Comments Posted By John McCrarey
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Just another town along the road
Soju, I don’t know about Hamburglar, but I’m already a Big Mac.
No pier in this Santa Monica, but it does flood during rainy season.
Yes, unfortunately, this is the land of dirty roads.
No, the fishmonger didn’t ask for a drink, but she does look thirsty. I wish I could remember which bar I saw her in.
Yes, I also get that “come again when you can’t stay so long” vibe sometimes.
Your friend Peter sounds like a wanker.
Thanks, Soju. Swan does look good for an elderly woman (she’s 39!)
» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/December/2023 @ 9:42 am
Kev, I’ve never heard a name similar to “Ming Hang” here. I don’t know if that was bad writing or an inside joke I didn’t get. Still, it was nice to see the Subic Bay women get the well-earned recognition for their talents.
It occurred to me that while I’m not a pillar of the community, I may be achieving rafter status. It’s a start!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/December/2023 @ 5:52 am
I’m glad you are feeling so “spunky,” Soju! Keep it up! (ahem)
Big or small, it is better than none at all!
Yep, the Walrus lives on in our memories. Sometimes we don’t know how good we have it until it is gone.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/December/2023 @ 10:54 am
Kev, Star Wars, Star Trek. Does it really make a difference? Yeah, that’s pretty egregious. I’ll make the correction. I wasn’t even drank when I wrote it.
Honestly, Grammarly told me to use drunk, but I didn’t care. I liked the way drank sounded in the context of a sentence that was trying to express a casual rendition of speech after several beers. I claim writer’s privilege!
HaHa! I’ll let Swan know the ATM t-shirt is available. The funny thing is, until I brought Swan to the bar with me, she and Aine hadn’t seen each other for years. Aine wouldn’t have thought to ask if she didn’t know there was a white boyfriend involved. That makes Swan “rich” by association.
Once you are up there, the ridgeline is a relatively easy walk. I’ve made the climb up to Tralala a couple of times, and it’s a bitch. Maybe next time, I’ll try to come down at Tralala.
Yeah, when LTG Vandal retired, he and his wife had plans to purchase an RV and travel the highways and byways of the USA. Then, he got a prostate cancer diagnosis and died a few months later. A shame; he was one of the good ones.
Thanks for the teeny-weenie link. I’ll watch it after Swan wakes up (don’t want her dreaming about small dicks!). But size doesn’t matter. It’s not the meat; it’s the motion!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/December/2023 @ 7:49 am
Soju, I lived in South Carolina for many years (technically, I still do) and have actually visited South of the Border a couple of times. It’s too touristy for my tastes, but I’ve seen their punny billboards, and they always make me smile.
And when it is cold in Mexico, do they say chili today?
» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/December/2023 @ 9:29 am
Kev, I can’t seem to find the motivation to practice at home. I’ve just lost my passion for the game. Oddly enough, I rarely drink at home and try not to imbibe outside of my 4-8 p.m. window, so I’d likely practice without the aiming juice.
I hadn’t noticed the Arabic. Hopefully, I won’t lose my head over it!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/December/2023 @ 7:43 am
Brian, I love that song and considered using it, but “Up, Up and Away” seemed a better fit with the post’s theme. And yes, those two songs are like day and night in tone and spirit.
Damn, I hadn’t done the math–maybe I’m not better than a forfeit! The key to having enough players is doubles–automatic losses there if you are one short. I participated in four games, losing one singles match and one doubles.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/December/2023 @ 7:35 am
Kev, at one time there was a dirt road on top of the ridge that ran from Olongapo to a gold mine. The mine was abandoned in the 1990s, and much of the road has disappeared. I’ve walked the ridge as far as Tralala, which is probably 10K or so. Not sure what it is like after that. I did find this post from a guy I’ve met who is still doing amazing hikes in his 80s. It’s about his adventure trying to reach the old mine.
Well, the raft ride to shore is less than 5 minutes, so that’s the best option for taking a shit. I guess in an emergency, your idea is better than the alternative of shitting in your pants. Best to poop before you go!
I never paid attention to the Chekov accent. I guess faking it is what acting is all about.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/December/2023 @ 8:21 am
Damn, I wrote a lengthy response to your comment and somehow managed to delete it. I hate when that happens!
