Friday, December 29, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once at 4am, finally waking/getting up at 6:15.

This morning even the Start button on my computer works but maybe it’s time to seriously think of upgrading to Windows 11.

I completed my workout in Smartfit from 8:30 to 9:30. I was a little surprised my 15 minutes on the treadmill only translated to about 1,100 steps on my step counter. After I turned off my shower I picked up my towel and one of my clean socks fell on the wet floor. I thin I need to rethink my packing order.

I had a latte in Los Porteños but it was so busy (because of the holidays?) I left before 11am. I bought 2 bags of milk on my way back to the apt.

Teresa and I wanted to leave at noon but for some reason Didi didn’t show the address of the Poblado Pricesmart. I switched to Uber and ordered a car to pick us up but I had to pay in cash because I currently don’t have my debit card linked to Uber.

We stopped in Pricesmart’s cafeteria for lunch. I ordered the pepperoni calzone and a soda (in the future I’ll probably just get a slice of pepperoni pizza) and Teresa their 2 pieces of chicken with fries and a bottle of water. She picks the skin off to get to the meat and doesn’t touch the fries. 😊

At one point I saw this video for a playhouse slide but it was in English 😊

We picked up a number of things for 814,776 pesos ($212).

Upstairs we had a short wait for a taxi to return us to our apt. I had the driver turn off Ave Poblado by Otra Parte so I could see if the patio was open. It wasn’t.

I was 1 move away from checkmating my Syrian opponent and he had the nerve to request a draw.

I left the apt at 2:30 and had a latte in Otra Parte for a couple hours. At one point I had to make a trip to the restroom but I left everything behind except my fanny pack and my cellphone. I was pleased to see they had a toilet seat AND toilet paper. I could get used to such luxury. 😊 Everything was in order when I returned.

I managed to log into the Envios Market website and switched it to English and watched a short video but how it works is still pretty confusing. I’ll go over it a few times more and then make a visit to Nobraskja.

Today I got in over 5,300 steps.

I finished reading Why We Sleep by Michael Walker, PhD. I recommend this book for everyone.

 

JOKES, EXPLAINED, UNNECESSARILY

Thursday, December 28, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once at 4am, finally waking/getting up at 6:45. Hmm. On the other hand, maybe I still need at least 8 hours sleep.

When I logged into Chess.com today it wished me a Happy Anniversary for being an active member for 12 years.

I left the apt at 9:30 and walked to Envios Market where I asked Nobraskja about how I access my “locker” in Innovation Corp. She gave me this link – www.EnviosMarket.com/EN - and then I enter my email address and my password. We’ll see how that works.

I went across the street and had a latte in Otra Parte for a couple hours, returning to the apt by noon.

We had some sprinkles in the afternoon and it got noticeably cooler so we’re going to delay our trip to Pricesmart until tomorrow afternoon.

I had computer problems; my MS Edge and Chrome browsers continually displaying “not responding” and I couldn’t log in or out. I closed the cover hoping that would force a close. I contacted Alejandro and we made plans to meet Saturday morning at the home of a computer technician that lives near him. I even considered buying a new laptop, looking at Amazon.com on my cellphone. I texted my brother and let him know I might be asking him to bring me a new phone when he comes in February.

But a few hours later it now seems to be back to normal except I don’t get any response when I click on the Start button. 😊

I backed up my D: drive to my external hard drive.

I’m going to checkmate the Syrian player in about 6 moves but he keeps offering me a draw. 😊

We had a little rain in the afternoon but more starting about 7:45 in the evening. It was still raining lightly when I went to bed at 10pm.

 

JOKES, EXPLAINED, UNNECESSARILY

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once during the night, again at 4:45, couldn’t fall back asleep, finally getting up at 5:30. Hmm. Maybe I no longer need 8 hours sleep and 7 is sufficient? Time will tell.

I had a short nap on the recliner from 7:30 to 8am.

I completed my workout in Smartfit from 8:15 to 9:15. I found that the button for the 3^rd shower stall gives water longer per press than some of the other stalls. The first wave is cold and after that its mostly warm.

