Saturday, July 29, 2017

Last night I took my sleeping pills and cannabis drops and went to bed at 11pm.  I only got up once during the night, finally waking up at 7am and getting up at 8am so my eyes felt pretty good.

Teresa and I left the apt at 10:25 and 5 minutes later we were at the beauty shop.  I got a manicure and pedicure (without nail polish) in 30 minutes for 24,000 pesos ($8).  Teresa thought that was very expensive but I told her I think it’s much cheaper here than in the US.

I solved puzzles on Chess Magnet School for 80 minutes and was promoted to Defender (#13/21).

The Colombian Peso closed for the week at 2,999 to the US Dollar.

Teresa tells me she is too white so she wants us to go to Santafe de Antioquia tomorrow – if it’s a sunny day.  If not, then we’ll see the movie Dunkirk.

About 3:15 I made a trip to Exito to buy dish soap and then made a stop at a paper store to print out some chess openings.

I see DT let Reince Priebus go; obviously an administration in turmoil.  One more sign DT doesn’t know what the F#*K he’s doing!

I didn’t think we were going to get out today.  First Teresa said there’s too much traffic (it was backed up to the apt until 6:30).  Then she said we’d never get a taxi.  Supposedly, this is all due to the Flower Festival now going on.

We left the apt at 6:45 and got a taxi after a 5 minute wait.  The driver wasn’t familiar with the restaurant and didn’t appear to know how to get us there based on the address I gave him.  Teresa told him to get us to Parque Lleras and I would guide him from there. 

Where I had him drop us off it was just a block walk to the restaurant.  Teresa didn’t think we were in the correct area but I forgot to remind her that the restaurant moved about a year ago.

I was happy to see Mu had no line and we had our choice of 3 empty tables.  Right away I ordered the large plate of ribs and a Coke for me and a Coke Zero for Teresa.  The ribs, with fries, arrived after about a 10 minute wait and they were tastier than I remember.  I ate 3, Teresa ate 3 and we got 3 to go for Laura.  We kidded about taking Laura a clean bone and heating in the microwave for her.  The total bill – cash only – was 81,000 pesos or $27.

We walked to the actual park and caught a taxi on Calle 10 and were home by 8:45.

T-shirt of the day: My degree of sarcasm depends on your degree of stupidity.

Friday, July 28, 2017

Last night I took my sleeping pill and a cannabis drop and we went to bed at 10:30.  I fell asleep quickly, got up once during the night, finally waking up at 7am and getting up at 7:30.  Thus my eyes feel pretty good this morning.

I watched the first 30 minutes of the Today show and then left for the gym.  Andres was there and he asked me if I’m taking any special vitamins for my workouts.  I told him we’re taking protein powder with water after every workout.  He told me if I go to a mall “sounding something like oiste” near the Stadium and go up to the 2^nd floor to a store named Tu Protein I could get it less expensively.  I told Jose a joke and found that he saw the new movie Dunkirk yesterday with some friends.  (I think Teresa, Laura and I will see it on Sunday.)

On my way back to the apt I looked for a Q’Hubo newspaper at the usual stand but was told to come back after 1pm.

I wanted to upgrade our Direct TV package from Gold to Platinum as there’s often nothing on TV to watch.  I went to their website – DirecTV.com.co – and they had a chat option.   I entered my name, my email address and my telephone number.  After a couple minutes I was connected to Claudia.  I asked if anyone there spoke English and was told no.  A couple minutes later my cell phone rang.  I understood it was a woman from Direct TV.  I asked her if she spoke English and was told no.  I asked her to wait a minute and I gave the phone to Laura.  At first they offered us 2 decoder boxes and a recorder for about 254mil a month which I quickly declined.  They were able to switch us from Gold to Platinum immediately.  I understand we now have something like 6 HBO channels and 6 Fox channels.  I have to pay 195,348 for August and then the following months its 181,800 (about $60).

At 2:30 I dressed and walked back downtown where I bought today’s Q’Hubo and stopped for a couple bags of milk at the corner store on my way home.

Among new US movie releases I would like to see An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power (5.0) and maybe Atomic Blonde (7.2).

Locally, Dunkirk (8.6) is playing at Oviedo at 5pm, 7pm, and 8pm, Santafe at 2pm, 4:20pm, and 6:50pm, El Tesoro (premier room) at 3:45 and 6:55.  War for the Planet of the Apes (8.0) is playing at Oviedo at 4:50pm, Santafe at 6:25, and El Tesoro at 2:15, 3pm, and 5:45pm.

