Comments Posted By John McCrarey
Displaying 2,491 To 2,520 Of 6,593 Comments
Thanks for the tip, Brandon. I’ve got Beef in the queue.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/November/2023 @ 6:57 am
Brian, short beds make sense when you think about it. It’s bound to be easier on the lungs for nighttime breathing. Jefferson AND Lincoln…I guess that establishes a president! (Sorry!)
Yep, I want to feel normal again as soon as possible…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/November/2023 @ 6:57 am
The “I’m curious why you think I’m incurious” line was my failed attempt at humor. I understand what you are saying and can’t dispute the fact that I’ve grown increasingly lazy intellectually over the years.
I’ve read and commented on both reviews now and apologize for the oversight. In a weird way, my appreciation of your reviews proves your point–I’d rather read your take on a film than invest the time and energy to actually watch it in most cases. There are exceptions, though, the most recent being The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.
I did look up Kabbalah to see what it was, but reading the Wikipedia entry is likely as far as my study of this subject will go. More evidence to support your contention that my lack of curiosity is indisputable.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/November/2023 @ 7:19 am
“then why you keep fucking me”?
That’s hilarious, Soju!
People go swimming off the floating bar all the time (so do the girls who work there), but I can’t say I’ve seen anyone swim to shore. It might be a good way to get out of a tab full of lady drinks, though.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/November/2023 @ 9:14 am
Thanks, Goldberg. I have a caregiver-helper and she handles the chores I can’t do when I’m ill, including the dog walks. She also does the heavy lifting at the grocery store; my job is to pay. She’s not qualified to assume my role as keeper of the bargirls, so that’s on me.
I really have almost zero interest in religious topics. Although for some reason, though, I’ve been speculating about heaven lately. The Biblical heaven seems like hell to me, and I’m thinking perhaps heaven is tailored to suit the individual. In other words, when we pass from this life, we get to choose our own heaven. I’ve thought that perhaps the heaven I would choose would be a “do-over life.” I’d go back a relive my life knowing what I know now and avoiding some of the mistakes and fuck ups. Of course, I’m quite certain there would be new ways to screw things up, but that’s life, right?
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/November/2023 @ 8:16 am
Kevin, thanks as always for your insights and suggestions. I’m curious: why do you think I’m incurious? Seriously, though, there is more I could be doing with my life, and travel is one of the things I had intended to do much more frequently in my retired life. Once I get back on my feet, that will be a priority.
I think I’ve slowed down and lost some of my curiosity as I’ve aged. I used to read books all the time; now, I can’t even remember the last time I turned a page. Same with movies and other media that make you think–I just don’t have the patience and attention span to make it through most of them anymore. I guess when I retired, I shut down my curiosity.
Oddly enough, I don’t feel a lot of emptiness or boredom. My routines may be mundane, but they are mostly satisfying. My typical day consists of getting up between four and five in the morning and spending a couple of hours reading the news via my favorite blogs. Then I walk the dogs. If I’m going to cook, I’ll throw something in the crockpot. Then, I hike for a couple of hours, either alone or with the group. I take a one-hour nap around noon, then spend a couple of hours writing a daily post here at LTG. Then, I shower and prepare myself for my evening on the town, which sometimes includes dinner in addition to the bar visits. My bar time starts after 4 p.m. and ends around 8:00. I’m almost always in bed by nine.
So, this life of mine might be shallow, but for the most part, it is satisfying. In fact, this recent bout of incapacitation has made me appreciate the routine and mundane things I’m not currently able to do. I see pictures of people walking the paths through the hills I used to enjoy, and I really miss those times. As Joni Mitchell sang long ago, “Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone…”
I’ve always been impressed with your energy and curiosity levels. Watching all those videos on YouTube that cover a universe of subjects would fry my brain, I fear. It might just be a case of “to each his own.” Anyway, for me right now, recovering my health is my first priority.
Thanks again for your thought-provoking comment.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/November/2023 @ 8:07 am
Kev, yeah, that’s my biggest fear–reaching the stage your friend is at would suck all the pleasure and meaning from my life. That seems like a fate worse than death.
I would love to regain the cardio stamina to engage in sexercise on a more frequent basis. The health benefits would be nice too.
Dr. Jo didn’t really say much about the COPD. I don’t think my symptoms are that consistent with the progression of that ailment. The pulmonary doctor who saw me adjusted some of my COPD meds, which she thinks will be more effective.
Yep, one step at a time. I’ll get there or die trying.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 15/November/2023 @ 7:51 am
Thanks, Brian. Here’s hoping!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 15/November/2023 @ 7:43 am
HaHa! I am touched that you would think I might notice a “comma stutter.”
Not having the energy to get out and about has made me realize what an important part of my life walking has become. I really miss being on trail. I’m with Morrie; I don’t want to be dead.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 14/November/2023 @ 6:33 am
Thanks, Brian. I’m still in the fight!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 13/November/2023 @ 6:13 am
Kev, the tallest building in town is six floors. Lots of hills around of course. At this point I’m just working on things like pursed lips breathing to increase the oxygen flow as I move about.
Dr. Jo prescribes some antibiotics to help clear the mucous in my lungs. That will be a big help.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 12/November/2023 @ 5:23 pm
“Where can I grab a beer in Barretto?”
