Saturday, November 27, 2021

Recovery Day #155!

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once at 2:15, woke up at 6:45, made another trip to the bathroom, did my Kegel exercises, finally getting up at 7am.

I had made plans to meet John for coffee at 9am. At the last-minute Teresa asks me to make a copy of her blood test request. I did the best I could do, I took a photo of it, emailed it to myself, and I’ll copy to my USB drive. Luckily, I received an email from John that he’s bringing a friend Peter from Chicago and they’ll be a little late, like 9:15-9:30.

I left the apt just after 9am and on the way my iPod gave out again. I think the cause may be the frayed cord on my earbuds. I arrived at Habia Una Vez just before 9:30. They had already finished a small coffee in the café but I convinced them to move to Todo Fresa. They agreed that the coffee was much better than Habia Una Vez. John lives alone in Sabaneta and Peter has a Colombian wife and they live in La Estrella. John has a car and Peter uses an electric scooter. They gave me some pointers regarding my leaky toilet and my faulty on-demand water heater. John had his prostate removed and was incontinent for only 2 months. Sometimes he starts to leak a little and has to resume his Kegel exercises. His PSA tests started out like mine at <0.01 but then went up and he had to start radiation treatments.

They left after about 90 minutes, and I went up the 3^rd floor for a much-needed haircut.

     Viva Envigado's Christmas tree as seen from the 3rd floor.

I waited 10 minutes for Daniel and explained that John didn’t cut the top like I asked. For the first time he asked if I wanted him to use wax to remove my nose hairs. I told him, “why not, let’s try it”. After my usual fancy haircut he put wax on a long cotton swab and put it in my right nostril. I thought, at least I can breathe with the left one. Then he put one in my left nostril and I was glad I could breathe through my mouth. Lol. A minute or two later he yanked both of them out, “whoa”, was my thought. Then he told me he needed to do it again so we did. That was interesting. Now I know why women don’t have nose hairs; it’s probably a normal part of their trip to the beauty salon. That experience cost me 100mil and I tipped Daniel 10mil.

In Exito I looked for what the doctor recommended I switch to from the ADs but was unsuccessful. I’ll ask Teresa for help. I bought 3 bags of milk, 6 apples, and a bag of trout for Teresa and returned to the apt by taxi.

Finally, Chess.com paired me with a stronger player Chief523 with a rating of 1675. Interestingly, he’s playing the Dutch Defense against my London System. It’s a good game but I think I’ve got a good attack going against his king. Oops, I’ve got a good attack going but I’ve got a couple pieces hanging. Wow, I managed to deflect a rook and capture his Queen and he resigned on the 29^th move increasing my rating 9 points to an all-time high of 1614.

I left the apt at 2:30 and walked to Parva where I had a café con leche and read some more of my new chess book. I finally think I may have found a good one. One the way back I took a side street to look into the new Love In Waffle restaurant. Whoa, it’s much larger and more involved than the other location. They have a number of gaming tables, I mean like Nintendo and Sonic the Hedgehog. Also, what looks like electronic jukeboxes. I guess it’s aimed mostly for kids but I think they have some menu items, like pizza and burgers, that might appeal to adults, probably parents.

 

The New York Times’ 7-day average of new daily infections and deaths has the US with 96,271 ð 87,195 ð 85,432 new cases and 1,427 ð 1,013 ð 955 new deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of yesterday, Colombia has a total of 2,520 ð 2,660  ð 2,620 new cases with 48 ð53 ð 51 new deaths. Medellin has 351 ð332 ð NOT REPORTED  new cases from November 26^th to 27^th. Envigado has 15 ð22 ð NOT REPORTED new cases from November 26^th to 27^th.

 

T-shirt of the day

We are all in this together.

Friday, November 26, 2021

Happy Black Friday!

Recovery Day #154!

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once during the night, woke up at 6am, made another trip to the bathroom, did my Kegel exercises, fell back asleep, finally waking/getting up at 7:45.

We left the apt at 9:15 and took a Didi car to Torre Medica in El Tesoro. Teresa went to her appointment with her breast surgeon and I went to see my urologist. I noticed several women waiting to see him. I googled why women would see a urologist and I learned it was for the same reason I was there, for treatment of urinary incontinence. Glenn texted me he had a 35-minute wait for his 8:40am appointment and my wait turned out to be the same. I gave Dr. Castaño my physiotherapy report and my PSA result. He told me my PSA result of < 0.01 means there is no evidence of cancer in my body. He told me my urinary incontinence should be 100% better in a month. He recommended I start using pads (I forget what they are called in the store) instead of the pants (diapers) and I can start wearing regular underwear again (we’ll see about that). I paid 230mil for the visit and met Teresa downstairs by the O’Cake café.

