Comments Posted By John McCrarey
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Brian, thanks for the hospital info. I may see about getting a consult with a doctor there on possible alternative treatments for whatever it is that ails me.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 08/June/2023 @ 6:12 am
Yeah, Rose is a thieving liar rotten to the core. As far as I know, she didn’t pay, and for that reason alone, she should be banned from attending any future Hash. Stealing beers just exacerbates her crime. I’m pretty certain she won’t be showing her face in my presence again.
Saw the doc yesterday and got an antibiotic prescription. Hope it works before I leave for Thailand. I had a scary incident last night; I’ll post about it today.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/June/2023 @ 4:21 am
DS, that’s pretty much what I said to her–why would I loan you money after you stole from me? When she persisted in her begging, I chose to walk away rather than create a scene in front of my Hash mates. When she tried to re-engage at the bar with her drunken entreaties, I’d had enough and told her to fuck off. I don’t think I’ll be seeing her again.
In a way, it is a blessing when people reveal the true nature of their character. I remember thinking at the time that 500 pesos is a small price to pay to find out someone is a worthless piece of shit. Not knowing can cost you a lot more over time.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/June/2023 @ 4:12 am
Kev, to be clear, I had no issues with Haysbert’s performance, just the way his role was written. Yes, he was definitely a New Testament God in the episodes in which he appeared (only four or five total). He was very hands-off and let his Heavenly children and humans exercise free will. No major miracles at all.
No, Jesus didn’t play a part in the story at all. In fact, I don’t recall him even being mentioned, which is strange now that I think about it. A couple of Lucifer’s brothers were featured, but there were angels with wings and powers of their own. Poor Jesus was only human and didn’t rate, I guess. I’m trying to avoid spoilers, but I suppose I can reveal that in the story, God has decided to retire and step down from the throne. Determining who would be his replacement was a big part of season five.
Again, I’m no theologian, but one of the Bible verses I remember is along the lines of “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son…” Now I’m wondering how that reconciles with Lucifer and his siblings, who all call God dad in the show.
I’m looking forward to your take on the series.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/June/2023 @ 6:03 am
Going to see Dr. Jo this afternoon.
Yeah, I think Joy depends on me for cash and confuses that with importance. Or maybe she means exactly that–I’m important because of the money.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/June/2023 @ 2:15 pm
Kev, I really appreciate the tip regarding rales. When I researched some more on the internet it seems I might have a sister condition to rales called rhonchi. My sound only occurs when I exhale, and the website I viewed linked to a YouTube video where I could compare the sounds of both afflictions. Also, rhonchi is most often related to COPD. I definitely will consult my docs to see what meds I might take to relieve the symptoms. It was so bad during yesterday’s Hash that several people asked me if I was okay.
I’m not sure what’s up with the drama…I keep trying to avoid it, but it finds me anyway. Even had some more yesterday after the Hash. I’ll save that story for today’s post.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/June/2023 @ 6:20 am
Hey Brian, not sure what’s up with the email…I got a message saying it wasn’t deliverable (your Yahoo address). Anyway, sorry we won’t be able to hook up this trip; another time perhaps. Sounds like you have interesting work with all that travel. Enjoy and stay safe!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 06/June/2023 @ 5:41 am
Yeah, the pun fell flat, as sometimes happens. “In doctor nate” was indeed intended to be a play on “indoctrinate,” and the connection in the post was supposed to be my introduction of my doctor friends to the hiking joys easily accessed from our Alta Vista neighborhood. Alas, any “joke” that has to be explained is, by definition, a failure.
No idea what’s up with those soda bottles on fence posts; I assume it is for decorative purposes. I guess a culture that loves to litter so much might see beauty in hanging trash around the yard.
Yes, Presto is very much like an Oreo, as are the Bingo cookies I normally hand out. The main difference is that I never spell Presto or Bingo with an “a” at the end. Like I initially did when I typed “Orea” above.
Yes, avoiding drama has become my primary goal in life of late. I frequently hear drama alarm bells (dradar?) as I become more acquainted with a woman. Perhaps that explains why I don’t have a girlfriend.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 05/June/2023 @ 7:00 am
It’s her breast feature!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 07/June/2023 @ 11:07 am
Kevin, re: multiverses–that’s cool! So, my mission in the afterlife will be to visit my alternate universes for all eternity. Sounds like a plan!
I had totally forgotten your unfavorable review of Frost’s poem. As I re-read that post just now, I’m thinking, “Yeah, but…” so it was nice to see I made those points in my comment all those years ago. I think what a poem says and it’s meaning are subject to the interpretation of the individual reader. Our different takes on this poem seems to confirm that.
