Comments Posted By John McCrarey
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Jerry, I’m sorry to hear about your worsening health issues. Hang in there and make the best of things. Good luck back in Colorado.
I’m going to need to rewatch “Bridges of Madison County.” That’s the nice thing about getting old–everything seems new again. “Shameless” probably isn’t for everyone; it’s a poor family in south Chicago with loads of issues. But, a good story wrapped around the sex, drugs, and drinking.
Stay strong!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 31/January/2024 @ 3:46 pm
Yep, those are baby backs.
I’m not going to quibble with you on what constitutes archaic, but the 90s were in the last century, after all. I read the Madison County book back then and probably saw the movie, but I remember almost nothing about either now. But looking at the photo as I blogged, it occurred to me that this was definitely not a bridge in Madison. The Oz reference about not Kansas naturally and instantly flowed from that. That’s a little insight into how my muddled brain works these days. I am happy to report that as of this morning, a Google search returns ONE result for “we are not in Madison County anymore.” Does that make me famous?
Re: torturous versus tortuous. Damn, I got lucky. Then again, the climb was indeed a torturous and tortuous journey to the top! (full disclosure: I did intend torturous)
Dr. Jo thought my more frequent than usual urination was related to the new blood pressure meds I’m taking. I’m going to have some blood work done at the lab to make sure all is well inside my bloated body.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 31/January/2024 @ 6:55 am
Soju, I don’t think the condoms would make a difference. This is a Catholic country, and the people have taken the “be fruitful and multiply” command to heart.
Actually, the bridge people stand out because there are comparatively few homeless folks here. Sure, many live in shacks or shanties that aren’t much more than a lean-to, but at least they have a roof over their head.
Teri is good at what she does. I’m lucky to have her.
I honestly can’t remember the name of the bar now. One of several I hung out at during my year in Anjeong-ri. I gave up vaping two or three years ago. I don’t miss it, but it got me off cigarettes.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/January/2024 @ 3:50 pm
Kev, I’m visiting Dr. Jo today and will ask about that blood sugar thing.
Yeah, I was surprised when Swan said she’d like to climb Easter Mountain. Apparently, she has wanted to do it for quite a while but could not find anyone to join her.
No, the “candy walk” won’t always be the same. Weekends work best because more kids are around, but we’ll do different routes/neighborhoods to keep it interesting. I’ll ask Swan about the food, but I prefer to keep it simple. It could be a once-in-a-while thing, like before a holiday. We’ll see.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/January/2024 @ 5:29 am
For what it’s worth, the part I missed I’d already covered on my morning dog walk. So there!
Swan is definitely talented in the kitchen. I never have to ask for a sandwich; she always offers.
Thanks for the mushroom info. For the life of me, I couldn’t recall the name. I miss them!
I’m glad you enjoyed the Scuzz Twitty song. Not sure how I missed hearing him all these years.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 29/January/2024 @ 5:31 am
Hey Kev, I’m walking on the rocky side of the road in that photo because I’d just taken a picture of that impressive rock wall. I was back on smoother ground quickly afterward.
RE: the trike vote. Yeah, it is usually a matter of pride with me to finish what I start on foot. But I was exhausted; it was a boring road walk, and those trikes appeared as if God had sent them for us. No one wanted to join me, so I sucked it up and finished. In retrospect, I’m glad I did.
Well, despite the name, we were the only dicks in Mad Willies.
Transport options from Castillejos back to Barretto: hot and crowded Jeepney: 25 pesos. Derelict non-airconditioned bus (still much more comfy than a Jeep): 35 pesos. A Victory Bus luxury liner: 50 pesos. I planned to take the first thing that came along; I got lucky when the Victory bus came by with a few seats available.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/January/2024 @ 6:23 am
I think the drinking age is 18, but I have never seen anyone carded.
It’s not the trike drivers; it’s some stupid city ordinance. I’ve not ever seen it enforced though.
I’m not scared of a werewolf…it’s those damn vampires that get me. The bars are full of them. They don’t suck blood, they suck your wallet dry.
Yeah, the Po-Lease would likely go for Every Breath I Take. And they’d be watching me.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/January/2024 @ 12:37 pm
No, I’m not a carnivore–I just don’t care much for rice. Had a broccoli and cauliflower mix as a side. (it arrived too late for the photo.)
