Sunday, December 30, 2018

I got up once during the night, woke up at 6:30, had trouble falling asleep again, but finally woke/got up at 7:45.

We left the apt at 8:45 and quickly caught a taxi to Mayorista.  As we turned the corner (to the right) to go to the Mayorista entrance, I looked left and at 9:15 on a Sunday morning I saw young ladies standing outside the bars so, yes, I think I’ve found Itagui’s red light district.

Over the next 90 minutes we picked up 534,822 ($169.75) pesos of food, including most of, if not all, the ingredients I need to make oatmeal cookies.  As usual we took an efectivo (cash) car back to the apt.

I received an email from Sara Lodi asking when I was available to talk.  She gave me her telephone number.  I was going to call her using magicJack but Laura wanted us to be able to see each other.  First she downloaded Whatsapp to my laptop but couldn’t figure out how to get video.  She then downloaded Skype and we were able to talk for awhile.  Michael and Sara both participated and we talked about Laura and their au pair position.  I understood Laura will leave for NY on January 21^st but Sara said she’s going to be moving on to Massachusetts on January 23^rd so I guess it will be a shorter orientation than I was originally told.  She said she’s going to give Laura a train ticket for NY to Boston.

I had a spirited conversation with Teresa.  I tried to communicate to her that it’s dangerous to keep to herself the fact that she has breast cancer.  Her family should know if there is a propensity for breast cancer but if they all hide the fact then it’s doing a disservice to the others.  How would you feel if someone in your extended family had cancer and you didn’t know about it and then you got cancer?

Teresa and Laura left about 5pm to take MT shopping in El Tesoro.

The Bears beat the Vikings 24-10 IN Minneapolis.  And to think that Minnesota paid Kirk Cousins $84,000,000 guaranteed for 3 years.  Incredible!  I wonder if they are regretting that decision.

I understand the Bears play in the wild card round next Sunday at 4:40pm against the 9-7 Philadelphia Eagles.  Go Bears!

Teresa and Laura returned at 9:15 and brought me 3 ribs and about 10 fries from some restaurant in La Buena Mesa.

She also brought me the Une bill which is now 92,620 pesos.

My plan for tomorrow was to go to the gym in the morning then go to the bank with Laura after lunch to get my World Remit cash and then pay some bills but she informed me that she has to go downtown tomorrow afternoon to sign some papers so I guess we’ll be going in the morning.

Joke of the day

One Saturday, a duck hunter was on his way home from a long day of hunting. He'd just crossed over the Carlton Bridge when he was pulled over by a Game Warden. The Warden walks up to his car to find the hunter's window rolled down.

"Can I help ya Warden?" He says.

"Well yes you can." The Warden says. "I noticed when I passed you that you were wearin' huntin' attire, and it's my job to inspect any game that you might have. Have you been huntin' today? If you bagged anything, I'll need to see it."

"Well yes sir, I got three ducks today - they're in the trunk." The hunter replied.

The hunter gets out of his car and walks back to the trunk, which he gladly opens. The Game Warden sees three ducks - lined up neatly in the trunk. He picks up one of the ducks and holds it up to the light, looking it over. Then he begins sniffing the duck- like a hound on a scent. Then he takes a finger and rams it up the ducks butt- all the way to the third knuckle. He pulls his finger out and sniffs it. Then he points that finger at the hunter.

"You shot this duck in New Hampshire - I need to see a New Hampshire hunting license- right now." The Warden demanded.

The hunter, who's amazed by this Warden's keen sense of smell pulls out his wallet and fumbles through it for a moment, finally producing the license. The Game Warden looks it over for a second and hands it back to the hunter.

"How in the world did you know where I shot that duck?" The hunter asked, totally baffled by how accurate the Warden's sense of smell is.

"I've been a Game Warden for pretty nigh thirty-five years. You just get to know these things after awhile." The Warden replied.

He picked up the second duck and went through the same routine - first the sniffing - then the finger up the duck's butt. "You shot this one in Massachusetts din'cha? You sure do get around - now I need to see a Massachusetts license or you'll be in big trouble Chum!" The Warden said, thinking he had him this time for sure.

The hunter, who by this time was totally in awe of this 'talent' that the Warden was displaying, reached for his wallet yet again - producing the requested license. "I can't believe it!" The hunter said, nearly falling on the ground in disbelief. "How did you know where I shot that duck?" "I told ya, it's many years of experience, I can tell by the smell." The Warden replied as he inspected the Massachusetts license. "So far, you're ok - but let's check out this last duck."

