Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Last night I made the mistake of taking my Zopiclona early at 10:10pm.  I read for about 20 minutes in my Nook then went to bed.  I fell asleep quickly, woke up at 3:30, at 5am I was still awake so I got up and took half a Zopiclona and I was soon back asleep waking/getting up just before 8am.

Teresa left for her gym classes at 8:15.

I watched the first 60 minutes of the Today show then left the apt.  I walked to the mall and dropped off my Ciclovia shoes for repair.  I went up to Mr. Kutz and was surprised that they hadn’t opened yet.  I went down to Todo Fresas where I had a café con leche and studies some of my chess tactics.  Back upstairs the barber shop still wasn’t open.  I walked to Envigado station and took the metro to Estadio station.  I was 15 minutes early so I went to a corner café and ordered a café con leche and a croissant.  I called Jose and he had just arrived at the metro station.  I told him where I was and he soon joined me.  At least he had enough time to have lunch.

At the chess league I had the White pieces and I was able to play the London system and I thought I had a nice attack going but I ended up resigning after 34 moves.

Inside the chess league office Jose helped me register for next week’s chess tournament.  I asked about a 3^rd round buy so I can watch the Bears 1^st preseason game on August 8^th and was told to request it with the tournament director (TD) after I complete the 2^nd round.

Back outside I had the Black pieces and I played the Dutch Defense and I was attacking his king but he got his attack going faster and he mated me on the 27^th move.

Jose is having cataract surgery this Friday so it will depend on how well he can see as to whether he will register in next week’s tournament.

I returned via metro to Mr. Kutza in Viva Envigado where I got a nice haircut with a new barber for 25mil.

529 steps today. 

Well, I know that isn’t right.  Because my step counter doesn’t work correctly on the diagonal pocket of my shorts I put it inside my tech bag hoping that would work.  Obviously that isn’t reliable either.

Joke of the day

Angela Merkel arrives at Passport Control in Athens airport.
"Nationality?" asks the immigration officer.
"German," she replies.
"Occupation?”
"No, just here for a few days." 

Monday, July 29, 2019

Last night I went to bed at 10:45, fell asleep quickly but woke/got up at 4:30 so I got a drink of water and went back to bed.  It took a little while to fall back asleep and I finally woke/got up at 7am.

I watched the first 20 minutes of the Today show then left for the gym.  I finally received a text reply from the gringo who says he owes me a cup of coffee.  I understand he’s staying on Carrera 48 and Calle 30 Sur, on the border of Poblado and Envigado.  We agreed to meet at McDonald’s at 2pm and then I would take him to a café in La Buena Mesa.  I chatted briefly with Marcos and invited him to join me meeting the new gringo at McDonald’s at 2pm.  I completed all my exercises in 90 minutes.

I left the apt at 1:45 and walked down to McDonald’s.  Jim & Kathy from San Antonio soon arrived.  We walked up to La Buena Mesa where I pointed out various restaurants.  We arrived at Parva bakery/café and we ordered pastries and coffee.  They have been readers of my blog for quite some time.  We chatted for about 3 hours and they left just as Teresa and MT arrived.

The three of us walked down the hill and we ran into Jerry from Denver almost outside his apt.  I made introductions all around and Jerry addressed them in Spanish.

We walked to the mall where we had dinner at Crepes & Waffles followed by ice cream.

We took a taxi and dropped MT off a block from her apt and we returned to ours.

I thought the Democratic debate was tonight but it’s tomorrow night.

3,320 steps today - would you believe I forgot to bring my step counter with me this afternoon?

Joke of the day

I spent a couple of hours defrosting the fridge last night.
Or "foreplay" as my wife likes to call it. 

Sunday, July 28, 2019

Last night I went to bed at 11pm, quickly fell asleep, got up once during the night about 3:15, woke/got up briefly at 6:20 to have a drink of water, went back to bed and woke/got up at 7am.

My ex emailed me the information to renew my driver’s license.  It looks like I can do it online since I haven’t had any accidents or violations in the past 4 years.  LOL.

I left the apt at 8:45 and joined those walking for Ciclovia.  On the way I stopped in the Euro store looking for Mexican salsa and bread for sandwiches but found neither.  Kiddy Korner across the street I found Mexican salsa in Carulla but not the right bread.  I decided to wait until I visited the Viva Envigado Exito.  I had my usual café mocca in Starbucks.  On my walk back I saw a young man dressed as an English Queen’s Guard.  He was passing out flyers so I took one and it was for British Motors Jaguar and Land Rover in Medellin.  I’m seeing a few scooters on the streets and sidewalks, not sure if they are all electric or not.

