Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once during the night, finally waking/getting up at 5:45.

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!

By the time I used the restroom and finished my Kegel exercises, Teresa had already left for her early gym class.

For some reason google wouldn’t allow me to enter Blogger so I could post my blog. I’ll try again later.

I took a Didi in heavy traffic to Unicentro for 19,600 pesos, arriving 10 minutes late. The fruit vendor was there so I bought a banana and finished it by the time I entered the mall.

I found Jose waiting for me at our usual table and I handed over the book that contained his new debit card. He thanked me by paying for my breakfast.

We moved to the food court and I had the Black pieces in the first game. As usual he got an attack going but I held on for a draw. It was a 3-hour, 75 move game that ended in a draw.

I had the White pieces in the second game and he again got an attack going but I held on and eventually won in a more reasonable 64 moves.

It was now 2:15 as I ordered a Didi to return me to Envigado for 19,900 pesos. Traffic was heavy but at least it was moving as I arrived at Vivi Envigado.

I went up to the third floor and had lunch at Sarku’s again.

I stopped in the banking area and withdrew 2 million pesos in mixed bills.

It was almost 4pm so I went down to Exito and paid the utility bill of 379,000 pesos, after waiting in line for 25 minutes.

I returned to the apt by taxi.

I had to use a different browser (I chose Chrome) to enter my blog today.

I’ve discovered my TV headphones work fine as long as I recharge them from an electric socket instead of my laptop’s USB port.

I watched some news then read my latest book before going to bed at 10pm.

 

RELEASE ALL THE EPSTEIN FILES NOW!

 

FUNNY

 

Monday, March 16, 2026

Last night I went to bed at 9pm, got up once during the night, finally waking/getting up at 5:15.

Happy ½ (6^th month) birthday to Annie James.

Teresa got up at 7am and made breakfast. After, I took a nap for an hour and was awakened by my alarm. I left the apt about 8:30 and found a busy Smartfit. I usually start with two exercises on the Butterfly machine but both were in use and two girls were waiting to use it. ☹ I skipped it and came back later. I completed 20 minutes on the treadmill with a final heart rate of 130bpm.

I forgot to bring a peanut and the house keys but I’m sure Teresa wouldn’t be leaving the apt.

I had a latte in Ganso y Castor for about an hour, stopped in Ara and bought a package of chicken breasts and lettuce on my way back to the apt.

As I entered the porteria the portero handed me a package. It had Jose’s return address on it so I suspected it was just his book (with his new debit card inside). With Jose’s permission I opened it and it contained his book, my 3 envelopes, and our Christmas presents which consisted of a t-shirt with Girl Grandpa on the front and a picture frame.

I recharged the TV headphones using a different USB port but they still only worked for 3 minutes before the battery died. ☹

We left the apt at 1:30 and MT met us at our porteria in a taxi. We continued on to San Fernando Plaza for 20,000 pesos and went up to Gaes where MT got her hearing aids. I made the second and last payment of 7,299,450 pesos ($1,973) which she will repay by next November. MT went to use their restroom while Teresa and I waited outside. When MT came. out she thanked me and gave me a big hug.

We took a taxi to SantaFe mall and went down to Valentina’s café. Teresa was going to show the purse under construction to the girl who ordered it but she wasn’t working today.

I won a game against Troyclough, increasing my rating to 1525.

MT and I had lattes and Teresa had a granizado coffee and they shared a slice of yogurt cake and I had a slice of carrot cake. The total check came to 91,778 pesos and we left at 6:30 and returned to Envigado by taxi for 20,000 pesos.

Today I charged the headphones with a separate charger instead of the USB port on my computer and they were still working when I went to bed 2 ½ hours later. 😊

 

RELEASE ALL THE EPSTEIN FILES NOW!

 

FUNNY

Sunday, March 15, 2026

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once at 3:15, took a long time to fall back asleep (5:15?), and was awakened by my alarm at 7:30.

We left the apt at 11:30 and took a Didi to Exposiciones station where we found an El Retiro bus waiting for us. It was nearly full but we found seats together near the back.

We arrived in El Retiro by 12:45 and walked up to Lomo Fino where we had a nice lunch for s132,000 pesos ($36). Teresa had the chicken with vegetable soup and a guanabana juice and I had the solomito with a Coke. My steak today was a little chewy, at least more so than usual.

We found seats in the park as a band was warming up to play. We only stayed about 15 minutes then Teresa checked out a few shops down the street.

We found a table in Café El Retiro and Teresa had a Granizado (café malt) while I had a latte and we shared a slice of apple cake with walnuts. She worked on her purse project and I spent a little time in my endgame book. I won a game vs Chesswiz98, increasing my rating to 1519.

I just noticed the game I lost to Saul19780 where I lost 6 points, he gained 16. Probably because he’s a new player and that’s a provisional rating. His rating now is 1723 and he has yet to lose (or draw) at this 3-day speed. He’s also playing at a high accuracy, none of his 5 games below 85.5%. Right now, I’m up a pawn in a complicated middlegame.

