Thursday, April 3, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, don’t remember if I got up during the night, finally waking/getting up at 5:30.

Google Flights for our trip has come down to a slightly more reasonable $2,085.

After breakfast I went back to bed for 45 minutes but couldn’t fall asleep.

I left the apt at 9:15 and met Marcos outside Tostao. We took the long way (the ramp instead of the stairs) to Ayura station and on the other side he needed to sit down and rest a minute. I told him about my progress with Movistar’s fiber optic internet. We continued on to Badia where I bought 14 boxes of Chamomile tea for 152,600 pesos ($37) and put them in my Dollar City bag. We continued on to Mas Fresco Pescado where we each bought a whole red snapper, mine costing just under 50mil. The fish with my tea fit perfectly in my Skechers backpack. We stopped briefly in Bancolombia where he picked up a document and we returned to Envigado. He said his stomach is bothering him so we didn’t stop for coffee. By the time I got back to the apt I was sweating, so happy I was in shorts and sleeveless t-shirt. That was a long walk, at my age, I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to do that.

I checked and there isn’t anything interesting playing in Cine Colombia.

I’ve been looking all over for my old notes on the Botvinnik English, called the TM Opening. I finally found them in exactly the last place I looked, a binder in a drawer of my desk.

Just after 1pm it started raining. It was still raining when I finished lunch just after 2pm. It was so cold, rainy and dreary we did the only thing responsible people would do in this situation – we took a nap. 😊

This time I fell asleep and didn’t wake up until 3:30. At least it had stopped raining.

I dressed in pants, t-shirt, and jacket and left the apt. I printed some notes at the copy center, now having an official Bancolombia sign outside, then stopped at Los Portenos for a latte. I took my usual spot but when we had a little drizzle I found I was too close to it and moved 1 table further away.

I left at 6pm and returned to the apt.

More rain in the evening.

I’m thinking, because of tRump’s tariffs, it might be best nor to wait any longer to buy a new laptop.

 

SEATTLE GAS STATION SIGN

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up several times during the night, once with a cramp in my calf so I took a little Epsom salts, finally waking/getting up at 6:15.

After breakfast, Teresa informed me we will be without water from 8am to 4pm. I told her I’ll shower at the gym after my workout.

I booted my computer but it couldn’t find my D: drive. Shit! Luckily, I just backed it up last night so I could always run off my external hard drive. Maybe I did something to accidentally delete the files on it but I can’t imagine doing anything that would cause it to disappear. I rebooted my computer and all was good again.

I checked Google Flights and the flight I’ve been monitoring jumped up to $3723. Yikes! As I said, it’s a good thing we already have our tickets.

I packed my gym bag and at the last minute remembered to pack a towel. Whew! (I did forget to pack deodorant but that can be corrected when I return to the apt.) I had to remind myself of the combination to my padlock. (Interestingly, most of the padlocks I see here are those TSA locks while I’ve got this big clunky padlock.)

I left the apt for the gym at 7:45.

First let me set the scene: Around the corner from our complex is a tree containing what looks like the bottom portion of a plastic milk container which I assume contains food for the birds and/or squirrels.

Today there was a red squirrel with his head inside it looking for food. He didn’t seem to be alarmed by my presence as I took these photos of him.

He even sat in one place long enough that I was able to take this video:

He seemed to be scolding me for my presence so I placed  a peanut in the usual place and continued on to the gym.

At Smartfit I got an error trying to enter through the turnstile. When I stopped at the front desk the girl asked me something about having a doctor’s prescription to be able workout. I told her I have a May appointment with my urologist and do I need to bring some document from him but she said “no” and allowed me to enter so I guess all is okay.

I went up to the 3^rd floor and put my things in a locker. Back downstairs I soon realized I forgot to take out my thermos so after a couple exercises, I went back upstairs and retrieved it.

Back downstairs there was some type of competition going on. One or maybe two girls were doing exercises with a few other girls gathered around while one instructor appeared to be timing her and another appeared to be filming her. I have no idea what that was about.

