Comments Posted By John McCrarey
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Well, we seven had a magnificent hike anyway.
Regarding the monks–I hadn’t really noticed. Many boys here have shaved heads. I hear there are issues with lice.
I intentionally let everyone go ahead of me on the uphills. I’m slow, and I know it, so I don’t want to hold anyone back. I catch up on the flat.
As to the busty woman’s beliefs, I’d wager she’s revenge-oriented. You know, tit for tat.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/March/2024 @ 7:43 am
Brian, yes, I’m going to go for it. I’ll be like “The Little Engine That Could”–I think I can, I think I can, I think I can…
At some point, climbs like Easter Mountain will just be a memory. But not this year! I hope.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/March/2024 @ 7:28 am
Yeah, that’s a scary thought to lose that much value. It’s been 55+ PHP to USD for quite some time. It was around 50 when I got here six years ago. I’ve seen it go down to the low 40s as a tourist. Stay strong, dollar!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/March/2024 @ 6:20 am
The prices on imported stuff at Royal have gone way up, but yeah, I can do without them as necessary. I’m still getting a very good dollar-to-peso exchange rate (55+), so that’s a help.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 25/March/2024 @ 6:42 am
Brian, yes, I get a COLA adjustment every January. It helps for sure!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/March/2024 @ 7:29 am
Kev, I still have a sense of taste, albeit likely diminished. Maybe I just remember the taste of my favorites because I still crave them.
I’m guessing Kim made a dumb choice; otherwise, she would not still be working in a bar. I asked another gal if the father was a foreigner or a Filipino, but she didn’t know.
I wear headphones on some of my solo walks because I enjoy listening to “my kind” of music. There have been times when I also wanted to drown out those bad thoughts in my head. I sometimes fantasize that I’m the musician singing the song. I have had much worse fantasies!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/March/2024 @ 8:17 am
My thoughts exactly, Drain. I could understand the music preference if the girls were performing their dance routine. That wasn’t the case; it was the usual way of standing there and swaying occasionally. At least two older gents came in during my short visit but didn’t stay. What used to be a friendly, comfortable bar feels so much less fun now.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/March/2024 @ 8:06 am
Not sure what kind of tree that is, but if a tree can be skinny, so can I!
That house is way out in the sticks; not sure there is even access by automobile. That’s just a little too country for me.
The guy ducking out of the photo is a stranger to me; I think his girlfriend knew someone at our table. He must be camera shy (or his wife doesn’t know about the girlfriend). 🙂
Yeah, Aine is a little long in the tooth for a bargirl. Still has a smokin’ hot body, but her face shows her age. Maybe trying to “makeup” for those lost years…
Hadn’t heard about Emmet Walsh. Seems he lived a long and successful life—some great movies on his list of credits.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/March/2024 @ 6:08 am
Thanks, Kev. Yeah, when Swan served me the fruit plate, I knew it was not really low-carb. Still, it was a healthier alternative than the bowl of cereal I used to eat on some mornings. That’s sort of where I’m at–making better choices. No ice cream, no candy, and sadly, no pecan pie. That’s the hard part for me–the sweets. Having a burger patty without the bun, a side of veggies instead of mashed potatoes, and other carb-avoiding decisions are not that difficult for me.
I like that beer diet of 8 bottles a day! I’ll definitely try that for the next 30 days! But seriously, I am motivated to live a reduced-carb, low-sodium lifestyle to maintain my health and lose weight. If I’m not making sufficient progress, I’ll use the carb-free alternative to beer I’ve used in the past.
Thanks for your support!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/March/2024 @ 7:20 am
Per bottle.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 20/March/2024 @ 10:18 am
Kev, I drink my Zero in 350 ml bottles. The label says each one has 60 calories and 2.5 carb grams. I’m not striving for a full-on keto diet, but I am trying to limit my breads and sweets.
I would like to take my memories and all the “wisdom” I’ve gained over this lifetime if I could travel back in time. What a challenge it would be to find new ways to fuck up!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 20/March/2024 @ 9:45 am
Thanks for the Buddha history lesson! I believe the only statues of Buddha I’ve seen are the ones with a belly nearly as big as mine. So, I want to achieve inner peace somewhere between the fat and starving Buddha. (Ah, a quick glance at the internet and I see the big bellied Buddha representations are the exception rather than the rule.)
» Posted By John McCrarey On 19/March/2024 @ 7:12 am
Yes, I walk for at least 90 minutes every day. More importantly, my “zone” minutes (elevated heart rate) easily exceed the exercise goal. Now, I need to learn to eat smarter!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/March/2024 @ 7:42 am
Yes, she gives me “that look” whenever I’m tempted to eat something sweet.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/March/2024 @ 7:36 am
Kev, nope. I don’t recall bridge replacement projects ever being discussed. Given my limited capabilities, getting the materials to some of these locations would be very difficult.
Re: the cracked seat back–I noticed that, too, on an apparently otherwise well-maintained bus. When I was getting up to leave, I realized there used to be a handle there–some poor fool must have taken a tumble when he tried to pull himself up.
Yeah, the doctor visit was a follow-up for the kidney bloodwork results. It wasn’t the best news. Double dosage on my meds and some diet discipline are in my immediate future. Another follow-up appointment next week.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/March/2024 @ 7:38 am
No matter how hard I push the envelope…
SBMA has posted fares for various locations. If I recall correctly, Barretto is 300 pesos, but since I’m on the far side of town and up in the subdivision, I don’t mind paying a little extra. I don’t think SBMA enforces their fares, so I always ask the driver and this is the first time one was reluctant to state the price. That triggered my scam radar, and when he finally said “500,” I knew I was being taken for a ride (heh). Next time, I’ll take a photo of the price chart and challenge an overcharging cab driver.