Her doctor told her that everything is going well.

She did some clothing exchanges in Zara while I waited on a nearby couch.

One of the two chess games I was worried about I now have a clear advantage and a certain win. The one I was worried about I made a move that threatened checkmate and taking his Queen and he resigned. I believe my analysis said he had a move to threaten my Queen and I would only gain a pawn but I guess either he didn’t see it or my move was stronger than I thought. We’ll see what the computer says. My rating is now 1605.

When she returned Vicky was with her. They went into a few other stores and Teresa bought a few pairs of socks for 11,820.

We had lunch at Natto Bowls and Vicky paid. I think this was the first time she’s been there. At 12:30 a short rainstorm came through which lowered the temperature a bit. This is their dyi drink – it looks like lemon juice mixed with carbonated water.

(Btw, Colombia’s lemons are our limes.)

They did some more shopping and Teresa bought a sexy blouse and jacket in Manitu for 495,984 ($130). (Whenever she enters that store it costs me money. Lol)

We had frozen yogurt in Persimon and they shopped a bit more. I looked for a Didi car on their app but no luck. Vicky left and I took a number at the taxi stand. It ended up being a 40-minute wait for a taxi. On the way to our apt in bumper-to-bumper traffic I saw 4 chickens run across the road. (Why did the chicken(s) cross the road? I really couldn’t tell.)

The first game in the World Championship chess match in Dubai between Magnus Carlsen of Norway and Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia ended in a 40+ move draw by repetition.

In heavy traffic what should have taken 20 minutes instead took 1 hour and 5 minutes to return to the apt. I gave the driver 20mil for the 18,400 peso ride.

Teresa tried on a blouse from Zara and it’s a size too small but she thinks she can exchange it in Santafe mall. (I’m not eager to return to El Tesoro unless there’s a doctor’s appointment involved.) The blouse from Manitu she doesn’t like so she will be returning that.

I can see now in that game I won that my opponent first captured my rook then saw I had mate in 1 and resigned. And the computer confirmed my last move, that I thought might be questionable, would actually give me a 2.5-point advantage so it was a good move.

 

The New York Times’ 7-day average of new daily infections and deaths has the US with 95,481 ð 96,271 ð 87,195 new cases and 1,425 ð1,427 ð 1,013 new deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of yesterday, Colombia has a total of 2,478 ð2,520 ð 2,660 new cases with 50 ð48 ð53 new deaths. Medellin has 258 ð351 ð332 new cases from November 25^th to 26^th. Envigado has 28 ð15 ð22 new cases from November 25^th to 26^th.

 

T-shirt of the day

Adulting!?

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Happy Thanksgiving!

Recovery Day #153!

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once during the night, woke up at 6:30, made another trip to the bathroom, did my Kegel exercises, fell back asleep, finally waking/getting up at 8:30.

The Bears game was going to start at 12:30 and our Thanksgiving reservations at Philly Steaks is at 4:30 so I asked Teresa to make a simple salad to eat at noon. Well, it was a salad and ham slices that she served at 12:45.

At 1:15 a drizzle started that soon turned into a downpour. Sigh!

I watched the Bears defeat the Detroit Lions in the last second 16-14.

I was making my last trip to the toilet before leaving when it stopped working again. I fixed it more permanently this time so I think it will be a long time before it comes undone again.

I ordered a Didi car and the app said the driver’s name was Nataly. Well, we have female driver for a change. We left the apt at 4pm and when I got in I saw a guy, so Nataly is a masculine name here? I checked my phone and saw a photo of Nataly, the driver explained she’s his sister. He took us to Parque Poblado for 8,754 and I gave him 10mil. One of the waitresses at Philly Steaks seated us at an umbrella table outside.

That's Teresa seated at the nearest table. Being on her cellphone she didn't even notice I was taking photos.

When they brought my plate they didn’t bring silverware so my food just got colder in the minute it took me to flag them down and for them to bring it.

The green beans were warm, not hot, but everything else was cold. Don’t they have a microwave?

Teresa pointed out Danny of Na Pizza seated at a nearby table. I hadn’t noticed him because others were in the way.

