Saturday, June 29, 2019

Despite getting up 4 times during the night (too much water) I slept well finally waking/getting up at 8:15.

Nothing to eat or drink for me until my x-ray is finished around noon.

I dressed in shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt and we left the apt at 10:20.  The taxi driver was driving so herky-jerky I was feeling seasick.  I complained and he soon was driving much smoother.  We arrived at Nueve Eps across from the stadium at 10:50, 50 minutes early for my appointment.  We took our number from a machine and soon learned that we chose the wrong option so we had to go back for another.  Luckily, there was no line.  We went into a smaller waiting room and they called my name after about a 5-minute wait.  I went into a back room area and I was lost as to where to go next.  Teresa soon joined me and got me into the x-ray room.  She sent me into a back closet-like area where I removed my shoes, my watch and my shorts.  I went back to the x-ray room and laid on my back on a cold table.  A young lady came in and adjusted the “camera” then went into the back area with my clothes and came back out a second later.  She then had me lie on my left side and she took another photo.  I put my clothes back on and we left.  I didn’t have to pay anything and Teresa told me I could return next Friday to see if my test results are ready.  She said she thinks I have a little osteoporosis or kidney problem.  But then I don’t trust her medical degree aka watching internet videos.

We were back in Envigado on Avenida Poblado by the official time of my appointment.  We got off at La Bahia where we had their menu of the day for 12mil each.  I think I mentioned a few weeks ago when we came here I walked up the stairs and then there is a dropoff on the side that shook me up quite a bit.  Well, today the dropoff is all filled in with cement.  Teresa called her mother but there was no answer.

I noticed that my step counter showed only about 34 and I knew that couldn’t be right.  I think it has trouble when I’m wearing shorts because the pockets are diagonal instead of horizontal.  Anyway, I took it off and put it in my tech bag and later I noticed it was working again.

We went across the street to the mall and she went shopping while I went upstairs to get a haircut.  It was 12:45 and I was told to come back in 15 minutes.  I went down to Home Center and checked out their floor fans.  I found a nice Würden fan for 199mil ($62.50).  I was back upstairs right at 1pm.  I sat outside and by 1:20 I was considering leaving and going somewhere else for my haircut.  Five minutes later I was called in and sat in a barber chair but the barber took 10 minutes to finish with his previous customer.  I finally got a decent haircut for 25mil.

I walked to the elevator and looked down but didn’t see Teresa in Café Arangos.  I went downstairs to the mall entrance and called her but as usual she didn’t answer.

I ordered a café con leche at Habia Una Vez and soon after it arrived Teresa called me and informed me that she and MT were upstairs at Café Arangos.  Sigh!

I drank half my coffee then headed upstairs.  They were sitting in a spot where I wouldn’t have been able to see them from the 4^th floor.

I really didn’t feel like starting another coffee so I was happy that Teresa wanted to go for ice cream.  We went down to Percimon where she and I had yogurt with blueberries.  They shopped around a bit and then they left and I went into Home Center and bought the bedroom fan for 199mil ($62.50).  I carried it back to the apt and it works great.

Teresa returned from visiting with her mom and she said she wanted to go to La Doctora for dinner.  Fine with me.  I put a 1mil coin and 2 500 peso coins in my pocket just in case we should encounter a street person.  About 7:15 we walked to the restaurant and today I tried the ribs while Teresa had trout.  The ribs were only so-so, certainly not up to par with Mu.  Still, I ended up with about 40% left to go.  A guy came by sellling packages of gum and I stood up and took a 1 mil coin out of my pocket and gave it to him.

On the way back to the apt we stopped in Exito and bought some carrots, apples and a bag of milk.

Back at the apt I emptied my pockets and found the 1mil coin and the 2 500 peso coins.  Huh?  And I know my pockets started out empty because I put on a clean pair of jeans.

Teresa informed me she has to go to the finca tomorrow so I’m on my own for breakfast and lunch.

