I Walked Out of the Reality Check Group at the Older Adult Center after the Group Started to Discuss Jeffrey Epstein

 

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In my Journal entry of September 22, 2024, I wrote about my frustration with the Reality Check Group at the Older Adult Center in Bayside.  This group discusses current events on Friday afternoons.  My last paragraph read:

I attended this group to enjoy myself for one hour on a Friday afternoon.  As I realize I no longer enjoy this group, it is time to leave it.  I don't feel any animosity toward the facilitator or any participants.  I just don't have the pleasure of listening to a political discussion.  Perhaps after the election, I'll sample this group again.

Nine months later, I decided to check it out again since there was no trivia group on Tuesday.  On many Fridays, I like to go on my "urban hikes," but it was just too hot and humid.

The 12 people discussed such depressing news stories as:

• The War in Gaza
• Perceived anti-semitism of mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani
• Donald Trump
• Partisan politics

All of a sudden the facilitator, a social worker in her 20s, started to bring up Jeffrey Epstein, an American financier and child sex offender.  The old farts in this group followed her lead and started a discussion.  I immediately walked out of the group. Perhaps I made a scene, and if so, I hope my action made a statement.

I do not want to talk about such a lowlife.

Why should I attend a group if the discussion saddens me?

A Fluid Leak from My Car Leads to a Big Repair Bill

 

Last Saturday, when I returned home, I noticed a leak from my car similar to the one seen above.  At first, I thought it was just condensate from the air conditioner, but it was greasy, so I thought it could be:

• Engine Oil
• Brake Fluid
• Power Steering Fluid
• Coolant

I called the local Chevrolet dealer and made an appointment to bring it in on Tuesday morning.  It is about a 4 mile trip from my home to the dealership.  About halfway there, a message appeared on the dashboard indicating that the car was overheating.  Fortunately, I made it to the dealership without stalling out.  The clerk said they couldn't work on it until Wednesday.

Wednesday morning, I received a call from the mechanic saying that there were several leaks in the cooling system.  The car needed new hoses, belts, and a thermostat.  The cost was quite high.  The only alternative would be to buy a new car.

My car is a 2015 Chevy Cruze that I bought pre-owned in January 2019.  Apparently, it was previously leased.  I only put 38,600 miles on it since most of my driving is local.  Problems inevitably arise as a car ages.

I am Glad to See There Will Be Enforcement on Violations by Delivery Workers on E-Bikes

 

I have mentioned the issue of bicycle safety in this Journal at least twice:

• Bicycle Safety Should Be Taken Seriously
• Cyclists Should Respect Pedestrians

I was pleased to read in The Gothamist that 45 peace officers will be hired to issue violations and enforce commercial cycling laws against businesses.  This is good news, but it does not go far enough since recreational cyclists are just as guilty as the deliverymen.  It bothers me the most when I see cyclists on the sidewalk when a few feet away, there is a bike path.

Let's hope for the best.

Yankees 6 Mets 4 in Subway Series Finale

 

My 20-game package included this afternoon's game between the Mets and Yankees.  It was Yankee standout Max Fried starting vs the Mets' bullpen. The numerous injuries to starting pitchers have compelled the Mets to use several relievers in this game.  Chris Devenski started for the Mets and pitched well for two innings. The Yankees scored runs off the subsequent relievers, Zach Pop, Brandon Waddell, and Huascar Brazoban.  The highlights were home runs by Austin Wells and Aaron Judge.  Another highlight was a shoestring catch by Cody Bellinger in left field.  He then made a throw to first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who doubled off Francisco Lindor.

The Subway Series ended in a 3-3 tie. There are now 6 games before the All-Star break.  After that we will see what trades will be made by contending teams.

Game Recap

Random Oldie of the Day - Walking My Cat Named Dog by Norma Tanega

 

I remember hearing this for the first time in 1966 on Dick Clark's American Bandstand.  I reached #22 on the Billboard chart, but it was the only record that charted for Norma Tanega, who passed away in 2019 at age 80.  I requested it last night on Bob Radil's 60s 70s show.

Mets 7 Brewers 3 - Hopefully the Mets Losing Ways are Over

 

Last night's game was part of our 20-game package, so we were there to root for the Mets. Manager Carlos Mendoza shuffled the lineup as Brandon Nimmo batted leadoff while Francisco Lindor was dropped to the #2 slot.  The move paid off in the second inning when Nimmo hit a grand slam home run, while Lindor followed it up with a solo shot.  That yielded a 5-0 lead that held up until the 6th inning when Christian Yellich and Jackson Chourio hit back-to-back homers off Blade Tidwell to make the score 5-3.  The Mets added tacked-on runs in the 6th and 8th innings to win 7-3.

Hopefully, this victory will mark the end of the Mets' 14 losses out of 17.  As of this writing the Mets are two games behind the Phillies in the NL East. There are 75 games to go in the season.

Box Score

Random Thought of the Day - July 1, 2025

• It is hard to believe that 2025 is half over.  Where does all this time go?
• If it is July 1, it is Bobby Bonilla Day. He will collect a check for $1,193,248.20 from the New York Mets, as he has and will every July 1 from 2011 through 2035. His contract was restructured as the Mets had financial problems during the Wilpon era
• The Mets have lost 13 out of their last 16 games, but are only two games behind Philadelphia in the NL East.  Hopefully, they will turn things around soon.
• It is July 1, and NJ Transit is raising its fares 3%.  When I feel blue, I am grateful I never have to ride any of their trains again.
• Yesterday, I received yet another chat request on Telegram from a young lady.  She was offering me the chance to make a lot of money working from home.  The first sign of a scam is that if it is too good to be true, it is.  There are too many scams on social networking sites.  I politely told her I wasn't interested, but she was persistent.  This time, I ghosted her.  How come only younger women try to contact me?