Comments Posted By John McCrarey

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An early departure

Well, the onions were optional, but that’s the way I roll.

I survived the Hash, but I remain concerned about the knee. More on that in today’s post.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 02/May/2023 @ 5:26 am

HaHa! Yes, I did! I had never done a take-out banana split and wasn’t even sure it was possible, but it all worked out!

» Posted By John McCrarey On 02/May/2023 @ 5:24 am

Saying goodbye

Alright, I didn’t use my toolbox, but if I were writing that sign, I’d do it like this: “Shit doesn’t just happen–it’s caused by assholes.” Using a semi-colon instead of the dash works, too.

Yes, you can swim to the floating bar if that’s your thing. Quite a few folks swim during their visit as well, like those “floaters” I photographed.

I’m impressed with your name punnage–I’m glad you appreciate the widely disparaged low-brow humor of the pun. And indeed, Bob was the kind of man who would have laughed at that joke.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 01/May/2023 @ 7:37 am

Whatchamacallit

Thanks for the tips and insights, Jerry. Between you and Kevin, I’ll be well-armed with info and questions when I do a follow-up visit with my docs.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 01/May/2023 @ 7:42 am

Damn, I haven’t seen a Chunky in forever. It used to be one of my favorites, although as a kid, I could rarely afford one-it was one of those top-shelf candy bars. I had to settle for cheaper sweets like a Payday.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 01/May/2023 @ 7:41 am

Wow, I’d never heard of a Whatchamacallit candy bar before. Sweet name!

That breakfast was more than I could finish (well, a piece of egg and a bite of pancake were left). Those pancakes were thick and filling.

Yeah, what you say regarding my knee makes sense to me. I’m planning to do the ultrasound on Tuesday morning and see if that confirms this is a nerve issue and what to do about it. Thanks to your efforts, I’ve got a bunch of videos to watch for more ideas.

I guess the recent deaths of Bob and Alan have exacerbated those feelings of “time is running out.” But yeah, that is true for everyone alive, so you just have to put a positive spin on it and be motivated to live each day to the fullest. It could just be that I’m in some kind of emotional transformation that has left me a little out of sorts or something. Or maybe it just goes with old age. Anyway, I’m doing my best to keep a positive outlook.

Thanks again for your insights.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/April/2023 @ 7:07 am

Wow! Thanks for the video links. Just scrolling through, and I’ve got a dozen or so queued up to watch. I appreciate you sharing this info.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 30/April/2023 @ 6:45 am

My night on the town

Nope, Shamboli’s is the opposite of shambolic; most folks around here say it is the best pizza in town. I confess I needed to review the definition in the link you provided to understand the meaning. Which makes the Three Amigos plethora joke even more apropos.

As to the stairs in your building, I would accept the challenge except, um, ah, my knee! That’s it; my knee is bad, otherwise I’d be all over it! How many steps is that anyway?

» Posted By John McCrarey On 29/April/2023 @ 7:04 am

Going my way

Damn it, you weren’t supposed to notice the red squiggle. What happened is I forgot to turn off the tracker for over an hour after I got back home. When it is on, and you are not moving, it makes it freak out like that.

Yeah, that is some kind of sauce for the lumpia. The chicken came with containers of gravy.

What more could I ask for? Don’t get me started! But yeah, I am to walk and buy food, and those are blessings that many can’t manage, so I’ve been blessed.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/April/2023 @ 6:41 am

Stung by a B in the ass

Hey, Thirsty; nice to hear from you again. Hope all is well with you and the family.

Yeah, the nerves in the back are the primary suspect and I’m supposed to go to the local hospital for a scan to confirm that. It just seems odd that something like that would be intermittent, but what do I know?

I hope they were able to resolve your Sciatica issues successfully. Thanks for reading!

» Posted By John McCrarey On 29/April/2023 @ 7:12 am

Brain, yes, sadly, that is the guess with many expats here as well. Living on tight budgets week-to-week and leaving nothing behind for their partner to carry on with when they depart this world. I understand that Alan and Christine were together for an amazing 17 years, and I hope he made arrangements to provide for her now that he is gone.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/April/2023 @ 6:45 am

Yeah, the intermittency is what is strange, no idea why it comes and goes.

That is Christine beside Alan.

The conveyor belt scenario might explain that voice I keep hearing shouting “Next!”

» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/April/2023 @ 5:42 am

An encounter with Lucifer

We do start our group hikes at 0900 on Wednesday and Friday, and that is a better time of day for being out and about. There are no drinking rituals after those hikes, so the morning start isn’t a drawback in that regard.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 28/April/2023 @ 6:47 am

Actually, when I first started the Hash began at 3:30 in the afternoon. Being slow, that caused me some issues like still being on top of a mountain when the sun was going down. We changed the starting time during the scamdemic to 1:00 which was too early for some. Our current 2:00 p.m. was voted on as a compromise. Anyway, I prefer the earlier start despite it being the hotter time of day. The rule is no free beer until 3:30, which is still a tad early I suppose but welcome after a hard hike.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 27/April/2023 @ 5:49 am

Glad you liked it, Jerry. Yep, downs can be treacherous, especially when they are covered in leaves and slippery. I always take it slow and use my walking stick as a break.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/April/2023 @ 6:42 am

Yeah, I noticed that Angie’s behind wasn’t nearly as appealing in those hiking pants as it appears when she is wearing a tight dress at work. I’ll reserve judgment until I see it in the flesh.

I personally don’t drop my drawers when I’m on the ice, but a lot of guys do. I’ve mastered quickly looking away, but that damn picture caught me by surprise. Yuck!