I completed my workout, took my shower upstairs and left.

I was walking on the sidewalk when I noticed a spot that was wet. (Balconies here have an outlet pipe so when they wash the floor the water can go out the pipe.) I walked around the wet spot and just then the woman on the balcony sprayed her flowers and got me in the back of my neck.

I stopped in Pasteur pharmacy and bought a 10-pack of Zopiclona for about 20mil. (I can’t believe I didn’t buy enough my last time in Todo Drogas.)

I had a latte in Ganso y Castor while noticing a lot of squirrel activity in the trees. I managed to snap this photo just as a squirrel discovered the peanut I had left there.

Then he came back down and searched the area carefully for more food.

I left at 10:30 and returned to the apt.

Teresa returned at noon from her workout in Mayorca’s Smartfit.

We had pasta for lunch.

Terea left at 2:45 for her arts & crafts class. She’s now learning how to make bracelets.

I left at 3pm and had a latte in Eduardo Madrid while waiting for Teresa. (I returned a bag with three plastic containers for them to reuse.) Right at the stroke of 5pm it started raining, pretty hard, and didn’t stop until 5:45. I traded emails with Teresa and she told me she was waiting for the rain to stop. She finally arrived just after 6pm. We had lattes and shared a cheese croissant. We left at 6:45 and returned to the apt.

We have running water again!

We heard some cheers and surmised there’s a soccer match going on.

I watched some news interrupted by buffering.

I have an Amazon Firestick hooked up to my TV and I listed on my JBL headphones. Interestingly when I turn off the TV or just switch to Direct TV (HDMI 3 to HDMI 1) I can still hear the HDMI 3 program on my headphones.

I finished reading Personal (Jack Reacher #19) on my Kindle.

 

SEATTLE GAS STATION SIGN

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

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

I recharged my shaver today. Hopefully it will work for a month so I won’t have to take the charger with me to Chicago.

I checked Google Flights and the flight I’ve been monitoring jumped up from $1231 to $2219. Yikes! Good thing I already bought our tickets.

At 7:30 I started the process of ordering a Didi and I still arrived at Unicentro a couple minutes before 8am. I went upstairs to the restaurant and the waiter brought me 2 obviously new menus. I mentioned that to the waiter then I said, “same food, higher prices” and he laughed. Jose soon joined me and he ordered the French toast and I 4 eggs scrambled with the (tiny) Italian sausage and a latte.

I learned he has Movistar fiber optic internet and is very happy with it. He couldn’t recall how much he pays but he did say it is less expensive than before. He said my only problem will be cancelling my other services and I have to continue to pay them until they do so as not to destroy Teresa’s credit rating.

We adjourned to the food court and I had the Black pieces in the first game and it was very close until his 43^rd move. I was threatening to capture a piece and he didn’t notice and made an innocuous pawn move then when he saw what he had done he immediately resigned.

It was 11:30 when we started the 2^nd game. I had the White pieces and got strong pressure against him but he ended up with an advantage in the endgame. But like I did a couple weeks ago on the 36^th move I got into the same position with my queen and knight where I threatened checkmate or he would lose his queen and he resigned. (It was nice to win both games against him as it doesn’t happen very often.)  It was 1:40 when we finished and I ordered a Didi to take me to Viva Envigado.

On the way I saw a man moving a lawn (I think it was a small soccer field) with a lawnmower, first one I remember seeing here in Medellin.

I had the granola with yogurt and fruit in Pergamino then went downstairs and had a latte in Urbania.

Teresa called and asked me to pick up a container of Greek yogurt in Ara on my way back to the apt. When I arrived in Ara I asked a worker for it and she led me right to it.

I informed Teresa that Jose & Maria have Movistar fiber optic internet and are happy with it. She said it’s fine as long as they don’t have to drill holes. I’ll still be talking to Glenn for his comments on Sunday.

I watched some news experiencing some buffering.

 

SEATTLE GAS STATION SIGN

Monday, March 31, 2025

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

Jack W. FYI: If where you are moving in Mexico is 6,300 feet that sounds like jacket weather and you might need a few days to acclimatize to that altitude.

