Comments Posted By John McCrarey
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Brian, actually, I only drink beer on two occasions: when I’m alone or when I am with someone. I’ll also drink on days that end in “y.”
Bruce did mention that the mountains in Taiwan are larger than here. That reminds me of when I first moved to South Carolina. I sent a picture of the Smoky Mountains to my friend in Arizona. She responded, “Y’all call those mountains? Folks sure do exaggerate there!”
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/August/2024 @ 8:37 am
It’s nice to hear from you again, Thompson. I was wondering how things were going with you. It seems that every day is a new adventure in your life. I’m glad you didn’t get squished in the crosswalk. I read somewhere that women can turn into good drivers, so if you are a good driver, be on the lookout! Apparently, that applies to pedestrians as well.
I’m glad you found something to tide you over until payday. It’s nice to put that creativity of yours to work when concocting a cocktail. And now you know the right level of mixing so you don’t burn your tongue off. Good job!
“So we shall let the reader answer this question for himself: who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed?”
Hunter S. Thompson» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/August/2024 @ 8:32 am
Kev, No, not settling. It is far from perfect here, but I’m comfortable and know that wherever I choose to live, I will still be me. It’s a good fit for me in my little town, and there is nowhere else I want to be.
Most expats believe they are escaping their old lives for a new adventure and better overall quality of life. The USA has a lot of beauty and things I miss, but I still wouldn’t want to live there.
More and more, I’m like Biden. I hate to think about what is to come. Some would say I’ve always been demented, but this feels different somehow.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/August/2024 @ 8:14 am
I carry cookies and lollipops in my backpack, but they don’t weigh much. Hey, it’s a start!
Bruce wasn’t with us at dinner, so he missed his chance with the old fat white chick. And yeah, I’m not one to talk, but it was just so unusual to see her in the Philippines.
No, I don’t swim in the bay. I’ve seen what goes into that water, and it is not appealing. I can swim, but I don’t really enjoy it.
I believe Bruce was going directly back to Taiwan; I’m not sure if his flight was from Clark or Manila. I’m not a big fan of AC and don’t visit often. I’ve heard a lot of the old bars on Perimeter are gone now, but I also read that some new ones have opened recently. When I do go to AC, it is for the Hash, so I don’t spend much time in the bars there.
Yeah, we are talking about the same guy. I’m told he also used to run a Facebook group page called Warren’s Subic Bay, but he disappeared in 2021, and no one seems to know what happened. Thanks for the link to the RubberBoa blog; it looks interesting.
No, I haven’t b n able to find the motivation to get off my lazy ass and get out of town more often. I still have some places I want to visit; I just need to break out of my routines and stop making excuses. Nothing to do with the Hash; most places I would travel have a Hash group, so I could join in there.
Thanks for the comment and info.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/August/2024 @ 7:58 am
Kev, I didn’t know the origin of “disembark.” And now I do! Thanks.
Yes, “hypocrit” was a compound error. A word I know how to spell but fucked-up, and then missed again when I did my inept proofreading. Speaking of which, I think I’m allowed to hyphenate “fuck-up” but not “proof-read.” I actually found a website called hyphenator, but it’s not much help so far.
Yep, Bruce is like Neil Young. I love their music, but hate their politics. Nice Yeats poem; I don’t recall ever seeing that one.
Bruce is leaving today. We did the morning hike yesterday. I left his Barretto Saturday night up to him but told him where he could find the live music he enjoys.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 04/August/2024 @ 8:56 am
Thanks again for the advice, Ted. I’m not very disciplined in my old age, but I’ll try to make a few lifestyle tweaks. Knowing what I should be doing is the first step.
I’ve done the Three Crosses hike a couple of times, and all those steps kick my ass. So yeah, you need to join the group to provide the incentive to climb up there again. As for the SOB gals, they come in all shapes and sizes. There are still some hotties to be found in the bars, but you have to look for them. It’s not my thing anymore; I’m just there for the cold beer.
Nope, I don’t know a Warren Carter; at least, I don’t recognize the name. I can’t remember the blog’s name, but I used to read one way back when before I moved here by a Subic guy who played pool. It might have been him. I don’t get many hits on my blog (around 250 on a good day), but I appreciate readers like you who enjoy it. LTG has devolved into a diary of my daily life, but it is what it is.
Yes, the Harry the Horse newsletter was a regular read for me. I miss it. I met Jim a couple of times (I think I was even his “tourist of the month” once) and chucked darts in his bar with him. Good times!
I did a search and couldn’t find a blog called “rubberroa.” Can you post a link?
Enjoy those pints, and thanks for reading!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 04/August/2024 @ 8:36 am
Brian, yeah, it does seem that expats are their own worst enemy when it comes to failures and fuck-ups. Fortunately, that’s not the case with the crowd I hang with for the most part. Most of the bad shit I see happens in relationships.