I was back at the apt by 11am.

I left the apt at 2pm and walked to the mall.  First I stopped at the Auros copy center where I printed my letter from the Secretary of State.

I went upstairs to Café Arangos where I had a café con leche.  At 2:30 their large screen TV was showing Egan Bernal winning the Tour de France, the first Colombian to do so.  The food court was so crowded it was standing room only.  When he took the podium Colombians actually applauded.  (Bicycle racing is the 2^nd favorite sport here after soccer.)

I carefully read the letter and it appears I can renew my driver’s license online.  Yay!

I paid for my coffee and left at 3:15 and walked down to Cine Colombia.  In the Platinum room I ordered a lemonade and studied my chess tactics for an hour.

I went into Exito where I picked up a bag of sandwich bread.  I looked all over for Mexican salsa but no luck.  I even asked an associate but what she showed me was all jalapeno muy picante, spicier than I want.

On my way out of the mall I shouted “Go White Sox” at a young man wearing a Chicago Cubs t-shirt.  I don’t know what his reply was as I was wearing the earbuds for my iPod.  I should have backtracked and chatted with him but I didn’t.  Sigh!

I was back at the apt by 5:30.

One of Teresa’s favorite movies is on Direct TV tonight so we’re going to watch it for the 3^rd time or so.  Only problem was that it wasn’t with subtitles so it was either watch it in the original English or dubbed in Spanish.  I chose the latter for Teresa’s viewing.

13,492 steps today.

Joke of the day

I woke up this morning at 8 and could sense something was wrong.  I went downstairs and found the wife face down on the kitchen floor, not breathing!  I panicked. I didn't know what to do.
Then I remembered the local cafe serves breakfast until 11:30. 

Saturday, July 27, 2019

Last night I went to bed at 10:45, quickly fell asleep, got up once during the night, woke/got up briefly at 6:30 to have a drink of water, went back to bed and woke/got up at 7:30.

I left the apt at 9:30, walked up to Ave. Poblado and soon was on a bus to downtown Envigado.  It was a 1 block walk to the bookstore where I soon exchanged paperbacks for 2mil.

I walked to my usual ATM where I made a significant withdrawal.

I walked half a block away to Cotrafa where I paid the finca utility bill.

I walked a block and a half to Todo Drogas where I bought another box of Dexibuprofen for 27,500 – that’s 8,300 pesos less than the last pharmacy – again confirming that Todo Drogas has the best prices.

I walked to my usual flower store where I got a bunch of flowers – 15 red roses including Baby’s Breath for 12mil (less than $4).

I walked a few blocks to Mundo Huevo where I bought a jar of Planters Chunky Peanut Butter for 29,400.  (Later Teresa thought that price was outrageous; not sure how much it would cost at Pricesmart.)

I returned to the apt and presented Teresa with her favorite flowers.

We took a couple naps in the afternoon after lunch.

I lef the apt at 4pm and walked to the nearest bakery – Eduardo Madrid.  I took my chess book with me because I wanted to spend an hour studying tactics.  Unfortunately, it was too dark and they had yet to turn on the lights.  I had a café con leche and an almond croissant for 10,600 pesos ($3.25).  About 45 minutes later a family came in with 2 young noisy boys so I decided it was time to leave.

On my way back to the apt I stopped in our neighborhood Exito looking for a bottle of Mexican salsa but no luck.

I forgot to mention that last night and last Wednesday night it started raining lightly at 10:30 as we were going to bed.

I spent an hour studying chess tactics.

A young, 22 year old Colombian named Egan apparently is leading the Tour de France (bicycle race) so we hear about it every time we turn on the news.

I really can’t stand the smell when Teresa cooks fish.  Today it affected me so badly I had to stand out on the balcony until she finished cooking.

I watched Season 8, episode 9 of The Walking Dead on Netflix.

I had a conversation with Teresa regarding how much we owe the bank for her surgery.  She seems to think it’s either 4 or 5 million pesos.  I asked her to please find out as I would like to pay off that debt in August or September.

7,411 steps today.

Joke of the day

"Jesus Loves You."
Nice to hear in church but not in a Mexican prison. 

Friday, July 26, 2019

Last night I went to bed at 10:30 but it seemed to take me at least an hour to fall asleep.  I woke/got up at 6am and went for a drink of water and back to bed.  I finally got up at 6:45.

