Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 9:30, got up once at 4:45am, finally waking/getting up at 7:15.

My SS deposit for December arrived already. 😊

Teresa informed me she’s going to spend the day with her mother so I’ll be on my own for lunch. Maybe I’ll try the new and improved Na Pizza.

I completed my workout in Smartfit between 9am and 10am with one notable difference. When I entered the locker room the cleaning lady was dusting the tops of the lockers. As I undressed for my shower, she was literally standing next to me dusting the fronts of the lockers. In only my briefs (I think most Colombian men wear boxers) I took my soap and towel to the shower.

I walked to Los Porteños for a latte and some chess study.

Teresa called and as I understand she’s not going to meet with her mother today because it’s too hot. So, lunch will be at home.

I was challenged to a chess game from a guy from Syria with a rating of 1321.

I left at 12:30 and bought 2 bags of milk in the corner store on my way back to the apt.

I left again at 2:30 and had a latte with a slice of carrot cake for 16mil on the Otra Parte patio.

Teresa called me about 4pm to inform me she has a shirt she needs to exchange in Viva Envigado and she wants me to go with her. I left about 5pm and returned to the apt.

We left the apt at 6:15. Didi wanted 14,600 pesos for a 6,600 pesos ride so I switched to InDrive and immediately got my 10mil offer accepted. I was standing outside the porteria when our car drove right past me. He called twice and I finally got Teresa to accept the 2^nd call. He arrived 5 minutes later and dropped us off at the mall.

Teresa took at least 30 minutes to exchange t-shirts in Pro Champions.

Upstairs she ordered food from Vin & Greta and I a combo of meat, penne pasta, salad and a fresh mango juice from Montolivio for 36mil.

She made a run through H&M before we returned to the apt by taxi.

Now I see my pension deposit in my USAA account.

 

CHOOSING A CHILDFREE LIFE

 

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 11:20, got up twice during the night, finally waking/getting up just before my 6:30am alarm.

I checkmated Troyclough in 23 moves increasing my rating to 1579 and lowering his to 1461.

I showed Teresa how my closet drawer doesn’t open and that delyed my leaving the apt until 7:45.

I had the Didi driver drop me off at the entrance right above the restaurant. (I finally learned which entrance is closest.) Upstairs, I didn’t see Jose so I took a seat in the restaurant. I texted him that I was there and he texted me that he was there. The waiter finally figured out he was waiting for me at the entrance to the restaurant. 😊

I showed him my surgically repaired book and my new chess book. I showed him my recent games vs Troyclough and Howex.

For breakfast I tried something different:

I had the Black pieces in the first game and I gave him a challenge for about 38 moves. Later I almost stole a win but a check killed me.

I had the White pieces in the second game and I blundered a piece on the 10^th move and that was that.

I asked Jose where I could pay my Tigo/Une bill and he said to enter Exito and turn to the right.

For lunch I had Cesar salad with chicken at J&C Delicias:

On my way to Exito I noticed a Tigo/Une office. As I entered I was pretty sure I couldn’t pay my bill there as there was no cashier but 3 girls sitting at a counter with laptops. I asked where I could pay my bill and they said to enter Exito and turn right.

I entered Exito and turned right and there was the kiosk but nobody working there. ☹

When I returned to the apt Teresa had removed the drawer and noted that one the screw was loose on the back of one of the brackets. As soon as I tighten it we’ll put the drawer back and it should be back to normal.

I started watching the series Escobar: El Patron de Mal (8.5) on Netflix.

 

CHOOSING A CHILD

FREE LIFE

Monday, November 27, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once at 4:15, finally waking/getting up by alarm at 6:45. I was on my way to the toilet when Teresa says something to me. I picked out from the sentence the words I understood, “fire”, “oven”, “storage”, and “gas”. I just woke up and if this is something important she’s trying to tell me, and not just local news, then use your translator. She finally did and I understood she smells gas so she wants to go to the basement storage and retrieve the (portable) oven. That was crazy enough, then when I said “go” her story changed from she’s going to she wants me to go. Forget that! I said if you’re so afraid of gas let’s have breakfast in Los Porteños. A few minutes later, after I completed my usual morning routine, I went into the kitchen, everything seemed normal so I turned on a gas burner, it didn’t explode, and life continued as usual. 😊

Teresa’s going to the gym, then getting a manicure and pedicure so we’ll probably meet up for lunch in La Bahia.

I completed my workout in Smartfit, reducing the weight for my bicep curls from 75# to 50# which allowed me to tire my bicep. On the treadmill I changed my routine also, walking 15 minutes at the 3 miles per hour rate. I showered and changed there and walked the 2-3 blocks to Los Porteños where I had my usual latte with a side of water. I continued going through my new chess book, The Amateur’s Mind. There’s some kind of construction, a creche?, going on in the park right outside the restaurant.

