Comments Posted By John McCrarey
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I am what I am, and that’s all that I am
Rascal, I think even the good ones will push the envelope. The key will be how she responds to my laying down the law.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/June/2023 @ 5:15 am
Rascal, actually, it was enjoyable overall. In fact, I wouldn’t have minded spending one more week there. Not a good fit for me as a retirement home, but perfect for a beer-drinking vacation!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/June/2023 @ 1:13 pm
“If you do that again, I’ll kill you.”
I hope it doesn’t come to that! I’ll do my best, I promise.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/June/2023 @ 1:11 pm
To err is human, to edit divine.
Actually, it is Grammarly’s fault. I used a comma after bring, and Grammarly told me to “correct the comma splice” and suggested the semi-colon. Bastards!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/June/2023 @ 6:23 am
Kev, thanks for the link to the song “Bali Hai.” I don’t recall hearing it before (or at least not paying attention to it during the movie I *might* have seen. Just read the lyrics, and it is a powerful song. I can relate!
If my memory keeps fading, I may have to resort to that Far Side method. Although, come to think of it, I probably won’t remember to do so.
Yep, that link on Spirit Houses clears things up. I had seen a lot of the soft drink offerings but had not paid enough attention to pick up on the fact that it was red Fanta bottles. I guess the spirits are thirsty for carbs!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/June/2023 @ 6:14 am
Brian, I wondered about access to that area. It seemed to me from a distance that it would make for an interesting hike. I wonder if the local Hash guys ever do that?
Yeah, you are probably right–us Cheap Charlies need a place to call home! It did make me laugh seeing bars all over with names that reminded me of home. They didn’t seem all that similar on the inside, though! 🙂
» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/June/2023 @ 5:55 am
Thanks, Kevin.
I appreciate the introductory lesson on some of the tenants of Buddhism. It is a fascinating religion.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 20/June/2023 @ 5:22 am
I did have some breathing difficulty, but not nearly as bad as that first time. I had a bigger attack on the Hash trail, but my portable nebulizer saved the day.
I woke up this morning, and my phone was dead and won’t take a charge. The wifi in my room doesn’t work (I’d been using my phone hotspot), so I’m fucked. I went to the next-door restaurant with my laptop to see what I missed.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 18/June/2023 @ 11:09 am
Man, you don’t miss a thing! I wonder if they intentionally messed up those renditions of “penis” as a joke? It’s all over my head, regardless.
I’m ignorant of the tenants of Buddhism as well. So, I guess soul music isn’t a thing here…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/June/2023 @ 8:25 am
I don’t know, Vaster, all the Danes I know are Great.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 17/June/2023 @ 8:16 am
Cop coon crap for the laugh, Soju. And damn, how did you know I love Maurice’s and Rush’s? Remembering that almost makes me want to jump on a plane for home. Almost. I’ll probably wait until fall to go back.
The PI is a little cheaper, at least for beer and transportation. I haven’t inquired about bargirl pricing because I’m just not wanting to go down that road (into that cave?). That goes double for a “girl with something extra.”
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/June/2023 @ 12:49 pm
Kev, I think you nailed it–I’m just not that adventurous when it comes to food. If I see something on the menu that looks good, I’ll try it, but I am never in an “I wonder what this is like, let me try some” mode. I’m really not a fan of Thai food in general. We have a highly-rated Thai place in Barretto that I’ve never felt compelled to visit. Anyway, the Thai dishes I’ve tried so far haven’t been bad, so there’s that.
I have a Blue Cross plan attached to my pension, so I should be covered back in the USA. Overseas, I have to pay medical out of pocket and then submit a claim to Blue Cross for reimbursement.
Yeah, it’s weird to see familiar bar names attached to unfamiliar places. Happened in Cambodia too. The bar scene here in Pattaya is like nothing else I’ve ever experienced. Even outside of the bar districts, almost every street has a bar or two. I don’t know how they all stay in business. And yes, Repent is really a bar name here. I guess with so many bars, it’s hard to come up with an original name, but that seems out of place.
Yes, Virgin (another odd name) is the place with the fancy food menu. Other than the view, it was a big disappointment. We didn’t even bother ordering food there.
Honestly, I’ve learned zip about Pattaya’s history (besides what Brian shared in his comment). The only shrines and statues I’ve seen are those related to Buddhism, which is huge here. I do feel completely safe walking around both day and night. I never encountered anyone shady at all (other than the usual bargirl games). I don’t know if I’d call it a subculture, but the Indian presence is very large here. I’m sorry to admit I’ve not even learned to say “thank you” in Thai (well, now I have from Drain’s comment). I have gotten to where I put my hands together and do that head nod thing, though. Progress!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/June/2023 @ 9:02 am
Brian, the train sounds cool, although honestly, the drive from the airport wasn’t bad.
