Comments Posted By John McCrarey
Displaying 2,551 To 2,580 Of 6,593 Comments
Brian, So, if I skip a night at the bar, can I drink beer at home? I’m kidding; I know what you are saying, and maybe I’ll try that if I lack the discipline to cut back on my consumption rate.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/October/2023 @ 1:05 pm
Rascal, yeah, I really exploded quickly once I let myself go. And keep those Ding Dongs to yourself!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/October/2023 @ 1:02 pm
Kevin, thanks for this. I grasp the science of what you are saying, but the human element makes it difficult for me. I don’t deal with hunger well, so those fasting diets are hard for me to maintain. The low-carb but eat-when-you-are-hungry method has the best results for me. So, I need to reduce the calories and eat healthier calories while upping my exercise level. It may take longer to get there that way, but it is more sustainable for me.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/October/2023 @ 1:01 pm
I don’t have many 4000-calorie burn days, but according to my tracker, I had 3000 yesterday…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/October/2023 @ 6:36 am
I’ll look for them. Thanks!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/October/2023 @ 7:08 am
Kev, thanks for the heads up on metformin. I read a couple of your links and have a couple more to review later. I’m likely not going to refill this prescription.
What happens with Swan remains up in the air. I’m not sure what common interests we may share at this point. She’s a good woman, I’m convinced of that, but time will tell if she is right for me. Just an example–she is the only woman who has spent a night with me and declines to join me on the morning dog walk. I mean, I get that she doesn’t want to Hash, and I can accept that, but a twenty-minute stroll with the boys is nothing. She just has no interest in coming with us. I feel as alone as I ever have. As I said, there are good things about her, too, but I’m still undecided if she is my future.
As for the issue with Nerissa and Alma at Cheap Charlies, I just thought their behavior was rude. I’m a customer too and deserve a little respect. If that is too much to ask, I’ll take my business elsewhere.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/October/2023 @ 8:48 am
Brian, I’m an old dog, and these are new tricks…hmm, well, maybe not so new, but first time’s the charm. (and yes, I avoid trite phrases like the plague) We’ll see what happens this time.
I need to read up on Ozempic and revisit what Kevin wrote about metformin. I did my past weight loss without using meds, but I’ll take all the help I can get as long as that help doesn’t harm my health in other ways. Treating the high blood sugar issue is a worthy objective, with or without dropping pounds.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/October/2023 @ 8:26 am
Stayed up until 9:30 last night! How do you like them apples?
» Posted By John McCrarey On 20/October/2023 @ 5:57 am
Thanks, Dan. More good reasons to revisit my decision to abandon darts. I think approaching the game with a different attitude, i.e., just something to do to pass the time while I’m drinking, will help. Cheaper than buying lady drinks, too!
I didn’t mean to leave the impression that I was “invoking fear” in myself. I’ve been willing to live with the periodic pain in my leg, but I just wanted to be sure it wasn’t something more severe before I attempted to ignore it. I’ll post about my doctor’s visit today.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 20/October/2023 @ 5:54 am
Jack, thanks for the feedback. My first reaction to being bit was to stomp him to death. Instead, I left him alone in the empty house overnight. I thought about giving him away but ultimately decided to keep him. I rescued him as a starving puppy, and I’m going to see it through. He is a Lucky dog.
The deciding factor in Lucky’s favor was that upon reflection, I don’t think the bite was in anger or aggression, but rather out of fear. He didn’t understand the move, didn’t want to go, and when I tried to force him, he lashed out. When I returned for him the next day, he was happy to see me and allowed me to leash him up without issue. He loves it here in the new place, but his actions have consequences. I don’t give him the love and affection he used to receive, and I can tell he misses that. He is totally submissive around me, and I have no doubt he knows I’m the boss.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 19/October/2023 @ 7:48 am
The Lubao route is the shortest way to get there, but going through Angeles is another option. I’ve never gone that way. There is an S&R in Angeles I’ve tried a couple of times, but I don’t like it as much.
Thanks for the video links, Kevin. I’ve got them queued up to watch (it’s early here, and Swan is sleeping now).
I reacted to the bite in anger and gave Lucky a swift kick. Yeah, it crossed my to stomp him to death, but that’s not my way. I left him in the empty house overnight and perhaps he reflected on the error of his ways. Probably not, though. Lucky is the stupidest dog I have ever owned. I do think he knows I’m the boss. I give him his food but no more love and affection. That’s the price you pay when you bite the hand that feeds you.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 19/October/2023 @ 7:34 am
Damn, wonder how I didn’t see on those full Moon Pies. Most people don’t know what they are missing! I sure do miss my commissary shopping days!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/October/2023 @ 11:37 am
Kev, sorta like those Choco Pies. They are about a third of the size of the real thing, a Moon Pie, but they are quite tasty. I buy them here every week. I’ve never seen a Moon Pie outside of the USA. The commissary didn’t even have them.
Gonna get the leg checked tomorrow.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/October/2023 @ 6:38 am
Brian, glad you liked the Yoakam song. And I’ve got an appointment with Dr. Jo tomorrow.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/October/2023 @ 6:33 am
What are your views on the potential for an afterlife?
I’ll definitely be back to Pundaquit. I saw a new place on the beach I might want to try next time.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/October/2023 @ 6:20 am
That’s how I sew…the hemming way.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/October/2023 @ 8:54 am
Yeah, I wouldn’t be interested in camping out there. Some of the rooms look like they’d be okay for an overnight. I think the attraction of that resort is access to the hikes in the surrounding mountains. Having a place to relax after a hard day on trail must be nice.
Well, maybe I am a bit paranoid. I’ve mentioned before that I stopped hiking in the hills alone because there is just too much that can go wrong, and if no one is there to help you, it could be life-changing (or ending). I had never been in such a small banka boat before, which fueled my imagination of the potential for tragedy. Still, I have the courage to cross the national highway on a daily basis, so there’s that.
