The Bill Nowlin Bob Dylan Connection

 

I became acquainted with Bill Nowlin when I joined the Society of American Baseball Research (SABR) about eight years ago.  I have fact-checked many of his contributions to the Games Project.  He must be SABR's most prolific writer with over 1000 publications with most of them concerning the Boston Red Sox and their players. Bill has written biographies of even the most obscure players for the Red Sox.  Some are in the SABR Bio project while others are complete books.

Bill was also one of the founders of Rounder Records.  I have a journal entry reviewing Vinyl Ventures My Fifty Years at Rounder Records.

He has just published a new book Bitten By the Red Sox Bug a Fan's Lifelong Passion.  I just started to read it today,  While I had to read up to page 958 in Barbra Streisand's to find a connection to Bob Dylan, but I only had to read to page 48 to find a Bob Dylan connection in Bill's book.  In 1963 he saw Bob Dylan at Cafe Yana next door to Fenway Park.  I used my expert research skills to find documentation of this concert.  There is also a reference to this concert in the April 19, 2023 edition of the Boston Globe that can be accessed through Newspapers.com.

It is a shame that Bill didn't sign Mr. Dillon to Rounder Records.

A Complete Unknown - a Bob Dylan Biopic will be Released in December

 

A Complete Unknown is an upcoming American biographical drama film directed by James Mangold and written by Mangold and Jay Cocks, based on the 2015 book Dylan Goes Electric! by Elijah Wald.  Timothy Chalomet plays the young Dylan during the controversy when he gave up acoustic folk music.

The trailer was just released.  Since my local multiplex recently closed, I must travel somewhere to see the film.

If I Were a Carpenter - Versions by the Four Tops and Bobby Darin

 

A few days ago we discovered that Duke Fakir, the Four Tops' last surviving member, passed away at age 88.  This cover of a Tim Hardin song hit #20 on the Billboard Chart in 1968.  Bobby Darin had the bigger hit reaching #8 on Billboard in 1966.

An Atlas of Es Devlin at the Cooper-Hewett Museum

 

Instead of watching a ball game on TV, we decided to go to a museum on a Sunday afternoon.  Our last museum trip was last November at MOMA .  Our last visit to Cooper Hewitt was in August 2021.

The entire third floor was devoted to "An Atlas of Es Devlin,  an English artist and stage designer who works in a range of media, often mapping light and projected film onto kinetic sculptural forms. She has received several accolades including a Tony Award and two Olivier Awards. 

While I was in the museum I looked at my phone and found out about Biden's dropping of the race for President.

Both the Mets and Yankees lost this afternoon so we picked the right Sunday to go to a museum

There is a Barbra Streisand - Bob Dylan Connection

 

I finally finished the 966-page memoir of Barbra Streisand.  It was an excellent book, but I think she could have cut it down.  There was no mention of Bob Dylan until page 958 seen below.

You may have to download the JPG and enlarge it to read it.  In the 1970s Dylan sent her flowers and a note asking her to sing with him. It never happened but  I don't think that would have worked out since their voices would have clashed.  In 1983 when the film Yentl was released Dylan sent Barbra a letter saying there are songs on that album (I assume Infidels) that he thought she would like to do,  Which one? Jokerman? License to Kill? Union Sundown?  In any event, it never happened.

In 2020 a transcript of an unpublished interview from 1971 Dylan said "Lay Lady, Lay" was written for Barbra Streisand.

Thoughts on Writing 5000 Posts for Bruce's Journal

It is hard to believe that I have reached 5000 journal entries since I started writing on October 15, 2005.  I made one entry and kept going.  I guess I express myself better in writing than I do verbally.  Back then AOL supported blogs, but later on I transitioned the journal to Blogger a service of Google, and got the domain bruceslutsky.com .  The entries range from the ridiculous to the sublime.  I don’t know the real number of how many people have read an entry.  The stats provided by Blogger indicate there were about 1,700,000 hits, but most of those must have come from robots.  The statistics also state that many hits are from China where I am a complete unknown.

