Comments Posted By John McCrarey
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Drain, I did pause and think for a moment about whether that apostrophe was appropriate. My reasoning for using it was that “Harriers” isn’t a group of Hashers in this context; rather, it is the singular name of our group. I’m not sure I’m right about that, but perhaps the grammar master will weigh in with his opinion on the subject.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 11/July/2024 @ 10:48 am
Kev, it’s a social thing for the gals. One of the boyfriends helps them scout the trail, and then they go out and mark it as a group. It’s a nice change of pace once in a while.
Yeah, I’ve seen several of Chappell’s videos on your blog. At least he’s easier than most to listen to. The video I posted went into more detail about the Chinese mayor’s shenanigans.
It would suck to see the “hawk, tuah” gal leading some anti-Trumpers, but it wouldn’t blow me away.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/July/2024 @ 7:36 am
Kev, no idea about the Famealay restaurant. That was the first time I’d seen the van.
Okay, I stand corrected on the wine. But for a high-end restaurant like John’s, being out is inexcusable. I mean, if you are out, that means it sells, right?
I’m just not a fan of that lump of white rice that is served as a side dish. Spanish rice and fried rice are okay.
Someone let the cat out of the bag before the cake was made, but I did get a pic of Swan’s laughing reaction to the eggs being broken on Jo’s head.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/July/2024 @ 9:25 am
I don’t mind Spanish rice with my Mexican food, and fried rice is okay. That plain white stuff just doesn’t appeal to me and never has. The bulgogi comes with rice, and I asked Swan if she would eat it. It was Swan who asked the waitress to switch it out for fries. Swan, of course, eats lots of rice, but she also enjoys the fries.
The thing about a bar to me is its vibe. Hideaway is dead currently and has nothing to attract customers. It is down to three marginally attractive waitresses now, so that’s not a draw. When the owner is in town, his friends come and drink with him. They let customers pick songs to play, so the music can be good. I go once a week and stay for an hour. That’s more than enough.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/July/2024 @ 9:12 am
Yeah, I would never tip in a place where I wasn’t actual table service. And that credit card scam thing would piss me off.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/July/2024 @ 9:13 am
Brian, I used to live in Prescott, Arizona. Shortly after Janis died, her parents moved there. I never met them though.
Yeah, I wasn’t really trying to screw the waitress (heh, my GF was with me). I asked if I could tip her directly, but she said everything has to go in the community tip jar. My attitude is if I can’t tip my server, I reduce the tip accordingly. Back in the USA I was a consistent 20% kind of guy, here it is usually 10%. Of course, lots of my fellow expats don’t tip at all and think I’m stupid for doing so.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/July/2024 @ 11:59 am
Well, lazy bastard that I am, it turns out I spelled the barangay’s name wrong. It should have been Mangan-Vaca. My spelling does translate to “Great Cow” in Spanish.
The backpack was good while it lasted, but now it is trash. Luckily, I have a backup at home that I can use for the Hash today.
Yep, for smart folks, the left sure has fucked things up. Or perhaps they’ve destroyed the economy intentionally.
John wasn’t there last night. He’s back to playing in the pool league on Sundays, but I take that as a good sign.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/July/2024 @ 8:08 am
It appears at the bottom of the blog archives. I just have to remember to scroll down for a look every day.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/July/2024 @ 7:40 am
Kev, I followed your widget instructions and successfully added your RSS URL for kevinswalk8. Not bad for a techno-peasant! Thanks!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/July/2024 @ 7:57 am
Brian, I do declare! Interesting history, I guess the July 4th declaration just formalized the decision to tell the King to fuck off. I’m not sure I can handle two parties in one week, though…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/July/2024 @ 7:41 am
Kev, lesson noted. I’ll try to avoid dangling my modifiers henceforth!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/July/2024 @ 7:59 am
Doesn’t my revised version work, too?
As a four-time loser, it is hard for me to argue with this.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/July/2024 @ 5:55 pm
You can’t get away with it, even as a caption? Oh well. As a four-time loser, it is hard for me to argue with this.