We left at 4:45 and walked down to the bus station where we were soon on a bus back to Medellin.

Back at Exposiciones station we took a taxi back to the apt for 20,300 pesos.

I tried my headphones again but this time the battery only lasted about 10 minutes.

No tripping today so that’s an improvement.

I finished reading Ken Follett’s The Third Twin on my Kindle and went to bed at 9am.

 

RELEASE ALL THE EPSTEIN FILES NOW!

 

FUNNY

Saturday, March 14, 2026

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up twice during the night, woke up at 5:15 and got up at 6:15.

Happy Pi Day!

I left the apt at 9am and walked to the mall. Exito Wow wasn’t open and a guard confirmed they’re only open Monday thru Friday, so I couldn’t pay the epm bill.

The nearest ATM didn’t work

so I went up to the banking area and used an ATM outside Bancolombia to deposit 100mil into Teresa’s account for Netflix.

Downstairs I had a latte in Urbania for a little over an hour. Innovation Corp texted they received my payment and will send our package to Envigado. 😊

I agreed to a draw with Troyclough, lowering my rating to 1513.

I left at 11am, bought a large container of eggs in Exito and returned to the apt by taxi.

Lately, I’ve notice Teresa asks me questions as I step out of the shower. I’m beginning so suspect she wants to see me naked. 😊

We left the apt at noon and took a Didi to El Tesoro mall for 15,300 pesos.

We got in a short line for Crepes & Waffles. I spotted 3 tables that had already been served which were most likely to open up first. The one inside soon became available and we sat down and placed our order.

I explained to Teresa Pi day and Saint Patrick’s Day and how Chicago dies their river green.

Then Teresa decided she wanted to move upstairs. (I don’t care what table a woman chooses, I just don’t like moving once I’ve gotten settled.)

We moved upstairs near a crying baby. (Of course, the parents would want to be furthest from the crowd.) Lunch was only 76,350 pesos and I paid in cash.

Teresa checked out clothes in Zara and a couple more stores.

She went in to H&M to exchange a blouse but didn’t find anything so she took cash and handed me 239,000 pesos because I had paid for it with my debit card.

We stopped in Medipiel and Teresa bought a couple things for 312,630 pesos ($ and received a lot of free samples.

We had drinks in Valentina’s and shared a slice of yogurt cake. They have these cute ice cream parlor chairs

similar to my chess table chairs so I had Teresa ask where they got them. The waitress gave me two names, Calmahome (google found 1 location) and 3House (google found 3 locations). The seat of one of my chairs is already broken (probably dried out and after 10 years of sitting on it) and I’m using the other with the computer desk.

I decided it would be best if I took a photo of one of the chairs.

Now let me set the scene for you. Like a lot of tables in Medellin, they have hooks underneath where you can hang a bag. I had taken off my cap and hooked it to the carabiner on my tech bag then I shortened its strap so it wouldn’t hit the floor and put it on the hook.

I got up to take a photo of the chair and I either stepped on or otherwise got my food tangled in my bag. I didn’t fall or drop my phone but it did look awkward. I took my photos and returned to my chair. (Two near falls in two days.)

The total for two coffees and a slice of yogurt cake was 76,300 pesos and I paid in cash.

We left at 5pm and stopped in Dollar City so Teresa could purchase a few things. I have to remember the store is located one level below the Carulla grocery store.

I ordered a Didi to return us to Envigado for 15,200 pesos.

I tried the TV headphones again but they lasted only about 30 minutes until the battery failed.

Just before 8pm we heard mariachis; we could hear them but we couldn’t see them.

I noticed a Social Security $0.00 pre-credit notification deposit made to my account, probably a precursor to next month’s deposit.

The plan for tomorrow is for another day trip to El Tesoro – if it’s not raining.

I watched a little news and read some from my Kindle before going to bed at 10pm.

 

RELEASE ALL THE EPSTEIN FILES NOW!

 

FUNNY

 

Friday, March 13, 2026

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up twice during the night, woke up at 5:30 and got up at 6am.

Teresa was already gone to her gym class and I started working on my blog post.

I don’t know why but the past few days my mouse has lost its Bluetooth connection to my laptop. ☹
Teresa returned and informed me she cancelled MT’s appointment today for her hearing aids. Probably next Monday afternoon.

After breakfast I returned to bed for a 45-minute nap.

I left the apt at 9am and this is the condition of the back sidewalk.

I found Smartfit not very busy. 😊 I completed my workout in my preferred order including 20 minutes on the treadmill. One mishap: I was on the treadmill when an ad for Zonafit came on and I tried to take a photo of it while still walking on the treadmill. I slipped but didn’t fall or drop my cellphone but it was noticeable enough that one of the young female instructors came over and showed that I should reduce the speed first before distractions like that. In the future I’ll jump to the side rails before taking the photo. After I finished on the treadmill, I finally caught a photo of the QR code for Zonafit:

I moved to Ganso y Castor where I had a latte for about an hour. I received a text message that our package has arrived in Medellin and the fee is 107,000 pesos.

I’ll try to pay for that this afternoon.