Yes, things are progressing nicely with Swan. In many ways, she is everything I dreamed of. I especially appreciate how she helped me through my recent bouts with illness. Now my challenge is to not fuck things up this time.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/January/2024 @ 5:17 am
Yeah, I’ll talk to him about that. Zero doesn’t come in cans, and hauling a case of bottles up those stairs won’t be fun…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/January/2024 @ 5:10 am
Soju, as usual, we see eye-to-eye on just about everything. Thanks for your support!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/January/2024 @ 4:09 pm
Kev, actually, my later comments are because I have to wait for Swan to awaken before viewing your videos. I guess that technically is another form of domestication, though.
Thanks for the Ronstadt family history. Fascinating. She was an amazing performer. (I say was because I understand she is suffering from late-stage Parkinson’s)
» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/January/2024 @ 8:31 am
No, I’m usually able to avoid the smoke from these fires. I’ve been lucky that the burns typically do not occur while I’m hiking.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/January/2024 @ 8:26 am
Yeah, I figured “Belgian” was the intent. But just like Subiza spelling “borrito” wrong, it makes me wonder, if they can’t even spell it, how well can they cook it?
I’ll keep that vapo rub trick in mind. The phlegm I’m hocking is light colored, so I might need to reach greater depths with my cough. It could also be an infection, so I’ll consult with Dr. Jo if it continues.
Yep, these lungs have dealt with a decade of pot smoking, twenty years of cigarettes, and a lifetime of smog. I’m lucky they work as well as they do!
Regarding the pursed lips, I think that’s just the expression I make when attempting a selfie. Trying to reach the camera button while posing is a challenge for me sometimes.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 25/January/2024 @ 5:47 am
Kev, nope, Swan has no interest in the Hash or our group hikes. She did the Christmas Candy Run because she likes giving treats to the kids, but that’s about it.
Re: the rickety bridge–a couple of guys chose to crawl down into the gully instead chancing the the crossing. I’d probably have joined them if the bridge had been any higher.
The toast?
I bet you can find some at Costco…» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/January/2024 @ 9:16 am
Brian, I do try to come up with something that plausibly matches the title/theme of the post. I had initially planned to use “Keep On Rockin’ Me Baby” by Steve Miller, but alas, I’d used that song and title before.
It was a good day, for sure.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/January/2024 @ 8:54 am
Wow! I have zero experience or knowledge of Photoshop. Reading the process you went through to create that photo left me shaking my head in wonder. Impressive work! The feedback on Facebook was all very positive. Definitely keep it up!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/January/2024 @ 5:47 am
Well, unless you’ve got a two-person shadow shot I haven’t seen, this is fresh territory!
When I hand out cookies, I give the whole bag (ten packs of three cookies). I only carry four bags at a time, so I’m a little more selective in where I hand them out (for example, I usually look for three or more kids/families). Swan is giving out three or four single pieces of candy, so even a lone child is fair game for a handout.
Well, I hope to make hanging out on the roof a regular thing, without or without guests. We’ll see.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/January/2024 @ 7:45 am
Don’t know if Jim sank the basket–I wasn’t around to see; that’s another Scott photo.
My helper, Teri, made the burgers, and the buns were purchased at a local bakery. They were good, even upside down. I’m not an expert, but they did appear to be brioche. Good tip on putting the lettuce on the bottom of the burger. I’ve never considered that before.
Love the dragon! I shared it with my guests last night, and they were suitably impressed. Thanks!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/January/2024 @ 7:31 am
I’m just about done with Season 8 of “Shameless” now. Yeah, I forgot “The Boys” was an Amazon show. I was a Prime member when I moved here, but more often than not, what I wanted to see “wasn’t available in your country,” so I canceled the subscription.
Well, you did more farm boy living in a week than I ever did staying at my parent’s place in Oklahoma. Sounds like it was quite the adventure! And, at times, a shitty experience. I can ride and did infrequently, but I never messed with the cows.
“Hey, little chica… want some a’ my pineapple on your pizza?”
I like the way you think!» Posted By John McCrarey On 20/January/2024 @ 8:16 am
Kev, something about that “drug up the mountain” bothered me, but not enough to be bothered with changing it. I mean, my parents were Southerners, and I lived in Arkansas for a while, so I heard drug used in the context of dragging, but the Cosby-like double entendre is distracting. If I had a do-over, I’d just say, “brought up the mountain.”