5,598+ steps today.

Joke of the day

During an outbreak of Mad Cow disease, a reporter descends on a farm to interview a cow farmer. 

In a rural program for farmers, a female TV reporter, seeking the main cause of mad cow disease, arranged for an interview with a farmer for his take on the matter.

The lady reporter: “I am here to collect information on the possible sources of mad cow disease.  Can you offer any reason for this disease?”

The farmer stared at the reporter and said: “Did you know that a bull mounts a cow only once a year?”

Reporter (obviously embarrassed): “Well, sir, that’s a new piece of information.  But what’s the relation between this phenomenon and mad cow disease?”

Farmer: “Miss, did you know that we milk a cow twice a day?”

Reporter: “Sir, this is really valuable information, but how about getting to the point.”

Farmer: “I’m getting to the point, miss.”  “Just imagine, if I was playing with your breasts twice a day…and only screwing you once a year.  Wouldn’t you get mad?”

Friday, June 28, 2019

Last night I got up once at 3:30, woke up at 6:30 and got up at 6:45.

For breakfast I had scrambled eggs and a few crackers; no coffee.  This is in preparation for my x-ray tomorrow morning.

We left the apt at 8:45 and took a taxi to Dr. Sierra’s office next to El Tesoro mall.  Teresa got a number of shots (botox?) in her face and forehead.  I inquired as to how to get rid of the creases on each side of my nose and was told only a face lift would do at a cost of 14 to 15 million pesos.  Well, that ain’t going to happen.  When it came time to pay the 640,000 pesos for Teresa their scanning machine wasn’t working so I had to leave Teresa as ransom while I went to the mall to get cash.  There was only one person ahead of me at the nearest ATM – Colpatria, but when it was my turn it said it wouldn’t accept my card.  I walked to a BBVA ATM and it said it could only give me 300mil.  I walked to another location and 2 ATMs were out of order.  Finally, I ended up withdrawing 600mil from Banco de Bogota for a fee of 13,200.  I returned to the office 25 minutes later and paid Teresa’s bail.  Lol.

We took a taxi back to the apt.

Teresa made me chicken soup for lunch which I had with a package of crackers.

Teresa left for her 1:20 doctor’s appointment.

Starting at 2pm I watched the US Women’s National Team defeat a tough French team 2-1.

Among new US movie releases I would like to see Annabelle Comes Home (6.7), and DEFINITELY Yesterday (6.8).

Locally, Annabelle Comes Home (6.7) is playing at Viva Envigado at 6:45pm.

It’s a Friday night and the sidewalks are empty as Colombia plays against Chile at 6pm.  At halftime it was 0-0 and I saw a few people outside, most walking their dogs.  The final was another 0-0 tie although Chile scored 2 goals, one cancelled because of off-sides and the other from a handball.

I had more chicken rice soup with water for dinner.  Tomorrow I can’t have anything to eat or drink until after my test.

I’m glad I didn’t change the channel right away as they went to penalty kicks but then Chile won 5-4.

5,021 steps today.

Joke of the day

A farmer ordered a hi-tech milking machine. Since the equipment arrived when his wife was out of town, he decided to test it on himself first.
So, he inserted his 'manhood' into the equipment, turned on the switch, and everything else was automatic.
Soon, he found that the equipment provided him with much more pleasure than his wife did.

When the fun was over, though, he quickly realized that he couldn't remove the instrument from his 'member'.
He read the manual but didn't find any useful information on how to disengage himself. He tried every button on the instrument, but still without success.
Finally, he decided to call the supplier's Customer Service hot line with his cell phone (thank God for cell phones!).

"Hello, I just bought a milking machine from your company. It works fantastic, but how do I remove it from the cow's udder?"
"Don't worry," replied the customer service rep.
"The machine will release automatically once it's collected two gallons. Have a nice day!"