The Warden went through his routine yet again and put the final duck back into the trunk. At which time he turned to the hunter who was still aghast with disbelief. "All right," the Warden says, "you shot this one here in Maine, din'cha" He queried. "I'll need a Maine huntin' license right now - or you're gonna get written up." The flabbergasted hunter pulled out his wallet again, this time a little annoyed with the Warden, and produced his Maine hunting license.

The Warden looked it over carefully and handed it back to the hunter. "Well," the Warden says, "it looks as though everything's in order. You're free to go."

The Warden walks back to his truck - but just before he got in, he turns back to the hunter, who's still standing next to his car - not believing what had just happened. "Wait a minute!" The Warden hollered. "I know you've been huntin' all over New England today- but where in the hell are you from anyway?" The hunter turned around, bent over, dropped his trousers, spreading his cheeks for the Game Warden to see. "You're so friggin' smart- you tell me."

Saturday, December 29, 2018

When I went to bed at 11pm last night it was with the understanding that we would go to Euro early this morning.

I got up twice during the night, finally waking/getting up at 7:30.

Because I thought we were going to Euro I took my shower, with the possibility I might be going to the gym afterwards since I didn’t go yesterday.   (When I go to the gym I shower after my workout.)  I was getting myself a bowl of cereal so we could leave quickly when Teresa started her “let’s go early tomorrow because there’s going to be too many people there this morning” routine.  

Procrastinator! 

After breakfast I took a nap from 9:30 to 10:45.

Before lunch I went next door and picked up a few things from Exito.

Teresa used my laptop to do some more breast cancer searches.  You would think that “negative” would always be something good but she found something that is “triple negative” and I understand it is a rarer and more serious form of cancer.  I googled and found “Triple-negative breast cancer is cancer that tests negative for estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and excess HER2 protein.

These results mean the growth of the cancer is not fueled by the hormones estrogen and progesterone, or by the HER2 protein. So, triple-negative breast cancer does not respond to hormonal therapy medicines or medicines that target HER2 protein receptors. Still, other medicines are used to successfully treat triple-negative breast cancer.

About 10-20% of breast cancers are triple-negative breast cancers. For doctors and researchers, there is intense interest in finding new medications that can treat this kind of breast cancer. Studies are trying to find out whether certain medications can interfere with the processes that cause triple-negative breast cancer to grow.”

I’m trying to convince Teresa to let me attempt to make oatmeal cookies.  First I’m trying to get an inventory of what ingredients we have in the kitchen so if anything is missing I can pick it up tomorrow at Euro.

She tells me that we’ll check my list in Euro tomorrow.  I guess I’ll just start picking things up and when I start to put it in the cart she’ll tell me if we already have it.

Esmeralda arrived about 6:30.  I think Teresa served her the chocolate cake we were going to give to a street person.

Esmeralda left about 7:45 and at 8:15 Teresa called Go Wings and placed the same order for chicken wings that we had last Sunday.  I texted Laura and she’s waiting for the metro so she might arrive at about the same time as the wings.  (She asked me how many we ordered and I said 39 for us and 1 for her.  She sent me back emojis of eyes wide open followed by several crying.  Lol.)

Laura came back just after 9pm and she dived into the chicken wings.  I guess they come in 3 flavors so Teresa ordered 10 of each flavor but I like the BBQ best.  Laura announced that she’s done working.  Yay, for her!

I watched an episode of Breaking Bad.  I know, it’s been months since I’ve seen one.

Joke of the day

A Jewish woman says to her mother, 'I'm divorcing Sheldon!  All he wants is anal sex and my asshole is now the size of a 50 cent piece when it used to be the size of a 5 cent piece.'

Mother says 'You're married to a  multi-millionaire, you live in an 8 bedroom mansion,  you drive a Ferrari, you get $1000 a week allowance, you take 6 vacations a year - and you want to throw all that away for 45 cents?’

Friday, December 28, 2018

Last night I went to bed at 11pm, quickly fell asleep, got up once during the night, again about 6:15, finally getting up at 7:30.

I had just started watching the Today show when Teresa asked me to put on my headphones.  I asked “why?” thinking she was listening to Youtube videos on her cellphone.  She said because she’s got a pain.  I asked her “where’s your pain?” thinking she would say she has a headache.  She said in her breast.  I started laughing, “you have a pain in your breast because the TV volume is too loud?” and she and Laura started laughing also.

Among new US movie releases I would like to see On the Basis of Sex (5.1) and Stan & Ollie (7.2).

Locally, there isn’t anything I want to see but coming soon is Papillon (7.1) and Jennifer Lopez in Second Act (5.9).