One thing that has stood out for me because you rarely see it in Barretto is the diversity of the tourists here. Lots of white women, including older ones (I’m talking grandmothers). I hope they don’t stray down Soi 6!
By far, the largest ethnic group I’ve seen around town is Indians. Lots of restaurants around serve their kind of food, too.
Yep, I wanted a second opinion, and now I have it. I guess a trip home to the USA is in my future.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/June/2023 @ 8:27 am
Cop coon crap, Drain. I actually had a chat with a bargirl last night using Google Translate on her phone. It worked better than I thought it would.
I doubt I will need to say “pom raccoon crap” this trip, but good to know, just in case!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 16/June/2023 @ 8:18 am
Kev, Thailand does have air pollution issues–Bangkok is often like Seoul in that regard. So far this trip, I have not noticed any air quality issues in Pattaya…maybe those ocean breezes drive it away.
Those ubiquitous pot stands are the biggest change since my last visit. I used to vape in those days and found out it was a crime to vape or even possess the equipment. Now marijuana is legal, and vaping is still not allowed. Weird. But no, I have not seen anyone smoking any (it is not permitted on the street, and most bars prohibit it as well). I have seen any obviously stoned tourists or locals either. Still, the sheer volume of shops says there must be a massive market for it.
Now that’s funny! I hadn’t even noticed that the Thai script for toilet looks like a fancy rendition of “Kevin.” Maybe that dog got into someone’s weed supply…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 15/June/2023 @ 8:45 am
Hmm, thanks for the list, but now I will be challenged to find a title you haven’t already used. I went back and checked, and no, I haven’t used “Thai one on”–the Thai one On-On was a double pun since the post was Hash-related.
There is a special Hash coming up this Saturday I’m planning to attend. I know it involves taking a boat to an island, so that should be interesting.
It hasn’t felt all that humid here, although I did get a little sweaty on my morning walkabout yesterday. It’s been raining in the Philippines since I left, so I’m glad for the weather here so far.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 14/June/2023 @ 7:18 am
DS, yeah, I vaguely recall that story about the PI ditching the 4th as Independence Day. Thanks for filling in the gaps in that history. It is so typically Filipino.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 13/June/2023 @ 9:06 am
I scheduled this trip to coincide with Dave and Jo’s travel schedule. I rode with them to the airport and the transport they arranged from Bangkok. They are staying in another part of town, so we won’t be hanging out together much. They are both Hashers, though, so I saw them yesterday.
Yesterday’s Hash trail was mostly flat, but I was still huffing during the hike. I think that is my new normal. I brought my portable nebulizer with me but didn’t use it on the trail. That deep breathing exercise Rascal suggested in the comments helps.
As weird as it sounds, I do not see much Thai food around. This town is full of Western fast food joints (I’ve never seen so many KFCs in such a confined area), but even the regular restaurants seem to cater to Western tastes. I guess that isn’t so surprising when you see the percentage of expats and tourists on the streets.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 13/June/2023 @ 9:04 am
I arrived alive–I’ll call that a good start!
Yeah, it is kind of fun to engage with these spammers now and then. Especially if it puts you on their “ain’t worth calling” list.
Gonna attempt the Pattaya Hash today and put these tired old lungs of mine to the test.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 12/June/2023 @ 8:55 am
Brian, as I understand it, Whiskey Girl is owned by an American who has been working in Saudi Arabia. He hired a manager to run the place in his absence. I guess he’s back now (or at least he was Friday night) and there was some dispute with the former manager (the owner made a big show of posting a sign that said, “Darren does NOT own this bar!”. Anyway, small-town drama.
Yeah, my bar hours (usually five until eight) are probably not a good indicator of how much business a bar is actually doing (most stay open until after midnight). Still, with over thirty bars in town now, I don’t see the expat community having the numbers to make them all profitable. I have been seeing more out-of-towners lately, and I think that crowd is what the bars rely on.
I’m just hoping I’m feeling healthy in Pattaya. I am going to try and get a checkup while I’m there.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 11/June/2023 @ 7:46 am
Kev, we’ll see how the Whiskey Girl remodel goes. I remember thinking when he told me his plans, I’d prefer sitting on a stool at a table. I guess he’s going for more of a lounge vibe or something. Anyway, if I don’t like the new look I’ve got lots of other options.
To be clear, there is a big distinction between voluntarily buying some lady drinks versus being besieged with pleading messages for cash infusions. The latter is where my “not a goddamn ATM” shirt message will be most applicable. I don’t mind buying the occasional lady drink (I don’t like being asked, though) because I know it is how the girls earn and supplement their salary. Most bars pay a ridiculously low daily wage (like five bucks a shift), and the girls are expected to earn drink commissions. In fact, some bars have drink quotas that, if not met, result in a reduction in pay. By charitably “donating” some lady drinks in the bars I visit, I can better ignore the exploitation of these desperate young women. And as an added bonus, they pretend to like me!