I have written on topics including (in no particular order):

• ·        New York Mets
• ·        Baseball
• ·        Bob Dylan
• ·        Other Music – very often I post a song from YouTube.  Many of those videos have been deleted. I should try to replace them.
• ·        Jeopardy
• ·        Random Thoughts of the Day

According to Blogger, my most popular entries were

·        TGIF

• ·        The Tale of the Two-Dollar Bill
• ·        Jeopardy and the Two-Dollar Bill
• ·        Congratulations to the Beach Boys on their 50^th Anniversary
• ·        Jason Keller – Jeopardy Superstar
• ·        Mumbles was my Favorite Dick Tracy Villain

Those are certainly not my most distinguished posts.

My best posts IMHO were these two that were very personal

Remembering Alan Berman

Bruce and Karen (October 16, 1983 - February 16, 2021) Remembering the Good Times - Her Memory is a Blessing

Many posts were autobiographical.  The best way to find those is to go to the search box in the upper left corner and search for:

• ·        Rego Park
• ·        Forest Hills
• ·        City College
• ·        Rhode Island
• ·        New Brunswick

 

Readers can post comments on Blogger, but most of the comments I receive are on Facebook.

I got into “trouble” once when a pompous professor objected to something I wrote about.  This actually made it to the New York Times.  I challenge my readers to find the article.  Since that time I have been more careful about what I write.  I often use initials instead of a full name since people can Google themselves.

I wonder how much time I have spent over the years writing journal entries.  I don’t have to be concerned with editors or fact-checkers.

Thanks for reading.

 

Reading Barbara Streisand's 966 Page Memoir

 

I regularly peruse the stacks of my small public library and usually don't find books of interest.  I looked at Barbra Streisand's big memoir and was reluctant to take it out, but eventually, I did.  It was very heavy and difficult to schlep.

As of this writing, I have 100 pages to go.  I can't remember reading a book so large.  She had a phenomenal career as a singer, actress, director, and producer.  Over the years she kept a journal and used her notes to write the memoir.  She said that she viewed some of her films again while writing the book which must have taken years to do.  It was very detailed.  I should finish it in a few days.

Random Thoughts of the Day -July 17, 2024

 

• I just read that NJ Transit is predicting more heat-related delays for the next 2-3 days.  I count my blessings knowing my years of riding their trains are over.  I am not returning to Newark for a visit.
• I didn't pay much attention to the MLB All-Star game as the AL won 5-3.  I just hate those uniforms.
• There should be a flurry of trades before the deadline on July 30.  I just hate reading speculative articles in online baseball publications suggesting trades.
• I follow a few diehard baseball fans on X (formerly Twitter).  These guys attend games every day.  I was wondering what they would do during the All-Star break.  They saw the Staten Island Ferry Hawks.
• After a short hiatus Bob Dylan will continue to perform at the Outlaw Festival Tour on July 29.  This tour will conclude on September 20.  The Rough and Rowdy Ways tour will resume in Europe in October.  I am sure that some of my diehard Dylan friends will travel long distances to see him.

Remembering Dr. Ruth Westheimer

 

In the early 1980s, I listened to Dr. Ruth when she had a radio talk show on Sunday nights at 10 PM.  WYNY, primarily a music station, broke format to air her show.  She talked about contraception, physical aspects of sex, and relationship issues.  Several years ago at the Kew Gardens Cinema, I saw her biopic Ask Dr. Ruth where she described in detail how she escaped the holocaust.  Sadly, she just passed away at age 96 after a long and wonderful life.

Obituary in the New York Times

She was featured on Sunday Morning on CBS about 20 years ago

Rockies 8 Mets 5 in Last Game Before the All-Star Break

 

This was not Coors Field but the Colorado Rockies' six home runs, including three by Michael Toglia, two by Ezequiel Tovar, and one by Brenton Doyle.  Pete Alonso hit one for the Mets, but it wasn't enough.  The Mets could not take advantage of several scoring opportunities, leaving 12 men on base.  Pete will head to Texas as the Mets' lone participant in the All-Star Game and the Home Run Derby.

The Mets enter the break with a 49-46 record.  They are in contention for a wild card berth in the playoffs so they will likely be buyers at the trade deadline.  They need more reliable pitchers in the bullpen.  There will be 67 games to play in the regular season.

