Comments Posted By John McCrarey
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Digory, yep, we didn’t have more than a few sprinkles; so that was a blessing.
Michael has only been living here a few months and I’m still getting to know him, but yeah, he’s been all over the world, is still engaged in some work projects (part of the reason he is here) and he does probably dress better than most expats. Dapper fits.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/October/2024 @ 8:01 am
Yeah, I’m the same Brian. I don’t recall having any more beers AFTER I indulged my sweet tooth. But as you can see, I was pretty wasted by then…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/October/2024 @ 7:55 am
Mike, I hadn’t noticed that. Maybe it is drunken photography–McCranberry sauced.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/October/2024 @ 7:53 am
Kev, well, it’s all highway to San Narciso, flat and straight. You wouldn’t have a problem (other than heat and dodging traffic). I guess I just hadn’t pictured what 29K looked like until I mapped the route.
It’s mōp. The owner (or the husband of the owner, I should say) is Australian. I have no idea if Mope is Aussie slang for something, but the name makes no sense to me. And it is never “Mope’s.” Strange. Next time I’m there, I will ask about it.
Yes, Joe’s wife is the boss. Joe cooks, and she waits tables.
Well, I prefer Zero, and my local haunts all carry it (otherwise, they wouldn’t be haunts), but stepping out of your comfort zone when traveling is part of the adventure, right?
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/October/2024 @ 7:51 am
Brian, we are on the same page. Not sure how much longer I get to be alive, but I want to make it as enjoyable as I can. I till won’t spend 150 pesos for a beer though! 🙂
Yes, the guys who come here unprepared or who do stupid shit and lose everything are a sad sight to see. Luckily, I haven’t seen much of that around Barretto. There was one guy living on the street when I first moved here, but he has died now.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/October/2024 @ 7:50 am
Brian, it was my first time in Thailand. I was vaping on the street and an expat warned me I’d be arrested if the police saw me. It was hard to believe vaping was illegal and smoking is allowed everywhere. I’m lucky I didn’t get caught at the airport bring my pens and oil into the country. By the time I made my second trip, pot was legal. I’d quit vaping by then so don’t know if that is still a crime.
I understand the closing on holidays thing. Last time I was in Bangkok there was a Buddhist holiday and bars had to shut down. Oddly enough, the beer bars were serving coffee. Or at least there was something in those coffee mugs. The only time I’ve seen bars closed in the Philippines (other than during the scamdemic) is on election day here. Foreigners are exempt from the no-drinking edict since we can’t vote.
You are doing it right by turning a blind eye to the politics surrounding the King. Weird that criticism of the government is considered a crime, but things seem to be trending that way in the USA too. Stay safe!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/October/2024 @ 8:04 am
Brian, yes, I agree foreigners always have a layer of insultation protecting against the harsh realities the locals experience. We can see it sometimes and be empathetic, but that’s not the same as living it. This vloggers take would be like post a video of Martha’s Vineyard and saying, “See? There’s no homeless in America.”
I was in Thailand on vacation in 2016 when the King died. The police swooped in and shut down all the bars. I was talking to an expat I met and speculated who might ascend to the throne. He told me to shut up and never mention anything about the royal family to him again. Apparently, it is a crime to say anything that might be perceived as negative about the Crown. I’ve been back to Thailand a couple of times, but have never forgotten that police state vibe. Do you feel anything like that there?
» Posted By John McCrarey On 15/October/2024 @ 8:05 am
Oh, I know how to swim, Scott. I just don’t enjoy swimming pools that much…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 14/October/2024 @ 3:16 pm
Kev, that map was from the “Map My Walk” app, and the spelling of Barretto High School was consistent. It is surprising that so many otherwise reliable sources can’t spell the name of my town correctly. Poor Mr. Barretto must be rolling over in his grave.
Ah, I miss tangsuyuk! I love that crunchy flavor! There’s a new Korean restaurant on SBMA I’ve been meaning to try. I’ll see if they have it on the menu. Swan declined to eat the instant potatoes but did seem to enjoy the cordon bleu. Oddly enough, the Treasure Island owner came by to greet us and was bragging about his new chef. I guess mashing potatoes isn’t his specialty.