I left at 12:15 and returned to the apt, awaiting Teresa’s call to go for lunch.

I texted her at 1:30 I was hungry and I was planning on walking to La Bahia hopefully to meet her there soon.

She called me back and something about her nails still drying and I should have lunch on my own.

I pretty quickly got a table in Asado Rogelio and placed my usual order. The waitress gave me a bowl of frijoles and I took my time working on that hoping my plate would come with the rice so I could combine them. When the plate arrived it also had frijoles on it and the waitress apologized. I did a pretty good job of finishing most of my plate, just skipping the strip of plantain and a few frijoles.

Across the street I tried again to pay the Tigo/Une bill at Gana but was told they don’t have service. (I’ll try to pay it tomorrow at Unicentro after my games with Jose.)

I returned to Los Porteños where I had another latte (ugh) with a glass of water and continued my studies. I left about 3:30 and returned to the apt.

I had a nap in the guest bedroom from 4pm to 5pm, preparing myself for the long night of Monday Night Football, featuring the Bears at Vikings.

I ordered the paperback Becoming by Michelle Obama for my daughter’s 25^th birthday present.

I ordered an Amazon Kindle Paperwhite eBook reader for myself for $144.99 but it only cost $15.11 using my accumulated gift cards.

Glenn texted me his hernia surgery has been cancelled and he’ll explain at breakfast next Sunday.

I have a bag of microwave popcorn but I’m still  stuffed from lunch and it’s too late to have a Coke; I’ll probably just have a little cereal at halftime.

The final was Bears 12 Vikings 10; the Bears finally won their 4^th game of the season. That’s their 2^nd win in the last 3 games so maybe they’re improving. Next Sunday is a bye so their next game is December 10^th against the Lions.

I went to bed at 11:20.

 

CHOOSING A CHILDFREE LIFE

Sunday, November 26, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once at 4:15, again at 6:30, finally waking/getting up by alarm at 7:30.

Teresa’s going to El Tesoro. My plan for today is breakfast with Glenn, see Napolean in the afternoon, and catch the end of the Arizona game after that.

We’ll see how my stomach reacts this morning at breakfast.

I met Glenn with Bianca at Olivenza at 9am. His hernia surgery is scheduled for next Sunday, exact time and location TBD. (It’s his eye surgery that will be in a month.) He’s going to drop Bianca off at a pet daycare for a few days so it will be like a vacation for her. He suggested I buy a used iPad instead of a Kindle, but I’m not sure. I only had 1 latte today (seemed a little stronger than usual but was okay with ½ a packet of sugar), a glass of water and their calentao with scrambled eggs and a dinner roll. So, I probably won’t see Glenn next Sunday due to his surgery.

When I returned to the apt the door was open and Teresa was in the kitchen with a portero. Near as I can understand a hose from the hot water heater broke (exploded using Teresa’s word) so tomorrow she’ll have to go to the agency to see if we can get someone to replace it. (The other hoses are just as old so my opinion would be to replace all of them.)

I understand Adriana is going to pick Teresa up to go to El Tesoro.

My new chess book covers an opening, the Dutch Defense, that I occasionally use when I’m playing the Black pieces. The problem is the book shows all the chess diagrams from the White viewpoint. I fired off an angry letter to the publisher, Everyman Chess, complaining about their blunder.

I left at 12:15 and took a Didi to the mall. I recycled a few items then bought a preferred IMAX ticket to Napolean for 21,700 pesos ($5.35).

I killed a few minutes until 1:45 then went upstairs and bought a small Only Roastbeef sandwich for 20,100 pesos ($5) and stuffed it in my tech bag. I forgot to allow for the fact it was Sunday so they were a little busy. Back downstairs I bought a Cine Combito and took my seat; I managed to finish my sandwich before the lights went off. At approximately the 1 hour mark I made a trip to the restroom. After I returned, I accidentally bumped my tray which sent most of my popcorn to the floor. Sigh!

The movie was interesting but nothing special. Lots of fighting but you often didn’t know who was fighting whom.

When I left, I made an ATM withdrawal before returning to the apt by taxi.

I was lying on the recliner when I thought I smelled a skunk.

Teresa returned at 8:45pm.

I went through my usual pre-sleep routine of reading, this time studying my chessbook.

 

CHOOSING A CHILDFREE LIFE

Saturday, November 25, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 9:15. Another long night. I’m not sure if I fell asleep at all during the night. ☹ I’m sure I’m going to be needing a nap later.