About Mary–I wasn’t upset about the money so much as it was about her being unapologetically late. But as to your larger point, I’ve had similar thoughts of late–maybe I should just quit being that guy who comes to the rescue and see what happens. I expect the result would be far fewer “friends” in need. I haven’t found a charity yet like commenter Brian suggested, but I’m thinking that in the meantime, I can focus my efforts on some meaningful projects instead of being nickeled and dimed to death constantly.
Your “you commented as well” didn’t strike me as rude at all. But maybe the line about “The crowded greeted him” distracted me and crowded out any objections. Ha! Gotcha! 🙂
» Posted By John McCrarey On 03/June/2023 @ 7:25 am
Kevin, I gotta say, 8-10K is my comfort level, even on flat paved ground. I didn’t remember we had gone as far as we did during our walk; I guess I’ve really lost my stamina since that day. I could see myself doing a long morning and another long afternoon walk; I’d just need a significant rest break (i.e., nap) in between.
Nope, during the hike, I commented that I had made the right choice in rejecting retired life on SBMA. It would have been a completely different lifestyle and would have required having a vehicle. It would be nice and comfortable in many ways but also boring. It still has that vanilla “living in America” vibe. Maybe if I had a wife and was a stay-at-home kind of guy, it would be okay, but I’m glad I chose Barretto.
As to the power situation, we do get more outages than I was used to in Korea or the States, but they do come with every storm. We have had a couple of recent scheduled “brownouts” while the power company trims tree branches away from the lines, which should help reduce outages in the coming stormy season. But yeah, it’s a pain in the ass (when I lose power, I also have no water pressure), and I can hear the generators come on all over the neighborhood. For me, it hasn’t been so frequent or long in the dark as to warrant such a purchase. I guess I’m adapting to life in the third world. And don’t get me started on those damn potholes!
I don’t know a whole lot about Vasco’s, but have I heard the owner was a shipwreck treasure hunter at one time. There is a small museum attached to the restaurant displaying some artifacts. There is definitely a nautical theme to the place, but it is not reflected in the food offerings, which are pretty much your standard resto-bar fare. It’s funny; I hadn’t made the connection between Vasco de Gama and the name of the place. Of course, Magellan was the Spanish explorer who “discovered” the Philippines and got killed by a local warlord named Lapu-Lapu down in Cebu during his first (and last) visit.
Anchors Away is just another way to spell “too lazy to look it up.” Thanks for the link! I won’t make that mistake again.
No, I didn’t buy any replacement food for the girls. I really only bought from the vendor to help her out. As I mentioned, I had bought stuff from her for bargirls several times in the past. Coincidentally, she was at Sloppy Joe’s last night when I arrived last night, and she didn’t say anything to me about buying from her. I think she knows that I know what she did.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 02/June/2023 @ 6:35 am
Brian, during the recent joint US-PI military exercise there were several American Navy ships in port and lots of cargo and troops were flown into the air field at Cubi Point. So, for that two weeks you could definitely spot a lot of American military personnel on SBMA. They are all gone now and I saw nothing during the walk to indicate a permanent presence is coming in the future. Everything I’ve read about the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement says the former bases at Subic and Clark in Angeles will NOT be reactivated.
We shall see what happens in reality. The facilities at SBMA seem like they would be ideal to support a larger US military presence here.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 02/June/2023 @ 5:49 am
You can’t always get what you want
Yeah, the pickles on top weren’t that appealing, but wound up being tasty. You expect to see Cheez Whiz, but that sauce John concocted really made the sandwich very flavorful. He told what was in it and how he made it, but alas, that Foodie talk went over my head.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 01/June/2023 @ 6:15 am
Yeah, there may have been 100 yards of crossover on the trail, but even then, we were going in the opposite direction. The Hare’s trail started in Subic town, and we left from Barretto.
No confusion, most of the kids call them biscuits, but I’m still the cookie man.
Yes, you are correct. I may not have passion, but I can live without the drama that comes with it. I’m not sure I’m happier without her, but I’m better off.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 31/May/2023 @ 7:06 am
Kevin, the last one I said the words I love you to.
The SOB is a competition where the girls perform choreographed dance routines in costumes. The normal “dancing” in the girly bars is standing on a stage while scantily clad and perhaps occasionally swaying to the music. There are occasional exceptions, but most of the girls are just waiting around for someone to call them down for a drink, not dancing.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 29/May/2023 @ 6:55 am
Even after five years here, I haven’t grown tired of the views and countryside that surround me when I hike. It’s a blessing and a reminder that I’m lucky to be here.
We figured we’d eventually find a path serving as an access point to the creek. For some folks, it’s their water source for laundry and the like. And sure enough, when we headed up the trail we found that shelter was nearby, and then we saw the house shortly afterward. Nothing like a little adventure!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/May/2023 @ 6:12 am
Kev, yeah, I picked up on the humorous vein of the comment about eating forks. It was all in good pun!