I watched the first 20 minutes of the Today show then left for the gym.  I completed all my exercises in about 90 minutes.  I didn’t see Marcos today.

This morning I started receiving my Expat Exchange emails again.  I think I was out of the loop for 2 days.

Among new US movie releases I would like to see Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood (9.1).  Locally, 2001: A Space Odyssey (8.3) is playing at Viva Envigado at 12:30pm Sunday.

I texted Marcos and we made plans to meet for coffee tomorrow after lunch.

Teresa and I took a nap from 1:30 to 2:30.

She said she was going to Caldas to pick up the finca utility bill but she changed her mind after I checked my Waze app and found that traffic was bumper to bumper.

I left the apt at 3pm and stopped in Eduardo Madrid Café.  I pointed to an English muffin and asked for one.  She got it out and I asked her what it’s called as I thought they called it panita something.  With a Spanish accent she said it’s called an English muffin.  LOL.  Now I know.

I walked to the mall where I recycled a AA battery and pill bottle.  For the latter I received another Burger King coupon.

I went into Cine Colombia to buy a ticket to 2001: A Space Odyssey for Sunday at 12:30pm but I was informed they are sold out.  Ouch!

I bought a medium coffee from Juan Valdez and sat down at a nearby table where I spent an hour studying my chess tactics book.

I checked my Waze app and it appeared that the highway traffic had cleared so I called Teresa buy she informed me she was on her way to Caldas to pick up the utility bill for the finca.

I went to the pharmacy outside Exito where I bought another 10 Dexibuprofen for 35,800.  (These buggers are costing me about $1 apiece but it’s worth it!)  In Exito I picked up a package of 4 AA batteries, 2 bags of milk and a box of Hindu Frutos Salvaje tea for Teresa.  (She tried it yesterday at La Tres Uno and really liked it.)  I didn’t find Planters Crunchy Peanut Butter, however.

Tonight is the first practice for the Chicago Bears.

Teresa didn’t return to the apt until about 9pm as she was visiting a sick single friend in Caldas.  She brought me some chicken asados (roasted) with small baked potatoes.

8,845 steps today.

Joke of the day

A man wonders if having sex on the Sabbath is a sin because he is not sure if sex is work or play, so he goes to a priest and asks for his opinion on this question.

After consulting the Bible, the priest says, "My son, after an exhaustive search, I am positive that sex is work and is therefore not permitted on Sundays."

The man thinks: "What does a priest know about sex?"

So he goes to a minister who, after all, is a married man and experienced in this matter.

He queries the minister and receives the same reply. Sex is work and therefore not for the Sabbath!

Not pleased with the reply, he seeks out a Rabbi, a man of thousands of years of tradition and knowledge.

The Rabbi ponders the question, then states, "My son, sex is definitely play."

The man replies, "Rabbi, how can you be so sure when so many others tell me sex is work?"

The Rabbi speaks softly: "My son, if sex were work, my wife would have the maid do it."

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Last night I went to bed at 10:30, got up once at 2:30, got up at 6am, had a drink of water and went back to bed.  I got up at 7:45.

Teresa left at 9am for the gym.

I watched the Today show while at the same time working on the desk drawer.  The drawer now goes in with about 2” still outside but I can’t try to repair it again because the drawer release on the sides are too far inside the desk, so I guess I’m done.

Teresa called me at 11:45 and asked me to meet her at the corner of the new café Parva and we would go to a new restaurant for lunch.  I found her sitting at a table outside La Tres Uno.  This is a restaurant I’ve had on my list because I wanted to try their skirt steak.  Teresa ordered salmon right away and I searched my cellphone to find my note about the restaurant.  I couldn’t find it after a few minutes so I ordered some steak with a baked potato.  I finally found my note that the steak I wanted to try was called Entraña.  I asked for the menu and found it then asked the waiter if it was too late to change my order and it said it was.  When they brought my steak it was slightly less done than I like and I couldn’t chew it.  I had them cook it a little more and I still couldn’t chew it.  I complained to Teresa and she talked to the waiter and he finally brought me an order of baby beef and it was much better.  The total was 77,600 ($21) and I tipped the waiter 10mil.

We quickly caught a taxi to Mayorista.  As usual I helped Teresa pick up some groceries then I went outside for a café con leche.  At one point I was so tired I put my head down for a few minutes.  About 5 minutes later Teresa came out and woke me up and asked if I was sick.  No, I said, just tired.  Inside we checked the groceries, I paid with my debit card, and we took a cash car back to the apt.

