TERRY SAVAGE ON RECESSION

 

March 7, 2025

Recession? The economic headlines are looking increasingly gloomy.  And the stock market has become more volatile.  Uncertainty over tariffs, government layoffs, and global alliances have contributed to a sense of unease over the economic situation. Even those who firmly believe that the road to future prosperity lies in cutting government spending and increasing manufacturing jobs, have come to recognize that the transition will be rocky.   And that rocky road is likely to lead directly to your driveway. It’s been a significantly long time since the United States last went through a recession – longer than the average gap between economic slowdowns, if you don’t count the steep Pandemic recession of 2020 that officially lasted only two months. The Pandemic recession aside, it has now been an incredible 16 years since our economy has faced a prolonged slowdown:  2007-2009.  In fact, the previous longest gap between economic declines occurred in the decade of the 1990s -- a period of 10 years of economic growth brought to an end by the bursting of the dot-com bubble, and marked by the September 11th attacks. Many have forgotten what a steep and long-lasting recession looks and feels like! What’s a Recession? The textbook description of recession says it requires a decline in GDP (our national output) for two consecutive quarters.  Most recessions aren’t officially labeled as such by the National Bureau of Economic Research until we are well into the decline.  In fact, some recessions haven’t been declared until the economy was back on the upswing! Before the Covid 19 Pandemic recession, our last major economic decline took place from December 2007, though June 2009 – a downturn that lasted 18 months, amidst financial failures and mortgage foreclosures.  It was labeled the Great Recession, perhaps to distinguish it from the Great Depression, which took place nearly 100 years ago. The Pandemic recession briefly saw unemployment jump to 14.7% in April of 2020.  The Great Recession of 2007-2009 saw unemployment peak at 10% in October, 2009.  Job loss is one of the key features of a recession, bringing emotional as well as financial devastation to the individuals and families who were impacted. Today’s younger workers, those who graduated from college nearly 20 years ago and are now nearing their 40s, likely don’t have any sense of the impact of a recession.  They are also the “knowledge workers” whose ability to deal with technology made them feel invulnerable to an economic decline—until the threat of Artificial Intelligence came along. And among those who also had little to fear from recessions and unemployment, we must include the millions of government workers, many doing critical jobs to protect our country, our economy, and our personal safety.  They too, were basically insulated from the threat of layoffs since government rarely contracted in size as the private economy does from time to time. Now many of these unsuspecting people face the threat of layoffs and unemployment.  This week's report shows layoff announcements surging nearly 250% in February, even before many Federal workers are counted in the statistics.   Consumer Confidence Since the consumer accounts for roughly 70% of the economy, consumer sentiment is watched closely by economists.  The latest two reports from the Conference Board and the University of Michigan have shown a sharp decline in consumer confidence.  In fact, the future expectations component of the Conference Board survey has now dropped below 80—a level at which recessions typically occur. What are consumers worried about?  Even before the latest Federal layoffs, consumers reported fears that jobs were more difficult to find.  Consumers remain worried about inflation.  Egg prices make headlines because of diminished flocks hit by bird flu.  But consumers don’t discriminate when they see rising prices.  They panic – and hit the pause button.    Add to that the reality that promised tariffs, and retaliation, will increase prices of everything from cars to durables, as well as imported foods and other products.   It may be just a one-time price increase, so the Fed says it's too soon to tell if it portends a return to inflation fears.  Yet every day businesses report that consumer-related purchases are slowing.    When consumers worry about their jobs, they stop buying all but the necessities.  Vacation plans are put on hold.  Retails sales suffer.  Home remodeling plans are put off.  And an economic slowdown gains momentum triggering more layoffs.   Interest rates have dropped on fears of an economic slowdown.   Lower rates should make mortgages more attractive,  but that is offset by a spreading fear of job loss that  inhibits home purchases. When your neighbor or family member loses a job unexpectedly, you suddenly feel vulnerable. For those who have never lived through a recession – or have forgotten what the last one was like – this is what happens during a prolonged economic slowdown.  Unlike the pandemic, the economy doesn't shut down overnight.  It slowly, then more quickly, loses momentum. Prepare Yourself Of course, we may not have a recession.  But the current news and historic precedents are pointing in that direction.  It couldn't hurt to be prepared.  One good thing about being older and retired is that you’re no longer worried about your job.  Your income comes from Social Security, and your retirement investment savings.  But if a bear market follows the business slowdown called a recession – which often happens – you’ll want to become more conservative in your holdings. No matter what your age, you don’t want to enter into a recession carrying a lot of consumer debt.  Jobs are still fairly plentiful, giving you a chance at weekend and evening work for extra income to pay down that debt -- and build up your savings. [For tips on paying down credit card debt or finding trusted help in dealing with debt, please read this special report,  Dealing with Debt, at TerrySavage.com.] Recessions are painful, but they end eventually -- on average in about 10 months.  It could take longer than that to find a new job, though.  So now is the time to plan.  This is not a prediction of an imminent recession, nor an attempt to spread gloomy thoughts.  It’s a reality check.   Eventually, tariffs could bring manufacturing jobs back to America and create economic growth.  But another recession will come along, that’s for sure.  And both history and common sense say we’re stretching our luck here under current circumstances.  That’s the Savage Truth.

