Friday, May 30, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once during the night, waking at 5am and getting up at 5:30.

I left the apt at 7:30 for Smartfit; today I dropped my phone on the treadmill for the 2^nd day in a row. ☹  I completed my workout and ran into Michael on the way out. He’s waiting for the stock market to rise so he can sell some investments; he’s then going to split time between here, Canada and Turkey.

Walking past Olivia’s, I could see them working on the ceiling.

In Ganso y Castor I waited 30 minutes at my table before someone noticed and brought me a latte. I saw a woman carrying a bunch of epm bills so I guess they’ll be arriving soon. I saw a couple of squirrels today in the spot where I leave a peanut.

This is what the new crepe stand looks like.

I left at 10am and returned to the apt.

Teresa sent me next door to Ara to buy dishwashing paste and I also bought a bag of milk.

I can’t remember the last time we had hot weather here, like 86-88 degrees.

I was losing a game to Troyclough, like he was up 3.6 pawns in the endgame, and I was hoping for a draw. In the next 3 moves he blundered and I was up 4 pawns and he immediately resigned. 😊 Lately, chesswiz98 (rated 1514) has been giving me my biggest challenge.

Just after 2pm we took a Didi to Cedimed on Calle 7 in Poblado. I went to Il Cappuccino café where I had a café con leche with a banana muffin while Teresa went to get her 1,200,000 peso cosmetic procedure I promised her Mother’s Day. I took the WY-010 Power Bank for my cellphone that Laura gifted me and I think I figured out how it attaches to my cellphone. I’m going to bring both batteries with me for backup for GPS use in the car. (I understand I can’t put them in my checked suitcase.) Now my case doesn’t fit on the cellphone correctly (buttons don’t line up with the holes) so I guess I’ll be buying a new case tomorrow.

Teresa came out 90 minutes later and we moved to the Boulevard restaurant where she had a pastry and a latte.

Before we left, I made a quick trip to their restroom.

Imagine trying to stand at the urinal with this towel dispenser in your face. Not to mention the toilet without a seat. We returned to the apt by taxi.

Teresa asked me when I’m going to take her to Mama Panda again. I asked her if she can wait until Chicago for her Chinese food. I guess not because I think now we’re going to Mama Panda on Sunday.

About 8:15 the rain started but it ended by 9pm. They had scaffolding set up outside the front of Ara and after the rain stopped they took it all down and loaded it into a truck.

The bedroom felt stuffy so I I turned the fan on low before I went to bed.

 

FUNNY

Thursday, May 29, 2025

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

The United States Court of International Trade has ruled Donald Trump’s tariffs are illegal and unconstitutional. Congress has complete authority over tariffs and they cannot even defer that power to another branch of the government, like the Executive branch.

We have blue skies this morning, not a cloud in the sky.

Teresa asked if I have cash for today’s medical procedure but she doesn’t know how much it is. She then changed her appointment to tomorrow and she’s going to El Hueco today. I informed her there’s supposed to be protests today so she cancelled her trip to El Hueco. To Be Continued…

At 10am we took a Didi to Mayorca mall. Teresa went to meet her friend while I went to the old side to El Laboratorio de Café where I ordered a latte. It was in a glass cup, like Peccato, but at least it wasn’t in a cardboard cup.

At one point a young lady recorded herself with her cellphone primping in front of a large mirror. Of course, by the time I noticed and took out my cellphone she was gone. Incredibly, a few minutes later she returned and repeated the process and this time I was ready.

Teresa called me at noon and asked me to meet her in Il Forno. She had her usual salmon and I their Cesar salad with a fresh mango juice. The total check came to just under 120mil and I paid in cash.

I forgot to mention I’m using urinals again, for several weeks already. No mishaps. 😊

We moved to a picnic bench in their atrium and I played a few games of speed chess while Teresa worked on a new bracelet.

We left at 3:30 and went down to the 1^st floor and hailed a taxi. I opened the back door and saw a small insect crawling on the door frame and Teresa insisted it was a cockroach so we took the next taxi.

Teresa got a massage from Kelly and I watched Cold Case:The Tylenol Murders (6.6) on Netflix.

No rain today. 😊

I watched The Chris Hayes Show then read some from my Kindle before going to sleep.

 

EL ARROYO

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

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

The street is wet so obviously we got some rain overnight.

I cancelled the automatic renewal of my $99 annual subscription to American Chess Magazine.

Teresa has her gym class in Mayorca this morning then we’re meeting in Crepes & Waffles for lunch and her friend Anna is going to join us.

I left at 7:45 for Smartfit where I completed my usual workout. I thought the Butterfly exercise was easier than usual but it was only after I finished that I noticed I had it set 15# lighter than usual. 😊

I moved to Ganso y Castor where I had a latte. (Btw, In Olivia it looked like they were putting the glass walls back up.) While I was watching for the squirrel on the far tree another squirrel surprised me on a much closer tree.

