Ode to Billy Joe - This Song Mentions The Third of June

 

I don't want to mention another event on June 3.

It was the third of June, another sleepy, dusty Delta day
I was out choppin' cotton, and my brother was balin' hay
And at dinner time we stopped and walked back to the house to eat
And mama hollered out the back door, y'all, remember to wipe your feet
And then she said, I got some news this mornin' from Choctaw Ridge
Today, Billy Joe MacAllister jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge

And papa said to mama, as he passed around the blackeyed peas
Well, Billy Joe never had a lick of sense; pass the biscuits, please
There's five more acres in the lower forty I've got to plow
And mama said it was shame about Billy Joe, anyhow
Seems like nothin' ever comes to no good up on Choctaw Ridge
And now Billy Joe MacAllister's jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge

And brother said he recollected when he, and Tom, and Billie Joe
Put a frog down my back at the Carroll County picture show
And wasn't I talkin' to him after church last Sunday night?
I'll have another piece-a apple pie; you know, it don't seem right
I saw him at the sawmill yesterday on Choctaw Ridge
And now ya tell me Billie Joe's jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge

And mama said to me, child, what's happened to your appetite?
I've been cookin' all morning, and you haven't touched a single bite
That nice young preacher, Brother Taylor, dropped by today
Said he'd be pleased to have dinner on Sunday, oh, by the way
He said he saw a girl that looked a lot like you up on Choctaw Ridge
And she and Billy Joe was throwing somethin' off the Tallahatchie Bridge

A year has come and gone since we heard the news 'bout Billy Joe
And brother married Becky Thompson; they bought a store in Tupelo
There was a virus going 'round; papa caught it, and he died last spring
And now mama doesn't seem to want to do much of anything
And me, I spend a lot of time pickin' flowers up on Choctaw Ridge
And drop them into the muddy water off the Tallahatchie Bridge

History of the Polo Grounds

 

Since my last journal entry was so long, I'll make today's very short.  I found this video by accident when I accessed YouTube.  I am sure that Gary Mintz and everyone in the New York Giants Preservation Society know everything discussed here.  This video did not describe any non-baseball events at the Polo Grounds.

I received an email from Fadi Deek saying he read review of his book and appreciated my comments.

Portrait of an Expatriate: A Lebanese-American Story by Fadi Deek. - This is Not a Traditional Book Review

 

Yours truly, with Fadi Deek at My Retirement Luncheon in December 2017

I was perusing LinkedIn and received an announcement of a new book Portrait of an Expatriate: A Lebanese-American Story by Fadi Deek.  I knew that I had to read this book as I knew him throughout my 25 years at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT).  I bought the Kindle version of the book as very little room in my apartment for print books.  It was the best $3.99 I ever spent for a book.  I highly recommend anyone associated with NJIT, past, present or future read this book.

I don’t want to make this journal entry a tradition book review but use it to reflect on my interactions with Fadi during and after my NJIT years.

Near the end of the book he states “This book is not a ledger of accomplishments, but an acknowledgement of a life that was made better by those who shaped me, believed in me, and stood with me.  For all of it, I am deeply humbled and eternally grateful.”

Fadi was born in Lebanon in 1961.  Then and now, that was a very volatile part of the world.  He details his childhood, family, and academic goals in his formative years.  Late in his college years he emigrated to the United States and completed his studies at NJIT.  Much of the book relates how his academic career developed from undergraduate to professor, to researcher, to mentor, to university administrator, and back to researcher.  I am amazed at the multitude of positions he held at NJIT including Provost, the highest academic office in a university.

Let me list my comments about Fadi:

• ·       Everyone called him by his first name.  Nobody addressed him by any of his academic titles including Professor, Dean, or Provost.
• ·       He was an impeccable dresser as he always wore a suit and tie while many of his colleagues dressed informally at NJIT.
• ·       In his early years as a researcher, I helped the interlibrary loan people verify the articles he needed to order from other universities.
• ·       When he applied for a promotion to Distinguished Professor he specifically asked me to compile his cited reference report which was a long and tedious task for me.

·       My only disappointment in reading the book is that it did not mention at all the NJIT Library that reported to him.  He mentioned several university administrators, but not the two University Librarians who reported directly to him (the late Richard Sweeney and Ann Hoang).  Shortly after Rich Sweeney’s tragic accident, he visited him at the hospital.  He spoke at a memorial gathering for Rich.

·       He came to my retirement luncheon in December 2017.  I understand that he changed an appointment to come to it.  Please see the photo above.  That was the last time I wore a suit and tie.

