Friday, April 11, 2025

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

I left the apt at 8am and the peanut I put in the tree yesterday was still there. I found Smartfit not as busy than usual. I completed my workout and by 9:05 I was in Ganso y Castor having a latte.

Teresa called me at 9:30 and told me she wanted to have lunch in Santafe mall so she could exchange something and we could leave by 3pm or so to beat the rain.

Also, she has a 5pm appointment with Kelly for a massage.

At 10:30 we took a Didi to Santafe mall. First, Teresa bought a pair of denim shorts in Bershka. I was sitting outside Zara on a large sectional couch waiting for her. A young lady came by and set up her cellphone on a tripod on one of the sections, filmed herself walking in front of Zara, packed up her stuff and left. 😊

When Teresa returned, we had lunch in the food court, Teresa Vin&Greta and I Frisby.

While she did a little more shopping I had a latte down in Valentina’s. When Teresa returned, she had some type of cold coffee drink.

Teresa mentioned when I get my new computer she doesn’t want me to gift the old one to Alejandro, but to some poor person like Kelly’s son. I replied, “but he’s what, 1 year old?” Teresa informed me she’s got 3 other kids, one 16 and another 18. Yikes!

We left at 2:30, hopefully to beat any rain. We soon had a few drops and by the time the taxi got to Envigado it was coming down pretty heavy. It only lasted about 30 minutes and Kelly arrived about 4pm.

Teresa informed me we’ll have no water tomorrow from 8m to 4pm so we’ll have to decide where to hang out tomorrow.

Teresa talked to Esmeralda and they made plans for us to meet at Crepes & Waffles at 7pm to celebrate Alejandro’s 21^st birthday.

At 7pm we took a Didi to the mall, arriving at the restaurant by 7:15. There was a long line to get in but luckily they were already at a table.

I mentioned to Alejandro I felt sorry for the waitresses that had to learn such a large menu. I had the Penne Cook (bread bowl) with chicken.

I learned Alejandro should graduate June of 2026, he wants to work for 6 months to get some work experience then visit other countries. He mentioned Abu Dhabi and the US. He also mentioned “some university” in Michigan where the campus is divided by a river. After some Google searches we settled on it being Michigan State.

We all had dessert and the check came to only 203,950 pesos ($46.87).

We said our goodbyes, left at 8:30 and returned to our complex by taxi. Teresa had a short discussion with the portero about tomorrow’s water situation. He didn’t seem to know anything about it. Walking through the parking garage Teresa showed me the text message and as she’s reading it aloud I pointed out it was from April 1^st. 😊

I immediately started my pre sleep routine.

 

SEATTLE GAS STATION SIGN

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, heard some rain overnight, finally waking/getting up at 6:30.

I placed a hold on Lee Child’s Past Tense (Jack Reacher #23). It looks like I’m going to have to do the same for the next few books also.

I left the apt at 8:45 and walked to the mall. I withdrew 2,000,000 pesos from a Davivienda ATM and got a mix of bills.

I had a latte in Urbania for a couple hours. Upstairs I paid our Claro cellphone bills then bought a few things in Exito before returning to the apt by taxi in a light drizzle. (There wasn’t the usual long line of taxis and there may have been a protest or accident because my driver took the back streets.)

After lunch Teresa is going to meet with Esmeralda in El Hueco to purchase more craft supplies. I also learned Laura wants Teresa to buy custom jewelry here for Laura to sell in Boston. I asked when she will be seeing Laura again and learned Laura still wants to visit Chicago but she’ll be staying in a hotel.

I left at 2:30 and had a latte on the Otra Parte patio. The price went up from 7mil to 7,700 but it’s still a lot less than others who charge closer to 10,000 or 11,000 pesos. I left at 4pm and picked up a couple things in Ara on my way back to the apt.

Not sure if I mentioned Kelly was in the hospital with complications due to her diabetes. Well, she’s out now but sustained some damage to her heart and kidneys.

At 6:30 more rain started and soon it turned in to a downpour.

I finished reading Lee Child’s short story, The Hero, on my Kindle. It wasn’t what I thought it would be but it was still interesting and informative.

It was still raining lightly when I went to bed at 10pm.

 

SEATTLE GAS STATION SIGN

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

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

I checked my Amazon order and my laptop is out for UPS delivery, sometime before 8pm tonight.

I left the apt at 8am and found Smartfit busier than usual but completed my workout by changing the order of my exercises.

I had a latte in Ganso y Castor and found it busier than usual also. I left at 10:15 and returned to the apt.

I was planning on going to Papa John’s for pizza but Teresa returned at noon to make lunch. ☹

At 1:30 I received a text message from my brother that my laptop has arrived. 😊

Teresa left at 2:30 and I soon after. I had a latte in Los Portenos while solving another set of 12 chess puzzles.