There are some metered taxis around, but not on SBMA. I took a metered cab from Olongapo once and the fare was less than 300 pesos. I’ve read on some forums about those Bangkok cabs refusing to use the meter, and it seems to be a growing problem. Anyway, I don’t mind paying what’s fair and I usually give a generous tip as well. I just don’t want to be treated like a sucker.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/March/2024 @ 7:53 am
DS, thanks. I think the fair fare is 300-350, and I would have tipped at least 50 on top of that. Instead, he wanted to game me. Fuck him. I know the cabs have to line up and take turns for customers, so I’m hoping he had to go to the back of the queue when I bailed.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/March/2024 @ 8:51 am
Kev, the cab had gone less than a block when I exited, and he is lucky I didn’t report his scam attempt. I’m sorry I lost my temper, though. That is an unwise thing to do in this country.
There are a lot of gals named Mary Jane who go by “MJ.” I don’t know Em Jhae’s real name, but I suspect that is just her unique way of spelling MJ (we are Facebook friends).
I’m unfamiliar with birria–all I know is that is what the menu calls those tacos. They are tasty, though.
Nope, I’ve never been a calorie counter. Judging from my belly, I’d say I’m in the red.
Those branches in the wires are so typical of the way things are done here. Recently, they cut down a tree for road construction but couldn’t be bothered to untangle the branches. My photo was a tongue-in-cheek attempt to capture that unique beauty.
Yes, I avoided being a judge at the SOB. More relaxing that way.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/March/2024 @ 7:20 am
Kev, Geez. I should have said “whose house”–that’s so blatant I can’t even think of a reasonable excuse. Who’s responsible? Me!
That baby is Inday’s daughter, I think she said the girl holding her is her niece. It was such a chance meeting in the middle of nowhere. No wonder all those stairs didn’t give Inday any trouble–usually she is carrying a baby when she climbs them!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 15/March/2024 @ 8:00 am
Thanks, Brian.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 15/March/2024 @ 7:47 am
No, never run out. I caught myself counting the other day and realized that if I had to do that, I needed to restock. I’ve got a whole shelf full of shorts that have mysteriously shrunk.
I still get tuckered out on the hard trails but breathe fine. Makes a big difference.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 14/March/2024 @ 7:48 am
Kev, the mother of my children left us when my daughter was five and my son was three. I had sole custody until they reached adulthood. I left Arizona and moved to Oklahoma, where my parents had a small farm so they could grow up riding horses, and my mom and grandma were there to lend a hand. That photo was taken in Oklahoma. I met wife #2 there, and she was a great stepmother. She is still a big part of their lives in South Carolina. Their mother moved to South Carolina a few years back so she could play the grandmother role. And now I’m the one who disappeared. Neither of my kids has visited me in Korea or the Philippines, and I haven’t been back to the USA in over four years. It’s weird how things turned out.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 13/March/2024 @ 7:51 am
Yes, the Hares are automatically on the ice, and all those who profess to like the trail join them there. I very rarely say anything positive in the circle about a trail, but always give the Hare feedback directly later.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 12/March/2024 @ 7:06 am
Kev, I’m not aware of any impact on any future. The land is just an investment that she may or may not develop as a source of income or residence. I’m thirty years older than her; I won’t be around for that.
Geez, another film I hadn’t heard of before. I like your description and deem it worthy to add to my “to see” list. Thanks!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 11/March/2024 @ 6:10 am
I don’t do a lot of weddings (although I was a best man once), but I’d never seen that money-pinning thing. On the other hand, I didn’t see anyone bringing gifts, so I guess the pinning tradition is better than two toasters. I’ll see if I come across “Plus One” someday; at least, I’ll recognize it now, having seen your review.
I just assumed that person who lived in five states at 22 must have been a military brat. I didn’t make my first move until I was 23.
You make Paris sound like San Francisco.
You’ve already fasted? That was quick… *ahem*
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/March/2024 @ 7:23 am
You can’t tell by the content, but I already spend over an hour a day blogging. If I had to finger type all that text it would become a full-time job. Dedication to my loyal readers only goes so far!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/March/2024 @ 7:25 am
Luckily, I’m not a calorie counter. I’m all about the distance! My problem is about self-discipline. I was sorely tempted to bring home a burger and fries from that McDonald’s (I resisted the urge). That would have canceled out all the calories I managed to burn during my trek.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/March/2024 @ 7:32 am
Those Fitbit stats are the total for the entire day. My actual walk was only 13K (19000 steps). I can only dream of walking a full 18K in one go.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/March/2024 @ 1:35 am
Kev, scrawny though it may be, it is very, very rare to find pumpkin pie at all in these parts. It tasted good, what little of it there was. I agree–the thicker, the better!
Charm is short for Charmelyn or something like that. Everyone just calls her Charm.
I’ve only been to Klimax Bar once (it’s a Filipino hangout), but I love the name. The wedding reception will be at the Subiza Resort on Baloy. And yes, I’m cumming!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/March/2024 @ 7:28 am
«« Back To Stats PageYes, foreigners can’t own anything. Most expat-controlled businesses are corporations with Filipino partners holding the majority of shares, with the foreigner having the largest block and CEO status. I’m sure there are other restrictions and rules, but I never had enough interest to seriously consider going down this road.
Same with housing, and yes, many a sucker gets burned when he buys in his girlfriend/wife’s name.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/March/2024 @ 7:20 am