www.TerrySavage.com

Friday, March 7, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once at 12:15, finally waking/getting up at 5:30am.

Teresa informed me there will be a mass for Esmeralda’s mother today at 6pm, she just doesn’t know where yet.

I left the apt at 8am for my workout in Smartfit. I asked Daniel to help me with the Fitness Test while I was on the treadmill. He set something and I walked at 4km/hour for 2 minutes followed by 30 seconds of running. (The running was a bit challenging.) When it finished the display said, “etapa 1” which means “stage 1”. I continued with another 8 minutes at my usual 6km/hr. While I was leaving, I asked Daniel to set me up with “etapa 2” next week.

I had a latte in Ganso y Castor for an hour before returning to the apt.

Teresa informed me the mass will be at 5pm.

I chatted with a Hewlett Packard rep and found a nice laptop

HP Pavilion Laptop 16t-af000, 16" - Product #: 9Z465AV_1

for $760 (taxes included, on sale) but I’m going to wait a bit for comparison and Memorial Day sales as that price sounds a bit high.

After lunch I had a one-hour nap.

I noticed this is in my Acer manual so I downloaded Bluelight Shield and set it to Low Reduction which “reduces blue light emission from the LED backlit screen by 10% to 25% for basic protection”. Maybe that will allow me to sleep better at night those few times I use the computer late in the evenings.

Update: Esmeralda is in Envigado so she’ll pick us up then MT and we’ll go to mass and after go for coffee.

My finger is so bad I almost can’t press the ‘a’ button ☹ not to mention the left-hand side shift key.

Update to the Update: Esmeralda and Claudia will go separately and Teresa, MT and I will go in another car. After mass we will meet somewhere on Avenida 70 for coffee and I’ll be paying for their rides (not sure how many rides).

I put on a short sleeve shirt but Teresa asked me to put on a long sleeve shirt. I only complied because it’s at night and she said I won’t have to bring a jacket. Then she said my hiking pants don’t look right and she wanted me to wear jeans. I don’t think my size 34 jeans fit me anymore and they are too warm for Medellin. She took out my navy-blue pants and I put them on. My orange and blue gym shoes didn’t look right so I changed into my old blue gym shoes. I put my hands in the pockets to straighten the pants and I felt a piece of paper. I pulled it out and it was a $100 bill. 😊 Okay, I remember losing $100 but I didn’t remember when and where. I checked my blog notes from last year and then I remembered. Christmas Eve in Punta Cana I stopped at the front desk and asked if they had change for $100 and the girl said, “maybe later”. Later I couldn’t find the $100 bill and I thought it was gone forever.

We left at 5:15 by Didi, picked up MT and continued on to Parroquia Jesus de la Buena Esperanza (Carrera 69C #32-41) in heavy traffic.

We arrived 5 minutes late and mass was already in progress. It ended 45 minutes later and about a dozen of us moved a block away to a bakery named Farolitos. The others seemed surprised when I ordered a pastel de arequipe while everyone else shared empanadas. I was hungry and I didn’t know Emeralda was paying for everyone. We all had tea or coffee and thy all chatted with each other. We left by Didi at 7:45, dropped MT with Claudia at MT’s apt and continued on to ours.

I can’t continue typing like this; I need to see a Rheumatologist. My appointment with Dr. Castano isn’t until May 20^th, I don’t know if I can wait that long for a referral.

