Friday, May 31, 2013

June 2013 Staycation

It's that time again when I have vacation time, but I will not be going away right now.  I will be staying at home not having to go to work for a week.  No commuting or work related nonsense.  I will take it one day at a time.  Perhaps I'll take in a few movies and just enjoy myself.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

The Mets Win the First Two Games at Citifield

I usually post shortly after I return from a ball game, but I have been a little busy these past two days.  The weather was perfect for baseball as the 2013 Subway Series began.  As usual the pitching was superb for both teams as Phil Hughes started against Jonathan Niese.  David Wright  hit a home run in the 7th inning to tie the game while Daniel Murphy singled in the winning run in the 8th.  The Mets won 2-1

Box Score

It was raining Tuesday evening as Karen and I went to a meeting of the Mitchell Linden Civic Association in our neighborhood.  When we came home at about 8:45 the game had just begun.  It was worth staying up till after 11:30 as the Mets scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to win by the same 2-1 score.  Mariano Rivera blew his first save and also took the loss.

Game Summary

Monday, May 27, 2013

The Subway Series Will Be Different This Season

For the first time there are 15 teams in the National and American Leagues requiring modifications in the scheduling since now there must be at least one interleague series at a time.  The Yankees and Mets will face each other only 4 times instead of 6 as has been done since the inception of interleague play in 1997.  They will meet at Citifield today and tomorrow and at Yankee Stadium Wednesday and Thursday.

We are going to tonight's game.  It may be a day or two before I'll have time to discuss the game in this journal.

Saturday, May 25, 2013

WABC Rewound Lives On


The photo above is from Dan Ingram taken on the WABC cruise in June 2007.  It is nice once a year to hear airchecks of Dan, Cousin Brucie, Ron Lundy, Chuck Leonard, Bob Cruz, Frank Kingston Smith and others from the Musicradio WABC years (1960-82).  Sadly, that era of radio is long gone, but it nice to listen to it again.  From 1999-2009 WABC featured the Rewound show every Memorial Day.  Since that time Allan Sniffen has played these airchecks on his Rewound Radio station.  I certainly appreciate his efforts in keeping this tradition alive.  I spent a few hours today listening.

Friday, May 24, 2013

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.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

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

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

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.

Monday, May 20, 2013

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.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

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.

Saturday, May 18, 2013

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!


Friday, May 17, 2013

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.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Mets Beat Cards 5-2 in a Game Featured by A Weird Double by Daniel Murphy

Since I was at work today I didn't see the Mets end their 6 game losing streaking by beating the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2.  The strangest thing was a ground rule double by Daniel Murphy.  As you can see in this video his hit to right field went through an opening in the fence.  It will make all of the highlight films.


Monday, May 13, 2013

Happy Birthday Stevie Wonder

Today is the 63rd birthday of Stevie Wonder.  I remember hearing Finger Tips back in the summer of 1963 when I was a camper at Wel-Met in Narrowsburg, NY.  Below is a video of Stevie and Bob Dylan at the 1983 Grammy Awards Ceremony giving the Song of the Year Award to the Police for Every Breath You Take.


Sunday, May 12, 2013

Mothers Day 2013

Mom is now 93 years young.  We picked her up at her apartment in Westbury and drove over to Joyce's house in Dix Hills.  The family had a good time together with Karen, Lee, Joyce, Keith, Adam, and Scott and Casey the dog.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Pirates 11 Mets 2 - The rain was too little too late

The weather forecast for today predicted showers.  It started raining at 8 AM, but it stopped by 10 AM. The game started at 1 PM. The Pirates scored 5 runs in the top of the 5th to take a 9-0 lead.  I was hoping for big rain at that time so the game would not be official.  The skies opened up in the middle of the 9th inning when the Bucs had an 11-1 lead.  We left at that point.  The game resumed about 50 minutes later when Andrew Brown hit a HR to make the final 11-2.

Game recap

Friday, May 10, 2013

Happy Birthday Donovan

I started following Donovan back in the 1960's when he recorded acoustic folk music on the Hickory label in the USA.  There have been many mentions of him in this journal.  For his 67th birthday I am featuring Catch the Wind.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

A Non-Nostalgic Trip to New Brunswick, NJ Today

I have reminisced several times in this journal about my days in New Brunswick, NJ from May 1974 to December 1976.  New readers may want to click on the link to read about my adventures or mis-adventures there.

Today I went to a librarians meeting at the College Avenue campus.  I took New Jersey Transit (no delays, thankfully) and walked over the the meeting at the Alexander Library.  At the end of the meeting I stopped for lunch and took the train back home.  I did not want to stop by:

  • 9 Hartwell Street
  • 1050 George Street
  • 297 Jersey Avenue

Monday, May 6, 2013

Adventure in the Dentist's Chair

Before you start to read this journal entry, the man in this photo is NOT ME.  My regular dentist referred me to a periodontist who specializes in gum diseases.  Today I went to see the specialist in Forest Hills for a deep cleaning.  She injected me with an anesthetic and worked with an assistant to clean my teeth.  We all know that the experiences in the dental chair are not the most pleasant.  However, both the dentist and the assistant who were women were talking about buying dresses and shoes for a wedding.  I had to sit there as a captive listening to girl talk. Oy Vey!

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Sitting Down at Bob Dylan Concerts

In this photo c. 1965 Bob Dylan looks very comfortable sitting on a park bench.  I am also very comfortable sitting down at his concerts.  It is unusual for Dylan to be playing at two venues in the NYC area during a segment of the Never Ending Tour.  On Friday July 26 he will appear at Pier A in Hoboken, while the next next he is playing at Jones Beach where I have seen him several times.  I picked the Jones Beach venue where I can sit since there is general admission tickets at Hoboken which means concert viewers must stand.

Here is a list of the places where I have seen Zimmy perform over the years:

Sitting


  • Madison Square Garden Arena
  • Madison Square Garden Theater
  • Nassau Coliseum 
  • United Palace Theater
  • Prospect Park
Standing

  • William Paterson University - Lee was 9 years old and we had to pick him up so he could see
  • Roseland Ballroom
  • Terminal 5
  • Hammerstein Ballroom



Yankees 4 Oakland A's 2

Is there something wrong with this photo?  I have been a Met fan since day 1, yet this photo taken by Alan Berman shows the entire family wearing Yankee caps.  I was a Yankee fan from 1958-1961 when they were the only team in town.  There are many Met fans who absolutely hate the Bronx Bombers, but the only time I root against them is during the Subway Series.

Today's game featured a nifty pitching performance by Phil Hughes with home runs by Chris Stewart and Lyle Overbay.  Mariano Rivera was a little shaky in the 9th inning but the Yankees held on for a 4-2 victory.

Game Recap

Friday, May 3, 2013

Happy 79th Birthday Frankie Valli

Back in Fall 1965 the Four Seasons with lead singer Frankie Valli had a hit with Let's Hang On.  It was a "no no" for a record company to release two 45 RPM singles at a time by the same artist.  So, they released a cover of Bob Dylan's Don't Think Twice It's Alright using the name "The Wonder Who."  This Dylan song has been covered by many artists over the years.  You can safely call the Wonder Who's version a parody.  In any event I wish Frankie Valli a happy birthday.


Wednesday, May 1, 2013

The Never Ending Tour Returns to Jones Beach this Summer

Of course I got my tickets the first day of the pre-sale. On this leg of the Never Ending Tour he is playing with WILCO, My Morning Jacket and Ryan Bingham.  This concert has an unusal starting time of 5:30 PM. My sense is that with 3 opening acts Dylan's set will be shorter.  We'll wait and see.
 
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