Saturday, May 31, 2014

11 Hours of Mets Baseball in 2 Days

Last night the Mets lost to the Phillies 5-4 in 14 innings while today in a game that started at 3 PM the Mets won 5-4.  At least they didn't lose both games.  They had a 4-0 lead in today's game, but the Phillies tied it up. Jacob DeGroom pitched a good game, but the Mets couldn't hold the lead.  They called up journeyman pitcher Buddy Carlisle who pitched 3 scoreless innings to win.  I just don't like the idea of bringing in a pitcher to get just one out.  It really depletes the bullpen, but that is today's style of managing.

Today's box score

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Let's Remember Dave Herman for His Good Work in Radio

Last year Dave Herman was accused of luring a 7 year old girl to the Virgin Islands for sex.  He was awaiting trial in Newark, but it was reported today that he died in custody.  It is very sad that a person's life should end that way.  But, he was still innocent since he was not yet proven guilty.

In any event we should remember Dave for the fine work he did as a radio personality for WNEW-FM during that station's hey day.  My condolences to his family.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Beatles Rarity - Sweet Georgia Brown sung by Tony Sheridan



This song goes back to the early Beatles days when they sang backup for Tony Sheridan.  I don't remember when Sweet Georgia Brown was first used as the theme for the Harlem Globetrotters. I picked this when I was "music director" for 30 minutes on Pop Gold Radio a few weeks ago.

Monday, May 26, 2014

Pirates 5 Mets 3 - Another Boring Afternoon at Citifield

It looks like things are going from bad to worse for the Mets as they lost a Memorial Day game 5-3   Pitcher Jacob deGrom pitched well and even got 2 hits, but the bullpen could not hold a 2-0 lead late in the game.  Jose Valverde pitched terribly and was released at the end of the game while batting coach Dave Hudgens  was also fired and replaced by Lamar Johnson.  Maybe they should have made deGrom the pitching coach as he has gotten 4 hits in his first 5 at bats.  If the team does not improve could Terry Collins be next to go?

Game Recap

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Diamondbacks 3 Mets 2 on Bob Dylan's Birthday

It is the same old story with those stinkin' Mets, no hitting.  The only highlight of the game was a home run by David Wright which made the score 3-2.  David also had a single and a double and just lacked a triple to hit for the cycle.  I just hate it when a relief pitcher comes in to pitch t one or two batter.  This is why most games are more than 3 hours.

Box Score

Friday, May 23, 2014

Saturday is Bob Dylan's 73rd Birthday

What else can I say?  May Bob stay Forever Young.  My song for his 73rd birthday is Gotta Serve Somebody.  Here is a live version from Lake Placid, NY in 1999.


More Staycation Notes

The nicest thing about a staycation is not having to put up with public transportation.  I don't have to worry about train delays or passengers blocking doors and any other nonsense.  Today I will be taking the subway to lower Manhattan to meet Roy for lunch.

Since there was a threat of rain yesterday I decided to to see "The Other Woman" at the local multiplex.  I was the only customer in the auditorium that had about 200 seats.  I guess there is usually not many movie patrons on weekday afternoons.

Julia Collins has now won 14 games on Jeopardy.  I assume that she will not be interviewed on TV until her run on the show ends.  I was able to watch Who Wants to Be a Millionaire a few times this week.  Three out of the last 4 contestants got the $1000 consolation prize while the other person just won about $7500.  I really think the staff at Jeopardy does a better job of screening contestants since there have been so few big winners on Millionaire.

So far I have resisted the temptation to look at my work e-mail.  On my phone I just observed that there are about 200 unopened e-mails in my work account.  Likely 90% of them are either from advertisers or listservs and are not relevant.  I will wait until I return to work on Tuesday to read them.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Staycation Notes

The cartoon above does not accurately portray what I did this week so far.  I have spent some time on the computer, but do not "sunbathe" under a lamp.  I have done a lot of walking around northern Queens and finish up by reading on a park bench.  I am now reading the following book:


Clark, A, Schlossberg, D. (2014). Called out but safe: A baseball umpire's journey.

It is interesting to read about baseball from the perspective of an umpire.  Al Clark was one of only a few Jewish umpires in the history of Major League Baseball.