Anyone who liked the Terry Savage article can get on her mailing list.,

Well, at least no more threatening messages from Hotmail.

Teresa informed me she wants me to go with her after lunch to Itagui to pick up her Vitamin A injection.

I left the apt about 8am and found Smartfit quite busy but a few minutes later it seemed to settle down. I talked briefly to Michael and recommended Asados Rogelio if he was looking for a cheap lunch.

I had a latte in Ganso y Castor for an hour but today there was no sign of a squirrel.

I left at 9:45 and returned to the apt.

My little finger is a little better in that it’s easier to hit the ‘A’ key.

Teresa returned at 11:15.

After lunch she informed me she was too tired to go to Itagui.

I left the apt at 2:15, paid the Direct TV bill of 189,900 pesos and had a latte in Los Portenos. That’s when I realized I forgot to bring my cellphone. ☹ I left at 3:30 and returned to the apt.

I’ve been texting with Paola (sp?) about Movistar’s fiber optic internet and television. She says we can have it installed in the living room only. I checked the current cable situation and there are 2 cables coming out of the same spot, 

one for the router (WiFi) and the other for Direct TV. Paola tells me they can route the fiber internet through the same spot without making any new holes. Teresa doesn’t trust her thinking she just wants to make a sale.

I just found out Glenn has fiber optic internet so I’ll be having breakfast with him next Sunday with lots of questions.

I watched some of MSNBC in the evening but was often interrupted by buffering. (Which is why I want fiber optic internet.)

 

SEATTLE GAS STATION SIGN

BOB BURFORD PART XVI

Freddie Green was the guitarist in what is generally considered to be the best rhythm section in the history of big band jazz, and dubbed the All-American Rhythm Section, which featured Count Basie, bassist Walter Page, and drummer Jo Jones. Green continued with the band until 1987. From the start Green earned a reputation as a stylist without equal, fans and fellow players referred to him as Mr. Rhythm with the utmost respect. 

Born in Charleston, South Carolina, on March 31, 1911, he began playing banjo at the age of 12. He got his first job locally with a band called the Nighthawks, then toured with the famous Jenkins Orphanage band, though Green himself was not a member of the school. By 1930, he was living in New York, by playing for dancers with stride men like Willie Gant, his unique abilities to judge tempo and create a supple rhythm were forged. It was in late 1936 that John Hammond, then putting together Basie's first tour out of Kansas City, heard Green at the Black Cat and brought him to Roseland to audition for the Count. Although Basie liked his current guitarist, Claude Williams, he let him go in favor of Green, who joined the band after the Roseland engagement. 

Green cut his first sides with Count Basie and his Orchestra, featuring Walter Page, and Jo Jones, for Decca on March 26, 1937, playing rhythm on "Honeysuckle Rose", "Pennies From Heaven", "Swinging At The Daisy Chain", and "Roseland Shuffle". From March 1937, and excepting a short hiatus after Basie's disbandment in 1950, he and Freddie were inseparable, and the jazz world gained immeasurably from their playing. In Green's case, there were three aspects to what might at first sight seem a simple matter. He freed the beat from metronomic clomping by creating a constantly-shifting variation on the chord structure. He afforded his playing quite subtle variations in dynamics by slight changes in string striking position. He blended his playing very carefully with the drummer. 

Unlike the majority of his peers, Green did not leave a mighty legacy of solo work, nor even a long list of sessions under his own name. His first, for the Duke label in 1945 with Buck Clayton, Dicky Wells, and Lucky Thompson, remains unissued; his second, for RCA in 1955, “Mr. Rhythm,” has been reissued on CD, as has a 1975 date for Concord Records, which above all these, clearly demonstrated his powerful rhythmic gifts.