I spent an hour on Chess Magnet School and was promoted to Marshall (#12/21).

T-shirt of the day: I dare someone to kidnap me…as soon as the meds wear off they’ll pay me to leave

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Lat night I fell asleep rather quickly, woke up once during the night, finally waking just before 6am and getting up at 6:15.

I received an email from Apple that my order has shipped.

I left the apt at 8:30, waited 5 minutes for a bus to arrive, 5 more minutes for it to leave but I was still at the medical center 25 minutes earlier than my appointment.  I stopped in Il Capuccino for a small café con leche and couldn’t resist also buying a slice of fresh carrot cake they were selling for a total of 8,000 pesos ($2.75).

I still arrived at the Ophthalmologist’s office 5 minutes early.  After a 10 minute wait I was in her office.  I told her about the new prostate medication I’m taking, she checked my vision then dilated my pupils.  I waited out in the waiting room for another 10 minutes.  A woman sitting nearby asked what I was reading and I showed her my Nook.  She thought that was cool.  Back inside the doctor checked my pupils and informed me that the new prostate medicine I’m taking is disrupting her ability to dilate my pupils.  After another drop in each eye and I was back in the waiting room.  10 minutes later the doctor checked my eyes with one of those bright lamps and proclaimed that I was good for another year.  The charge was 185,000 which I had to pay in cash.

Thank goodness I had my sunglasses as now my eyes were very light sensitive.  I walked across Avenida Poblado and watched 2 Sabaneta buses pass me by because they were moving in an inside lane.  I wasn’t standing at an actual bus stop so I’m sure that had something to do with it.  Finally, traffic stopped from a red light and I walked into the intersection and got on the 3^rd bus back to Envigado.

Back in town I stopped in Exito at Teresa’s request and bought a head of lettuce for 2,916 ($1).

Back at the apt I spent about 2 hours just lying in bed waiting for my vision to clear.

At 3pm Teresa and I left for our dental appointments. 

Teresa went first and I told the doctor several jokes.  As Doctor Rendon was finishing up with Teresa, his wife came in.  She’s also an Endodontist but works exclusively with children.  I told her a joke in English and then the only joke I know in Spanish.  She said her 8-year old son Manuel has recently been telling jokes.  I told her I’d send some to him by email – after I clean them up of course.

Then the doctor cleaned my teeth.  The charge for today’s cleaning was 310,000 pesos or 155,000 pesos apiece or $52.  The doctor said it’s time we start filling in some of the open space I have between my gums and my teeth so my next appointment is Tuesday, August 15^th at 4pm.  It said it would only cost something like 120,000 pesos a visit.

We went into the main mall area where Teresa took a quick look at clothes in Zara and then returned a dress for store credit.

We had an early dinner in Crepes & Waffles.  We each ordered the Thai Chicken, ate 2/3 of it and got the rest to go for Laura.  I also had a coconut lemonade and Teresa a strawberry juice for a total of 53,500 including tip and tax (about $18).  Teresa told me her mother wants to go to this town and I now understand it’s to see some priest and its 8 hours away so it would definitely be an overnighter.

Teresa headed back to Zara to look for something she could use her store credit on and I sat outside.  I saw Mrs. Rendon come by with her kids but only the little girl noticed me sitting there.  She immediately went up to her mother and obviously told her I’m there as they all came back.  We talked briefly and I told her son Manual a quick joke.

Teresa bought a pair of sexy, blue, high heel shoes.  Afterwards she told me that when the salesman wasn’t working she switched shoes and she has one in a 37 and the other in a 35.

We waited in line for about 10 minutes for a taxi.

So yesterday I ordered an Apple iPod Shuffle and today I read that effective immediately Apple will no longer sell the iPod Shuffle or Nano.  Boy did I get that purchase in just under the wire!

MT stopped by and Teresa told me that her mother changed her mind and no longer wants to go see the priest that’s 8 hours away.  I told her i would go with them - I understand it will be MT, Teresa, myself and Wilson.

Despite losing my internet connection several times, I spent an hour on Chess Magnet School and was promoted to Warden (#11/21).

T-shirt of the day: With a shirt this awesome who needs pants?

