Monday, December 30, 2019

Last night I took half a Zopiclona, went to bed at 10:45, got up twice during the night, finally waking/getting up at 7am.

I left the apt at 9:30 and at the gym I completed my exercises in an hour and 15 minutes.

Back at the apt Teresa had already left for her gym classes.

I left again at 12:15 and met Chuck in La Buena Mesa.  Bret walked by and we exchanged hellos.  We decided to have lunch at Na Pizza.  We chatted with the owner and Rebecca, the waitress, while Chuck had pizza and I had pasta.  Jerry stopped by and sat with us for awhile and we got caught up on a few things.  He left and we went nextdoor for coffee at Parva.

I was back at the apt by 3:30.

Teresa returned at 4:30 and told me the veterinarian wants to rent the finca for a year, followed most likely by another year and she might even be interested in buying it in the future.

At 8:45 it started raining pretty hard; good thing we didn’t go out tonight.  It stopped about an hour later but by the time we went to bed it was raining lightly again.

I finished watching Mindhunter on Netflix and looked at some trailers trying to find something to watch next.

Jose called and explained that he couldn’t meet for chess tomorrow.  He answered my email a few days ago but I guess I missed it.

Tomorrow we’re going early again to Pricesmart to buy another Butterball turkey breast.

6,214 steps.

Joke of the day

This aging lady decides it would be better for her confidence if she spruces herself up a bit, so she listens rapt with wonder when she hears about a wonderful new product “guaranteed” to restore her face to its former pristine beauty. 

Depressed by the telltale signs of aging, shewent out and bought a new line of expensive cosmetics “guaranteed” to make her look years younger.

After a lengthy session before her mirror, applying the “miracle” products, she asked her husband: “Darling, honestly, if you didn’t know me, what age would you say I am?”

Looking her over carefully, the husband replied: Judging from your skin: 20, your hair: 18, and your figure, 25.

“Oh! You charmer, she gushed.”

Just as she was about to tell her husband his reward, he interrupted her by exclaiming: “Whoa! Hold on there sweetie, I haven’t added them up yet.”

Sunday, December 29, 2019

Last night I took half a Zopiclona, went to bed just after 11pm, woke up, but didn’t get up, a couple times during the night, finally waking/getting up at 6:30.

I left the apt at 8am and walked to Avenida Poblado.  I had an unusually long wait for a bus, about 15 minutes.

I got off at Calle 7 and walked up the hill to Ganso & Castor Café where I found Glenn and James having coffee.  We had breakfast and chatted until about 10:30.  We paid the bill and walked the few blocks to Café Pergamino where we had another coffee and chatted for another hour.  We stopped across the street at Celestino Hotel Botanico where Glenn inquired about rooms that start at 200mil.  They had an interesting breakfast menu that we might try.

At 11:30 we walked outside and quickly caught a taxi but going down Calle 10A his car died.  We got out and caught another taxi back to Envigado where I got out and they continued on to Sabaneta.

At Exito I picked up 2 bags of milk and a bag of Fab laundry detergent.

I watched the Bears beat the Minnesota Vikings 21-19 but at 3:30 two things happened simultaneously: 1) A rainstorm came through that lasted about an hour.  2) I knocked the TV control off the back of the couch and it hit the router plug knocking it out.  I plugged it back in and soon had internet again but I lost the game as my Slingbox connection was lost and it took a while to recover my Direct TV connection.

Teresa told me she’s meeting some friends tomorrow for lunch at La Casita Parilla so I made plans to meet Chuck for lunch.

I watched a couple more episodes of Mindhunter on Netflix.

5,142 steps.

Joke of the day

An old man in his mid-eighties struggles to get up from the couch, then starts putting on his coat.

His wife, observing his odd behavior, asks, “Where are you going?”

He replies, “I’m going to the doctor.”

She says, “Why, are you sick?”

He says, “Nope, I’m going to get some Viagra.”

Immediately the wife starts positioning herself to get out of her rocker and begins putting her coat on.

He asks, “Where the hell are you going?”