Anyway, Scott’s doing fine. Hiking and golfing and living an active life. We are both dealing with some “old folks” issues that slow us down, but we keep on keeping on.
Yeah, it will take some type of motivation to change the litter culture here. Those trash dumps like the one pictured are frequent sights out in the rural areas. No trash collection service is available, you’re miles from town; what are you going to do? Some folks burn their trash piles, but that’s not good for the environment either.
Glad you like the sunset photos…I enjoy taking them!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 20/December/2023 @ 5:52 am
Always glad to have you along, Soju. As I read this comment I couldn’t help but think, “thousands of comedians out of work, and HE’S trying to be funny!” That’s my kind of humor, though.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 20/December/2023 @ 9:31 am
Kev, the width of the shoulders varies constantly. And even when they are wide, the locals drive in them (especially the motorbikes). It is better to watch and be prepared to dodge if necessary.
It is a huge graveyard, and it is mainly kept moderately clean. I was shocked at that trashed area because it is not the norm.
The ATMs being out of money is not unusual; to have funds deducted from my account has only happened once before. The ATM did issue a receipt showing no cash had been dispensed, so I don’t expect I’ll have trouble getting reimbursed. It’s still a hassle, though.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 19/December/2023 @ 6:39 am
Brian, yes, I try to walk facing the traffic. The shoulders on the highway vary in width, so trying to stay on the broad side isn’t worth the effort. And the way people drive here, it is safer to see what is coming at you rather than be surprised from behind.
The old Lourdes Hospital closed about three years ago. It was nice to have a local facility, but other than some stitches once and some doctor appointments, I didn’t have a reason to use it. The new owner has totally refurbished the building, and hopefully, it will be staffed with quality healthcare providers and be at least as good as Baypointe.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 19/December/2023 @ 6:28 am
ah, okay…yeah, that happens.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/December/2023 @ 10:16 am
There are several ATMs, but the BPI machines allow 20,000 peso withdrawals, the others are limited to 10,000 a pull.
I’m afraid John’s health isn’t so good. He does dialysis three times a week and needs a kidney transplant. I understand he is struggling financially, and I fear for the future of the restaurant. I hope the new year is kinder to him.
Yeah, it was the Eagles “Take It To The Limit,” but I posted a studio version rather than the live one you linked. I’m not sure what the issue is; it is showing on my blog.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/December/2023 @ 7:29 am
Good for you, Frank! I’ve found walking to be beneficial to both my physical and mental health. And it is great you have someone to share the experience with. Damn, 8+ miles in two and a half hours is impressive. Keep it up!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/December/2023 @ 7:21 am
Kev, a movie reference from 1984? How the hell am I supposed to remember that? Good to see it again, though. Thanks for the link!
Yep, it’s good to be back up and at ’em!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/December/2023 @ 7:27 am
Dan, yes, it turns out my problems were all in my head. Once they were removed, I could breathe normally again.
As for my New Year’s resolution, I’ve resolved to make no resolutions. Good luck with yours!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/December/2023 @ 7:24 am
Soju, in my pre-emptive defense, I will just note that the new McDonald’s is the nearest food source to my house. Don’t blame me; blame convenience.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/December/2023 @ 2:20 pm
Interesting. I wasn’t familiar with the Jollyco/Jellico reference, so it went right over my head. I’m sure I’ve seen Mr. Cox in some of those roles, but he doesn’t look familiar to me.
Ten beers is definitely at the high end of my limits. My pee pattern is I don’t have to pee until four or five are consumed, and then it is every other beer thereafter. And yes, my liver is monitored and thus far remains in the normal range.
I’ve only been eating McDonald’s a couple of times a year, usually on a road trip because it is convenient. I’m not a big fan anyway, so resisting temptation shouldn’t be too hard. At least when I’m sober.
Yes, Lucky would have to fuck up again before I abandoned him. If he ever bites Swan, he’s a goner.
Having nostrils that work is really a breath of fresh air!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/December/2023 @ 7:02 am
Brain, thanks! Regarding my liver, blood work, and a recent ultrasound both showed my liver was in the normal range. I’ll continue to monitor it, but it should be the healthiest part of my body–it gets a daily workout!
