to support our local business community! That’s my story and I’m sticking with it!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/December/2024 @ 6:59 am
It doesn’t always go according to plan
Kev, we don’t have any nature preserves or parkland that I’ve seen in this area, and certainly no rangers. Most of the land we hike is privately owned, so I guess the owners are free to fence as they please. The barangay will intervene if there are property disputes.
Yes, I remember that journey to Bundang. It was mostly enjoyable, just too short! 🙂 In my Philippines travels, I’ve only seen one nature reserve, a sanctuary for eagles down in Mindanao. I’m sure there are more, just not around where I live.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/December/2024 @ 7:19 am
Kev, it can be frustrating when your intended path is blocked, but as you say, it can also trigger a spirit of adventure. That was the case on Wednesday’s hike.
I’m not sure what you mean by “park authorities,” but they don’t exist in these parts. The land we hike is generally not public space, and more and more frequently, the land owners are fencing their property, perhaps in an effort to keep squatters out. What I can’t figure out is how the folks who live on adjacent land deal with losing access to their property. You’d think there would be right-of-way passages included in the deeds, but maybe that’s just my first-world mentality.
That Obama meme was meant as a joke. I don’t believe Michelle is a male, just an ugly masculine woman. And my point was that it is hypocritical of the left to get offended after all the hatred they’ve spewed against anyone who has a contrary worldview.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 20/December/2024 @ 6:55 am
Aaron, I’ve noticed good rock music consistently in places like BarCelona and Cheap Charlies. Kokomo’s floating bar has a great playlist, but it is usually too loud for my taste. Some bars, like Hideaway, will play whatever you request.
Johm’s and Thumbstar are the only bars I’ve heard have trannies. I don’t frequent either one.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 20/December/2024 @ 6:45 am
Most of the time, I manage to stay within my charity budget, but this December has been rather exceptional. It’s not that I can’t say no; it’s just that I don’t want to. I’m providing the funds for this feeding, but Swan is doing all the organizing and heavy lifting. It’s what she loves to do–a one-woman NGO.
I honestly don’t know that comic’s authorship. Like you, I didn’t get a Watterson vibe from it.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 19/December/2024 @ 6:48 am
I don’t know, Brian. I’m a nine-to-five guy. Isn’t that the traditional measure of a hard worker? I wasn’t always such an early-to-bed person, I’m just a creature of circumstances. I usually head into town around four. My drinking capacity is maxed after three or four hours, so I head back home. Once I’ve had my dessert, I’m ready to sleep. Starting to drink later might be a solution, but I don’t want to walk into town in the dark. Anyway, I like getting up before the sun and enjoying some quiet time with my laptop.
Yep, spend your money while you can because you can’t take it with you.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 19/December/2024 @ 6:38 am
“I know you took that shot for the tight little butt and the butt floss, you perv.”
Well, you noticed it, too. So, what does that make you? 🙂
Yes, the beach life is a big part of what I love about living here. And even after all these years, the view of the mountains and the water is still awesome and inspiring.
Yes, three sessions so far. The first two were actual chelation; yesterday was an IV to restore the good stuff chelation removes. Next month, we will do round two. I haven’t noticed any changes externally, but the goal is to clear those arteries. Dr. Jo says chelation can reduce blood sugar as well, but that’s something I don’t check, so I don’t know if it is working in that regard.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/December/2024 @ 7:34 am
Aaron, I worked hard all my life so I could be gay someday.
I’m so out of touch with reality that I had to Google CobraTate to see who was spewing that BS. I’m glad I’m not living the way he suggests.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/December/2024 @ 7:23 am
Nope, I never want to drive or ride in that cart on the highway. It’s fine in the neighborhood. We had to pick up a package at the guard shack yesterday, and I drove it down for that, but that’s as far as I’ll go.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/December/2024 @ 7:02 am
I took it for a test drive in the neighborhood but there is no way I’d drive it on the street. I’ve advised Swan to stay off the highway, but we’ll see. The Santa trail next week had portions that would be inaccessible in a vehicle anyway.
There are so many times that I will see something stupid written and think, “that is not going to age well”
I trust you’ve never thought that while reading LTG!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/December/2024 @ 6:59 am
For what it’s worth, many women claim to like girth.
I guess it is something that grows on them.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/December/2024 @ 7:03 am
Yeah, there is a downside to investing on the beach. It’s more of a fantasy than a plan, but the right place at the right time for the right amount of money could trigger the Rite Spot. Mostly, I’d like Swan to have something to sustain her after I’m gone.