I texted Dr. Rendon, our Endodontist, and asked him for a reference. He said he had a friend in college who is a Rheumatologist and I should call Monday for the contact information. 😊

 

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

Thursday, March 6, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once at 3:15, and was awakened by a loud refrigeration truck at 6am. Upon further investigation the noise is coming from this loud generator set up outside Ara. ☹

I took this video from the balcony, our bedroom window is even closer. The generator finally shut down at 6:20. I wonder how long it was running before I woke up.

Teresa left for her gym class at 7am, I finished my blog, set my timer to 90 minutes and went back to bed. Twenty minutes later I realized I wasn’t going to fall asleep so I turned off the timer and got up.

I met Marcos at Tostao at 9:30. He still needs a dog trainer for Hobo and wants me to ask Glenn if he can recommend someone. He left at 10am and I moved to Peccato where I had a latte while solving another 12 chess puzzles in my The Woodpecker Method book.

I received a message from Decathlon in Viva Envigado that they are having a ping pong tournament Saturday at 4pm.

I read an article that “Men over 50 should train with less volume (weight) and allow more days for recovery.” AND “Your training should be thoughtfully designed to maximize results while minimizing the risk of injury, prioritizing productivity, recovery, and efficiency.” That’s what I’m doing.

I left at 11am and bought a carton of 18 eggs in Mercado Madrid for 20,830 pesos ($5) before returning to the apt.

I received an email from Travel Guard that my policy has been cancelled and they will issue me a $106.78 refund in the next 5-7 days so that reduced my total flight cost to $1401.42.

Conclave (7.4) is playing in Oviedo at 3:25 pm and Vizcaya at 3:40pm so I plan on seeing it this afternoon in one of those locations. Teresa has her bracelet making class from 2-5pm.

I received an email that my Microsoft 365 Basic subscription expired but years ago I bought Microsoft Professional Plus 2021 so I should be okay.

I left the apt at 2:15 and took a Didi to Oviedo. I put 50mil on my Cine Colombia account and bought a preferred seat for 13,900 pesos. I sat down for a few minutes until it got closer to showtime. I bought a medium soda for 12,100 pesos to go with my free Platinum popcorn. I entered the theater and saw the same commercials I saw last week but I saw an interesting trailer for September 5 (7.1) that I might see next week. There were about 2 dozen people in the theater. Conclave was with Spanish subtitles which usually means the audio is in English. Only problem was it takes place in Vatican City so there was some Italian spoken. I’m pretty good at understanding the Spanish subtitles but at one point a cardinal spoke in Spanish so there were no subtitles and I was lost.  The movie was good, I already knew the surprise ending I just didn’t know who it happened to.

Outside I spotted a taxi right away but he wasn’t available. At that moment I saw a Sabaneta bus pass me and stop at the bus stop. I looked carefully and saw empty seats. I boarded and got a seat in back; I’m getting a little old for standing up for long (because of heavy traffic) bus rides.

I got off at the bus stop across from Smartfit and walked the 3 blocks back to the apt.

Teresa showed me an Ara receipt with arepas, lettuce and tomatoes and after a little back and forth I finally understood she paid for the tomatoes but doesn’t have them. She sent me to Ara and I tried to explain the problem but ended up giving the phone to one of the workers so Teresa could explain. They took the receipt to the security guard and showed me their video which clearly shows Teresa picking up the two bags – one with lettuce and arepas and the other with the tomatoes but I have no idea what happened to them after that. Either she dropped them on the way or put them down to unlock the door but forgot to retrieve them. Well, we’re only out 5,000 pesos so it could have been worse.

I told Teresa about my numb little finger so we’ll probably be seeing a doctor.

About 7:30 someone called and Teresa went downstairs to the grocery cart by the elevator and retrieved her bag of tomatoes where she had left them.

I’m still tracking costs using Google Flights to see if I could have gotten a better deal.

I watched another episode of Your Honor on Netflix.

 

EL ARROYO

BOB BURFORD - PART XV

 

BREAKING: French President Emmanuel Macron steps into the boots that Donald Trump abandoned as leader of the free world and vows to defeat Russian aggression that “knows no bounds.”

The world desperately needs leadership like this right now…

“I want to believe the US will stay by our side. But we have to be ready if that isn’t the case,” Macron said in a televised address.