I thought they couldn't get their coffee cups any fuller, but I guess they can.

I left at 4:30 in order to meet Teresa later in Eduardo Madrid bakery but soon after I arrived it started raining.

Teresa joined me a little after 5:30. By 6pm the rain had stopped and we walked two blocks to Chiclayo where Teresa wanted to have supper. The place has been remodeled – I think they took out that clunky bar that was limiting table space. And the menu has been changed, I think they simplified it. She had their surf & turf and I had their Chaufa de Pollo. 

We each had a Coke and the total came to 116,800 pesos ($27). Luckily, I had enough cash with me because I didn’t have my debit card with me.

We stopped in Ara on our way back to our apt and luckily I had enough cash for that also.

We were back in the apt by 7:15.

It’s been a week since I’ve had any lesions but now I have a new one on the back of my left calf.

After I finished Lee Child’s Make Me last night, there was a short story called Too Much Time.

Tonight I finished Lee Child’s short story, The Christmas Scorpion and then there was a preview for Exit Strategy, “coming in hardcover and ebook October, 2025.”

Obviously I’m getting near the end of the Jack Reacher series.

 

SEATTLE GAS STATION SIGN

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

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

I took a Didi to Unicentro mall for 29,200 pesos. (Is it my imagination or has ride sharing gotten more expensive lately?)

I met Jose in Parmessano and he ordered something new and I had 4 scrambled eggs with sausage and a latte. As usual I got a bottle to go and my check came to 49,100 pesos.

We adjourned to the food court where I lost both games to Jose. I definitely had a chance in the second game but missed my opportunity.

I informed him that I won’t be available for next Tuesday as we’ll be in Santafe de Antioquia. He told me that he won’t be available either or probably the following Tuesday because Maria is having surgery on Friday. I didn’t think it was polite to inquire further, he would have told me what kind of surgery if he wanted me to know.

It was only 2pm as I ordered a Didi to take me to Viva Envigado for 22,000 pesos.

I had my usual granola with yogurt and fruit and a small latte in Pergamino for 38,118 pesos ($8.50).

I had a latte in Urbania for about an hour before returning to the apt by taxi.

I watched some news in the evening.

I finished reading Lee Child’s Make Me (Jack Reacher #20) on my Kindle.

Hmm, we had no rain today.

 

SEATTLE GAS STATION SIGN

Monday, April 7, 2025

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

Today is Alejandro’s birthday.

Teresa got up at 6:30, made me breakfast and returned to bed.

Amazon emailed me that my laptop has shipped.

I left the apt at 8:30 for the gym. I saw Michael come in with his girlfriend, a pretty young black girl with a nice figure. Not black Black but a nice shade of dark brown. I completed my workout, today increasing my treadmill time to 15 minutes.

I had a latte in Ganso y Castor for about 90 minutes before returning to the apt.

We were having lunch when Teresa received this text message:

Teresa called and rescheduled for 10:30am, Friday, May 7^th.

I fell asleep on the recliner just after 2pm trying to decide what I’m going to do next.

(I guess I’m like a battleship, I don’t turn easily.)

I woke up at 3pm and Teresa suggested I not leave because Esmeralda might come over around 5 or 6pm and we’ll go for gelato.

I couldn’t watch the news – too much buffering.

Right at 6pm the thunderstorm started and soon it was pouring. At 6:45 I guess Teresa had talked to Esmeralda and they wanted to meet at McDonald’s for supper. (Around this time I had a few gas pains but luckily it only lasted for a few seconds.)

We left at 7:15, the rain had stopped but we still had to work our way around rivulets in the street and sidewalk.

The ladies each had the McNificant combo and I a Big Mac combo. (The cashier, a young girl, had a Born to Die tattoo in English on her forearm.)

When we left about 8:15 there was no rain and the streets had drained.

Teresa and Esmeralda stayed in the porteria to chat while I returned to the apt.

Just before I went to bed, I had an attack of diarrhea but 2 loperamida immediately shut that down.

 

SEATTLE GAS STATION SIGN

TERRY SAVAGE - THE STOCK MARKET

 