Today we bought 2 bags of gala apples and I had one with peanut butter this afternoon.  That just about ends our container of Planter’s Crunchy Peanut Butter so I’ll have to look for another one since I didn’t find it in Euro.

The Chicago Bears reported to training camp today so NFL games can’t be far behind.  Yay!

I finished reading the paperback Sleepers by Lorenzo Carcaterra.

3,614 steps today.

Joke of the day

Russ Buttacovoli, an 80-year-old Italian goes to the doctor for a check-up. 
The doctor is amazed at what good shape the guy is in and asks, 'how do you stay in such great physical condition?'
I'm Italian and I am a golfer,' says Russ, 'and that's why I'm in such good shape. I'm up well before daylight and out golfing up and down the fairways.
I have a glass of vino, and all is well.'
"'Well' says the doctor, 'I'm sure that helps, but there's got to be more to it. How old was your Father when he died?
"Who said he was dead?"
The doctor is amazed. 'You mean you're 80 years old and your Father's still alive. How old is he?'
'He's 100 years old,' says Russ. 'In fact he golfed with me this morning, and then we went to the topless beach for a walk and had a little vino and that's why he's still alive. He's Italian and he's a golfer, too.'
'Well,' the doctor says, 'that's great, but I'm sure there's more to it than that. How about your Father's Father? How old was he when he died?'
'Who said my Nonno's dead?'
Stunned, the doctor asks, 'You mean you're 80 years old and your grandfather's still living! Incredible, how old is he?'  

 'He's 118 years old,' says the Old Italian golfer.
The doctor is getting frustrated at this point, 'So, I guess he went golfing with you this morning too?'
'No, Nonno couldn't go this morning because he's getting married today.'

At this point the doctor is close to losing it. 'Getting married? Why would a 118 year- old guy want to get married?'
'Who said he wanted to?

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Last night I went to bed at 10:45, fell asleep quickly, got up once about 2:30, and was awakened by Teresa at 7am.

I took my shower and had a bowl of cereal and connected to my Slingbox in the States.

I watched Mueller’s congressional testimony from 7:35 to its end at 3pm.

Teresa and I took an hour nap.

Strange, I didn’t receive any emails today from Expat Exchange.

Today the high only got up to the upper 70’s.

After lunch tomorrow we’re going to Mayorista and on Friday Teresa is going to Caldas to pick up the tax bill for the finca.

I watched Taking Lives (6.2) on Netflix.

1,115 steps today.  Since I stayed in all day this should be my minimum for the future.

Joke of the day

Three old men are discussing their sex lives. The Italian man says, "Last week, my wife and I had great sex. I rubbed her body all over with olive oil, we made passionate love, and she screamed for 5 minutes at the end." 

The Frenchman boasts, "Last week when my wife and I had sex I rubbed her body all over with butter. We made passionate love and she screamed for 15 minutes.”
The old Englishman says, "Well last week my wife and I had sex too. I rubbed her body all over with kosher chicken fat, we made love and she screamed for 6 hours.”

The Italian and Frenchman were stunned. 
They replied, "What could you have possibly done to make your wife scream for 6 hours?"
The Englishman replied "I wiped my hands on the drapes." 

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Last night I went to bed at 10:45, quickly fell asleep and didn’t wake up until 6am finally getting up at 6:30.  Sweet!

I read yesterday that Equifax has agreed to pay $700 million to nearly 150,000,000 people over their 2017 data breach.  IF that doesn’t include the lawyers share, it averages out to about $4.67 per person.  In my case I set a 7-year freeze on my financial data so I don’t know if that means I was financially inconvenienced enough.  Probably not worth the effort.

Teresa asked me to pick up a package of crackers from Exito.  I also picked up a bag of milk.

I finally left the apt at 8:05 and walked to the mall.

Jose showed up about 8:45 as I was finishing my breakfast.  He got stuck again having breakfast at home.

We went upstairs to the food court where we were careful to choose a table not too close to the television sets.

We played 3 games and something interesting happened in the 2^nd game.  He had a strong attack against my king and at one point I managed to push a pawn towards his king to try to break up his pawn cover.  Instead of taking it he pushed a pawn and I noted that if I could get my queen all the way to the other end of the board to the one square in front of his king I would checkmate him.  I managed to repel his attack and got some space for my queen and he missed the threat and I checkmated him exactly where I said.

He won the other 2 games, however.