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Last night I took my sleeping pills and we went to bed at 10:15.  I fell asleep after about 30 minutes but woke up once at 3:30.  I wonder if I had also taken my drops if that would have helped keep me asleep.  It took me another 30 minutes or so to fall back asleep as I heard voices talking outside followed by a horn honking and a motorcycle engine racing.  I finally woke/got up at 7:45.

Teresa was already gone as she had to take her mother to a clinic early in the morning.

I watched the first 30 minutes of the Today show and then left for the gym.  Sondra, with her daughter Daniela, asked me a couple English questions.  I understand Daniela is taking private classes in English.  I did most of my exercises, including 5 minutes at speed 5 on the treadmill, in an hour and 45 minutes.  I didn’t see Jose at all before I left.

Teresa had told me that if she wasn’t back by noon that I should go to lunch without her.  I took my shower and left the apt at 12:45.  

At Carbon de Leña I ordered ribs and a coconut lemonade.  It included soup and a salad and they gave me 2 decent sized slabs of ribs so I got the 2^nd to go.  The price came to just under 30,000 pesos (about $10).

I finished Michael Connelly’s City of Bones: Harry Bosch Series #8 and then downloaded his Lost Light: Harry Bosch Series #9.

I received an email from Victoria at MBE who said I can bring in an iPod Shuffle or any other music device but not a cell phone.

Teresa came back at 2:30 and told me she waited 5 hours for her mother to go through a variety of tests including drawing blood and what sounded like a CAT Scan or MRI. 

We took a nap from 2:45 to 4:15.  Wow!  I didn’t know I was that tired.

I ordered an iPod Shuffle from Apple that should be in Miami in a couple days.

I solved puzzles on Chess Magnet School for an hour and 10 minutes and was promoted to Yeoman (#10/21).

I had my leftover ribs for dinner.

About 8:15 Teresa gave up control of the television so I started scanning.  I first found the White Sox vs Cubs game but my team was already losing 4-0.  I found the USA vs Jamaica soccer game then I found an apocalyptic movie.  After finishing the latter I went back to the former.  The USA pulled out a squeaker against Jamica 2-1.

We went to bed at 10:45pm.

T-shirt of the day: You say I’m crazy…I call it mentally unrestricted.

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Last night I took my 2 sleeping pills and drops but it still took about 3 hours to fall asleep.  We went to bed last night at 10pm but when I did finally fall asleep (1:30am?) at least I didn’t wake up until 7am.

The pavement outside is a little wet but I don’t know if we got a little rain or a street sweeper came by recently.

At 7:30 I had a small bowl of cereal.  I also took a single whole Excedrin to fight off the tired feeling.  It helps a lot.

I found about half a dozen bites on my lower legs.  Obviously some no-see-ums go me at the park last Sunday.  Teresa said next time I should wear pants but I think I’d rather just put on some insect repellant.

I see my 2 documents are still “in transit” at MBE.

I watched the first hour of the Today show then left the apt about 10:15. 

I quickly caught a bus to the metro and from there transferred at San Antonio and on to the Stadium.  I paid 77,000 pesos to play in the amateur tournament from August 3^rd to the 7^th.  The following 4 pages consists of the posted information for the upcoming tournament I found outside the chess league office.

(I understand I could also have paid into their account at Bancolombia.)  I walked past El Viejo y El Pancake which is closed on Tuesday.  At San Juan I checked out a bicycle and rode around the Stadium area.  I returned the bicycle and walked about 3 more blocks to Opera Pizza.  All their chairs were stacked on top of each other and a guy told me the restaurant is closed for cleaning.  What? 

I walked down to Piccolo’s where I had a Coke and spaghetti bolognesa (sp?) for about 30,000 pesos.  I walked back to the station and took it to San Antionio where I transferred to the regular line and got off at Poblado Station.  I walked up the hill to MBE where I picked up my American Chess Magazine.  I took a bus to Oviedo where I bought a package of sesame bagels for 7,900 pesos.  

I walked across the street to Santa Fe mall.  They always have something going on in their vestibule.  This is in honor of their upcoming flower fair.  The peacock is made of paper but everything you see on the ground floor is flowers.

and went up a couple floors to iShop.  

A local Apple store.

I found Andres there, the guy who speaks a little English.  I asked him if they sell the iPod.  He said yes and showed me an iPod Nano for 107,000 pesos – which sounded awful cheap to me.  Maybe it’s an older model. 

Cosechas - local juice franchise.