We left the apt at 1:30 for Teresa’s 2:30 appointment with Dr. Raul Marques, the plastic surgeon.  We were in the waiting room by 1:45 and in his office at 2:30.

He gave her a physical inspection and reported that everything looks good.  Teresa told me later that he said if she had waited 2 years without treatment she would be dead.  Our next appointment is January 11^th at 2pm.

We took a taxi to Santafe mall.  Teresa checked out Zara but soon returned and informed me that everything is black, and ugly.

We went upstairs to J&C Delicious for a late lunch.  I had my usual pasta and she her usual surf & turf.  At the next table were seated about a dozen adults and kids and the young boy closest to us had on a t-shirt with “Chicago” on the front.  Later on the back I saw “Navy Pier”.  The total with juices, tip and tax was 58,126 ($17.50).

We went down a couple levels where next to Starbucks we found some couches and we crashed for about an hour.

We went into Falabella where Teresa bought some Estee Lauder skin cleaner for 120,900 ($36.75).

Downstairs, after a short wait, we caught a taxi back to the apt.

I watched pieces of a couple movies on Direct TV.

Laura returned at 9pm and proclaimed she’s starving.  I had recently had a bowl of cereal to tide me over until tomorrow but I went with her to La Buena Mesa.  Most of the restaurants were full but at the Peruvian restaurant she ordered something to go.  There were a few gringos sitting at a nearby table so I went over and asked one of them how his steak was.  He said it was very good but didn’t continue the conversation so I left and we sat down to wait for Laura’s order.

Back at the apt she finished it and said it was delicious.

Joke of the day

In a small town, an elderly couple had been dating each other for a long time. At the urging of their friends, they decided it was finally time for marriage. Before the wedding, they went out to dinner and had a long conversation regarding how their marriage might work. They discussed finances, living arrangements and so on. Finally, the old gentleman decided it was time to broach the subject of their physical relationship. "How do you feel about sex?" he asked, rather trustingly.
 "Well," she said, responding very carefully, "I'd have to say... I would like it infrequently."

The old gentleman sat quietly for a moment, then over his glasses he looked her in the eye and casually asked...  "Is that one word or two?”

Thursday, December 27, 2018

I slept well last night, waking at 6am and getting up at 7:15.

After I finished my granola breakfast we were all out of milk.  Teresa called Exito next door and in 5 minutes a young guy brought 2 bags of milk for a service charge of 1,000 pesos (30 cents).  That service is called Domicilios and is common throughout Medellin.

We left the apt at 9:15 for Teresa’s 10:20 doctor’s appointment.  As we drove past San Lucas Plaza I noticed the Chicago’s pizza restaurant sign has now been replaced by a Tostao (coffee) sign.

We arrived at the doctor’s office at 9:35.  At 10:35 we were allowed inside.

Teresa’s drainage counts are down from 50cc to 25cc and the doctor removed her catheter.  Yay!

According to Dr. Andres Ossa, Teresa had 3 tumors on the side of her breast as expected.  The calcifications were also tumors but of a different type.  Unexpectedly there was also a tumor under her nipple.  The mastectomy the doctor performed removed all the cancer.  He also removed 3 lymph nodes and they tested negative so he didn’t have to remove any more.  No radiation therapy is required but we are waiting on the January 15^th lab results to determine if she needs chemotherapy.

I brought up the subject of the additional hospital charge and the doctor said yes I incurred the additional amount.  He explained why but I don’t recall if it was extra instruments, or extra time, extra tests or what.

As we were leaving, a mother and grandmother went inside.  I felt like saying “good luck” but I didn’t.  We made our next appointment for Wednesday, January 16^th.

We went to a quiet out of the way area in the mall where we had breakfast at a café called Santa Leña.  (Next door was a Tostao café in the rear of a Bancolombia.  Teresa talked to a worker at the door and the best I could figure out is that there is a café inside the bank for the use of their waiting customers.)  We had 4 lattes and 2 scrambled egg plates with tasty bread on the side for a total of 51,789 or $17.

After breakfast Teresa went shopping inside Zara and I waited outside checking my cellphone and reading my October Reader’s Digest.

She came out at 1:30 and told me she’s talking to another woman who also has breast cancer.  I told her not to worry that I was okay and she could continue talking to her.  She went back into Zara.

She came out 20 minutes later with Catalina, the same lady I saw entering the doctor’s office after us, and her mother.

We went into the interior of the mall where I had another coffee and the ladies had juice.  At one point I excused myself for a trip to the restroom.  You would think an upscale mall like this would have toilet seats, but no.