I left the apt at 8:30 and my Didi driver seemed confused. It appeared he wasn’t able to get a GPS connection or something and I had to show him the address and he flailed around a little bit but I still arrived at Daniel’s barbershop on time. (Later I found he didn’t charge me for the ride. I’ll try to remember Edilson and his blue car so I can tip him next time.) There was another man in the barber chair and the floor was soon covered in black hair. The opposite of my haircuts where the floor is all white. After my haircut I ordered another Didi which had no problem picking me up and dropping me off at Todo Drogas.

My medicines came to 338,100 pesos ($83) of which 281mil ($67) are my 2 boxes of 500mg Citicolina supplements for brain health. So, all my real medications only cost $16. When I charged it, for the first time I was asked for my cedula number, not sure what that’s about.

I walked to Parva where I ordered a café con leche and a glass of ice water. The coffee was very strong; I think they messed up making it and the ice water had a piece of aluminum foil in it. ☹

On the way back to the apt I confirmed that the Tienda D1 on the side street IS still open. I also stopped at Ara as requested and bought lettuce.

I caught the end of the Michigan Ohio State game, won by Michigan.

I started watching the series North & South (8.6) but the first episode seemed very amateurish so it may soon get dropped. (I just checked and I found the wrong version of that name.)

Teresa wants to go for patacones tonight but Accuweather predicts rain in 31 minutes, so we’ll see.

No rain appeared.

For supper we had patacones, bought pastries for the porteros and returned to the apt by taxi.

 

CHOOSING A CHILDFREE LIFE

Friday, November 24, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, quickly fell asleep, got up twice during the night, finally waking/getting up at 6:30.

Still no appetite but I was able to eat a normal breakfast.

I left the apt at 8:30 and bought a small box of pads and small package of throat lozenges in the Pasteur pharmacy. I found Bob, sitting at MY table, in Los Porteños. I called him on it but he said he’d be leaving for the airport in about 20 minutes and I could take it. He described his experience at last night’s soccer championship, won by Atletico Nacional. At one point he got pushed down and bruised and said he’s lucky he didn’t break something. (He confessed to sitting in the south stands where the crazies reside. I was told when I first arrived 10 years ago, I’ve got to see a soccer match but NOT to sit in the south stands.) He soon left, heading back to Minnesota then to Peru and a trip up the Amazon. He might return in a few months.

Troyclough resigned our game, increasing my rating to 1574. This is the second time I’ve had an accuracy rating in the 90s, this time 92.5.

I left about 10:15 and returned to the apt.

Teresa and I left just after 11am and took a Didi to Clinica Las Americas. I got out at De Lolita while Teresa went into the clinic for her pills. My stomach felt queasy from the 2 coffees this morning so I just had a bottle of water while reading more of my new chess book.

Teresa returned an hour later and we walked over to Arkadia mall. We got in a short but slow line at Crepes & Waffles and finally accepted a less than desirable table near the entrance. I just had a small bowl of vegetable soup and we shared a bottle of water. I explained to Teresa we leave for our Christmas holiday a month from yesterday and I have until then to see 3 more Cine Colombia movies, or at least to purchase 3 tickets.

Teresa did a little shopping but I wasn’t feeling well…queasy stomach… so we went across the street to Pricesmart to see if they had any turkey breast. Nope.

Downstairs, there was only one person ahead of us for a taxi but we still had a long wait. Just outside the store there was a fender bender that probably slowed things down. We finally returned to the apt.

I fell asleep for a bit on the recliner while watching the beginning of the Black Friday football game. When I awoke, Teresa told me the portero called and there’s a package for me. I wasn’t expecting anything today but I went down and it’s the chess book I wasn’t expecting until next Friday.

I watched the movie Passengers (7.0) again. Jennifer Lawrence might not have liked it but I loved it.

I went to bed at 9:15. An important point to remember for tomorrow.

 

CHOOSING A CHILDFREE LIFE

Thursday, November 23, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, quickly fell asleep, got up once at 4:15, finally waking/getting up at 7am.

Happy Thanksgiving to all Americans out there.

Last night I had a weird dream that involved a public swimming pool, an orgy, and huge platters of food. Near the end of the dream a guy came in with a present so it must have been a birthday party. When he went to get something to eat, I looked inside the present and it was just photocopies of crossword puzzles and sudoku puzzles.

I feel back to normal this morning but still don’t have an appetite. I just had my usual half bagel and scrambled eggs but without coffee.

I’m a little weak from lack of fuel but still don’t really have an appetite.