We had just finished eating when two gringos were seated at the next table. Bryan was from Florida and Mike from North Dakota. They have visited for several weeks over the past few years. They were talking about buying an apt nearby and taking turns using it during the year.

I ordered a Didi car and was quoted 12mil because of high demand and we left about 5:45. Traffic was horrible and it took almost an hour to return and the app changed the cost to 19,746. I gave the driver 20mil intending it to be a nice tip but ended up barely covering the additional cost.

The app said, “Your final trip fare has been updated due to a change in route or time.”:

$2.787 – Base Fare

$3.430 – Distance Rate (5km)

$7.080 - Time Rate (59 minutes)

$5.319 – Surge Price (Capped at $28.454)

$1.130 - Booking Fee

$19.746 – Total (Cash)

 

The New York Times’ 7-day average of new daily infections and deaths has the US with 95,152  ð 95,481 ð 96,271 new cases and 1,418  ð 1,425 ð1,427 new deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of yesterday, Colombia has a total of 2,194  ð 2,478 ð2,520 new cases with 45  ð 50 ð48 new deaths. Medellin has 424  ð 258 ð351 new cases from November 23^rd to 24^th. Envigado has 6  ð 28 ð15 new cases from November 23^rd to 24^th.

 

T-shirt of the day

This is my Halloween costume.

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Recovery Day #152!

Last night I went to bed at 10:15, got up once at 2am, finally waking/getting up at 6:15.

TheGreekLad’s vacation ends tonight but I’m expecting he will just lose on time.

Teresa and I left the apt together and walked to the mall. She went on to her gym class and I stopped in Auros where I printed 2 copies of my digital visa and used the ATM to make a little withdrawal so now I’ve got some small bills.

I caught a taxi outside and arrived at the Immigration office at 10am, 30 minutes early. There were dozens of people milling about and another dozen lined up along the wall outside the entrance. I noticed someone show their papers to the guard so I did the same and was invited inside. I could tell there were only about 4 people ahead of me. When it was my turn I presented my papers and my passport, he had me write down my address, phone number and email address, he stamped something, and I was told to take another seat. Another man called me up and I gave him my papers, paid 206mil ($54) and again took a seat. He soon called me again, gave me back my passport and told me to return in a week to collect my new cedula. ☹ The whole process took about 30 minutes.

Outside I was waiting at the curb for a taxi when a man told me to go to the end of the street. I could see it was a little busier than the other location but after a minute I saw a busier street 2 short blocks away. On my way there I saw a taxi parked on the street and 2 men standing nearby drinking tintos (small, cheap coffees). I asked if the taxi was available and the one who had almost finished his coffee invited me in and drove me to Arkadia mall. At the traffic circle I noticed a Pizza American across the street from the mall.

I took an escalator downstairs and walked down to the other side of the mall and entered Santa Leña where I had a café con leche and killed some time until lunch hour. I googled Pizza Americana and learned it doesn’t open until 4pm. ☹

I left about noon and went up to the 4^th floor to Crepes & Waffles. I was asked to show proof of being vaccinated – first time since the new decree.

I had chicken in a bread bowl with a glass of water.

I removed my Master Card from my iFood app.

This is a view of Medellin from Crepes & Waffles in Arakadia.

When I left and was walking past a children’s video game room I noticed a Space Invaders game. It had a large screen with two seats in front with controllers.

Outside I was soon in a taxi back to the apt.

Teresa called me and introduced me to John of NY & Pennsylvania now living in Sabaneta. We exchanged contact information and we’re going to meet for coffee Saturday morning.

Teresa called me back and we’re going out for pizza later.

She called me back at 6pm and I changed clothes and left a few minutes later. I walked to MT’s apt in a light rain that was a heavier rain by the time I arrived 20 minutes later. They came down and then we waited 10 minutes for a taxi. Finally we gave up and walked two blocks to Calle 27Sur where we soon caught a taxi. On a cold and wet night there was no wait to enter Antica Pizza.

We each had a slice and MT had a Mr. Tea for 39mil. We walked down the street and soon caught at taxi back to our respective apts.

TheGreekLad’s time ran out and Chess.com asked me if I wanted to claim the win. Well, yeah, after waiting for months, yes I will take the win. I gained 1 point and my rating is now exactly 1600. Whoo!

On page 125 of 721 of Web Griggin’s paperback Under Fire – just too wordy and I started losing track of the characters.