Box Score

Happy 82nd Birthday Roger McGuinn

 

I have followed Roger McGuinn since 1965 when Mr. Tambourne Man by the Byrds was a big hit.  He stayed with the Byrds after many personnel changes.  Eventually, he recorded as a solo artist.  I have seen him in concert several times over the years.  I last saw him in 2019 when he appeared at the World of Dylan conference in Tulsa in 2019.

Happy Birthday Roger

Mets 6 Nationals 2

 

The Mets have thrived since Julio Iglesias was recalled on May 31.  Last night he had three more hits, including a two-run single that snapped a sixth-inning tie.  Brandon Nimmo homered for a career-best third-straight game as the Mets won 6-2.  When starting pitcher Luis Severino was taken out in the seventh inning, I held my breath hoping that the bullpen would not falter.  Jake Diekman, Danny Young, and Jose Butto slammed the door on the Nationals preserving the victory.

This Wednesday night game was on my 20-game Sunday plan  I was sitting behind a group of college students who seemed disinterested in the game.  I guess it was a group outing for them.

Game Recap

Another 27 Bob Dylan CDs will Enter My Music Collection

In 1974 Bob Dylan reunited with the Band and toured the United States.  It was Dylan's first tour since the motorcycle accident in July 1966.  A boxed set will include all or part of 27 Dylan performances from the tour, spread across that many CDs. It comes out via Columbia/Legacy on Sept. 20.

Like the "Dylan nut" that I am I pre-ordered it on Amazon.  Likely, I will listen to one CD a week for about six months.  How many times must I hear Forever Young?  The cost will be about $140 including sales tax which is reasonable for 27 discs.

Announcement in Variety

 

July Marks the 60th Anniversary of A Hard Day's Night, the Beatles First Movie

 

I remember seeing the movie at the Continental Theater in Forest Hills in July 1964.  It has appeared from time to time on Turner Classic Movies.  I have it saved to my DVR.  The record above is the soundtrack album released on UA Records back then. It includes instrumentals from George Martin's film score including This Boy and And I Love Her.  I still have my copy. but it is badly scratched.

This record, now available on CD includes the vocals from the movie and other Beatles recordings from that time including Anytime at All and The Things We Said Today.

The video below compares the two releases.

Bob Radil's 60s 70s Show Has Returned

After a hiatus of almost five years, the 60s 70s show has returned on Pop Gold Radio.  Bob has a Listeners Lounge where people can make requests.  He played Subterranean Homesick Blues for me.  Below is the set list for the show on Friday, July 5.

5:59:22 PM "Do It Again" by Steely Dan

6:03:28 PM "Do It Again" by The Beach Boys

6:14:03 PM "Welcome Back" by John Sebastian

6:16:51 PM "Back Together Again" by Daryl Hall & John Oates

6:20:14 PM "Join Together" by The Who

6:24:29 PM "Back In The Saddle" by Aerosmith

6:29:10 PM "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" by Stevie Wonder

6:36:27 PM "A Day In The Life (The Last Chord)" by Beatles

6:39:51 PM "That's All Right" by Elvis Presley

6:41:48 PM "Subterranean Homesick Blues" by Bob Dylan

6:44:03 PM "Walk-Don't Run" by The Ventures

6:46:08 PM "Playground In My Mind" by Clint Holmes

6:48:53 PM "No Good To Cry" by The Wildweeds

6:53:10 PM "Back In The U.S.S.R." by Beatles

6:55:38 PM "Rock The Boat" by The Hues Corporation

7:07:42 PM "Shape Of Things To Come" by Max Frost and the Troopers

7:09:28 PM "Shapes Of Things" by The Yardbirds

7:17:28 PM "Will It Go Round In Circles" by Billy Preston

7:21:09 PM "All Day Music" by War

7:29:43 PM "How Long" by Ace

7:33:00 PM "Dirty Water" by The Standells

7:36:05 PM "Good Thing" by Paul Revere and the Raiders

7:39:09 PM "Making A Good Thing Better" by Olivia Newton-John

7:42:53 PM "Getting Better" by Beatles

7:48:15 PM "Life In The Fast Lane" by The Eagles

7:56:55 PM "A Girl Like You" by Young Rascals

7:59:47 PM "With A Girl Like You" by The Troggs

8:01:55 PM "Waiting For A Girl Like You" by Foreigner

8:06:30 PM "Love Is The Answer" by England Dan and John Ford Coley

8:11:10 PM "Out In The Country" by Three Dog Night

8:19:06 PM "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band-With A Little Help(inst)" by The Beatles