I’ve been here over six years now, and most of the people I know have reliable pension incomes and have lived here a lot longer than me. I reckon the financial failures probably occur within the first couple of years. I’ve also noticed that when people get seriously ill, they tend to go home for treatment.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/August/2024 @ 4:08 pm
Ted, Dr. DeLeon cancelled her clinic hours yesterday, so it will be next Wednesday that I see her. I don’t have my numbers in front of me, and I can’t remember shit, but the ones that had Dr. Jo most concerned were the ones that said I was on the road to diabetes. Improving those is my primary focus. My cholesterol is in the high normal range.
I’ve not heard about the Hep B endemic, but I’m not sure what I can do to avoid it. Doesn’t sound like the vaccine makes much difference. I can’t remember the last time I used a condom, but I don’t sleep around these days, so it’s not something I worry about. I’ve been snipped, so no worries there, either.
Well, I have noticed that my upper body strength is practically non-existent. So maybe I ought to look into some lightweight training.
My dad smoked and drank beer and made it to 83. That’s my goal!
Thanks for sharing all this good information!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/August/2024 @ 4:00 pm
“John, you’re a great rationalizer”
So, what I hear you saying is that I’m rational. Thank you! 🙂
Seriously, I’m sorry you haven’t seen any improvement in my writing. My awareness level is enhanced, and I do try to catch the mistakes prior to posting, but apparently, I’ve failed. I guess acceptance is the best option for me.
Thank you for trying to teach me. I sincerely appreciate the effort you put forth. I never took offense at your admonishments, and I apologize for the stress and frustration my incompetence caused you.
Hmm, reading the post you linked, I’m thinking, okay, I can live with being in School B. Until I got to the part where you equate that to being a litterbug. Ouch!
Anyway, life goes on, even for the slovenly. I’ll continue to do my best, even if my best isn’t good enough. I can’t help but wonder how many cringes this comment induced. Sorry in advance!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/August/2024 @ 8:58 am
Curses failed again! Sorry to be such a disappointment.
Obviously, we both have different perspectives. You are the professional when it comes to the written word, and I understand that perfection is the goal you strive for. I’m not at the other extreme because I do care, but I’m accepting that what I write satisfices for my purposes. Anyway, we are what we are.
Just so you know, I am making some effort to improve, as lame as those efforts might be. I’ve read your comma posts and done some other “research” on the ‘net, and I think I have a basic understanding of the punctuation concepts we’ve discussed. Granted, that may not show up in my sloppy writing style, but I believe I’m better now than I was, so your efforts were not totally wasted.
I apologize in advance for those future cringes I will inspire. Back when I was a smoker, we might say “took a hit” or “took a drag,” but now that I think about it, those were marijuana cigarettes. Still, if only 185 examples of “puff” exist in the Google universe, I’d proudly deem that creative writing.
Anyway, I’m an old man somewhat set in his ways, but maybe not totally hopeless. We shall see.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 04/August/2024 @ 9:18 am
Welcome to my world. Even words I know how to spell, I spell wrong these days. Those errors are compounded by my stupid finger mistakes on the keyboard. Then there’s the stuff I should know but don’t.
Still, being a living fuck-up beats the alternative.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 04/August/2024 @ 8:15 am
She took a puff of her cigarette, and coughed.
Well, I’d say she took a puff off her cigarette, but maybe that’s just me. There is no need for that pesky comma interrupting the flow of the sentence either.
As for the quiz, I don’t want to compound my errors when it comes to commas, so let me just pause here and admit that punctuating that issue is, and always has been, a problem for me. Yes, some of it may be stubbornness and rebelling against the Gods of Grammar, but I’d also argue that it is a matter of style. I tend to write like I talk, especially on the blog where I’m imagining a friendly conversation with my readers. So, I want what I say to be understandable and make sense, and to the extent that proper grammar and punctuation facilitate that, I’m all in. But as I write, I’m just not thinking about the rules. I guess that makes me guilty of being one of those in the “It doesn’t look/flow/sound right” crowd. This is not to say I’m opposed to doing it correctly, but that doesn’t come naturally to me. I always do a quick re-read before posting, but I don’t always catch even the most obvious errors. Once you point them out, I can almost always spot the mistake.
So, teacher, are you going to fail me on this quiz? I’m grammatically challenged and should be given consideration for my handicap. Don’t make me file a discrimination complaint!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/August/2024 @ 4:34 pm
The down path we chose (appropriately nicknamed Motherfucker) was a tad too steep, rocky, and slick for a rainy season trek.
If I rewrote that sentence I’d take out the “too.” I wrote it as “to” originally, but Grammarly said I needed to change it. The sentence works without either one.
