Bob Dylan's Birthday was a Little Different for Me This Year

Since I work for a university I usually take a vacation week in May just after the spring semester ends.  Thus usually on Dylan's birthday I am home listening to Mr. Zimmerman's music.  Some months ago the boss sent a memo saying that since our library was doing an inventory project, we could not take vacation time during the last two weeks of May.  So I had to change my plans for this year.

I set my clock radio to WFUV and luckily as I woke up at 6:10 Corny O'Connell played Shelter from the Storm followed by a cover of Buckets of Rain.

Since I was doing mundane data entry work I was able to listen to internet radio at work.  At about 9:30 WFUV played a set of Dylan covers as requested by the listeners.  Later in the day I listened to:

Dylan Radio.com
Bob Dylan Tracks

I have discussed these internet radio stations in this journal before.

Since it was a holiday weekend the boss let everyone go home early.  While eating dinner the family listened to Bringing it All Back Home.  On his 60s 70s show Bob Radil played my request ofLeopard Skin Pillbox Hat.

Thinking about the Lighter Side of Bob Dylan on His 72nd Birthday

Many people take Bob Dylan's songs a little too seriously.  Great writers like Christopher Rick, Greil Marcus, Stephen Scobie and many others pick apart his song lyrics to interpret them to the nth degree.  For his 72nd birthday I am featuring a song Wiggle Wiggle from the album Under the Red Sky in 1990.  Since it is from 1990, I can't ask Bob Radil to play it on his 60s 70s show.


Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a gypsy queen
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle all dressed in green
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle ’til the moon is blue
Wiggle ’til the moon sees you

Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle in your boots and shoes
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, you got nothing to lose
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a swarm of bees
Wiggle on your hands and knees

Wiggle to the front, wiggle to the rear
Wiggle ’til you wiggle right out of here
Wiggle ’til it opens, wiggle ’til it shuts
Wiggle ’til it bites, wiggle ’til it cuts

Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a bowl of soup
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a rolling hoop
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a ton of lead
Wiggle—you can raise the dead

Wiggle ’til you’re high, wiggle ’til you’re higher
Wiggle ’til you vomit fire
Wiggle ’til it whispers, wiggle ’til it hums
Wiggle ’til it answers, wiggle ’til it comes

Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like satin and silk
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a pail of milk
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, rattle and shake
Wiggle like a big fat snake

Copyright © 1990 by Special Rider Music

Put it in the Book by Howie Rose

Howie Rose, a long time broadcaster for the Mets, just wrote an autobiography titled "Put it in the Book."  Howie always says that when the Mets win a game.  Unfortunately we haven't heard  that expression very much as the Mets are now 17-27.  There is just no hitting.

Anyway, I am not ready to comment on this book as I just received it today.  It was a belated birthday present to Lee from his grandmother.  So when Lee finishes it, he'll give it to me.

The Mets are not scheduled tomorrow so they can't lose until Friday.  It is going to be a long season.

Random Thoughts of the Day

Prayers for Moore, Oklahoma.  It is so sad when a natural disaster strikes.  As of now it is not known how many people were injured or perished in the tornado there.

Ray Manzarek, the keyboardest for the Doors died today at age 74.  It is a shame that so many recording artists of the 1960s have moved on to Rock n Roll Heaven.  When I think of the Doors I recall their concert on August 12, 1967 at the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium.  Most of the audience came to see the opening act Simon and Garfunkel and were not interested in the Doors who were almost booed off the stage.  When the concert was over my friend and I walked to Continental Avenue when somebody yelled out "Everyone is here from the Haime and Finkelstein concert.

Tomorrow is another day.

I Spoke to A Man with No Feet Today

I first read this in the Dale Carnegie Book "How to Win Friends And Influence People" about 20 years ago:

"I felt sorry for myself because I had no shoes -- until I met a man who had no feet."  This is actually a Jewish proverb.

We all have problems related to our families and careers and must cope with them daily.  Today I spoke to a former colleague who has really fallen on some very hard times.  He started to work at my library in 1996 and left after 6 years because he was so unhappy.  I helped him find a job closer to his home in Nassau County.  He was so happy there at first, but had to confront a bad situation that went from worse to impossible.

I only wish the best for him.

If you have problems, just think that someone else's difficulties may be worse.

Listening to the Time Machine on Pop Gold Radio

It is very hard to listen to terrestrial radio when there are so many excellent internet radio stations available.  They don't have to be concerned about consultants, ratings, and playlists.  This station is run by Don Tandler who also works at New Jersey 101.5.

I am rarely home at on Saturday afternoons when Don has his Time Machine Show where he plays a countdown from a top 40 radio station from the 50s, 60s, or 70s.  Today he played the Fabulous 57 Countdown of May 18, 1968 on WMCA.  Back then Dan Daniel played the Top 25 from 4 PM - 7 PM.  We had to get Go Magazine to see the entire WMCA playlist.  I always enjoy hearing the records that did not chart very high back then.

The highlight of today's show was hearing Tip Toe Through the Tulips by Tiny Tim.  Don gave a very detailed history of Herbert Koury's career.  Enjoy!

Never Like to Hear of Crashes on Commuter Railroads

I normally post about commuting problems on my companion blog NYNJCommuting but since this terrible crash happened in Connecticut, I will discuss it here.  Since it happened only about two hours ago more details will be coming.  It appears that none of the injuries are life threatening.  Generally commuter trains are safe, but you never know.