“I’m speaking to you tonight because of the international situation and its consequences for Europe,” Macron said to the French people. “I know you are legitimately worried faced with the historic events that are shaking the world order.”

“The war in Ukraine, which has left almost one million dead and injured, continues with the same intensity,” he continued. “The US, our ally, has changed its position on this war, supporting Ukraine less and allowing doubt to linger on what will come next.”

Macron said that the world is becoming more “brutal” and has entered a “new era,” adding that “it would be madness to stay a spectator in this world of danger.”

He stated that France and all of Europe must stand together and help Ukraine “to resist until Ukraine can negotiate a peace with Russia that is solid for themselves and for all of us.”

Demonstrating a bravery that the American president so clearly lacks, Macron stated that peace cannot be obtained by “abandoning Ukraine.”

“Peace cannot be concluded at any price,” he said, taking an oblique jab at Trump’s rhetoric. “Who can believe today that Russia would stop at Ukraine?”

Macron also addressed the possibility of expanding nuclear deterrence to safeguard European nations.

"Our nuclear deterrent protects us: it's complete, sovereign, French through and through," said Macron.

“But, responding to the historic call of the future German Chancellor, I have decided to open the strategic debate on the protection of our allies on the European continent through our (nuclear) deterrence," he added.

“Europe’s future should not be decided in Washington or Moscow, and yes the threat from the east is returning. And the innocence of these 30 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall is over,” he continued.

Macron also addressed Trump’s disastrous tariff policy, calling it “incomprehensible, as much for the American economy as ours.”

In a time of American madness, it’s deeply encouraging to see that our allies are remaining sane.

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, woke up at 4:15am, couldn’t fall back asleep so I got up 30 minutes later.

I’ve been having some numbness in my left little finger. I’m thinking it’s probably related to the arthritis in my thumb area but it certainly doesn’t make it any easier typing an ‘a’.

I left the apt at 8am for Smartfit. While I was on the treadmill I noticed a Fitness Test button. Daniel is busy manning the front desk today so I’ll ask him about it next week. I was on my last machine when Nebraskja walked by and said “hello”, and …that’s when I realized today is Ash Wednesday.

I stopped at the Pasteur pharmacy and asked the pharmacist if they had my Allergy Relief tablets (Diphenhydramine). He came back with 12.5mg liquid while mine are 25mg tablets so I told him thanks but I’ll order them from the US. I had a latte in Ganso & Castor and viewed an interesting documentary The Don’ts of Visiting Chicago which you can find if you go to WoltersWorld.com and search for Chicago. I left at 10:15 and stopped at the copy center to print my email but I understood it wouldn’t look good because it isn’t formatted. I told her I’d return later with it as a .pdf on my memory drive. I ordered the allergy tablets and they are expected to arrive by Monday (in Florida) so they should arrive her in 2-3 weeks. I’d rather take two every evening (they’re to help me stay asleep) but now I only have enough for one a night for two more weeks. ☹

Teresa called at 11:30 and told me she’s hungry and could we meet sooner. I told her I’d meet her in Crepes & Waffles at noon. I got dressed and took a Didi to Santafe mall arriving 10 minutes early. I stopped at a nearby store and printed our flight confirmation. Everything looks to be in order but I guess there’s no hurry with the next step, reserving a rental car.

I found Teresa with MT second in line to enter Crepes & Waffles. Right after I greeted them, the restaurant opened and we took an inside table. They got salads from the salad bar and I ordered their chicken with cheese & broccoli crepe. We each had a fresh juice and the total came to 110,000 pesos ($26.75).

They wandered through Dollar City but whatever they were looking for I guess they didn’t find it as they left empty handed. We were ready to head back to the apt when Teresa got a call from Laura. She was in El Tesoro and would join us in Santafe mall. Instead of leaving we went down to Valentina’s and had lattes and a shared slice of yogurt cake. Teresa got another call from Laura and we left and returned to Envigado by taxi.

I double checked and my credit card covers travel cancellation & interruption insurance so I don’t need Travel Guard’s flight insurance I purchased yesterday (even though it covers more things). I checked their policy and the first requirement is to be a resident of the US. That might be a technicality, since I am a citizen, but it could give them an out to cancel any claim. I see I have to send them a cancellation request so I called them and a voice message gave me an email address where I can send the request – United@AIG.com. I sent a quick email asking for a cancellation of my policy #984436050 and a full refund. (Later they acknowledged receiving my request and they should respond within 5-7 days.)