8:24:04 PM "Sgt. Pepper (vocal)" by Beatles

8:25:39 PM "With A Little Help From My Friends (vocal)(stereo)" by The Beatles

8:33:04 PM "Walk Away Renee" by The Left Tops

8:36:08 PM "Get Ready (stereo)" by Rare Temptation

8:39:25 PM "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" by Marvin Clearwater

8:50:57 PM "People Are Strange" by The Doors

8:51:45 PM "Washington Square" by The Village Stompers

8:56:24 PM "Stop!" by The Moody Blues

8:58:30 PM "Black On White" by North Atlantic Invasion Force

9:01:24 PM "When She Was My Girl" by The Four Tops

9:07:38 PM "This Little Girl" by Gary U.S. Bonds

9:11:14 PM "Come Back When You Grow Up" by Bobby Vee

9:15:15 PM "Everybody Loves Somebody" by Dean Martin

9:18:00 PM "Groovy Situation" by Gene Chandler

9:21:14 PM "Rock and Roll Heaven" by The Righteous Brothers(version 2)

9:24:27 PM "Rock And Roll Heaven" by The Righteous Brothers

9:29:46 PM "Rock And Roll Heaven" by Climax

9:34:12 PM "Cab Driver" by Mills Brothers

9:38:53 PM "Love Is Like A Rock" by Donnie Iris

9:46:20 PM "Things Will Be Better" by Byrds

9:48:31 PM "Supernatural Thing-Part I" by Ben E. King

9:51:46 PM "Garden Party" by Rick Nelson

9:57:29 PM "(Just Like) Starting Over" by John Lennon

Little Queenie - Chuck Berry and Bob Dylan at Jones Beach

 

Bob Dylan also covered Roll Over Beethoven at earlier concerts on the Never Ending Tour.  I have not found any evidence of Chuck Berry's covering a Dylan song.

Random Thoughts of the Day - July 4, 2024

•  Happy 5th birthday to my grand nephew Teddy Shapiro who lives in Walnut Creek, California.  I discovered from his mother's Instagram account they are celebrating in Maui
• I remember my old friend Mike's 4th of July birthday barbeque from 1969, 1970, and 1971.
• Another old friend of mine texted me today saying that his landline and cell phones were disconnected when he tried to contact a mutual friend (HK).  He presumed HK had passed away.  I told him it was possible that HK moved and was too cheap to keep his cell phone.  I could not find an obituary online.
• There was an unconfirmed report on a message board that radio personality Les Davis passed away.  I listened to him when he did a morning show at WYNY over 40 years ago.  Les worked at several other NYC radio stations.  Again, I could not find an online obituary.

Mr. Blue - The Fleetwoods (1959 #1 Hit) Bob Dylan (Basement Tapes) Bob Dylan (Jones Beach)

 

The YouTube Police May Take This Down

Aron's Kissena Farms Reopens Today

Aron's Kissena Farms is a kosher grocery store five miles from my home.  I have gone there for kosher meat for several years.  The kosher butcher in my immediate area closed in the late 1980s since the Jewish population diminished.  About three weeks ago Aron's stated there was a serious electrical problem and had to close indefinitely.

Over the past few weeks, they issued just a few email announcements about the situation.  IMHO the management should have stated in detail the nature of the electrical problem and why it took so long to resolve.  The observant customers had to go elsewhere for kosher meat.  I assume Aron's had insurance, but likely it didn't cover all the financial losses caused by the closure.

I decided to wait until tomorrow to shop there.  I assume they will be very busy on their first open day.

 

I Didn't Wait for 2 Hours and 47 Minutes to see the Mets to Lose 10-5 to the Houston Astros in 11 Innings

If it is Sunday, Lee and I are at Citi Field watching the Mets.  The Astros took a 4-0 lead with a home run by Jon Singleton in the second inning followed by two runs in the fourth inning followed by a single run in the fifth.  The Mets had no hits until the sixth inning when Mark Vientos doubled to left scoring Nimmo and Alonso.  Brando Nimmo hit a two-run homer at 4 in the seventh inning.