As to youth being wasted on the young, I agree. My favorite fantasy is to go back in time and relive my life knowing what I know now.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/December/2023 @ 6:50 am
Tampo tantrum rings true…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/December/2023 @ 6:46 am
Kevin, reading your comment brought to mind this quote from Stephen King:
“The most important things are the hardest to say. They are the things you get ashamed of, because words diminish them — words shrink things that seemed limitless when they were in your head to no more than living size when they’re brought out. But it’s more than that, isn’t it? The most important things lie too close to wherever your secret heart is buried, like landmarks to a treasure your enemies would love to steal away. And you may make revelations that cost you dearly only to have people look at you in a funny way, not understanding what you’ve said at all or why you thought it was so important that you almost cried while you were saying it. That’s the worst, I think. When the secret stays locked within not for want of a teller but for want of an understanding ear.”
― Stephen KingWhen you are dealing with cultural communication issues it is more difficult to unravel. Drain Snake mentioned “tampo” in his comment, an aspect of Filipina culture that many Western men find unfathomable.
Tampó, in Filipino culture, refers to a behavior in which a person withdraws his or her affection or cheerfulness from a person who has hurt his or her feelings. In English, “sulking” or “to sulk” is often considered the closest translation of tampo, and there is also the term the silent treatment.
Anyway, the issue with Swan wasn’t quite in the tampo realm. Once we talked (I had to make the first approach), she said she thought I was mad and was giving me space. Hmm, I guess she thought I was tampo. Anyway, hopefully, we both learned something and can avoid future misunderstandings of this nature.
I won’t stick around for the “relationshit” to hit the fan!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 15/December/2023 @ 6:54 am
Drain, I’ve seen it firsthand and heard many tampo horror stories. Then again, some guys say the period of silent treatment is like a vacation. I think your t-shirt idea might trigger a tampo outbreak! I like it, though!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 15/December/2023 @ 6:31 am
You are certainly on a roll today, Soju! Funny stuff; keep it coming.
“Can we still say cotton-pickin in Dementia Joe’s world?”
Free men can say whatever in the hell we want, and if the woke assholes don’t like it, all the better!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 14/December/2023 @ 1:51 pm
Brian, here’s to hoping it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 14/December/2023 @ 5:00 am
Swan walks Lucky, but we all go together.
I had a nose full of those blood clot boogers last night, but I’ve picked them all now. I even dreamed about picking my nose last night.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 13/December/2023 @ 5:47 pm
Kev, I honestly don’t remember why I lost the beard. I grew another one after I first retired, but obviously, I didn’t keep it either.
Thanks for the cold menu ideas. I’ve been doing some of them already. I went with the chef salad last night.
Breathing free through the nose is underrated! Glad to be back in the realm of normalcy.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 13/December/2023 @ 5:30 am
Putting the cart before the whore
Soju, most of the bars that offer “take out” have mamasans. My understanding is that the mamasan recruits the girls to the bar and supervises them at work.
No way I’m going to Berkley unless I can teach remotely…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 13/December/2023 @ 9:46 am
Brian, no doubt about it: a lot of the bad luck these gals have experienced was self-inflicted. I met one bargirl with SIX kids! Abortion is illegal here, but birth control is available. It seems some folks just never learn.
I agree that most of the bargirls would jump at an offer of better employment. Sadly, good jobs for unskilled and undereducated young women are very scarce. That said, bar work is better than no work. I do have sympathy for their situation, which is why I’m inclined to be generous with the lady drinks.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 12/December/2023 @ 3:20 pm
«« Back To Stats PageDan, it is strange how things change. No, I don’t find the discussions depressing now. I still feel sorry for them sometimes, but I guess you just reach a place of acceptance. One of my selfish motivations for the charity projects I do is that they relieve some of the guilt about living rich while surrounded by poverty. You can’t help everyone, but I’m making a difference for some, and that eases my mind.
Yes, I had the same thought about the comment from “So Sad.” I hope he found the kid, but I doubt it. And I’d wager less than 50-50.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 12/December/2023 @ 7:00 am