Count Basie's death in 1984 closed a rich chapter in big band jazz. He and Green had been good friends onstage and off, and Freddie assumed the helm of the group. On March 1, 1987, Freddie Green died of a heart attack after playing a show in Las Vegas. The sad event marked the end of an era in the history of jazz guitar. Photographs from the late 1930's typically show Freddie playing a sunburst Epiphone Emperor guitar. During the 1940's and 1950's, Freddie seemed to play the Stromberg Master 400 exclusively, usually sunburst, considered to be the "Holy Grail" among many guitar collectors and often commands prices in excess of $40,000. These large 18-19" arch-tops were revered for their volume and cutting power in an era when electrical amplification was not yet commonplace, especially in big bands. Eventually he made an endorsement deal with Gretsch and began to play their 18-inch Eldorado (usually blonde) non-cutaway until the end of his life. 

A key factor that contributed to Freddie Green's sound and volume was the fact that he set his string height, or "action" very high. This set up increased the pressure of the strings on the bridge and subsequently transferred more energy into the top and body of the instrument, increasing its volume. Despite the move toward amplification, Green persisted in employing a totally acoustic instrument (although he briefly experimented with a pickup and amp in the late 1940s), apparently feeling secure with Basie and under no pressure to change. In the hands of a lesser player, an acoustic archtop would have seemed like an anachronism after the late 1940s, when the popularity of the big bands waned; however Green played with such finesse, commitment, and class that his music had a vital, timeless quality. While amplification gave guitarists a chance to step into the spotlight as soloists, Green chose to remain behind the scenes in a supportive capacity. Whatever his reasons, he came to be universally recognized as the premier backup guitarist. While aficionados will forever debate the various merits of most other players, there is only one Mr. Rhythm.

Source: All About Jazz

TERRY SAVAGE RE: SOCIAL SECURITY

 

