Quizzical Sojourns 2: January 2026

Saturday, January 31, 2026

Hardly Any

January 31, 2026, at home

"Let's play Bridge."

Birthday wishes go my favorite guitarist: Phil Manzanera. He was the guitarist for the band Roxy Music (years active: 1970–1976, 1978–1983, 2001–2011). He also contributed by playing bass guitar, keyboards, and background vocals. Bryan Ferry was the lead singer, keyboardist, and main songwriter. I have many of Ferry's solo CDs; I used to have some on vinyl. My cousin, our friends, and I attended two of his concerts in 1988.

I used to have all of Roxy Music's studio albums on vinyl. I have all of them on CDs; two live CDs; and two DVDs of live performances and music videos.

Manzanera was also the guitarist for the group The Explorers in the 1980s with fellow Roxy Music saxophonist/oboist Andy Mackay, plus Manzanera has recorded many solo albums. James Wraith is the lead singer and keyboardist.

I also have two Explorers CDs (I used to have one on vinyl); and a couple of Manzanera's solo albums on CD, one of which I also have on a cassette tape. Long ago, I had his album collaboration with John Wetton on a vinyl.

His other bands include: 801; Quiet Sun; and Forenzics, none of which I have heard yet.

In this video of his live solo performance on October 17, 1991, in Sevilla, Spain, you may recognize Ray Cooper on tambourine. Cooper was the percussionist in Elton John's first band in the 1970s. He played/plays percussion in many live pop/rock musical performances.

https://youtu.be/s5JyqHWts0w?si=lzxD5oPHzr7bfpMq

Good News Here In Fla.

another good reason for loving it here in Florida

"Florida ends multilingual driver's license exams, now requires English only"

https://www.wptv.com/news/state/florida-ends-multilingual-drivers-license-exams-now-requires-english-only?fbclid=IwY2xjawPrWLpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA80MDk5NjI2MjMwODU2MDkAAR4e8N5ZvrZuoFgDG95Aylm_uXfT8XXDp1X4P9qsCol-o2YsUaKYiEvLbFjHxA_aem_mhr0YvpRoCpHoHQi8QF4MA

January 31, 2026, at home

ICE !!!

January 31, 2026, at home

This is amazingly good news, and it's legal, as always. ICE thankfully continues its much needed deportation efforts.

"Federal judge rejects Minnesota request to block ICE-led Operation Metro Surge"

https://www.foxnews.com/us/federal-judge-rejects-minnesota-request-block-ice-led-operation-metro-surge

Simple Advice

simple advice

January 31, 2026, at home

R.I.P. "Lamont"

January 31, 2026, at home

R.I.P. Grady Demond Wilson (October 13, 1946 – January 30, 2026)

Today Is ...

From husband Bill, January 31, 2026, at home

I actually have hot chocolate pods, so I will enjoy a cup later today.

UPDATE: I had difficulty with the hot chocolate pod, so I was unable to enjoy a cup.

From husband Bill, January 31, 2026, at home

Does this mean I need to be forward today (because I am usually backward)?

From husband Bill, January 31, 2026, at home

John Lennon drank Brandy Alexanders while partying with musicians Harry Nilsson, Keith Moon, Ringo Starr, Mick Jagger, Elton John, and David Bowie during Lennon's "Lost Weekend" that lasted 18 months in the 1970s. "Lennon’s 'Lost Weekend' refers to an 18-month separation from his wife Yoko Ono between 1973 and 1975, during which he lived in Los Angeles with his assistant-turned-lover, May Pang. Contrary to the name, this period was highly productive, resulting in albums, including Walls and Bridges..." - Google

Friday, January 30, 2026

R.I.P. Catherine

January 30, 2026, at home

R.I.P. Catherine O'Hara (March 4, 1954 – January 30, 2026) ... I remember watching her on the Second City Television show (1976-1984) in the late 1970s, when I was in my late teens. I don't know her other than that.

We Miss You, Bob

Today (January 30, 2026) marks the 18th anniversary of the passing of a great man: my father-in-law. He was not only down to earth but also larger than life. Here I am with my wife's parents at our wedding reception on February 4, 2006. Bob, you are sorely missed and forever in our thoughts and in our hearts. Of course, we sorely miss you, too, Lorna.

Beatles On Rooftop

January 30, 2026, at home

On this date in 1969, The Beatles performed their famous concert from the rooftop of their Apple Corps headquarters at 3 Savile Row in central London's office and fashion district. Joined by guest keyboardist Billy Preston, the band played a 42-minute set before the Metropolitan Police arrived and ordered them to reduce the volume. It was the final public performance of their career. The group would disband the following year.