Later, back at the table, it occurred to me that I only have about 30,000+ pesos in cash and I was getting nervous I wouldn’t have enough to pay for our drinks plus the taxi ride home.  I excused myself again and withdrew 600,000 pesos from an ATH Banco de Bogota ATM for a 13,200 peso ATM fee.

I noticed a woman with a small white dog and I wondered if it was a small Samoyed.  I asked her what type of dog it was and she said a 5-month-old Pomeranian. 

I later learned that the 42-year-old Catalina had a double mastectomy and also has multiple sclerosis.  Yikes!  That nice lady has been through a lot.

When it came time to leave we learned that she lives in Envigado and she gave us a ride back in her newer model Chevy with A/C.

Teresa informed me that she has another doctor’s appointment at 12:30 tomorrow – this time with the plastic surgeon who did the breast reconstruction.

Since we only had drinks in El Tesoro I asked her if she was ready for some lunch.  She said we don’t have anything here and she wasn’t hungry so she told me to go out on my own.

I walked to the mall and took the gym shortcut to the elevator through the garage.

I walked around Calle Bistro (the restaurant area) awhile and then settled on Best Burger.  I had a classic burger (without fries) and a Coke while watching some golf tournament on TV.

I took my time and when I arrived back at the apt I found Teresa standing in the hallway talking to the neighbor across from us.  She said she went to throw some garbage down the chute and the wind blew our front door closed and she was locked out.  I told her I’d buy her one of those door jamb thingies.

Later in the evening Teresa ordered fried chicken from Frisby.  Included was a free pan of chocolate cake.  Teresa was going to throw it away – too sweet.  I told her no we’ll give it to some poor person.

About 9:30 Teresa pointed out a street person outside Exito.  She told me to give him the cake but by the time I got my shoes on he was gone.  I should have whistled first, got his attention and signaled for him to wait.

We discussed tomorrow morning and decided I would skip gym because timing would be too tight with gym, lunch, and leaving for the doctor’s appointment.

Joke of the day

A woman visited her plastic surgeon who told her about a new procedure called 'The Knob,' where a small knob is placed at the top of the woman's head and could be turned to tighten up her skin and produce the effect of a brand new face-lift.
 
Of course, the woman wanted 'The Knob.'
 
Over the course of the years, the woman tightened the knob, and the effects were wonderful, the woman remained young looking and vibrant.
 
After fifteen years, the woman returned to the surgeon with two problems. 'All these years, everything has been working just fine. I've had to turn the knob many times and I've always loved the results. But now I've developed two annoying problems: First, I have these terrible bags under my eyes and the knob won't get rid of them.' 

The doctor looked at her closely and said, 'Those aren't bags, those are your breasts.'
 
She said, 'Well, I guess there's no point in asking about the beard.'

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Last night I went to bed at 11pm and didn’t wake up until 7am (car horn) finally getting up at 7:30.  Finally a full night’s sleep!

Teresa told me she’s going to sleep in a bit as she didn’t fall asleep until 3:30am so I made myself a bowl of cereal.

I left the apt at 9:15 and at the gym I completed all my exercises in an hour and 45 minutes.

Ervin, the German that I met in Home Center last month, finally found my business card and called me.  He and his wife Dora live in Sabaneta and he invited me to meet him for coffee next time I’m in the area.

Back at the apt Teresa informed me she’s going to Zara in Santafe and I should find my own way for lunch.  I met Chuck at Bartolos at 12:45.  We had coffee followed by the menu of the day.  Then we moved to the bakery for another coffee.  His friend Mickey joined us after awhile.

Mickey left, Chuck went to the park and I walked down to the RE agency where I paid 6,864 pesos for the remainder of the utility bill from the old apt and 85,643 pesos for my portion of the new.

I returned to the apt by 4:30 but Teresa didn’t return until 6pm.

Laura returned at 8:30.

I watched some misc. TV programs in the evening.

Joke of the day

A little boy and a little girl attended the same school and became friends.
Every day they would sit together to eat their lunch. They discovered that they both brought chicken sandwiches every day! This went on all through the fourth and fifth grades, until one day he noticed that her sandwich wasn't a chicken sandwich.
He said, "Hey, how come you're not eating chicken, don't you like it anymore?"
She said "I love it but I have to stop eating it."

"Why?" he asked.
She pointed to her lap and said "Cause I'm starting to grow little feathers down there!"
"Let me see" he said.
"Okay" and she pulled up her skirt.
He looked and said, "That's right. You are!  Better not eat any more chicken."
He kept eating his chicken sandwiches until one day he brought peanut butter. He said to the little girl, "I have to stop eating chicken sandwiches, I'm starting to get feathers down there too!" She asked if she could look, so he pulled down his pants for her!