The score stayed tied until the middle of the ninth inning at 4 PM when it started raining very hard.  We decided not to stay since we were getting hungry and we sensed there would be a very long rain delay.  We went out to dinner at Ginos of Whitestone and then returned home.

The game resumed at 6:45 PM after a 2 hour and 47 minute delay.  There were some diehards in the stands who stayed.

Both teams score in the 10th inning to tie the game at 5. Matt Festa, a New York native made his Mets debut and first big league appearance this season and gave up all five runs in the 11th to lose the game.

Game Recap

 

Bob Dylan was Featured at the Outlaw Fest at Jones Beach

 

Wantagh, New York Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater June 29, 2024

1.	Highway 61 Revisited (Bob on piano)
2.	Shooting Star (Bob on piano and harp)
3.	Love Sick (Bob on piano)
4.	Little Queenie (Bob on piano) (song by Chuck Berry) (Tony on standup bass)
5.	Mr. Blue (Bob on piano)(song written by DeWayne Blackwell) (Tony on standup bass)
6.	Early Roman Kings (Bob on piano and harp) (Tony on standup bass)
7.	Can't Wait (Bob on piano)
8.	Under The Red Sky (Bob on piano and harp)
9.	Things Have Changed (Bob on piano)
10.	Stella Blue (Bob on piano) (song by Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia)
11.	Six Days On The Road (Bob on piano) (song by Earl Green and Carl Montgomery)
12.	Soon After Midnight (Bob on piano and harp)
13.	Ballad Of A Thin Man (Bob on piano and harp)
14.	Simple Twist Of Fate (Bob on piano) (Mickey Raphael on harp)
15.	I'll Be Your Baby Tonight (Bob on piano and harp)

The setlist above is certainly different from the ones at the Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour.  There were songs from several periods in his career plus covers.  My favorite was Highway 61 Revisited.  I was intrigued by Mr. Blue, a cover of a 1959 hit by the Fleetwoods.

It took us about an hour to drive to the theater.  We had to park far from the theater, but we are walkers.  We caught the very end of the opening act, Celisse.  She was followed by Allison Krause and Robert Plant.  Dylan was next.  

Willie Nelson was to appear but was taken ill.  His son Lucas led a band that played covers of Willie's hits.  We didn't want to stay to the bitter end to avoid traffic at the end of the concert.  About 15 minutes into our trip home it began to rain.  At least it didn't rain during the concert.  Most of the people were middle-aged or elderly like myself.

Cell phones were allowed at this venue.  I did take some photos, but I was too far away from the stage.

I had seen Dylan at Jones Beach several times in the past.  The opening acts were:

• Santana
• Ani DiFranco
• Paul Simon
• Leon Russell
• Laura Nyro

The New York Times Editorial Board Calls on Joe Biden to Leave the Race

 

Based on his performance on Thursday night's debate the New York Times editorial board has called on Joe Biden to leave the race for president.  I have gifted this article so that my readers can click on the link and get access to it.  Many good points are made, but it does not discuss the consequences of Biden's leaving the race.

Since no more primaries exist, a new candidate would have to be chosen at the Democratic National Convention.  How many Democrats would throw their hats into the ring?  Would this phenomenon splinter the party so badly and allow Trump to win.

We have to hope for the best.

Mets Hang on to Beat Yankees 9-7 in Game 1 of the Subway Series

 

It appears that Yankee pitcher Gerrit Cole may not have completely recovered from his injuries as he gave up 6 runs and 7 hits in 4 innings.  This included home runs by Mark Vientos (2), Harrison Bader, and Brandon Nimmo.  Juan Soto hit a home run in the fifth inning to make the score 6-1.  The Mets scored three more runs in the sixth inning to make the score 9-1.  It appeared to be a blowout at this point, but the Yankees fought back.  Their comeback featured a grand slam by Aaron Judge.  I was so afraid that the Mets would collapse and lose the game, but the bullpen without the suspended Edwin Diaz closed the door on the Bronx Bombers.

I am guessing that about 40% of the crowd was Yankee fans who went crazy when Judge homered.