I left at 10am and returned to the apt.

At 12:30 I ordered a Didi to take me to Mayorca mall. (Interesting fact: 1) Although Mayorca is officially in Sabaneta, it’s next to the Itagui Metro Station, 2) When you exit the 2^nd floor of the new side and take the pedestrian bridge to the old side you enter their 4^th floor.

I found Teresa already seated in Crepes & Waffles but for some reason her friend didn’t make it. We each had chicken dishes and I had a fresh mango juice and the total came to 81,050 pesos ($19.50). I explained to Teresa that our Airbnb is in a suburb of Chicago like Envigado is a suburb of Medellin. I also told her the first week we’ll be eating exclusively in restaurants then we’ll see after that.

She left for her 2pm crafts class and I went down to the 2^nd floor where I bought a contour pillow in Brissa at 50% discount for 84,950 pesos ($20.50).

I sat on a bench outside and asked google to recommend a good café in Mayorca and it gave me El Laboratorio de Café, local 4190. I went back upstairs and walked around the circumference but it wasn’t there. I went down to the 2^nd floor and took the pedestrian walkway across to the old side where I found it in a far corner. Nothing fancy but the coffee machine looked decent. I returned to the new part and went down to the 1^st floor where I caught a taxi back to the apt. There were a few raindrops on the way and it soon became a steady drizzle.

An administrator on Facebook said there are supposed to be protests in Medellin tomorrow so I guess I’ll skip the movie in Oviedo.

At 4:30 I changed into warmer clothes and took our large umbrella but wouldn’t you know it by the time I got outside the rain had stopped.

All the tables were taken in Eduardo Madrid so I sat on their bench for about 20 minutes until a couple left. I had a latte and Teresa arrived at 5:15. She had a latte and we shared a delicious fresh slice of carrot cake.

We left at 6pm and crossed the street in front of a police vehicle and when it passed, I saw 4 “soldiers” in uniform with their semi-automatic rifles sitting in the back of the pickup truck.

Well, a federal judge has declared Trump’s Tariffs are illegal. We’ll see where it goes from here.

Teresa informed me she has a 10:30am doctor’s appointment tomorrow in Mayorca.

 

FUNNY

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once at 3:45 (it was raining), a downpour woke me up at 5:55am, finally getting up just before my 6:30 alarm.

It finally stopped raining around 7am. At 7:25 I started the process of ordering my Didi. I paid 27mil but it ended up traffic was good and I arrived at Unicentro mall 10 minutes before their 8am opening. I took a seat upstairs in Parmessano and I got a little nervous when I hadn’t heard from Jose so I ordered a latte. When he did show he reported he made an ATM withdrawal but waited quite a while for the machine to return his card.

We had breakfast and discussed how Joe Biden could get stage 4 prostate cancer so quickly. I also told him about Acer’s translation earbuds and I’m waiting for them to become available.

We adjourned to the food court and I had the black pieces in the first game. I attacked his bishop with my pawns in front of my king which you’re not supposed to move. I prevented his king from castling then brought in my knights and a bishop to attack his king. He overlooked a couple things and should have quit earlier but finally resigned on move 52.

In the second game he made the same moves he made last week but this time I knew the refutation and he wasted a number of early moves. In the end he resigned on the 44^th move. I won both games from him two weeks in a row, I don’t think that’s happened before.

It was only 1pm but I wasn’t hungry enough to go to Italian American Grill so I took a Didi to Viva Envigado. My driver’s name was Eligio and I had no idea how to pronounce it. When I got in the car he asked my name and I said, “Terry”. To be polite I asked his name and he replied, “Ali, Muhammad Ali’. (He was not black.) I said, then my name is “Michael Jordan”.

He dropped me off at the mall and I had my usual lunch in Pergamino café. I checked their bags of coffee and hey have about 5 different “flavors” at 360gram bags for about 55mil each.

This is what the atrium looks like today, a nice play area for kids:

I made an ATM withdrawal then took the last available seat in Urbania, but at the table used by people working on their computers.

Teresa called to tell me she was having coffee with a friend in Oviedo mall.

I left at 3:30, bought a few things in Exito and returned to the apt by taxi.

Teresa was already back in the apt.

I finished watching Sicario (7.7) on Stremio, watched The Chris Hayes Show on MSNBC, then started my pre-sleep routine.

 

T-SHIRT OF THE DAY

SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP

Monday, May 26, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, slept through the night finally waking/getting up at 6am.

I lost my game vs Mr_Blamo lowering my rating to 1542.

I left the apt at 8am and walked to Smartfit. Daniel was working the front desk and he complimented me on my chess game but I understand he doesn’t want to play another one. I called Teresa and she asked Daniel about their 10am class but I understood it’s yoga so she isn’t interested. I completed my usual workout, saying “hello” to Nobraskja and her husband Juan when they came in.