I had coffee in Los Porteños for a couple hours. I bought a sleeve of 6 bagels in Eduardo Madrid for 16,800 pesos before returning to the apt.

Teresa talked to someone at Dann Carlton about New Years Eve. They are booked but they could put us at a large table (with others) by the pool. The problem is we’d be gambling that the weather (wind & rain) cooperates. Teresa wants to go check it out so I suggested we have lunch there.

Teresa was too hungry so she changed her mind about taking a bus. I ordered a Didi and we left at 1:20 for the Dann Carlton. We stopped in the first restaurant we encountered, named 43^rd Street.

Teresa had asparagus soup, chicken salad and a beer while I had their Wok bowl and a mango juice.

For dessert we shared a slice of Tiramisu and we each had a latte. The total check came to 167,724 pesos ($44) not including tip. I suggested I leave a 20mil tip but Teresa said that was too much. I suggested 15mil and she approved. I gave the waitress the 15mil and after she left Teresa said the waiters share the tips with the cooks and I should have given more. Too late now!

Our waiter showed us the pool area and it’s a nicely covered area so I think we’re safe from any rain

We went up to the banquet reservation room and they managed to squeeze us into the main ballroom on the 18^th floor for 926,640 pesos ($237). Festivities begin December 31^st at 7:30pm.

We returned to the apt by taxi and our driver, Carlos, told Teresa several stories that he’s experienced with gringos.

Troyclough checkmated me in 53 moves, dropping my rating 10 points to 1583. ☹

We watched a couple more episodes of Pablo Escobar.

 

JOKES, EXPLAINED, UNNECESSARILY

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Happy Boxing Day!

Last night I went to bed at 10pm (still raining), got up once at 12:30 (no longer raining), again at 4:45 (raining), couldn’t fall back asleep, finally getting up at 6am.

I forgot to mention yesterday there was absolutely no traffic on the street, no pedestrians, no one out on their balconies. It’s as if the whole neighborhood left for the day.

My pad appeared dry so I just moved it to a clean pair of underwear.

I left the apt at 7:23 and arrived by Didi at Unicentro mall 10 minutes before opening. (In the future I should wait a little longer before ordering my ride.)

Jose joined me a couple minutes before 8am and when they opened we went upstairs to Parmessano. I had their French toast with scrambled eggs and a latte again.

Jose told me he still hasn’t seen any chess tournaments posted for next year and the last one they had was just rapid and speed chess. ☹

I had the Black pieces in the first game and I started an attack before my own king was safe and I resigned on my 35^th move.

Gisela from Innovation Corp texted me I have items in my “locker” in FL and, “Do we ship everything to Colombia?” I replied, “yes”.

She asked, “Does it inform me of content and value to declare?” I replied, “I would let her know when I return to my apt”.

I bought a bottle of water so I could take half an Excedrin.

I had the White pieces in the 2^nd game and the game was so close Jose offered me a draw on the 39^th move. I declined and later in the endgame I had 2 opportunities to force a draw. Well, that’s how we learn!

I wasn’t really hungry so I just had a dried tomato croissant and a latte (ugh) in Santa Leña. I walked to the Conquistadores entrance and was surprised it was raining. I ordered a Didi and it was about a 15-minute wait for the car to arrive.

When I returned to the apt Teresa wasn’t there. I texted her and she was in Santafe mall with her mother.

I sent an email to the chess league asking if they have a tournament schedule for 2024.

I read somewhere that a teaspoon of pickle juice is a cure for cramps. I don’t have a cramp but I gave it a try…wow, that’ll put hair on your chest. 😊

Again, I watched an episode of Pablo Escobar and I stopped at 8pm to do some reading but Teresa watched another episode without me. ☹

 

JOKES, EXPLAINED, UNNECESSARILY

Monday, December 25, 2023

Merry Christmas everyone!

Last night I went to bed at 10pm (intermittent firecrackers), got up once during the night, waking/getting up at 7:15 (intermittent firecrackers).

After breakfast I had a 90-minute nap though I don’t think I slept much.

I made plans to play chess with Jose tomorrow.

I finally managed to add photos to Saturday’s post.