I left the apt at 9:45 and stopped at the Otra Parte patio but the tables weren’t set up. (About an hour later 5 ladies with their yoga mats came into the café so that explains why the patio was empty.) I had a latte in the café while rereading the section of my book I read yesterday, this time with a yellow highlighter.  I left at 11:30, stopped in Ara and bought a few things before returning to the apt.

I watched the Packers vs Lions and Cowboys vs Commanders games on their local channels using MTV.

Teresa informed me she has to pick up her pills tomorrow at Clinica Las Americas so I’ll go with her and after we’ll have lunch as usual in Arkadia.

I finished reading Becoming by Michelle Obama.

 

CHOOSING A CHILD FREE LIFE

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 9:30, quickly fell asleep, woke up at 1:45, 3:30, and 5:30, finally waking/getting up at 7am.

It was 60 years ago that President Kennedy was assassinated. I remember I was in high school walking through the cafeteria to another class when I first heard the news.

I still don’t have an appetite. I’m feeling a little overheated though. I’m skipping gym today until I get my strength back. I also have dry mouth, feeling the constand need to drink water.

I left the apt about 9am and stopped at the Gana kiosk to pay the Tigo/Une bill. I showed the lady the bill on my cellphone and she wrote on a note, “no tengo debuelve”. I entered it into my translator then changed the “b” to a “v” in her note and handed it back to her and she agreed. I don’t know exactly what that means (she can’t issue a receipt?) except I can’t pay it here - at least not today. I went across the street and had a few chess pages printed at the Bancolombia window.

I continued on to Los Porteños where I had a latte with my usual glass of ice water. Not I can tell my voice is a little horse. Bob Hamilton came by and explained he’s been busy taking dance lessons and we’ll get together soon to play chess. He then sat down with a young man at the other side of the patio. I wasn’t feeling very well from the coffee so I left at 11:30 and returned to the apt.

Teresa apparently dropped her cellphone as she showed me her cracked screen. I had told her she should get a protective case for it. ☹

I cancelled my meeting with Marcos for coffee tomorrow and for dinner with Glenn because I don’t know if I’m going to be feeling better and I wouldn’t want to wait until the last minute to cancel.

I started watching the series Castle (8.1). In the first episode I was surprised at a poker table scene when I saw author James Patterson, one of my favorite authors, sitting there.

It’s 8:30 at night and I’m starting to feel more normal. We’ll see if it continues.

 

CHOOSING A CHILDFREE LIFE

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 9pm, quickly fell asleep but woke up at midnight with acid reflux. I took a Tums and switched to sleeping on my left side but it didn’t work. I got up and moved to the recliner so I could sit up. Eventually I fell asleep, got up at 3:30 and moved back to bed. My alarm went off at 6:30 and I texted Jose I’d better skip chess today. I quickly fell back asleep and was awakened again just after 8:30 by a Claro robocall. I turned it off and got up.

I still don’t have an appetite but I did manage to eat most of my breakfast.

I had a nap from 10:15 to 11:30 so I’m not totally recovered yet.

I finally had a BM, hoping that might be the final key to my case of the Blahs.

I still don’t have an appetite.

I received confirmation from Amazon that my chess book has shipped with an expected delivery of Friday, December 1^st.

I checked Accuweather and it predicted rain in 20 minutes that would last 8 minutes. I wasn’t timing it but that’s about what happened.

Basically, I just vegged out on the recliner the rest of the day.

I did watch the replay of Monday Night’s football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.

 

CHOOSING A CHILD FREE LIFE

Monday, November 20, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once at 1am (rain had stopped), again at 5am, tried to fall back asleep, finally giving/getting up at 7am. So maybe I did sleep for those 2 hours just not deeply?

I left the apt at 8:45 and I ran into Matt on the way to the gym. He teaches English (probably the King’s English) online to Colombian children. His wife is a graphic designer.

I completed my usual workout but seemed to need to take more time to catch my breath after each exercise.

I’ve also come to a realization. My weak wrists (ankles too), not my biceps, are limiting me on the arm curl machine. Next week, on a new line in my notebook, I’m going to lower the weight so I can do more reps.

On the way back to the apt I ran into Marcos dragging one of those portable grocery carts. He reminded me we’ll meet for coffee on Thursday and exchange books.

Back at the apt my feet and ankles were sore. I think it may be time to go back to taking Joint Support.

I forgot to mention that Teresa caught me last night. She was cleaning the master bathroom and noticed the lightbulb hanging from the ceiling. I got the usual lecture that we’re living in someone else’ apartment.

Before I took my shower, I turned off the circuit breakers for both bathrooms (can’t depend on each circuit breaker being exclusively wired to each individual bathroom), pulled down the wires, removed the old electrical tape, removed the old bulb wiring, wired the new bulb set, wrapped it with new electrical tape, pushed the wires back up, and added (somewhat) the hardware which should hold it up in the ceiling. Turned the circuit breakers back on and the light is pretty bright for such a small space. We’ll see how long it take for Teresa to notice.

