Monday, December 2, 2019

Well it’s Cyber Monday Americans!

Last night I went to bed at 10:30, fell asleep quickly, got up once about 1am, was awakened by a “noisy” Teresa about 4am and it took a while to fall back asleep finally waking/getting up at 6:30.

First a little background for readers who haven’t read my blog from the beginning.  I had my laptop stolen the first few months here in Medellin.  A gringo kindly sold me one of his laptops so the one I have now is used.  The battery failed a year or so ago and instead of spending $100 to buy a new one I just run it off of the power cord.  It also runs hot.  Even though it sits on a fan, when I use it in the afternoons it gives off so much heat I have to run a fan under the desk to keep myself cool.

Well, this morning I made my contribution to the US economy, I bought a new laptop for about $360 and had it sent to my brother’s house.  He’ll bring it to me when he arrives at the end of January.

Correction, Teresa informed me that the woman, Clara, wants to rent the finca for the month of January not December.

After breakfast I went back to bed at 8am and didn’t get up until 9:30 when Teresa was leaving for the gym.

I watched the first 90 minutes of the Today show which now starts at 10am.  Obviously I’ve skipped gym for today.

I left the apt at 2pm and walked up to Avenida Poblado where I caught a bus to Envios Market.

I paid for December’s mailbox rental and mailed Laura’s birth certificate to her – an original and a copy – and a record of her vaccinations.  The three pages cost 85,000 pesos and should be there by Thursday.  I also picked up my mail – 3 pieces of junk mail and a letter from BSI Financial.

I quickly caught a bus that moved slowly after the Gold Mile and I got off on Calle 39A Sur.  I walked across the street to the used bookstore where I exchanged paperbacks.  Just outside Bartolos I found Chuck, Bart (the Chicagoan) and Mickey.  I briefly said hello then continued on to Bancolombia.  The bank was packed but I got lucky and found a seat.  My number was called 7 minutes later.  I collected my cash and paid the usual 3 bills.  I asked the cashier if I could pay my Une bill there and she said “yes” but I found I had the Direct TV receipt with me not Une.

I stopped at the nature store for a quick purchase and picked up my monthly medications at Todo Drogas.  A couple more blocks and I caught an Envigado bus.  Just before Aymara I noticed Chuck walking back to his apt so I hopped off and we went to Parva for coffee.

He returned to his house and I stuck around for a little while solving a few chess puzzles.

I returned to the apt at 6pm.

Teresa informed me that the chest of drawers will be delivered tomorrow.

I finally told Teresa that I bought a new laptop today; she didn’t have a problem with that.  When I finally get the new one setup and everything transferred from the old to the new, I’ll probably gift the old one to Alejandro.

6,599 steps today.

Joke of the day

Bob, aged 92, and Mary, aged 89, were excited about their decision to get married. While out for a stroll to discuss the wedding, they passed a drug store. Bob suggested they go in. 

Bob asked to speak to the pharmacist. He explained they’re about to get married, and asked, "Do you sell heart medication?" 

"Of course we do," the pharmacist replied. 

"Medicine for rheumatism?" 

"Definitely," he said. 

"How about Viagra?" 

"Of course."

"Medicine for memory problems, arthritis, jaundice?" 

"Yes, the works."

"What about vitamins, sleeping pills, Geritol, antacids?" 

 "Absolutely."

"Do you sell wheelchairs and walkers?"

"All speeds and sizes."

"Good," Bob said to the pharmacist. "We’d like to register for our wedding gifts here, please."