Monday, December 4, 2023
This Article Frightens Me About What Could Happen if American Voters Don't Come to their Senses
Saturday, December 2, 2023
2023 Queens Baseball Convention - a New York Mets Fanfest
- State of the Mets with a discussion of the disappointing 2023 season followed by speculation on which free agents the Mets will acquire this offseason. This was pretty much the same as I have read on the various sports websites. The consensus was that the Mets have a good chance of obtaining Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. They feel that Steve Cohen will open his wallet for him
- Interview of relief pitcher Billy Wagner by NY1 reporter Roger Clark. Billy pitched for the Mets from 2006-9 and is being considered for election to the Hall of Fame
- SNY Baseball Night in New York. Several of the hosts, including Sal Licata speculated on the 2024 Mets season.
- Cliff Floyd who played for the Mets from 2003-2006 was interviewed by John Saponaro. Much of the discussion covered the 2006 season when the Mets won the NL East, but lost the NLCS to the St. Louis Cardinals.
- Mrs. Joan Payson, the original owner of the Mets, was presented with the Gil Hodges Award. Her great-grandson accepted the award on her behalf.
- Conner Rodgers and Joe DeMayo hosts of SNY's signature podcast Mets Pod continued the discussion of the state of the Mets.
- Former Mets manager Terry Collins was interviewed by WFAN host Lori Rubinson. He discussed some of the decisions he made during his managerial career.
Friday, December 1, 2023
Random Thoughts of the Day December 1, 2023
Thursday, November 30, 2023
Finally. Someone Else is Bashing the Electoral College - Gail Collins
"Nothing is going to happen to fix the Electoral College. Can you imagine trying to get a change in the Constitution that enormous? It was a long haul just to pass an amendment to prohibit members of Congress from raising their own pay between elections."
It would take a vote of 2/3 in the House and Senate followed by approval by 3/4 of the state legislators to pass a constitutional amendment abolishing the Electoral College.
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Book Review: Jack Ruby: The Many Faces of Oswald's Assassin by Danny Fingeroth
Over the past 60 years there have been countless
books, articles, and conspiracy theories about the Kennedy assassination. Interest in this tragic event has likely
piqued on its 60th anniversary although most people today were not
yet born in 1963. Danny Fingeroth, known
as a cultural critic, comics writer, editor, educator and commentator, just
wrote a detailed biography of Jack Ruby, the killer of Kennedy assassin Lee
Harvey Oswald. He is noted as the
biographer of Stan Lee best known for his work with Marvel Comics. Danny was ten years old at the time of the
murder of Oswald and, like millions of others, viewed it on live TV.
He interviewed some of Ruby’s nieces and nephews and
Rabbi Hillel Silverman who knew him quite well. Many of the books written about
the assassination and its aftermath were consulted. It took Danny about ten years to research and
write the book. He describes Ruby’s
early years in Chicago, his relationship with his family and Rabbi Silverman,
and his business ventures before the historic events in Dallas. Danny details
the actions of Ruby in the two days after the assassination, his murder of
Oswald, his trial, and the events after the trial. He succeeded in refreshing my memory of those
events. Ruby’s lawyers tried to use the
insanity defense to acquit Ruby, but he was convicted and sentenced to
death. There was a successful appeal
with a new trial at a location outside of Dallas. Ruby died in January 1967 before a second
trial could be held.
There are still many unanswered questions about the
Kennedy assassination, but nobody has definitively proven a conspiracy. The uniqueness of this book is the comprehensive
study of Ruby’s life. Danny is to be
commended for a fine book. Younger
people should read the book to learn about the tragic events that changed
history.
I became acquainted with Danny Fingeroth through a Bob
Dylan video chat group that meets monthly.
There are a few Dylan references in the book including his recent song
Murder Most Foul.
Monday, November 27, 2023
How I Would Change the Government
- Abolish the electoral college and the presidential election be decided by popular vote
- The term for the House of Representatives be expanded to four years with the election held in even-numbered years when there is no presidential election.
- Limit Senators to two six-year terms and Representatives to three four-year terms.