So, you found my analogy Shakespearian? Thanks!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/July/2024 @ 8:33 am
I just saw something yesterday that proves your point. Some twerp was editorializing in the NY Fucking Times that the First Amendment is interpreted too broadly and people shouldn’t be able to say what they want because “misinformation” and hurt feelings. Still shaking my head.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/July/2024 @ 8:26 am
Good times, bad times, you know I’ve had my share
Kev, at least you’ll be having the only 4th of July celebration in town on the 12th. I’m sure you’ll knock their socks off as usual.
We’ve not had any of those all-day rains yet, but I’m sure they are coming. With the long rains comes street flooding here, a whole other kind of hassle to deal with as a pedestrian. Still, I’m enjoying the respite from the blazing heat, so I will withhold complaining until I’m tired of getting wet.
Even on flat walks, I start getting body aches and fatigue around 8K. Getting back up to a 23K walk would feel like the Bataan Death March. Since no one is holding a gun to my head, I’d probably bail.
I didn’t buy local hot dogs because I hate them and couldn’t find any American-style wieners. So, we’ll be putting sausages on those buns.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 04/July/2024 @ 8:35 am
Mike, Yep, we are going full-on American-style eating today. I can’t remember the last time I saw a Canadian restaurant…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 04/July/2024 @ 8:22 am
Brian, I use a Navy Federal debit card and get reimbursed for the standard ATM fees. The 250 pesos I’m talking about are charges local banks charge foreign card users…those are not reimbursable as far as I know. I could try to open a local bank account (complex on a tourist visa) and wire money from the USA, but the savings are minimal and not worth the hassle. I’m getting market exchange rates as well.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 04/July/2024 @ 8:20 am
Kev, perhaps one of the biggest changes as I approach seventy is a growing consciousness of impending mortality. I don’t obsess about it, but I know that my remaining time on Earth is dwindling. My goal is to match my father’s 83, but that will require some good fortune along the way. I always pause at the funeral banners I see on my walks, and more than half died younger than me. I also find myself increasingly thinking about the potential after-life. I’m not even religious, but I sometimes fantasize about what my heavenly eternal life would look like. Anyway, I will keep walking (and climbing) as long as my body allows. Once you are unable to do those things you enjoy, what’s the point of living? I suspect that if the day comes that finds me homebound, I’ll take joy in different things. Maybe I’ll even start watching TV again.
I may be writing our host’s Hash name wrong; it might be Tongue-In-Groove, which sounds more Hashy.
HaHa! I hadn’t even noticed the dog when I posted that cartoon.
Thanks for the link. I’m always a little shocked when I see a photo of me, especially in profile. I guess I’m in denial about how bad things have gotten. I do get frequently reminded when I encounter a bargirl I have seen for a while. Invariably, I’ll get a poke and a “When’s the baby due?” comment.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/July/2024 @ 9:01 am
A sweet Sunday on the streets of San Isidro
Well, growing up poor, I’m sure the kids are accustomed to disappointment. It might be a good idea to miss a week here and there to lower their expectations.
After six years, I’m not as shocked by the shanty-villes as I used to be, but at least this one has access to electricity (assuming they can afford it). It’s a tough life for some, but I respect folks making the best of what they have.
Joy messaged me last night that Hideaway will close on Tuesdays and be open 11-7 the rest of the week. I’m not sure those hours will make a bar profitable, but maybe the owner will find a niche market.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 02/July/2024 @ 8:17 am
Bruce, I’ll be glad to show you around some hiking trails. 8/2 is the Friday group hike, and we start at 0900. On Saturday, I do a solo hike in the morning and you are welcome to join for that.
You can email me at lngtimegne@aol.com if you have any questions.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 02/July/2024 @ 8:03 am
Swan doesn’t mind walking if she isn’t otherwise occupied, although she has no interest in Hashing. I think the longest we’ve done together is 9K, and that’s probably our max.
Yeah, that old resort is kind of freaky. Water sliding out of a downed airliner doesn’t seem quite right for creating good vibes under the best of circumstances.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 01/July/2024 @ 7:31 am
Kev, Trees are nature’s poems, right?
Re: trespassing. The one I remember seeing was along the lines of, “Prayer leads to God. Trespassing is fastest.” I like your suggestions better.
Yeah, the thought about the swing breaking did occur to me, especially after Scott joined me. Funnily enough, we shared a bench on a recent hike, and it collapsed from our combined weight. I reminded him of that incident while we were swinging.
I did notice that those cookies kids are getting older. It’s kind of sweet to see.
Seeing folks reveal their true nature was perhaps the only benefit of the scamdemic. It is scary to know that the Nazi spirit does live on amongst us.
Indeed, I only drink beer for medicinal purposes, like minimizing my personality disorders.
Yes, I was talking about crime-ridden American cities. There are places in Manila I wouldn’t want to walk through, even in daylight. And I’ve heard of some streets in Barretto where drug addicts live are not safe for your wallet after dark. You may recall I got burgled at my first house in Alta Vista. Still, when I’m walking alone through poverty-stricken slums on my hikes, I only encounter friendly locals. You just don’t see things like gang violence in these parts.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/June/2024 @ 7:35 am
Thompson, thanks for the song links. I was never much into heavy metal as we called it back in those days, but I can usually find a song or two that I like from most groups.
I drink San Mig Zero beer, and it is only 3% alcohol. People say drinking Zero is like making love in a canoe–they are both fucking close to water. I don’t do the hard stuff, and only occasionally drink wine, but when I do, it is always straight up.
“On some nights, I still believe that a car with the gas needle on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio.”
Hunter S. Thompson» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/June/2024 @ 7:10 am
“Don’t misgender the tree!”
Sorry, but the tree identifies as male, and I’m going to respect its choice.
I didn’t photograph it, but the other page on that menu includes dinner platters loaded with a variety of smoked meats. Pricey, but enough food for several diners. They might even offer your preferred combo.
Yes, I’ve been guilty of taking the easy way with toxic women.
So, what you are saying is that it takes balls to pun the way I do? Thanks!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 29/June/2024 @ 7:44 am
Thompson, nothing like a game of cat and mouse to brighten your day! When the most drama you encounter is squashing a rodent, I’d say you done good. Too bad you didn’t hook up with the Lyft driver–that might have made for some real excitement. You gotta answer that door when opportunity knocks. Hope the rest of your day went well and that your leg is feeling better. Happy drinking!
“Those who fail to learn from the brutal stompings visited on them in the past are doomed to be brutally stomped in the future.”
Hunter S. Thompson» Posted By John McCrarey On 29/June/2024 @ 7:34 am
Nice to hear from you again, Terry. Yes, I’ve heard that Korea in those days was pretty much the opposite of what it became.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 29/June/2024 @ 7:25 am
Our pride goeth before the falls
Thompson, When this book you are writing is complete, may I suggest you name it “Welcome to my Nightmare”? Despite your complaints, you seem to be consistently compliant with the girlfriend’s demands. That probably says more about you than her, to be honest. Still, what would your life be without the drama? Peace and quiet would be boring. And as long as she is funding the booze, maybe it is all worthwhile. Besides, what would you have to write about if she weren’t yanking your chain? You can only say so much about the cat. Hang in there, and good luck. And go easy on those fingers of hers!
“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 28/June/2024 @ 8:21 am
I’m sure someone has the skills to make direction signs, but I’ve never seen them here. Part of the reason may be that the lack of signage gives the trail a more rustic/natural feel. Another is the signs probably wouldn’t stay up long. Firewood doesn’t grow on trees, you know. Oh, wait. But seriously, the Corona Hash recently constructed some ladders to make the climb on a trail easier. A lot of time and effort was involved, but the ladders would at least benefit all who chose to make that hike. Within two weeks, someone had taken them down and stolen the materials.
“…and not an immature, selfish, jealous, raving, money-grubbing lunatic.”
I resemble that statement!
The error is pretty obvious–no comma after car. Just sloppy writing/proof reading.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/June/2024 @ 8:01 am
Yep, that’s right.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/June/2024 @ 7:47 am
«« Back To Stats PageLast I read, there were only a couple of Shakey’s franchises left in the USA (on the West Coast). They are booming here in the PI. I’m not sure how that happens.
Thanks for the Dan Brown links; I wasn’t familiar with him, although I did see The Da Vinci Code. The situation I mentioned has been resolved–it was a misunderstanding between Swan and me. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, I suppose.
I hadn’t seen the meme, but yeah, Tom Holland is an ass compared to Brie Larson.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/June/2024 @ 8:52 am