I’d probably just have the sign say “No swimming with the crocs” but then people might just take off their plastic shoes and jump in.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/May/2023 @ 7:15 am
Soju, This being the Philippines I’m pretty confident nothing more is taking place at this conference than having an excuse to spend time at a beachfront resort. Hell, they can’t even pave the streets competently. Alas, foreigners have no gun rights at all here and even if I had a girlfriend I damn sure wouldn’t want her armed!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/May/2023 @ 7:51 am
As a matter of fact, I’m a big fan of Huey Lewis. I did a quick search of archives and see that I’ve only referenced a song by him one other time, and it was also Workin’ for a Livin’.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/May/2023 @ 6:53 am
Brian, The email didn’t go through (I used the Yahoo address from the comments). If you want to email me (john.m.mccrarey on gmail) that’s cool. I do have WhatsApp on my phone but I’ve never used it. Anyway, for planning purposes I arrive on 11 June and will be departing on the 18th.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/May/2023 @ 7:08 am
Brian, sent an email with my dates in Pattaya. Glad to grab a drink if your schedule permits. Are you on Messenger?
» Posted By John McCrarey On 25/May/2023 @ 10:05 am
I would love to live in one of the new builds, but they are all being built as the owner’s residence.
I have good intentions about upping my travel game to include trips within the PI. My thinking now is a quarterly international trip interspersed with weekend trips around the country. Bohol has been on my list for way too long; that will be next after Thailand.
Yeah, I don’t do well with heights either, especially on things like suspension bridges that sway as you cross. Those stairs would kick my ass going either up or down, I fear.
I hadn’t noticed the photoshop–they both look so natural!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 25/May/2023 @ 5:24 am
I didn’t fart, but couldn’t resist explaining the expressions on the faces of the gals behind me. I actually changed the captions to the fart joke after seeing the two photos back-to-back…
» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/May/2023 @ 5:53 am
Actually, those were cookies, not ramen, but the thought occurred to me too. They have a dog adobo here that is similar to bositang.
The Hash song overplays it; there is rarely something stupid that earns you the Hashit. This week, 40 Kilo Ass had to give it away, and he picked me because I was standing in close proximity and he knew my Hash name. I’ll have to find someone to pass it on to next week, but I doubt I’ll have any better reason.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/May/2023 @ 6:03 pm
It’s all good, Dan. I don’t want to be where I’m not wanted. Zero hard feelings on my part.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/May/2023 @ 7:16 am
Yeah, it was a stupid reaction. I hate coins but I should have taken them anyway and then thrown them to the first beggar I saw. Oh well.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/May/2023 @ 7:47 am
Well, I’ve used “Alone again, naturally” before and I try to avoid repetition. The song that photo invoked was “So far away” by Carole King.
Yep, if you are not a healthy liver, you’ll be dead one.
I can’t remember where that restaurant was or the name, although it is a safe bet that it is (was) in Itaewon. It’s interesting all the things you miss when you don’t know the language–thanks for the translations. No idea what we ate, but I doubt it was anything more exotic than my usual Korean favorites.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/May/2023 @ 7:09 am
Thanks for the advice, Kevin. I’m hoping some modest changes will suffice. I am pushing myself to add some additional steps, even when my body is crying out for me to stop (it’s been really hot lately, even the locals are complaining).
I was hungry this morning and that box of raisin bran on top of the fridge seemed to be calling to me. I resisted and grabbed a jar of dill pickle slices instead. A couple of those satiated the hunger and then I took my walk to avoid further temptation.
My plan as of now is to drink beer every other day. Not saying I won’t visit the bars on the beerless days, but I’ll no carb gin with soda water on those occasions. Anyway, we’ll see how that works out for me.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/May/2023 @ 1:55 pm
What works for me on the low carb diet is that you don’t have to feel hungry–it’s more about what you eat rather than how much. Big steak, no potato works for me!
Yeah, I’m trying to up my daily step count. Had to push myself to go the distance yesterday, but I did it. I already take Tuesday off from walking–shopping day!
» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/May/2023 @ 5:50 am
«« Back To Stats PageKev, that’s right; the docs didn’t seem overly concerned with most of my readings, saying some high ones were counteracted by others in the normal range. And their advice was very similar to what you had given in a previous comment here (so similar that I was tempted to show them). They also cautioned about the impact of blood sugar on insulin levels. They didn’t mention a monitor, and I didn’t volunteer–we’ll see about that if things don’t improve. Your opinions may diverge from theirs in some ways–they cautioned against ketosis and didn’t seem to be fans of fasting.
I don’t really know John outside of the restaurant, and he didn’t seem receptive to accepting contributions during his initial illness. I’d be down with buying the washing machine and sponsoring a helper. He’s a proud man; I’ll have to maybe propose it as charity towards his wife. We’ll see.
As for your dad joke, that was a pretty ballsy one to tell. People might think you are nuts.
» Posted By John McCrarey On 20/May/2023 @ 7:26 am