Always cold - ingredients are pre-frozen.

I stopped at Cosechas – the juice store – and ordered a medium cold mango, banana, and papaya juice with yogurt for 6,200 pesos.

I walked back across the street where I caught a bus to Envigado.  I made a quick stop at the corner store to buy a couple bags of milk.

A few minutes later Teresa and MT returned and the former gave me the bad news about the latter.  MT has a stomach tumor and should have her stomach removed.  It’s supposed to happen in the next couple weeks.

Because of that Teresa and MT want to take some bus ride Sunday 6 hours away so they can visit/pray with someone for a few hours and then return.  It sounds to me like the bus ride alone could kill her.  We’ll see how that develops.

I sent an email to Victoria/Nobraska at MBE asking if Apple iPod Shuffles are on their list of things I can’t order from the US.

From the back corner of the apt I’m having some internet connection problems so I wasn’t able to do my Chess Magnet School lesson for today.

T-shirt of the day: I speak my mind because it hurts to bite my tongue all the time.

Monday, July 24, 2017

Last night I took my 2mg sleeping pill but again forgot to take my drops.  I fell asleep relatively quickly, woke up briefly but didn’t get up twice during the night, quickly falling back asleep, finally waking/getting up at 7:30am.

I watched the first 25 minutes of the Today show and then headed to the gym.  At one point Jose came up to me and told me he wanted to go to the movies with me.  I asked him which movie and he said “Dunkirk”.  I told him Teresa and I both want to see that movie and it’s getting unbelievably good reviews.  I think he said he wanted to invite the woman who was working out on the machine next to me.  I asked him when and he said Thursday.  I told him I couldn’t do it on Thursday because I have doctors appointments in the morning and the afternoon.  We decided we would try for Friday and we would talk more later. 

I completed most of my exercises including the treadmill in 2 hours.

I received the following “question” from Trip Advisor regarding my review of the restaurant Black Pepper: Good evening, we had a lot of bad experience in our restaurant. We would appreciate if we shared some way to contact you to give you an invitation, give you special attention and give us a new opportunity. A cordial greeting; Administration Black Pepper.

It was a generally good review I wrote so I answered “No thank you.  I’m sure I’ll return some day but I wonder why it took 3 months for you to respond to my review?”

About 4pm I stopped at the paper store where I printed a couple chess openings.  I walked to Exito where I bought a bottle of SPF 60 cream for tomorrow.

I solved puzzles on Chess Magnet School for 30 minutes and was promoted to Knight (#9/21).

I spent most of the day organizing and practicing my chess openings.

T-shirt of the day: Out of all the lies I’ve told, “just kidding” is my favorite.

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Last night I took a 2mg sleeping pill but forgot to take my drops.  I fell asleep relatively quickly, got up only once during the night, finally waking/getting up at 9am.

Teresa’s friend Gloria told her about some new park – Parque de Uva – near El Tesoro but Teresa doesn’t know if they sell food so she’s been trying to get in touch with Gloria.  Btw, “uva” means “grape”.

I took a nap from 10:20 to 11:30.

Gloria finally returned her call and we found out they don’t have food so Teresa called Frisby and placed an order to go.

MT arrived at 12:45pm, the food arrived at 1:00 and Teresa took out a piece of chicken and the cup of potato salad for Laura…who has to stay behind and study.

We stopped in Exito where the ladies bought drinks to go with the chicken.  We quickly caught a taxi who knew how to get to El Tesoro mall but wasn’t familiar with Parque de Uva.  Outside the mall the driver asked a couple different people for directions.  I was correct that it was on the other side of the mall.  I recall construction workers being there for quite some time – maybe the last couple years.  I thought it was just an overlook because all you can see from the road is a small parking area.  The driver dropped us off – 12,000 pesos – and we walked to the first shady spot and Teresa set up a sheet for a blanket. 

We sat down and quickly polished off the chicken and drinks.  We had to reposition the sheet once to stay in the shade.  Vicky, Daniela and her baby, and Laura finally arrived at 4pm.  At one point I was reading my Nook and sat up to switch position a little just in time to see Daniela pop a boob into the baby’s mouth.  Nobody blinked an eye but I quickly laid back down.

I took a walk down the concrete path and was very surprised by how large the park was.  They built a lot of entertainments for children around 2 large water tanks.

