Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Last night either the jackhammer was too faint or I was too tired as I quckly fell asleep.  I got up twice during the night, finally waking/getting up at 7:45.

For about the last week we’ve been sleeping with a blanket in addition to our usual sheet because it’s a lot cooler at night with all the rain we’ve been getting.

Teresa says we’re almost out of vegetables so we’ll probably be paying a visit to Mayorista soon.

I watched the first 20 minutes of the Today show and then left for the gym.  I reminded Jose of my offer to teach him chess and he said maybe Saturday.  I did all my exercises in an hour and 50 minutes.

On my way back to the apt I stopped at the copy center to print out a chess opening.  The lady put my flash drive in her computer and searched for my file.  She said something I didn’t understand and it didn’t print so I guess something didn’t work right.

Back at the apt my Word file looked okay to me but I copied it again and will try to print it later.

I took a nap on the couch, just before lunch, from 1 to 2pm.

I filled all the pages in my little exercise book so I had to create new ones.

Teresa says she’ll go to the movie with me tonight if it isn’t raining.

I received an email from Trip Advisor that my restaurant review of Tagliata was published.

At 4pm it started raining but it didn’t last long.

With my brother’s help I posted an ad to sell, rent, or exchange the finca to Medellin Expats on facebook.  I believe I can resubmit it at least once a month.  I’ll update it with more information as we go.  For example, now I know that Teresa wants 780,000 a month rental or 300,000,000 for a sale.

Teresa decided not to go to the movie Still/Born because it was so lowly rated at 5.3.  Laura decided not to go because Teresa wasn’t going.  Because of the heavy traffic outside leading to the highway I decided it was prudent to leave early.  I left the apt at 5:30, waited 10 minutes for the bus but at least traffic getting there was light.

At Oviedo I bought a general admission ticket for 5,250 pesos ($2).  They have half price admission on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  I read my Nook for awhile and then bought a small popcorn and medium soda for 13,200 ($5).  I still have a balance of 24,500 on my Cine Colombia card.

I took my seat and just before the movie started a man and woman took two of the other seats in my 6-seat row.  During an early part of the movie 3 young ladies arrived and hesitated outside my row (I was on the end) and the preceeding one.  They finally went down my row and talked to the couple.  It turned out the couple were on the wrong side of the aisle so they got up and moved.  In the meantime I missed the first “scary” scene in the movie.  At a later point the heroine does a back flip over a balcony and some people actually laughed.  As expected the 5.3 rated movie wasn’t very good.

I see that Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom arrives June 22^nd.  That might be good.

I quickly caught a Sabaneta bus and was back at the apt before 9pm.

Laura asked me what I’m doing tomorrow and I said I’m playing chess with Jose all day.  She wanted me to go to Mayorca with her for her au paid doctor’s appointment.  It only cost 30,000 pesos.

At 9:30 it started raining just not very hard.  It was still raining lightly when we went to bed at 11pm.

T-shirt of the day: My taste is simple.  I like only the best.

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Last night I went to bed at 11pm as usual and quickly fell asleep.  I woke up at 4:45 – almost 6 hours isn’t bad for me – I’ll probably take a nap after breakfast and/or after lunch.  I couldn’t get back to sleep because of the dripping from the ceiling.  I understand they can’t fix it until we get past this rainy season – probably next month.

According to the weather prediction on my cellphone we’re not supposed to get out of the 70s this week.

I watched the first 20 minutes of the Today show.  I walked over to the bakery where I had a coffee and checked news on my cellphone.  I walked over to the copy center where I had some chess notes printed out.

We took a nap from 1:30 to 2:30.

We had a thunderstorm come through between 3 and 4:30.

About 5pm we heard a large boom and the lights went out for a second but came right back on.  Blown transformer?

I sent an email to the real estate agency with photos of the leak in our bedroom ceiling.

My brother sent me a link to a new Medellin blog -

https://theunconventionalroute.com/ - it looks pretty interesting.

I wrote a review for Tagliata and submitted it to Trip Advisor.

About 8pm we ordered FriBurritos from Frisby and they arrived pretty quickly.