Medellin's Coffee Culture - Medellin Living

Coffee Culture in Medellín: The History, Cafes & Tours

By

 Grace

 -

June 21, 2019

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Colombia produces around 11.5 million bags of coffee every year, making it the third largest exporter in the world (after Brazil and Vietnam) and a must-visit destination for caffeine addicts across the globe. Colombia’s geography — the climate, elevation and rich soil — are ideal for growing a variety of beans ranging from dark roasts to sweet aromas. As the country’s tourism has increased exponentially over the past decade, travelers have been experiencing first-hand the incredible history and presence of the coffee industry in Colombia. Naturally, coffee tours and excursions have become more popular, with locals eager to showcase the farms, processes and unique tastes to thirsty visitors.

While the coffee triangle (‘Eje Cafetero’ consisting of Caldas, Quindío, Tolima and Risaralda) is the first spot travelers visit to sip a cup of Colombia’s second-biggest export, the cosmopolitan city of Medellín boasts its own equally vibrant coffee culture. From morning tinto to the industry’s historical significance to community values, coffee culture is rife all through the city. Whether you want to brush up on your knowledge of coffee, sample some of the best there is or simply see the role of the drink in everyday Colombian life, here’s the lowdown on coffee culture in Medellín:

By Nathan Dumlao

Antioquia’s history

The department of Caldas was the place where coffee was first grown in Colombia in the late 19th century, and ultimately the reason why the coffee region now exists around that area. While Caldas and the surrounding lands initially saw great success with the newfound coffee production, the severe decline of international markets combined with the thousand-day civil war meant farmers had to reconsider a more rural economy of coffee to successfully export the beans. As a result, Antioquia emerged as the new leader in coffee manufacturing at the turn of the century.

Antioquia’s mountainous landscape meant it was perfect for coffee cultivation, as the plants tend to ripen at higher altitudes. It was also beneficial that independent farmers could work on their own land and maintain a greater level of quality control — meaning coffee from Antioquia was to a consistently high standard. To this day, Antioquia, its capital city and surrounding pueblos nestled among the Andes, are renowned for their distinct coffee flavors. In fact, Antioquia now has the highest volume of coffee production in all of Colombia and a local lifestyle oriented around the drink.

By Rodrigo Flores

Medellín coffee culture

One of the most surprising things travelers encounter in Medellín is that Paisas don’t drink the best coffee. Rather than take advantage of the incredible beans and diverse roasts, locals stick to tinto — small portions of coffee dregs served in plastic cups with plenty of sugar. Throughout the city, there are carts and tiendas where people stop to share tinto throughout the day. While the drink will certainly be a little underwhelming to extranjeros seeking Colombia’s famous coffee, tinto is a big part of coffee culture in Medellín.

Historically, Colombia’s coffee trade has been centered on exporting, so the majority of Colombians haven’t grown up enjoying the coffee the country is now recognized for. Tinto is cheap (around $2,000 COP per cup) and moreover, it’s rooted in the day-to-day life of small towns and big cities alike. In Medellín, tinto is an opportunity to socialize, to sit and watch the world go by, or to refuel on the move. It’s additionally a beverage that transcends class — in a country like Colombia which battles with class division (evident in the strato system), tinto is drunk by everyone, regardless of their wealth or job.

With that being said, Medellín has certainly become more cosmopolitan in recent years, and the influx of tourists has changed the face of the coffee scene. More and more independent cafes and coffee specialists have popped up across the city, showcasing Colombia’s finest coffee, along with coffee-making classes and tours. If you’re hoping to savor the best of the best, we recommend checking out these spots:

By Thrillist

Cafes in Medellín

Pergamino

Carrera 37 #8A-37 and Calle 10B #36-38

A favorite for both locals and foreigners, Pergamino is well-known for its fresh coffee ethos. They roast their coffee on-site in Poblado every Monday and Thursday, and work exclusively with small farms across the country for an authentically Colombian brew. Try the signature Lomaverde blend, which is sourced from Santa Baraba, just outside of Medellín.