Teresa called me the minute after we finished the last game.  She was at La Casita Parilla talking with her gym friend.  She said I didn’t need to hurry back to the apt.  I said goodbye to Jose and went downstairs to Todo Fresa where I enjoyed a quiet café con leche while checking my cellphone.

I left and walked back to the apt and the minute I arrived Teresa called me and invited me to join them at the new café in Buena Mesa.  I dropped off a few things and met them 15 minutes later at Parva Bakery House.  She was with Ampara and her daughter who is studying at EAFIT University.  I bought pastries and drinks for everyone for 24,800 ($7.50).  I informed Teresa that tomorrow I may not go to the gym because I will be watching Müeller’s testimony before Congress.

We walked back to our complex – their apartment is across the street in what I understand is a more expensive building.

At 7:15 I noticed it was raining pretty heavily.  It finally stopped about 9:15.

I uninstalled VLC Media Player due to a recommendation I read on the internet.

7,771 steps today.

Joke of the day

A man goes into a store and asks the clerk for some "Polish Sausage." 

The clerk looked at him and asked "Are you Polish?" 

The guy, clearly offended, says "Well, yes I am. But let me ask you something. If I asked you for Italian Sausage, would you ask me if I was Italian? Or, if I asked for German Bratwurst, would you ask me if I was German? Or if I asked you for a Kosher Hot Dog, would you ask me if I was Jewish? Or, if I asked you for a Taco, would you ask me if I was Mexican? Would ya, huh? Would ya?" 

The clerk says, "Well no." 

"And if I asked you for some Irish Whiskey, would you ask me if I was Irish? What about Canadian Bacon, would you ask me if I was Canadian?" 

"Well, I probably wouldn't." 

With self-indignation, the guy says, "Well, all right then, why did you ask me if I'm Polish just because I asked for Polish Sausage?' 

The clerk replies, "Because you're at a Home Depot, sir."

Monday, July 22, 2019

Last night I went to bed at 11pm, got up once during the night, woke up at 7am, had a sip of water and went to bed getting up for good at 7:30.

Teresa informed me that we are out of fruits and vegetables so after lunch today we’ll be making a trip to Mayorista.

At 8:30 a light rain started.

I watched the first 20 minutes of the Today show then left for the gym.  Marcos was there and we chatted a bit.  I completed all my exercises in about 90 minutes.

Just before lunch Teresa announced we won’t be going to Mayorista today because she would be too tired for her 4-6pm yoga classes this afternoon.  She wants to go on Wednesday instead.

We took a nap from 2 to 3pm.

I dressed and left the apt at 4:30 in a light mist and walked to the mall.  I started with a café con leche at Todo Fresa then later I went up to Café Arangos for another.  Today was a cool slightly rainy day so it wasn’t hot up there.

Teresa called me about 6:30 to inform me that she and Esmeralda were leaving the gym.  Outside the mall I saw that we had gotten a little rain.

I returned to the apt and Esmeralda left and Teresa and I walked to La Buena Mesa.  She led me to Barbacoa where we shared their Classic Burger with rustic fries.  After one bite she didn’t like her burger so I finished it.  It certainly wasn’t the best quality meat but I didn’t think it was that bad.  I think the only reason she comes here is because she knows one of the waiters.

8,959 steps today.

Joke of the day

A desperate looking woman stood poised on the edge of a high bridge, about to jump off.
An old homeless guy who was wandering by stopped and said, "Look, since you'll be dead in a few minutes, and it won't matter to you, how about a quickie before you go?"
She screamed, "NO! Bug off you filthy old bastard!"
He shrugged and turned away saying, "Okay then, I'll just go and wait at the bottom."
She didn't jump.  Suicide counseling really does work!

Sunday, July 21, 2019

Last night I went to bed at 11pm, fell asleep quickly, got up once during the night, was awakened around 6am by barking dogs, woke up at 7am and took the pill for my osteoarthritis and went back to bed for about 20 minutes.

About the worst I can say now about my lower back is it seems tight, something I could definitely live with.

I left the apt about 9am and walked to Starbucks and back.  On the way I observed the usual yoga class at Otra Parte and exercise classes at Euro and Santafe mall.

I tried again to install the desk drawer but it still sticks.  It went in further however and now I’m convinced I need to move the tracks about 3 ½” to 4” further back.

In the afternoon MT came over and they went to mass.

When they returned Teresa told me she wanted to show me a new café in La Buena Mesa.  We left the apt at 5pm and she led me to Parva bakery which I recall opened in the past few weeks.  The place was pretty busy but we got the last table.  I had a large café con leche and a pastry with arequipe inside and Teresa and MT shared a slice of banana cake and a bottle of water.  The total came to 13,780 ($4).

