Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Last night I went to bed at 10:30, fell asleep quickly, got up once at 2am, fell back asleep quickly, finally waking/getting up at 6am. I didn’t even try to lie on my left side because my vaccination site was sensitive to pressure.

Glenn told me that for pico y cedula we could use any photo ID even a US state driver’s license so I checked my Illinois license and it ends with a “5” which certainly won’t help on the even/odd pico y cedula days.

I left the apt just after eight for my walk. I felt some chafing on my toes so before a blister started I stopped at Otra Parte and adjusted my sock and tightened my shoelaces. After completing my usual route I returned to the apt just after 9am.

Glenn texted me, “You were smart/lucky to go to Poblado for your shot. Minuto30 reports Envigado ran out of first doses on Monday.”

Teresa left at 10:30 for the beauty parlor to get her hair and nails done.

Nobraskja from Envios Market contacted me about delivering a package. I left an envelope with the portero to cover the delivery charge of 28,300 pesos.

I blundered a game I was probably losing anyway against Troyclough and my rating is back to 1490.

I left the apt at 1pm and walked to La Bahia. I called Teresa to see if she would be finished soon and she arrived 10 minutes later. We had a nice “lunch of the day” then she went to visit her mother. I went to the mall where I bought a new lightbulb and pack of AA batteries at Home Center. I was having a café con leche in Todo Fresa when Teresa called. I met her and her mother around the corner at Dunkin Donuts. Teresa told me MT has a great coffee place here for us to try. She guided us to Al Alma and I showed Teresa the 4 Poblado locations I’ve already tried with Glenn.

We caught a taxi whose driver spoke English and he remembered me from other rides. He told me he got his first Pfizer vaccination last week at some high school in Envigado. We dropped MT off near her apt and continued on to ours.

I picked up my package at the entrance and we opened it inside the apt. My daughter sent me resealable packages of: salted-in-the-shell peanuts, mixed nuts, and cheese & caramel popcorn. Those snacks should last us awhile. I also received a package of many checks with deposit tickets from my bank when all I asked for is one deposit ticket. I still haven’t received my stimulus check from the US so I’m going to have to check on that.

I finished season 4 (the last) of Outlander and started season 10 of The Walking Dead.

I’m still not experiencing any side effects from my vaccination. 😊

The US has 31,690,903 ð 31,811,249 ð 31,821,943 coronavirus cases with 566,800+ ð 567,900+ ð 568,100+ deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of this afternoon Colombia has a total of 2,667,136 ð 2,684,101 ð 2,701,313 cases with 68,748 ð 69,177 ð 69,596 deaths. Medellin has 248,049 ð 250,058 ð 252,042 cases, an increase of 1,963 from April 20^th to 21^st. Envigado has a total of 21,765 cases, an increase of 115 from April 20^th to 21^st.

Joke of the day

A plumber fixes a leak in a doctor’s house then bills him for $1,000.

“This is ridiculous!” the doctor says.  “I don’t even charge that much.”

The plumber says, “Neither did I when I was a doctor.”

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Last night I went to bed at 10:30, took a while to fall asleep, got up once at 2:30, couldn’t fall back asleep, got up at 3:15, read for a while, went back to bed at 4am, finally waking/getting up at 6:45.

I shouldn’t have sat under the fans inside Parva yesterday as this morning I have some cold symptoms – a runny nose. I may not get the Covid-19 vaccination after all. We’ll see how I feel after breakfast.

I left the apt just before 8am and met Glenn and Bianca at La Lolita in La Frontera mall. We each had a cinnamon roll, scrambled eggs and coffee. He left to take Bianca to the park and I walked about a block away to the new chamber of commerce building. I talked to a security guard at a separate entrance and he just pointed me to the main entrance. There was a short line of about 6 people/couples ahead of me. The lady in charge came out a couple minutes later and asked me if I was there for my first or second dose. When I said first she guided me in to a waiting room with 3 aisles of double chairs. It was obvious that couples would sit together but singles sat next to an empty chair. A nurse came by and asked for my personal information and what health insurance I have. She then gave me a page that had Pfizer written on it so I was happy to see that.