By Pergamino Facebook

Café Revolucion

Carrera 73, Circular 4 #10 and Calle 37 #79-32

Found in 2014, Café Revolucion has high-quality coffee from various regions in Colombia on the menu. The café’s specialty coffee comes directly from a coffee plantation in Tolima, and is roasted and packaged fresh every week.

By Cafe Revolucion Facebook

Rituales

Circular 74A #39B-22

Working in close partnership with a coffee farm in Antioquia, the baristas at Rituales are coffee experts. The brand has three different types of organic coffee — Pureza, Luz and Paraíso — and all are ground above the café. Keen coffee-drinkers can also take part in roasting classes here.

By Rituales Facebook

El Café de Otraparte

Calle 27 Sur #43A-61

Set among the grounds of the former house of a local philosopher, Café de Otraparte has an impressive selection of coffees. From classic black coffee to frappes with amaretto shots and whipped cream, an afternoon caffeine-stop here is one of the best things to do on Sundays in Medellín. Time a visit here with one of the free cupping class and start a career as a coffee connoisseur.

By El Café de Otraparte Facebook

Juan Valdez

Multiple locations

Although an international chain, Juan Valdez is a Colombian company that was originally the project of a non-profit organization representing small coffee-growers in the country. Juan Valdez coffee shops can be seen on most street corners and serve up 100% Colombian coffee.

By Juan Valdez Facebook

Coffee tours in Medellín

To get a real insight into the bean-to-cup process, there are a number of guided tours that highlight Medellín’s prominent coffee culture. Some of the tours require leaving Medellín for the day, while others hop between the many independent cafes and discuss the city’s coffee transformation over the years. Whichever tour you choose, always check that a portion of your money goes towards supporting local farmers or businesses, and promotes sustainable coffee production. Here are a few options we recommend — salud!

Medellin's Transformation - Medellin Living

Medellín’s Transformation: The City’s Past & New Story

By

 Grace

 -

June 25, 2019

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Once labeled the ‘most dangerous city in the world’, Medellín has undergone a significant transformation. Now a must-visit location on any South America itinerary, the city has taken several measures to change not only physically, but also in terms of its landscape, culture and storytelling. Perhaps the most powerful element throughout Medellín’s incredible change is the focus on empowering locals – the people who have lived through the conflict – to be the ones responsible for representing its history and shaping its future.

Here are some of the ways Medellín has reinvented itself into a traveler hotspot in less than two decades, without forgetting its dark past.

By ShonEjai

Architecture & culture

Pablo Escobar’s home

The sad reality is many people still associate Medellín (and Colombia as a whole) with narco-trafficking and Pablo Escobar. While shows like Narcos have glamorized the reign of Escobar in Medellín, he was responsible for the death of 5,000 people between 1989 and 1993, as well as over 100 explosions in the city between September and December of 1991. Many people throughout Medellín have been impacted by Escobar and the cartel and it’s important to remember that he – nor his affiliates – are celebrated here.

In fact, in February 2019, Federico Gutierrez (Medellín’s mayor) supported the decision to demolish Escobar’s home. A crowd of people cheered and wept as the building fell – an act Gutierrez said was meant to “pay back a historical debt with our victims.” The site will later be turned into a park and memorial.

By Mafe Correa Facebook

‘Birds of Peace’

There are other areas of Medellín that both commemorate the end of the drug cartel’s rule and allude to a safer, transformed city. In Plaza San Antonio, there are two bird sculptures created by Colombian artist Fernando Botero. The birds are exactly the same, except one is completely intact, while the other has a hole through its middle and shrapnel marks all over. The original bird was destroyed by explosives placed at the foot on the statue in 1995 during a public concert. 30 people died in the bombing, and another 200 were injured. Rather than remove the bird, Botero donated an identical one and insisted the two stand side-by-side. Today, the structures are known as the Birds of Peace, and are a stark reminder of Medellín’s ability to heal, but not forget.

