Comments Posted By John McCrarey

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All that remains

Thanks, Yvon. I mentioned the incident in the context of explaining why I was taking a day off from blogging, and it wound up getting blown out of proportion. I wouldn’t even call it an argument; we just had a misunderstanding, and I walked away, making things worse. Live and learn. And all is well with us now.

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

Brian, Yeah, things change, and as far as I’m concerned, I like the bars I visit now better than the ones he described. But to each his own…

» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/May/2024 @ 7:16 am

A day away

Koko, I’ve been to both Boracay and Palawan. They are indeed very beautiful. Pundaquit is close and accessible by car, so I visit there more often.

Thanks for the comment and your kind words.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/May/2024 @ 5:27 pm

A turn for the better

Mike, I don’t agree with Sir Connery regarding using violence to keep women in line. Just not my style.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 04/May/2024 @ 7:43 am

Kev, yes, what doesn’t kill a relationship makes it stronger. I think we will learn and grow from this.

I’ll be posting pictures of my Nipa experience tomorrow. So far, it is everything I thought it would be and less!

» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/May/2024 @ 5:24 pm

Koko, I appreciate your words of support, but I do not understand what makes you think I have or would engage in violence. I firmly believe that any man who would strike a woman is a worthless coward. I’ve been married four times and NEVER engaged in spousal abuse, at least of the physical kind. I know you don’t know me, but there was nothing in my post that would warrant an assertion that I engaged in any inappropriate contact. We had a misunderstanding, and instead of dealing with it, I walked away. That was my only sin.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/May/2024 @ 5:20 pm

Mike, no worries, everything is fine. I’m trying to figure out what I said that made people think there was a physical altercation. I am NOT prone to violence, especially involving a female.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/May/2024 @ 5:15 pm

A bad day

“No”, do you know me? I seriously doubt you’ve ever seen me angry. I didn’t lose my temper yesterday; I was hurt and disappointed.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/May/2024 @ 7:17 am

Yeah, better now. I was not angry so no idea what “No” was talking about.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/May/2024 @ 7:15 am

Brian, Actually, not this time. Although it helped end the pain.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/May/2024 @ 7:13 am

Tuesday again

Kev, it’s not hard to spot that one. I needed that apostrophe to do its disappearing act. Sloppy work on my part.

As for the other error, in retrospect, I would have written it as: It was a pretty boring floater experience this week, so we caught the raft back to the beach.

I don’t mind you pointing out these errors, but it must be frustrating that I keep making the same type of mistakes. I’m trying to do better and I do think I’ve shown some improvement over time.

I remember the difference between Austria and Australia by thinking of the kangaroos in Vienna and being glad that Hitler is down under.

Well, I had my fun and have some nice memories, but I don’t want to go back to that old life. All Mary is to me now is a girl I’m helping to get through school. I prefer to assist in changing a life than paying someone’s electric bill.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 02/May/2024 @ 8:27 am

Brian, I prefer to keep my distance, but the ladyboys I did encounter in Thailand seemed friendly enough. The few I’ve seen here in the PI act like they have mental health issues. I’m all about live and let live, but I can live without them around me.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 02/May/2024 @ 8:03 am

A Hare-owing experience

Compliments on the trail are usually dispensed prior to the Hash circle, where they can be offered without penalty. 🙂

» Posted By John McCrarey On 01/May/2024 @ 6:36 am

And now I’m running dry

55? Such a young buck! But yes, aging has some drawbacks but it sure does beat the alternative to aging! And I’ve heard of The Dark Knight Returns, but I don’t remember anything about it.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 01/May/2024 @ 6:39 am

Now that you mention it, it does sound familiar. That’s one of the nice things about dementia–everything old is new again!

Yes, indeed, as long as she is under 40. Some things go without saying…

» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/April/2024 @ 7:05 am

Liquidated

I’m hoping this, too, shall pass. The meds I took yesterday could help. If this were the new normal for me, I would be very unhappy. But we adapt to what life throws our way, so if a waterproof bed cover is in the future, so be it.

The colors folks choose for the houses can be a bit bizarre. Still, being able to afford to paint your dwelling is practically middle class.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 29/April/2024 @ 6:44 am

Wet with sweat

I hope so, too. Transactional sex is nearly as satisfying as the real thing.

I felt so bad about it that I talked to Daddy Dave (sponsor of the SOB) and showed him my screwup. I said if my mistake cost the Voodoo gals first place money, I wanted to compensate them for it. He said let me go to the office and check the results. He came back with the tally of the judge’s scores and said if Voodoo had received my vote, it would not have changed the overall standings. What a relief it was to hear that!

» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/April/2024 @ 7:11 am

In the minority

Kev, yes, I should have worded that better. But if I can make brownie meatballs a thing, I’ll be famous!