She answers, “I’m going to the doctor too.”

He says, “Why, what do you need?”

She says, “If you’re going to start using that rusty old thing, I’m getting a tetanus shot.”

Saturday, December 28, 2019

Last night I took half a Zopiclona and went to bed at 11pm but I still got up 3 times during the night.  Sigh!  Obviously I have yet to find the perfect combination.

Teresa told me that today in Colombia it’s the equivalent of April Fools Day in the US.

I left the apt at 8:30 and walked to Carbon de Leña where I had my usual breakfast.  I had some chess notes printed across the street at the paper store, I went to Todo Drogas where I bought 12 boxes of Femelle 20 CD for Laura for 288mil, I paid the finca utility bill at Cotrafa and I looked, but didn’t find, the young man in Claro who speaks English.  I bought an avocado for 4mil for our lunch at a stand across the street, I walked a block to the new paper store where I found a 2020 desk calendar for 5mil, and I caught an Envigado bus to Parque Poblado.  At Envios Market the kiosk window was open but nobody was there.  They returned 10 minutes later and I had the 12 boxes (1/4 pound? kilo?) sent to Laura via Fed-Ex for 150mil.  I also paid the box rental for January.  Outside I soon caught a bus back to Envigado arriving back at the apt by 10:30.  Teresa informed me that the avocado won’t be ripe until tomorrow.

I realize now I forgot to tell the guy at Todo Drogas I wanted to pay in pesos.  Now I can see they stuck on the extra 3.5% charge to pay in dollars.  Aaargh!

Teresa is going to visit her friend Olga tonight so I’ll probably see the 5:15 showing of Judy (7.1).

My checking account now shows a withdrawal for the 4k Fire Stick so I guess the purchase finally went through.

I left the apt at 4pm and walked to the mall, I had some chess notes printed, I bought a preferred seating ticket to Judy for 12,700, I recycled a battery in Home Center then solved a few chess puzzles in Cine Colombia’s Platinum room.  I bought a small popcorn and small soda for 13,900.  I checked my receipt and noticed I have accumulated 2,515 points that I believe I can use to purchase tickets or items at the concession stand.  I’ll have to remember that for next time.  Judy was only so-so in my book.

On my cellphone I saw a review for Uncut Gems (8.1) that I guess I missed because it opened Christmas Day.  It’s gotten great reviews so I hope it comes here.

I finished solving a page of 16 chess puzzles and was about to leave the mall when I had an inspiration.  I went up to the 3^rd floor where I had a café con leche with a slice of carrot cake for 10,800 pesos.  That’s about $3.35.  That would probably cost me at least $10 in the States, am I right?

I walked back to the apt arriving at 8:30.  Teresa was still out.

I watched another episode of Mindhunter.

Teresa returned at 9:30 and told me that only 4 ladies showed up but they all loved the Biscotti cookies, especially Olga’s husband.  We still have 6-7 of them left but after they are gone its time to make some more oatmeal cookies.

We had a short rain one day in the last two weeks so I guess the rainy season is officially over.  Also, the highs are creeping up from 80/81 degrees to 85/86 degrees.  The mornings and evenings are cool but, at least for me, the afternoons are hot.

11,038 steps.

Joke of the day

A rather attractive woman goes up to the bar in a quiet rural pub. She gestures alluringly to the barman who comes over immediately.

When he arrives, she seductively signals that he should bring his face close to hers.

When he does so, she begins to gently caress his beard, which is full and bushy.

"Are you the manager?" she asks, softly stroking his face with both hands.

"Actually, no," he replies.

"Can you get him for me? I need to speak to him." she asks, running her hands up beyond his beard and into his hair.

"I'm afraid I can't" breathes the barman, evidently getting a bit hot under the collar by this point. "Is there anything I can do?"

"Yes there is. I need you to give him a message," she continues huskily, touching his lips. 

"Tell him," she says, "that there is no toilet paper or hand soap in the ladies' room."

Friday, December 27, 2019

Last night I took half a Zopiclona, went to bed at 11pm and slept through the night finally waking/getting up at 7am.