The park closes at 6pm so we walked across the street to the mall where the ladies spent some time looking for a wedding dress for Laura.  (There is no restaurant in the park but I noticed a hamburger restaurant a short walk away.)

We stopped in Mimo’s where I treated Teresa, Laura and Daniela to fancy ice cream confections for 29,300 pesos (about $10).

Daniela drove us all back to MT’s apartment (asking for directions a couple times on the way) and Teresa and I walked up the hill to the apt.  We were back by 8:45.

T-shirt of the day: Fart when people hug you.  It makes them feel strong.

Saturday, July 22, 2017

Last night I took my sleeping pill and cannabis drops and went to bed at midnight but it still took at least an hour to fall asleep.  I also got up a couple times during the night.  I woke up at 9am and got up at 9:30.  Hopefully, sleeping in will help compensate for the lack of sleep earlier in the night.

I see Sean Spicer resigned as DT’s press secretary. 

I see via MBE’s website that my second document is “In Transit”.

I spent most of the day practicing my chess openings on chess.com.

At 7pm Teresa and I left to have dinner at Wilson’s bar/restaurant.  Teresa called ahead with our orders – chicken shish kebab for me and chicken breast for Teresa.  Five minutes after arriving Wilson served us our meals.  After I finished eating I walked across the street to Exito where I bought a bottle of liquid hand soap for the bathroom for 8,900 pesos and at a tienda (store) outside I bought a large container of protein powder supplement for 89,000 pesos.

Back at Wilson’s bar the ladies (Teresa, MT, and Martha) were deep in discussion so I read my Nook until the battery died on me.  Teresa ordered a chicken breast to go for Laura.  I paid 76,000 pesos for the 3 meals and MT’s tea. 

Back at the apt Teresa watched some TV program and we went to bed at 11pm.

T-shirt of the day: As long as everything is exactly the way I want it, I’m totally flexible.

Friday, July 21, 2017

Last night I took my sleeping pill and cannabis drops and went to bed at 11:30am but it still took at least an hour to fall asleep.  I woke up at 7am and got up at 8am.

Teresa tells me there will be a mass for Guillermo in Caldas at 3pm.  I said I would go with her.

I watched the first 30 minutes of the Today show and then headed to the gym.  So far it’s a sunny day with just one cloud far off in the distance.  (We’re supposed to have a high today of 84 degrees.)  I saw the adn newspaper girl in her usual spot but I guess she temporarily ran out of newspapers as she was just standing there with empty hands.  The gym was very crowded today but I still completed most of my exercises in an hour and 45 minutes, including 5 minutes at speed 5 on the treadmill.

On my way back to the apt I bought a Q’Hubo newspaper at the regular newsstand but today there was a middle aged woman working there instead of a young man.  Maybe they are under new management.

I see on the MBE website that I have another document being processed in Miami.

Among new US movie releases I would like to see Dunkirk (9.0) which should open here next week.  Locally, there isn’t anything I want to see.

Teresa told me it’s too hot to go to Caldas today so she’s going to ask a priest in Envigado to do a mass for Guillermo.  I don’t know if she means today and/or if that means we’ll actually go to it.

Teresa thought I was very strange as I ate an apple while spreading peanut butter on it.  It’s kind of like a taffy apple.

I solved puzzles on Chess Magnet School for 45 minutes and I am now 40% towards my next promotion to Knight (#9/21).

Teresa left the apt at 8pm to visit with her mother.

I watched a couple more hours of the World Series of Poker.  I’m not really a poker player but I still find it interesting.

T-shirt of the day: Am I getting older or is the supermarket playing great music?

Thursday, July 20, 2017

Today is Colombia’s Independence Day!

Last night I took my sleeping pill and cannabis drops and went to bed at 1:30am but still got up several times during the night.  At 9:30am I was awakened by a cramp in my right calf.  (I guess I’ll be having a banana with my cereal for breakfast.)  I finally got up at 10:30 and Teresa and Laura both got up about the same time.

Well, we’re officially 6 months into the Trump presidency; 1/8 the way through his term.  How’s that working out for you America?

I checked the MBE website and it says that I have a document “In Transit” so I think my chess magazine should be here next week.

At 2:15 it started raining but didn’t last long.

I solved puzzles on Chess Magnet School for 30 minutes and was promoted to Jouster (#8/21).

I still can’t get Rosetta Stone to work right.

I watched some George Clooney movie on Direct TV.

T-shirt of the day: Sometimes I wrestle with my demons.  Other times we just snuggle.