A sunshiny hike, but an hour later it was pouring down rain.
The steak size was fine for lunch. That meal costs 1000 pesos at dinner, that’s why I took a pass last Sunday. Yes, USDA beef here is very expensive. A ribeye at John’s is almost 2000 pesos ($35.).
Columban College is more like a private high school with some college courses available. Nothing special about the campus from what I’ve seen…just those blue-roofed buildings full of classrooms and a big gymnasium.
How’s this: A sunshiny hike, but an hour later[,] it was pouring down rain.
When it rains[,[ it pours[,] and that blows. I must have been comma-tose yesterday.
Is this better: Aine passed by and said, “Hello,” but kept walking.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 02/August/2024 @ 7:21 am
Thanks for reading, Ted!
By “entertainment value” I assume you mean the girlie bars. That’s never been my thing, but I hear complaints about the overall quality of the dancer’s appearance. I don’t think that’s limited to Barretto, though. I mostly hang out in “regular” bars with like-minded expats and enjoy myself. Also, having a live-in girlfriend makes a difference.
I’ll see if liver function was included in this round of tests. The last time I consulted Dr. Jo, she was more worried about my kidneys than my liver. I think my liver readings were in the high normal range. I’ll keep my eye on that though.
As to my weight, it seems my beer belly is here to stay. But I’m still getting my steps in and trying not to be crazy about the sweets. We’ll see how that works out.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 02/August/2024 @ 7:03 am
I’ve never seen a menu in a bar that doesn’t also serve food. Most people know what they want…”gin and soda,” “San Miguel Pilsner, please,” “I’ll have a glass of red wine.” Oh, and how much is that?
» Posted By John McCrarey On 02/August/2024 @ 7:30 am
Thompson, Swan is fine with the cheap wine we buy at the supermarket. It’s when we are out in the bars that problems arise. Not just with pricing, but also flavor. And I’ll take a pass on the mouthwash. I gargle but don’t swallow. Beer suits my needs just fine!
I’ve never heard of a prolapsed anus, but it sounds painful. Might be time to visit a proctologist and find out what’s going on down there. On the bright side, next time your girl says that you are full of shit you can simply respond, “Yeah, I know.”
“In a closed society where everybody’s guilty, the only crime is getting caught. In a world of thieves, the only final sin is stupidity.”
Hunter S. Thompson» Posted By John McCrarey On 02/August/2024 @ 7:27 am
“How does/Why would one order something with no way of knowing the price?”
I have never been handed a drink menu at any bar in Barretto. Some have their “happy hour” pricing posted on the wall, but the normal range of beer prices is between 60 and 100 pesos. Wine isn’t a popular beverage here, and some bars don’t even serve it. The ones that do charge between 120 and 250 pesos, with 150 being the norm. Granted, that is cheap-ass Carlo Rossi wine (which Swan enjoys), not the highfalutin stuff Snackbar served. I didn’t ask the price beforehand, so that’s on me. But I never expected “the cheapest bar in town” to charge more than double for a glass of wine. In the future, I will ask.
If you think Blinky’s spelling was bad, you should have seen those pizzas I made! Talk about entertament!
No, I hadn’t seen the granny video. I feel bad for her. It seems like I’m becoming more cautious and risk-averse in my old age. I’m notoriously slow coming down those mountain paths! I’m sure my old bones are fragile enough to snap if I make a misstep.
I get what you are saying about being cautious. Still, I was in a familiar place (the owner is my ex) and knew most of the staff, so my comfort level was high. Lesson learned.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 01/August/2024 @ 8:36 am
Brian, yes, I should have asked the price, no question about it. I don’t believe they have a drink menu. Again, this is a tiny place with most of the seating outside in the parking lot. They have a billboard bragging about their low beer prices; cheap drinks are their market niche. I assumed their wine pricing would be similar. Given that their wine was DOUBLE the cost of every other bar in town, a heads-up from the waitress would seem appropriate–Sir, our wine today is top-of-the-line and ONLY 450 a glass.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 01/August/2024 @ 7:55 am
Life’s a struggle for the hillbillies here, that’s for sure. I just can’t imagine living that way.
That little head ain’t too smart, but damn, he knows how to have fun!
Rabbitt and Daario do look eerily alike. I had forgotten the Daario character.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 31/July/2024 @ 7:46 am
See you soon, Bruce!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/July/2024 @ 4:54 pm
Thanks for the kind words, Thompson. And glad to hear you are happy in your relationship–I’ve got to hand it to you! 🙂
Where were you in Arizona? I lived in Prescott for a few years. That was a mile-high city, so it didn’t get hot like the desert does. That’s an impressive hike you describe, even without a backpack full of beer.