Hmmm, I’m beginning to see a pattern here.  Is it because I go to bed later at 11pm that I can sleep through the night or is there something else unique that I do before bed on those nights?

I finally changed the battery in my step counter.

I received an email from Chuck giving me his cellphone number.  I welcomed him to the 21^st century.  Now I just have to get him to use Whatsapp.

I left the apt at 9:30 and completed all my exercises at the gym in an hour and 20 minutes.  It was pretty quiet today.

Teresa called me at 12:25 and asked me to meet her for lunch at La Casita Parilla.  I told her I would be there by 1pm.

I walked up to Avenida Poblado and caught a Sabaneta bus after a 5-minute wait.  I arrived at the restaurant 7 minutes before 1pm.  I gifted Christian a bag with the last (4) of our oatmeal cookies for his family.  I understand after we finish the package of Biscotti cookies we’ll make more oatmeal cookies.

Afterward, Teresa went to get her hair done and I walked to Parva where I had a café con leche and solved chess puzzles for about an hour.

I returned to the apt at 3:15.

I know my step counter was over 3,000 steps and now I see it’s set to 320 so something is wrong with it.

Among new US movie releases, I would like to see 1917 (8.6) and Little Women (8.2).  Locally, I would like to see Judy (7.1).

I finished season 1 of Mindhunter and started season 2.

537 steps but probably closer to 4,000.

Joke of the day

An old Italian man is dying. He calls his grandson to his bedside, “Guido, I wan' you lissina me. I wan' you to take-a my chrome plated ..38 revolver so you will always remember me."
"But grandpa, I really don't like guns.. How about you leave me your Rolex watch instead?"
"You lissina me, boy. Somma day you gonna be runna da business, you gonna have a beautiful wife, lotsa money, a big-a home and maybe a couple of bambinos. "
"Somma day you gonna come-a home and maybe finda you wife inna bed with another man.  Whatta you gonna do then? Pointa to you watch and say, 'timesa up' "?

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Last night I took half a Zopiclona, went to bed at 10:30, got up once at 2:15, again at 5:30, finally waking/getting up at 7:30.

I left the apt at 9:30 and walked to the mall.  I recycled a pill bottle, printed some chess notes and went up to Cine Colombia where I was surprised to find it already open at 10am.  I was going to buy tickets to Judy (7.1) but found another movie on my app called Light of my Life (6.6) which sounded more interesting.  I texted Glenn, he got James’ approval and I bought 3 preferred seating tickets for 11,500 each.  I went downstairs to Todo Fresa where I had a café con leche.  I was a little pissed because now their tubes of sugar are plastic instead of paper.  I explained my displeasure to one of the waitresses who agreed with me and told me she would tell her boss.  At noon I went up to the 3^rd floor where I had lunch at Sarku’s.  I returned to the movie theater at 1:15 and Glenn and James soon arrived.  They bought popcorn and at 1:30 we entered the theater.  The movie was interesting and it was written, directed, and starred Casey Affleck.

After, we went to Todo Fresa for coffee and chatted for about 90 minutes.  They left and I went up to the food court to edit some chess notes.  I was very surprised how packed with people it was.

I returned to the apt at 7pm.  Teresa returned from the finca at 8pm.

I watched more episodes of MindHunter on Netflix.

0 steps, time to get serious about replacing my battery.

Joke of the day

A Jewish grandmother is giving directions to her grown grandson who is coming to visit with his wife.
"You come to the front door of the apartment. I am in apartment 301.  There is a big panel at the front door. With your elbow, push button 301. I will buzz you in. Come inside, the elevator is on the right. Get in, and with your elbow, push 3. When you get out, I'm on the left.. With your elbow, hit my doorbell."
"Grandma, that sounds easy, but, why am I hitting all these
buttons with my elbow?”
"What, you're coming empty handed?"

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Merry Christmas!