Lee posed with Grimace before the game

The Mets are now 10-2 in the Grimace era.

I Got a 4th Generation Amazon Echo

In November 2016 I bought an Amazon Echo.  I used it primarily to listen to music.  I would regularly say  "Alexa, play Pop Gold Radio."  I also would say "Alexa, play Bob Dylan."  Suddenly, the top came off the cylinder and I could not place it properly.   No product lasts forever,  I can't complain as I got 7 1/2 years of use out of it. I thought it was time to get a new one.  The 4th generation Amazon Echo is shaped like a ball and does the same things as the older model.

 

Too Many Fish in the Sea - Versions by The Marvelettes and Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels

 

 

 The Marvelettes version peaked at #25 on the Billboard Chart in 1965

   

 The Mitch Ryder version peaked at #24 in Billboard in 1967.  The two versions are quite different.

Thank Goodness I Don't Have to Be Concerned About Amtrak/NJ Transit Overhead Wire Problems

 

For the third time this week, overhead wire problems caused massive delays for riders of Amtrak and New Jersey Transit.  Whenever I feel down, I am grateful I don't have to commute from NYC to Newark as I did for 25 years.  One of the reasons I decided never to revisit my former employer was the fear of getting caught in a miserable train delay.

Can Amtrak solve this problem?

Remembering Willie Mays 1931-2024

 

Last night we got the terrible news that Willie Mays passed away at 93.  There is nothing that I can add to the tributes that have come in over the last day.  Above is a tribute video narrated by John Miller.

SABR Biography by John Saccoman

Willie Mays' statistics from Baseball-Reference

Heat Wave by Martha and the Vandellas - Appropriate Oldie for the Next Several Days

 

You don't need a weatherman to know that the next several days will be hot.  This oldie never appeared in Bruce's Journal

My Father's Day Present Mets 11 Padres 6

The Mets are surging as they won their 5th in a row, 9th out of their last 11, and 11 out of 15.  There is a very long time to go in the season, but the Mets are only 1 1/2 games out of the last wild card spot.  Francisco Lindor led off the game with a home run while Pete Alonso had five RBIs.  I just hate reading stories that the Mets will trade him before the deadline at the end of July.  J. D. Martinez was 2 for 3 with a pair of walks to continue his hot streak.

There was a scare in the eighth inning as the bullpen faltered allowing the Padres to score 4 times to make the score 7-6. The offense answered back in the bottom half as Alonso capped a four-run frame with a two-run single.

The Mets now travel to Texas to play the Rangers and Chicago to play the Cubs.  They will return to Citi Field on June 25 to play the Yankees.

Game Recap

 

Pat A. Riley, an Avid Listener of Cousin Brucie, Has Passed Away

 

Back in the day one had to live near NYC to hear Cousin Brucie on WABC radio.  I guess there were some dxers that could pull in the station, but reception could be spotty.  When Cousin Brucie returned to WABC in September 2020 he could be heard on the internet worldwide.  One of his most avid listeners was Pat A. Riley from Texas seen above with the Cuz.  He actually drove to New Jersey from Texas to meet him.  He phoned Cousin Bruce quite often.

His sister announced today on Facebook that Pat passed away.  It is a shame that my last two journal entries announced passings.  Last December, Pat asked me to send him a file of his recent conversation with the Cuz.  As a big Buddy Holly fan he requested Rave On.

Pat Riley with the Cuz on December 30, 2023

My condolences to his family and friends.

My Uncle Simon Wagman Passed Away at 101

 

I found out this week that my Uncle Sy passed away in Washington, D.C. at 101.  I remember him best for his kindness and generosity to the family.  I am grateful that he lived a long and wonderful life.

His obituary in the Washington Post

Mets 10 Marlins 4

 

My 20-game plan included a few mid-week games including Wednesday night's matchup vs the Miami Marlins.  The Mets' offense featured home runs by Harrison Bader, Starlin Marte, and Franciso Lindor.  At the end of five innings, the Mets were ahead 6-4 when starting pitcher Dave Peterson was removed.  I crossed my fingers that the bullpen could hold the lead.  Dedniel Núñez, Jake Diekman, and Reed Garrett held the Marlins scoreless over the last 4 innings as the Mets' hitting helped by some sloppy defense by the Marlins won 10-4.

