Yesterday

March 31, 2024, at home

Yesterday:

Easter Flowers for my mom & Baked Ziti

My Easter Dinner

March 31, 2024, at home

My terrific mother and wonderful wife made this delicious Easter dinner.

1. my plate

2. desserts

Happy Easter !!!

March 31, 2024, at home

HAPPY EASTER !!! 🐰 🐣 

In 1991, when I was between journalism jobs at age 30, I was working as an architectural assistant in Lindenhurst, Long Island, New York, thanks to my dear friend Mark. I also had another job at the same time: Easter Bunny at the Walt Whitman shopping mall in Huntington Station, Long Island, New York. Here, for your enjoyment, is the classic photo of myself dressed in that furry costume, scaring a child and making another one smile, albeit uncomfortably. If you look closely at the bunny's mouth, you can see part of my face.

Today Is ...

March 31, 2024, at home

Yes, I have used Bunsen Burners during my formal education in chemistry courses in high school and at university. When I was a kid, I had a chemistry set, but I used a candle during that time. When I was young, I considered "bench chemist" as my future profession. By the way, from 1992 to 1996, I was a reporter, writer, editor, and researcher for a weekly international magazine on the financial and technical aspects of the chemical industry based in New York City.

March 31, 2024, at home

My favorite Crayola crayon color when I was a kid in the 1960s was "cornflower." What was/is your favorite crayon color? (See cornflower color in the comment section below.) My favorite color now is version of dark purple.

March 31, 2024, at home

When I was a teenager living in West Islip, Long Island, New York, in the 1970s, I used to dig for Cherrystone clams with my feet in the Great South Bay. I occasionally ate them, but only minced and baked with breadcrumbs. I also occasionally ate steamer (piss) clams, but I didn't much like them.

March 31, 2024, at home

I prefer mashed potatoes, especially mixed with Gorgonzola cheese.

Yanick: 2 years R.I.P.

March 31, 2024, at home

It is difficult for me to comprehend that singer Yanick Etienne has been gone for two years already. Here is my original Facebook post on her passing. I included a link of her singing in my original post"

I am deeply saddened by the passing of singer Yanick Etienne from Haiti. She is best known as the background vocalist on the song "Avalon" from the 1982 Roxy Music album "Avalon." She also sang on three Bryan Ferry solo albums; Ferry is the lead singer and keyboardist for Roxy Music. I am honored to have heard Etienne sing "Avalon" live TWICE when I attended two Bryan Ferry solo concerts in 1988. "Avalon" has been my all-time favorite album since its release, but I didn't like it the first two times I listened to it. Below is a link to the official video of the song "Avalon." It still amazes me how long she can hold a note, as indicative in this song. (By the way, Roxy Music is reuniting and is performing a somewhat brief concert tour this year to mark the 50th anniversary of their first album from 1972.)

https://youtu.be/bpA_5a0miWk

Today Is ...

March 30, 2024, at home

After Yankees Opening Day

March 30, 2024, at home

Missed it. Darn. Actually, Opening Day for the New York Yankees was yesterday with a 7-1 victory over the Houston Astros in an away game. Go Yanks !!!

Mets Home Opener

March 29, 2024, at home

Today marks the home opening game for the New York Mets. I post this short video (nine seconds long) every season on this day as a joke to commemorate this event.

I was a Mets fan in the 1970s because Shea Stadium was fairly close to home. I made the transition to New York Yankees fan in the mid-1980s due to family connections. My wife is from Toronto, so I am tangentially a Blue Jay's fan. 

https://youtu.be/okXhAC78d4Q?si=whcPLo0diG22ZOY8

Corpus

Good Friday 2024, March 29, 2024, at home

"Crucifixion (Corpus Hypercubicus)," Salvador Dalí (1954)

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March 29, 2024, at home

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March 28, 2024, at home 

I have recently become fond of teriyaki chicken on a stick delivered from Japanese-Chinese restaurants.

March 28, 2024, at home

I used to often eat dandelion leaves. They taste bitter, but are quite healthy. My maternal grandfather loved them.