I’m glad you got the reference I directed to you. I don’t think Air Supply sounds like Styx, but I enjoy both groups.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 14/October/2024 @ 7:44 am
Brian, I know most of those songs by the artists who covered them, didn’t know they were written by the same person. I’m bad about knowing the singer but not the creator. Thanks for the enlightenment!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 14/October/2024 @ 7:25 am
Kev, the misspelling of Barretto is fascinating. I didn’t realize how frequently the second “t” is dropped until I fooled around with Google Search. There is no question that the official spelling has two “ts”–the Barangay building and vehicles spell it that way. Ah, okay, just did some more research about the origin of the name, and this confirms it:
•Before WWII, Barretto was known as Sitio Maquinaya (headed by then municipal mayor Ruben Geronimo for the creation of Sitio Maquinaya into a full Barrio)
• On July 5, 1961, The municipality of Olongapo and duly approved by the Zambales provincial Board – Barretto was constituted as a regular Barrio
•And the Barangay was named in honor of then Zambales Governor Manuel Barretto (1955-1967)That cloud reflections on the water is one of my favorite shots. Got there at just the right time.
Well, there is “lost, lost” and “how do we get there from here?” lost. It’s usually the latter we deal with on our hikes.
Thanks for sharing the meaning of “Mukbang.” I had no idea. It’s weird that they’d pick that name, but Korean pop culture is pretty big here.
Now, now, I only get “floored” once or twice a year. 🙂
It has been interesting to see just how high my average daily spending has been so far this month. Then again, I could average $200 a day and not go broke.
Styx was a big deal back in the day. A friend named his softball team Styx, which sounded pretty cool. I’d never thought of similarities with Air Supply until you mentioned it. Same era, tad different sound, but I think they fit the genre.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 13/October/2024 @ 8:40 am
Thompson, I’m not sure how old you are, but some of those ailments are more than a little worrisome. You definitely need to get your heart checked because that’s something you can’t live without!
I wore glasses for over twenty years, but since having cataract surgery I haven’t needed them. Still not perfect vision, but so far, good enough. As for hearing, if the music is loud in the bar, I leave. I want to be able to hear what people are saying to me. Talking on the phone is also very difficult for me to understand.
Ha! I had never heard the term “alcorexia” and had to look to see if it was really thing. I see that it is also called drunkorexia. That’s a condition I don’t suffer from as I live by the standard of “eat, drink, and be happy!” I never drink in the morning anyway, so breakfast isn’t impacted by my beer consumption. But I don’t stop eating when beer o’clock rolls around. Everything tastes better with a cold brew to wash it down!
I was going to say something about memory lapses, but I forgot what it was.
I’ve been lucky so far that my innards know when it is time to go, and can hold it in when the time ain’t right. It sounds like your experience is a pretty shitty thing to deal with. Putting up with crap like that must really stink. Maybe it is time to invest in some Depends! (Reminds me of the girl who asked, “do you wear boxers or briefs?” I said, depends. Then she walked away.)
Thanks for the update, Thompson. Hang in there! And I hope you find your lost libido soon.
“Sex without love is as hollow and ridiculous as love without sex.”
― Hunter S. Thompson» Posted By John McCrarey On 12/October/2024 @ 8:03 am
Hmm, I’ve heard of another country where unmarried sex is a crime but don’t recall where now. But that law in Laos does explain why it has become a haven for lonely old white men like here in the PI.
It’s funny how time changes perspectives. Six years ago when I first moved from Korea, Barretto was cheap by comparison. Beers were half what I had been paying and rent seemed like a bargain. I’m far from being a cheap Charlie, but I do find myself paying more attention to prices these days.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 12/October/2024 @ 7:40 am
Kev, the knees are fine; there are just some scratches. It’s pretty great when that’s the worst that happens to you after a fall!
Some of the Hares use a machete to bushwhack a trail before the Hash. Too much like work for me. I can barely climb those hills, no way I’d have the strength to mow the grass on the way up.
No repercussions with Scott’s ankle that I know of. Hot days and hard climbs stress his heart rate, but he seems to do fine.
Myleen’s offers an enchilada plate with Spanish rice and refried beans, but I wasn’t feeling that hungry.
The Cambodian people I met were friendly and welcoming. I’ve got a friend who lives there and likes it better than the Philippines (he used to live here). There doesn’t seem to be any of the commie vibes from the Pol Pot days. I made the mistake of visiting the killing fields, and it was traumatic. Hard to believe that human beings can be that cruel. I chose the PI because of the lessor language barrier. No regrets so far.
HaHa! That’s not what I meant, but white women in these parts are very scarce indeed. That’s one of the differences between here and Thailand, Vietnam, etc. You see a lot of Western couples and families visiting as tourists. For some reason, this isn’t a couple’s destination. Go figure. I always remember when I brought Eun Oke here from Korea. We are waiting in the immigration queue, and she says, “John, there are a hundred people in this line, and only two of us are women. Why?”