 

The New York Times’ 7-day average of new daily infections and deaths has the US with 95,152  ð 95,481 ð 96,271 new cases and 1,418  ð 1,425 ð1,427 new deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of yesterday, Colombia has a total of 2,194  ð 2,478 ð2,520 new cases with 45  ð 50 ð48 new deaths. Medellin has 424  ð 258 ð351 new cases from November 23^rd to 24^th. Envigado has 6  ð 28 ð15 new cases from November 23^rd to 24^th.

 

T-shirt of the day

Tomboy USA.

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Recovery Day #151!

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once at 2am, finally waking/getting up at 6:15. It soon started raining which turned into a downpour. Thankfully it didn’t last long.

I left the apt just before 9am and met Glenn with Bianca at Los Porteños. He ordered the egg sandwich with scrambled eggs and I (who was going to order the same thing) ordered the bacon sandwich which comes with scrambled eggs. I figured I could always remove the bacon which I ended up doing and not eating because I forgot to ask for the bacon crispy.

We moved to Parva where we had another coffee just inside the entrance (just in case they had a problem with Bianca) and Glenn gave me another pinocle lesson. Of course, I got slaughtered.

We left about 11:30, I returned to my apt where I exchanged some things. I walked to the Deborah Arango Library to get my 3^rd vaccination but was told by the guard to return tomorrow. (I won’t be able to return tomorrow but next time I will certain come earlier in the day.) I took the metro bus up the hill to Parque Envigado and I got out a block further. I had a waffle with strawberries and whipped cream in Moriskos. The waiter asked what flavor ice cream I wanted so I said, “vanilla”. As I thought, my order didn’t come with ice cream. The café con leche tasted like it had liquor in it so maybe they screwed that up. I asked for the check and ten minutes later had to ask another waiter for it. I paid the 8,800-peso check (included tip) but didn’t leave any additional.

I stopped at the paper store where I asked the chica for a “calendario de escritorio” but she didn’t understand me. I put it in my translator app and it came up the same but this time she understood. (Must be my accent.) I stopped in Dollar City where I bought a box of Betty Crocker saran wrap that Teresa wanted. I walked to the mall where I recycled a couple bottles and bought a new mortar and pestle set in Home Center. I had a café con leche in Todo Fresa. When I came out, it was raining lightly but luckily I had no wait to catch a taxi back to the apt.

Teresa returned at 5:30 with a new haircut, a bit shorter but very cute.

Btw, Danny’s new ice cream shop is called “Sugar Mamas” not “Sweet Mamas”.

I checkmated Troyclough in 19 moves increasing my rating to 1599. Only problem is I have 2 games in progress against much lower rated opponents and I don’t have much confidence in either game.

For supper I ordered burgers from McDonald’s. Again, they didn’t accept my debit card and I will pay in cash. When the delivery man brought it to our door he didn’t have change for a 50mil note so I had to give up all my small bills to make up 40mil.

We had more rain in the evening. It was still raining slightly when I went to bed at 10:15. I slept under a blanket for the first time I quite a while.

 

The New York Times’ 7-day average of new daily infections and deaths has the US with 93,689 ð 95,152  ð 95,481 new cases and 1,113 ð 1,418  ð 1,425 new deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of yesterday, Colombia has a total of 2,649 ð 2,194  ð 2,478 new cases with 39 ð 45  ð 50 new deaths. Medellin has 302 ð 424  ð 258 new cases from November 22^nd to 23^rd. Envigado has 16 ð 6  ð 28 new cases from November 22^nd to 23^rd.

 

T-shirt of the day

I don’t do boyfriends.

Monday, November 22, 2021

Recovery Day #150!

Last night I went to bed at 10:15, took a while to fall asleep, got up twice during the night, finally waking/getting up at 6:30.

Just before 8:30, Teresa left for gym class and I left for Cedimed Intermedica. I quickly caught a Sabaneta bus and got off at Calle 7. As I checked in about all I understood is have I been riding a horse or bicycle the past 4 days? 😊 They took my doctor’s order for my test, my cedula and gave me a turn number and I took a seat. I had only a 5-minute wait to be called. I paid 58,500 with my debit card and took another seat. Five minutes later I was called and went in back with the phlebotomist who took a vial of my blood. She put a little cotton over the wound but when she withdrew it a couple seconds later it started bleeding. She put it back and held it for ten seconds more. She put on one of those little round Band-Aids and I gave her a regular Band-Aid to put over it as I had a leaking problem last time. I waited five minutes in the waiting room before leaving. I understand the test results should be emailed to me tonight.