I was having a latte in Ganso y Castor when I saw someone setting up a stand with an awning. I walked over to check it out, saw 2 electric burners and asked, “what is it?”. The young lady told me it’s for making crepes and she listed all the available ingredients, sweet and salty (as they say here). I’ll take a photo of it when I see it all set up.

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

Teresa is all packed for our trip and she’s got most of my suitcase packed also.

I left the apt at 2:15 and had a latte in Los Portenos while going over some Pirc Defense notes for my game tomorrow. There was some squirrel activity in the trees just across the park.

I left at 4pm and ran into Chris Cajoleas on the sidewalk. Approaching me he said something like, “taking your guns for a walk”. I assume he’s talking about my arms so I guess all my time in the gym is noticeable.

When I returned to the apt Teresa was getting a massage from Kelly.

I added some detail to my Things To Do list for Chicago, mostly Wisconsin Dell but I removed Six Flags Great America from my list.

I watched the beginning of Sicario (7.7) on Stremio.

I watched some news then started mu pre-sleep routine.

I finished reading James Patterson’s Cat & Mouse (Alex Cross #4) on my Kindle.

 

T-SHIRT OF THE DAY

PRETEND I'M A GHOST

Sunday, May 25, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once at 12:30, then was awakened by a strange sound at 3am. I first thought it was my cellphone. Nope, the fan shifted and was bumping against something on each rotation. I moved it and it was quiet again. I finally woke up at 6am and got up at 6:45.

I dressed in my hiking pants, t-shirt, and brought a jacket.

We had a Didi pick us up at 10:30, pick up MT at her complex and drop us off at Terminal Sur. After asking a few people we ended up at Window 49 purchasing our ticket to Tutucán for 15,000 pesos each. Outside we found our 9-person mini bus at bay 8 and had our choice of seats. The bus left about 11:15 and 10 minutes later stopped at Exposiciones metro station. We waited there about 20 minutes until the bus was full. For some reason in the long tunnel, traffic slowed and the bus stopped and I heard a PA system announcement but soon we were going again but slowly. We made an airport stop where 1 person got out. We arrived just before 1pm and got off on a street. We walked to an entrance to Comfama and Teresa talked to a security guard. I understand there are 2 parks, Comfama and Tutucan. We walked through the former’s parking lot and up a hill to the entrance to the latter. The entry charge was 4,600 pesos per person and they put these paper bracelets on our wrists.

Already I was wishing I had on shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt and I didn’t need the jacket.

We walked up a winding path to the top of the hill where they had a farm petting zoo. The place looked familiar although I hadn’t been here in many years. There was a little eating area and we took bench seats and Teresa ordered patacones with cheese. There were 4 thick ones on a plate and this is what the last one looked like.

I had mine with a Coke and I tried to figure out from Teresa if this was our lunch or just a snack.

We moved down the hill to an open area with a stage and took seats for a show. It was silly and amateurish but then again I didn’t understand a word.

We walked down this street which again looked familiar.

We decided we would go to Candilejas in Rionegro for lunch. We left the park and in the parking lot Teresa talked to a man who gave us a ride to Rionegro for 12mil. We only had to walk one block and Candilejas was on the other side of the church.

From a distance we could see fencing and Teresa stated it was closed but across the narrow street there was this condemned building.

Inside Candilejas the ladies ordered some soup, Ajiaco? Maybe? And I ordered their American breakfast which included a ham omelet, almond croissant, glass of orange juice and a coffee (my latte).

I noticed a television where they played a repeating commercial and learned they have lots of other locations including Sabaneta and Plaza Mayor in Medellin. The total check came to 116,798 pesos ($28).

We left about 5pm and walked down the hill to the bus station and got on the next bus which soon left. It wasn’t full but we picked up a number of people on the way and in the end several were standing in the aisle.

As usual we got off a Exposiciones station and walked across the street and caught a taxi back to Envigado.

It was 7:15 when we arrived and I soon started my pre-sleep routine.

 

SILLY SIGNS

Saturday, May 24, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 11pm, slept through the night, finally waking/getting up at 6am.

While I’m getting my haircut this morning Teresa is going to the beauty shop, then she wants us to go to El Tesoro for lunch.

At 8:30 I ordered my Didi and arrived at Daniel’s barbershop by 8:45. I got my usual haircut and reminded him my next haircut will be in 3 weeks and I’d also like a manicure and pedicure and I’ll text him in a week for an appointment.

I walked to Parroquia San Mateo and ordered my ride but for some reason it changed my pickup location to The Barber Club so I cancelled it and tried again and this time it worked.

I took a Didi to Todo Drogas where I bought 2 boxes each of Atorvastatina and Zopiclona hoping this will be sufficient so I can skip coming here after my next haircut.