I wasn’t feeling very well so I kept putting off lunch (my favorite, ground beef fajitas). Eventually Teresa suggested I go to the guest bedroom (darker and quieter) and I slept from 1:30 to 3pm.

I ordered 2 containers of Joint Support from Arazo Nutrition for $51.90, with free shipping. That should be enough to last me for about a year.

I challenged Howex to another game but so far he hasn’t accepted.

Glenn invited us to have Thanksgiving dinner at his apt. I understand he ordered meals from Alepan and it’s for 2 people and since he hasn’t much of an appetite these days he wouldn’t be eating much anyway. I discussed it with Teresa and we accepted.

I alerted Jose to the fact that I’m not feeling well today and he should check his messages tomorrow before he leaves for Unicentro.

It was 8:45pm when I heard Teresa say, “chevere” (cool). She called me an electrician and asked if I could replace the light in her bathroom. 😊

I went to bed at 9pm.

 

CHOOSING A CHILD FREE LIFE

Sunday, November 19, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up twice during the night, finally waking/getting up at 6:30.

I met Glenn just before 9am at Olivenza in Sao Paulo. His face was bandaged, having had surgery for skin cancer. He’s waiting to hear when he can meet with the doctor to have the bandages removed. He informed me they fixed his hot water heater leak but they had to break into a wall to do it. I suggested we meet for Thanksgiving at California Buffet but he wasn’t interested. I had the calentao, scrambled eggs, and 1 dinner roll with 2 lattes for 33,324 ($8.25) including tip.

I left at 11am, stopped at Ara to buy 10 ripe tomatoes before returning to the apt. I’m still leaking a little.

I ate a bag of microwavable popcorn with a Coke while watching the Bears lose a heartbreaker to the Detroit Lions 31-26.

Right at the stroke of 6pm the rain started.

I finished Bosch: Legacy, season 2 and started the series Burn Notice (8.0). The first episode didn’t impress me much but I’ll give it a little longer.

I messed up the opening against Howex and was down the exchange and a pawn but still came out the winner in 42 moves increasing my rating to 1569.

It was still raining when I went to bed at 10pm.

 

CHOOSING A CHILDFREE LIFE

Saturday, November 18, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up twice during the night, finally waking/getting up at 6:30.

I had a breakfast of croissant with scrambled eggs and a latte in Los Porteños then moved to Otra Parte. The library patio wasn’t open (later Teresa told me that’s where the yoga class was) so I moved to the Otra Parte café where I had a latte while completing another hour of chess tactics. (Their coffee isn’t very good, not sure if it’s their brand of coffee, their machine or their barrister.) Teresa came out by 10am but wasn’t interested in coffee after I gave her my opinion of it. She left right away to make lunch and I left about 11am.

It was around noon when Teresa received a call then notified me there was a package at the porteria for me. I went down and retrieved my new book The Amateur’s Mind: Turning Chess Misconceptions into Chess Mastery that arrived 3 days early.

I was going to order Modern Chess Openings, 16^th edition but found the 15^th edition as a pdf which I downloaded.

I ordered Simon Williams’ The Killer Dutch Rebooted from Amazon for $38.66 (free with my gift card) estimated to arrive here on Friday, December 1^st.

Teresa showed me this Greek restaurant she found with her cellphone and wanted to try:

Only problem, when I googled it, it’s in Spain. 😊

We left the apt at 3pm and took a Didi to the new Pricesmart in Poblado.

While Teresa went for some vegetables, I made a trip to the restroom. Here’s your Colombian quiz. What’s unusual about this photo?

Answer below.

We checked out their non-food area and found some interesting things like suitcase combos and those mattresses that unroll to full size when you open the package. The main things I got for myself was a backup Canadian maple syrup and a medium-sized bottle of ketchup. The main thing we missed is there was no turkey breast, only full-sized turkeys and hams.

We checked out and the total came to 985,683 pesos ($242).

We were on the moving sidewalk with our grocery cart when one of my shoelaces got stuck at the end. I couldn’t back up to remove it until I let go of the railing that kept moving me forward.

We had about a 15-minute wait for a taxi to return us to our apt.

A downpour started at 5:30 but stopped just before I went to bed.

One of my blog readers asked if my half-sister sells her paintings. Yes, just google CJ Conner Art Studio to see more.

The problem with the toilet photo is in Colombia public places not only do you often find toilet seats missing but you almost never see a toilet seat cover.