About 10 minutes later our aisle was taken into a much larger room where we again sat in aisles. Nurses were pushing medical carts up the aisles. About 10 minutes later a nurse asked me some questions, most of which I didn’t understand. (I was probably her biggest challenge all day.) I did understand enough to inform her that I had no allergies. A couple minutes later another nurse stopped by with a cart. She showed me the little bottle with Pfizer on the side and a future expiration date. She showed me a package and I watched her pull out a new needle. She put it in the bottle and showed me that she was filling it with 3cc’s of vaccine. She stuck it in my arm and pushed the plunger and that was that. They put a “Yo dije si a la vacuna contra el Covid-19” sticker on my t-shirt, gave me a vaccination card and was told to return at 8am on Tuesday, May 11^th for my 2^nd shot. I stuck around for 15 minutes to be sure I didn’t have any reaction and then I left.

I walked to Parva where I had a café con leche while enjoying the fresh air at an outside table. I left about 11:30 and I ran into Danny the owner of Na Pizza. I asked him how much apartments rent for in his building and he said 2-3 bedrooms run 1.8 to 2 million pesos. I returned to the apt, picked up my debit card and walked to McDonald’s where I ordered a Big Mac Combo and asked for help with my iFood app. One at a time I had 3 different workers assist me with the app. Finally, a young man used some method other than Play Store to download the app and he stuck around long enough so I was confident it had taken my debit card information.

Back at the apt I called Social Security and my pension companies and gave them my change of address.

Howex resigned our game and my rating is now 1498. So close!

Teresa beat me in parcheesi today 4 games to 3.

I finished reading Dean Koontz’s Intensity on my Nook.

No side effects from the vaccination so far. 😊

 

The US has 31,650,421 ð 31,690,903 ð 31,811,249 coronavirus cases with 566,400+ ð 566,800+ ð 567,900+ deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of this afternoon Colombia has a total of 2,652,947 ð 2,667,136 ð 2,684,101 cases with 68,328 ð 68,748 ð 69,177deaths. Medellin has 247,006 ð 248,049 ð 250,058 cases, an increase of 2,009 from April 19^th to 20^th. Envigado has a total of 21,646 cases, an increase of 120 from April 19^th to 20^th.

Joke of the day

A man returns from a foreign holiday feeling very ill.  He goes to see his doctor and is immediately rushed to the hospital for tests.

The man wakes up after the tests in a private room in the hospital, and the phone by his bed rings.  “This is your doctor.  We got the results back from the tests and we found you have an extremely bad case of G.A.S.H.  It’s a combination of Gonorrhea, AIDs, Syphilis, and Herpes!”

“Oh my gosh,” cries the man, “What are you going to do, doctor?”

“Well, we’re going to put you on a diet of pizza, pancakes, and pita bread.”

“Will that cure me?” asks the man.

“Well, no.”  The doctor replied.  “But it’s the only food we can slide under the door.”

Monday, April 19, 2021

Last night I went to bed at 10:45, took a while to fall asleep, got up once 2am, finally waking/getting up at 6:15.

Teresa informed me that lunch will be late today because she has gym classes at 10am and 11am.

She received a call and I understand there is another water tube problem at the finca but she will go tomorrow after her 2pm doctor’s appointment.

I met Marcos outside his apt at 8:30 and we walked to Parque Envigado. I stopped at Comfama where I saw a line leading up the stairs with 2 “nurses” controlling entrance. I observed people showing their cedulas and mentioning appointment times. I went into a side room where I showed a “nurse” my cedula, explained that I’m 75 years old and why haven’t I been called to get my vaccination. She sent me back outside to the “2 nurses” where I repeated my question. The girl told me to get in line for my vaccination shot. I asked which vaccination I would get, meaning Pfizer or Sinovac, and she said to ask the phlebotomist when I get my shot. I told her “later”.