The doctor’s news wasn’t terrible. I’ll post about that today.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 11/October/2024 @ 8:35 am
Brian, I like visiting Thailand, but I don’t know about living there. During my first trip, the King died and I was shocked at the police state tactics used to shut everything down. I never forgot that vibe. My plan B is Cambodia right now. Never been to Laos, but I always wondered why it wasn’t on the expat map.
Doctor news wasn’t that bad, I’ll share in today’s post.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 11/October/2024 @ 8:11 am
Well, the budget data will give me a better idea of where it goes and whether or not I can afford this life I’m living. I can see some tweaks may be necessary in the future so that the data gathering will be helpful information.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/October/2024 @ 2:56 pm
Kev, the beer I drink is like making love in a canoe…they are both fucking close to water. I think if I were drinking the hard stuff and getting pass-out drunk every day, I’d be in trouble. Dr. Jo suggests less beer would help me lose my belly fat, and I can’t argue with that. But if I had to choose between the two…well, I guess I have.
The grocery bill is high, but I’m feeding myself, Swan, Swan’s sister, my helpers, and three dogs. If I cut back on some of the imported stuff I like, I could reduce the tab. In some cases, I have; I won’t pay ten bucks for a bag of shredded cheese, for example. I guess my mode for now is that I can afford to live large and will do so until I no longer can.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/October/2024 @ 10:44 am
Kev, yeah, my shortcut made the trail a tad too short, but I only had one climb in me, so I did what I had to do.
I’ve not noticed any Hare get upset when folks choose alternate paths. Some of them refer to us as “lame” but they seem to understand our desire to do a trail we are comfortable with. Most Hares mark a long and short (or easy and hard) version. The majority of Hashers will do one or the other without modification. Just designating a start and finish wouldn’t be feasible, especially for people from out of town or who are unfamiliar with the area. The system we have seems to work to everyone’s satisfaction.
Nope, the smell issues haven’t impacted my appetite. I still have some sense of taste and still enjoy eating my favorite foods.
I’ve gotten better at picking deserving recipients of my generosity. I’ve been helping out with Ethan’s school expenses for years, and the mother only asks for small amounts occasionally. Emmanuel is well thought of around town. He works hard when he is healthy enough to do so and only tends to ask for help when he has no other option. I haven’t violated Rule #1 for quite some time now.
“Beer is the answer, but I can’t remember the question.”
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/October/2024 @ 8:17 am
Brian, I really don’t notice the lack of smell that much. In some ways, that’s a blessing, like when I fart. I still have some taste and still enjoy eating (obviously!). Maybe I just remember how things taste. Damn, I feel sorry for the friend’s daughter…what a nightmare that must be!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/October/2024 @ 7:50 am
Digory, Wet Spot is closed on Monday and Beth is a regular Hasher, so she was on her own time. As far as bar compensation goes, Wet Spot and Green Room are above average. The aspect about bargirl pay that I very much disagree with is the drink quota thing–If a girl doesn’t make her drink quota for the week, her already low salary is reduced. Almost all the girly bars use this system.
“Whore bar” seems harsh when you say it. Most of the girls will go with a customer for an agreed upon price between them. If the girl chooses to leave work early, she has to pay a fine to the bar for doing so. The bar is not directly involved in the transaction.
Wet Spot opens at 6 p.m. and when I visit there, I arrive soon after opening. The girly bars generally don’t get busy until later in the evening (past my bedtime).
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/October/2024 @ 7:45 am
I have to admit that I’ve always thought of it as a “wheel barrel,” sort of like how I used to pronounce “ascertain “as certain.” It was pretty embarrassing when my secretary brought the error to my attention after I had dictated a letter for her to type (yes, I am THAT old).
You’ve seen some of my high school papers—”A” for content and “D” for grammar and punctuation. Following the rules has always been my bane, and I don’t expect old age to help. I’m making freaky mistakes now—thinking one word in my head, and my fingers writing something else. Maybe there is peace in acceptance.
I don’t know; being content feels like a worthy goal. And you know what curiosity did to the cat. Still, I get your point, and living a full and challenging life in retirement is easier said than done. I’ll continue to strive to live the best life I can. I definitely need to do more traveling while I can.
Thanks for the feedback.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/October/2024 @ 8:33 am
Well, I was more upset about misspelling “wheelbarrow.” That was ignorant. Believing the computer on “mein” was apathy.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/October/2024 @ 10:15 am
Kev, as far as I know, melting has not been a problem. The candy in the backpacks is still in the bag. Also, these are local brands, so I expect they are made in a way that accommodates the native heat. It’s not pure chocolate, like a Snickers or Milky Way.
No, Swan is not usually that far ahead…I had just taken a pee break.