I think the only time I’ve seen grass like that here is on a golf course. What was weird was people drive and park in front of their rooms. It seems to hold up well.
Thanks for the links. I hadn’t heard of Santa Muerte before, and hearing Cartman makes my singing sound good!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/October/2023 @ 8:27 am
Thanks for the tip. Just did a quick search and saw that it debuted in 2007. It looks like at least some episodes are available on YouTube. Alas, it is in Tagalog…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/October/2023 @ 8:07 am
Soju, Monty is the American owner. He wasn’t around this weekend.
Ha, that grass was better groomed than most of the golf courses around here. Or so I’ve been told.
Yeah, it doesn’t seem like a sporting way to fish. Still, your options are limited when you are going after the minnow-sized catch.
Sundown is one of my favorites by Gordon Lightfoot. I even know the words by heart!
Cheers!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/October/2023 @ 8:44 am
No, I don’t know about any Irish curses. Well, other than St. Patrick.
Jaysus, Kevin! You’d adapt to the weather here like the rest of us. Well, maybe not 35K worth, but still.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 15/October/2023 @ 6:12 am
HaHa! Good one. And good luck on the hike! I’m looking forward to the daily reports. Stay safe!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 14/October/2023 @ 6:39 am
There is no actual Indian restaurant in my little town, but some Indian-like curry dishes are on the menu in some places. And for the record, I’m Native American (born in the USA), not Indian.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 14/October/2023 @ 6:38 am
Kev, during the rainy season, that river (the Matain River) has been known to flood. During high tide, the river water is blocked from entering the bay, and it’s got to go somewhere.
Yeah, in retrospect, this would have been a good week to get out of town. A few weeks ago, I considered doing the Puerto Galera Hash this weekend but couldn’t be bothered with the hassle of getting there. If I’d only known then what I know now. Woulda, coulda, shoulda.
It boggles the mind to think it takes a week to repair or replace the pipeline that services an entire subdivision. Welcome to the Philippines, where words like efficiency and competence have no meaning!
Hoping to see Dr. Jo early next week when she returns from her travels.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 13/October/2023 @ 7:02 am
Soju, yeah, the entrance is guarded, but this “gated subdivision” isn’t fenced. I know at least six other ways in on dirt footpaths. The community center (officer’s club) is okay, but you can’t get a beer or snacks there, so it is useless to me.
Years ago, I looked at that house as a potential rental option. They were only renting one floor–I wanted the top, and they wanted me in the basement. No thanks! Great view, though.
I’m old enough to remember “Green Acres,” but I had forgotten about Mr. Haney and his wares. Thanks for the reminder! I hope I don’t run into Eva Gabor–she died in 1995!
That’s one thing that surprises me about the Philippines. Despite the poverty and lack of law enforcement presence (you never see cops patrolling the streets), there is relatively little crime. I know I feel safer here than I would in just about any American city. They might have some gangs in Manila, but they rarely make the news through acts of violence.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 13/October/2023 @ 6:52 am
I was wondering what happened to you… 🙂
» Posted By John McCrarey On 12/October/2023 @ 1:36 pm
Kev, I didn’t get that last sunset shot because I bailed out right after the Hash circle. I was at my SML limit.
No, trikes are not generally more expensive than metered taxis. I tend to overpay trikes, but I figured my fare from Calapadayan would be at least 100, and I was prepared to pay 150 if need be. A Jeepney would have been 20 pesos.
Google Maps wouldn’t have helped, there is no other paved route than the highway. I had guesstimated the 3K distance based on my hikes to the ATM which is a bit further up the road.
Yes, a visit to the doctor is in my future.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 11/October/2023 @ 6:58 am
Brian, the real issue is that taxis just aren’t prevalent like they are in most places. The only time I’ve taken a cab is from the mall, where they have a taxi stand. If some enterprising drivers set up here in Barretto I and many other foreigners would use them versus the dreaded Jeepney.
I’ve heard of Pad Thai, just not my thing.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 11/October/2023 @ 6:47 am
James, I personally prefer skinny girls, but the ones in that photo all have nice personalities. And a couple of them aren’t as large as the picture makes them appear. I take no responsibility for size; my two meals a week is only a maintenance program!
Joy is actually a very sweet young woman. I hope she meets a nice guy someday so they can take care of each other–she’s a natural at that. Joy is firmly in my friend zone, so no “Os” from me!
Yeah, I take my diary style of blogging a little too far on occasion, but I also get some of the best advice available from my readers. It is a fine line between respecting privacy and sharing what’s in my heart. I don’t really have the kind of friend who would want to listen to my sad stories. So, the blog fills that void.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/October/2023 @ 7:10 am
Dan, maybe it is nerve damage. Yesterday’s walk to the Hash went better. There was still some pain, but it didn’t feel like it would collapse. Yes, it can be scary to self-diagnose on the internet. The benefit is that it facilitates the conversation with your doctor. I’m going to seek reassurance that this isn’t an MS symptom.
To be fair, that photo wasn’t flattering. Even plus-size girls can be attractive. The other Hideaway gals are skinnier, so there’s something for everyone’s tastes. I haven’t heard much talk of diabetes among the locals, so I’m guessing not.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/October/2023 @ 6:56 am
«« Back To Stats PageDr. Jo is out of town right now but will schedule me once she returns. The leg seems to be doing better, so I don’t have a sense of urgency.
“I think she’s peeking.”
Resistance! Stick it to the man!Oh, that dollar was photoshopped? George Washington owned slaves; I just assumed the left had offed his head in the name of woke justice.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/October/2023 @ 6:45 am