Marcos stopped in several dollar stores looking for a picture frame, didn’t find one, but did find a set of 6 drinking glasses for 12mil.

We walked to Los Portenos where we had café con leches and chatted a bit. We stopped at Eduardo Madrid where he purchased a few bagels then I stopped at the small grocery where I purchased a head of lettuce.

Back at the apt I met Teresa heading out to the gym.

I called Social Security and after clearing security I got my mailing address in Florida updated.

Teresa returned at 1pm.

I got a draw against the player rated about the same as me. He was up a pawn but I hung on so I wouldn’t lose any rating points. My rating is 1490 so I’m within striking distance of 1500.

I felt like I was shaking while eating lunch; not sure why, because it was later than usual? It’s happened before, but rarely, when I consume too much sugar. Shortly after finishing my food I felt better.

Jose has more doctor’s appointments tomorrow so I’m going to go to the Chamber of Commerce building in La Frontera and see if I can get a vaccination shot. Before that I’m going to meet Glenn at De Lolita for breakfast since Teresa has an 8am gym class.

I wanted to go to Viva Envigado to buy a lightbulb and a package of AA batteries at Home Center but Teresa reminded me that I can only get in on my pico y cedula day, which is Wednesday.

I left the apt at 4pm and walked to Parva. While having coffee inside I saw a man outside eating a loaf of bread. It was the size of the pan sano that we consume, piece by piece, in a couple weeks. It looked like cinnamon bread so I asked the cashier and was told it is cheese and arequipe. I couldn’t believe he finished it all by himself.

Teresa wanted to order supper to be delivered. I explained the problem I’m having with the iFood app and I don’t want Frisby again so soon. I suggested Chiclayo but I recall we ordered by Whatsapp but I couldn’t find it in my directory. I checked my blog and we ordered on February 25^th and Laura placed the order by Whatsapp. I texted her and she finally answered and placed the order. I picked it up at the porteria at 8pm for 70mil including a small tip.

Teresa watches the news morning, afternoon, and evening expecting Covid-19 to magically disappear. New infections in Colombia bottomed out approximately on International Women’s Day (March 8^th) and have gone up since. We’ve almost reached the height of new cases of mid-January but it appears we may have finally turned down again. Hopefully that will continue.

 

The US has 31,598,030 ð 31,650,421 ð 31,690,903 coronavirus cases with 565,700+ ð 566,400+ ð 566,800+ deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of this afternoon Colombia has a total of 2,636,076 ð 2,652,947 ð 2,667,136 cases with 67,931 ð 68,328 ð 68,748 deaths. Medellin has 245,177 ð 247,006 ð 248,049 cases, an increase of 1,055 from April 18^th to 19^th. Envigado has a total of 21,526 cases, an increase of 60 from April 18^th to 19^th.

Joke of the day

A blonde woman was sick and tired of all the unfair jokes about blondes.  One evening she went home and memorized all the state capitals.

Back in the office the next day, some guy started telling a dumb blonde joke.

She interrupted him with a shrill announcement, “I’ve had it up to here with these blonde jokes.  I want you to know that his blonde went home last night and did something probably none of you can do.  I memorized all the state capitals.”

One of the guys, of course, said “I don’t believe you.  What is the capital of Texas?”

“T!” she answered.

Sunday, April 18, 2021

Last night I went to bed at 10:30, fell asleep quickly, got up once 2am, again at 4:45am, finally waking/getting up at 7:15.

I watched more episodes of Outlander. I see there is a new season of The Walking Dead so that will most likely be next.

I had an hour nap after lunch.

I beat Teresa in parcheesi today 4 games to 1.

I made arrangements to walk with Marcos tomorrow morning.

Otherwise, a pretty uneventful day. At least tomorrow I can leave the apartment.

Our hallway light went out and Teresa started giving me shite when I started “fooling” with the fixture, “Remember we aren’t the owners of this apartment.”  I removed a 15W spiral bulb and she shut up.