March 28, 2024, at home

I do somewhat like Black Forest Cake.

March 28, 2024, at home

My cholesterol levels are quite good, but I do take a mild prescription pill to lower my triglycerides levels that are slightly elevated.

March 28, 2024, at home

I have been battling diabetes for many years, maybe decades.

Today Is ...

March 27, 2024, at home

Hello Joe !!! (Being half Italian, I have many relatives named Joe. My maternal grandfather was named Joe, actually Giuseppe.) "Joe" is also slang for coffee, so this day suggests that you have a cup of Joe with someone named Joe.

Infections Continue

March 26, 2024, at home

It seems to never end. I now have developed over the past few days a rather large, seemingly infected wound within the front of my right ankle.

PHOTO: If blurred, to see the photo, just click/tap on "Learn more," then on "See photo." It's not that bad.

I am actually coming to the end of a scheduled six-week-long daily regimen of powerful intravenous antibiotics infused through a PICC line in my upper left arm, with the last day being on or around March 28, 2024, just a couple of days away. I require the antibiotics for an infection in the bone of my right ankle and for an infection under the surrounding skin.

I receive two bags of intravenous antibiotics at home every morning and one bag of intravenous antibiotics every evening every day for six weeks.

I have contacted my podiatrist yesterday and today. He has been tending to the almost constant infections in both of my feet and legs for many years due to diabetic ulcers. I sent him a text message with two photos of my new wound and requested that he forward my information and photos to my infectious-disease doctor. My podiatrist has been making housecalls due to my recent surgeries: quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery and two chest surgeries in 2022 and two spinal surgeries in 2023.

Now, in early 2024, I am back to fighting yet another infection. I have done this six-week-long regimen at least ten times in recent years, but I don't think the infection has ever become worse toward the end of the regimen.

This morning, I had a follow-up appointment with my general doctor in regard to my most recent infection at the hospital. 

My Recent Surgeries

March 2022: quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery (including removal of vein in left thigh for procedure)

May 2022: chest surgery (loose screws in sternal plates; chest left open for a out a week to remove the infection)

May 2022: chest surgery (close chest by reattaching my chest muscle flaps to my body)

September 2023: spinal surgery (disk infection)

October 2023: another spinal surgery (bone infection; attachment of metal rod to "collapsing" spine; length of surgery: six hours)

Fairly Recently: nasal-sinus surgery; and four surgeries on my left foot for the removal of bone, bone fragments, scar tissue, and a benign tumor growing within a diabetic ulcer; two separate thoracentesis procedures to remove fluid surrounding both of my lungs, with the most recent 22 ounces from around my right lung

As I have mentioned, I have used PICC lines and the shorter midlines many times that enter my arms and led through my veins close to my heart. One complication that recently arose is:

After an X-ray and a CT scan of my chest, it was determined that I have a six-inch-long "wire" about the width of a hair embedded in a blood vessel between my heart and my lung. Another CT scan (this time with contrast) and then another test which involved the insertion of a camera into the right side of my groin to look at the blood vessel between my heart and my lung determined that the best course of action was and is for doctors to leave it there rather than to cut me open to remove it. It does NOT seem to be the cause of my recurring infections because my body has since coated it.

The wire is either a broken part of one of my many PICC lines over recent years or a guide wire that was broken when installing one of my many PICC lines.

Nougat & Spinach

March 26, 2024, at home

I like Torrone, which is an Italian confection of nougat and almonds cut into small blocks. Varieties include lemon, orange, and vanilla, all of which I like. (The photo below looks like Torrone, except with hazelnuts.)

March 26, 2024, at home

I particularly like Saag Paneer, which is a lightly spiced Indian dish with creamed spinach and cubes of soft cheese.

Today Is ...

March 25, 2024, at home

Lobster Newburg is an American seafood dish made with lobster, butter, cream, cognac, sherry, eggs, and cayenne pepper. It is an elegant and classic dish enjoyed by many since the late 1800s. Debuting in 1876 at Delmonico's, a fine New York City restaurant, this dish was invented by sea captain Ben Wenburg, hence the name with a simple reversal of two letters.