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Last night I took a 2mg sleeping pill and 2 drops of cannabis oil under my tongue.  It took maybe an hour to fall asleep but I only got up once during the night.

I watched the first 30 minutes of the Today show and then left for the gym.  I did almost all my exercises, including 5 minutes at speed 4 on the treadmill in an hour and 45 minutes.

On my way back to the apt I noticed the newspaper stand where I usually buy my Friday Q’Hubo newspaper is back.

I took a nap from 12:30 to 1:30.

I made myself a glass of iced tea and added a few drops of lemon.  Yes, it is lemon!  Yay!  Ah, finally my tea is complete and it’s delicious!

I solved puzzles on Chess Magnet School for 30 minutes and I am now 50% towards my next promotion to Jouster (#8/21).

I started working on Rosetta Stone and right away it gave me the “4118 We’re unable to communicate with the server right now.  Please try again later” error message again.

Teresa told me that her finca neighbor, 63-year old Guillermo, got drunk, fell down in a bus and is in the hospital.  Teresa wanted to call to see how he’s doing but we are all out of minutes.  I dressed and walked down to Gana where I added 50mil to her cell phone and 20mil to mine.  She called the hospital and found out he’s believed to be brain dead. 

At 9:15 Teresa informed me that Vicky was going to pick up Teresa and Laura to take them to the hospital and do I want to go with.  She explained there will be lots of tears and they won’t be back until 2, 3, or 4 in the morning.  They made it sound so attractive I decided to take a pass.

I played some chess on my iPad and cell phone, started watching Django Unchained on Direct TV and finally gave up and went to bed at 1:30am.

I heard the ladies come in about 10 minutes later.

T-shirt of the day: That’s it!  Whoever is in charge of making sure I don’t do stupid shit is fired!

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Last night at 10:30 I took a 2mg sleeping pill and 2 drops of cannabis oil under my tongue.  I slept pretty much through the night waking up briefly when I heard the black Labrador barking his fool head off.  I finally woke/got up at 8am.

Teresa left for the gym and I watched the first hour of the Today show and then took an hour long nap.

I was working on Rosetta Stone when it gave me a “4118 We’re unable to communicate with the server right now.  Please try again later.”  I tried twice more before finally giving up.

I solved puzzles on Chess Magnet School for 30 minutes and was promoted to Herald (#7/21).

After lunch Teresa decided she wanted to delay going to Mayorista until early evening. 

MT came over at 3:30 and left at 6pm.

Teresa and I left the apt at 6:30 and we caught a taxi after a wait of a couple minutes.  Approaching Mayorista from the south I could smell smoke from the fire from the previous week.  As we entered from the north entrance everything appeared normal and I saw no sign of any fire.

I helped Teresa pick up a few things and then I headed to produce where – gasp – I think I found lemons.  Lots of them.  They are yellow, they’re in the right shape for lemons and they’re imported from Chile.  I took one.  I can’t wait to try it with my iced tea.  I also took a can of Euro chile that I thought I would try.

By the time we checked out it was raining outside.  We were back at the apt by 8:30 – as usual it took 2 hours.

It was still raining lightly when we went to bed at 10:30.

T-shirt of the day: I don’t mean to interrupt people.  I just randomly remember things & get really excited.

Monday, July 17, 2017

Last night at 10:30 I took a 2mg sleeping pill and 2 drops of cannabis oil under my tongue.  I slept pretty much through the night waking up briefly about 6am finally being awakened by Teresa at 8:30.

At the gym I saw a woman with an iPod and I asked her where she bought it.  I understood it was a present from her brother in Los Angeles but she said I could buy it here at Monterrey mall.  I did my exercises in 2 hours including 5 minutes on the treadmill at speed 4.  While telling my joke I introduced Ron to Jose and Oscar.

When I came out of the gym it was misting slightly but I still had to make a stop at the grocery store as Teresa asked for a head of lettuce.  I was in line for about 10 minutes in my sweaty workout clothes.

After lunch Teresa and I walked down the hill where we met MT. 

We walked to Avenida Poblado where we all got on a bus.  I was surprised to see the bus had one of those automatic card readers but I paid the 6,000 pesos in cash and MT refunded me 2,000 for her fare.  The bus drove 2 blocks and then turned.  I asked Teresa what was going on as I believe Teresa led us onto a Metro Bus without first checking the destination list on the windshield.  (When Teresa is distracted, talking to her mother for example, she misses things.)  Teresa talked briefly with the driver but I understood we weren’t going to get our money back.  We got off and walked back to the main street where we quickly were on a bus that had Monterrey listed on the window.