By Little Girl, Big World Facebook

Museo Casa de la Memoria

The civil war with the FARC (‘Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia’ in English) – a left-wing, paramilitary group fighting for control of Colombia – consumed over 50 years of the country’s history, displaced 8.1 million citizens and took the lives of 260,000 people. For both Colombians and extranjeros, these figures can be difficult to really comprehend.

As a result, in 2006, Museo Casa de la Memoria opened in El Centro and became an important space for telling Medellín’s story about the conflict and extreme violence. The museum has a number of exhibits concentrating on the people affected, and fosters an open and diverse dialogue about the events that took place and the aftermath. Some of the works have been created by victims and offer a truly sobering insight into life in Medellín during the latter 20th century, as well as the ongoing hope of peace. Similar to the Birds of Love, the past and the future operate alongside one another in the museum, as there’s a packed calendar offering free community events and talks. Entrance is always free and guided tours are available in English every Tuesday and Friday.

By Museo Casa de la Memoria Facebook

Social mobility

The metro system

The physical landscape of Medellín has posed problems for residents for a number of years. Set in the basin of the Aburrá Valley, as the city expanded, poorer housing settlements were built further up the steep hillsides. The remoteness of these barrios (neighborhoods) meant they existed somewhat separately to Medellín – it’s within these areas that criminals could escape capture by navigating the narrow streets and layered housing.

By paweldotio

To help develop the marginalized communities and improve access to the city center (and therefore to jobs), the Medellín metro system began construction in 1985. Line A between Niquia and Poblado was the first route, later Line B extended south to La Estrella, and in the early 2000s three metro cable lines were introduced. Today, over 1 million people every day take the metro over 76 stations: 27 for trains, 11 for cable cars, 9 for trams and 28 for buses.

The system transformed Medellín not only physically but also in terms of the economy and social inclusion. For example, the first metro cable (line K) alone allowed the 230,000 inhabitants around Santo Domingo station to half their travel time to Medellín’s center, and later research suggests that this mobility led to a doubling of work opportunities for remote communities in high-employment regions downtown. Furthermore, as the network expanded over the years, the metro cable link between Santo Domingo (once considered the most dangerous neighborhood in Medellín) and Parque Arví was not only a connector to the town of Santa Elena but a significant tourist attraction too.

By Metro de Medellín Facebook

Communa 13 escalators

Another example of a social mobility project turned tourist attraction are the escalators in Communa 13. Once plagued by drug traffickers and crime during the troubles, in 2011 a series of escalators stretching 384 meters were installed across the communa. The simple measure made the area far easier to get to and from, and helped in neutralizing the space from gang activity. While Communa 13 still has its issues, the residents welcome tourists to see another side of Medellín, complete with colorful graffiti splashed on the walls and panoramic views over the city.

By Gefühlsachterbahn Facebook

The future

These urban and cultural developments have all brought about a clear feeling of pride among locals – although 34 years old, the metro trains and cable cars are spotless, and commuters always respect the no eating or drinking rule. Both the metro and the escalators in Communa 13 are symbols of Medellín’s progression and investment in its people.

Colombia now lays claim to having the fastest-growing economy in Latin America, and tourism to the country has peaked at 2.5 million travelers per year compared to 540,000 in 2002. With the influx has come foreign investment and news of Medellín’s dramatic revival, and yet, Medellín has managed to retain ownership of its story. Rather than bury the past, parts of it have been incorporated into the city and serve as the basis to continuing transforming for the better in the future.

Thursday, June 27, 2019

Last night I got up once during the night finally waking/getting up at 6:50am.

We still have Direct TV.

I was going to get a haircut this morning but Teresa wanted to go buy vegetables at Mayorista.  I had breakfast, showered and got dressed.  She said she wanted to get lunch ready first so I watched the first 45 minutes of the Today show.  I then took a nap and got up at 11:30 and she informed me that she had cancelled her desire to go to Mayorista today.

After lunch I finally changed into more comfortable clothes.