We both napped on and off during the day.

Teresa spent most of the day working on sewing beads on one of her newest dresses.

It seemed like right at the stroke of 6pm we had a downpour that lasted about half an hour.

I was watching Pablo Escobar episode 7 when Teresa aske me to show her the episode where Yesenia (sp?) is killed by her boyfriend. I had to back up a few episodes for her to see it and after she saw it was after 8pm when I shouldn’t be watching any bright screens prior to sleeping. I try to read my Kindle book without watching the screen and she finally had enough at the end of that episode.

Besides a gift card, my son gifted me a 1-year subscription to the Washington Post. That’ll come in handy for articles I come across on my cellphone.

 

JOKES, EXPLAINED, UNNECESSARILY

Sunday, December 24, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once during the night, woke up again and heard water running. I went into the bathroom expecting the toilet to be running but the faucet was running, not hard but still coming out so I turned it off. Back to bed and I quickly fell back asleep, finally waking at 6:30 and getting up at 7:45.

Teresa spent a few minutes sunning at the pool. My bathing beauty:

Breakfast is from 8am to 9:30 and we had their simple breakfast from about 8:15 to 8:45.

This is my view of the pool

With this little character under my table

You'll have to zoom in to have any chance of seeing him.

I suggested to Teresa we take a moto taxi into town to pick up toiletry supplies and maybe even have lunch there.

I noticed they sell Colgate toothpaste here but it’ll probably cost a small fortune. 😊

For some reason my photos aren’t downloading. ☹

Lunch was again very simple.

There were 2 blue birds building a nest in the rafters of the building.

Can you see it? Zoom in!

Okay, here’s a better view:

Teresa spoke to someone working there for 15-20 minutes about how unhappy we were with their facilities and their food.

Teresa got the name of the owner and left him a voice mail. He called back and Teresa had a long conversation with him.

We got our 2^nd (50%) payment returned, we called Bryan and he picked us up by 6pm.

We stopped at a place called El Mono 

on our way back and Teresa had trout, I had chicken soup with rice and a mango juice and Bryan had a juice.

We were back in the apt by 8pm. Teresa talked to the portero and he turned our water and gas back on. Bryan only charged me the previously agreed on 230mil but I gave him 250mil for retrieving us on Christmas Eve.

I found my toiletry kit hanging in my closet where I left it.

I read my book for an hour or so and went to bed at my normal time of 10pm.

 

JOKES, EXPLAINED, UNNECESSARILY

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once at 3:30, finally waking/getting up at 6:15.

An hour before our departure Bryan changed our car and driver on us. I’m not very pleased with that. Manuel picked us up when we were ready to leave at noon.

He didn’t seem to go our usual highway route to the tunnel but took traffic packed back roads through local towns. We arrived at Parador Rancho Alegre, our usual almojabana stop on the other side of the tunnel, by 1:15 and quickly found a table as a couple were leaving. Teresa had sancocho and I had calentao with scrambled eggs, an almojabana and a café con leche. Manuel had calentao with beef and a juice.

The total came to something like 80mil.

We continued on another 15 minutes to San Jernonimo. The town is nothing to speak of and we went another 15 minutes into the countryside the last 100 yards or so on a dirt road. I paid Manuel the promised 230mil.

It’s hot:

The hotel isn’t anything special, no more than what is shown on their website. All payments must be made in cash or transfer into their account so I paid the remaining balance of 2,200,000 pesos, which includes breakfast. I have another million or so in cash which hopefully will cover the remainder of our meals. I would call the place quiet except for the nonstop Colombian music piped through multiple speakers.

This is their menu for lunch and supper:

And these are their serving hours

There are only a couple other families here so it’s obviously not a popular holiday spot for Colombians. A couple more families arrived later.

It was about 3pm or so when I realized I left my toiletry bag back in our master bathroom which means I’m lacking all my medications, my toothbrush, our toothpaste, my hairbrush, my shaver and other things I haven’t figured out yet. Teresa didn’t seem too upset when she heard the news.