Some other notes:

  • Julia Collins won gave #12 last night, so we'll be watching Jeopardy tonight as she tries for #13.  For the second game in a row she won even though she missed Final Jeopardy
  • I just can't sleep late when I am on vacation.
  • Today is Mary Shaw's birthday.  Al Gordon wished her a happy birthday on his radio show on WJPR this morning.  I sent Cousin Brucie an e-mail asking him to announce it.  Right now I am listening to the Cuz.  I am sure that he will do it during his 4 hour show.
  • When I report the list of the radio stations that I listen, it is usually on a weekend, but here is my staycation list:
  • WFUV - Corny O'Connell
  • WAXQ - Jim Kerr
  • WMTR
  • WBGO - Gary Walker
  • Sirius 50s on 5
  • Tom Petty's Buried Treasure Show
  • True Oldies Channel - WPLJ-HD2
  • WWFS-HD2 - Smooth Jazz
  • WCBS-Fm - Dan Taylor
  • 1640 WJPR - Al Gordon
  • Sirius XM 60s on 6 Cousin Brucie
  • Pop Gold Radio


Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Julia Collins - Jeopardy Superstar

Julia won Game 11 yesterday thus tieing Arthur Chu with 11 victories.  She has won more Jeopardy games than any other female contestant. I think her winnings now are about $231,000.  Her next milestone will be 19 victories by Dave Madden.  She uses a more traditional approach to the game by moving down the categories and betting conservatively on Daily Doubles.  Most of her victories have been decisive, but it yesterday's game she still won after missing the Final Jeopardy question.

I wish Julia well in her future appearances on the show.  It is certain that she will appear in the next Tournament of Champions.  Perhaps sometime in the future there will be another specialized tournament where she can face Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter.

Monday, May 19, 2014

New Set of Bose Computer Speakers


I have been thinking about upgrading my computer speakers as I listen to more music on my computer than I do on the radio.  I went to Best Buy and bought Bose Companion 2 Series III Multimedia Speakers.  The sound quality is superb.  While I was at Best Buy I bought in an old computer monitor to be recycled.  I just didn't want to throw it in the trash as electronic waste causes problems.

I have owned a Bose Table Radio since 1997.  The sound quality is excellent so it is advantageous to pay a more for better quality.

Since I bought these speakers, I think I'll wait a little longer for a new laptop.  My current computer still runs reasonably well after 5 years with the Windows Vista operating system.

Music Director for Pop Gold Radio for 30 minutes

Don Tandler seen above with yours truly is the proprietor of Pop Gold Radio which is one of the best oldies stations on the internet.  It is a little sad that terrestrial stations like WCBS-FM are not playing hits from the early era of rock n' roll.  Also their playlist is very limited.

It must be quite expensive to run an internet radio station as Don must incur costs for computer equipment, bandwith, and the music licensing fees.  Don often asks his listeners for donations to help him with these expenses.  It is my pleasure to give him a small donation a few times a year to assist him financially.  In return Don allows his donors to program the station for 1/2 hour.  This is what I picked that was heard on the station from 8:00 - 8:30 this morning.  There was "no method to my madness in picking these records:


  • Sylvia’s Mother - Dr. Hook 
  • Sweet Georgia Brown - Beatles with Tony Sheridan
  • Just Like a Woman - Bob Dylan
  • Tell Me - Rolling Stone
  • My Back Pages - Byrds
  • Mrs. Robinson - Simon and Garfunkel
  • One Man Band - 3 Dog Night
  • Do the Freddy - Freddy and the Dreamers
  • Sweets for my Sweet - Drifters
  • A Boy Named Sue - Johnny Cash



Sunday, May 18, 2014

Staycation Week



It's that time of the year that I take a week's vacation and just stay at home and relax.  The spring semester has just ended at NJIT and summer classes will not start until Tuesday May 27.  I really don't have much planned.  Today I am meeting some friends for lunch in midtown Manhattan.  We are going to Citifield on Saturday and Memorial Day.

I am thinking of taking my very old desktop computer and monitor to Best Buy to be recycled.  It may be a little nuisance to have to schlep it there, but I just don't want to through it in the trash.  Electronic waste should be disposed properly.

Friday, May 16, 2014

Yankees 1 Mets 0 in Subway Series Finale

For many years we have gone to one subway series game at Citifeld.  This year the 4 games were scheduled during the week so I had to come after work to meet Karen and Lee at the ball park.  The Met bats wnt to sleep as they could only get three hits off Yankee pitching.

It was a matchup between Chase Whitley and Jacob deGroom, two rookie pitchers.  They both pitched very well as deGroom got the first hit of the season for a Met pitcher.  The Yankees scored the only run on a double by Alfonso Soriano.  Dellin Betances excelled in relief by striking out 6 in 2 1/3 innings.