- All Supreme Court justices can be appointed to one ten-year term that may not be renewed.
- There should be term limits for the Governor, State Senate, State Assembly, Attorney General, and Comptroller.
- Abolish the office of Public Advocate. I need to see what the person in this position accomplishes. Most previous incumbents have used this as a stepping stone to a higher office.
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Sunday Afternoon at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)
Friday, November 24, 2023
Tangled Up in Blue is Lee's Favorite Dylan Song
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Murder Most Foul with Video by Bob Mori
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Six Versions of Bob Dylan's Maggie's Farm
1. Original studio version from Bringing it All Back Home 1965
Sunday, November 19, 2023
Book Review: Baseball From 3,000 Miles Away by Gary Mintz
In May 2016, I wrote a journal article about Lou Mintz, the Chief of Stack Maintenance and Delivery at the New York Public
Library where I worked from 1983-90. Lou had the extraordinary responsibility ofensuring that millions of books and periodicals were shelved properly and could
be retrieved and delivered to library patrons promptly. In the seven
years that I had known Lou, I don’t remember discussing baseball or his
family. Lou came to my farewell
party. His son Gary discovered this
article and contacted me. I decided to
go to a meeting of the New York Giants Preservation Society (NYGPS) to meet
him. In January 2017 I went to a meeting at Bergino’s and met Gary. Over the
years I went to a few of the in-person meetings at Bergino’s and Finnerty’s. I attended a few Zoom meetings
during and after the COVID-19 outbreak.
If I couldn’t attend the live meeting, I would often view the recordings on YouTube.
When Gary announced his self-published book “Baseball
from 3,000 Miles Away”, I knew I had to read it. Thanks to Amazon.com I was able to get it
shortly after publication. Gary was born
a few years after the New York Giants moved to San Francisco. His father was a big New York Giants fan and
kept his devotion after the team moved to the West Coast. Gary became a fan of the Giants out of his
love and admiration for his dad. I
didn’t realize Gary’s devotion to the Giants until I read his book.
He talked about his first Giants game at Shea Stadium
in 1969 and his trips to Philadelphia and San Francisco to see the Giants play
among many other topics. He discussed
his difficulties in following the Giants caused by the time zone differences
and limitations of radio and television during the first few decades of his
faithfulness to the Giants. Following
his team became easier in this era of the Internet and Cable TV. Readers will also find out about Gary’s
career as a teacher.
Gary was absolutely thrilled in 2010, 2012, and 2014
when the Giants won the World Series. He certainly experienced many losses and
disappointments over the years all followed the team. He thinks about his late dad every day. He
has always been devoted to his family.
I don’t want to give away too much in this review
since I hope all the members of the NYGPS purchase the book. Other fans of the Giants and baseball
historians will also enjoy the book.
Friday, November 17, 2023
I Admire these People who are Bigger Dylan Enthusiasts than I Am
I am obviously a big fan of Bob Dylan, but I have
encountered people who are even bigger devotees of the man from Hibbing, Minnesota. I will list some here that don’t include
scholars such as Greil Marcus and Clinton Heylin. I apologize if I omitted anyone.
Laura Tenschert – among others, she made a trip from
England to the United States to see Dylan three times in New York City. She has a podcast called Definitely Dylan and
brings a feminist perspective to the analyses of Dylan’s works. I had the pleasure of meeting her at the
World of Dylan Conference in Tulsa in 2019.
Rebecca Slaman – she is a young Dylan fan whom I sense
has become a protégé of Laura. She has
become a Dylanolgist in a short period and has presented at conferences in
Miami and Tulsa. She was interviewed on
many podcasts about Dylan.
Erin Callahan – I had the pleasure of meeting her at
the 2019 Tulsa conference. She is a Professor of English at San Jacinto College. She edited a very recent book titled ThePolitics and Power of Bob Dylan’s Live Performances. She has appeared on several Dylan podcasts.
Danny Fingeroth – he has appeared at several of my
Dylan online chats, but I still have not met him in person. He is best known as a comic book writer and
editor. He also spoke at the 2023 Dylan
Tulsa conference. He made a trip to
Hibbing, Minnesota. He wrote a biographyof Jack Ruby that will be published shortly.