She got some sun and I read some in my new book on Kindle. At 5:30 on our way back to our 2^nd floor room Teresa pointed out an area where she suggested we could walk. I pointed out an area a little higher up, dark clouds. Fifteen minutes later we had a downpour that lasted about 30 minutes.

Supper wasn’t anything special, the typical Colombian meal.

At one point I asked Teresa what time we’re going to sleep and she gave me a dirty look which I interpreted as we’ll be staying up late. At 9:30 she told me she was tired and we returned to our room. Music was still playing loudly as I went to bed at 10pm.

 

JOKES, EXPLAINED, UNNECESSARILY

Friday, December 22, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once at 4am, finally waking/getting up at 6:15.

Teresa asked me if I wanted to meet her for lunch in Mayorca and I reminded her of my movie this afternoon.

I completed my workout in Smartfit between 8am and 9am. While undressing for my shower I asked the guy next to me, an old man with white hair, how old he is and he’s 85. I’ve got him beat.

By 9:30 I was sitting in Los Porteños having a latte. I texted Bryan reminding him of our noon pickup tomorrow.

This is a painting my half-sister recently completed

I left at 10:45 and bought a bag of milk on my way back to the apt.

I left at 11:15 and walked to the mall (no noticeable leaking). Looks like they’re almost finished with the construction on the corner.

 I bought a general seating ticket to André Rieu White Christmas for 26mil, finally qualifying for their 2024 platinum card

At first there were only 3 of us in the theater but about 20 minutes in 6 others arrived, then 3 more, then 2 more. I’ll let you do the math.

I thought the concert was going to be in England but it was in the Winter Palace in Maastrecht, Netherlands. (I’m Dutch on my father’s side.) The conductor, André Rieu, welcomed everyone in English, German, French and Spanish. All of his dialogue was first in German and then in English with Spanish subtitles. He stated that the symphony and the singers come from 15 different countries, including the US and Tasmania.

There were a number of surprises I won’t mention except one, at the 1-hour mark they had a 15-minute intermission. I jumped up to make a trip to the restroom but I think everyone else was too stunned to move right away.

I discovered that when I Googled for song lyrics this popped up

which made it much easier to find songs. (I’m slowly joining the 21^st century. 😊 )

The show is going to be repeated Saturday and Sunday. I loved the show and next year I intend to bring Teresa.

Troyclough blundered on his 28^th move in the endgame and resigned increasing my rating to 1593.

When I left I went upstairs and had the small roast beef combo with a Coke upstairs in Only Roast Beef.

I stopped at La Sasteria and this time they had fixed my mother’s bank envelope for 14mil. 😊

I had a latte in Urbania for an hour or so. When I left about 5pm there was a long line for taxis which took about 20 minutes to get through.

The taxi driver spoke a little English and we had quite the conversation about the Sears Tower. 😊

I was back at the apt by 5:30 and Teresa returned about 2 minutes later. She wants to go for patacones tonight. I agreed but want to wait until 7pm because I just finished lunch about 3pm.

We left about 7pm but the patacones place was closed so we had pizza across the street at Gloria’s. Teresa had quite the conversation with Gloria telling her about our trip to Greece. We didn’t leave until 8:45, the bakery was closed, but we quickly caught a taxi back to the apt.

I found these 2023 statistics on Chess.com.

 

JOKES, EXPLAINED, UNNECESSARILY

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once at 3:45, finally waking/getting up at 6am.

Teresa informed me she’s going to take her mother to Santafe mall so I’ll be on my own for lunch. (I’ve heard that before!)

I left the apt at 8:35 and was in a Didi on my way to Daniel’s for my haircut when he texted asking if I can come 15 minutes late at 9:15. I told him, “I’m already on my way”. I was there by 8:50 and he showed up a minute later.

After my haircut I took another Didi to Todo Drogas where it cost 196,701 pesos ($50) for my monthly medications. The girl gifted me a desk calendar for 2024 which saved me a trip to the paper store to buy one. I made a pit stop at the restroom in the mercado across the street. I stopped at a watch stand where I bought a battery for my step counter for 10mil. I stopped in Cotrafa, no line, but found they don’t take payments for Direct TV. I walked a block away to $efecty, slow line, where I was once again told the payment was double the usual 159,700 pesos. I gave her 160,000 pesos and she gave me a receipt for all of it.