I walked to a busy Ganso y Castor but got the last outside table and it was a single. (The patio on Los Portenos appeared to be full.) I briefly met 3 young ladies at the next table from Connecticut, Los Angeles, and Miami. I had a latte and a glass of water. I left at 11:15 and returned to the apt.

We left at 12:30 and took a Didi to El Tesoro mall for 16,600 pesos. Our driver, Juan, worked as a bus driver in New York for 9 years and spoke very good English and we had a nice conversation on the way.

Teresa shopped in H&M for a while, while I waited outside. We had lunch in Valentina’s café, each of us having their delicious chicken sandwich and a latte. I think next time we could share a sandwich and later return for dessert. We returned to H&M where I found 2 pairs of shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt and she found 2 dresses and a blouse.

We left at 4pm and returned to the apt by taxi for 20,000 pesos.

About 6pm Teresa states she wants to go to McDonald’s later. We left the apt at 7:30 and walked down to the busy restaurant where I found an ad for their new apple pie. Of course they call it something else.

I insisted we try one and it only cost 7,479 pesos (less than $2).

And I see it’s from Ontario, Canada.

That will reduce the US trade surplus.

Teresa tried a bite of it and I finished it. Not as thick as I remember back in the states but maybe they don’t make it so thick there any longer anyway.

Teresa made a comment about she hopes we won’t be eating at McDonald’s every night. I told her I’d be happy if we don’t eat there at all. There are certainly places where you can get a better burger.

We left at 8:15 and returned to the apt.

 

TARIFFS

 

Imagine if all these countries, that the US has a trade surplus with, with were to suddenly charge tariffs on US imports to their country.

 

Friday, May 23, 2025

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

Once again instead of Teresa going to a 6:15am class she’s elected to go to a 7:15am class which means she could make me breakfast earlier and I can leave for the gym earlier.

It’s partly sunny, looks like we might have a nice day.

Teresa left the apt at 7am and I at 7:30. I completed my workout in Smartfit then moved to Ganso y Castor for a latte.

I caught this photo of the squirrel checking out the peanut I left in the crook of the tree

And here he’s taking it

I left at 10am and returned to the apt. Teresa was already back from her gym class.

At 2pm I went down to the garage storage area and brought up my suitcase and Teresa’s carryon. I then went to Los Portenos for a latte while reviewing The Dynamic English book. It rained for one minute while I was there.

I won my game vs Daniel, interestingly I gained 1 point but he lost 8 points, probably because he was provisionally rated at 800.

I left at 5pm, bought a bag of milk and tomatoes in Ara on my way back to the apt.

Kelly was giving Teresa a massage. According to a paper on our master bedroom desk she gets 5 massages for 150mil, that’s about $7 per massage.

At 6:30 Teresa informs me she wants to go to Chiclayo for dinner. Not now, but later. I told her fine but no later than 7:30.

I lost a game to chesswiz98 lowering my rating to 1555.

We left at 7:30 and walked the 3 blocks to Chiclayo. Another couple was just seconds ahead of us but for some reason they didn’t want the only available table for two in the back by the restroom. We took and just as we were getting seated her niece Catalina, the microbiologist comes over and gives her Teresa a hug and asks if we want to join them at their larger table. We moved to their table and also there was Adriana and her boyfriend Juan who I met for the first time.

Just for grins I set my phone on the table with google translate set for Spanish to English to try to follow the conversation. The mixed conversation was too fast for google translate to catch much but the early topic of conversation was breast implants. (Teresa needs to change hers soon and probably Adriana as well.) They invited us to join them on a cruise from Panama to Aruba and Curacao (sp?) August of 2026. I said that would be a definite maybe. Then the conversation turned to US tourist visas and I learned that Jose helps Colombians get US Tourist Visas.

We left at 10pm, waited outside with the ladies while Juan retrieved Catalina’s car and they gave us a ride back to our apt complex.

I immediately started my pre-sleep routine and went to bed at 11pm.

 

T-SHIRT OF THE DAY

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10pm (still raining lightly), got up once during the night (raining), got up again at 5am (when I returned to bed, I heard a bird tweeting some distance away), fell back asleep, finally getting up at 6:30 (rain had stopped).

I left the apt at 8:30, walked to the mall, recycled some plastic items, bought a 12-pack of toilet paper in Exito and took a seat in Urbania as they were opening for the day.

I had a latte while going through some chess information on …Bc5 in one of my English Opening books. I used ChatGPT to help me understand how to use the ChessBase app on my cellphone. It appears I may need a premium account to access my online database files from my cellphone.

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

I downloaded the latest version of Stockfish – 17.1 and made it accessible for my ChessBase 16 analysis.

I blundered my queen against Mr_Blamo but I’ll find out in the next two moves if he sees it. He saw it. ☹ Now I’ve got a real fight on my hands.