Teresa texted and asked me to pick up milk on the way back to the apt; we’re making broccoli cheddar soup again.

Somehow, we messed up the soup recipe. The cheese came out clumped and separated from the liquid (milk). Did we do something different this time? We used sharp cheddar cheese, 2% milk, and unsalted butter. My brother suggested we didn’t grate the cheese which is true.

I left the apt at 2pm and stopped at the Bancolombia kiosk to pay the Innovation Corp shipping fee but I guess that system wasn’t working. I stopped next door at the small market and bought a lighter for Teresa. No, she doesn’t smoke, she uses it when she’s making bracelets and purses. I continued on to Los Porteños where I had a latte for a couple hours while continuing studying my endgame book. I left at 4pm and stopped at the kiosk and this time she processed my payment. I quickly sent a copy of the receipt to Innovation Corp but I got no response so I was probably too late for this week.

I left at 5pm and returned to the apt.

ChatGPT helped me fix the Bluetooth problem; I think. We’ll see how the next few days go.

Chesswiz98 resigned our game, increasing my rating to 1515.

I watched the news and read some from my book before going to bed at 10pm.

 

RELEASE ALL THE EPSTEIN FILES NOW!

 

FUNNY

 

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up twice during the night, woke up at 5:30 and got up at 6:30.

After breakfast I had a 30-minute nap then walked to Viva Envigado. I had a latte in Urbania for a couple hours while studying my endgame book.

Luckily, Laura’s family hadn’t yet rented a car for me. This graph shows the recent change in oil prices:

I left at 11:15 and bought some produce in Exito’s before returning to the apt by taxi.

Teresa’s latest purse that she made:

After lunch Teresa informed me that she was going to meet her friend (Nardelly?) in Viva Envigado and she’ll call me and we’ll meet in Crepes & Waffles for ice cream.

I left the apt at 2pm and walked to Gardenia Café where I had a latte while continuing my endgame studies. Teresa called at 2:30 with a change in plans. They are going to meet me here at Gardenia because it will be more conducive to carrying on a conversation. They arrived about 3:30 and Teresa showed her all her bracelets and a few purses. Nardelly ended up buy 8 wide bracelets, 1 narrow bracelet and 2 purses for 850,000 pesos ($230) for US Christmas presents and a nice sale for Teresa.

About 5pm we walked down the block and across the street to Picositas where we had an empanada and coffee (limonada de coco for me). They chatted some more and we left about 6pm and returned to our apt. They then left to stop at Bancolombia kiosk before heading on to see Wilson.

I watched the news, The Chris Hayes Show, then read some before going to bed at 10pm.

 

RELEASE ALL THE EPSTEIN FILES NOW!

 

FUNNY

 

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up at 12:30, woke up at 5:15 and got up at 5:45am.

The street is wet so we must have had more rain overnight.

Teresa didn’t make it to her early morning gym class, finally getting up at 6:30.

I tried taking a nap after breakfast but gave up after about 45 minutes.

The plan today is to meet at Olivia’s in Mayorca for lunch.

I left the apt at 8:30 and this is the condition of the back sidewalk:

I found Smartfit not so busy this morning. I completed my routine including 20 minutes on the treadmill.

I had a latte in Ganso y Castor for a little over an hour.

I wanted to print something at the Bancolombia kiosk but was surprised it wasn’t open. Maybe the worker was just taking a potty break.

I left the apt at noon and took an Uber to Mayorca mall. Today I took Uber because I wanted to make sure my app works as I might need it while in the US in May. It’s been a while since I used it so they gave me a nice discount and my trip only cost 2,686 pesos.

I went down a level to the parking garage and printed the computer analysis of my games vs Jose.

I met Teresa up on the 4^th floor and we took a table in Olivia. She ordered a special called Milanesa Clasica with a mixed juice and I ordered the ground beef lasagna and a mango juice. The total check, with tip, came to 123,026 pesos ($33).

Teresa informed me MT’s hearing aids have arrived and we have an appointment for Friday at 11am. I told her that I think our Christmas presents have arrived in Florida.

We took a taxi back to Envigado for 18,000 pesos and Teresa got out just down the hill from the culture center and I continued up to Calle 30A. from there it was just a block to Los Porteños where I had a latte for a couple hours while going through our games. We played pretty evenly but as usual we both missed a couple good moves.

I won a game vs Troyclough, increasing my rating to 1509.

I left at 5pm and took a table inside Eduardo Madrid bakery. Teresa arrived at 5:40 and we decided not to eat or drink anything there. We stopped in Tienda D1 on the way back to the apt where she bought cotton cleanser pads and I bought 3 soon to be ripe bananas.

I checked the Boston to/from Chicago flights that I’ve already purchased for $335.01 and now its $765 and that is yet to include some extra charges so I’ll be waiting a bit to order our flights to Boston.

The wound on my right shin has completely healed and I seem to be over the skin condition that’s plagued me for the past few years.

I watched The Chris Hayes Show then read a bit before going to bed at 10pm.

 

RELEASE ALL THE EPSTEIN FILES NOW!

 

FUNNY