Sunday December 14, 2025 Packed

 

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Sunday December 14, 2025

Saturday I tried to do the Check-Mig(racion) to enter Colombia but it says the site is being updated and we will have to do the regular immigration entry (and pay the damned $85 entry tax).  I am glad to have the extra layover time, just in case.

Cousin Jeanne came over with her dog Suki and we investigated some cameras for her, settling on a couple, but she had no idea that cameras were so complicated for people who wanted to be camera enthusiasts...  I hope she locates her old camera, which was more than adequate for her,

Don came over with a roast beef supper, but overcooked it until it was dry and almost inedible, with no gravy.  It is the thought that counts, and he loves to cook in his own fussy, fancy fashion.  I am responsible for the salads.

This morning I contacted my IPTV people because my subscription expires Feb 21, when I will be in Colombia with the controllers, intending to leave that set there....  I managed to renew until Feb 21/2027 happily.

Then I got an email from the Bogota Embassy about a militant group, upset at the ambush of one of their leaders, was calling for a 3 day General strike, 6am today until Tuesday 6am.  I contacted people "in the know" and they all say that the road home from Cali to Andalucia will be zero problem.....  So I breathe a sigh of relief and soldier on. 

I had my friend Bernie help me to remove my battery from the Regal.  Andre came to help as well.  I could never have done it alone.  Bernie will exact some photographic wizardry from me when I return.

I changed the documentation in my wallet and my fanny pack for the trip.  Money and Passport are locked and loaded.

I got the email from Air Canada for check-in and printed my boarding passes.  Except for nailing the seat for the Bogota-Cali leg, all went well.

Then I packed and weighed the big suitcase, taking nothing as a carry-on this time, so I will have nothing to drag around.  I was too close to the 50 lb maximum so I took out a couple of the optional items which I can buy very cheaply there if I decide I really need them.

When I was satisfied with the weight,.. and that I had forgotten nothing, I secured the zippers with a zip tie, then Gorilla Tape, then wrapped the suitcase in clear film.  I was amazed how dizzy I got going round and round the stupid suitcase!!!  I just hope to God that nothing goes missing en route. 

So, tomorrow morning will be the simple stuff, SS+S, empty the fridge and garbage, shut off water, lower the thermostat and make sure all is closed up...  I leave here at noon...

I am sure that Fongo only works bankers hours, so I cling to the hope that they will manage to straighten out my phone renewal for 587-883-6810 before I leave tommorrow.  Then maybe I could call forward my Chatr number 780-906-5156.  I had no luck trying to do that today.... Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr

So, barring a Fongo miracle, you will only be able to communicate with me via, email, Facebook Messenger, or WhatsApp.  I hope everyone stays well for 3 months....!!! 

 

No pictures.  That was the day’s excitement.

Al

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Friday December 12, 2025 Party

 

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******

Friday December 12, 2025

Yesterday, I went to check the trail cam taken from Theresa's apartment.  We started looking at the videos, all of her in odd color or infrared, so they weren't great,... then... the card corrupted and we could not watch any more... Grrrrrrrrrr  I set it up at home for a bit with 2 different mini-cards and the cards would not show anything, .... and I could not even format them,... Grrrrrrr, I have to throw them out and try again when I get back.  I have no patience for balky equipment.

Then for my protection, I took photos of everything major that I intend to pack in the suitcase and then to wrap it against theft, because there will be a lot of expensive stuff going on this trip that I don't want to have to drag around airports.

Fongo still has not come up with a solution for me either.

Don came down for a bit and I gave him some food to take home.

Today, I got ready to brave the -22C cold to go and retrieve from Gateway the new armrest to repair Tracey's new Gio.  She wasn't home so I left it at her apartment office.  A few turns with a 10mm socket wrench and it can be changed.

I came home and emailed with Fongo but then they disappeared again, leaving me hanging.....  If I don't get this solved before I go, I expect to be basically incommunicado except via Email, Messenger, or WhatsApp.  I don't know what else I can do, they are so unhelpful...