We left the apt at noon and took a Didi to Santafe mall. This is how the atrium is currently set up:

Teresa checked out Zara then we had lunch in Il Forno. (She’s now discovered another restaurant with good salmon so we can eat here again.) I had their ground beef lasagna and we shared a bottle of water. The total check came to 106,309 pesos ($25.50).

She checked out a few other stores then we had lattes and shared a slice of cheesecake in Valentina’s. We stopped in Smartfit where she checked out a rumor that we could get a discount on our gym fee. Not true.

We returned to the apt by taxi.

I watched a little more of Juror #2 on Stremio, the news on IPTV, then read my Kindle as part of my pre sleep routine.

 

T-SHIRT OF THE DAY

 TRES LETRAS

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 9:30, got up once during the night, finally waking at 5am from a bird tweeting outside my window, finally getting up at 5:30 when it stopped tweeting but I figured I wasn’t going to get back to sleep.

So far, it’s an overcast morning but not too thick so maybe it will soon clear.

Google Flights found the cheapest flights yet, $810.

I left the apt at 7:30 and completed my workout in Smartfit. Daniel was there and complemented me on my strong chess play. I think I have that game won; I’d better not lose to a player with an 800 rating. Today, for the 2^nd part of the Butterfly machine I increased the weight from 115# to 130# without any problem. And sixteen minutes on the treadmill isn’t difficult, just boring.

On my way to Ganso y Castor I noticed the restaurant Olivia was gutted; I hope it’s just for a remodel.

I had a latte for an hour 

before returning to the apt.

My non-losing streak for correspondence chess on Chess.com has come to an end. About 6 months ago I reached a high rating of 1630 then lost a few games and fell to 1503. Since then, I’ve played 15 games with 10 wins and 5 draws increasing my rating to 1575. I just lost a game to chesswiz98 (blew that game in the opening), ending my streak and lowering my rating to 1564. Btw, my record against him is now 5 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss.

It's no longer overcast and we have mostly blue skies with a high of 85 degrees.

Teresa returned at 11:45.

By 2pm the weather had changed considerably, totally cloudy, a little windy and 80 degrees.

Teresa notified me that she will be meeting with her mother after her craft class.

When I arrived at the copy center I thought the lady was unlocking the door but she was locking it. I went inside the new mini market next door and found what I was looking for: a new black Sharpie and a blue highlighter. I went across the street to Gana where I was finally able to pay the last Tigo/Une bill.

I went to Anamaste where I had a latte and searched my The Iron English book for a specific opening variation (the one Jose played against me) but it isn’t in there. ☹ Well, I have a couple more books to check.

It rained twice while I was there and I first moved further from the open fence then inside. It seemed like there was a meeting going on. I left at 5pm and returned to the apt in a light drizzle.

More rain in the evening.

I read this interesting article about translator earbuds. If they really work https://flip.it/OGOMaO

I watched the first episode of Juror #2 on Stremio then some news then started my pre-sleep routine.

 

T-SHIRT OF THE DAY

 I'M THE NICEST ASSHOLE YOU'LL EVER MEET

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once during the night, again when thunder woke me (it was raining), finally waking/getting up at 6:20am (very overcast but no rain) just before my 6:30am alarm.

I started my ride sharing search at 7:20, my Didi was close by, traffic was good and I arrived at Unicentro mall by 7:45.

Jose joined me a few minutes later and when they allowed us to enter we went up to the 2^nd floor to Parmessano. We each had their French toast with coffee. I algo got a bottle of water to go and my check was just under 50mil.

We moved to the food court where I had the Black pieces in the first game. Not being very familiar with my new opening (the Pirc), I had looked at a few online games to get an idea of what my formation might look like. Jose castled to the opposite side and started a pawn storm against my king but I held him off and in the end made a few moves he said he didn’t see coming and he resigned on the 40^th move. (I had only a minute left on my clock for the last few moves so I was under extreme time pressure.)

I had the White pieces in the 2^nd game and I played The English Opening I’ve been studying lately. Unfortunately, he played the Bc5 variation I’m not familiar with and got a strong attack. After making my 11^th move, I commented “I gave my move an exclamation mark (!)” and he replied, “whatever you say”. After his next move I took his queen and he was shocked (I should have only gotten his attacking Bishop). We played on for 9 more moves before he resigned. It’s rare when I beat him twice in the same day.

It was only 12:45 so I took a Didi to Italian American Grill a short distance away. I had their chicken parmesan sandwich which was only okay. I should have had the Philly Steak or meatball sandwich, oh well, next time. I ate half the sandwich and got the other half to go. 

My check came to 59,500 pesos ($14.25).

Just as I was finishing Teresa left me a voice mail to meet her and Monica in Mayorca mall for ice cream.

I walked a block to SurAmericana metro station and took the metro (transferring at San Antonio station) to the Itagui station which is right next to Mayorca mall.