 

CHOOSING A CHILDFREE LIFE

Friday, November 17, 2023

 Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once during the night, finally waking/getting up just before 7am.

I left the apt at 8:45 and completed my workout in Smartfit. It’s more difficult when you’ve skipped a few days.

Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (7.2) opened here with lots of showtimes. We’re planning on seeing it today at 4:50pm.

I lost a game to Troyclough dropping my rating to 1560.

This is a painting my half-sister Cyd in Wisconsin just finished:

Teresa wanted me to ask at the “library” building next to Otra Parte if they have a yoga class tomorrow. I left the apt at 1:30 and was told there will be a class at 8:30 and that Teresa should bring her own yoga mat.

I had a latte for 7mil on their “library” patio for the first time

while I completed another hour of chess tactics study.

Not a bad spot but right next to Ave Poblado and its noisiness.

I received this from Danny at Na Pizza:

I left at 3pm and returned to the apt. I changed clothes and took a Didi to the mall. I bought 2 preferred tickets to Hunger Games for 49,600 pesos ($12). Not sure why they were so expensive, weekend?, night? Premier?. (I only need 3 more movies to qualify for next year’s platinum card.) I stopped in Exito and bought 2 packages of microwave butter popcorn for my next 2 Bears games. Upstairs I bought a small BBQ sandwich at Only Roastbeef and stuffed it in my tech bag. On my way to Frisby I ran into Jerry who promised we’ll meet for coffee soon. In Frisby I ordered their half fried chicken for Teresa. While waiting I ordered a Didi to bring her to the mall. I went downstairs to Cine Colombia and Teresa arrived about 10 minutes later.

There was no line at concessions and I bought a bottle of water for Teresa and a small soda for me. We arrived in the theater 10 minutes early and we were the only ones there (couldn’t see how many people were in the upper level) until about 10 minutes into the movie when a group of people took the row behind us. The movie started with a girl (female star) singing and I asked myself if this is going to be a musical. After about her fifth song later in the movie I googled her and her name is Rachel Zegler, she’s an American actress and singer from New Jersey and her father is American and her mother Colombian. An hour into the movie I made a trip to the restroom and bought a Cine Combito at the concession stand.

The movie itself was only so-so, not something I would really recommend, and Teresa was bored partially because it’s over 2 hours long.

Outside in a light drizzle, we got in a slow (30 minutes) medium long line for a taxi back to the apt. Just before we stepped out of the car the rain turned into a downpour so I put up my umbrella.

 

CHOOSING A CHILDFREE LIFE

Thursday, November 16, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up twice during the night, finally waking/getting up at 7am.

Teresa informed me she’s taking her mother to a doctor’s appointment today so I’ll be on my own for lunch.

I met Marcos at Parva at 9:30. I told him about the traffic problem with our new grocery store in our neighborhood, Tienda D1. He invited me to see his new apartment near the park in Sabaneta. I told him I might take him up on that offer the next time my brother comes for a visit.

After he left, I completed another hour of chess tactics.

I left about 11:30 and stopped at one of the cement tables in La Buena Mesa where I performed some surgery on my endgame book, removing the parts for Experts and Masters. I noticed Bob Hamilton in Los Porteños so I joined him as soon as I had finished retaping my book. I learned the young girl I see with Brit is his wife and the 10-year-old boy is their son. Bob has some work to do in his apt and after we might meet for chess in the park.

I stopped at Na Pizza and found out they haven’t opened yet, maybe tonight.

I went to Olivia’s where I had their lasagna mixta (beef and chicken) with a mango juice for 52,236 pesos ($12.75), including tip.

I blundered a piece to Howex and now he has a passed pawn about to queen. It doesn’t look good. Later I lost that game lowering my rating to 1569.

On the way back to the apt I bought a sleeve of 6 bagels and 2 bags of milk.

I guess Ara has a septic system as a truck was suctioning it out and not only do we have the noise but the smell.

Teresa hasn’t returned as yet.

Glenn texted me this photo, “Walking Bianca on Ave Las Vegas across from Jumbo.

 

Bianca gave him a quizzical look.”

3pm and we had a thunderstorm in the area.

At 6pm Teresa implored me to meet them for supper in Santafe mall. I changed clothes and took a Didi arriving just before 6:30. We had supper in Crepes & Waffles.

As we were passing another restaurant I noticed some passersby watching TV. Colombia was losing to Brazil 1-0.

Outside we had a 10-minute wait for a taxi.

Back at the apt I checked online and Colombia was tied with Brazil 1-1. A few minutes later I heard another cheer and Colombia beat Brazil 2-1. (I see the next World Cup will be in Canada, the US, and Mexico from June to July, 2026.)