Yep, Swan can still do the wraparound my middle. The weight is coming off faster than the girth, though.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/December/2024 @ 6:10 am
We wish you a Hashy Christmas!
Well, here in the PI grannies can be in their 30s…
I’m not sure where John got his Hash name; he’s been Hashing all over the world. It was pretty funny to learn what Yogini means.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 15/December/2024 @ 5:13 am
That sounds like a shitty experience that will always be a crappy memory for you. Reading it left me feeling a little flushed.
While not as extreme as you describe, since I’ve started this diet my turds have been more solid and harder to expel. I don’t eat candy so it’s not that. Maybe a lack of fiber.
Hope you are doing well these days.
“Buy the ticket, take the ride.”
Hunter S. Thompson
» Posted By John McCrarey On 14/December/2024 @ 8:05 am
Recharging should just be a matter of plugging it in. We don’t have an outlet in the carport, though, so we will need to run an extension court from the house.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 14/December/2024 @ 7:56 am
Yes, it is basically a golf cart. It does have plastic flaps you can drop down in the rain.
I have no intentions of driving that thing, even when I’m sober, so there is no DUI in my future.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 14/December/2024 @ 7:54 am
Kev, it was nice to re-read your blogiversary post. And thanks for the Zen insights; it’s good to know there is a foundational basis for being satisfied with the mundane routines that make up a life.
I think that open-air toilet had a shed around it the last time we passed that way. It is in an isolated area, so I guess it’s possible that someone could be desperate enough to take a dump there.
18-Kilo Ass is a devoted member of the local Hells Angels motorcycle club these days and no longer hikes with us. I occasionally see him around town with his biker buds, and he seems to be doing well. We had to draft a new Santa for our Christmas Hash this year.
The problem with the log bridge was the handrail wasn’t sturdy enough to be useful. I would have tried it anyway, except I needed to wade in the water to clean the mud off my shoes.
I have had lots of readers and regular commenters come and go over the years. I very much appreciate that you’ve stuck around longer than anyone. Your blog was among the first I discovered in Korea (along with Marmot and Nomad). Cheers!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 13/December/2024 @ 7:04 am
Thanks, Brian. In my fantasies, choosing different paths always ends well. It probably doesn’t work that way. Looking back, I’m glad they didn’t want me in Iraq. I enjoyed the hell out of Korea and still miss it. I met lots of Filipinos there and that ultimately led me here. Should be fun to see what happens next.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 13/December/2024 @ 6:45 am
Kev, I understand the good and bad trade-offs regarding calories versus carbs. On my previous massive weight loss adventure, I followed a disciplined low-carb diet. This time, I am counting calories and watching carbs, but not as strictly. We’ll see how that works out for me.
I agree that some of the low-carb or low-calorie alternatives just don’t taste good enough to be acceptable substitutions. Swan’s first attempt at healthy carrot cake didn’t work for me, but that’s okay. I think she’s using that sweetener for my morning tea, and it is fine.
I did the Thanksgiving cheat day and might do another for Christmas, but my plan is to maintain discipline (such as it is) until I achieve my weight-loss goal. After that, I’ll allow myself some of the things I’ve been missing occasionally while continuing to monitor my food intake to avoid regaining those pounds.
Thanks for the Bocha link. Swan used the sweetener we have for the frosting, but I’m thinking maybe it was the almond flour that didn’t resonate with me. I’ll share your tips on ways to decrease dryness with her. I’ve been on Diet Coke/Coke Zero for so long that the real thing tastes weird to me, so I don’t think I have a natural aversion to artificial sweeteners. My favorite alternative dessert thus far has been Jello sugar-free instant pudding. It satisfies my bedtime craving for something sweet. I have to order it online, and it ain’t cheap here, but it helps me sleep at night.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 12/December/2024 @ 7:40 am
Kev, I put some effort into “particle of yesterday” line. I didn’t want to repetitively use the word grain, so I did a search for synonyms and particle seemed to be the best option. Looking back, it does seem a little convoluted.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 12/December/2024 @ 7:13 am
Brian, interesting history on the L-glucose efforts. Too bad it all went to shit.
I’m not going to stress over the lack of sweetness in my life. It is what it is.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 12/December/2024 @ 7:10 am
«« Back To Stats PageGetting whacked with my walking stick didn’t seem to phase him. Let me stew on your suggestion in case I see him again.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 11/December/2024 @ 6:01 am