Teresa and MT got off a block from Stella Duran and I got off at Monterrey.  I started upstairs where all the stores are electronics and walked systematically around the floor.  I finally found a Mac store but it was only selling laptops.  I did ask at the counter and was told to go downstairs to La Clinica.  Since I was almost finished checking the whole floor anyway I kept on looking.  

Downstairs I finally found La Clinica – both of them – but neither of them had Apple iPods.  I did find regular mp3 players however.

Leaving the mall I noticed a long legged gringa just ahead of me with a large backpack.  She got caught after a traffic light change in the sun in the middle of the crossing while I stayed back in the shade waiting for a new signal change.  When we both got going again we both headed in the same direction although she was increasing her lead.  She did turn down the same street I did so I figured she might be headed to the hostel but she soon crossed the street and walked further on.

I stopped at the Casa Blanca Hostel and had a bottle of water and read some from my Nook but Teresa and MT soon came out. 

After a 5 minute wait of watching already occupied taxis pass us we finally caught one back to the apt.

Teresa went ahead into the building and I stopped at the corner store for milk.  (Better to buy it now then have her ask me later when I’ve already changed into my relaxing clothes.)

I spent the evening reading my email and news on my laptop and reading my Nook.

T-shirt of the day: I can’t go to hell.  Satan has a restraining order against me.

Sunday, July 16, 2017

Last night I took a 2mg sleeping pill, 2 drops of Cannabis oil and went to bed at 10:15.  I was awakened once at 2am by Teresa’s snoring got up once more around 4am, finally waking/getting up at 8:15.  My eyes feel real good.

It’s a mostly sunny day so we’re heading to Santafe de Antioquia – this time without Laura – who has to stay home and study.

MT came over and we left the apt at 9am, walked down the hill, and quickly caught a taxi to Mall Laureles.  We all had hot chocolate or coffee while we waited until 10am for our bus to leave.  There were several other people going so we had a full van but luckily I got to sit shotgun up front.  Here are a few photos I took on the way:

This is the toll booth before entering the 6-mile long tunnel:

We stopped at the usual restaurant – Parador Rancho Alegre - 

Of course there was a soccer game on TV.

where I had calentao and coffee but there was so much rice & beans I couldn’t finish it.

The town square in Santafe is still torn up and it looks like its weeks or months away from being finished.

At the resort – Hosteria de la Plaza Menor - 

Teresa was disappointed to see the secondary pool we usually use was occupied.  She also didn’t want to use the main pool but she did find a corner where she could get some sun.  I told her it’s best not to come on weekends then.

Today I mainly sat in the wifi area playing chess on chess.com on my cell phone.  A couple time I lost games I was winning just because I temporarily lost my internet connection.  Occasionally I would switch and read a little from my Nook book.

I finished Michael Connelly’s Blood Work: Terry McCaleb Series #1 and then downloaded his City of Bones: Harry Bosch Series #8.

We all left just before 7am and I was a little surprised we didn’t stop at the restaurant on the way back.  Maybe we would have got stuck sitting at the tunnel opening again.  It started raining lightly around the time we reached the tunnel.

Back at Mall Laureles Teresa and I shared a Frischuleta from Frisby and we got a FriSnack to go for Laura.

Outside Exito we quickly caught a taxi back to Envigado.

T-shirt of the day: Sarcasm is an art.  If it was a science I would have my PhD.

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Last night I took a 1 mg Isoklon sleeping pill (with minimal water) and 2 drops of cannabis oil 10 minutes before going to bed at 11:15.  I was hoping the former would help me get to sleep and the latter would help keep me asleep.

I fell asleep pretty quickly but I was awakened at 1am by a heavy downpour and again at 3am by a car alarm.  I finally woke/got up at 8:30am.

After my shower I went to the corner store for milk.

After breakfast I walked to the other side of the block where I bought a couple packages of chicken at Tienda D1 so Teresa can make chicken pasta for lunch.

I walked to $efecty where I paid the Une bill for July.  I noticed an arts & crafts flea market in the park.  I stopped at the paper store and had a copy made of our Panini Grill receipt.