I definitely intend to blog from Thailand every day. I’m bringing my laptop with me (I’ve never blogged on my phone before, I can barely respond to messages on that tiny keyboard), so it should be business as usual.
Anything I eat in Pattaya is “local food,” right?
I never knew the origins of “disaster” before. Here’s hoping the stars are aligned in my favor!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 11/June/2023 @ 6:41 am
Kev, let it go is excellent advice. At our parting, promises were made to remain special friends. I felt an obligation to try and do so, which made turning down her invitations hard for me to do. It is now painfully apparent that I mean nothing to her, and that makes it easier to Let–it–go once and for all.
Ha! I remember that movie but hadn’t even thought of that box in relation to the post title. Honestly, it was more of a Gollum thing.
I think these breathing issues may have multiple causes, but they are all manifestations of my COPD. The next step is getting my nostrils cleared so I can breathe through my nose again. I just need some reassurance that the surgery won’t kill me (general anesthesia doesn’t go well with COPD).
Your address is no longer visible. Sorry I didn’t notice that in the original post.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/June/2023 @ 7:50 am
Hey, DS. Interesting perspectives. I’ve often wondered if there has been any regret about telling us to leave, especially with China literally knocking on the back door (and stealing whatever else they want). I guess the answer is yes in light of the recent agreement to host US forces at four new bases here.
I never knew that statue was meant to honor those foolish Senators who wanted us gone. I see it completely differently now.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 10/June/2023 @ 7:35 am
No, I have no idea regarding “mahout” meaning; just quoting the email. The writer lives in Cambodia, so it may mean something there.
I’m going to plead the 5th regarding Grammarly. As to clauses, other than Santa, I’d say that you have tried to teach me that the clause has a subject and a verb and that there may be multiple clauses in a sentence. Putting them together requires proper punctuation, which I frequently get wrong. Is that close?
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/June/2023 @ 9:44 am
Kev, it looks like I joined two independent clauses with a comma. I should have used a semicolon.
I tried the beef dinner. It was just okay tasting, but for only 149 pesos per meal, I can’t really complain. The girls all seemed happy, and that’s what it is all about.
I had to go back and look at the post again to see what you were talking about regarding oxygen and the dogs. I see now that the tank was next to the dog’s food and water when I took the photo. Don’t worry; it is safely beside my bed now.
Regarding the ongoing samgyeopsal controversy, there are several outlets in my area, and only one uses the “correct” spelling. One of my readers emailed a comment that I’ll share here: “Just so you know – there are many places that spell it samgyupsal -mahout as many spell it that way as those who spell it the other way. I don’t consider it misspelled since it is a foreign language translation to English, and in those cases, there will be variations.”
One thing is for sure–grilled pork belly tastes much better in Korea than it does here.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/June/2023 @ 7:15 am
Rascal, I hope you enjoy the fresh air back in Korea! 🙂
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/June/2023 @ 6:38 am
Brian, my old place sat vacant for several months but is occupied again now.
I did renew my lease here for another year, but if I found the right place, I’d pay the price to break it. I’ve got some feelers out, so we’ll see. I’d jump on one of the new places but I doubt any will be a rental. What usually happens is a foreign owner has to return to the homeland and they rent during their absence. My former landlord developed the subdivision and built several houses as models–those are the ones he rents now.
I’ll settle for the change of scenery and beach walks. I’m also planning to participate in the Pattaya Hash, so we’ll see what that’s like.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 09/June/2023 @ 6:37 am
I’m sure I’ll try some local delicacies, but damn, it’s my goal to eat Mexican in every country I visit. Doesn’t everyone?
Nope, anything below 90, and I can feel it. I just bought an oxygen tank yesterday, but no way that’s coming on a plane. I will pack my nebulizer, though.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/June/2023 @ 9:28 am
Thanks, Rascal. I went hiking in the Rockies once in my 40s and felt the difference altitude made to my oxygen levels.
Yes, you can’t win in a confrontation with a local. Discretion is definitely the better part of valor in that regard. You are right about the slander thing, too. Better to just shut up and let it go.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/June/2023 @ 8:03 am
«« Back To Stats PageKevin, yeah, I am going to do that. Brian gave me some hospitals to look for in his comment. My airfare and hotel are non-refundable; otherwise, I might have postponed this trip until things settle down. Anyway, I’ll play it by ear. Woke up this morning puffing and huffing, and my oximeter says I’m at 87. Not good!
Regarding food, the strange thing is that I’m not really a big fan of Thai delicacies. I’ll see what’s on offer from the vendors and try to be a little more adventurous than usual. Maybe I’ll surprise myself.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/June/2023 @ 6:21 am