March 30,2025

Social Security: True or False? There has been so much confusion about potential – and real – changes to Social Security that I am writing this column/newsletter, and will consistently update it at TerrySavage.com, with the latest real-time, FACTUAL information, and answers to your questions. More than 72 million Americans depend on Social Security retirement or supplemental income or disability benefits.  It is unthinkable that the system could fail – even for a short period of time.   For those in the lowest 20% of income, 82% rely on Social Security for 90% or more of their income! Although the billionaire  Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, recently opined that his mother-in-law wouldn’t notice a missed Social Security check, she is certainly in the minority!    While the Doge “bull-in-the-china-shop” approach is certainly concerning, I continue to believe that Congress – both parties – will realize the seriousness of the situation with Social Security and exercise some control. In the meantime, except for contacting your representatives of BOTH PARTIES and advocacy groups like AARP and the Alliance of Retired Americans – there is nothing you can do, and no reason to panic.  Be sure to get your news from reputable sources, because there is a lot of fear-mongering and hyperbole out there.  The reality is bad enough without scare tactics.    The below list of True or False questions and answers about Social Security will be continuously updated, reflecting the latest news – The Savage Truth.  And, please post your questions on my AskTerry blog at www.TerrySavage.com.                                                                                 ****** Q.  Must I re-register to continue collecting my Social Security? A.  No!  If you are currently collecting Social Security benefits you do NOT have to re-register or contact SS in any way --- UNLESS, you want to make changes in your account or banking information.   Q.  I have heard I have to go in person to a Social Security office to sign up for Social Security, or make changes.  Is that true? A.  Acting Commissioner [and shortly we should have a new real Commissioner] Lee Dudek has decreed that in order to avoid fraud, registrations for SS will not be taken over the phone.  That can only be done online at SSA.gov [here’s the link:  Apply for Social Security Benefits | SSA]      Your best bet at getting any changes done is online.  If you don’t have computer access or aren’t computer savvy, go to your local public library.  Many are offering special services to seniors. At SSA.gov, you can apply for retirement benefits, spousal benefits, survivor’s benefits, and SSI.  It’s all done online.   Q.  I heard that they are closing so many SS offices, so how will I be able to get an appointment? A.  Acting Commissioner Dudek has walked back his plans to close SS offices, and on Thursday, March 27th, he issued a statement denying media reports that the Social Security Administration has permanently closed some field offices. Yet earlier this month, the SSA  announced it would reduce staffing to 50,000 from its current level of 57,000 employees and reduce its 10 regional oversight offices to four.  Read more here:  Social Security Is Not Giving Straight Answers on Field Office Closures. And here’s the latest press release from SSA, denying office closures:  https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2025/#2025-03-27-a   Q.  Is there another way I can find out what my benefits SHOULD be, after the end of the WEP, and whether I should claim on my own record or that of my spouse (or ex-spouse)? A.  It is increasingly difficult to get in touch with Social Security as we are all now aware.  But here’s one helpful alternative: Larry Kotlikoff (Social Security expert and my co-author of Social Security Horror Stories) has a great website – www.MaximizeMySocialSecurity.com.  There, for $49, you can securely run both your SS information and that of your spouse (or ex-spouse, or late spouse) to see what benefits you SHOULD be receiving – especially now that the WEP and GPO reductions have been eliminated by the Fairness Act.   Once you know what benefit you should be getting, it will be easier to deal with SS when you do get in touch.   Q.   When will I get my Fairness Act payments for WEP and GPO? A.  Millions of recipients who had their SS retirement benefits (or spousal benefits) reduced because of the WEP and GPO have already received two things:  1)  a large deposit to “catch up” for the reductions in 2024 and Jan/Feb of 2025.  Some of those deposits are as large as $10,000.   And 2) when they get their regular monthly deposit, it is larger, because it is no longer reduced by the WEP. NOTE:  If you have not received your “catch-up” payment yet, or your higher monthly benefit, please wait until at least May.  This is a huge project involving re-programming millions of recipients’ accounts. IMPORTANT:  If you never registered for SS because of the WEP reduction, you must do so now – ONLINE – see instructions above.  But, you’ll also want to use the MaximizeMySocialSecurity software to know exactly what amount you should expect to receive each month.   Q.  I hear you need to create a new sign-in to get to your account at Social Security online. A.  Everyone should create their own “mySocialSecurity” account online at SSA.gov.  Here is the direct link:  my Social Security | SSA Many people have already created their own account, which allows them to track their earnings records, and their benefits. BUT, if you created your “mySocialSecurity” account more than 3 years ago – or if  you are just creating an account now – there is a new security procedure.  You’ll need to set up a secure account at Login.gov.  (That account is also used for TSA travel registration, VA benefits, the Labor Department for state unemployment insurance applications,  and other government functions and websites.)  Login.gov gives you access to many government websites, with one saved email and password.  It uses two-factor authentication – meaning you will need to confirm any attempts to log in, much as your bank likely does.  (Yes, it sounds complex, but you’ll get used to it.)   Q.  I just received a clawback notification from Social Security telling me ALL my benefits would be suspended for years until this huge amount – their overpayment mistake – can be recouped.  I thought they could only take 10% of your check. How will I live?? A.  The former Social Security Commissioner, Martin O’Malley, recognized the unfairness of trying to fix the agency’s mistakes by completely suspending benefits.  Instead, he decreed that only 10% would be withheld.  Acting Commissioner Dudek announced the policy change to demand immediate 100% suspension of benefits in the case of newly-issued clawback notices, starting March 27th. That’s ironic, since one of the major sources of errors leading to clawbacks was the now-ended WEP and GPO pension offset, which the agency failed to consider.  If you get a clawback notice, you are entitled to appeal  based on inaccuracy, or request a waiver because you are impoverished.  But this process can take a long time, working through the SS website or waiting to get an in-person appointment. SocialSecurityAdvisors.com can help you with appeals.  This change will not affect people who have already agreed to a 10% withholding to repay clawbacks, nor to beneficiaries of SSI programs for the impoverished or children. But the agency will once again confiscate tax refunds to offset its clawbacks, something that was suspended during the pandemic.   I fully expect that when these 100% clawbacks go into effect in the coming weeks, starting with benefits payments that are not deposited in April, there will be such a hue and cry that this 100% clawback policy will be adjusted.   Q.  How can I effectively protest and let my Congressional representatives know how angry I am? AARP will be leading the charge against these changes that threaten delivery of SS benefits to 72 million seniors.   Click on this link at the AARP.org website to find out how to effectively contact Congress about this issue:  AARP Urges Outreach to Congress Over Social Security   Q.  I hear the Doge people are “messing around” with the computers at Social Security.  Should I be worried? A.  Social Security programming was written more than 60 years ago in “Cobol” – a computer language that is highly outdated.  Safely rewriting that code would take years—DOGE wants it done in months.  That has caused some consternation that benefits would be interrupted and delayed.  Musk claims Artificial Intelligence can do the job easily.  I’m more worried about human stupidity.   We shall see if the nominee for  Commissioner – a seasoned financial transactions executive – can safely organize what should be done, and when.  But an overhaul of the systems at SSA is long overdue.  Want to learn more?  Read this:  DOGE Plans to Rebuild SSA Code Base in Months, Risking Benefits and System Collapse | WIRED Q.  Who will be the new Social Security Commissioner? A.  The nominee is Frank Bisignano, former CEP of FiServ, a highly respected financial services technology and payments company.  Ideally, Bisignano would have the kind of expertise needed to modernize Social Security’s antiquated technology.   But according to an excellent newsletter by Charles T. Hall, “Frank Bisignano, President Donald Trump’s nominee to run the Social Security Administration, testified under oath at his confirmation hearing Tuesday that he has had no contact with the Elon Musk cost-cutting team that is directing a major downsizing of the agency.  But Sen. Ron Wyden (Oregon), the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, said the claim is “not true,” citing an account the senator said he received from a senior Social Security official who recently left the agency.. . describing  “numerous contacts Mr. Bisignano made with the agency since his nomination,” including “frequent” conversations with senior executives.  Read more at:  https://socsecnews.blogspot.com/ There will be a further consideration of this nomination of Frank Bisignano to be Commissioner of Social Security Administration (SSA) during an executive session of the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday, April 1 at 10:00 AM.   Q.  What is this “Doge Dividend Check” I’ve been hearing about? A.  It seems to be a figment of Elon Musk’s very creative imagination.  He has speculated that the President (remember, Elon is not elected) would “pass on” some of the savings from their government cuts (and the fraud and waste he expects to find in SS) to the general public in a new sort of “stimulus check.”  BUT,  it would require an act of Congress to make a payment.  And with the government running up against the debt ceiling, any “found money” from slashing government spending and employment would likely go toward limiting increases in the national debt. Want to read more about this vague promise:  Elon Musk Promises ‘More Social Security’ In Dubious Charm Offensive And that story brings us back to the massive uncertainty, rumors, headlines, and political maneuvering on the topic of Social Security – for now, and in the future.   It’s difficult to keep your blood pressure under control.  A  Final Savage Truth: I continue to advise waiting until full retirement age – or even age 70, if you can afford it – to collect your Social Security benefits.  Waiting guarantees you a higher monthly benefit – about 8% for every year you wait until age 70. We all know that changes must be made to ensure the future solvency of the program, beyond 2035.  Those changes likely must involve raising the wage cap on SS “contributions”, delaying retirement for much younger workers, and other creative blends of changes.  But if Social Security is allowed to fail, the economic, political and social implications for ANY administration, and our entire society, would be such a calamity that it would overwhelm any appeal of “government efficiency.”   The Baby Boom generation – of both political party persuasions – has a keen instinct for history, democracy – and their own self-interest! That’s the Savage Truth.