I watched Season 1 Episode 5 of The Rain (6.1) on Netflix.

Starting about 9:30 we heard a jackhammer working intermittently – probably on the Metro Plus on Avenida Pablado.  It was still going when we went to bed at 11pm.

T-shirt of the day: Psycho inside.

Monday, May 14, 2018

Today is another holiday – Dia de la Ascencion (Ascension Day) to celebrate Jesus rising into heaven.

I got up a few times during the night, waking at 7am and getting up at 8am.

I watched the first hour and 15 minutes of the Today show and left for the gym about 10:30.  Jose told me he saw Still/Born (5.3) at Oviedo over the weekend.  I asked him how it was and he said “so so”.  Maybe I’ll go see it Wednesday night – with or without Teresa.  It’s still playing there, but in English only at 6:45 at night.  I did most of my exercises in 2 hours.

I took a nap from 3 to 4:15.

I found a new chess opening on Youtube to play against d4.  I’ll try it out on Jose on Thursday when I’m playing the Black pieces.

I watched Season 1 Episode 4 of The Rain (6.1) on Netflix.

Again it rained throughout most of the evening.

T-shirt of the day: Old fart.

Sunday, May 13, 2018

Happy Mothers’ Day!

About 4am I was awakened by a burning sensation on the side of my left forearm.  It only lasted for a second but it felt like acid moving through a vein.  I wonder if it’s a nerve problem connected with the occasional arthritis I feel in my left thumb.  Luckily, I don’t experience it too often.

I woke up at 6am, gave up getting back asleep and got up at 7am.

Laura left the apt and came back with flowers for her mother and grandmother.

At 12:45 it started raining.

By 1:30 we were all dressed to leave for our 2pm reservation.  At 1:45 Laura was still trying to get us a taxi or Uber car using the apps on my cellphone.  Teresa and I walked outside and we soon hailed a taxi.  We had the driver stop and pick up MT at her apartment.  We arrived at Tagliata Carne & Pasta (Carrera 43D #13-23) at 2:15.  It’s 2 blocks west of Parque Pablado and 5 blocks north.  The restaurant was full but our table was waiting for us and Wilson and Laura arrived about 15 minutes later.  Wilson ordered salmon, MT ordered some type of chicken, Teresa ordered chicken breast, Laura ordered pasta and I ordered the beef medallion & pasta combination that also included a small plate of cooked vegetables.  Everyone enjoyed their food and mine was delicious.  One of the best meals I’ve had in Medellin.  I might even be inspired to write a Trip Advisor review.

The total bill came to 225,500 (about $80) which I put on my debit card and Wilson gave me 80mil in cash.  When we were leaving (4:30) there were mostly empty tables.  That time would probably be the height of business in the US.  The cashier called Uber cars for us (ours was a pickup truck) and we were back at the apt by 5pm.

T-shirt of the day: Freedom is a free mind.

Saturday, May 12, 2018

I think I got up about 4 times during the night, waking at 6am and getting up at 6:45.

I received an email from Alex; a thief stole his cell phone out of his pocket when they were on the metro.  He also can’t find his watch and Alba can’t find hers.  Problems, problems, problems.  Anyway, they’ve decided to skip San Andres and spend a few days in Cartagena instead.

I left the apt at 9:30am and took a bus to Envios Market.  (I understood Teresa would be leaving for the finca shortly.) They gave me my May Chess Life magazine.  I talked to Nobraskja briefly and learned that the young girl I saw her with was Victoria’s daughter not hers.  I walked over to Cedimed on Calle 7 where I successfully withdrew all small bills from their ATM.  I walked to Starbucks where I had a white mocca latte and started reading my Chess Life magazine.  I called Laura and asked her if she wanted to meet me at Papa Johns for pizza for lunch.  (We haven’t been there since March.)  She gave me the same song and dance that Teresa gives me – too much fat.  She said she wasn’t in any hurry for lunch anyway but she did tell me that Teresa asked me to pick up lettuce Crespa and tomatoes at Exito.  I hung around Starbucks a bit longer than usual then walked up to Oviedo and finally caught a bus back to Envigado.