I arrived at Crepes & Waffles about 10 minutes before Teresa and Monica arrived 10 minutes after that.

Teresa and I each had the Suprema cup and Monica had a waffle with ice cream. The total check came to just under 50,000 pesos.

After we finished, the ladies looked in a couple stores but I was tired so we said goodbye to Monica and returned to our apt.

I checked google and it said I could safely eat the remaining sandwich within 1-2 hours so I ended up throwing the rest away.

At 7pm I watched The Chris Hayes Show on MSNBC then (probably a little too early) I started my pre-sleep routine. I ended up going to bed at 9:30pm.

 

T-SHIRT OF THE DAY

 EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY.

Monday, May 19, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once during the night (it was raining), finally waking/getting up at 6:15am (still a light drizzle).

I left the apt at 8am and when I entered Smartfit, Daniel yelled my name and said, “tranquillo”; maybe that means he’s in no hurry to finish our game on Chess.com. I saw all the instructors get together for a group photo. I’ve noticed the young ladies tend to work on the leg machines, so I often have to ask for a turn. I completed my usual workout and moved to Ganso y Castor. I had a latte then left at 10:15 and returned to the apt.

The elevator is under monthly maintenance so I had to walk up 4 flights of stairs.

Teresa returned at 11:45 with a few groceries.

I left the apt at 2:15 and stopped at the Gana kiosk to pay our last Tigo/Une Wi-Fi bill. I handed the lady my cellphone displaying the bill and 110,000 pesos. She handed them back and I have no idea what she said. I’ll see if Jose can help me tomorrow.

I continued on to Los Portenos where I had a latte. I heard loud thunder starting about 4pm. Half an hour later, no thunder, but a serious drizzle which lasted 45 minutes. I google translated something then showed this to my waiter, “Debo estar maldito, dondequiera que voy llueve”, and he laughed. A muchacho came by and I bought a 20mil bag of strawberries. I took advantage of the lull in the rain and returned to the apt.

Teresa told me I paid too much for the strawberries and I told her to consider it a contribution to the local economy.

I finished watching Bodyguard and one of the last scenes realized I must have seen the series before. I watched, then only listened to, the Rachel Maddow show before starting my pre-sleep routine.

 

T-SHIRT OF THE DAY

PLEASE DON'T BREAK MY HEART

Sunday, May 18, 2025

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

Jack W: Sorry to hear about your prostate cancer diagnosis. Just keep monitoring it and when the time comes have your prostatectomy. It isn’t the end of the world.

Our plan for today is to go to Tutucán, a theme park in Rionegro. We left at 9:45 and took a Didi to Terminal Sur for 14,000 pesos. Downstairs at the window we learned the park is closed to the public today for some special event so we immediately decided to return to El Retiro. Tickets were 10,200 pesos each and we only had a short wait for our bus to arrive.

We arrived in El Retiro an hour and a half later in a very light drizzle. Teresa wanted to try another restaurant for lunch so she checked out a few across from the park. She didn’t find anything she liked so we ended back at Lomo Fino again. There was no line today so we immediately got seated. She had the salmon and I tried their ribs.

I wasn’t impressed with their ribs. The total check came to 119,000 pesos ($28.50). Teresa wanted to walk around a bit before we had coffee so we did. Nothing really impressive. We did find one store that sold bags of coffee for 54mil so that’s something to keep in mind. We were in a store that sold clothes and costume jewelry when the lights went off but came back on a minute later. We were in their cultural center (not much to see but some old typewriters and a Singer sewing machine) the power went out again. Outside Teresa asked where the café was and I said up the hill 1 block, turn right, then left and it’s up another block. She commented how I know El Retiro better then she does. No, I just have a sense of direction and I’ve kept track of where were are relevant to our goal which is El Retiro Café. We walked there and easily got a table inside but they couldn’t make coffee because they only had emergency power. We hung around a few minutes then left. We walked down to the bus station and soon were on a bus back to Medellin. We got off at Exposiciones Station and caught a taxi back to Envigado. On the way we drove through a downpour but it stopped by the time we arrived at our complex for 20,000 pesos.

It was just before 6pm and I was able to see 60 Minutes (once the preceding golf tournament ended) followed by a special edition of 60 Minutes.

I finished reading James Patterson’s Jack & Jill on my Kindle.

 

T-SHIRT OF THE DAY

PLEASE DON'T BREAK MY HEART

Saturday, May 17, 2025

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

It’s still drizzling.

I checked Google Flights and for the first time the price is under $1000 at $986. When I asked google months before, it replied the cheapest international flights should be from about May 18^th to 29^th, so we’ll see.

It’s still drizzling slightly so I put on my hiking pants (my new name for my thin convertible pants), a t-shirt, my jacket and took our large umbrella.

I left the apt at 8:15 and walked to the mall. I recycled a plastic bottle, printed a chess note page in Auros, bought a large carton of eggs in Exito, bought a blueberry muffin in Starbucks, then took a seat in Urbania, 15 minutes before their 9am open.