I’ll post an update on the knee later today, but no definitive diagnosis. The docs suspect it is a nerve issue and suggested an ultrasound to confirm. The intermittent symptoms might also be a sign that my tired old body is reacting to the daily stress I put on it every day.

Viewed two more episodes of Lucifer yesterday; still enjoying it so far. I was curious if you had ever watched it but I didn’t recall a review.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 26/April/2023 @ 6:40 am

A Jewel of a meal

Well, sometimes I get the photo when she is unaware I’m taking it. I don’t think she is posing, but she might emphasize her reactions occasionally.

Regarding the peas/carrots/corn, I’ve never really paid attention if that’s a popular combination everywhere or unique to Jewel. The owner of Jewel is a foreigner (European), so maybe that’s his thing.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 25/April/2023 @ 6:25 am

Rollin’ with the flow

I like it! I actually thought the My Bitch would be a good location, not that I’m going to care one way or the other. They’d have to use my Hash name, though. Still, the Cum Together trail has a nice ring to it…

» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/April/2023 @ 9:31 am

Yes, I just want to be cremated and spread around on the Hash trail that week. I probably need to put that in writing, just in case…

» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/April/2023 @ 5:51 am

Drama time

Jerry, my Barretto is a pretty unique blend of people and things to do, and I haven’t seen anything quite like it in my travels thus far. Angeles City is too much bars and too little scenic sites. La Union could work as it has similar qualities as Barretto (a Hash, some beaches and mountains, and a couple of bars), but it just feels out of the way and isolated somehow.

Bottom line, at least for now is I haven’t seen any place I would rather be.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 24/April/2023 @ 5:57 am

Fixed it for you. I read right over the mistake the first time…

» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/April/2023 @ 7:02 am

Kevin, I have no recollection of anything other than a pleasant hike that day. No idea what my reaction to whatever you said was intended to convey, but I’m sure it wasn’t personal. I guess I can get a little intense when defending/debating a viewpoint, but I wouldn’t normally try to shut down contrary views. I apologize if I came across that way. That’s why I could never be a doctor–I have no patience! *ahem* Anyway, I should definitely work on my self-awareness and recognize how I might be perceived by others.

Yes, drugs are a big problem in this country–mostly shabu (meth) from China. I think it is primarily confined to the poor, but that’s the majority of the population here. So, yeah, I don’t want to get dragged into that pit inadvertently through association with the wrong people. I don’t personally know anyone (local or foreigner) engaged with illegal drugs, but I would immediately end the relationship if I discovered they were using (like I did with the bargirl).

As for Mary, she is anti-drug in a big way. She’s reported her uncle before and told if she suspected her father was using, she’d turn him in too. That’s actually a little scary. And yes, Mary has had a difficult upbringing and is estranged from her mother and other close relatives. That’s sad. So, I don’t mind helping her in her educational pursuits, but I’ve already recognized there is no potential relationship otherwise.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/April/2023 @ 6:58 am

Brian, from the pin that says “3rd family,” moving left until you reach the intersection with a road is the area where someone has bought the property and is erecting fences.

Believe it or not, the purpose of the bottles is intended to be decorative. I’ve seen it at other shacks in the woods, too. Well, they are colorful. During the holidays, I’ve seen Christmas trees made out of similar bottles.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/April/2023 @ 6:41 am

Jerry. Dennis is still in Cambodia, although I haven’t heard from him recently. As to the moving, I do have a Plan B, but I’m part of a community here, and for the most part, I’m enjoying myself. I’ve recently blocked some of the perpetual beggars, and I’m getting a little better at saying no, so that’s progress.

As always, appreciate your insights and suggestions.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 23/April/2023 @ 6:34 am

Counting my blessings

I aim to please, QP! As long as I’m feeding the Hideaway girls I’ll be sharing shots of Joy eating. Promise!

» Posted By John McCrarey On 25/April/2023 @ 9:13 am

Funny, DS, but we had a long chat this morning where she was asking for a second date. I held firm. She didn’t trip my triggers, and I sensed more drama on the horizon. Don’t want or need that in my life.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/April/2023 @ 12:06 pm

Yes, the landlord said she was having visa issues and wouldn’t be departing for the UK as planned. Also, I saw that the master bedroom construction was never completed. It just wasn’t meant to be.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/April/2023 @ 12:04 pm

Thanks, Jerry. Yep, I’m still in the game, and that’s the important thing.

You know, it’s funny, but like you, I used to think Korean gals were the sexiest in Asia. Of course, since I’m 60+, they wouldn’t give me the time of day. The longer I’m living here, the cuter the girls appear to me, and there is that whole “age is just a number” mindset. As for Aine, she’s been in the bar biz for over 20 years and has acquired some baggage along the way. I had my chance with her and opted not to pursue it.

The Blue House fell through–apparently, the landlord changed her plans. Disappointing, for sure.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/April/2023 @ 7:20 am

Thanks, Brian. Yes, acceptance of how things are is a powerful step in the quest to find happiness. There are always going to be disappointments and setbacks along the way, but I’m not going to waste whatever remains of my time worrying about what I don’t have.

» Posted By John McCrarey On 22/April/2023 @ 7:13 am

Well, you are talking to a man who has been married four times; I’ve earned my cynicism the hard way.

No, caregiver is a real thing, probably like the LPNs back home. That’s the work she does overseas, basically helping elderly or disabled folk get through the day.

Yeah, poor Richard. But he insists that his bride is a real woman. When asked why, he says, “I don’t know; I can just feel it inside of me.” *ahem*

Thanks, as always, for your support. I am what I am, so let’s see what happens next!

» Posted By John McCrarey On 21/April/2023 @ 5:18 pm