It sounds like you’ve mastered the art of drinking. As an expert, you should consider writing a “how-to” so the amateurs can learn to drink like the pro you are!
“You won’t find reasonable men on the tops of tall mountains.”
Hunter S. Thompson» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/July/2024 @ 8:01 am
Kev, Our San Isidro regular kids are sweet, polite, and grateful. It’s fun to make them smile.
I judge a road to have ended when it turns at an intersection or is no longer a road. That’s the case with NN #6—it became a footpath as we exited Marian Hills. A bit further along, a new road, NN #7, began.
And now I have added a new word to my vocabulary…geotropic. Thanks!
Spot the errors? That’s easy. I needed a comma after “regulars” in the first sentence and after “week” in the second sentence. Pretty obvious. Not sure why I didn’t notice when I wrote or proofread. Just sloppiness, I suppose.
I met Mi Young working in a bar shortly after I moved to Pyeongtaek. We had a few enjoyable dates, and I was impressed with her intelligence and kind heart. She was running a dog rescue shelter, finding homes for strays. I became a sponsor for her worthy cause. When she told me she wanted to work at the dental clinic on base, I wrote a letter of recommendation. The selection official contacted me, and I assured him that Mi Young would be an asset. She got the job a few months before I retired and was doing well. The Army recognized her as the Volunteer of the Year at Camp Humphries for her dog rescue work. She’s a special woman and smart enough to know that I wasn’t the one for her. When I get my after-life do over, I’m going to try harder with her.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/July/2024 @ 7:53 am
HaHa! I remember old folks back in those rockin’ days saying shit like, “You call THAT music?” We’d just laugh at them. And now sometimes I’ll some new shit music in a bar, and I have to bite my tongue…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/July/2024 @ 7:28 am
Good stuff, Drain. Appreciate your insights. Vigan is on my list of places to see. I saw Fort San Pedro in Cebu, and of course, on SBMA, we have the old Spanish gate.
I don’t think they teach much about the centuries of Spanish rule in the schools here. It all starts with Rizal and the revolution. That’s fine. From what I’ve seen, the Filipino people have developed a unique culture that seems to keep them happy despite the poverty and corruption they deal with on a daily basis.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/July/2024 @ 8:08 am
Kev, I took the quiz and answered that #3, #6, #8, and #9 were correct. You never graded the quiz. Talk about passive-aggressive! 🙂
Damn, I was sure I had read that time renderings like “24 hours” were always hyphenated. I was so convinced that I went back for proof. And once again, I was wrong. I’m such a Dumb-Shit.
Those movies sound as scary as my lousy grammar. Especially the one about eating Filipino food!
It’s true that many names here are of Spanish origin, and the fairer-skinned Filipinos usually have Spanish roots. But as I said in my response to Drain Snake’s comment, despite centuries of Spanish rule, there is surprisingly little left of Spanish culture here—certainly nothing like the Southwest US experience.
“So, you’ve got a whole village of doubters.” Are you sure about that?
My breathing has been excellent. Most days, I have 98% blood oxygen, and I haven’t been lower than 96% for two weeks.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 29/July/2024 @ 8:51 am
Drain, I grew up in Southern California, and the vestiges of Spanish colonialism could be seen everywhere. I was surprised when I first started visiting the Philippines that, for the most part, signs of Spanish rule have been erased. Well, there’s the Catholicism and some old forts here and there, but few overt influences of the culture that dominated for 400 years exist. I’ve never met anyone who speaks any Spanish (I sometimes order my beer in Spanish for shits and giggles), although Tagalog has some Spanish-sounding words (the girls all call me gwapo).
» Posted By John McCrarey On 29/July/2024 @ 8:26 am
Thompson, what a shitty experience. So, if I’m reading this right, you shit your pants BEFORE you got to Walmart But still went in to get the vodka? That must have stunk. For some reason, I thought of a verse I saw written inside a restroom stall: Here I sit, broken-hearted. Tried to shit and only farted.
“A man who procrastinates in his choosing will inevitably have his choice made for him by circumstance.”
Hunter S. Thompson» Posted By John McCrarey On 29/July/2024 @ 8:12 am
Oh shit! I just saw a picture with the Kon-Tiki signage I mentioned. WTF? It IS hyphenated. The Grammar-Gods must hate me!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/July/2024 @ 9:26 am
I’ve got deep space between my ears and I tend to babble on, so I guess the answer is both!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/July/2024 @ 7:41 am
«« Back To Stats PageWell, hyphens are something I never really thought about…I just went with what looked and felt right. I’ll pay more attention in the future, but that’s no guarantee of success. I guess that makes me a contranym of sorts.
Kon Tiki was easy- the signage is unhyphenated, so who am I to disagree?
» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/July/2024 @ 7:39 am