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March 24, 2024, at home

When I attended Villanova University (near Philadelphia) from August 1980 to December 1984, emerging with a bachelor's degree in communications with a French language minor, every Saturday for lunch in the cafeteria, we were served Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches: Steak-umms (sliced beef), sautéed onions, and Cheez Whiz on a hoagie roll ... NO green bell peppers. Also, on various visits to Philadelphia, my friends and I would often go to Pat's King of Steaks, which we preferred to rival Geno's Steaks.

I took longer than four years to complete my bachelor's degree because of a severe change in major. I spent my first two-and-a-half years at 'Nova in the pre-med program, which was euphemistically called BSG (bachelor of science-general). I would later earn a master's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri in Columbia, graduating in May 1988.I studied insurance and real estate between my degrees with the remote intent of entering my father's businesses. I was a journalist from September 1982 to April 2017. I retired due to medical issues.

March 24, 2024, at home

My favorite alcoholic beverage is Campari and orange juice.

March 24, 2024, at home

My father liked chocolate-covered raisins. I never liked them, and I don't think that I will ever like them.

Australian Grand Prix

March 24, 2024, at home

I am watching live coverage of the third race of the 2024 Formula 1 racing season. The Australian Grand Prix is being broadcast on Sky Sports F1 (on a feed on ESPN2). The race started at 3 p.m. local time (Midnight/12 a.m., Eastern Time in the United States).

Below is a diagram of the Albert Park Circuit, a motorsport street circuit (track) around Albert Park Lake in the suburb of Albert Park in Melbourne. Each circuit around the world has a different configuration, therefore a different dynamic, regarding turns and elevation fluctuations.

The first two races this season (in Bahrain and in Saudi Arabia) were held on Saturdays due to the Islamic observance of Ramadan. All other races will be held on Sundays, as usual, except for the Las Vegas Grand Prix which will also be held on Saturday. 

Before each race, there are two days of practice/qualifying. The races run every week or every other week from March into December.

This season's 24-race schedule is as follows: Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Japan, China, Miami, Italy, Monaco, Canada, Spain, Austria, Great Britain, Hungary, Belgium, The Netherlands, Italy (different circuit), Azerbaijan, Singapore, Austin, Mexico, Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.

In Formula 1 racing, there are 20 (male) drivers, with one driver from the United States. There are 10 teams (with two drivers on each team), so not only do drivers compete against their rivals, but also compete against their teammates. There are two championships: one for the driver and one for the constructor team).

Note: Only 19 drivers will start this race due to a crash by Alexander Albon during a practice run. His teammate Logan Sargeant is the only driver from the United States. Their team (Williams) decided to use Albon to represent the team in the race in remaining one of two cars. Albon has more experience, and Sargeant hasn't been racing that well. Teams usually have a replacement chassis, but for some reason, the Williams team does not.

This season, as with last season, there are three races in the United States. In fairly recent years, there were no drivers from the United States and no races in the United States. 

Formula 1 racing is the only sport that I actively follow. I have been a fan for decades. I watched my first F1 race decades ago on television at the home of one of my many Austrian cousins while on vacation in Austria.

Thai Summer Rolls

March 23, 2024, at home

This afternoon, my wonderful wife made these Thai Summer Rolls: shrimp, carrots, romaine lettuce, purple cabbage, and cucumbers, wrapped in rice paper and served cold. Here are some of them that I dipped in Satay (spicy peanut) sauce. They were quite delicious.

Butterscotch-Walnut Bars

March 23, 2024, at home

This morning, my wonderful wife made these delicious bars (uncut), including oatmeal, butterscotch chips, and walnuts.

Today Is ...

March 23, 2024, at home

I sometimes make Chia-Coconut Pudding. I do like it, the slimy, yet crunchy consistency notwithstanding. It's all in the name of health. (See link below.)