Brian, I’ve been told the owner supports a “high-end” clientele, transporting rich folk in from other locations like SBMA. So yeah, the local market will not be attracted to this expensive venue and the elite won’t have to deal with us lowlifes intruding on their fantasy time.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 13/November/2023 @ 6:19 am
The girls aren’t free, but you can negotiate a fair price.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 12/November/2023 @ 10:41 am
Oddly enough, I didn’t visit any of them on Saturday. Never even left the house. I’ll post about my day from hell later.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 12/November/2023 @ 6:32 am
Yes, I’m aware of all that. Gonna manage things as best as I am able.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 13/November/2023 @ 1:12 pm
If he bites anyone in the yard, they are someone who is where they shouldn’t be…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 12/November/2023 @ 8:55 am
Kev, well, he’s out of the house–out of sight, out of mind. Anyone who might want him is welcome to him. I honestly think Lucky is too stupid and too aggressive to be trained like the dogs in those videos. Maybe if I had started as a pup, but after five years with me, he still hasn’t figured out I’m the boss. And there are no shelters around here–dogs are just abandoned and left to fend for themselves on the street. I can’t reduce myself to that level of cruelty. As for access to the bed, he snuck in while the door was open and then didn’t want to leave.
Yes, in the early days, my condition was much worse. That’s why this recent upsurge is so concerning. I think maybe my issue isn’t related to COPD per se but rather a virus that exacerbates the situation. I’m taking some meds that will hopefully help. However I am destined to die; I hope that it does not involve gasping for air.
As for the clock, the sun’s long afternoon shadows tell me when beer o’clock has arrived!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 11/November/2023 @ 9:00 am
Dan, you need the shit days to make the rest of them more appreciated. Lucky has always been a bad combination of rebellious and stupid. Quite the opposite of Buddy.
As for the street dogs, I have fantasized about different ways to kill them. I’m not familiar with the “Macafee” method, though.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 11/November/2023 @ 8:52 am
Goldberg, I’ve been breaking the laws of all the world’s major religions since I was fifteen years old. Too late to change now!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 11/November/2023 @ 8:46 am
Brian, it doesn’t feel like Covid. I had it before, and I’ve also been vaccinated, so what are the odds? It could be my COPD has inexplicably progressed, or maybe I’m experiencing some other respiratory infection (I’m hocking up phlegm). I’m going to do some antibiotics, and hopefully, that will help.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/November/2023 @ 4:26 pm
Kev, I think you were with me when I had a breathing attack one night in Itaewon. I had to sit down for a while to catch my breath. Since my COPD diagnosis and meds, those incidents have been rare. So, having these issues escalating now is more than a little concerning. I’m not sure how much is related to the nasal blockage, but I’m not confident my forthcoming surgery will alleviate the problem completely. It sucks being short of breath almost all the time. And yeah, the incident you describe is scary as hell and not the way I want to exit this life.
I knew a couple of gals in Korea who led Zumba classes, but it is huge here in the Philippines. I’ve never tried it, but it looks to be a healthy pastime.
Beer will be the last thing to go, and if that becomes necessary, I’ll replace it with something less carby, like gin. I just need to keep moving and breathing and eating smarter. I’ll get there!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/November/2023 @ 6:34 am
Dan, I was raised in a bar culture (my earliest memories with my dad are sitting in beer joints while he held court with his bar buddies and I sipped on RC Colas), and so the social life of drinking establishments just seems to come naturally to me. I’m disappointed that I haven’t been motivated to travel as much as I intended to do in retired life, but things change, and I could find myself on the road once again. Anyway, I am what I am, and that’s all that I am, so I’m gonna do me and try to be happy in my golden years.
Thanks for your support!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/November/2023 @ 6:24 am
Goldberg, yes, I had a very happy Korean life right up until the time I didn’t. I will never understand why that had to end, but life goes on, and here I am in the Philippines, trying to make the best of whatever time I have left. There’s no going back.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/November/2023 @ 6:16 am
Goldberg: Yeah, I saw that and thought I’d be wise to edit the photo so my ear didn’t show. Oh, well. To the barber for me, then!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/November/2023 @ 7:54 am
Well, I get what you are saying but I wasn’t there for the interactions with the women. I rejected their advances and asked to be left alone. It would have been different if Swan had joined me and I’m looking forward to us going together this weekend.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/November/2023 @ 4:44 am
It sounds like a proper deflowering, Dan.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/November/2023 @ 3:20 pm
In the future, I’ll just request a room in the pool wing of the hotel. They cost a little more, but saves on the aggravation.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/November/2023 @ 7:45 am
Thanks, DS. Just read the Arayat Wikipedia page. Very interesting history.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/November/2023 @ 4:32 pm
Yes, that is indeed a German carabao.
I will definitely give the surgeon a heads-up if I am not improving. I’m thinking a coughing jag with a tube down my throat while I’m unconscious might not have a happy ending.
I did 6.5K my way with the Subic Hash, and it went alright. I’ll call that progress.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/November/2023 @ 7:01 am
I was born in the City of Angels
«« Back To Stats PageMuch easier this year. Yes, I was reminded of that trail from Hell last year and was glad not to relive it.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/November/2023 @ 7:02 am