My brother sent me a photo of him with Laura.  He stopped by on his way to visit his friends Joe and Cathi in Buffalo.

Direct TV called and Teresa threatened to cancel their service.  I understand the rep is giving us a little discount.  We had been paying 187,400 and July it will be 184mil then August thru October it will be only 151mil then November and December 185,700.  

Next year there will be an increase to approximately 193mil.  We should start receiving a monthly bill starting in August.  Yes, that still leaves several questions but most important is the cost is lower now and I know how much I am to pay in future months.

We left the apt at 5:30 and we picked up a bill at the guardhouse.  

We took a taxi to El Pastelito in Envigado.  Teresa went into the beauty shop across the street and I went into the bakery and asked for a café con leche.  They said they didn’t have any.  Incredible!  I walked to the nature store where I bought a bottle of Omega 3 capsules for 24,400.  On my way to the park I ran into Jose from the gym and a friend Andres.  They said they were on their way to Tostao for coffee so I invited myself along.  I paid for coffee and pastries and we chatted a bit.

They headed to a grocery store and I headed to the park.

On a street corner there is a vendor selling fresh popcorn that always seems to have a line and it appears the sugar popcorn is more popular than the salted popcorn.

At Bartolos I ordered a bottle of water and played a game of chess on my cellphone.

Chuck soon arrived and we exchanged news about our personal lives.

Teresa called me and I met her at La Casita Parilla where we had the chicken breast and a juice for her for 25mil ($8).

We walked back to the apt and I watched the last hour and 15 minutes of the Democratic debate.

6,185 steps today.

Joke of the day

As part of his physical exam, an 85-year old man’s doctor wanted to assess his sperm count.  So, the doctor gave the old man a jar and said, “Take this jar home and bring back a semen sample tomorrow.”

The next day the 85-year old man reappeared at the doctor’s office and gave her the jar, which was as clean and empty as on the previous day.

The doctor asked what happened, and the man explained: “Well, doc, it’s like this.  First, I tried with my right hand, but nothing.  Then I tried with my left hand, but still nothing.  Then I asked my wife for help.  She tried with her right hand, then with her left, but nothing.  She tried with her mouth, first with her teeth in, then with her teeth out, but still nothing.  We even called up Arlene, the lady next door, and she tried too.  First with both hands, then with an armpit, and she even tried squeezing it between her knees, but still nothing. 

The doctor was shocked. “You asked your neighbor?”

The old man replied, “Yep.  None of us could get the jar open.”

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Despite getting up twice during the night I slept well waking at 6:30 and getting up at 7:15.

We still have Direct TV.

Wow, I received an email from my daughter Jeannie.  She expects to visit for the first time the end of August into early September with her girlfriend JoAnn.

I took half an Excedrin Migraine and headed to the gym.  Marcos was working out on the treadmill and we chatted a bit.  At one point Teresa stopped by with a couple girfriends on their way to get coffee at Aymará.  I completed all my exercises in a little over 90 minutes.

For lunch Teresa made spaghetti ala Juanita but I was a little disappointed that I didn’t have bread to make garlic bread.

About 1:30 I noticed we lost our internet connecion.  I disconnected and reconnected the router but so far that hasn’t helped.  It came back on about an hour and a half later.

I left the apt about 4:30 and walked over to the bakery.  I had a café con leche and got a small loaf of bread and 2 English muffins to go for 10,100 pesos ($3).  Laura texted me that she’s looking for another family.  What?  Teresa had called me so I picked up a couple bags of milk at Exito on my way back to the apt.

For dinner Teresa warmed up leftover spaghetti and I made garlic bread.  The bread was a little different then before, crispier, but still delicious.

Teresa talked to Laura and I understand she dinged the family car somehow and the host mother said she needs to find a family like in NYC where she won’t have to drive.

I found the US vs Panama match on Fox Sports 1 on my Slingbox.  It was 0-0 at the half.  The US won 1-0.