Back at the apt I tried getting into Rosetta Stone but I received an “1141 Fatal Application Error” and it says I have to contact Customer Support.

For 30 minutes I solved puzzles on Chess Magnet School and was promoted to Guardian (#6/21).

I checked my tracking info and found my American Chess magazine was arrived yesterday morning in Miami.

Teresa and I left the apt at 3:50, waited 5 minutes for a taxi and were at El Tesoro theater by 4:15.  Today’s movie was in one of their premium theaters so it cost 71,200 (about $24). We went up to their top floor and, for a change, ordered off their menu.  I ordered a medium popcorn and large soda and Teresa ordered BBQ chicken legs and a medium soda for a total of 40,648 (about $14).  We got last aisle center seats and the movie started after only 10 minutes of coming attractions.  There were only 6 other people in the theater with 4 of them on either side of us.  Finally, the waiter brought our food.  Because it was a scary movie the theater was dark most of the time but I still managed to eat one of her chicken legs.  She told me she dropped something so I turned on my Nook and saw she dropped the BBQ sauce on her purse.  I turned it upright and we cleaned off her purse with the napkins they gave us.  The movie, Wish Upon, wasn’t very good which was probably why it was only rated 4.6.

After the movie we stopped at Todo en Arte where we went upstairs for the first time.  While Teresa was deciding which notebooks she wanted to pick up for Laura I took a look around.  I was surprised to find Scotch tape – first time I’ve seen it here in Medellin.  The tape in dispensers was ½” but the refills they had were ¾”.  Go figure!

I paid for 2 notebooks and a box of 48 colored pencils for 94,400 COP with my debit card and they gave me a receipt that showed it cost $32.24 in USD.  That figures out to 2,928 COP per USD.

Teresa found a couple dresses in Zara that cost 119,800 and I paid for it with my debit card.  (Back at the apt I found that I was debited $39.36 which corresponds to 3,044 COP per USD.)  I still haven’t figured out how/when they calculate it one way versus another.

We quickly caught a taxi back to the apt for 10,000 pesos.

The Colombian Peso closed for the week at 3,022 to the US Dollar.

T-shirt of the day: Sometimes I wish I were a nicer person.  But then I just laugh and continue my day.

Colombia Recognizes Civil Union of Three Men - Medellin Living & The Guardian

World First As Colombia Recognizes Civil Union of Three Men

• 

  La Trieja - Victor Hugo Prada, Manuel Bermudez and Alejandro Rodriguez at Pride celebrations in Colombia | Photo: Twitter @comunicadorCiud

• Previous
• Next

Published 3 July 2017

• 1

  
• Comments

 - 

Follow us

As with unions between two persons, all three are equal partners in the relationalship. 

Three Colombian men have had their partnership legally validated in Colombia, and their attorney believes their civil union is not just a Colombian first, but also a global one.

The union was made last month when on June 3 a public notary in Medellin signed the paperwork formalizing the union between Victor Hugo Prada, Manuel Bermudez and Alejandro Rodriguez. As with unions between two persons, all three are equal partners in the relationship. 

RELATED: 

Caracas Pride: The Intersection Between Socialists and LGBTIs

Their lawyer, German Rincon-Perfetti says legally theirs is not a marriage. "By Colombian law a marriage is between two people, so we had to come up with a new word: a special patrimonial union,” he told the Guardian.

Unions of three are typically informal, and in English they are known by the vernacular term "trouple" or as Prada says, a "trieja.”

But theirs is no temporary relationship. “We were already a family before this. The paperwork just formalised it,” he says.

Prada 23, is the newest member of the family. They were four, but Alex Esneider Zabala died of stomach cancer three years ago. His death made his partners realize how important the legal designation would be. Bermudez and Rodriguez had just won the legal battle to be granted Esneider's pension. 

The civil union that allows them to live as a treja gives them legal protection and rights if any partner decides to leave the union, or if a member dies. As Bermudez tells El Universal, they have the right to live as a family and their union is one of love. He also explains that after Esneider died they wanted to make sure that they could die with dignity.

It is important to note that this is the second ground breaking union for Bermudez and Rodriguez. In 2000 they were the first homosexual couple to have their relationship formally recognized in Colombia.

As for Prada, he wants a special ceremony to celebrate his marriage to Bermudez and Rodriguez. He tells the Guardian he wants a female priest to officiate and will have cultural elements in the ceremony to honor his partners, including the member of Esneider.