Comments Posted By John McCrarey
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Yes, John has an extensive and varied menu, and you wouldn’t go wrong with any of his offerings.
I usually spend between 10 and 15 thousand each week at Royal. I don’t tend to scrimp when it comes to keeping the pantry full. That amount also includes laundry products and other household items. My helpers partake as well. I’m more budget conscious of late, but I’m likely to be making reductions to my bar expenses rather than my food bills.
The Philippines was a Spanish colony for 500 years, so it only seems appropriate that I partake in some of my favorite treats from that culture. (Yes, I know Mexican isn’t really Spanish in origin, but that ain’t gonna stop me.) I occasionally order in Spanish, but that goes over about as well as when I speak Korean. All in fun!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 20/July/2023 @ 5:31 am
The webpage does have the slogan “It’s nice on ice” corrected now. I’ve been added as a content provider there, but I still need to figure out how to edit the blog description. Call it a work in progress.
Well, I didn’t rely on Grammarly for my most recent post, but I’ve got a feeling it might have similar fuck ups. I got really rushed writing it. I’m going to do better!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 20/July/2023 @ 5:58 am
Jesus. Just over a year ago and my mind drew a complete blank. I said I would check Netflix, and you said it was there. And I just put it in my queue to watch now. Let’s go, Brandon! Duh.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 19/July/2023 @ 7:56 am
Kev, it’s funny, but I can’t remember the last time (if ever) I visited the Hash webpage. All the information there is available on the Hash FB page, and the stats are emailed each week. I gave the webmaster a heads-up about the issues you’ve noted.
Damn, my post was also chock full of errors; just one of those days, I guess. That damn comma between the names of the Hares wasn’t my doing, fucking Grammarly wanted it there. I don’t always go along with its suggestions, and that one didn’t feel right somehow, but I relented. Shit, I can’t even spell “semicolon” right, let alone use one correctly in a sentence. And now I’m even inventing words…I have no idea what I was thinking (obviously I wasn’t) when I came up with “embibing.” Jesus, that’s embarrassing even for me.
As I understand it, Mary is packing parcels for one of the big mail-order shippers (similar to Amazon) here. Still, she has a six-day workweek and has to live in a shithole city like Manila, so yeah, that’s close enough to a Dickens story.
Thanks for the YouTube clip; I hadn’t heard of either the song or the movie. Watched a couple more clips while I was there. Good stuff!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 19/July/2023 @ 5:34 am
Yeah, the wind renders the umbrella pretty useless and destroys it if you don’t hold it right.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/July/2023 @ 6:44 am
Alright, point taken, Brian.. Although I hope my girl would never be in a bar without me, I probably would not like the rubbing.
I am probably going to rethink my venues.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/July/2023 @ 6:43 am
“Would you let a guy give you those rubs?”
Well, when you put it like that…
I had forgotten that scene from Pulp Fiction. Thanks for the reminder!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/July/2023 @ 3:08 pm
The gals stroking your shoulders and arms is a pretty common thing in a lot of bars. Nothing sinister or sexual about it. I look at it as working to earn the drinks. And to be clear, I don’t touch them, although some guys do.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/July/2023 @ 6:58 am
Thanks, Drain. What can I say except, “But this time, it’s different!” Anyway, I’ll keep my eyes wide open and trust my instincts. Ha! Maybe those two things are mutually exclusive. Anyone, all evidence thus far (even before I started courting her, she refused tips when making a meat delivery) says she is not all about the money. I guess we are going to find out. Stay tuned.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/July/2023 @ 1:47 pm
Kev, I agree. And I do think there is a conflict between whatever it is she is feeling towards me and her sense of loyalty to her recently departed love. I was only acquainted with him, but my sense is he would be happy she found someone who wants to be her partner in life. Of course, only she can decide how she feels.
I think what triggered me to go all in so fast was the fact that I’ve never met anyone quite like Swan. She ticks all those boxes you and others have said I should be looking for–older, wiser, educated, non-bargirl, generous, loving, and caring. Yeah, when I describe her like that it begs the question–why would a woman like that be interested in a man like me?
No other option but to let her decide what her future will be and whether there will be a place for me in that life.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/July/2023 @ 6:00 am
Brian, yep, I’m putting on the brakes to avoid breaking. We’ll see what happens next. This has definitely been a different experience for me.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/July/2023 @ 5:47 am
Glad the surgery went well for your daughter, Rascal. I understand it is a pretty routine procedure, but the being knocked out part bothers me. We’ll see.