Last night I took a whole Zopiclona because of all the loud intermittent fireworks, went to bed at 11pm, was awakened at 2:30 by loud fireworks, closed the window and turned on the fan, fell back asleep, got up again at 6am, took my Marigold extract pill, went back to sleep finally waking at 7am and getting up at 8am.

We put Teresa’s juicer together and she put in about a dozen strawberries and was amazed with how little juice came out.  We added an apple and a handful of broccoli and still there wasn’t more than a large glassful.  She kept the pulp to use later.

We just hung out in the apt all day.

For dinner Teresa cooked the last portion of the Butterball turkey breast we bought at Priesmart.  It was even better than last night.  She wants me to return to buy another one for our dinner for New Years and/or New Years Eve.

I started watching the series Mindhunter (8.6) on Netflix.  Some interesting quotes thus far:

From episode 3: “Narcissists don’t go to the doctor.  Psychopaths are convinced that there is nothing wrong with them.”

From episode 4: “How do you get to be president of the United States if you’re a sociopath?”  “The question is how do you get to be president of the United States if you’re not?”

My favorite Colombian Christmas Carols are: Baby, It’s hot outside and I’m dreaming of a green Christmas.  LOL.

2,064 steps.

Joke of the day

A cat dies and goes to Heaven. 

God meets him at the gate and says, "You have been a good cat all of these years. Anything you desire is yours, all you have to do is ask." 

The cats says, "Well, I lived all my life with a poor family on a farm and had to sleep on hardwood floors." 

God says, "Say no more." And instantly, a fluffy pillow appears. 

A few days later, six mice are killed in a tragic accident and they go to Heaven. God meets them at the gate with the same offer that He made the cat. 

The mice said, "All our lives we've had to run. Cats, dogs and even women with brooms have chased us. If we could only have a pair of roller skates, we wouldn't have to run anymore."

God says, "Say no more." And instantly, each mouse is fitted with a beautiful pair of tiny roller skates.

About a week later, God decides to check and see how the cat is doing. The cat is sound asleep on his new pillow. God gently wakes him and asks, "How are you doing? Are you happy here?" 

The cat yawns and stretches and says, "Oh, I've never been happier in my life. And those Meals on Wheels you've been sending over are the best!"

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Last night I took half a Zopiclona, went to bed at 10:45, got up once at 2:30, again at 5:30, and gave up getting back asleep at 6:15.

We left the apt at 8:30 and arrived at Pricesmart at 8:55, five minutes before their open.  Still on the main entrance level I looked down and saw about a dozen people, with and without carts, waiting for them to open at 9am.  We went down to the main level and I noticed the escalator wasn’t yet turned on.  I looked down and as far as I could see there was a line of people with carts waiting for the escalator to start.  I walked down the escalator and there was a line almost to the other end of the parking garage.  I got in back of the line, they opened at 9am and I reached the top, where Teresa was waiting for me, 10 minutes later.

We split up and I got a few items to put in the cart.  The last aisle I don’t usually go down as I recall it has things like paper towels, napkins, and plastic wrap.  I went down it today and was excited to find my Canadian maple syrup, Bisquick, pecans and the Biscotti cookies Teresa likes.

I got the idea maybe they have a juicer here.  The ones I saw in Home Center weren’t suitable; they were more like mixers than juicers.  I could order one from the US but I feared the delivery cost might be exorbitant.  I looked and they had an Oster 5-speed juicer for about 310,000 pesos.  I googled it and it has a 4 ½ star rating.  I showed it to Teresa and she suggested we wait until next time.  I told her we should buy it now because next time they might not have it.

Teresa found a small turkey breast and asked me if I thought it was good.  It was a Butterball so I told her that’s one of the best brands of turkey they sell in the US.

The total came to 845,900, about $215.

Before we left we stopped in the food court and Teresa bought a couple salads to go.

Downstairs we were only second in line for a taxi but we had to wait at least 20 minutes for one.

We were back in the apt by 11:30.