www.TerrySavage.com

Sunday, March 30, 2025

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

Microsoft Hotmail still says, “You’re out of storage. You can’t send email and won’t be able to receive in 1 day.” But I did a test message and it arrived so maybe that’s just a misleading threat.

Teresa thought the weather in Jerico was about the same as Medellin but wasn’t sure. At her recommendation I wore my convertible hiking pants, a t-shirt with sleeves and brought my jacket.

At 9am Teresa was ready to go and gave me the go-ahead to order a car. The Didi app said something about a low signal and it seemed like it wanted to pick us up down on Ave Las Vegas. I cancelled that and switched to Uber which worked but the price went up from about 10,000 pesos to 18,872 pesos. At Terminal Sur we bought one way-tickets to Jerico for 83,000 pesos – quite a bit higher than our usual Sunday trips. The bus was scheduled to leave at 10am so we had time to buy bags of chips before we left.

It was a large bus and I observed areas I hadn’t seen in years as we headed south. I saw the “new bridge” before the finca, the “new tunnel”, and finally the road leading up to the finca.

I haven’t posted a photo of one of these in a while, it’s what they do to prevent landslides that would block the roads.

Approaching Jerico there were some low hanging clouds that we ended up climbing into which limited our distance view.

We arrived in Jerico at 12:45, so 2 hours and 45 minutes. I was surprised how chilly it was, but happy I was dressed for it. We quickly found a restaurant called Casa Arte and it did have lots of art in it. I thought this was an interesting painting…

Look at it carefully then scroll down to the bottom to get the complete picture.

We had their lunch of the day which wasn’t anything special and I hated their juice. It was only 44mil so that wasn’t too bad.

We walked around the town square, the same as all other pueblos with the church at one end, surrounded by restaurants, cafes, and other stores. We finally settled on a small café called Cielo Tierra where we had pretty decent lattes with a slice of carrot cake to share.

Teresa checked out a few stores but there wasn’t much she found interesting.

Back at the bus station a bus was just pulling away but we bought tickets to the next bus (5pm) back to Medellin. It was only 4:15 and we were across the street from the church so we went in and Teresa got communion during mass. Mass ended about 4:45 and we walked back across the street and got on the next bus.

As we left Jardin there were a few beautiful views of the valley far below.

After a couple hours I was wondering what happened to the expressway as it seemed we were on back roads.

 

Traffic got heavy as we approached Medellin and just before the toll booth we stopped dead. We didn’t move again for 10 minutes, the only ones moving were the motorcycles who as usual move to the head of the pack. This was soon complicated by an ambulance that we had to move over for. It took 30 minutes to get through this funnel to the toll booth. The bus stopped multiple times to pick people up and drop people off. The good news is they dropped us off at the Envigado station where we could take a taxi back to the apt. the trip back from Jardin took 4 hours compared to the 2 ¾ hours to get there. (I think Teresa might be done for a while with exploring these little pueblos.)

I immediately went into my pre-sleep routine.

 

THE COMPLETE PICTURE

Saturday, March 29, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up twice during the night, finally waking/getting up at 6:30am.

It’s Saturday, that means blueberry pancakes with pecans for breakfast. Yum!

Again, Microsoft Hotmail says, “You’re out of storage. You can’t send email and won’t be able to receive in 1 day.”

I’m down to 0.4GB/100GB, 0% used.

I’m deleting chess photos from Dec 11, 2019 and now I’m down to 0.3GB.

I left the apt at 8:15 and first I had to stop in Ara to pick up a few items for Teresa. I walked to the mall, withdrew 2,000,000 pesos in mixed bills from a Davivienda ATM then at the lone Bancolombia consignacion ATM I made deposits to our health insurance, gym, and Netflix accounts. Upstairs I withdrew another 2,000,000 pesos (all 100s) from the Servibanca ATM which I used to pay for our apt rental.

Downstairs I had a latte in Urbania, now 10,100 pesos, while reading my new chess book The Iron English.

I left at 10:30 and returned to the apt by taxi.

Microsoft still says I’m out of storage 😊 and I’m still deleting photos.

Well, my Hotmail email still works.

I did it. I’m at the end with 0.2GB used of 100 GB. I’ll be much more careful in the future as to what I backup to my OneDrive.

The plan was to visit Jardin de Antioquia tomorrow but Teresa has second thoughts after I told her it’s a 3-hour trip by bus. (That doesn’t include the time for getting to Terminal Sur, buying tickets and waiting for the bus to leave.)

According to this partial Facebook post, there was an assassination of 2 women, one a journalist, in Envigado yesterday.