I studied a particular line of The English Opening so I would be prepared for it.

Teresa called me several times with things to pick up at Ara on my way back. I left at 11am and returned to the apt by taxi.

I dropped off the eggs, the umbrella, and my book. I walked down to Mercado Madrid where I bought apples, blueberries, and two plantains and returned to the apt.

I left the apt at 2:15, left a peanut in the crook of the tree in the park and continued on to Los Portenos where I had a latte. The restaurant was busy but not so bad like I was taking someone’s table. A TALL American couple three tables away ordered a bottle of water but were confused by the waitress’ question of “con or sin gas?” so I helped them out.

I left at 5pm and returned to the apt.

I watched a couple more episodes of Bodyguard, just one more to go.

I found a couple of new lesions. At least they are coming less often.

 

T-SHIRT OF THE DAY

IT'S IN THE WATER

Friday, May 16, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once during the night, finally waking/getting up at 5:45am, before my 6:30 alarm.

The street is wet so we got some rain overnight.

Teresa is going to El Hueco to buy more craft supplies so I will be on my own for lunch.

I left the apt at 7:30 and took a Didi to Cedimed for 15,000 pesos. I retrieved my PSA results of 0.010 and took a taxi to El Tesoro mall. I arrived in Dr. Castano’s office well before my 8:30 appointment. I was getting a little peeved when lots of others that arrived after me went in before me. Finally, about 9:15 I was invited into his office.

He did a sonogram of my kidneys (first time) and noted I have a kidney stone in my right kidney. It’s small, only about 4mm in size and isn’t anything we need to address. He then checked my left kidney and said I have stones there also. He recommended I drink more water, like 2 liters a day, and consume more fruits, especially oranges. He recommended a proctoscopy every 5 years so I’m overdue.

I was in his office for about 30 minutes, paid 320,000 pesos ($76.50) and my next appointment is Friday, November 21^st at 1:40pm. (I noted others, most likely going through the Colombian health insurance system, paying something less than 10,000 pesos.) I ducked my head back in his office and reminded him I’d like HDL, LDL, Total Cholesterol, etc. added to my next blood test.

The secretary said goodbye and I left. The doctor forgot to give me a few prescriptions: A new order for a proctology, a recommendation for a proctologist, and an order for an injection. Maybe he’ll email them to me?

I went downstairs to Santa Leña in the mall proper and had a latte. A little later I had another latte with an almond croissant. I left just after noon and had a chicken sandwich with another latte in Valentina’s. I ate half the sandwich and got the rest to go.

Teresa sent me an audio message that gave me the idea she wanted to join me in Valentina’s. After an exchange of messages I understood she was too tired. I paid the check of 54,000 pesos and returned to the apt by taxi (no wait) for 20,000 pesos.

When I entered the apt, I was surprised she wasn’t there then I discovered we have no running water. ☹

I recharged my cellphone battery a bit then left at 3pm for Eduardo Madrid bakery.

I had a latte while waiting for my muffins. At 5:15 I finally gave up, figuring I’d return tomorrow afternoon. I went to pay for my latte and the girl brought my muffins that were sitting on the counter. I tried to let her know that I wasn’t pleased because I’d been waiting 2 hours for them. “What we have here…is a failure to communicate!” I paid and returned to the apt.

Water is back on.

Teresa smelled the fresh muffins and popped one in the toaster for herself. 😊 It looked like she put cream cheese on it but she insisted it was something else.

All I did is look at the router for a model number and now I have no internet. ☹ Using their on/off button didn’t help. Finally, I unplugged it and re plugged it (a hard reset) and now I have internet again.

We heard some cheering so there must be a soccer match tonight.

I watched some MSNBC then read from my Kindle before going to bed.

 

T-SHIRT OF THE DAY

I'M A FRIDAY PERSON IN A MONDAY WORLD

 

Thursday, May 15, 2025

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

Teresa is going to a craft class this morning so she asked me to meet her in Mayorca at 12:30 for lunch. We need eggs so we can buy them in Exito.

Undecided about what to wear, I put on my shorts and sleeveless t-shirt.

I left the apt at 8am and took an Envigado bus to Calle 7. I walked up a short block to Cedimed Intermedica where I got the blood draw for my semi-annual PSA test. The cost was 99,500 pesos ($24) and I was out by 8:45.

I walked a few blocks north to a Dr. Scholl’s store. I checked out their gel heel pads but they seemed overkill for my need. They weren’t expensive at 60,000 pesos but I decided to wait for our trip to the states or I’ll buy new Minnitonka moccasins online.

Across the street I got on a Sabaneta bus back to Envigado. I got off at Calle 10 and stopped in Ganso y Castor for a latte. I left at 10:45 and returned to the apt.