 

The US has 31,586,524 ð 31,598,030 ð 31,650,421 coronavirus cases with 565,600+ ð 565,700+ ð 566,400+ deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of this afternoon Colombia has a total of 2,619,422 ð 2,636,076 ð 2,652,947 cases with 67,564 ð 67,931 ð 68,328 deaths. Medellin has 243,433 ð 245,177 ð 247,006 cases, an increase of 1,807 from April 17^th to 18^th. Envigado has a total of 21,466 cases, an increase of 88 from April 17^th to 18^th.

Joke of the day

An angry wife was complaining about her husband spending all his free time in a bar, so one night he took her along with him.

“What’ll you have?” he asked. 

“Oh, I don’t know.  The same as you I suppose,” she replied.

So, the husband ordered a couple of Jack Daniel’s and threw his down in one shot. His wife watched him, then took a sip from her glass and immediately spat it out.  “Yuck, that’s terrible!” she sputtered.  “I don’t know how you can drink this stuff!”

“Well, there you go,” cried the husband, “and you think I’m out enjoying myself every night!”

Saturday, April 17, 2021

Last night I went to bed at 10:30, fell asleep quickly, got up once at 4:45am, finally waking/getting up at 7:30.

I received an email from Envios Market that they have changed their Florida street address. That should keep me busy updating my contacts this weekend – and probably beyond.

Today is the 2^nd day of our 2^nd weekend isolation, where we can’t go out Friday-Sunday and new infections continue to rise.

In Cali there are people waiting for an ICU bed.

Glenn texted me that he got his first vaccination shot – a Pfizer.

Teresa beat me in parcheesi today 4 games to 2.

Teresa was listening to something on her cellphone and she told me that if things don’t get better we could be under quarantine next week.

Well, I won a few correspondence games and got my rating back up to 1489 but in my current game I’m fighting not to lose.

 

The US has 31,506,066 ð 31,586,524 ð 31,598,030 coronavirus cases with 564,600+ ð 565,600+ ð 565,700+ deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of this afternoon Colombia has a total of 2,602,719 ð 2,619,422 ð 2,636,076 cases with 67,199 ð 67,564 ð 67,931 deaths. Medellin has 241,377 ð 243,433 ð 245,177 cases, an increase of 1,744 from April 16^th to 17^th. Envigado has a total of 21,378 cases, an increase of 203 from April 16^th to 17^th.

Joke of the day

A weeping woman bursts into her hypnotist’s office.

“I have been faithful to my husband for 15 years, but yesterday I had an affair!”, she sobbed.  “The guilt is killing me.  I just want to forget that it ever happened!”

The hypnotist shakes his head and sighs, “Not again…”

Friday, April 16, 2021

Last night I went to bed at 10:30, fell asleep quickly, was awakened by talking outside Exito at 4:30am, closed the window, finally waking/getting up at 7:15.

Teresa left for a doctor’s appointment at 8:45.

I was updating my blog notes in a Word file when I thought I just did a Save (Ctrl+s) when instead of a single page on my screen I saw 4. It took me awhile to try different things when in the end a simple “Esc” fixed it.

I called my bank and requested a new debit card with different numbers but was told they would have to cancel the old card first and I would be without one for 2-3 weeks until the new one arrived. I changed my mind and I will deal with my iFood and Rappi app problems instead.

I finished season 3 of Outlander.

Teresa returned at 11:15 and reported all looks well.

I had a 2-hour chess lesson with Juan Castro.

I beat Teresa in parcheesi today 3 games to 2.

On the news it was reported that the England variant of Covid-19 is here and they are worried about its affect on children.

 

The US has 31,369,429 ð 31,506,066 ð 31,586,524 coronavirus cases with 562,900+ ð 564,600+ ð 565,600+ deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of this afternoon Colombia has a total of 2,585,801 ð 2,602,719 ð 2,619,422 cases with 66,819 ð 67,199 ð 67,564 deaths. Medellin has 239,116 ð 241,377 ð 243,433 cases, an increase of 2,049 from April 15^th to 16^th. Envigado has a total of 21,175 cases, an increase of 120 from April 15^th to 16^th.