There were long lines in Exito but I got in the shortest and it took me 15 minutes to check out.  When I left there were a few raindrops coming down.

Back at the apt Laura asked me where we are going for lunch.  I suggested La Casita Parilla but surprisingly she suggested we order pizza from Chicagos.  (What, Chicagos’ pizza has less fat than Papa Johns?)  I agreed and she called them and they delivered it for 25mil about 40 minutes later.

I was watching a program on TV when it occurred to me that Teresa wanted me to get a haircut today.  I changed clothes and walked to the end of the street where I got a 30 minute haircut for 15mil.  I walked over to Bartolos on the chance that Chuck might be there.  I found Darnely having dinner and she told me Chuck was here earlier but went back to the apt.  I wished her a pleasant trip back to the States.  I walked over to the flower shop and was fortunate that, even though there was a short line, a woman was putting roses into a bucket of water.  I asked her how much and she said 2mil per rose.  I asked for 10, she put a bunch together in paper, and I gave her 20mil and I left.

Laura was leaving and I asked if she was going to Mu for dinner with us tonight.  She said that MT isn’t going to be with Vicky on Sunday so we are all going to Tagliata restaurant together.  Laura said she’s meeting friends outside Exito and then they’re going to decide where to go from there.

Teresa came back about 6pm and was thrilled to get the flowers.

The Colombian Peso closed for the week at 2,837 to the US Dollar.

I ordered 2 more bottles of Mega Men Prostate and Virility from GNC.  That should be sufficient for the remainder of the year.

I solved a few more puzzles on Chess Magnet School and was promoted to Captain.

Laura still hadn’t returned when I went to bed at 11pm.

T-shirt of the day: Just be my boy toy.

Friday, May 11, 2018

I got up twice during the night, then woke up at 6:40 and got up at 7:40. 

I received an email from Envios Market that I have a document waiting for pickup.

At the gym I did some of my exercises in an hour and 20 minutes.  I left early because I received a Whatsapp message from Alex that they were leaving 61Prado to meet me in the park.  I stopped at Comfama on my way home and picked up a Gente newspaper.  After my shower and dressed I was back in Parque Envigado just before noon.  Chuck soon arrived. 

A few minutes later Alex arrived with Alba.  She’s probably late 40 something and rather cute with the typical long dark hair.  We had a nice lunch at Bartolos – chicken for me and fish for the others.  It started raining about 12:30 and continued for about an hour.  We all walked over to the bakery where we had coffee and pastries.   Afterward we all went to Chuck’s apartment so they could see it.  Alex hopes to come back in July with Alba and Darwin and get an apartment in Envigado.  We all walked to the bus stop so Alex and Alba could take a bus to Poblado.

I stopped at Bancolombia to pay the finca city tax bill of 130mil.  It was 3:30, I had number S517 and they were serving S480 so I figured it would take a while.  Sitting there I regretted not bringing my Reader’s Digest instead of my Nook because you’re not supposed to use any mobile devices in the bank.  After a few minutes I got up and walked outside and sat on the steps and read a few chapters from my Nook book.  Just before 4pm I went inside and in a couple minutes my number was called.  I paid the bill, got my stamped receipt and left.

When I got back to the apt Teresa was taking a nap.  When she got up she informed me that she didn’t make it to the finca today because of an accident on the highway.  She said she’ll leave early tomorrow so as to be able to return early.

She gave me a small package that arrived that contained 5 free boxes of Isoklon sleeping pills.  I think this was for the 8 boxes with receipts that Laura contacted them about which means the 2 I just bought this month were not included.  So the 5 boxes I just received plus the 2 boxes I bought this month plus the few tablets I have remaining should last me almost 6 months.

MT came over about 6pm because she was bored alone in her apartment.

I received an email from Alex that someone stole his cell phone by Prado station.

Among new US movie releases there isn’t anything I want to see.  Locally, there isn’t anything I want to see.