She said, "Oh, my God, it's too late for you! You've already got the NECK and GIZZARDS!!!

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Merry Christmas!

Last night I went to bed at 11:15 and thankfully fell asleep quickly.  But I woke up at 4:15 and then I heard firecrackers EVERY minute until 5:30.  I finally fell asleep and woke up at 6:30.  I got up at 9am and I had no hot water in the shower.  I had a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast and soon went back to bed.  I got up at noon and took a warm shower.  (Yeah I realize my timing is off but I was in and out of bed all morning.)

Btw, when I got up at 9am Laura was just going to bed.

I played some Christmas Carols I have on iTunes.

About 6pm Teresa informs me that she and Laura are going to Zara in Santafe mall to look for a blouse she can wear to her doctor’s appointment on Thursday.

I thought about it for a few minutes and then decided to go with them.  I changed clothes and while waiting for them Teresa starts wondering out loud if Zara is even open.  I said, well it is Christmas Day.

I turned my laptop back on and googled “Zara Santafe Medellin” and it gave me their regular hours but it also said “Christmas Day hours may differ”.  A lot of help that was.

They decided not to go to Santafe after all.

Well, I’m dressed so let’s go somewhere.  I suggested frozen yogurt at Percimon.  Teresa just wanted something small like empanadas but Laura didn’t want to walk 20 minutes to downtown Envigado to get them. They mentioned Otra Parte but I couldn’t imagine it being open but suggested we walk there as it’s only 5 minutes away and if it’s closed we just make a loop to La Buena Mesa and see what restaurants, if any, are open.

After they couldn’t make a decision, I said to Laura “let’s go to Percimon”.  If Teresa wants to go with us she’ll join us.

Finally, we all left about 7pm and we walked up to La Buena Mesa.  It looked like all the restaurants were closed but up ahead we saw lights near the corner where Percimon is located.  It turned out it was open and also one lone restaurant – Barbacoa.  It was pretty busy but we got one of the last tables in the back.  As we sat down I heard Queen’s Someone to Love.  Laura and I ordered burgers, fries and Cokes and Teresa some type of chicken.  Laura also ordered an appetizer of onion rings to share.

I looked at the wall next to us and saw a Queen Live Magic poster.  Later we heard Queen’s song Under Pressure.

The total bill with tip was 105,982 or about $32.

Back at the apt I connected my laptop to the TV and we all watched Netflix’s new movie Bird Box starring Sandra Bullock.

Joke of the day

I rear ended a car this morning...the driver got out of the other car, and he was a DWARF!!
He looked up at me and said "I am NOT happy!"
So I said, "Well, which one ARE you then?"
That's when the fight started.

Monday, December 24, 2018

Last night I went to bed just before 11pm.  I heard fireworks for about 5 minutes then quickly fell asleep.  I woke up about 5:30 from more fireworks, repeated again at 6:30 with the additional sound of truck brakes – probably backing in next door at Exito.  I finally woke up at 8:15 recalling a crazy dream, a twist on my usual university dream:

First, I left work early but only remember asking myself if “he” remembered to pay for our coffee.  Then I’m in a dorm room with a post with padlocks on it and I’m trying to match a number I have to one of the padlocks but I don’t find a match.  I walk down the hall and enter the last room.  I sit down next to some guys and I start telling them about my typical univ dream.  (So this is a dream within a dream?)  I ask them what school this is and I’m told the Universtity of Northern Virginia.  I look around and find my shoes and socks.  Then I’m in a car with them – several guys.  I’m thinking I need to start heading back home.  They pull up to a house and I count about a dozen girls inside I can see through the picture window.  Next thing I know we’re inside and one of the guys presents an “art sculpture” made from chocolate donuts.  Then I wake up.  Weird, huh?

I watched the first 20 minutes of the Today show and then left the apt with Laura.  She went a block away to catch her bus and I walked to the mall. 

I was switching machines when a ---- walked in front of me.  What was that?  I have no idea if it was a man for a woman.  I am clueless as to which pronoun to use – he or she, thus “----“.   ---- had large muscles like a man that no woman could get without taking steroids, but ---- had a short black haircut, earrings, lipstick and most importantly boobs.  Is this a person in transition?  If so, which direction is ---- going?

At one point I noticed a man with tattoos that were nothing but a single dark line running up the back of his arms and the outside of his legs.  What is that about?

My fat fingers brought up the local forecast on my cellphone and if it’s correct we will have a high of 82 tomorrow – another non-white Christmas.  Sigh!