I left the apt at 3pm and had a latte in Eduardo Madrid while doing 12 chess puzzles in The Woodpecker Method. My 18 English muffins were ready by 5pm and I paid 45mil and returned to the apt.  I thought they would be in a box like last time but they were in three plastic clamshell containers. Sixteen went into the freezer and the other two in the fridge. In the future I’ll order sixteen and ask if I can bring my own plastic containers. (We don’t need more plastic in our rivers, oceans or air.)

I finished another lesson on ChessMood.com.

Your Honor is back on Netflix an I watched another episode.

 

EL ARROYO

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once during the night, woke up at 5am, couldn’t fall back asleep so I got up 20 minutes later.

After working on the computer for half an hour I went back to bed. At 6am I heard the Ara truck arrive but I must have eventually fallen asleep as I was awakened by my 6:30am alarm. (That 20 minutes or so made a big difference in how I feel.)

Traffic must be bad this morning as Didi was recommending something like 23mil (one driver offered 35mil but I declined). I finally got a ride for 22,300 pesos and I arrived just after the doors opened. Upstairs I had to wait a couple minutes for Jose. Today he had the French toast while I ordered 3 scrambled eggs con hogao with Italian sausages (they are small) and a latte (and a bottle of water to go) for 49,822 ($12), tip included.

Jose had already informed me he has to leave at 2pm today.

On the way to the food court, right around the corner from Parmessano, I noticed a new café named Coffee Shop 😊. I like that name, I’ll check it out more closely next time.

I had the Black pieces in the first game and I screwed up my 8^th move and I struggled after that resigning on the 45^th move. It was now 11:30 so if the next game is as long as this one we will finish right at 2pm.

I had the White pieces in the second game and he made some time-wasting moves then on my 17^th move (he didn’t see my threat) and on my 18^th move threatened checkmate and the only way to prevent it was to sacrifice his queen for my knight. (I wonder if I would have found this move last week before I did all the tactic training lessons.) He gave up his queen for my knight but continued playing finally resigning on the 29^th move. It was only 1pm when we said our goodbyes.

I ordered a Didi to take me to Viva Envigado for 18,100 pesos and we encountered a few raindrops on the way.

I went up to the 3^rd floor and had my usual bowl of granola and yogurt with fresh fruit and a small latte for 39,115 ($9.50). Downstairs I had a large latte in Urbania.

Akash040976 lost our game on time – 3 days wasn’t enough for him to make a move? – increasing my rating to 1555.

Teresa called at 3:15 to inform me there was a downpour and I shouldn’t leave. I asked her to call me back when the rain stopped and 20 minutes later she did.

I stopped in Exito and bought a medium size (no large size available today) carton of eggs and two bags of milk and returned to the apt by taxi. (There are security guards at the Exito exit to show your receipt but I just wave it in the air and keep on walking. 😊 )

When I checked Google Flights, I found the lowest price I’ve seen yet so I booked it right away on my credit card. Round trip for 2 through Houston to Chicago June 15^th to July 15^th for $1,508.20 (including taxes and flight cancellation insurance). I hope I didn’t screw that up somehow!

Teresa informed me that MT wants to go with her tomorrow to a yoga class in Santafe mall tomorrowand I’ll meet them for lunch afterward.

 

EL ARROYO

Monday, March 3, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, woke up at 4:15, couldn’t fall back asleep so I got up 45 minutes later.

After working on my computer for a while I went back to bed until Teresa got up about 30 minutes later.

After breakfast (my usual two scrambled eggs and an English muffin with strawberry preserves) I completed a ChessMood lesson before l left for the gym at 8am.

I completed my workout in Smartfit; at one point I had a little twinge in my back, strangely not the lower or upper back but toward the side but it soon went away.

I was having a latte in Ganso y Castor when Michael (the Canadian) stopped by. He told me he was happy because now he physically has his 3 new debit cards. He had a question for me regarding the tourist stamp. He said he went to Immigration last Tuesday and was told something about 32 days + 90 but didn’t really understand. He started to tell me about dates last year when I stopped him. I explained the clock starts over again with the new year. He has 90 days and he can apply for another 90 days but I told him what I don’t know is how many days/weeks in advance he should apply for the 2^nd 90 days, just don’t let the 1^st 90 days expire without having the renewal. He thanked me and left. I left at 10:30 and returned to the apt.