Game Recap

Adriana Harmeyer - Latest Jeopardy Superstar

 

I consider any contestant who wins ten or more games a Jeopardy Superstar.  With last night's 10th victory, Adriana has won $225,700.  According to The Jeopardy Fan, the only women who have exceeded her dollar amount in regular competition are Amy Schneider, Mattea Roach, Julia Collins, and Hannah Wilson.

Adriana is an archivist for university history at Purdue.  Thus she is a librarian.  Her education and job history are documented on her LinkedIn account.

We don't know how many games she will win since we don't know her future competition.  The luck factor in Jeopardy is hitting the Daily Doubles and getting them correct.  I wish her well in her Jeopardy appearances and her career as an archivist.

Think by Aretha Franklin - Random Oldie of the Day

 

When I have writer's cramp, I just post a song.

The 60s 70s Show with Bob Radil Will Return on Friday July 5 - Best Radio News in Years

 

For several years, I listened to the 60s 70s Show on Friday nights on WNHU - New Haven or on Rewound Radio.  Sadly, in Fall 2019, a dispute between two radio people forced the show off the internet.  Friday nights have been different for almost five years.  Here is the announcement Bob Radil just made stating the show will return on July 5.

Plans are in the works for a return of the 60s70s Show.

The date ---  July 5th, 2024 --- is penciled in!

The time – 6:00 PM, Eastern USA time!

A couple details yet to be worked out, but we’ll do our best.

But mark the date on your calendars!

*  *  *  *

Technical improvements have been done.

Server repairs and upgrades have happened.

Our internet service has also been greatly improved.

You be able to hear us on Pop Gold Radio or the 60s70s+ Channel.

Our 60s70s+ streams are working perfectly! We’re striving for the highest audio quality. These streams will work on most, if not all, Windows computers, Mac computers, and handheld devices.

We’re looking to supplement the Pop Gold Radio service.

We also have a neat new website feature called ''The Listener Lounge''. It’s basically a message board, but with a few added features. Features include the display of the title and artist of the record currently being played, an image of the record currently being played(if loaded), and free coffee! Check it out!

We’ve already done a few ''Bob and Snoop'' shows.

Stay tuned for more details as they happen.

We’ll be stocking up on coffee and air guitars!

Snoop is here. ''Supercat'' is here. We hope you will be here, too!

Yes... it's been WAY too long.

Over the years I have made several posts in this journal about the show.

Happy Jack by the Who - Random Oldie of the Day

I hope everyone is happy today.

 

Crosstown Traffic by Jimi Hendrix in "Honor" of the Congestion Pricing Controversy

 

Since I never drive my car into Manhattan, congestion pricing is not an issue for me.  I see both sides of the problem as money is needed to improve mass transit, but this new tax can burden businesses and the general public.  IMHO, this pause is a political ploy by the governor not to antagonize voters.  Too much money has already been invested in infrastructure needed to support congestion pricing.  I predict it will take effect on January 1, 2025.

Still Crazy after All These Years by Paul Simon - Reminds Me of a Reconnection with an Acquaintance

 

I knew HF when I was active in a Jewish singles group in Queens from 1978-81.  He was an avid sports fan and went to countless events.  He sat in section 1 of the upper deck of Shea Stadium with Fuzzy and his crew of diehards.  He would watch one game in person and listen to another on his little transistor radio.  He had a one-track mind and could only talk about sports.

I reconnected with him when I saw him at the trivia events at Commonpoint Queens in Bayside.  He was a sloppy dresser back then and still is. He can still only talk about sports.  Now he sits in Section 515 of Citi Field with Mike and his crew of diehards.  I will speak to him, but keep a distance as I want to look ahead to the future, not back upon the past.

He is "still crazy after all these years."