We’ve made a stop at the riverside the last couple of trips, but this week there were A LOT more folks enjoying the water. People had set up a tent and tables, food was grilling, and the party was on! Nice to see.
Re: chow mein. But what about that “i before e except after c” thing? What’s hilarious is that I had originally spelled it right, but the spellcheck red underline said I was wrong (it’s doing it again now in this comment), so I changed it. Not this time, though!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/October/2024 @ 9:02 am
Good to hear from you again, Thompson. Enjoyed your memories of cheap cologne. I’ve also lost my ability to smell, but your co-workers reaction reminds me of the looks I get when I let loose a fart. The blessing is not having to smell my own creation!
How are things with the girlfriend?
I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they’ve always worked for me.
Hunter S. Thompson» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/October/2024 @ 8:48 am
DS, yeah, stupid mistake. And there I was, worried about spelling “barrel” correctly. Technically, a “barrow” is a castrated male pig. Unless you put a wheel on it…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/October/2024 @ 8:24 am
Kev, yeah, my political views did a 180 shortly after 9/11. I was already halfway through my career by then, so it was too late to choose another course. I did escape from DC and the worthless Department of Education and moved overseas to work for the 8th US Army. That was a life-changer in a good way.
Like your friend John, there is something to be said for being the “inside” kink in the liberal hivemind. As an HR professional, I saw my role as putting a brake on stupid shit like hiring quotas based on race. EEO didn’t work for me, but I advised my counterparts to ignore their entreaties and always hire the person best qualified, regardless of their skin color or ethnicity. I wonder now how I would have dealt with woke bullshit like pronouns and multiple genders if I was still in the workforce. It might have got ugly.
And yep, I’m still sucking on the government teat and hope that continues for years to come. It’s been quite the ride.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/October/2024 @ 9:17 am
Brian, I do hope to live long and draw way more pension money than I paid in. The funny thing is, not long after I was hired, the Federal government changed the retirement program to something very similar to what you have. Basically, new hires contribute to a Thrift Savings Plan and the government matches the contribution. Instead of a pension, you can draw Social Security (which I’m not eligible for). The powers that be tried hard to get us old hires to switch over voluntarily, but very few did, and we were grandfathered into the old program. Probably not many of us left now.
You are right, the RINOs talk a good game, but when in the majority, do little to implement the agenda they claim to support. Until the sheeple wake up and demand change, we will continue to slide down this slippery slope to doom.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/October/2024 @ 8:35 am
Kev, Nope, it’s a different route altogether. Sometimes, on the group hikes, we’ll pass through a Candy Walk neighborhood, and the kids come running. I have to say, “See you Sunday!”
No, the map is from the Map My Walk app. I had to go back to check why it looked hand-drawn to you. I see a couple of places where the line got squiggly. I’ve seen that before. Sometimes, if I pause in one spot for a while, the GPS or whatever tracks location goes haywire. One of those weird lines is when I stopped to give Mama her money, and the other is when I went inside Angels Bakery for some buns to bring home.
As for my costs, I do tend to live large, at least in the sense that I don’t have to worry much about spending. When I go out at night, I always carry five 1000 peso bills in my wallet, but almost always come home with two or three. That five thousand pesos daily average (so far) includes other household bills. It will be interesting to see how that comes out over the course of a month. I’m not sure what you mean about the “government teat.” It’s a federal pension, but I paid into that retirement fund for over thirty years. Just like Social Security (which I’m not eligible for), it’s my money.
Yeah, I gave up arguing with people like John on social media long ago because made-up minds can’t be changed. The level of his ignorance was astounding. It is pitiful he actually believes the lies about Trump he regurgitated in his comment. The fact that he worries about American politics when his country is even further down the shithole than we are is also sad.
So, since Swan is forty, our relationship is only a little creepy! But I admit that the brief time with Mary creeped me out, especially when it dawned on me that she was the same age as my granddaughter.
A couple of food pics from John’s are coming up in today’s post!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/October/2024 @ 8:28 am
Yes, I totally understand your point, Brian. When I first moved here, I shook my head in wonder at all the guys bitching about paying 90 pesos for a beer. A San Mig Light was 7000 Won (over $6.) when I left Korea. I see things a little differently these days. You can get a beer as cheap as 60 pesos; most places charge around 80. So, 150 seems like a scam to me. Why bend over and take it up the ass when you can just go next door? I’m the same way with lady drinks–I won’t buy a double for 300. But I’ll buy two singles at 180 each. It is more a matter of principle than money to me.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/October/2024 @ 7:50 am
«« Back To Stats PageAaron, I hope your mate gets the hard time he’s looking for…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/October/2024 @ 9:41 am