I gassed up the Regal because I don't want to leave it for 3 months with only a partial tank of gas.  The different gas prices across the city vary so much, but I found a station at $1.109/Litre, not too bad these days.

Then I picked up Bob to be his guest at an HIV Edmonton party not too far away.  Because of the cold (3 years in a row they have had crappy weather they said) the attendance was down because most of these poor addicts and former addicts can't afford the cab fare to come and return.  However, the head lady, Catherine Broomfield, and her volunteers did a bang up show to keep people motivated with games for prizes, karaoke, individual prizes, and raffle prizes.  A a sumptuous turkey, chicken and oxtail meal was served and the desserts were calorific...  So Bob enjoyed himself and that was what mattered.  Kudos to the great volunteers...

I hope you enjoy the pictures.  That was the day’s excitement.

Al

******

© All my work is COPYRIGHT protected and may not be used in any way without purchase, or without my permission.  

If you want to borrow a picture to share with family and friends, Facebook or whatever, at least PLEASE give me credit for the photo.

NOTE  that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.

Mrs Claus was great

Game prize table

I took shave cream, Bob took socks

Bob is a ham, always

He could be a Santa very easily

Buffet supper

A cute raffle winner

Awesome volunteers.

 

Wednesday December 10, 2025 Preparations

 

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Please see my best artworks for sale at my websites:

 http://souvenirphotostudio.neocities.org/

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******

Wednesday December 10, 2025

 Monday, I tried getting through to Fongo to renew my number with them and they are still not responding to my "country" issues that I am having through Google Play and their platform.   Grrrrrrr

Tuesday, I really got going with my preparations for the trip to Colombia next Monday.  I did the information transfers from my PC to my laptop and those went rather smoothly because of the speed and capacity of both new machines...

I developed back spasms that I have avoided for about 20 years now.  I am now much better at combating them by staying calm, muscle relaxants in moderation, less bending, and using my back massager.  Even though I had the worst spasm in the morning, putting me down on my face.......

I recovered, and even tackled carrying laundry down a floor and getting that problem off my plate.  I had a problem with one finicky washer, then one finicky dryer, but got the job accomplished without further issues.

The one tenant, Theresa, who is convinced that people are entering her suite and stealing food, in spite of the door alarm I installed on Saturday, came by again.  I took my Trailcam to her suite, and showed her how to turn it on and place it.  In a couple of days I will check the footage to confirm to her that nobody can possibly enter, unless they come through the walls, floor, or ceiling...  

Today, I was asked by my cousin Jeanne to research a decent camera for her.  As I did so, I was reminded of when I researched for myself and bought my Panasonic Lumix ZS60 because it has features that are simply outstanding for a point-and-shoot camera... and it is just sitting in a drawer, unused... so I offered it to her.  She will come Friday to look at it. 

Then, cousin Rosalie from Moose Jaw called me to see if I would want the Radville Regional High School 1965-67 yearbooks that had belonged to her sister Mathilda.  I said I would like to have them, but that will entail a trip there next year....

Just now, I had a chat with my insurace broker where I worked for 9 years about reducing my car coverage to Fire+Theft only while I am gone.  Ridiculously, they only offer a $2,000 deductible so it is essentially useless..., but the Company, Peace Hills, still charges a hefty premium, but I don't dare allow a lapse in my coverage...  Grrrrrr   Someone told me that AMA sells cheaper insurance to people like me who do very little mileage so I will check that out on my return, even if I have to pay a Membership..., then I may inherit some roadside assistance...

I hope you enjoy the P1100 winter pictures from my window.  

That was the day’s excitement.

Al

******

© All my work is COPYRIGHT protected and may not be used in any way without purchase, or without my permission.  

If you want to borrow a picture to share with family and friends, Facebook or whatever, at least PLEASE give me credit for the photo.

NOTE  that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.