April 7, 2025

The Stock Market:  What to Do Now? As I write this on Monday morning, the S&P 500 has officially fallen into a bear market.  I have been asked by many over the past few days:  “What do I do now?”  I find that question particularly painful, as I have been warning for the past few months that a decline in the market was on the horizon.    Read my recent columns, begging people to make sure they have enough “chicken money” on the sidelines in safe T-bills and short-term CDs and money market funds so they don’t panic and sell at the bottom. Well, it doesn’t look like the bottom is here yet, though the market has (briefly) taken a sharp bounce.  The long-term and widespread impact of the tariffs will impact future business activity, hiring decisions, sourcing decisions, and consumer confidence – which was already on a sharp decline. That does not bode well for the stock market regaining its previous peak any time soon.  In fact, the chart below shows just how DEEP a bear market can go, and just how long it might take to recover. [Full chart and explanation here at Investopedia]           <strong>Bear Markets:  Depth and Time to Recovery</strong>    1973                     -48%                          6-years    2000                     -49%                          5 years    2007                     -56%                          4 years I have no crystal ball about the depth and breadth of the current market decline.  But the administration has continually reaffirmed that they are willing to “take the pain” of a recession in order to get to what they believe will be manufacturing job growth in the future. I’m not here to debate politics or economic theory.  I’m just trying to protect your finances – and your sanity.  There is nothing you or I can do to change what’s coming (except perhaps make your feelings known to your representatives). What you can do is NOT PANIC and NOT FREEZE.   Look at your investments right now.  It’s not just how much farther down the market can go.  It’s about how long it might last.  And whether you have the personal risk temperament and the time horizon to ride this out. Eventually the markets will come back.  This is, after all, America. But we don’t know how long “eventually” will be.  Or how widespread the economic pain might be.   While you might think you have enough “chicken money” on the sidelines to ride it out, what happens if your adult son or daughter loses a job in the recession?  Will you have enough cash to help them buy groceries for your grandchildren? We are in uncharted territory here.  This was a calculated risk taken with our entire economic future.  And the world has been drawn into this grand plan designed to restore the America of the 1950s and 1960s.    We do know that an economy controlled by government planning doesn’t have a great history of success:  Think the USSR in the 1960s or Cuba to this day.  Government “planning” or dictates tend to lead to shortages of goods and inflation of prices.   We will see if this plan to restore America’s industrial prowess succeeds or fails miserably. In the meantime, protect yourself and your family.  Build up your savings if you still have a job.  Pay down your debt.  Change your spending habits.  Is the $5 coffee or the DoorDash delivery truly essential?  The cruise you planned for summer vacation? Yes, I know that if everyone cuts back it will push the economy deeper into recession.  I can’t save the economy.  But I can try to save you and the ones you love.   That’s the Savage Truth!

www.TerrySavage.com

Sunday, April 6, 2025

Last night I went to bed at 10pm, got up once during the night, finally waking/getting up at 7am. But I don’t feel like I slept very deeply.

Teresa is going to the monthly mass in San Peregrino so I’ll be on my own for lunch.

I was thinking of seeing the new Jason Statham movie The Working Man (7.1) but the only showtime in English is at 8:30pm so that doesn’t work for me.

I left the apt at 8:30 and met Glenn with Bianca in Olivenza.

I questioned him about Movistar and learned he had it installed last November. He has their internet but not television. His first year the promotion is 63,990 pesos a month and he believes it goes up to 90,000 after that. He did a speed test this morning and he’s getting 400Mb but it’s supposed to be 700Mb. He has a router or similar device and the installation took an hour or two. He went to the Movistar office in Los Molinos where there was no line. His previous WiFi provider was Claro and he had a little difficulty after returning his router and repeaters – he got billed for the repeaters for a month or two until they finally got it corrected.

I told Glenn about my numb finger and he said he once had the same problem but it eventually went away on its own.

He said he had downloaded the ChapGPT app and gave me a demonstration.

He reminded me of an article I sent him about H&M Bagels opening in Chicago and said he would appreciate if I brought him a dozen onion bagels.

I left at 10:45 and returned to the apt.

I put silicone caulk around the base of the toilet so I hope the leaking problem is fixed now.

I was thinking of having a burger at Tierra Querida but a thunderstorm started at 1:11pm and twenty minutes later a downpour started. Plan B now if I can’t get out is to just have cereal at home. The rain stopped at 2pm so I got dressed and walked the two blocks to the restaurant:

I was a little surprised how busy it was as they had tables set up in Asados Rogelio which was closed. I did find a table inside and took a seat. It took me a few minutes to figure out I need to order at the cashier. I ordered a double burger with cheddar cheese, lettuce and tomato and an order of fries with a Coke.  My total came to 30,900 pesos ($7.50). The burger comes in an aluminum “pita pocket” to keep you clean with a toothpick stuck through it to help keep it all together. It also had some type of sauce inside which at times got a little messy. No mustard or ketchup. ☹ Note to self: A hamburguesa sencilla will be sufficient in the future.

I moved to Los Portenos where I had a latte while solving another 12 puzzles in my The Woodpecker Method book. We had a drizzle while I was there and still a little dripping when I left at 5pm.

Teresa called at 6:30 to ask if I wanted to meet her at McDonald’s for a burger. 😊 I declined and she returned a few minutes later.

 

SEATTLE GAS STATION SIGN