·       After I retired from NJIT, I had two email exchanges with him.  After I received the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who's Who in October 2019, I sent emails to several former colleagues at NJIT.  Fadi was one of the few who responded. He said, “Bruce, this is marvelous news for an award that is well-deserved by you. I am happy to learn that you are enjoying your retirement. I also
appreciate very much that you stay in touch. Have a great weekend.
Fadi”

·       Last year he wrote a book titled The Enduring Presence of Christianity in Lebanon.  I sent him a message congratulating him, which he acknowledged.

This passage made me laugh:

“Now let me conclude with what is “not acceptable”.  Starting with micromanagement.  I observed how it can undermine trust, stifle creativity, and create a demoralizing work environment.  Leaders must avoid and reject the temptation to micromanage because it can prevent team members from growing and developing their own leadership skills.”

Did he realize that Richard Sweeney was a micromanager?

After 5400 journal entries over 20 years, I never know who reads Bruce’s Journal. Perhaps Fadi will find my thoughts about his book.  Fadi, thank you for sharing your thoughts with everyone.  I hope your children and grandchildren will bring happiness and joy to you.  I am sure that at age 65 you may begin to think about retirement.  Keep on doing what you enjoy no matter what your age.  I know that a few NJIT professors didn’t retire until age 90.  I look forward to your next book

If anyone wants to contact me, I can be reached at Bruce@BruceSlutsky.com 

 

 

Tale of the Broken Air Conditioner

 

Just one year ago, I purchased an air conditioner from a reputable manufacturer at a reliable retailer.  Thankfully, I added a warranty.  On the first hot day of the season, nothing happened when I turned on the unit.  I called up the retailer, who referred me to a company that repairs air conditioners.  They picked up the AC a week ago and took it to their shop.  Today, I received a phone call saying the unit needs both the indoor and outdoor fan motors.  It is disappointing that two major parts would break down after one year of use.  What aggravated the situation is that both parts are on back order until October.

I called the retailer's customer service, who said they would honor the warranty but would have to pick up the broken AC.  I arranged for the repair company to bring it to my home, but they cannot come until Friday, June 5.  After that, I will have to go to the store to get a new AC.  That will obviously take time until the new unit arrives. I hope the weather will be cool over the next few weeks.

I think this qualifies for an Oy Vey!

Steve Cohen is Paying over $32 Million to Players No Longer on the Mets Roster

I guess the Mets' owner, Steve Cohen, just likes to give away money.  As you can see he is paying over $32 million to former Mets. The biggest bust is $17 million to pitcher Frankie Montas, who is injured and can't pitch.  I blame David Stearns, President of Baseball Operations, for this mess.  I assume if Stearns is fired, Cohen will have to pay him millions.

Oy vey.

 

Rain by the Beatles - Appropriate Song for this Memorial Day Weekend

 

I have written several posts in this journal about rain, but never posted Rain by the Beatles.  I am sure that the rain over the Memorial Day weekend spoiled the plans of many people who wanted an outdoor barbecue.  Tomorrow is another day.

Something Different for Bob Dylan's 85th Birthday

 

I know I am a day early for this, but I just couldn't wait.  Bob Dylan's birthday has been discussed many times in this journal.  I have never posted a song written about Robert Zimmerman.  I will even post the lyrics.

Ah, hear this, Robert Zimmerman

I wrote a song for you

About a strange young man called Dylan

With a voice like sand and glue

Some words had truthful vengeance

They could pin us to the floor

Brought a few more people on

And put the fear in a whole lot more

[Chorus]

Ah, here she comes, here she comes, here she comes again

The same old painted lady from the brow of the superbrain

She'll scratch this world to pieces as she comes on like a friend

But a couple of songs from your old scrapbook could send her home again

[Verse 2]

You gave your heart to every bedsit room

At least a picture on the wall

And you sat behind a million pair of eyes

And told them how they saw

Then we lost your train of thought

The paintings are all your own

While troubles are rising, we'd rather be scared

Together than alone

[Chorus]

Ah, here she comes, here she comes, here she comes again

The same old painted lady from the brow of the superbrain

She'll scratch this world to pieces as she comes on like a friend

But a couple of songs from your old scrapbook could send her home again

[Instrumental Bridge]

[Verse 3]

Now, hear this, Robert Zimmerman

Though I don't suppose we'll meet

Ask your good friend Dylan

If he'd gaze a while down the old street

Tell him we've lost his poems

So we're writing on the walls

Give us back our unity

Give us back our family

You're every nation's refugee

Don't leave us with their sanity

[Chorus]

Ah, here she comes, here she comes, here she comes again

The same old painted lady from the brow of the superbrain

She'll scratch this world to pieces as she comes on like a friend

But a couple of songs from your old scrapbook could send her home again

[Outro]

Ah, a couple of songs from your old scrapbook could send her home again

Oh, here she comes

Ooh, here she comes

Oh, here she comes

Ooh