Teresa wants to go to Santafe mall this afternoon after lunch. I told her let’s go early so we can beat the rush hour traffic coming back.

I was reviewing my Next Level Training notes when I came across this quote, “Exercises must fit your current abilities or your time is wasted.” I thought of my struggles with the large book of puzzles and made the decision to switch to my book The Woodpecker Method.

Just before 2pm Teresa decided she didn’t want to go to Santafe mall so I left a few minutes later.

I stopped in Gana and paid the DirecTV bill of 189,900 pesos.

In Eduardo Madrid bakery I has a latte and ordered 18 (should fill 2 layers of the box) English muffins to be picked up Wednesday afternoon.

About 2:45 it started pouring.

By 4:30 the rain had lessened to just dropping so I returned to the apt.

I have been watching the series Your Honor on Netflix but for some reason tonight it wasn’t available, not even if I do a search for it, ☹ so I started watching Zero Day.

 

EL ARROYO

Sunday, March 2, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, finally waking at 5:30 and getting up at 6am.

This month I remembered to backup my hard drive.

I left the apt at 8:30 and listened to Margaritaville three times on my walk to Sao Paulo Plaza. (I almost have the lyrics memorized.) Glenn soon arrived with Bianca. As usual we shared what we’ve been up to and tips for living in Medellin.

Mrpattata03 finally resigned our game increasing my rating to 1552.

Teresa called and informed me that San Peregrino isn’t having their special mass today so she wants to go out for lunch. I suggested El Correo but not until about 2pm and she agreed.

I had 2 lattes and calentao with scrambled eggs. When the check arrived I was surprised they already had the change for my 100mil bill. 😊 Well, that’s efficient.

At 10:45 Glenn left and I made a trip to the restroom. The last stall had a hook for my bag but it’s now only held by one screw so I stuck a plastic hook to the door; we’ll see if it’s still there next time I visit.

I walked back to the apt.

1:45pm and Teresa changed her mind again and asked me to order from Chiclayo. I used previous Whatsapp messages to place an order but they have a new delivery company that only wants money transfers and I want to pay in cash as usual. It took a while but they finally allowed me to pay in cash.

Michael Sito had given me a hard drive loaded with movies and series and tonight I watched the documentary Bobby Fischer Against the World.

We had a little rain in the evening but it didn’t last long.

Teresa told me that after their spat the other night, Laura moved into a hotel. Fine with me.

We had more rain in the evening but it had stopped by the time I went to bed at 10pm.

 

EL ARROYO

Saturday, March 1, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once at 3:30, finally waking/getting up at 5:45 thanks to a bird singing right outside my window.

I left the apt at 8:30 and walked to the mall. There was a line outside Auros and only one worker so I walked a little further to the Bancolombia consignacion ATM where there was no line. I deposited cash in Laura’s account (for Smartfit) and another account for my health insurance. Back at Auros there was only one person in line and now two workers. I got a laminated copy of my new cedula made for 10,600 pesos.

Upstairs in the mall proper I got in a medium long line in my bank to pay the apt rent. Ahead of me was the guy from our building who previously rented our garage space.

I made a withdrawal from a Davivienda ATM and finally got a mix of bills. 😊

Downstairs I had a latte in Urbania. I left at 11am and bought a preferred iMax ticket to Se7en (8.6) for the 3:20pm showtime. I bought a 6-pack of Coke in Exito before returning to the apt by taxi.

I completed a couple more lessons on ChessMood.com.

I heard thunder as I left the apt at 2:15. By the time I got in my Didi the raindrops had begun. At the mall I went up to Cine Colombia and took a seat in their lobby. At 3pm I bought a medium soda to go with my free popcorn and entered the theater. I’ve come to not like this iMax theater because the speakers are too loud so sometimes I have to put my fingers in my ears. When the credits started I wanted to see if Kevin Spacey was listed. I saw Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, but before or after Gwyneth Paltrow a couple walked in front of me to get to their seats. ☹

The movie was great but again I had to cover my ears a couple times with the loud background music. At the end, the credits listed “John Doe: Kevin Spacey” first which is fitting.