MSNBC/MS NOW = AI

MS NOW (formerly MSNBC) still doesn't portray reality, except when they get caught lying.

"MS NOW changes AI-altered image of Minnesota shooting victim Alex Pretti after backlash"

https://www.foxnews.com/media/ms-now-changes-ai-altered-image-minnesota-shooting-victim-alex-pretti-after-backlash

January 30, 2026, at home

Trivia: The croissant was first created in Austria, NOT France.

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Trump's Awake

Sorry to Trump's opposition, but he does NOT fall asleep during meetings. He is terrific.

https://youtube.com/shorts/45fSwKOiO4c?si=Oo1yQoiiDawcpq7y

January 29, 2026, at home

Throwback Thursday: Ship

Throwback Thursday (fond professional memory): From March 8 to 31, 2017, I was a "Web Content Editor / Proofreader / QA (Quality Assurance)" for a cruise ship called The World. I worked this short-term, freelance gig on weekdays in an office near Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Along with another guy, I edited, proofread, and rewrote the ship's Intranet (internal website), as well as checked photos and hyperlinks, for the site's relaunch on April 1, 2017. This particular website is only accessible to the people on board, so I was not able to see the fruits of my labor.

The vessel (capacity: 150-200 passengers, plus crew) is described as "the largest, private, residential ship on the planet." There are 165 luxury "residences" (apartments) aboard the ship, with many of them used as timeshares. Residents spend their lives cruising around the world, stopping at various ports along the way.

While I was sad that my brief assignment was over, I left with fond memories of an interesting professional and personal experience. What I miss most are the shots of Cuban coffee made by a staff member in the office breakroom. She served it every morning from a tray filled with small plastic cups. It was a strong, sweet fuel that definitely propelled me through an enormous amount of work in such a short period of time.

(Due to medical issues, this was my last job ever.)

January 29, 2026, at home

Today Is ...

From husband Bill, January 29, 2026, 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, but not as much these days.

From husband Bill, January 29, 2026, at home

I am the quintessential curmudgeon.

From husband Bill, January 29, 2026, at home

I don't need a jigsaw puzzle to know that I am puzzled. (humorous truth)

When I was a young kid in the 1960s, as a gift, I gave my paternal grandfather a jigsaw puzzle. The pieces came in a glass canister: no picture, just solid orange on both sides. He loved jigsaw puzzles. He completed it rather quickly.

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Liberals & Big Glasses

It really is true that liberals generally wear oversized eyeglasses. The video says that it's part of their costume to appear intelligent and could possibly be compensation for their lack of intelligence. I love humor like this.

https://youtu.be/BGqArKEUkuY?si=855G3sSRRghtMd_F

January 28, 2026, at home

YouTube Video Suggestions

From husband Bill, January 28, 2026, at home

I have NOT been receiving many views of my homemade videos on my YouTube channel, so I thought that I would ask you for suggestions of topics that you would like to see as videos. (length: 50 seconds)

Please leave your suggestions in the comment section below, either on Facebook and/or on YouTube. At the time of this post, I have 98 subscribers to my YouTube channel: "Bill Santos: Piano & More." This is my 302nd YouTube video.

What would you like to see? (Jan. 28, 2026)

https://youtube.com/shorts/kKKn765CKvM?si=-ZGjWugctjfYrZz-

Appointments: Vascular

From husband Bill, January 28, 2026, at home

This morning, I had a follow-up appointment with one of my two vascular surgeons. On the morning of January 23, 2026, I had an ultrasound scan of my left leg and a blood-pressure test of both arms and both legs. He told me that my test results are good.

On November 4, 2025, I had artery bypass surgery that lasted almost six hours. (See picture below.) I had a three-foot-long blockage in the main artery in my left leg, so my two vascular surgeons, with my podiatrist observing, removed a three-foot-long vein in my right leg and inserted it within my left leg. I had 96 metal staples in my legs: right leg, 70, from my ankle to my hip ; upper left thigh, 16; lower left calf, 10).

On November 8, 2025, my podiatrist performed surgery to remove part of the third and fourth toes of my left foot to due to my artery blockage. My toes were black. Also, my left heel is still black, but it is healing well.

My other recent surgeries:

*March 2022: quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery ... removal of a vein in my left thigh to be used in my open-heart surgery; broken sternum (breastbone)
*May 2022: first chest surgery to remove loose screws/sternal plate holding my broken breastbone together, and to clean out a staph infection within my chest
*May 2022: second chest surgery to close my chest after it remained open for about a week. My surgeon used seven sutures, leaving me with eight holes from my lower neck to my upper belly
*September 2023: first spine surgery to remove an abscess an infected disk
*October 2023: second spine surgery to affix a titanium metal rod to my "collapsing" spine to hold it together due to a bone infection
*April 2024: right ankle surgery due to two fractures and a bone infection

Cloud Video

January 28, 2026, at home

I captured not that many seconds on video of today's cloud formation this morning outside of our home here in southeastern Florida. (length: 27 seconds) ... Notice the high-flying bird.