At 11:45 I notice it’s drizzling outside. ☹ Time to switch to pants and regular t-shirt.

At noon I started the process of ordering a ride to Mayorca mall. I arrived at Crepes & Waffles right at 12:30 but there was a line so we went next door to Il Forno. Teresa had her usual salmon (she loved it) and I tried their Canelones. I liked mine although the bottom layer of pasta stuck to the pan.

The total, with tip, came to 137,012 pesos ($32.50).

We went down to Miniso where Teresa bought a few things, including a case for her thermos, for 112,400 pesos ($27).

Passing by Brissa we saw my pillow for sale but we decided to wait and buy it next week because with all our things we still needed to buy eggs.

We stopped in Exito but they didn’t have the large carton of eggs so I ended up with their medium size.

We returned to the apt by taxi for 14mil.

Kelly is supposed to come over about 5pm.

It was 3pm when I left for Anamaste for a latte. It was free because I gifted them my book, Paper Towns by John Green. It poured a few times while I was there.

I left at 4:30 in a light drizzle and returned to the apt. Teresa informed me that the weather was too bad so Kelly won’t be coming.

Teresa notified me that my urology appointment has been changed to 8:30 tomorrow morning. Only problem is I haven’t received my results yet. I’ve tried logging into their website and they will send me an email to confirm my identity but it never arrives.

I know I won’t be going to the gym tomorrow because I’ll be in El Tesoro mall.

I set an alarm for 6:30am tomorrow.

 

T-SHIRT OF THE DAY

ONE DAY I'LL MAKE THE ONIONS CRY

 

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

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

Another overcast morning.

I left the apt at 8am and ran into Daniel as soon as I entered Smartfit. He asked when we’re going to play and I saw he had Chess.com on his cellphone. I’m not sure how he did it but he found QR codes on our phones and we got set up as friends. I completed my workout and as I was leaving, Daniel asked when we’re going to play. I told him now, one move per day, but I doubt he understood.

While having a latte in Ganso y Castor I sent Daniel a challenge request to play a correspondence game where you have to make at least one move every 24 hours.

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

Teresa returned at noon.

Teresa left at 2pm for her craft class.

I left at 3:30, printed some Firestick notes, and had a latte in Eduardo Madrid. Teresa arrived at 5:30 and she had a latte and we shared a pastel de spinaca (sp?).

While we were waiting in the bakery there was a shower but it only lasted 5 minutes.

We left at 6:15 and stopped in Ara to buy a few things before returning to the apt.

I started my game vs Daniel and he’s playing pretty well. My problem is because this is his first correspondence game he only has a rating of 800 and if I lose, I’ll lose a ton of points.

A month from today we’ll be in the airport for our trip to Chicago, via Houston.

 

T-SHIRT OF THE DAY

The only Ribs I Love are Yours

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

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

So far, it’s an overcast morning so I don’t know what to expect this afternoon – sun or rain. I finally decided to wear pants and a t-shirt but no jacket. (In hindsight better would have been the opposite – shorts, sleeveless t-shirt and a jacket.) I ordered a Didi (my driver’s name was Disney) and arrived 10 minutes late to Unicentro. We had breakfast in Parmessano before moving to the food court.

Well, that was embarrassing. I lost 2 games in less than 2 hours. The first game in 15 moves and the 2^nd in 24 moves.

When we finished, it was only 10:50am. My backup plan, should we finish early, was to have lunch in Italian American Grill, but that won’t work today because they don’t open until noon.

I ordered a Didi to take me to Viva Envigado for 18,000 pesos. I made an ATM withdrawal then stopped in Exito and paid the epm (utility) bill. I went upstairs to Santa Leña where I had this strange egg sandwich with bread twice as thick as usual. I definitely needed a knife and fork for this one.

I went down to Urbania where I had a latte for a couple hours.

I stopped in Exito and bought a new 20-pack of pads for 55,000 pesos before returning to the apt by taxi.

Someone on Facebook reported that as of today, McDonald’s now sells apple pies.

Teresa had a massage from Kelly from 4:30 to 5:30.

This is Teresa’s workshop when she’s working on a purse or bracelet:

our dining room table.

This is strange. I was balancing my checking account and found a $4.04 credit from Avianca but I have no idea what it’s for. The last time I charged something to Avianca was last December. (Maybe I bought a drink on the plane, charged it, but it was included?)

I checked my Firestick internet speed with my laptop turned off (so as not to interfere with it) and got a download speed of 65.22 Mbps.

I turned on my VPN and set it to the US and tried again to order that chess book from ThriftBooks.com and again received the message, “Unable to process your card. Please check your billing address and try again.” ☹

The day didn’t exactly turn sunny but at least we didn’t have any rain.

I watched the Chris Hayes show on MSNBC then read some of my latest book.

 

T-SHIRT OF THE DAY

Your Planet Needs You.