Just after 2pm Teresa claimed she felt a tremblor.  I didn’t feel anything while lying on the couch and the rocking chair next to me didn’t move.  Because I doubted it Teresa asked me to come to her and she pointed out her standing artwork that was rocking back and forth.  (I downloaded an earthquake app and Bogota had a 6.0 magnitude earthquake at 2:03pm with an aftershock of 5.8 that occurred 16 minutes later.)

Teresa cooked a portion of the Butterball turkey breast for dinner.

We finished watching the series Dirty John on Netflix.  A very good series.

We heard sporatic fireworks throughout the night.

0 steps.  My step counter was blank; maybe the battery is dying.

Joke of the day

A woman who wanted to know how her husband would react if she left without telling him where she had gone. She decided to write him a letter saying she was tired of him and didn't want to live with him anymore. After writing the letter, she put it on the table in the bedroom and then climbed under the bed to hide until her husband got home. When he eventually came back home, he saw the letter on the table and read it.

After a few moments of silence, he picked up the pen and added something to the letter. Then he started to get changed, whistling happy tunes and singing and dancing while he did so. He grabbed his phone and dialed a number. His wife listened from under the bed as he started chatting with someone.
"Hey babe, I'm just changing clothes then I will join you," he said. "As for the fool, it finally dawned on her that I was fooling around on her and left. I was really wrong to have married her; I wish you and I had met earlier. See you soon, honey!"

Then he hung up and walked out of the room.

In tears and very upset, she climbed out from under the bed and stumbled over to read what her unfaithful husband had written on the end of her letter.  
Through teary and bleary eyes, she read:
I could see your feet you idiot, I am going out to buy milk."

Monday, December 23, 2019

Last night I took a whole Zopiclona and went to bed at 11:30.  I woke up once at 5am, Teresa got up what seemed to be a few minutes later and she woke me at 7:20.

 I left the apt at 8am and walked to the mall.  I recycled a shampo bottle then had some chess notes printed.  At Habia Una Vez I had just ordered breakfast when Jose showed up.

He had coffee, we chatted a bit then went upstairs to the empty food court.

I had White in the first game and I played The London System.  I sacrificed a couple pieces for a strong attack against his king and he resigned on the 42^nd move.  My attack was one I had recently seen on a chess video.

For lunch he had a sandwich from Q’Bano and I had the chicken nuggets in BBQ sauce with fries, coleslaw and a mango juice from Frisby.  By this time the food court was packed with nary an empty table.

I had Black in the second game and early he sacrificed a piece for a strong attack, I hadn’t castled and he had a passed pawn coming at my king.  Somehow I hung on and was up a couple knights for a couple pawns and around the 55^th move he said he was going to let me practice mating him which I did on the 78^th move.  That was a long game.

Wow, it’s been a long time since I’ve beaten him twice in a row, let alone on the same day.  He complimented me by saying that my play has improved greatly of late.  He said he would just try not to make a mistake and wait for me to blunder but he can’t do that anymore.

He left and I went to Home Center looking for a Fire Stick.  I finally found an associate who led me to them but they weren’t the 4k version so I passed on buying it.

In Todo Fresa I had a café con leche while solving another set of 16 puzzles.

About 6pm I returned to the apt.

I used Amazon to order a 4k Fire Stick.

Tomorrow we’re going to Pricesmart early to buy turkey for our Christmas dinner.

I see Cats (2.6) only made 10 million worldwide over the weekend which won’t be enough to recoup its budget of 95 million.  Some of the reviews say it’s the worst movie of the year, if not of all time.

We watched a couple more episodes of Dirty Harry on Netflix.

15,963 steps.  That was for 2 days as I forgot to reset it this morning.

Joke of the day

A man goes into a pet shop to buy a parrot. The shop owner points to three identical looking parrots on a perch and says, "The parrot on the left costs $500." 

"Why does the parrot cost so much?" asks the customer. The owner says, "Well, the parrot knows how to do legal research."

The customer then asks about the next parrot, to be told that this one costs $1,000 because it can do everything the other parrot can do plus it knows how to write a brief that will win any case.

Naturally, the increasingly startled customer asks about the third parrot, to be told that it costs $4,000. Needless to say, this aroused the question, "What can it do?" To which the owner replies, "To be honest, I've never seen him do a darn thing, but the other two call him Senior Partner."