MT walked back to her apt and we returned to ours.

I watched volume 31 chapter 7, volume 32 chapter 1 and volume 37 chapters 1-2 of Empire Chess Tactics & Sacrifices.

12,842 steps today.

Joke of the day

Rabbi Bernstein was in a terrible accident, and his "manhood" was mangled and torn from his body. 

His doctor assured him that modern medicine could give him back his manhood, but that his insurance wouldn't cover the procedure, since it was considered cosmetic surgery. 

The doctor said the cost would be $3,500 for a "small," $6,500 for a "medium," and $14,000 for a "large."

Rabbi Bernstein was sure that his wife and he would want at the least a medium... and perhaps even a large. But the doctor urged him to talk it over with his wife before he made any decision. 

The rabbi called his wife on the phone and explained their options. The doctor came back into the room, and found the rabbi slouched over in the chair looking quite dejected. 

"Well, what have the two of you decided?" asked the doctor. 

The Rabbi replied, "She'd rather remodel the kitchen."

Saturday, July 20, 2019

Happy Independence Day Colombia!

Last night I went to bed at 11pm, fell asleep quickly, woke up once at 5:10, fell back asleep quickly and finally woke/got up at 7am.

Blueberry pancakes for breakfast!  Yay!

My back feels much better.  Those new pills are wonderful.  Yay!

Teresa is getting her hair done today so I’m on my own for part of the morning and afternoon.  I do have my ticket to Apollo 11 at 12:15 so that will be in my plans.

I left the apt at 9:15 and halfway across the parking lot to the bakery I noticed the far gate was closed.  I retreated and took the long away around where I found the bakery closed, probably because of the holiday.

I returned to the apt.

I watched volume 23 chapter 6 and volume 31 chapters 1-6 of Empire Chess Tactics & Sacrifices.

I left the apt at 10:45 and in the platinum room of Cine Colombia I plugged in my cellphone and did some reading.  I ate a plate of 8 chicken nuggets with a tasty sauce for 11,400 ($3.50) and a small Coke.  Five minutes before showtime I filled my platinum bucket with popcorn, refilled my soft drink and entered the theater.  The theater for Apollo 11 was almost full although I had 2 empty seats next to me.  The movie was very good.  Fifty years ago when this occurred I was a month past graduating from college.  I’m sure I would have laughed if someone had told me that 50 years later I would be living in Colombia.

After the movie I called Teresa but she didn’t answer.  I went to Todo Fresa where I had a café con leche for 4,300 pesos.  Teresa called me and informed me that she couldn’t find a beauty shop open, probably because today is a holiday.  She asked me to pick up some red apples on my way back to the apt.

I left the café after about 45 minutes and stopped in the pharmacy outside Exito where I bought another package of 10 Dexibuprofeno for 35,800 pesos.  That was 7,800 pesos more than the first box I bought.

On my way back to the apt I stopped in Exito where I bought 4 gala apples and a container of Axion (dish soap).

Back at the apt I checked the drawer runners on the desk and they still slide easily but if I apply some side pressure to them they stick/stop.  That seems to indicate that I need to set the screws deeper but if I make them too deep then the screw won’t hold in the hole so it will be a slow step by step process.

I received an email from magicJack informing me that my account expires soon and suggesting I renew now.  I checked my notes and “soon” actually is July of 2020!  LOL.

I watched a couple Apollo specials on the Smithsonian Channel.

6,655 steps today.

Joke of the day

Two eighty year-old pensioners are taking a trip down memory lane by going back to the place where they first met.

Sitting at a cafe, the little old man says, "Remember the first time I met you over 50 years ago? We left this cafe, went round the corner behind the gas works, and I gave you the thrill of your life."

"Why, yes, I remember it well, dear," replies the little old lady with a grin.

"Well, for old time's sake, let's go there and do it again."

The two pensioners pay their bill and leave the cafe. A young man sitting next to them had overheard the conversation and smiles to himself, thinking it would be quite amusing to see two old timers at it. He gets up and follows them. Sure enough, he sees the two pensioners near the gas works. The little old lady pulls off her knickers and lifts up her dress.

The old man pulls down his pants and grabs the lady's hips, and the little old lady reaches for the fence. Well, what follows is 10 minutes of the most athletic love making the man has ever seen. Limbs are flying everywhere, the movement is a blur, and they do not stop for a single second. Finally, they collapse and don't move for an entire hour.