I was on the treadmill when I decided to try running without holding onto the supports.  Then I wondered if I could continue running while looking up at the TV and I did.  Then I wondered if I could run with my eyes closed and I soon activated the emergency stop because I was running too slow.  Lol.

According to my app Cine Colombia is closed today but open Christmas!  Interesting.

After a late lunch I left the apt at 3pm, walked to the corner and soon was on a Metro bus.  At Ayura station as I was walking deeper into the station a train arrived.  I got off at Aguacatala station and incredibly it was only 3:10.  Across the street I caught a Circular Sur 303 bus and got off at Avenida 80 and Avenida 70.

I walked across the street to Pricesmart.  I picked up the almond milk Teresa wanted and a package of walnuts that I wanted.  They didn’t have carrot cake, English muffins or the apple pastry that Teresa likes so I bought a package of Biscotti cookies.

Downstairs I had to wait about 15 minutes in a short line for a taxi.  When I got in the driver had the A/C on and I said in English, “Air conditioning, I feel like a king” and he laughed.

I was back at the apt by 4:15 for 12,000 pesos.

Teresa asked me to go to Aymará for a few pastries but changed her mind when she saw the Biscotti cookies.  I went out for coffee anyway in La Buena Mesa.  The first café was already closed, the 2^nd was too busy but the 3^rd, Cocolatte, was open – they said for another 30 minutes.  I ordered a small Cappuccino and soon I heard Queen’s I Want to Break Free on their radio.  I noticed a portion of carrot cake in their display case so I ordered 3 slices to go.  

Including the coffee and tip the total came to 28,100 pesos ($9.25).

I was back at the apt by 5:15 where I found Teresa taking a nap.

If I understand correctly, for the Bears not to have to play the Minnesota Vikings twice in a row they have to beat them on Sunday and hope the Eagles also win.

A couple times in the evening someone set off some serious professional fireworks.

I finally went to bed at 11:15.

Joke of the day

I just read an article on the dangers of drinking....          

Scared the shit out of me!     

So that's it!

After today, no more reading.

Sunday, December 23, 2018

Last night as I climbed into bed I heard a lot of shouting outside.  It sounded far away so it must have been quite loud.  I was about to give up getting to sleep and get up and read a bit but I guess I finally fell asleep.

I had a typical night’s sleep finally getting up at 8am.

Strangely, Teresa hadn’t gotten up yet.  She almost always gets up before me.

I had a bowl of granola and left the apt just after 9am with Laura.  She showed me where she catches the bus to the Ayurá metro station and it arrived only 5 minutes later.

I went for a Ciclovia walk.  Today I crossed to the other side of Avenida Poblado and walked east a bit.  My highlights for today were: I met a man who has visited Chicago and I saw a red squirrel.

When I returned to the apt Teresa was up and told me she had an awful night.  She couldn’t fall asleep because of the noise so she got up and took one of the sleeping pills the doctor prescribed for her.  Finally she started nodding off and she went to bed.

If the Cardinals beat the Rams today (not bloody likely) that would give the Bears (assuming they win their last 2 regular season games) the #2 seed in the NFC.

I watched NFL Redzone on Direct TV until the Bears game started at 4pm.

The Rams defeated the Cardinals 31-9.

The Bears outlasted the 49ers 14-9.

The Steelers came “this close” to beating the Saints but they lost, leaving the Bears with the 3^rd seed in the NFC.

Teresa ordered chicken wings from a place in Envigado called GO Wings.  For 52mil ($17) we got 30 BBQ chicken wings (delicious), a large package of fries and a 1.5 liter bottle of Coke – delivered.

Just before going to bed I read that the Bears vs Vikings game next Sunday has been flexed to the afternoon, about 4:25.  That’s better for me as I can have lunch about 1pm and then consume the last of my peanuts starting at 4:25.

Joke of the day

My grandmother died in 1975, but her birthday is coming up, and that always causes me to reminisce. The long walks we used to take to the store on Brunswick Street, the quarters she gave me for meaningless jobs like pulling weeds or washing the sidewalk... Those gems were all good, but the one I remember most, the jewel in the crown of grandmotherly advice, occurred when I was only about 10.

We were sitting in a park having just finished collecting some 40 soda bottles for the deposit money on a beautiful spring day. She told me that one day, I would find a wonderful woman and start my own family.

"And remember always this thing," she said. "Be sure you marry a woman with small hands."

"How come, Grandma?" I asked her.   She answered in her soft voice…

"Makes your dick look bigger."