I don’t think this was related, but for some reason Teresa didn’t want me to go out for coffee today so I just hung around the apt.

I enjoyed watching Real Time with Bill Mayer on CNN from 7 to 8pm.  His guest was California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Tomorrow, if its not raining here, we’re planning on visiting Jericho (sp?).

Good luck to Jack W. who is planning on moving to Mexico in June. What part of Mexico?

 

SEATTLE GAS STATION SIGN

 

Friday, March 28, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once during the night, again at 5:15, finally waking/getting up just after 7am.

Microsoft Hotmail still says, “You’re out of storage. You can’t send email and won’t be able to receive in 1 day.”

I click on “Manage Storage” and it still says, “Total Used 30.3GB/5GB 606% used” but this time the “Free up space” button isn’t highlighted. ☹

If I click the bottom of the screen I get “0.9GB/15GB 6% Used” and then it shows the names of my email folders and says they are all Empty.

Now I can’t find/get to all the photos I was busy deleting yesterday. ☹

Now I see, there’s Microsoft Storage and there’s Email Storage.

I signed in to my Microsoft Account and it says my Microsoft Storage (OneDrive) used is only 0.9GB/5GB, 18% used, so what’s the problem?

Now I see “If your Microsoft 365 subscription has expired (it has), you’ll need to renew to get the same amount of storage again.”

And I see Microsoft 365 Basic is $1.99 a month which gives me OneDrive and Outlook (for $9.99 a month I get that plus Word, Excel, etc.)

Okay, I renewed MS 365 Basic for $1.99 a month.

I received this text message from my daughter yesterday, “Had a 16 week appt today! No ultrasound, sadly. But we heard her heartbeat and it sounded strong. In 1 month we will get a level 2 ultrasound which is really in depth and done at a hospital/not at our clinic.” So all is well!

Teresa returned at 8:15 from her gym class so now I’ll have breakfast then wait an hour before heading to the gym.

I completed my workout in Smartfit without incident.

I was having coffee in Ganso y Castor when Michael stopped by to ask me if I’ve every eaten at El Trifasico the nearby restaurant.  I told him “no” because I’m not sure if it was that restaurant or the one next to it and its been at least 6 years since we’ve eaten there.

I noticed the peanut I put in the tree is gone. I did see the squirrel return a couple minutes later to see if there might be another one.

I left at 10:30 and bought a bag of milk in Ara on my way back to the apt.

It started raining at 11:25 but lasted only a minute. 😊

Now, Microsoft says I’m using 0.9GB of 100GB (1%) so I guess I also bought myself more storage. And it’s allowing me to go to the same place I was yesterday so I can continue to delete photos.

I understand that 62,000 pesos is a Movistar package for both WiFi and television.

More rain in the afternoon.

I’ve got my storage down to 0.8 GB.

I just figured out how to make the photos smaller so I can delete 45 at a time.

I just saw Anna Cramling’s mother Tia, lots of photos of her, so I guess I’m in the C’s.

Then I saw Fabiano Caruana, Magnus Carlson, Robert Byrne.

When I go to empty the Recycle Bin part of the file address is ChessBase so they must have come from there somehow.

At 2:30 Teresa finally decided the rain was over and we could go visit her friend whose husband is in Clininca Las Americas. I got dressed and tried to order a Didi for their suggested price of 12mil. I’m guessing because of the rain cars are in short supply. I cancelled and upped the offer to 20mil and still waited. When I mentioned this to Teresa she thought that was too expensive and we’ll go another time so I cancelled the request.

The Nov 28, 2020 set of photos ended with Jacob Aargaard and now I’m in the Nov 20, 2020 set of photos.

Now I’m in photos of game positions.

My best guess is all this came from online ChessBase Magazine issues 195-198.

Well, now I’m at 0.7GB of 100GB.

I’m down to 0.5GB.

Some of the files are large .mp4 (video) files which take up more space.

I stopped at 5pm for the evening.

Tomorrow it’s time to visit the mall to pay the bills that are due the first of the month.

 

SEATTLE GAS STATION SIGN