Harold Lepidus – his LinkedIn entry describes him as a
music archivist, historian, retail buyer, journalist, columnist, foreign
correspondent and web designer. He is
the author of Friends and Other Strangers: Bob Dylan Examined. He also hosts the Boston Harald podcast. He also offers short courses on Dylan.
Anne Margaret Daniel – is a writer and editor at The
New School and Bard College. She teaches
a course on Bob Dylan.
Henry Bernstein – I met him by accident at the Bob
Dylan Center in Tulsa in July 2022. He
was wearing a t-shirt This is What a Bob Dylan Fan Looks Like that was offered
by Laura Tenschert. He made a special trip
from Chicago to Tulsa to see the center.
He also traveled from Tulsa to NYC to see Dylan in concert. He is also a big fan of the Chicago White
Sox.
Ray Padgett – is the author of Pledging My Time: Conversations with Band Members.
Michael from Austria uses the Twitter handle False_Prophet44. I enjoy his Tweets. I guess I should call them Xs.
I sincerely apologize for anyone I have omitted who is
a more devoted Dylan fan than me. There is
only so much time in a day to write journal entries.
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Bob Dylan at Kings Theater in Brooklyn
Brooklyn, New York Kings Theatre November 14, 2023 |
1. | Watching The River Flow (Bob on baby grand piano) |
2. | Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I'll Go Mine) (Bob on baby grand piano) |
3. | I Contain Multitudes (Bob on baby grand piano) |
4. | False Prophet (Bob on baby grand piano) |
5. | When I Paint My Masterpiece (Bob on baby grand piano) |
6. | Black Rider (Bob on baby grand piano) |
7. | My Own Version of You (Bob on baby grand piano) |
8. | I'll Be Your Baby Tonight (Bob on baby grand piano) |
9. | Crossing The Rubicon (Bob on baby grand piano) |
10. | To Be Alone With You (Bob on baby grand piano) |
11. | Key West (Philosopher Pirate) (Bob on baby grand piano) |
12. | Gotta Serve Somebody (Bob on baby grand piano) |
13. | I've Made Up My Mind To Give Myself To You (Bob on baby grand piano) |
14. | That Old Black Magic (Bob on baby grand piano) |
15. | Mother of Muses (Bob on baby grand piano) |
-- | Band introductions |
16 | Goodbye Jimmy Reed (Bob on baby grand piano) |
17. | Every Grain of Sand (Bob on baby grand piano) |
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
I Recall Seeing Bob Dylan in Brooklyn Twice
Tonight's the big night as I am going to see Bob Dylan at the King's Theater in Brooklyn. There will certainly be a journal entry tomorrow.
There were two other times I saw Dylan in Brooklyn
November 2012 at Barclay's Center
Sunday, November 12, 2023
Knicks 129 Charlotte Hornets 107 at Madison Square Garden
Saturday, November 11, 2023
Danny Fingeroth - Facebook Friend of the Day
Thursday, November 9, 2023
More Random Thoughts - November 9, 2023
- I am still debating whether I should upgrade to an iPhone 15. My iPhone 8 is running just fine. The only difference is the more sophisticated camera in the newer model. They are certainly advertising it like crazy.
- Likewise. My laptop is still running on Windows 10. The general advice I received is not to upgrade to Windows 11 until it is absolutely necessary to do so. I understand that Microsoft will support Windows 10 until October 2025. Likely, by then I'll need a new computer.
- I watched The Last Waltz on DVD again yesterday. Garth Hudson is the only living member of The Band.
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Random Thoughts of the Day - November 7, 2023
Sunday, November 5, 2023
Mazel Tov to Al Kooper on His Induction into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame
- Late 1983 at the Bottom Line with Cousin Bruce as the host
- 2012 at his 66th birthday celebration at BB Kings.
- Al Kooper.com
- Rock Hall Induction Page for Al
- KooperKast - Al's Podcast
Saturday, November 4, 2023
The Gateway Project is Finally Moving Forward
Thursday, November 2, 2023
I Have Lost Confidence in Our Government
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Is Handy Dandy an Autobiographical Sketch of Bob Dylan?