 

CHOOSING A CHILDFREE LIFE

 

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once at 2am (it was raining), again at 5:45 (still raining), finally waking/getting up at 7:30. Still raining.

Finished breakfast and it’s still raining. This is highly unusual. Not only did I think we were out of the rainy season but when it rains during the night it usually ends by 6am or 7am. Neither Teresa nor I are interested in going to the gym this cold rainy morning.

If it isn’t already obvious, I’m skipping gym today.

At 9:15 the rain finally stopped.

Teresa left the apt at 9:30 for the gym and then to get her eyelashes done. We’re going to meet up after at Parva. I left a few minutes after her. I see there are 5-6 parking spaces for cars at Tienda D1 plus 2 parking spaces dedicated to motorcycles. In Parva I completed another hour of tactics in my Woodpecker Method book. Teresa joined me about 10:15 and had a café con leche.

When we left Parva I took this photo of the newly remodeled Na Pizza:

We stopped briefly in Tienda D1. Teresa was looking for something but I didn’t get further then down one aisle when she was ready to leave so I didn’t get a good idea about the place except it was larger than the other location.

After lunch Teresa and I had our first look at the wedding photos. I connected the laptop to the TV by HDMI cable and was happy to find I could set the viewing to double slide show mode as there where 1,800 of them.

Dr. Uribe’s office called and we changed my appointment with the dermatologist from November 30^th at 8:30 to December 14^th at 9am.

I started watching season 2 of Bosch: Legacy on MTV.

About 6:30 I heard the blaring of horns and caught this street scene outside the grocery stores

When they have accidents here, they don’t move the cars until the transit police arrive so they create a blockade.

Twenty-five minutes later I made this video of the same area:

Whoever thought they could build a second grocery store on a street with no parking is an idiot.

 

CHOOSING A CHILDFREE LIFE

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once at 1:15, finally waking at 5:45 and getting up at 6:30.

I took a Didi and the driver drove past the new Tienda D1. They had balloons around the doorway but otherwise I didn’t see any movement. (I thought they open at 7am today.) I arrived at Unicentro mall just after 8am where Jose and I had breakfast in Parmessano again. He informed me that his wife Maria doesn’t like the idea of his being so far away in Viva Envigado so we might be in Unicentro for a while longer.

In the food court I had the Black pieces and I made a mistake on my 9^th move and he gained a pawn. Three moves later he blundered and I trapped his queen. He blundered again on his 20^th move and I got a mate in 2.

I had the White pieces in the second game and darned if I didn’t make the same mistake as I did the first game where I lost another pawn this time with a decidedly worse position. I resigned on the 31^st move. We plan to meet the like this again next Tuesday.

I had the ropa vieja from Q’Bano. I don’t know why the sandwich was so messy, falling apart, but I don’t think I’ll be ordering that again.

In Exito I bought large package of toilet paper and caught a taxi outside. He didn’t have any GPS and obviously didn’t know his way around Envigado as he headed straight to Ave Las Vegas and we were in all of the traffic from there south to our apt in Envigado.

It looks like Tienda D1 has space for about 5 cars with another area closed off for just motorcycles.

In an email I received from the US Chess association:

Dear Members,

Many health plans believe in the power of social fitness and provide opportunities to stay active and connect with others. We are excited to announce a new partnership to help our members save on their membership dues just for staying active in our organization.

Through this program, eligible Medicare Advantage and Supplement plans will cover the yearly membership cost for US Chess members with an eligible Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan.

I’m checking out movies and series trying to find something decent to watch.

 

CHOOSING A CHILDFREE LIFE

Monday, November 13, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, slept through the night, finally waking at 6am and getting up at 6:30.

Today is another holiday, Indepencia de Cartagena aka Cartagena Independence Day.

I finally caught Teresa before she put a new fitted sheet on the mattress and we flipped it side to side.

I finally did it. I beat Troyclough and my rating (1581) is now 100 points higher than his (1473). I probably won’t enjoy it for very long because I’m losing a game to Howex (1639).

I had an hour-long nap after breakfast on the recliner.

We left the apt at 11am and walked to the Ayurá metro station. It was only a 5-minute wait for the next train. We didn’t get a seat until we arrived at the San Antonio station where a lot of people get off (it’s a transfer station). We got off at the Caribe station and were surprised to find the Metro Cable section closed from November 7^th to 15^th. Teresa talked to someone then we went outside and across the river where we caught a bus to take us to the San Domingo station. The road was very narrow and steep and I don’t think the bus ever got out of 1^st gear. At some points buses coming from the other direction slowed to almost stopping passing 2-3 inches from each other. At one point there was a tight turn (acute angle) and the bus had to make a 3-point turn with passengers in the back telling the driver when he was too close to backing up into a building. We arrived at the San Diego station and took a metro cable car (with another couple) from there to Parque Arvi. 