The ingredients that I use are: whole black chia seeds, organic unsweetened shredded / dehydrated coconut, unsweetened almond milk, real maple syrup, pure vanilla extract, ground nutmeg, and ground cinnamon. Mix everything in a large bowl and put it in the refrigerator, covered, for at least 4 or 5 hours, but overnight is better.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-proven-health-benefits-of-chia-seeds

March 23, 2024, at home

One of my favorite snacks is Doritos nacho corn chips dipped in chocolate pudding. When I was in sixth grade (1972-73; age 11 or 12), I first ate it in the cafeteria of Bayview Elementary School (West Islip, Long Island, New York) in an attempt to make two girls disgusted. They didn't care all that much, and I discovered that I really like it. I have eaten it many times over the years.

March 23, 2024, at home

I do not really like tamales that much. I gravitate toward chimichangas and burritos.

March 23, 2024, at home

Melba toast is OK, but it is  a bit too plain for me.

The Late, Great Mr. Brambell

March 22, 2024, at home

Happy Birthday to (Henry) Wilfrid Brambell (22 March 1912 – 18 January 1985) !!! Here he is with Paul McCartney in the 1964 Beatles movie "A Hard Day's Night." He played Paul's grandfather in the movie and was often referred to throughout the movie as being "clean." Why? Well, Brambell starred in the British sitcom "Steptoe and Son," where his character was often referred to as a "dirty, old man." This sitcom was adapted in the United States and became "Sanford and Son." My earliest childhood memory is attending the movie "A Hard Day's Night" in a movie theater during the summer of 1964, when I was three years old, with my mother, the woman who lived next door to us with her husband, and one of her two daughters who was a few years older than me. My mom was a huge Beatles fan in their early days and often played Beatles songs. I used to listen to Beatles 45-rpm records with those two girls in the basement of their house next door; I am sure that they were babysitting me. Sadly, one passed several years ago. Her parents are also deceased.

Today Is ...

March 22, 2024, at home

For me, this is every day.

March 22, 2024, at home

I don't think that I have ever eaten a Bavarian-style crêpe, at least not on purpose. I have made crêpes at home, but I don't remember if I let the batter sit for a bit or if I made them immediately.

The main difference between the Bavarian variation and the classic French crêpe is that the batter is used right away, rather than letting it rest before using. With the French variation, resting the batter allows the flour to fully absorb the liquid and gives the gluten time to relax. It makes the French crêpe more tender.

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March 21, 2024, at home

In the United States, fathers (and men) have few rights. In child-custody cases, the family courts award mothers total custody of the children 92 percent of the time. I would like to see that at least a little more equal. Also, studies have shown that single fathers are far more successful than single mothers in raising children. (I have been a Men's Rights Activist since the early 1990s, when I was in my early 30s.) 80 percent of divorces are initiated by women, 90 percent of university-educated women.

March 21, 2024, at home

From 1992 to 1996, I was a reporter, writer, editor, and researcher for a weekly, international magazine on the financial and technical aspects of the chemical industry from an industrial perspective. The magazine, titled "Chemical Marketing Reporter," was based in New York City.

I started as the "Oils, Fats, and Waxes Editor," and then made a lateral move to "Flavors and Fragrances Editor." I was then promoted to "Heavy and Agriculture Chemicals Editor," and was then promoted to "Market Research Editor."

While I was there, I wrote about an array of chemicals, including: plastics including polyethylene terephthalate (the raw material for soda bottles); pigments including titanium dioxide; pharmaceuticals like bulk penicillin; petrochemicals like benzene, xylene, and toluene; plus carnauba wax; castor oil; grease (both yellow AND white); sandalwood oil; menthol; and even fertilizers/explosives like ammonium nitrate.

March 21, 2024, at home

While I really dislike the taste and the texture of strawberries, I do sometimes force myself to eat them because they are healthy. I have been eating some of them due to a suggestion by my cardiothoracic surgeon.

March 21, 2024, at home

I do like baguettes with butter.

March 21, 2024, at home

I almost forgot to post this.

Today Is ...

March 20, 2024, at home

As (half) Italian in heritage, I absolutely love ravioli. I have been eating them since I was a young kid in the 1960s.