Glad you are enjoying the “high life” in Korea!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 15/July/2023 @ 1:13 pm
Yeah, it was a close call, but I managed to keep my feet last night. It’s gonna be a long rainy season, I fear!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 15/July/2023 @ 1:11 pm
Kev, yes, the Bitch trail has some short uphill sections, but nothing really steep or particularly challenging. Starting from Alta Vista, you are pretty much already at elevation. Of course, getting back up to Alta Vista is a longer uphill, but not technically part of My Bitch.
I will probably do the surgery in the US since there are no language barriers, and using my insurance would be more convenient. My big concern is not going under general anesthesia, which apparently is the only option here and in Thailand. So, we’ll see. I’ve got tentative plans to visit the States this fall or winter.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 15/July/2023 @ 5:49 am
MJ, Yeah, I know. We’ll see if and when it really happens.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 14/July/2023 @ 3:27 pm
Good stuff, Soju!
The weird thing is kids call cookies biscuits here. But man, they must have radar because they always see me coming!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 14/July/2023 @ 8:25 am
Yeah, I agree; that must be one of the worst songs ever.
I think I mentioned the first time I met Swan five years ago; it was to assist with a charity project for the native Aeta people she was involved with. Over the years, I’d seen her and her man around town and was envious of the obvious love they shared. When he passed away, I attended the memorial service and offered my condolences to Swan. Several weeks later, Swan contacted me to ask if I was still looking for a house to rent (she’s the one who had hooked me up for the ill-fated Blue House deal), and I told her yes. So, my new digs will be the house Swan is currently living in. And if things go as I hope, she’ll stay when I move in. What makes her so special to me? I don’t know, other than she’s unlike most women I’ve met here. Older (39) and no kids, not a bargirl background, intelligent, funny as hell, a loving and caring nature, and not needy despite her current circumstances (getting her to accept something as small as trike fare is a challenge). It’s a matter of pride and self-respect for her–she wants to make it on her own. Anyway, I feel like having someone like her in my life would be a very satisfying experience. The big question is, will a woman like her be able to love a man like me? Yesterday she mentioned my meeting her family soon; that’s a HUGE step forward in this culture.
Regarding the meds, the confusion is from my poor wording. The doctor who prescribed the meds said they were a short-term fix for my nasal blockage and that I’d still need to get the surgery. The pills worked like a charm though, and I could breathe, smell, and taste again. When the prescription ran out, the old symptoms began to reappear. So, my consult with Dr. Jo yesterday was to explore the downside of continuing the meds compared to the symptoms they relieved. So, prednisolone is a potent steroid, and its side effects include reducing the body’s immune system capabilities. After talking it over, we are going with a reduced dosage on a three weeks on, three weeks off basis and see if that maintains my improved sinus functioning. Oh, and the drug also stimulates weight gain, and doc said I need to cut out the carbs. I laughed and said everything but the beer, maybe. I’ve been very slack in diet discipline lately and have the belly to prove it.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 14/July/2023 @ 6:06 am
So far, so good with Swan.
Yeah, it’s fun to mispronounce foreign words. I have always enjoyed using the lovely Thai city of Phuket in a sentence.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 13/July/2023 @ 7:09 am
A true connoisseur of 70s television…well done, Soju!
No, I rarely think of a tsunami hitting town. I’m assuming the natural bay barriers would hinder a big impact, although there are signs around town directing folks to tsunami evacuation areas. But hey, if COVID didn’t kill me, nothing will, right?
Yep, those brown skinned beauties can put away the hard stuff. Double entendre intended!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 12/July/2023 @ 1:58 pm
I’m not sure about Laharny’z, but I think it is a play on the owner’s name.
It’s weird, but I wound up looking up Freddie Prinz (the star of Chico and the Man) on Wiki. I remembered that he was a suicide, but I didn’t know that his son, Freddie Jr. became a bigger star than his daddy ever was. Somehow in my Hollywood ignorance, I’d missed that.