Joke of the day

A good-looking man walked into an agent's office in Hollywood and said, "I want to be a movie star." Tall, handsome and, with experience on Broadway, he had the right credentials.

The agent asked, "What's your name?"

The guy said, "My name is Penis van Lesbian."

The agent said, "Sir, I hate to tell you, but in order to get into Hollywood, you are going to have to change your name."

"I will NOT change my name! The van Lesbian name is centuries old. I will not disrespect my grandfather by changing my name. Not ever."

The agent said, "Sir, I have worked in Hollywood for years. You will NEVER go far in Hollywood with a name like Penis van Lesbian! I'm telling you, you will HAVE TO change your name, or I will not be able to represent you."

"So be it! I guess we will not do business together," the guy said, and he left the agent's office.

Five years later the agent opens an envelope sent to his office. Inside the envelope was a letter and a check for $50,000. The agent is awe-struck. Who would possibly send him $50,000?

He reads the letter enclosed...

"Dear Sir,

Five years ago, I came into your office wanting to become an actor in Hollywood & you told me I needed to change my name. Determined to make it with my God-given birth name, I refused. You told me I would never make it in Hollywood with a name like Penis van Lesbian. 

After I left your office, I thought about what you said. I decided you were right. I had to change my name. I had too much pride to return to your office, so I signed with another agent. I would never have made it without changing my name, so the enclosed check is a token of my appreciation.

Thank you for your advice.

Sincerely,

Dick van Dyke

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Last night I went to bed at 10:30, fell asleep quickly, got up once at 1:30, again at 5:15, finally waking/getting up at 6:15.

I’ve won a couple chess games against stronger opponents raising my rating to 1469. I have a mate in one against another stronger opponent but we’re on the 3-day plan so he might wait a couple more days to resign or make his last move.

I left the apt at 8am and met Glenn and Bianca at the usual bus stop. We took a taxi to Calle 11 then walked a couple blocks to restaurant Seré at Carrera 43B #11-84. Glenn had the French toast which for once wasn’t hard as a rock and I had the Greek yogurt with fresh fruits and acai berries. As usual we discussed our, Colombia’s and US’s problems. I learned that the Comfama in Envigado at Calle 35 Sur #41-51 is a vaccination site.

We left about 10:30 and returned via taxi to Envigado, they getting out at Jumbo and I continuing on to Viva Envigado. I paid the epm and Direct TV bills so now I’m up-to-date for April. I picked up a number of things at Exito and returned to the apt by taxi.

We left about 3pm and took a taxi to Pricesmart for 13mil. We bought about $200 in groceries and left by taxi. We were crawling bumber to bumper on Avenida Las Vegas. (It reminded me of times in Chicago when I would take the 90E exit off 294S around 5pm and barely move before and after the toll booth.) It took over an hour to return to the apt and cost 25mil. Drops were hitting the windshield as we entered the complex but the portero wouldn’t let the taxi enter the garage. We transferred everything into one of their small shopping carts and took it up to the apt. By the time I returned downstairs we were in a downpour and I got soaked returning the cart to the porteria.

 

The US has 31,362,760 ð 31,369,429 ð 31,506,066 coronavirus cases with 561,800+ ð 562,900+ ð 564,600+ deaths.

Per Medellin Guru, as of this afternoon Colombia has a total of 2,569,314 ð 2,585,801 ð 2,602,719 cases with 66,482 ð 66,819 ð 67,199 deaths. Medellin has 236,814 ð 239,116 ð 241,377 cases, an increase of 2,261 from April 14^th to 15^th. Envigado has a total of 21,055 cases, an increase of 158 from April 14^th to 15^th.

Joke of the day

I tried donating blood today.  Never again!  Too many questions.  Whose blood is it?  Where did you get it from?  Why is it in a bucket?