 

Back on Avenida Poblado I quickly was on an Envigado bus. I didn’t see a line outside the Chamber of Commerce building so I’m guessing they aren’t giving vaccinations there. In Envigado I glanced out the window to see where we were and I saw Glenn walking with Bianca outside Otra Parte. I got off at the next stop and Glenn caught up with me a couple minutes later.

We walked to Los Portenos where he had a cappuccino and a croissant and I had a café con leche. He gave me my first lesson in two-handed pinocle. I understand there are two phases to the game, the first phase I’m struggling with and the second phase sounding similar to Hearts. Teresa called in case I might be in Viva Envigado but we will meet up later at the apt. At one point Brit’s (sp?) 9-10 year old son came over to get a better look at Bianca. He asked us something about “dog, money, and airport” but his English was so bad we didn’t understand what he was asking. Before I left I made plans to meet Glenn for breakfast here tomorrow. I bought 2 bags of milk on the way back to the apt.

I updated SS, Chess Life magazine, Reader’s Digest magazine and New in Chess magazine with my new address.

At 12:30 I noticed it was raining but it didn’t last long.

I reviewed Teresa’s visa application, made a few changes and uploaded her photo.

I left the apt at 2:30 and had coffee in Parva for 2 hours before returning to the apt.

I’m still binge watching episodes of Seinfeld.

Teresa informed me she’s going to the gym tomorrow and after she will go to the beauty shop, so I’ll be on my own for lunch.

I received my PSA test results and they are still less than 0.01 so that’s good.

Teresa made me a burger and I finally opened my jar of Vlasic dill chips that I bought in Pricesmart months ago.

 

The New York Times’ 7-day average of new daily infections and deaths has the US with 92,580  ð 93,689 ð 95,152 new cases and 1,115 ð 1,113 ð 1,418 new deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of yesterday, Colombia has a total of 2,590 ð 2,649 ð 2,194 new cases with 41 ð 39 ð 45 new deaths. Medellin has 285 ð 302 ð 424 new cases from November 21^st to 22^nd. Envigado has 12 ð 16 ð 6 new cases from November 21^st to 22^nd.

 

T-shirt of the day

Minnesota Chipmunks.

Sunday, November 21, 2021

Recovery Day #149!

Last night I went to bed at 10:30, fell asleep quickly, got up twice during the night (it was still raining), finally woke/got up at 6am.

I can’t believe I beat the  Japanese player airg804 increasing my rating to 1588.

Troyclough resigned our game increasing my rating to 1594. So close to 1600 – again!

I met Glenn with Bianca at the gas station and we soon were in a taxi to Poblado. (My iPod works again, yay!) We got the last large available table in Hija Mia. We each had their French toast with a couple coffees. I told Glenn about my problem with Diego. I switched my appt from Friday to Saturday and he never came and never contacted me. Apparently, his thinking was I still needed to get the blood draw but what he might not have realized is I don’t have to get it through him. Gringos expect better service and we will even pay a little more to get it. When the check came it was quite noticeable prices have increased.

We walked across the street where we saw the new Sweet Mamas in the previous Brooklyn RL location. It’s a cute ice cream shop with 9 tables. Why didn’t I take some photos? Next week.

We took a taxi back to Envigado and I bought a few things at Exito before returning to the apt by taxi.

Teresa called me at 12:30 to inform me that she was in Santafe mall with a friend and I should order my lunch.

I enjoyed some peanuts and root beer while watching the Bears vs Ravens game.

I had some type of internet problem and missed all of the 2^nd half. I restarted everything and no luck. I did a speedtest and everything looked normal.

About 3:15 the rain started.

I finally found out that my TV problem was Medellin TV’s service provider. ☹

 

The New York Times’ 7-day average of new daily infections and deaths has the US with 93,196 ð 92,580  ð 93,689 new cases and 1,134 ð 1,115 ð 1,113 new deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of yesterday, Colombia has a total of 2,157 ð 2,590 ð 2,649 new cases with 50  ð 41 ð 39 new deaths. Medellin has 244 ð 285 ð 302 new cases from November 20^th to 21^st. Envigado has 13 ð 12 ð 16 new cases from November 20^th to 21^st.

 

Joke of the Day

I told my 6yr old daughter I’m older than Google. She laughed and laughed.