Clouds In Southeastern Florida (Jan. 28, 2026)

https://youtube.com/shorts/9sOLXBOdTJw?si=9PsgaIqoKu1E7PcJ

Books For MRAs

January 28, 2026, at home

Today, the fourth Wednesday in January, is "Library Shelfie Day." On this day, book lovers share selfies of themselves in front of library shelves and in front of shelves of their personal book collections. I have a substantial book collection here at home and in our storage unit, so I decided to show you a photo of a bunch of books that were near and dear to my heart in the 1990s, and they still are. I still have them here at home.

In the early 1990s, the Men's Rights Movement that was powerful in the 1960s and 1970s experienced the start of a resurgence. From 1991 to 1998, I was a reporter, writer, editor, and researcher for various business publications based in New York City. I was in my 30s, so I was still rather idealistic.

It was during this time when my interest in the Men's Rights Movement was at its peak, and "reclaiming the male spirit," as was the catchphrase during that time, was foremost in my mind and in my actions. I was even a dues-paying, card-carrying member of the National Organization for Men.

I filled my brain with the wisdom and the logic of several great writers. Here are five books, plus a book of quotations, that I read during that time and that I still recommend to every Men's Rights Activist (MRA) who is still fighting the good fight. While I still identify myself as an MRA, I have mellowed over the decades.

Here are my copies of those books. They are more about male empowerment than men's rights. My interest is still strong, so my tentative plan is to reread at least a few of these books. They are:

*Celebrating The Male Mysteries (R.J. Stewart)
*Iron John: A Book About Men (Robert Bly)
*Mucho Macho: A Book of Manly Quotations
*Fire In The Belly: On Being A Man (Sam Keen)
*Knights Without Armor: A Practical Guide for Men in Quest of Masculine Soul (Aaron R. Kipnis)
*The Warrior's Journey Home: Healing Men, Healing The Planet (Jed Diamond)

January 28, 2026, at home

The book's title is "The Art of Thinking" by T. Sharper Knowlson. It was printed in 1899.

Pancakes & Kazoos

January 28, 2026, at home

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

R.I.P. Carmine Abbatiello

R.I.P. Hall of Fame harness racing driver Carmine Abbatiello (May 23, 1936 - January 27, 2026), age 89 ... Known as "The Red Man," he was a prominent figure in the New York/New Jersey racing scene. My friend Paul and I often watched Abbatiello and other standardbred drivers race at the Meadowlands race track in New Jersey in the 1980s.

January 27, 2026, at home

Don't Be Woke

Remember, being "woke" violates the First Amendment. How? It censors free speech.

January 27, 2026, at home

Chocolate Cake Day

I really don't like to eat cake, but I do like to eat chocolate frosting, frozen and right out of the tub with a spoon. (I don't do that anymore, but I will enjoy a piece of cake as long as there is more frosting than cake.)

January 27, 2026, at home

Ice In Minneapolis

It is my contention that ice has been in Minneapolis in every January since the city was founded.

January 27, 2026, at home

N + ICE = ----

I think it was comedian Adam Carolla who suggested that the word "National" be added to "Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)." That's a good idea.

January 27, 2026, at home

Unattainable Standards

I just wanted to share this cologne commercial with you. I just saw it on TV for the first time and then found it on YouTube. I find it to be a combination of horribly offensive, massively disheartening, and definitely indicative of contemporary women. It certainly grabbed my attention which is its purpose.

It portrays the impossibly, unattainably, massively high standards of today's woman and the ability of this cologne to easily bring men ever-so-slightly closer to reaching those unattainable standards.

I totally understand the commercial's effectiveness because it is actually a modern representation of the ancient concept of being told that by using a product, something good will happen to you. For example, in the 1950s and 1960s, detergent companies told housewives that if you use their detergent, their husband's shirts would be whiter and that he would get compliments at the office, and she could be proud of him.

Women make more than 90 percent of all purchases, which is why TV commercials portray women as intelligent and empowered, and men as stupid apes who need women to keep them alive.

My interest in this area is continuing after decades. My university education back in the 1980s includes in small part: television production and interpersonal communications. I was a journalist from September 1982 to April 2017. I have also been a Men's Rights Activist since the early 1990s, when I was in my early 30s. I find man/woman interaction fascinating.

https://youtube.com/shorts/GmYTfOPdjZs?si=VFaYMeJAw1rzj7ls

January 27, 2026, at home