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Last night I took half a Zopiclona, went to bed at 10:30, got up once at 2am, again at 5am and had difficulty falling back asleep due to the drunken singing/chanting from somewhere outside.  I finally gave up and got up at 6:15 and they were still going at it.

About 7:25 I noticed a message from Glenn had arrived 15 minutes earlier that they were going to be leaving in 15 minutes.  I quickly got my stuff together and left the apt.  I quickly caught a bus to Calle 7 and walked up the hill.  I got an outside table and Glenn and James arrived 10 minutes later.

After breakfast we walked to the Pergamino Café #2 and learned it doesn’t open until 10am.  Since it was only 9:30am we walked a block away and had coffee again at the Click Clack Hotel.  The waitress spoke very good English.  I brought 3 oatmeal cookies with me to share but Glenn said he doesn’t like oatmeal or walnuts so I gifted the extra to the waitress.  A minute Later James told me the waitress was sharing it with other staff.  I looked that way and she, another waitress and waiter all gave me the thumbs up.

Before we left I made a trip to the restroom and found this sign at the entrance “THIS BATHROOM IS FOR PEOPLE.  It’s open to anyone who knows how to leave it clean.  To anyone who does not categorize people.  To anyone who needs to pee (or look at themselves in the mirror).  Open to us, open to all.  It has been liberated from the gender classification.  Use it regardless your genre or expression.”  Washing my hands at the communal sink I hit my head on the overhead lamp that is set about 5’6” high.

I asked the waitress about a New Years Eve party at the hotel and she promised to email me information.  Without seeing the rooms, it looks like a neat hotel.  (Later I did a quick search and it appears they charge about $100 a night.)  Next Sunday we’re going to try breakfast here.

We took a taxi back to Sabaneta and I got off at McDonald’s in Envigado.

Teresa had already left, probably to Mayorca with MT.

My right wrist is bothering me again.  What brought that on, I have no idea.

I wrapped a plate of oatmeal cookies and took them down for the other shift of guards.

I left the apt again at 12:45 and walked to Go Wings.  The young waitress spoke a little English so we practiced a bit.  I tried a new drink the Hatsu Soda, because it only had 3 grams of sugar, but I didn’t like it so I know now not to order that again.  Teresa called me and told me she’s still at Mayorca.

On my way back to the apt the young waitress at Na Pizza said “hello”.  We chatted a bit and I learned her name is Rebecca and she studied English in Boston for 8 months.

Back at the apt one of the security guards told me he loved the oatmeal cookies.

I left the apt again at 2:30 and walked to Marcos apartment where he gave me a demonstration of his Fire Stick.  He recommended the same person, Rob, install it that Glenn did.

Teresa arrived at the apt the same time as I returned.  She told me the security guard loved the cookies.

Jose called me and told me he can’t play on Tuesday but he can play tomorrow so I’m going to skip gym.

Teresa told me she found someone interested in renting the finca for a year at 1 million pesos a month.  Also she needs to go to a mall tomorrow to exchange some clothes.

I texted Rob and first I need to buy a 4K Fire Stick.  He says I can get it at Home Center for about 190,000 pesos.

I watched some NFL football.

At 8:15 I turned to the Bears vs Chiefs game.  I watched the beginning using the Slingbox and at 10am when Teresa finished her program, Septima Dia, I switched to Direct TV.  The Bears lost 26-3.  Sigh!

Saturday, December 21, 2019

Last night I took half a Zopiclona, went to bed at 10:45, got up once at 4am, was still awake at 5:30, got up and took the other half, and woke/got up at 8am.

Teresa talked to someone on the phone and gave them my email address.  A couple minutes later I logged on and found the biopsy results for her colonoscopy.  Teresa talked to them again then reported that everything looks great.

I understand Teresa has to stay in the apt because a man is coming to measure for the counter/drawers she wants put in the kitchen.