Game recap

Congratulations to Brad Rutter

No human being can defeat this man on Jeopardy.  Congratulations Brad for winning the Battle of the Decades on Jeopardy.  Roger Craig made two very bold wagers on daily doubles and lost a lot of money. Hats off to Ken, Roger, and Brad for an excellent final match There is never a dull moment on Jeopardy as on Monday Julia Collins returns going for victory #11.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Roger Craig is Not Watson the IBM Computer

The finals of the Jeopardy Battle of the Decades is set with Roger Craig facing off against Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter.  A few years ago Brad and Ken lost to Watson the IBM computer, but for the next two days they will face Roger Craig (not the former Met who lost 24 games in 1962).  Anyway Brad has never lost to a human player, while Ken won 74 game in a row.  All 3 are excellent players.  I think the luck factor will be who get the Daily Doubles, how they bet, and if they get it right.

I will have to record Thursday game since I will be at Citifield watching the Subway Series.  Good luck to all.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

New Bob Dylan CD to Be Released Later This Year

I was pleasantly surprised today when I saw the Rolling Stone Magazine update saying that Bob Dylan will release a new album later in the year called Shadows in the Night.  No release date was announced, but on the offical Bob Dylan website one song from the CD was previewed.  It was a cover of a Frank Sinatra song called Full Moon and Empty Arms.  Could it be that the new CD will be cover versions of adult standards?  Dylan has been very unpredictable in the past, so who knows.  We will just have to wait.

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Mother's Day 2014

I picked up my mother at the Amber Court in Westbury and brought her over to Joyce's house in Dix Hills.  Joyce brought out some family photos back from "Year One".  Lee got to see what I looked like when I was a little boy.  There was actually a group photo of Mom with some friends in the 1940s that was actually signed by Frank Sinatra.  If that signature could be authenicated it may have some monetary value.  Casey the dog was a pest as usual, but he didn't get any handouts.  Let's hope there will more Mothers Days together as Mom is 94.  Where did all those years go?

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Will Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter face off in the Finals of the Jeopardy Battle of the Decades?

So far Jeopardy has completed 4 out of the first 5 first round games of this big tournament.  Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter seen above have won their games decisively.  Brad Rutter has won over $3million on the show and has never lost to a human contestant.  He did lose to Watson the IBM computer.  When Brad was a contestant in the 1990s a contestant had to "retire" after 5 victories.  Ken Jennings won 74 games in a row after the rule was changed.  I am hoping that these 2 champions will make it to the finals.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Random Thoughts of the Day

It is tough this time of year to juggle viewing New York sporting events on TV:

  • Mets
  • Yankees
  • Brooklyn Nets playoffs - starting a series with the Miami Heat
  • Rangers playoffs - Now down 2-1 to Pittsburgh
I am mulling whether or not to buy a set of Bose computer speakers for about $100.  I have a bluetooth speaker, but the sound is a little tinny.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Tonights 60 Minutes Segment on 90+ Year Olds Gave An Inaccurate View


Since my mother is 94 years old I was looking forward to tonight’s story on the “oldest old” describing people in their 90s.  The people in this segment were all in excellent health for their age and were interviewed about events that they could remember from decades ago, yet they had problems with their short term memories.  Lesley Stahl even interviewed a couple in their 90s who were dating.  The topic of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia were considered.

I was very disappointed that the issues of assisted living facilities and nursing homes were not discussed in this segment.  I did not see anyone in walkers or wheel chairs.  The topic of cost of elder care and legal issues involved were not part of this story.

Thus, I feel that this story did not show an accurate picture of typical “oldest old.”

Should I Buy a New Laptop?

I bought my Gateway laptop in May 2009 which is already 5 years ago.  Things in the computing world change very rapidly.  Would you believe that I am still using the Windows Vista operating system?  I had the option of upgrading to Windows7, but I decided not too.  My current computer does run slowly when I first boot it up, but then comes up to speed.  At times it does freeze up.

Certainly the new computers with Windows 8.1 are faster and have more capabilities.  I often fall into the trap "if it's not broken, don't fix it."  I'd have to incur a cost when purchasing a new computer, and there are so many models on the market, that I just don't now which one to get.

Friday, May 2, 2014

Nashville Vacation This Year

In 2004 the family went to Nashville and saw such attractions including the Ryman Auditorium, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Grand Olde Opry. About a year ago the Johnny Cash Museum opened and my son NYC's biggest fan absolutely wanted to go.  So yesterday we made arrangements to go this summer.  Check back in a few months for a detailed report.



 
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