The clouds and a few rain drops made it feel *almost* cool on the walk.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 12/July/2023 @ 6:01 am
No fall colors here, either. Still, the rainy season will end by October, so there’s that.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 11/July/2023 @ 4:03 am
Brain, yes indeed, adjustments in lifestyle will be a part of this brave new world I’m entering. I’m not sure how it is going to play out, but I feel confident I’ll achieve the balance necessary between keeping Swan happy and my pursuit of bar time. One idea that has occurred to me is renewing my darts career. That gets me out of the house in a safe and sporting manner. And perhaps Swan might enjoy being my cheerleader. Anyway, I do think I’m going to enjoy sitting on the roof in my new house, a cold beer in hand, taking in the panoramic vistas, and Swan snuggled up by my side. No bar in town can top that!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/July/2023 @ 7:49 am
No, Swan will not be an employee in this relationship. When we decided to make this step, she asked me, “Who’s the boss now?” I told her no one is boss; we are partners now.
Yes, I need to avoid any actions that create the appearance of being a player. Giving up the massages or other physical contact is a no-brainer. Since Swan doesn’t like drinking in bars, I specifically asked her about my buying an occasional lady drink for the bargirls I know. I emphasized it was only drinking and chatting–no touching–and she told me she was okay with that. Now obviously, I’m going to need to make some adjustments to the time I spend in the bars without her. Old habits die hard, but I expect I will prefer spending most of my time with Swan. I’m sure there will be some compromising on her part as well. I’ve already decided to stay home on Tuesday, and we’ll finish watching our movie. Friday, the SOB is at Queen Victoria, and I invited Swan to come along, with the added bonus of staying and watching the live music afterward, and she accepted.
I chatted with Swan during my visit to Hideaway last night, and she was familiar with the place, calling it “quiet and friendly.” Again, I don’t usually visit bars that would be a red flag (i.e., with scantily clad dancers), so I’m hopeful my bar time won’t be an issue for us. I didn’t mention the feeding program, but I will when we meet up in person.
You are absolutely right about maintaining open and honest communication. We’ve already talked about how important it will be to share our thoughts and feelings, especially on those occasions when one of us is unhappy about something. So, I think we are on the same page in that regard.
I also don’t think drunken behavior on my part will be a problem. I rarely get that drunk anyway, and I do expect I’ll be reducing my bar time now that I have a better option to fill those hours.
Anyway, we have both acknowledged that we need to take this slowly as we move forward. One day at a time and see what happens.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/July/2023 @ 6:46 am
Brian, weird, but I wasn’t familiar with that particular song. Thanks for the link!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/July/2023 @ 6:59 am
Damn it! Welp, if thems the rules, I reckon I gotta obey. Don’t want to wind up in grammar jail! (I corrected the title as required to “Goodbye, Mary.”)
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/July/2023 @ 6:51 am
Steve’s an Aussie…that’s probably what messed with your vision…you were seeing things from down under.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/July/2023 @ 3:26 pm
You know, I knew I’d need that vocative comma in a sentence, but somehow in the post title, I felt like an exception was in order. I just thought it looked better without it. So much for artistic license exceptions.
That’s what I find irksome about “Filipina time;” it seems to be situational. I mean, I get it that on occasion, shit happens (i.e., the Jeepneys are all full), but I’ve noticed oftentimes it’s the value of the event that dictates promptness–“Oh, it’s just John, no hurry then.” Yesterday, Mary messaged me that she was at the station early so as not to miss her bus and jokingly added, “No Filipina time today!” Yeah, whatever.
As to closing the Mary door, I was disengaging (except for the promised financial support) weeks before learning of her scheduled departure. I’m not sure if that had anything to do with her decision to move or not. It’s true that I am susceptible to seduction, but I don’t expect anything more will occur with Mary if and when she returns.
It’s been a long time since I heard “Love On The Rocks.” I couldn’t really relate to it back in the 1970s, but oh, how it resonates now.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/July/2023 @ 7:29 am
Soju, I’m not sure what Myleen’s background is (I understand her husband is her partner in the business) but I noticed the Mexican dishes were all named after cities in Arizona, so maybe that’s a clue.
I guess in a sense, every post here at LTG has an AAR quality about it. So many mission failures!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/July/2023 @ 7:41 am
Yes, I agree one enchilada does not make a “plate.”
I actually thought of you when it was served–“Kevin wouldn’t like the looks of those onions on top!”
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/July/2023 @ 5:50 am
«« Back To Stats PageSoju, hmmm, I considered Swan calling me boss as a way to keep distance between us, but for your father, it was a term of endearment. Maybe there is hope after all!
Well, I only feed Joy twice a week, so it is on her to fill in the gaps.
Gold pot, you say? Is that a flavor? I spent that week in Thailand and never partook in the legal weed there, so I’d probably pass on the Gold pot too.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/July/2023 @ 7:55 am