Jee Yeun and I used to climb Bukhansan in the good old days. Even nice memories can be sad ones.
I’m not sure what that young guy’s story is. A couple of others knew him by name, but he wasn’t familiar to me.
“The symbol for Inflatable Island makes it look like a nuclear plant.”
Shh! Don’t tell the Chinese! We’ll need that during the coming war.Like many bar CRs around town, the men’s room in Cheap Charlies doesn’t have a commode. I guess in an emergency, you could try the women’s. Just say you identify as female when defecating.
Well, it’s easier to pee my pants than walk out into the bay with my phone and wallet in my pocket. I am having to piss more frequently lately for some reason. I guess that’s another reason God made trees.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 19/January/2024 @ 6:59 am
Kev, you’d kill for my numbers, and I don’t want to die from them. I’m surprised your BP is still that high. You might want to consider adjustments to your meds as well.
The issues with Swan do not occur that often; perhaps they are nothing more than growing pains as we learn more about each other’s personality quirks. The important thing is we came to an understanding and have vowed not to revisit that particular path in the future.
Alcohol wasn’t the cause of the misunderstanding, but it perhaps exacerbated my reaction to Swan’s words. Sober me would have likely chosen to ignore them. Anyway, live and learn and grow. Beer is part of who I am and Swan doesn’t have an issue with it. I am my father’s son, and I will continue to carry on the family tradition of beer drinking. In moderation, of course.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/January/2024 @ 2:08 pm
Brian, no, I can live without drama. But the brief allusion to the misunderstanding with Swan is the exception other than the rule. Drinking wasn’t the cause, but it contributed to my making a bigger deal out of something Swan said that rubbed wrong than was necessary under the circumstances. I think this type of thing is inevitable in any relationship, and the most important aspect is we were able to talk it through and move on.
No, we haven’t discussed the future without me as of yet. Swan is very independent and doesn’t want to be reliant on my generosity alone. That’s why she took a crappy job. She is currently working on a deal where she will acquire the rights to a house that she can rent out for additional income. As we move forward I will consider making plans to provide something for her after I’m gone.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/January/2024 @ 1:58 pm
Thanks for your support, Soju. I think.
Your bet has been placed. You can collect whatever you win in person. Come to think of it, that’s like winning twice!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/January/2024 @ 1:48 pm
Kev, there are definitely kinks in the ordering system and not the good kind!
My main concern is the high blood pressure, and now I’ve got some new meds to deal with that. As for the breathing, it’s likely the COPD rearing its ugly head. I’m going to continue to monitor, but the best you can hope for is that it doesn’t get worse. No cure for the damage done.
No, we have never talked about my marital status. When the time feels right, I’ll mention it. Nope, I have no intention of ever marrying again. Swan was with her former boyfriend for over seventeen years, and they never tied the knot. Not sure why. Hmm, maybe I’ll ask her about that as an intro to informing her of my status.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/January/2024 @ 7:27 am
Drain, I wasn’t a big fan of Mickey D’s to begin with, but bad service and mediocre food is not a winning combination. The bastards placed this one directly in my path on the way home from the bars. My drunken resistance ain’t what it used to be.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/January/2024 @ 7:16 am
Soju, I only ride trikes after dark, so I guess that makes me a Night of sorts.
I was still in California back then. But I did grow up to become a Marshall Tucker Band fan when I lived in South Carolina.
Yes, I always give the raft boys a sweet tip. Hard job, indeed!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/January/2024 @ 4:02 pm
Hmm, merci for that explanation. It’s a pity I didn’t remember that.
Damn, I’m going to have to add “The Boys” to the queue. I’ll be fucked if I get killed by a dildo!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/January/2024 @ 8:46 am
My dad used to give me shit about my hair growing up, but I moved out after high school and lived life my way. Not always for the better, but still…
I would have spelled her name “Merci,” but yeah, it is likely religious in nature. Mary is a common name here–I know at least three gals named Mary Joy.
I am going to see Dr. Jo today. BP is high, and I have had some shortness of breath issues lately.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/January/2024 @ 5:45 am
Yes, that’s the blessing, Brian—Same-same, but almost always good.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/January/2024 @ 5:37 am
«« Back To Stats PageAh, okay, Drain. That makes sense. I’m glad it is not going to waste, and the Pearl families will get some relief.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 15/January/2024 @ 2:04 pm