Saturday, December 22, 2018

I got up once during the night, again at 6:30 finally waking/getting up at 8am.

I left the apt at 9:45 and walked up to Avenida Poblado where I soon was on an Envigado bus.  It was a cool overcast morning with what appeared to be at least a slight chance of rain.

At one red light there was a young man who did a tight rope act on the side of the road.  He started by bouncing on his feet, landed on his stomach, bounced and landed on his stomach facing in the opposite direction, bounced and landed on his feet and later landed a perfect flip dismount.  It was pretty impressive so I gave him 1,000 pesos and several others on the bus also gave him change.

At Envios Market I picked up my new SS benefits letter.  Next year we get a 2.8% COLA which always helps.

Outside I caught a Sabaneta bus and got off at Calle 39 Sur in Envigado.  I walked a block east to the bakery where I had a café con leche.  I wasn’t getting a strong internet connection but I had my Nook with me and I finished reading Ken Follett’s Jackdaws.  (Later I checked IMDB and found that there is a TV movie adaptation “in development”.)

I stopped at the health store where I bought 3 bottles of different supplements for 76,800 pesos.

I walked back to the apt arriving at 11:30.

I left the apt again at 12:15 and met Chuck outside Percimon.  We walked a block away to the restaurant that Teresa and I have frequented where we had the menu of the day.

After lunch I showed him the 2 cafes I had found on one of the side streets.  At one of them (Cocolatte) we met a young man and woman who informed us that this café has great homemade carrot cake.  Unfortunately they hadn’t made it yet, and they didn’t have much else, so we left.  I found another café on the way that I hadn’t noticed before but we didn’t stop.

We walked to Aymará where we each had coffee and cookies.  Unfortunately, my oatmeal cookie was so dry I had to dunk it to be able to eat it.

From there we walked downtown.  On the way Chuck dragged me into a t-shirt store where he wanted to show me something special.  He didn’t find exactly what he was looking for but we found a lot of t-shirts that had English words but made no sense or were misspelled.  My favorite was “Sometime have Wild Thing You Make my Hear Sign (sic)”.

We stopped at the bakery where we had more coffee.

We then went to Bartolos for limonada de cocos where we were soon joined by Byron.  We chatted for quite a while until I left about 4:30.

Back at the apt I watched some NFL football.

I noticed Teresa watching more Queen or Freddy Mercury videos on Youtube so I connected my laptop to the TV (and it’s much better quality speakers) and played the 3 Queen songs I have on iTunes.  Then I played an hour of Christmas songs.

Laura returned at 9:30.  I understand she’s working at the store through December 31^st.

I watched some of the Chargers vs Ravens game before going to bed.

Joke of the day

John woke up after the annual office new year party with a pounding headache, cotton-mouthed and utterly unable to recall the events of the preceding evening. After a trip to the bathroom, he made his way downstairs, where his wife put some coffee in front of him.

'Louise,' he moaned, 'tell me what happened last night. Was it as bad as I think?'

'Even worse,' she said, her voice oozing scorn. 'You made a complete ass of yourself. You succeeded in antagonizing the entire board of directors, and you insulted the president of the company, right to his face.'

'He's an idiot,' John said. 'Piss on him.'

'You did', came the reply. 'And he fired you.'

'Well, screw him!' said John.

'I did. You're back to work on Monday.'

Friday, December 21, 2018

I slept pretty well only getting up once during the night.

I left the apt at 9:30 and walked to the gym.  I completed most of my exercises.  My hamstrings are feeling much better; I think the extra rest probably helped a lot.  I left the gym about 11:15.

After lunch we left the apt about 1:15 for Teresa’s 2:40 appointment with the oncologist.  We were finally taken at 3:20.  

What I understood is: Teresa’s doing well, no signs of infection, she still needs to keep the catheter in, her cancer was stage 1, no sign of cancer in her lymph nodes, we have to return next Thursday so the doctor can check her drainage and we’ll know more about whether she needs chemo or radiation therapy when some tests (marker?) come back around January 15.

We had something to eat at J & C Delicias.  Surprise, we had about 20 minutes of rain which temporarily cooled things off considerably.

There was a long line waiting for taxis.  In line was the mayor of Medellin (you’d think he’d have a car) and a few people had their photos taken with him.  An hour and 5 minutes later it was our turn and we took a taxi back to the apt through heavy traffic.

Some apartment nearby is playing music loud enough for everyone to hear.  Imagine if every apt did that, especially if it was not synchronized.

I received an email from Envios Market that I have a document available for pickup.  I’ll probably pick it up tomorrow if I can get there early as I’m meeting Chuck for lunch at 12:30.