About 7pm Teresa called La Casita Parilla and ordered 3 chicken shish kebabs.  MT ate a little of one of them and left the rest for Laura.

Btw, I made a 50mil bet with Chuck.  He says that after the midterm elections the Republican Party will keep their majority in both the House and the Senate.

I watched Season 1 Episode 3 of The Rain (6.1) on Netflix.

I just remembered.  Teresa talked to someone and apparently the new mall – Viva Envigado – should be open by August.  It’s supposed to be the largest mall in Colombia.

T-shirt of the day: The sass is real.

Thursday, May 10, 2018

I got up twice during the night, woke up at 6:40am and finally gave up getting back to sleep and got up at 7:40am.

I received an email from Alex; they arrived at 61Prado at midnight last night.  Chuck and I will probably meet up with him tomorrow or Saturday.  He might even come to meet us in Envigado.

I watched the first hour of the Today show.

Laura left at 12:30.  I understand first she’s picking up the utility bill for the finca in Caldas and then she’s going to meet with her grandmother.

I left the apt about 3pm and checked the usual places but no Chuck.  I ended up at the bakery where I enjoyed a café con leche – at least until a bee did a kamikaze act into it.  Across the street there was a tent set up advertising a presidential candidate.  (The one I see the most is Duque so my money’s on him.)  About half a dozen police showed up on motorcycles and milled around the area.  I thought it might be security for the presidential candidate but they soon left.  A few minutes later what looked like a “mounted policeman” in smokey the bear hat and breeches suitable for horseback riding showed up.  He had a german shepherd with him and it was obvious they were sweeping the area.  For drugs?  For explosives?  No idea.  Finally Chuck showed up but told me he had to take Darnely to a restaurant for lunch.  It’s a seafood place so I didn’t go with them as I knew I wouldn’t be able to stand the smell.

I paid the 1,800 pesos for my coffee and returned to the apt.

About 5pm it started raining but it soon stopped.

Laura returned at 6pm, and reported that we have a 2pm Sunday reservation at Tagliata in El Poblado.  She then called MT and found that she’s going to Vicky’s on Sunday.  We decided that we would take her to Mu for ribs Saturday night and the 3 of us would go to Tagliata on Sunday.  But with both of those expenses and what I’m paying for the fence around the finca I won’t be able to afford to buy shoes, purse and blouse for her for Mother’s Day.

Teresa and I left the apt at 6:30 for some things she needed from Home Center for the finca.  First we each had a hotdog and soda at Doggers for 24,600 (about $9).  Then she wanted a bag of chips and that was another 3,500.  (We should have gotten one of the combos.)

She spent 10 minutes choosing a hammer – ball peen or claw?  Wood or metal?  Heavy or light?  I asked her what she’s going to be hitting and my app translated it to wheelbarrow.  Why are you going to be hitting a wheelbarrow I asked?  She showed me a wheelbarrow and I understood that something is loose on it.  (Oh yeah, hitting it will always fix it.)  Then she decided to get a new wheelbarrow and she spent about 30 minutes getting someone to help her.  It seemed like it could be purchased unassembled.  She decided to wait and see how much they cost in Caldas.  Then she asked me to return the hammer.  She picked up some bags of plastic and upstairs on the second level she picked out a plastic rake with a wood handle.  I confirmed that I could remove the screw holding it together and she could reassemble it at the finca.  She picked up a plastic drawer to hold her hobby work.

I noticed on my cellphone that it was raining and sure enough it was coming down pretty good outside.  I said not to worry as we’ll take a taxi.  Outside there were already people waiting for one so Teresa had the bright idea to go to Exito.  Holding up the umbrella for both of us as best I could we walked over to Exito where we caught a taxi right away.  We were back at the apt by 9pm.

I received an email from Alex and we’re going to meet in Parque Envigado around noon.  I forwarded it to Chuck and I hope he will be able to join us.

Teresa continues to watch the telenovela Si Hay Paraiso Sin Tetas, which translates to Yes, there is paradise without tits.  She thought it was going to end last Monday but it’s till going…on … and on…

T-shirt of the day: Dirt does a body good.