I was ready to leave the apt at 9:45 but Teresa wants me to wait until the muchacho comes and goes.

He arrived at 10:30 and was here for about 30 minutes measuring the space in the kitchen and drawing diagrams of the storage area Teresa wants.  I gave him 500mil as a downpayment.  I understand Teresa trusts him because he has done a lot of work for her before.

In the afternoon I watched some NFL football.

About 6pm Teresa was going to Mayorca with her mother when I guess she realized traffic would be heavy.  Instead she invited me to go with her to meet her mother and go to the mall.  I thought we would meet at the mall but Teresa called her and we met outside her apt building.  Instead of going to the mall we walked to El Estacion by the bridge where we had little empanadas and chuzo aka shish kebab.  After about an hour my cellphone battery died so Teresa handed me hers.  I downloaded Chess Board and checked some chess notes then downloaded a chess game and won a few games in increasing levels until it was time for us to leave.

We walked MT back to her building then walked back to ours.

I understand tomorrow she’s going to meet her mother early and they are going to Mayorca.

10,209 steps today.

Joke of the day

A man was speeding down the highway, feeling secure in a gaggle of cars all traveling at the same speed. However, as they passed a speed trap, he got nailed with an infrared speed detector and was promptly greeted by the wail of a siren and flashing lights. 

Cursing his luck, the man immediately knew what was coming, so he slowed down and pulled over. 

The officer got out of his cruiser, as calm as can be, and walked over to the man's car. 

He handed him the citation, received his signature and was about to walk away when the man asked, "Officer, I know I was speeding, but I don't think it's fair - there were plenty of other cars around me who were going just as fast, so why did only I get the ticket?"

"Ever go fishing?" the policeman suddenly asked the man.

"Ummm, yeah..." the startled man replied.

The officer grinned and added, "Ever catch all the fish?"

Friday, December 20, 2019

Last night I took half a Zopiclona, went to bed at 10:45 and slept through the night, finally waking/getting up at 7/8am.

Among new US movie releases I already saw Star Wars (6.9).  I have no interest in Cats (3.2); I saw the play and was bored after the first 5 minutes; Memories can only take you so far.  Wow, I just looked at the cast of stars.  With a $95,000,000 budget it sounds like its set to lose lots of money!  I would like to see Bombshell (5.7).  Dabangg 3 (6.7)?  What, there was a 1 & 2 and I missed them?  Lucky me.

Locally, Judy (7.1) might be interesting.  I would like to see Assimilate (5.6) but so far it’s just dubbed in Spanish.

I left the apt at 9:30 and at the gym I gave Marcos my September Reader’s Digest and completed all my exercises in an hour and 15 minutes.  He offered to show me the inexpensive TV service he has.

Teresa talked to Maria and learned that the Dann Carlton wants 680mil for New Years Eve.  Yikes!  She called them about Christmas Eve and learned that they are now full – which is what happens when you wait until the last minute.

She’s going to call Alba to see if they want to get together at their house and Teresa will cook dinner.

I watched a couple new videos on The London System by Susan Polgar.

Late in the afternoon we made a batch of 3 dozen oatmeal cookies.  (Again I got pressure to make them with artificial sugar but I resisted.)  In the evening I took 6 downstairs to the guards and went next door to Exito where I bought them each a small bottle of Coke.

Laura called and recommended a TV series called Dirty John on Netflix so we watched the first 3 episodes.

5,414 steps today.

Joke of the day

A police officer in a small town stopped a motorist who was speeding down Main Street.

"But officer." the man began, "I can explain".

"Just be quiet," snapped the officer. "I'm going to let you cool your heels in jail until the chief gets back..."

"But officer, I just wanted to say...."

"And I said to keep quiet! You're going to jail!"

A few hours later the officer looked in on his prisoner and said, "Lucky for you that the chief is at his daughter's wedding. He'll be in a good mood when he gets back."

"Don't count on it," answered the fellow in the cell. "I'm the groom."

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Last night I took a whole Zopiclona and went to bed at 10:30.  I got up several times during the night, finally getting up at 7am.