I am currently reading Mixing Up the Medicine as I approach a contribution by Larry "Ratso" Sloman about Handy Dandy which he believes is an auto-biographical sketch of Dylan. Listen to the song and read the lyrics and you can decide.
Monday, October 30, 2023
Dance Me to the End of Love - Bob Dylan Covers Leonard Cohen
Bob Dylan Busy Being Born - A Documentary done in 2020
Saturday, October 28, 2023
My Favorite Local Restaurants on Saturday or Sunday Nights
- Uncle Bill's Diner - It is within walking distance of our home. The decor is non-descript, but the food is good and reasonably priced.
- Ginos of Whitestone - It is also within walking distance. Sometimes we go just for pizza, but they offer a full menu of Italian food
- Bens of Bayside - It is the only kosher deli left in Queens.
- Applebees - the one in the Bay Terrace Mall closed so we have to drive a little further to Fresh Meadows.
- Outback Steak House - since I have steak at home, I usually order roast beef here.
- IHOP - there is one at 156th Street and Northern Blvd. Lately, we go to the one at the Bay Terrace Mall since it is larger. I just love their chocolate chip pancakes. Their dinner menu is limited.
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Mixing Up the Medicine is the Ultimate Bob Dylan Book
In February 2021 in this journal, I commented on how many Bob Dylan books are enough? In the 2 1/2 years since then, there have been several books about Dylan published. This week Mixing Up the Medicine described as the most comprehensive book published about Dylan's works was published. The title was taken from Subterranean Homesick Blues released in 1965 on the album Bringing it All Back Home.
The book is unique since it unlocks treasures from the Archive of the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It includes over 1,100 images curated from still and moving images held in the Archive. There are thirty original essays written by distinguished scholars.
I just started reading the book last night, so I can not critique it. Ironically, I was listening to a podcast on Definitely Dylan about the book late yesterday afternoon when I received my delivery from Amazon. Dylan scholar Laura Tenschert was interviewing Mark Davidson and Parker Fishel who wrote and edited the book.
As the book is 600 pages, it will likely take me a long time to finish it. It is now 1:30 PM and the outside temperature is 73 degrees which is quite warm for NYC in late October. I will finish this journal entry, close my computer and schlep the book downstairs to a convenient park bench.
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Random Thoughts of the Day
Monday, October 23, 2023
Here Comes the Judge - Versions by Shorty Long and Pigmeat Markham
Two Silly Songs with the same title that are different.
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Friday, October 20, 2023
I Want You by Bob Dylan - 1978 Live at Budokan; 1966 from Blonde on Blonde
Bob Dylan appeared at Budokan in Japan in 1978. There was an album released at that time with selections from that concert. Next month The Complete Budokan 1978 will be released via Columbia Records and Legacy Recordings. The album features restored, remixed, and remastered recordings from the Tokyo concerts. Yesterday a video of I Want You was released. Let's compare it to the original studio recording from Blonde on Blonde.
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Today's Visit to the Center for Jewish History
The Center for Jewish History describes itself as the largest and most comprehensive archive of the modern Jewish experience outside of Israel. This was the first time I visited their facility at 15 West 16th Street in Manhattan. It is more scholarly than the Jewish Museum which I have visited several times. I came specifically to see the exhibit JEWCE.
Monday, October 16, 2023
Oldie of the Day - What Becomes of the Brokenhearted by Jimmy Ruffin
Sunday, October 15, 2023
18th Anniversary of Bruce's Journal Today
- 268 entries per year
- 22 entries per month
- 5 entries per week
- New York Mets
- Other Baseball
- Bob Dylan
- Oldies Music
- Radio
- Random Thoughts
- Jeopardy
- Biography
Friday, October 13, 2023
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Joan Baez I am a Noise
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
The Oldies Meeting and Greet will Transition to a Zoom Meeting
Sunday, October 8, 2023
Thank You Tom Natoli for Your Wonderful Tribute to Bob Shannon
The recordings may be found at: