Comments Posted By John McCrarey

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A day well spent

DS, I’d never heard of Loco Moco before. And after reading your description, I’m unlikely to ever taste it.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 01/June/2024 @ 6:44 am

Dipping my Tibag

Brian, you misunderstood. WalterMart is where we finished, and it’s an 8K walk from Tibag. I read that Dollar General is going out of business. They can’t find anything to sell for a dollar anymore.

Yes, it is scary and amazing to see how they (over) load those scooters. But I grew up riding in the back of a pickup troop, so who am I to criticize?

» Posted By John McCrarey On 31/May/2024 @ 1:33 pm

Kev, the speculation is that the new road is for powerline tower construction. It is so damn steep you’d need a 4×4 to traverse it.

Sorry to tempt you with unhealthy eats. I was surprised that such a relatively small place had so many menu options. And those prices! The good ol’ days!

Back when I was a lefty, we were all about non-conformity. These days, you either regurgitate the woke talking points or get canceled. Fuck them!

» Posted By John McCrarey On 31/May/2024 @ 6:15 am

DS, We didn’t get into details, but his lot is very large. I assume it is in the wife’s name. His house is large and nice compared to most of his neighbors. He said he was originally from Belgium. He seems content with his Tibag life.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 31/May/2024 @ 6:09 am

Rainy days and Tuesdays

HaHa! I hadn’t considered an apostrophe for “thems,” but you might be right!

Back in the day, I understand there was a bar in Subic town named Foxhole. I think it was one of “those kinds” of establishments you’re talking about. Oddly enough, the rumor I heard was the owner of Foxhole wanted to open a beach bar complete with bargirls, and barangay Captain Baloy said no.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/May/2024 @ 8:47 am

Yes, I always thought DaKudos was a ridiculous name. Foxhole works as a bar name but still seems off somehow for a resort. “How was your room?” It was like being in an f’n foxhole…

I was thinking of Cabin’s cabin as an example…

Big rain again last night. Yes, it appears the season has at last arrived!

» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/May/2024 @ 7:20 am

Hashing around

I’ve never seen the innards of the cabin, but it appears to be solidly constructed. I’m sure it must have a bathroom, and I’d wager it has one of those countertop burner stoves. Nope, never even gets chilly in these parts. I didn’t see any aircon unit, so the heat would be the biggest issue. Still, a fan and a rocking chair on the front porch and you’d be good to go.

The breathing is still a bit strained on the uphills. I took a brief pause about halfway up, but it wasn’t too bad.

The Hashit “crime” is rarely anything significant or even real. I think this week’s recipient was said to be an asshole or something. (The person who received the Hashit the previous week selects who they will hand it off to.)

The name of the burger joint was The Rite Spot. I have vague memories of my father with a dozen burger patties on the grill, flipping them up and over. But no, I didn’t inherit the burger gene. Around 1965, a McDonald’s opened across the street, and eventually, the only Rite Spot in existence closed forever.

I don’t have a Filipino bank account, so I don’t have to deal directly with the peso devaluation. I wire money from the USA to pay my helpers, and the enhanced exchange rate saves me some bucks.

I was a Huey Lewis fan, but that particular song wasn’t one of my favorites. Someone on Quora mentioned the video (or, more specifically, that blonde gal Huey was lovin’ on), so I went to have a look. Since it was already queued up, I was happy to share it with my readers here. I’m glad you liked it.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 29/May/2024 @ 7:39 am

City of Angels

Geez, how did I miss that? Once you point it out, it’s obvious.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/May/2024 @ 12:57 pm

Nope, the bread was toasted but plain. I didn’t think about adding butter.

I give up. What’s missing from “And why’s that Angus?”

» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/May/2024 @ 6:34 am

A sweet goodbye

Thanks, Thompson. Yes, it is nice to have “regular” status at your haunts and hangouts. It’s also nice to be out of town where no one knows your name sometimes.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/May/2024 @ 8:43 am

Kev, well, I wondered about the ambiguity of the burnin’ caption; I’m glad you saw the true intent. Good thing I didn’t use the “I’m On Fire” lyrics:
Hey, little girl, is your daddy home?
Did he go away and leave you all alone?
I got a bad desire
Oh, oh, oh
I’m on fire

Thanks for the recipe; I’ll share it with Swan; I know she’d like it.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/May/2024 @ 8:41 am

One more day

Jimmy, so far, so good. One day at a time, but I think we’ve found our comfort zone. And she laughs at my jokes!

Yes, that was Joy in the photo, and indeed, she has gained quite a bit of weight in the time I’ve known her. Don’t blame me–I only feed them once a week!

As always, I really appreciate your thoughtful comments. I’m going to keep on keeping on and hope I don’t find a way to fuck things up!

» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/May/2024 @ 8:20 am

She is Hashing tomorrow as a favor to her girlfriend, who will be there. The AC Hash is very tame compared to Subic. There is no ice, for one thing. Swan has Hacked before, so she is not subject to any rituals.

The floating bars are closing for the season. They will likely reopen in November, weather permitting.

Yes, the Catholic church doesn’t approve of birth control. Then again, premarital sex is also frowned upon. Funny they do one but not the other.

That sound you heard was my eek when I spotted the error. You’d think I could eke out a proper sentence by now.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/May/2024 @ 8:13 am

Thanks, Brian.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/May/2024 @ 8:03 am

Litter rotty and party hardy

At The Rite Spot, I provide beer, wine, and sometimes gin. If someone wants a Bloody Mary, they need to bring their own ingredients.

I like celery and carrots as snacks, but bacon and eggs are my favorites for breakfast.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 25/May/2024 @ 7:26 am

That’s an interesting idea, but I’d likely be doing it alone. The expats and Hashers I know seem to have accepted the norm that the Filipino people have created. The barangay occasionally sends out groups of unemployed folks to pick up trash for a little pocket money, but the impact of that effort is minimal.

I’d taken another chili pic, but I liked the one I used better. I didn’t think anyone would notice it was upside down.

Yes, I watched that Kamala takedown video. Now do Joe! As it becomes increasingly obvious that Joe can’t win and his unpopularity exceeds his ability to steal the election, something will happen to get him off the ticket. I just fear his replacement would be every bit as worthless as he is (Newsom?).

Reekay is usually just talking common sense (which for many expats is uncommon). Many of his lessons I learned the hard way myself. These days, I’ve pretty much found my niche and settled into routines that won’t lead to trouble. I’d have to watch the video again to address your specific questions. Again, I think the value of his insights is better suited to newbies.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 25/May/2024 @ 7:23 am

Sorry ’bout that, Mike. Next time you visit, I’ll make a burger just for you!

» Posted By John McCrarey On 25/May/2024 @ 7:05 am

Brian, I agree with you on the root causes of the litter epidemic. I don’t recall ever seeing a public garbage can on the street. That, combined with the fact that people just don’t seem to care and litter with impunity and no shame, makes it a problem that won’t be resolved anytime soon.

Regarding the self-separation of the sexes, I think language plays a part as well. The gals like to sit together and chat in Tagalog while the menfolk sit around and bullshit with each other about guy things. Seems like a natural thing to me.

I’m not a Trump fanatic, but the country was a whole lot better off during his term than it is now. Four more years, and then hopefully, someone will step up to reunite us as a people.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 25/May/2024 @ 7:03 am

Hasta la vista

Trying.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/May/2024 @ 8:13 am

Thanks, Thompson. Good luck to you.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/May/2024 @ 8:13 am

Bloody Tuesday

I never really thought about the significance of the Chinese characters used in the name. Sohee was always a very positive person, at least outwardly. You just never know.

The funny thing about farting for me these days is that I’ve lost my ability to smell. From Swan’s reactions, I still pack a punch in my gaseous excretions.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/May/2024 @ 6:39 am

I’m sorry to hear about your health issues, Thompson. If walking doesn’t work for you, you might consider a gym, where you could tailor exercises to your current limitations and hopefully strengthen those areas. Good luck!

I haven’t seen Baby Reindeer, perhaps I’ll check it out.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/May/2024 @ 6:32 am

Sohee was one of my favorites—always smiling and happy-go-lucky. She had a good heart as well. Dog rescue projects were just one example of her making the world a better place. I was so shocked that she chose to end her life. It is one more example of how you never know what is going on inside a person despite outward appearances. I wish I could have been the understanding ear she needed.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/May/2024 @ 6:22 am

A day at the Hash

Thompson, I don’t know. I just live and let live. I honestly don’t care how the rich spend their lives. I empathize with those in need and help when I can, but you can’t save everyone.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/May/2024 @ 8:13 am

Kevin, no, there has been no refund.

How’s this for a rewrite?…and one Hasher got very upset, said this was all an overreaction, and blamed the Hash leaders for not handling the situation more discreetly. (dropped an “and,” added some commas, and learned that discretely and discreetly have different meanings). The other two fuck ups: needed a comma, didn’t need a comma.

If the Hare shares the trail map beforehand, we plot our shortcuts in advance. Otherwise, we just modify as we go, provided we are familiar with the area (we usually are).

Nope, Smokes and Bottles always treats us right.

Yes, and now the joke’s on you!

» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/May/2024 @ 8:09 am

Brian, we usually get between 30 and 40 Hash attendees: 1/3 runners, 1/3 sane, and 1/3 socialites (who don’t do the trail).

» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/May/2024 @ 7:49 am

Sweet San Isidro

Thanks for sharing your insights, Thompson. I don’t have a drinking problem, and I’m not trying to quit, so your advice doesn’t apply to me.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/May/2024 @ 8:15 am

I also wondered about melting chocolate, but the types Swan buys hold up well. They are not pure chocolate, more of a chocolate coating, so that seems to help.

I didn’t know about that image search function. Cool!

Damn, it’s easy to spot that error. It’s something I know better than to do, but sometimes I still add an unneeded apostrophe to “its.”

Yeah, that path was through farm country, and I’d often encounter those rice harvesters on my walks. I don’t recall seeing any cars, though.

The phlegm is back, along with some snot. In a way, it’s a relief that it may not be heart-related. Not nearly as bad as it was before, but I am struggling with hills again. I’ll talk to Dr. Jo about another prescription.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/May/2024 @ 7:28 am

Actually, I’m in control of my drinking. I’m not one of those guys who drink morning, noon, and night. I have a specific window for imbibing (4 p.m. to 8 p.m.), and I pace myself to avoid getting shitfaced drunk. On rare occasions, I will over-indulge, but they serve as a reminder to drink responsibly. The bar scene has been part of my life for many, many years (even as a kid, my dad took me with him to the beer joints he frequented), and I don’t see anything wrong with it. Bar culture is part of my life but certainly doesn’t dominate it.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/May/2024 @ 7:06 am

Phoney fix

Yeah, old joke. I normally tell it verbally, thereby avoiding misspellings like I did with “pus.” Although calling it “puss” does have a bit of a double-entendre feel.

I’m not being ironic when I say whatever makes me laugh is funny. I never metahumor I didn’t like. Okay, I guess puns just come naturally to me somehow. I’d say that I’m funny when you’re drunk, but you don’t drink…

» Posted By John McCrarey On 20/May/2024 @ 12:40 pm