The young man is stunned. Never in his life has he ever seen anything that equates to this - not in the movies, not from his friends, not from his own experiences.

Reflecting on what he has just seen, he says to himself, "I have to know his secret. If only I could make love like that now, let alone in 50 years' time!"

The two old pensioners have by this time recovered and dressed themselves.

 Plucking up courage, the man approaches the pensioner.

He says, "Sir, in all my life I have never seen anybody make love like that, particularly at your age! What's your secret? Could you make love like that 50 years ago??"

The pensioner replies, "I don't think so, son. 50 years ago, that fence wasn't electrified!"

Friday, July 19, 2019

I got up once during the night, again at 6am, finally waking/getting up at 7am.

My back feels much better this morning, maybe a slight discomfort but its better than pain and weakness.  Those new pills must be working.

I watched the first 20 minutes of the Today show and left for the gym.  I didn’t see Marcos today.  I completed all my exercises in about 90 minutes.

No Gente newspapers today, maybe because tomorrow is a holiday?

Among new US movie releases there isn’t anything I want to see.  Locally, we just saw Ted Bundy and tomorrow I’ll see Apollo 11.  Beyond that there isn’t anything else I want to see this week.

Again I tried to reinstall the drawer.  I came much closer but still it’s not right.  My best guess is I need to move the runners closer to the front.  Hmm, on second thought I think I need to drive the screws in deeper.

Teresa and I took a nap from 2 to 3pm.

Well, I plugged in my external drive loaded with movies that Michael gave me and I keep getting Windows Media errors.  I went to Netflix and got download errors.  Same thing in Youtube but at least it recommended I restart my computer.

I restarted it and it seemed to work.  I watched the first half of Contact then switched to Kidnapping Stella (4.9) that Teresa and I watched on Netflix.  Despite the low rating Teresa really liked it.

For dinner we had chicken wings delivered from Go Wings.

After we finished eating I reminded Teresa that her TV show Desafio was soon starting but she surprised me by choosing to see another movie.  I chose Secret Obsession (4.4) on Direct TV but she soon tired of it and was watching something on her phone.  The last 30 minutes or so the action increased significantly and then she started watching it again but I’m sure she was a little lost since she didn’t know what was going on.

4,584 steps today.

Joke of the day

Grandpa and grandma were watching the television evangelical show and the preacher said, if the viewers at home wanted to be healed, place one hand on the television set and the other hand on the body part where they wanted to be healed.

Grandma got up and slowly hobbled to the television set, placed her right hand on the set and her left hand on her arthritic shoulder that was causing her to have great pain.

Then Grandpa got up, went to the TV, placed his right hand on the set and his left hand on his crotch.

Grandma scowled at him and said, "I guess you just don't get it. The purpose of doing this is to heal the sick, not to raise the dead."

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Last night I went to bed at 10:45, fell asleep rather quickly, woke up once about 3am when Teresa made a trip to the bathroom, woke up again about 5:30, it seemed to take a little time to drift off again, finally waking/getting up at 7am.

My back seems to not be quite so sore and weak this morning so that’s a good sign.

I took my Dexibuprofen this morning at 7:15 and had a bowl of cereal as Teresa would be leaving for the gym around 8am.

I read that Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman Loera has been sentenced to life in prison.  Good for him!  I wish him a long life rotting in prison!

I left the apt at 8:45 and walked up to Avenida Poblado.  I soon was on a Sabaneta bus to Poblado.  The bus was pretty slow and after 30 minutes I got off a block from the park and walked to Envios Market.  I picked up a small package that cost me 4mil and another Capital One credit card ad.  Neither Victoria nor Nobraskja were there yet.

I walked to Clinica de Medellin where I withdrew more small bills from their ATM.  I walked back down to Avenida Poblado where I quickly caught a bus back to Envigado.  I stopped at the bakery where I had a café con leche and bought an English muffin to go.

I was back at the apt by 10:45.  The package, as expected, was a protective case for my new chess clock.

Teresa returned at 11:30.

The weather lately has been wonderful with highs in the lower 80’s with little rain.  I guess the rainy season is finally over and we’ve entered summer.

I reinstalled the right drawer runner but I didn’t measure it quite correctly and it’s not level and a few millimeters too low.  The left one appears correct but the additional problem is that the wood on the right side is harder and it’s more difficult to make holes without a working drill.