Teresa called and asked me to pick up potatoes, carrots, and purple lettuce in Exito. I asked what about her going to Santafe with her mother. She said she doesn’t answer her phone so she’s probably sleeping. I found potatoes and carrots but not the lettuce and got in a long slow “express” line. After I checked out, I walked the 5-6 blocks to Parva where I had a café con leche.

I left at 11:45 and returned to the apt.

I had purchased 3 Kindle books the past 2 days and was surprised I was charged for each of them. I talked to a Kindle rep and as I suspected the free “Unlimited Kindle” books for the next 2 months are indeed Limited to a specific list of books. ☹

I have to see one more movie (or at least buy a ticket) before we leave for our Christmas vacation. There are only 2 candidates I see for today:

Radical (8.1) – but it’s only in Spanish

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom – not my type of movie

But tomorrow at noon only, there’s André Rieu White Christmas, “An unforgettable celebration with the King of Waltz in his White Christmas concert, to enjoy the Christmas spirit to the rhythm of the most iconic songs of this season: Jingle Bells, Ave Maria, Oh Holy Night, Hallelujah and many more. Maastricht Palace is transformed into a romantic setting with all the Christmas atmosphere, light effects, 60 skaters on 2 ice rinks, 300 dancers, Venetian chandeliers and exclusive interviews by the hostess, Charlotte Hawkins. With this concert, André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra offer an unforgettable gift for the whole family during these festivities.”

Tomorrow Teresa is going to meet up with her mother and sister Vicky and who knows who else.

My brother notified me he’s coming for a visit next February 9^th to the 18^th. I searched for Colombian chess tournaments in February, 2024 but so far didn’t find anything except an email address.

I received emails that the presents, a Calvin & Hobbes complete set, have been delivered to my kids. Jeannie is on her way to her in-laws in Wisconsin but Jimmy was delighted to received his.

I was watching episode 34 of Pablo Escobar when Teresa must have recognized something and asked me to turn up the volume. She then joined me in finishing that episode. At 8pm I wanted to turn it off to start my pre-sleep reading period but she insisted I keep it on so she could watch more. I started reading my Kindle and put on a baseball cap to deter me from accidentally looking at the screen. Finally, when early in episode 36 she said I could turn it off.

 

CHOOSING A CHILD FREE LIFE

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 9:45, got up once at 4:15, finally waking/getting up at 6:15.

Teresa informed me she’s going to get her nails done and intends to meet her mother for lunch at VinAGreta in Viva Envigado if I want to join them.

I left for Smartfit at 8am. As I put my stuff in a locker at 8:15 I noticed a cleaning lady was cleaning the shower area (lots of soap suds on the floor). When I finished my workout at 9:15 she was still cleaning the area. I asked if she thought it was okay if I took a shower in the women’s locker room. She didn’t seem to approve but finished cleaning the area as I got undressed.

I stopped at the Pasteur pharmacy and bought a small box of pads. Since I was so close to Parva I stopped there for coffee while checking my games from yesterday against my opening books. I left at 11am and returned to the apt.

I brought up the black suitcase for our trip.

I left again at 12:15 and took a Didi to the mall. I recycled a number of items then stopped at the sasteria but the bank envelope wasn’t ready. Upstairs I made a small ATM withdrawal then checked out the food court which was packed with people. I texted this information to Teresa so she could make other lunch plans. 

I stopped in Cine Colombia to await her reply. I saw these benefits on a screen in their concession area.

She called and told me she’s having lunch with MT at Wilson’s.

I had the granola with yogurt and chia for lunch.

A group formed at the next few tables and were speaking English.

I went downstairs and took one of the last tables in Urbania. Teresa and MT joined me about 3pm. Teresa had a latte while I went through my October Chess Life magazine.

We went to Percimon for ice cream and the line was unusually slow. For a change, I had yogurt ice cream with peanuts and arequipe, the latter for the first time.

MT walked back to her apt and we returned to the apt by taxi.