Outside I was happy to see no line for a taxi but my driver insisted on putting our complex in his cellphone but by that time we had missed our turn so my trip cost 8,300 pesos instead of the usual 7,400. As they say here, “cada peso cuenta”.

I found out Laura will be here for another week so I told her we need to find some time to talk about Chicago.

While Laura was putting on her makeup, she and Teresa had words, although Teresa did most of the talking. Laura left with a carryon and said she was going to go visit abuela. Teresa then started explaining to me and here’s what I think I understand. 1) Laura (and Vicky) are just using our home as their hotel - a jumping off place where they can sleep and get ready to go out partying, 2) Laura hasn’t spent any significant time with Teresa or abuela, 3) Vicky isn’t going to be using our place as a hotel in August, 4) Laura isn’t welcome to join us in Chicago, it’s our vacation.

I have no problem with those decisions.

 

EL ARROYO

Friday, February 28, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, slept through the night, finally waking/getting up at 5am.

Neither Laura nor Vicky are here this morning so they obviously stayed overnight at someone else’s house.

I left the apt at 8am and completed my workout in Smartfit. I’m beginning to think this hour is best as it’s less crowded so we’ll see if that continues. I was on the treadmill and was feeling it was easier than usual so I thought about how to increase the workout. I definitely don’t want to have more than 12 minutes so I was thinking of trying to set up a program where I would be forced to run for a few seconds every few minutes. Before I got off, I checked the settings and found I was only walking at 5km/minute instead of the usual 6km/minute. 😊

I had a latte in Ganso y Castor and watched a long but interesting video called The Rise and Fall of the Mail Order Giants – a Chicago Stories Documentary. Very interesting, mainly focusing on Montgomery Ward and Sears, Roebuck & Co.

This sure looks like an Elgin watch.

I received a text message from Angie at Inter-Col that my cedula is read for pickup. I’ll probably stop there this afternoon.

Due to that measles outbreak in Texas, I’m rethinking our Houston stopover.

I left at 10am and returned to the apt.

Vicky’s gone, on her way back to Boston; I didn’t even get the opportunity to say goodbye. Teresa explained she’s coming back in August for two days with her 4-5-year-old son, before her Venezuelan boyfriend, also from Boston, joins up with her and they move to a hotel. Oh-kay.

Conclave isn’t playing in Viva Envigado any longer, at least in English, but it’s playing in Oviedo at 3:40pm. So, my plan might be to go to VE at 3:20 to see Se7en and if I can’t get a ticket go to Oviedo. Hmm, don’t know if that timing will work out. I might have to get there early or buy a ticket the day before. We’ll see.

I left the apt at 1:40 in a Didi and the skies were looking pretty dark to the north. It started raining and it was soon pouring. I still had some 30 yards to cover from the street to the Immigration entrance with my small umbrella. As soon as I stepped inside, I was stopped by a security guard with his wand. (At least let me take another step so I’m not out in the rain.) I explained I was there to pick up my cedula and he wanded (is that a word?) me then pointed where to sit. Luckily there were only three others ahead of me. I gave the girl my old cedula, signed her book and she gave me my new cedula and returned the old one. Outside I went around the corner to where I’ve waited for rides before and ordered a Didi for 30mil. After it started “expanding the search radius” I cancelled, switched to InDrive, offered 50mil cash and 2 minutes later a taxi arrived to take me to Eduardo Madrid Panaderia. Traffic was very slow and my driver was very impatient and drove very aggressively (kind of like most taxi drivers). We came to a complete stop at the gas station by Calle la Buena Mesa. It was just after 3pm and I told the driver the high school was 2 blocks away. Ten minutes later he dropped me off at the bakery. The macaws were noisy today and I took this photo.

I had a latte (skipped the usual glass of ice water) and bought a slice of carrot cake for Teresa. I stopped in Ara and picked up a bag of milk, and bags of red and green apples. A woman tried to cut the line to the cashier but I stepped in front of her. I found a hole in my plastic bag so I put everything in my Skechers backpack and returned to the apt.

I lost a game to Troyclough lowering my rating to 1550.

It’s disgraceful what happened in the Oval Office today. I’m embarrassed for America. Get that Trump/Vance clown show out of the White House before they completely destroy America. Do I sound mad? I’m not, I’m incensed!

 

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT