Happy Birthday, Lee (It is actually tomorrow)

 

Picture of Lee at the November 2022 Oldies Meet and Greet

I have to make this journal entry today since I will be very busy tomorrow.  It is hard to believe that he will be 35 years old.  It seems like just yesterday that we brought him home from the hospital.  He looks a little sad in the photo, but he is happiest when he plays Elvis Presley's music on his iPad.

Random Oldie of the Day - Ventura Highway by America

 

I just heard this song on the syndicated show The Acoustic Storm that I heard on Pirate Radio from Key West, Florida.  I vaguely remember seeing America at the Westbury Music Fair in the mid-1980s.

It is 7:31 and It's Time To Turn Off The Today Show - Creating the News Again About the Murdaughs

 

I thought that after Alex Murdaugh was convicted and sentenced, I would not hear about that family again.  Now his son, Buster, is suspected of the death of his classmate Stephen Smith in 2015.  This was a cold case that is suddenly being reopened.  There are likely hundreds of murder cases that have not been solved.  Why is this getting so much attention from the media?  Since Alex is a murderer, why is his son also suspected as a murderer?  I usually watch The Today Show in the morning, but every day at 7:31 it is Murdaugh time when I turn off the TV.

Remembering May 8, 1970, and Willis Reed

 

Today, we learned that New York Knick legend Willis Reed passed away at age 80.  Please check Basketball-Reference  to see the statistics he compiled during his Hall of Fame career for the New York Knicks.

The highlight of his career had to be winning the NBA championship on May 8, 1970, at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers were tied at 3-3, but it was uncertain if Willis would be able to play with a muscle tear in his right thigh.

The Knicks ott an emotional rush when their captain hobbled onto the floor against the Lakers, hit two jump shots, and boosted his teammates’ confidence and performance for their first NBA championship.

RIP Willis and thanks for the memories.

Why Don't You Write Me by Simon and Garfunkel - Classic Album Cut of the Day

 

This cut appeared on the Bridge over Troubled Waters album in 1970.  Many fans thought this was in reference to the split between Simon and Garfunkel.  Art Garfunkel was on an extended vacation in Mexico.  Back in those days, you had to write a letter and use postal mail to send it.

I wish some of my old acquaintances would send me an email, text message, or Facebook message and ask me how I am doing.  A click on Facebook or Twitter is not enough.

More Unhappiness about a Discussion Group

 I previously reported on my unhappiness with a discussion group at a local senior center.  I asked the people there if they can start a group for men only.  They accepted my suggestion and started a group that meets on Friday mornings.  The same problems that I faced with two other groups exist in this men's group.

• A few people domineer the group
• I am just listening to other people's small talk.

Last Friday a gentleman complained that his hearing aid didn't work after his barber accidentally sprayed water into his ear.

Another man related a story where his girlfriend who worked in a nail salon was not paid.

I think the social worker who moderates the group should:

• Ensure that everyone who wants to talk should have the opportunity.
• The topic at hand should be of interest to the majority of participants.

I think that complaining will not do any good.  I just have to evaluate whether I should come again.  If I am not enjoying myself, I am only punishing myself for coming.

Remembering Richard Sweeney and His Green Jacket on St. Patrick's Day

Richard Sweeney was University Librarian at NJIT from 1995 until his untimely passing in 2016. Every St. Patrick's Day, he wore a green jacket as seen below.

One of his code names was Mr. Spreadsheet as he must have thousands of them over the years.  I wonder if he colored his spreadsheets green every March 17th. My favorite quote from Richard Sweeney was "Is there anything else for the good of the order".

 

Obvious Oldie of the Day - Vehicle by Ides of March

 

The Ides of March is a one-hit wonder as this reached #2 on the Billboard Chart in Spring 1970.  The group did have a handful of other minor hits according to Billboard, but none broke into the Top 40.  Pflash Phelps mentioned it on this 60s Gold morning show, but he couldn't play it since it was a 70s hit.

Bob Dylan Advertising Signs 2004-2014

 

I found this video on Twitter, but the Tweeter obtained it from the Peter Stone Brown archives.  It is a compilation of TV ads that Dylan did during that time frame.  The original soundtrack was replaced by Dylan's I've Made Up My Mind to Give Myself to You from the 2020 CD Rough and Rowdy Ways.  Does this meant that Dylan is giving himself to the advertisers?

Happy 84th Birthday to Neil Sedaka

 

In this clip, Neil Sedaka is introduced on American Bandstand by Dick Clark as he sings Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen.  Today, Neil is Sweet 84.  He should really be inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

This Cartoon Hits Close to Home

 

I thank Maureen M. who is an enthusiast of Cousin Brucie for posting this on her Facebook page.  I have expressed my frustration in staying connected with former colleagues whom I've known for up to 25 years.  A few weeks ago, a group of us from various departments met at a Zoom meeting to discuss forming a Google Group to stay connected.  One of my former library colleagues attended this meeting. I suggested to her online and in an email that we chat online or over the phone to catch up.  She ignored me.  Look at the cartoon.

Thoughts on Ending Friendships

 

An article on the Today Show website prompted me to write this journal entry as I recall how some friendships ended over the years.  Some were abrupt while others were gradual.

The silliest reason came in 2009 when DD who lives near Chicago ended our friendship over a difference of opinion over a radio show and its host.  He wasn't a real friend since I never met him as we exchanged phone calls and emails over a few years.

I was a good friend of AA from 1970-74.  I was even best man at his wedding in 1973.  After that point, he looked down upon me since I was still single and not even dating anyone.  In late 1974 during a phone call he said, "duh when you get a girl, I'll be sure to come down there."  We never saw each other after that time.

I was a good friend of JB from 1975-78.  During the summer of 1978, he trashed me over the phone saying that I was turning into a deadbeat because I was unemployed.  I was living in CT, while he was living in NJ.  In a letter to him, I defended myself by saying that I was trying very hard to find a new job.  He sent a "Dear John" letter to me saying that the good chemistry between us was no longer there and we should "move on" from each other.  I was very upset as he kicked me when I was down. 

In most cases, friendships end gradually as paths diverge as seen in the picture above.  People are friends when they are in school together or at the same job.  When one leaves, the friendship usually ends eventually.  Sometime people reconnect via social media, but it is just not the same.

For International Women's Day - I am Woman by Helen Reddy

 

Sadly, Helen Reddy died passed away in September 2020 at the age of 78.

Welcome Back Ruschell Boone to Spectrum News NY1

 

Ruschell Boone is an anchor/reporter for over 20 years for NY1 that is available to Spectrum Cable TV providers in New York City.  Last June she developed pancreatic cancer.  Since then, the station documented her treatment.  After nine months she will be returning to the anchor desk at 12 noon today.  She really beat the odds since there is a very low survival rate for pancreatic cancer.  Sadly, I lost my father and uncle to pancreatic cancer in the 1990s.

Here are a few videos of interest:

Cheryl Wills Interviews Ruschell

A promotional video welcoming her back

Random Thoughts of the Day

Now that the Murdaugh trial and the sentencing are over, what story will the media blow out of proportion to get everybody's attention?

Finally, the media or at least one outlet is reporting some good news.  NY1 anchor Ruschell Boone is returning to the airwaves after a successful 9-month fight against pancreatic cancer.  Back in the 1990s I lost my dad and uncle to this dreaded disease.

I am looking forward to my baseball trip to Florida at the end of March to see the Mets on the road in Miami.  This will be our fifth trip with the Jay Buckley Baseball Tour.

There will be another Bob Dylan conference later this spring in Tulsa.  This time I will take a pass on it.  I guess I should take it easy on Dylan for a while.

 

Does the Media Report the News or Create It?

 

There were two stories that are dominating the news these days:

1. State of South Carolina v. Richard Alexander Murdaugh is an ongoing American criminal case in the fourteenth circuit of the South Carolina Circuit Court in which Murdaugh is accused of the murders of his wife and their 22-year-old son in June 2021.

Every day since the trial began this story has dominated the news.  There are likely hundreds of murder trials ongoing in the United States today.  Why does this story get so much media attention?  Richard Murdoch is not a celebrity or an elected official.  Whenever this story comes on the TV news, I turn off the TV.

        2, The British Royal Family.  I can understand them making news in the U.K., but why should the American public be concerned about the entire family?  The big story today is that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been asked to leave Frogmore Cottage, their home in the UK.  Who cares?  How does this affect the American public?  King Charles III who is the most important Royal gets little attention from the press.