I did ask Swan once about the marriage thing, and as I recall, it had to do with Alan being out of the country several months a year for work. I didn’t care to delve into the matter any deeper than that. I’m gonna try for that Kurt-and-Goldie thing; I haven’t had much luck with the other option.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/April/2024 @ 7:09 am

Brian, I felt a little weird about even being involved since I’m Alan’s replacement. Swan asked me to attend, and I agreed, but I wasn’t sure what to expect. Anyway, all the “advertising” was word-of-mouth from Swan, and I don’t know who all she reached out to invite.

I’m a creature of habit, so I haven’t really considered changing my routines to facilitate a sunrise walk. If this heat wave were a permanent phenomenon, I probably would be inclined to change my ways. I’m looking forward to the rainy season’s arrival!

» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/April/2024 @ 6:59 am

Meandering

Since moving here, I’ve wondered about the how and why of these fires. Clearly, they are set intentionally, but my impression is that the fires are not government-sanctioned. I often see nighttime burns on mountainsides, so there is unlikely anyone around to monitor or “control” the burns. On rare occasions, I’ve seen the fire department dispatched when houses are threatened, but for the most part, the fires just burn themselves out. Why they don’t continue to rage out of control is a mystery to me.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/April/2024 @ 7:54 am

Rough waters

Kev, $385. is unusually high. It is normally closer to $300. My budget for groceries is $250. So many mouths to feed!

I agree that a salad should only require a fork to consume. I don’t cut; I just open wide and stuff it in. You’re right, though; there is no dressing on the bottom that way.

It’s the memory of what I had and lost that hurts. I only think about the marriage part at tax time–she’s a nice deduction.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 25/April/2024 @ 7:37 am

Hash browns

Ouch, the song is almost as bad as the axe-wound.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 25/April/2024 @ 7:37 am

18-Kilo joined a motorcycle club (I’m told the Hells Angels) in Angeles City and spends most of his time riding with them. You gotta do what makes you happy in life. The other guy was a Brit and he’s never been back. I used to see him on the street sometimes, but not lately.

It appears you didn’t like my phrasing. It did feel a little off, but I ignored the red flag like the way I usually do. I just checked what Grammarly had to say about that line, and they offered: “I wasn’t at the back of the pack yesterday like usual.” Your suggestions make more sense, and it seems like a grammar rule I might actually remember. We’ll see.

Yikes! That “axe wound” definition was downright scary. I don’t want to ever see that, even in my imagination.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/April/2024 @ 7:52 am

Giving a little

Thanks. I may have seen and memory-holed Wrath of Khan. Sounds like it is worth a re-watch. I used to watch the original series as a youngster, but that would all be new to me now, too. Thanks for the tips!

» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/April/2024 @ 7:28 am

Thanks, never saw it before.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/April/2024 @ 2:21 pm

Kev, I forgot to address your question about weird folk encounters. We’ve got a couple of well-known homeless crazies on the streets of Barretto. They’re likely drug addicts, but other than being annoying beggars, they seem harmless. The guy on the jet ski was weird because he appeared “normal”—dressed well and had enough cash to afford (rent?) a jet ski. Of course, drunken foreigners are a whole other category of weird.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/April/2024 @ 9:02 am

That “Giving Tree” book sounds familiar. I was nine when it was published, so maybe I read it back then. Anyway, I don’t give till it hurts, so I should be okay.

Alta Vista is surrounded by shanty villages. A few steps away, you are in a whole other world. I haven’t seen your post yet, but I look forward to your perspective.

I wasn’t familiar with that Star Trek scene you mention–makes the meme even funnier!

» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/April/2024 @ 6:25 am

Five plus five equals ten

There is only one gate in and out of Alta Vista, but there are several footpaths you can access in the unfenced perimeter. I use them more frequently than the gate.

Yep, the Aussie-owned Outback is a step down under. You can even buy an Aussie hotdog there. Well, I was one of those Itaewon guys. Working on base was like going to America every day and then hanging out with the expat crowd in the bars at night. I did manage to travel around some and marry a Korean girl, at least.

You think crewman was bad; you should see what I DIDN’T miss when I proofread! It’s scary.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/April/2024 @ 7:29 am

Brian, No, I wasn’t aware of the 4/20 album connection. I thought 4/20 was for pot smokers. Then again, I guess the two do go together.

Alan was taller than me (I’m 6’1″), and Swan is 4’8″, so that’s a pretty big difference.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/April/2024 @ 7:15 am

The walk of life

Ah, yeah. I guess it is worth repeating, then. I’m going to look at some of those WOP videos, starting with Planet of the Apes.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/April/2024 @ 8:11 am