The Academy Award Nominations are In

I certainly go to enough movies especially since I have been retired.  I usually don't write about them in this journal, but I note them in Facebook.  Below is the list of films nominated for Best Picture.

Black Panther
Kevin Feige, Producer

BlacKkKlansman
Sean McKittrick, Jason Blum, Raymond Mansfield, Jordan Peele and Spike Lee, Producers

Bohemian Rhapsody
Graham King, Producer

The Favourite
Ceci Dempsey, Ed Guiney, Lee Magiday and Yorgos Lanthimos, Producers

Green Book
Jim Burke, Charles B. Wessler, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly and Nick Vallelonga, Producers

Roma
Gabriela Rodríguez and Alfonso Cuarón, Producers

A Star Is Born
Bill Gerber, Bradley Cooper and Lynette Howell Taylor, Producers

Vice
Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Adam McKay and Kevin Messick, Producers

Of the 8 pictures nominated I saw:

1. Bohemian Rhapsody
2. Green Book
3. A Star is Born

Of the 8 only Bohemian Rhapsody and A Star is Born was shown at the local multiplex.  The films that are artistically superior do not attract that many viewers and are not appealing to the owners of movie complexes.

Looking Ahead to the 2019 Baseball Season

The Mets made several trades and free agent signings over the off-season, but how what will be their line-up and how well will the team perform?  It is impossible to predict how injuries will impact the team as it had done in the past.  Let's go around the diamond:

C - Wilson Ramos will be starting with Travis d'Arnaud as the backup.
1B - I doubt if Peter Alonso will be on the major league roster on opening day.  Will Dominic Smith or Todd Frazier start the season there.
2B - Robinson Cano
SS - Amed Rosario
3B - Jed Lowrie with Todd Frazier as backup
OF - Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo, and Juan Lagares.  With a crowded infield, it is possible that Jeff McNeill will be the 4th outfielder.  When will Yoenis Cespedes return?
SP- Same as last season, but will Jacob deGrom be offered a long-term contract.
RP - Edwin Diaz as closer with Jeurys Familia as the 8th inning man.  Lugo and Gessellman will be in the mix.

Pitchers and catchers will report in a few weeks.

Good Luck Don Tandler

Yours truly with Don Tandler at the Long Island

Radio Day at C.W. Post in April 2010

Don Tandler, in a Facebook post, announced that his duties at NJ105 were reduced on account of financial issues at that station.  He will no longer be doing steady overnight work at the station.  There are few radio personalities like Cousin Bruce Morrow and Howard Stern who can command big salaries.  We rarely think of the people in small markets who don’t make the big bucks.  We also take for granted people like nurses and police who must work overnight.  Don’s working overnights at the radio station certainly took its toll on him physically so at least he relieved of that inconvenience.

Don who is also the owner of the internet station Pop Gold Radio is an advocate of oldies on the radio.  This station plays a good mix of hits from the 50s, 60s, and 70s and features a countdown show every week.  I do listen to it at least a few times a week.

I met him only twice:

• Long Island Radio Day in April 2010 seen above
• One of the Oldies Meet and Greets at Ben’s Deli

I speak for all his friends when I wish him all the best in his endeavors in and out of the radio business.  I understand that the radio business is tough, but he has persevered.

Abraham Martin and John by Bob Dylan and Clydie King

RIP, Clydie

Obituary in New York Times

The Media is Creating the News Again as the Tappen Zee Bridge is Demolished

The demolition of the remnants of the Tappen Zee Bridge which spanned the Hudson River was planned as it was replaced by the Mario Cuomo Bridge.  It was originally scheduled for last Saturday but was postponed until today since it was very windy.  This has been mentioned umpteen time in the media over the past week or so.  Restaurants actually scheduled viewing parties.  I guess they are just trying to make a buck over this event.  The television stations in NYC actually interrupted programming to show this demolition which lasted only 20 seconds.

I guess some people get excited out of viewing a demolition.  Some years back a friend drove from NYC to Philadelphia just to see Veterans Stadium imploded.  Whatever turns you on.

Some Thoughts on Fast Food Restaurants

I have been to most, but not all of the restaurants seen in the photo above.  I also would not classify IHOP, Applebees, Dennys, or Olive Garden as fast food restaurants.

I remember growing up I could go into MacDonalds and get 2 hamburgers, fries, and a drink for less than a dollar.  Now a similar meal costs close to $10.  You can't fight inflation.

Over the past few years, Dunkin' Donuts has deemphasized the donuts.  I believe they are rebranding as just Dunkin's.  I like their breakfast sandwiches.  Some of their restaurants have seats, while others don't.

Noise is often a problem at fast food restaurants as they attract kids of all ages.  A few weeks ago I went to the Arby's in Fresh Meadows where most of the seats were taken by high school kids just hanging out at lunchtime and not purchasing food there.  I  like the thin sliced roast beef and the special sauce at Arby's, but I eat in and like to sit.

Over the last week, I observed twice adults bringing in outside food and taking their sweet time eating and possibly preventing a customer from sitting.  I just think the manager should enforce the no outside food rule and give a time limit for eating.

Random Thoughts of the Day

I am gradually getting acclimated to the newer car. I really like its smooth ride.  The control panel can be confusing and there will have to be a learning curve for me.  I will have to consult the owner's manual.

When I bought the car I had to switch over the insurance.  My agent told me that there is a defensive driving course that I should take to get a 10% discount.  I am now taking it online and should be finished in a day or so.  It is much more convenient than having to sit in a classroom somewhere.  Most of what is discussed is common sense.

Today I drove to the Cinemart Theater in Forest Hills to see On the Basis of Sex.  I must say that it is excellent.  All patrons of this theater received a free bag of popcorn.  This never happened to me in all my years of going to movies.