I downloaded a couple more books for our Christmas vacation and watched a couple more episode of Pablo Escobar.

 

CHOOSING A CHILD FREE LIFE

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 9:30, got up once during the night, finally waking/getting up at 6am.

I had an uncomfortable dream last night about having to give a speech at a university.

I had left my cellphone battery at 50% so I had to plug it in to recharge first thing this morning.

My databases aren’t appearing on my ChessBase 16 interface again. I clicked on Database Path then MyWork and they’re back.

I ordered a Didi to take me to Unicentro mall and I arrived just after 8am when they open.

Jose soon joined me in Todo Fresa  inside the Parmessano restaurant and I had French toast, scrambled eggs and a latte.

I had the Black pieces in the first game and he got a strong attack against my king and I missed a couple moves that could have saved the game. It was only 11:30 when we finished.

I had the White pieces in the second game and got too aggressive early and he won in 56 moves.

It was only 2:30 after we finished reviewing the game. I had pasta, mixed vegetables, ribs and a Pepsi at Sr. Wok.

In Auros I printed a page of information about Innovation Corp and made a copy of the fan warranty. In a pharmacy I purchased another package of Zapiclona sleeping pills and I made an ATM withdrawal at a Davivienda ATM.

I ordered a Didi for a change and asked to be picked up outside this entrance because it was right in front of me.

In the future I’ll choose an entrance more in the shade.

I left Unicentro at 3:20 and arrived home at 5:10. The driver seemed to take the longest route but then again he had gps on his cellphone so maybe there were accident issues.

I watched another couple episodes of Pablo Escobar.

I started recharging my cellphone at 7:30 and it was full by 9pm.

I went to bed at 9:45pm.

 

CHOOSING A CHILD FREE LIFE 

Monday, December 18, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 9:45, got up once at 4:15, finally waking/getting up at 6:30am.

What an interesting morning.

Last night I created a new database from my new Killer Dutch Rebooted book. One of the last things I did was slightly rename it. This morning when I went into ChessBase 16 most of my databases were missing. Luckily, I did a screenprint of where I stored the new database so hopefully that will help me fix this problem.

I noticed another thing that look strange on my Windows interface, files with a checkmark inside a green circle.

I completed my workout in Smartfit from 8am to 9am, adding an additional 5# to the following machines: Leg Extension, Triceps Press, Leg Curl, and Abdominal Crunch. I was able to handle them with no problem.

By 9:30 I was in Los Porteños but all the outside tables were taken. I took a nearby table inside and was able to move outside when a large group left about 20 minutes later.

Troyclough blundered a knight and resigned increasing my rating to 1588.

I left at 11:30 and returned to the apt.

As I stepped into the porteria the portero handed me a box. Upstairs in the apt when I opened it, it contained my 2 bottles of missing Joint Support (now that was a surprise), my Kindle Paperwhite, 2 envelopes from Charles Schwab (monthly account summaries for September and October), my October Chess Life magazine, and a Heifer International Gift Catalog (no, really).

When I went to retrieve my iced tea from the refrigerator it was partly frozen so I guess I need to lower the temperature by another degree. I’ll wait until a time when Teresa isn’t home.

I noticed another thing that look strange on my Windows interface, files with a checkmark inside a green circle. Per Google, “The green checkmark inside a circle on your Windows 10 desktop icons indicates that Microsoft OneDrive has successfully backed up your files to the cloud. When you see this checkmark, it means that the file or folder associated with it is synchronized with your OneDrive account¹. These checkmarks appear on Windows PCs where you have signed in to your OneDrive account.”

I also see I only have 6.34GB free of 118GB on my C: drive and 44.8GB free of 447GB on my D: drive.

Per my screenshot, my databases are in ThisPC > Documents > ChessBase > MyWork >

When I look there I can see all of my database files and they all have that “green checkmark inside a circle”.

It looks like my Recycle Bin is full. I figured out how to unhide it and emptied it.

The only databases showing on my ChessBase 16 interface are those in My Databases.

I can see the database files listed under ThisPC > Documents > ChessBase > MyWork > but I can’t find them from ChessBase 16. Wow, I just clicked on Database Path and there they are. All is good again!