Among new US movie releases I would like to see They Shall Not Grow Old (8.6) and Teresa will probably want to see Second Act (5.8) starring Jennifer Lopez.

Locally, there isn’t anything I want to see.

Teresa says she’s going to Santafe mall with her mother tomorrow.

I watched the middle 45-minutes of 40-Year Old Virgin on Direct TV before going to bed at 10:45.

Joke of the day

True Story: Winston Churchill rescued the honor of the Allies at a meeting with Stalin in Teheran.

Stalin wanted to throw a psychological scare into the Americans, so he said to Roosevelt in private, “Our greatest need to keep the morale of our fighting men high is rubbers.  We just don’t have any.”

Roosevelt told him “We’ll send you five hundred thousand.  What size?”

Without blinking, Stalin said, “Sixteen inches long.  Our standard size.”

Roosevelt confided that night to Churchill that Stalin was throwin’ darts, but good old Churchill never blinked an eye.

“Make ‘em up and send ‘em.  But stamp each one, in English and Russian, Texas medium.”

Thursday, December 20, 2018

Last night I fell asleep rather quickly, got up once during the night, again at 7:15, finally getting up at 7:45.

Teresa asked me to drop off the latest utility bill at the RE agency and she gave me 7mil which I understand is the additional utility payment for our last apt.

I left the apt at 9:30 and dropped off the bill and 7mil with Lani.  At the mall I had a café con leche at Habia Una Vez.  I think the waitress remembered me from prior visits so she gave me 1 artificial sweetener instead of real sugar.  (Usually they give you at least 1 of each.)  I went to the cashier and got it exchanged.  (In Colombia you usually get immediate service when you arrive and then after they bring your order you seldom see the waiter again unless you track them down.)

I bought a pastel de arequipe to go that Teresa had asked for.

I went next door to Exito, found a small basket and as soon as I put a head of lettuce in it I remember I didn’t have enough cash.  Yes, I had my debit card with me but I wanted to get cash anyway.  I found the right ATM but after 2 tries it still told me it didn’t have enough cash.  I went back inside the mall and upstairs to the banking area where I soon withdrew the 780mil that I wanted.

Back in Exito I picked up a head of lettuce, a package of napkins, a bottle of PAM, and a package of granola.  After I completed my purchase the bagger said “Merry Christmas” in English.

Back at the apt complex the guard gave me 80mil for December’s parking rental.  The elevator arrived and a man and his son, dressed for going to or from the pool, just stood there.  I asked if they were going down and he said yes.  I said I think this is the last floor (basement level 1).  I asked if he wanted primer piso (1^st floor) and he switched to English.  Something about they are from England and are returning in January or vice versa.

Wow, I see Bohemian Rhapsody is still playing at local theaters.

Teresa tells me she talked to someone from Clinica Las Americas and I owe them another 541,132 pesos.  She says she’s going to talk to the doctor first.  (We do have an appointment for tomorrow.) 

 She also said something about me going with Esmeralda because I wouldn’t understand anything.  To be continued…

Chuck called me.  He finally got his iPhone fixed at Monterrey.  His friend returned to the US and his wife Darnelly flew to Cali to spend Christmas with her family.  I told him I might be able to meet him on Saturday.

Teresa seems to be enthralled with Queen and Freddy Mercury’s music.  She’s been listening to a lot of his Youtube recordings.  I told her that Bohemian Rhapsody is still playing in Medellin and she said she wants to see it again.

We were watching the Yo Me Llamo TV show and one of the contestants pretended to be Freddy Mercury and he played Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.  It was nice to hear the music but he didn’t do that great of a job immitating Freddy Mercury.

Joke of the day

An elderly Italian man who lived on the outskirts of Rimini, Italy, went to the local church for confession in 1960.  When the priest slid open the panel in the confessional, the man said, "Father, during World War II, a beautiful Jewish woman from our neighborhood knocked urgently on my door and asked me to hide her from the Nazis.   So I hid her in my attic." 

The priest replied, "That was a wonderful thing you did, and you have no need to confess that." 

"There is more to tell, Father. She started to repay me with sexual
favors. This happened several times a week, and sometimes twice on Sundays." 

The priest said, "That was a long time ago and by doing what you did, you placed the two of you in great danger, but two people under those circumstances can easily succumb to the weakness of the flesh.  However, if you are truly sorry for your actions, you are indeed forgiven." 

"Thank you, Father.  That is a great load off my mind. I do have one more question." 

"And what is that?" asked the priest. 

"Should I tell her the war is over?''