While Teresa went in search of empanadas I made trip to the restroom which cost 1,500 pesos to enter.

I lost to Howex dropping my rating to 1575.

Teresa didn’t find her empanadas

but did find 2 obleas that I helped her eat. We walked down the hill to the café where we each had a latte and relaxed outside for a few minutes. We walked to the street where we got on a bus. I thought he might wait awhile but after 5 minutes the driver left with only 6 of us inside.

We got off at the Hotel Piedras Blancas and went to their outdoor patio.

Teresa ordered their salmon (no surprise there) and I a burger with fries. I was told the burger wasn’t available so I ordered the pepper steak medium-well that I’ve had there before. When my order arrived, the steak was bloody inside so I sent it back. When it returned it was still red inside so I sent it back again. Finally, it arrived with only slight pink inside. It was very tasty. I offered Teresa a bite and as soon as it hit her mouth she spit it out – too spicy for Colombian taste.

We weren’t in a big hurry to leave but eventually the sun was so low we no longer had protection from our table umbrella.

While Teresa went to the restroom, I paid the check of 110,500 pesos ($27.50) and slipped the waiter a 10mil tip for all the running he had to do and asked him not to share it with the kitchen. He slipped it into his pocket. Outside we only had a 5-minute wait for the bus to return us to the park entrance. We stopped at the café again and had another latte. We took the metro cable to the Santa Domingo station and walked down the hill a block where we caught a bus back to the metro. Again, lots of braking, passing within inches to other buses and tight turns.

We took the metro to the Ayurá station and returned to the apt by taxi at exactly 6pm.

I finished the TV mini-series All the Light We Cannot See (7.7) on Netflix.

 

CHOOSING A CHILDFREE LIFE

Sunday, November 12, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up twice during the night, finally waking/getting up at 6:45.

I left the apt at 8:30 and met Glenn with Bianca in Olivenza at 9am. For his upcoming (health insurance covered) hernia surgery he needs to first meet with the anesthesiologist. He asked when that will be and was told up to 3 months.

For breakfast I ordered the French toast with bacon. I asked for it quemada (burned). I still had to send it back once for them to get it close to crispy. I’m going to give up on the bacon here.

He left at 10am and I left at 10:15 and walked back to the apt. I found a flyer on the table in the porteria advertising Tienda D1’s grand opening this Tuesday, the 14^th. We already have lots of traffic on our street, I can’t imagine what another grocery store is going to do.

We left at 11:15 and took a Didi to Jardin de Botanico. We didn’t have to pay an entrance fee and Teresa led me to a pond where there were 2 benches. Here you can see turtles sunning themselves on 2 large rocks:

We took one of the benches and carefully set up the parcheesi set Teresa brought.

At the other bench, behind my back, various girls briefly sat there in fancy dresses and had photos taken by professional photographers, at least men with those fancy cameras with huge long lenses. The most impressive was a girl with the whitest skin I’ve seen with long reddish-brown hair. I wondered if she was Irish. I never did see her face.

After a few games Teresa brought out her “Tupperware” with chicken breast and vegetables for lunch. Right away I asked, “where’s my barbeque sauce?”. Of course, she forgot it. We walked around a little and found a small bazaar set up. We also found an area with a few tables and quickly commandeered one. We shared an avocado ice cream bar and an obleas and played a couple more games of parcheesi. (I think she beat me like 4 games to 2; and does she gloat about it, at least as much as I do when I win.) There was another girl in a fancy black prom-like dress having photos taken and later she changed into a shorter dress. I asked Teresa if this was for quinciañera? She said it’s popular place for that, birthdays, first communions, and any other special occasions.

I understand the park closes officially at 4pm and we left just before 5pm and walked through a children’s carnival (complete with pony rides) to the metro. It was only a 10-minute wait for a metro car and we got off at Ayurá station. Teresa said she was hungry so we took a taxi directly to Antica pizzeria where we had our usual pizza. We walked down the hill and bought 2 chocolate croissants at the bakery before returning to the apt (in heavy traffic downtown Envigado with the Christmas lights) by taxi.

Tomorrow Teresa wants to go to Parque Arvi but she’s afraid it might be closed for some reason. (They are closed on Mondays unless it is a holiday in which case they are closed on Tuesday.)

I understand the bridge that has the problem is much closer to Santafe de Antioquia than San Jeronimo so it won’t be a problem for us for Christmas.

 

CHOOSING A CHILDFREE LIFE