I left the apt at 2:30, the patio wasn’t open at Otra Parte so I had a latte in their café. When they brought me the check the bill was just under 8mil, probably 7mil plus tip, but I already had 12mil in my hand so I gave it to the waiter and told him to keep the change. I left at 5:30 and returned to the apt.

I have no idea how Innovation Corp’s locker system works so I’m going to have to visit Nobraskja so she can explain it to me. I see the payment amount of $18.63 frequently appearing so that is probably the minimum (monthly?) payment.

I set up, easy peasy, my new Kindle Paperwhite e-reader. The first 2 months, until February 18, 2024 are free. All the books I can read in 2 months. Woo hoo!

The first book I downloaded was Why We Sleep by Mattew Walker, PhD. I started reading until it was my time to sleep, 9:30.

 

CHOOSING A CHILD FREE LIFE

Sunday, December 17, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 9:45, got up once during the night, finally waking/getting up at 6:30am.

I left the apt at 8:15 and my first stop was Smartfit where I inquired, for Teresa, if they had a Rumba class today. No.

I continued on to La Frontera mall where I withdrew 2 million pesos toward the final payment for our hotel stay in San Jeronimo.

I walked across the street to Olivenza in Sao Paolo where Glenn arrived at the same time. I told him the story of my problem with a USPS delivery and he suggested I talk to the company I bought it from, Arazo Nutrition. I had the calentao with scrambled eggs and 2 lattes for 38,000 pesos.

I left at 11am and walked back to the apt.

I started watching the Bears vs Browns game on MTV but soon got buffering so I switched to my DAZN subscription and connected my laptop to my TV by HDMI cable.

At the end of the 3^rd quarter I popped a bag of ACT II buttered popcorn. Last time I microwaved them for 2 ½ minutes and there were a lot of unpopped kernels, this time I let it run for 3 minutes and a lot of the kernels were burned. ☹

The Bears lost a close one to the Browns 20-17. ☹

I emailed Arazo Nutrition about my delivery problem and they responded right away with “Thanks for contacting us! We have received your email and are gathering the required info right away.”

A few hours later I received this reply, “We have just expedited the free replacement bottles to your delivery address. Again, we are very sorry for the inconvenience. We hope this resolves the issue to your entire satisfaction.” 😊

I was considering upgrading my ChessBase 15 chess software to ChessBase 17 but I don’t see enough significant improvements to justify the $220 price.

 

CHOOSING A CHILD FREE LIFE

Saturday, December 16, 2023

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once at 4:45am (slept through the night), fell back asleep, finally waking/getting up at 6:45am.

I asked Teresa what her plan is for today. No hurry! She wants to leave the apt around noon, have lunch in Arkadia mall, then go to Pricesmart to check out their fans and pick up a few items.

I left the apt at 8:30 and walked to Parva where I had a latte and studied the Dutch defense opening for a few hours. I left at 11:30 and returned to the apt.

We left at noon and took a Didi to Arkadia mall. Upstairs we got in line at Crepes & Waffles. It was only a 5-minute wait and we got a table inside. I had the Cesar salad with chicken and Teresa had chicken with spinach. It must have taken 15-20 minutes to get and pay the check. ☹

We stopped in Medipiel where Teresa bought some skin cream on sale.

We walked across the street to Pricesmart where we checked out their fan selection. We settled on this one

for our first. We’ll probably buy another one in the near future.

It was a slow taxi ride back to the apt for 18mil.

Teresa surprised me when she said she wanted to go for pizza. She called Gloria to place an order with her but she wasn’t working in the restaurant tonight. Teresa decided we would go there later.

About 4:45 the rain started. Teresa changed her mind and we’re not going out after all.

I set up the fan, very easy setup and it has a 10’ cord and an accessory plug on the side so you don’t lose the use of an outlet plug.

I have another game going against the 1302 rated Syrian player and I’m very nervous about it because if I lose I’ll lose a ton of rating points.

I watched a couple more episodes of Pablo Escobar.

It was still raining when I went to bed at 9:45.

 

CHOOSING A CHILD FREE LIFE