I quickly switched to the Democratic debate but just caught a few closing words.

6,394 steps today.

Joke of the day

A woman driver was speeding along the highway, when suddenly she got stopped by a police car which instructed her to pull over.

Woman: “Is there a problem officer?”

Officer: “Ma’am you were speeding.  “May I see your license please?”

Woman: “I’d give it to you but I don’t have one.”

Officer: “Don’t have one?”

Woman: “I lost it four times for drunk driving.”

Officer: “I see.  Can I see your vehicle registration papers please?”

Woman: “I can’t do that.”

Officer: “Why not?”

Woman: “I stole this car.”

Officer: “Stole it?” 

Woman: “Yes, and I killed the owner.”

Officer: “You what?”

Woman: “His body is in a plastic bag in the trunk, if you want to see.”

The officer looked at the woman, slowly backed away to his car, and called for backup.

Within minutes, five police cars circled the car.  A senior officer slowly approached the car, clasping his half-drawn gun.

Sergeant: “Ma’am, could you step out of your vehicle please?!”

The woman stepped out of her vehicle.

Woman: “Is there a problem, sir?”

Sergeant: “One of my officers told me that you have stolen this car and murdered the owner.”

Woman: “Murdered the owner?”

Sergeant: “Yes, could you open the trunk of your car, please.”

The woman opened the trunk.  It was completely empty.

Sergeant: “Is this your car, ma’am?”

Woman: “Yes, here are the registration papers.”

The first officer was stunned.

Sergeant: “One of my officers claims that you do not have a driver’s license.”

The woman dug into her handbag, pulled out a clutch purse, and handed it to the officer.  The officer snapped open the clutch purse and examined the license.  He looked quite puzzled.

Sergeant: “Thank you, ma’am.  One of my officers told me you didn’t have a license, that you stole this car, and that you murdered the owner.”

Woman: “Oh, my!  I’ll bet he will say I was speeding too!”

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Last night I went to bed at 11pm, got up once about 3:45, finally waking/getting up at 7am.

Jose emailed me that since they returned a day late from their trip he’s got a lot to do so he wants to wait a week before we continue playing.

We still have working Direct TV.

It was nice NOT to have to take a cold shower this morning.

The channel for the Today show displayed “sin señal” so I left the apt and walked to the mall.  I had a couple chess pages printed then went up to Café Arangos for a café con leche.

I left about 11am and returned to the apt.

Late afternoon I started watching Draft Day until Esmeralda arrived.  It was about 5;30 when Teresa asked me if we’re going to get rain soon.  I checked my Accuweather forecast and it predicted a late afternoon thunderstorm.  We soon left. On our way to the mall we heard thunder and there was a single small black cloud that was almost overhead.  We got to the mall in time where MT soon joined us.

We all had dinner at Crepes & Waffles for 91,900 ($30) and then stopped for a bit at Café Arangos for coffee.

When we left the mall it was obvious we had gotten some rain.

Despite occasional discomfort in my back I managed to get through the day without taking a pain pill.

8,515 steps today.

Joke of the day

There was a man who took very good care of his body.  Every day he lifted weights and jogged 6 miles.

One day he looked in the mirror and noticed that he was tanned all over, apart from on his ‘thing’, so he decided to do something about it.

He went to the beach, took off all his clothes and buried himself in the sand, except for his ‘thing’ which he left sticking out.

Two old ladies were strolling along the beach, one using a cane.  Upon seeing the ‘thing’ sticking up out of the sand, she began go move it around with her cane remarking to the other lady: “There’s no justice in the world!”

The other lady asked what she meant.

She replied: “Well, when I was 20, I was curious about it.”

“When I was 30, I enjoyed it.

When I was 40, I asked for it.

When I was 50, I paid for it.

When I was 60, I prayed for it.

When I was 70, I forgot about it.”

“Now when I’m 80, the damn things are growing wild on the beach and I’m too old to squat!”