I left the apt at 8:45 and took a bus to Poblado arriving at Envios Market by 9:15.  I picked up a small package and threw out another Capital One credit card offer.

I got the last seat on a Sabaneta bus, got off at Calle 40 Sur in Envigado and walked across the street to the used book store where I exchanged paperbacks for 2mil.

I stopped at a nearby paper store where I looked for a small notebook without lines for Teresa but no luck.

I stopped in my usual paper store but they didn’t have notebooks without lines nor a 2020 desk calendar.

I made an ATM withdrawal and paid the finca tax in Cotrafa.

I tried a new paper store called Seroja at Calle 35 Sur #43-20 but they didn’t have the notebook either.

I walked back to La Buena Mesa where I had a café con leche in Parva.

At 11am I returned to the apt and presented Teresa with my little gift – a Ta Ta towel which she loved.  If you don’t know what this is you’ll have to Google it.  I told her of my difficulties finding a notebook without lines and she said now she would take one with lines.

We were going to make oatmeal cookies this afternoon but Teresa wants to change it to tomorrow so she can meet with a friend this afternoon.  I said “fine”, I’ll probably go to a movie instead.  Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (6.8) is playing at 3:40 so maybe I’ll go see that.  Or Assimilate (5.6) is playing at 2:10 and 4:40 although it’s dubbed in Spanish so there won’t even be subtitles.

I left the apt at 2pm and walked to the mall.  I bought a ticket to Star Wars for 13,100 pesos.  I checked to see where the vanilla extract is in Exito then I found a notebook (this time with lines) in Dollar City.  In Cine Colombia I solved a few chess puzzles then 10 minutes before showtime I bought a small tub of popcorn.  

When the movie started I realized that it’s in 3D and I forgot to get glasses.  I went downstairs to the entrance to the Platinum room and bought/rented a pair for 2,800 pesos.

The movie was only okay.  I guess I’m tired of the Star Wars saga.  Sorry, Disney.  I know they just spent billions to acquire the Star Wars license.

I waited in line to buy the notebook and the bottle of vanilla extract and was back at the apt by 7:15.  I had already changed clothes when Teresa called me at 7:30 to tell me she was having trouble getting a taxi.  She called again at 7:45 and said she was going to take a bus and wanted me to meet her outside the church.  I understood she would call me when she was on the bus.  She called 5 minutes later and told me she’s outside Parva waiting for me.  I dressed and walked to Parva arriving at 8:15 and it had closed at 8pm.  While walking towards the church she told me she wanted chicken wings so I guess I was taking her to Go Wings.  She was on the phone with someone when we arrived at the church and she stopped me.  She then said she wanted to return to the apt so I have no idea why I left in the first place.

13,573 steps today.

Joke of the day

A young man from Nebraska moves to Florida and goes to a big "everything under one roof" department store looking for a job.

The manager asks, "Do you have any sales experience?"

The kid replies, "Yeah, I was one of the best Bible salesmen back in Omaha."

The boss liked the kid and gave him the job.

"You can start tomorrow. I'll come down after we close and see how you did."

His first day on the job was rough, but he got through it.

After the store was locked up, the boss came down.

"How many customers bought something from you today?”

The kid responds, "One." The boss says, "Just one? Our sales people average 20 to 30 customers a day.  How much was the sale for?"

"$101,237.65."

"$101,237.65? Holy Mother of Mary! What did you sell him?"

"First, I sold him a small fish hook. Then, I sold him a medium fish hook. Then, I sold him a larger fish hook. Then, I sold him a new fishing rod. Then, I asked him where he was going fishing and he said down the coast. I told him he was going to need a boat, so we went down to the boat department, and I sold him a twin engine Boston Whaler. Then, he said he didn't think his car would pull it, so I took him down to the automobile department and sold him a 4x4 truck with all the bells and whistles."

"A guy came in here to buy a fish hook, and you sold him a boat and a truck?!"

"No, the guy came in here to buy feminine products for his wife, and I said, 'Dude, your weekend's shot. You might as well go fishing.’"