I changed clothes, left the apt at 2:45 and walked to the mall.  I brought 4 empty vitamin bottles with me and outside the center side entrance to Exito I found a recycling machine.  I placed each of the bottles inside and I received 4 discount coupons: 2 for Burger King, 1 for Sarku’s and the last for something called Closeando!

Inside the mall I went to the Platinum cashier in Cine Colombia.  A young man with a small dog was being serviced.  He started walking away but the dog didn’t move even after he called him.  I told him “he’s got a mind of his own”.  He said “I’m right” and he led it away.  I added 100mil to my Platinum card and then bought 2 tickets to Ted Bundy for 9:10pm tonight and 1 for Apollo 11 on Saturday at 12:15.

I went upstairs to Café Arangos but decided it was too warm there to be drinking coffee.  On my way back to Cine Colombia I ran into the same young man.  He’s Mike from LA and he’s been living in Laureles for the past 1 ½ years.  He was apparently with his wife, teenage son and a young daughter.

I bought a large coffee at Juan Valdez, plugged in my cellphone and checked the news on Flipboard on my cellphone.

I left after about an hour and walked back to the apt.

I watched volume 23 chapters 3-5 of Empire Chess Tactics & Sacrifices.

Teresa made chicken rice soup for dinner.

Chuck called and informed me that John Heath wants to see the finca.  I told Teresa that he wants to take the 4 of us in his old Volkswagen and Teresa said that’s not going to work so she’ll order a driver.

We left the apt at 8:20 for the 9:10 showing of Ted Bundy: Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (6.7).  In the parking garage a young man with his wife was struggling to get a new large screen TV out of his trunk and into the building’s shopping cart.  I offered to help and we soon realized that the cart wasn’t going to work and the bottom was open so we carried it into the elevator where we had to turn it on its end.  On the 8^th floor we just pushed it down the hallway and into his apt.  His name is Juan, he speaks good English and he’s lived in this building since 2009.

It was now 8:30 and Teresa and I walked to the mall where I bought a small popcorn and we sat down at a table and started eating it.  Five minutes before showtime we went into the theater.  The seats were comfortable preferred seats but they didn’t recline.  The movie was very good although I remember catching one mistake.  I took my nighttime medication with the water I had brought with me.  When I saw Ted Bundy’s 1^st girlfriend’s new boyfriend I said to myself “I know that actor” but I couldn’t quite place him.  I recalled seeing him as a child actor in some robot movie.  It wasn’t until his last scene that I placed his name as Joel in the movie The Sixth Sense and AI.  I watched the credits carefully and his name is Haley Joel Osment.

We left the theater about 11:15 and Teresa forgot that we have to exit through the 2^nd basement level where we can catch a taxi.  I was happy to see about a dozen taxis waiting and we got into the 4^th one.  We were back at the apt for 6mil.

I read for about 20 minutes from my paperback

7,781 steps today.

Joke of the day

A big city lawyer went duck hunting on the Eastern Shore. He shot and dropped a bird, but it fell into a farmer's field. 

As the lawyer climbed over the fence to claim his bird, an elderly farmer drove up on his tractor and asked him what he was doing.

The litigator responded, "I shot a duck and it fell in this field, and now I'm going to retrieve it."

The old farmer replied, "This is my property, and you are not coming over here."

The indignant lawyer said, "I am one of the best trial attorneys in Washington, D.C. and, if you don't let me retrieve that duck, I'll sue you and take everything you own."

The old farmer smiled and said, "Apparently, you don't know how we settle disputes here on The Shore.  We settle small disagreements like this with the 'Three Kick Rule.'"

The lawyer asked, "What is the 'Three Kick Rule'?"

The Farmer replied, "Well, because the dispute occurs on my land, I get to go first. I kick you three times and then you kick me three times and so on back and forth until someone gives up."

The attorney quickly thought about the proposed contest and, being the person he was, decided that he could easily take the old codger. He agreed to abide by the local custom.

The old farmer slowly climbed down from the tractor and walked up to the attorney. His first kick planted the toe of his heavy steel toed work boot into the lawyer's groin and dropped him to his knees!

His second kick to the midriff sent the lawyer's last meal gushing from his mouth. The lawyer was on all fours when the farmer's third kick to his rear end, sent him face-first into a fresh cow pie.

The lawyer summoned every bit of his will and remaining strength and very slowly managed to get to his feet. Wiping his face with the arm of his jacket, he said, "Okay, you old fart. Now it's my turn."

(I love this part)

The old farmer smiled and said, "Nah, I give up. You can have the duck."