Mets Lose to the Diamondbacks 5-4 on a Blown Save by Jake Diekman

This is not Jake Diekman

The only good thing about the afternoon was the Darryl Strawberry bobbleheads we got as we entered the ballpark.  Ketel Marte hit a home run on the third pitch of the game.  Later that inning Lourdes Gurriel Jr, homered to make the score 2-0.  The Diamondbacks plated another run in the second inning to make the score 3-0.  In the third inning which featured back-to-back triples by Brandon Nimmo and J.D. Martinez, the Mets scored four runs to take the lead.  There was no further scoring so as we entered the top of the ninth inning I was cautiously optimistic that the Mets could pull out a victory.  Jake Diekman was brought in and gave up a double to Gabriel Moreno and a home run to Ketel Marte to win the game for the visitors.

Manager Carlos Mendoza made a poor decision by not letting 8th-inning reliever Adam Ottavino finish the game.  He was effective and had a low pitch count.  Even with the three-batter rule there are just too many pitching changes.

Game Recap

 

June 1 is National Game Show Day

 

I will list  some game shows I have watched over the years.  Many are no longer seen:

• Jeopardy
• Wheel Of Fortune
• Family Feud
• 25 Words or Less
• Concentration
• Beat the Odds
• Break the Bank
• The Who What or Where Game
• Password
• Pyramid
• Twenty-One
• TicTac Toe
• The Price is Right
• Let's Make a Deal
• Hollywood Squares
• $64,000 Question
• Master Minds
• The Chase
• The Weakest Link

I am sure there are many more.

Guilty as Sin by Taylor Swift - Song of the Day

 

I am too old to be a Taylor Swift fan, but this song is right on the mark.  It is a shame that the legal process takes so long.  I'm hoping for guilty verdicts in Washington, D.C., Georgia, and Florida.  More important, I hope that voters use common sense and don't make a convicted felon President.

Encounters with Bob Dylan

 Yesterday I viewed a video of my Bob Dylan friend Phil Hale being interviewed by Jim Salvucci.  Near the end of the one-hour video, Phil mentioned meeting Dylan in a restaurant in London in the early 1990s.  I went to my bookshelf and retrieved a book where others documented meeting Dylan face-to-face.

Below is a video of someone meeting Dylan and getting his autograph.  I was surprised to see him walking alone.  This must have been in the early 1970s before John Lennon was killed by a crazed fan.   I assume that if Dylan goes out in public, he has several security guards.

Bill Walton talks about Bob Dylan

 

Bill Walton was known as a fan of the Grateful Dead.  If you listen here, he certainly knew a lot about Bob Dylan.  RIP, Bill.

Street Wars: Have E-Bikes Made New York City a ‘Nightmare’? by Dodai Stewart in the New York Times

 I am inviting followers of Bruce's Journal to read this timely article in the New York Times.  I have discussed this issue a few times in this journal.  It does harm the quality of life in NYC.  I am aghast of the lack of courtesy of e-bike and traditional bicycle riders likely to be adults whether they just want to get from point A to point B faster or are riding recreationally.  On Union Street between 28th Avenue and 31st Road there is a very wide sidewalk by retail businesses.  Cyclists regularly ignore the bike path just a few feet away and endanger pedestrians.  Out of habit, I walk far to the right so cyclists can pass me.  You can't hear them when they come from behind.  I am not aware of statistics of accidents with cyclists, pedestrians, and automobiles.

Ms. Stewart did an excellent job of stating the problem but did not offer solutions.  But are there solutions?

• There cannot be a police officer on every street monitoring this.
• I suggest that e-bikes over a certain size be registered with the DMV.  It would take an act of the legislature to do this.  That will not happen.
• E-bikes used for deliveries should be labeled with the name of the business.  That will not happen,

I suggest everyone use their eyes and ears and watch out.

Mazel Tov - The Mets End Their Losing Streak by Beating the Giants 4-3 on a Walk-Off Hit by Omar Narvaez

 

Things have been tough for the Mets lately as they performed poorly all season and entered this game with a five-game losing streak.  Going into the ninth inning the Mets had only one run and four hits.  At this point, the Mets scored just three runs in the previous 18 innings. Brandon Nimmo and J.D. Martinez opened with singles and Jeff McNeil was hit by a pitch with one out to load the bases. Nimmo and pinch-runner Starling Marte scored on a double by Harrison Bader.  Brett Baty was intentionally walked before Narváez, who entered after catcher Tomás Nido was pinch hit for in the eighth and singled on an 0-1 pitch.  It was the Mets' fifth walk-off win of the season.

The announced attendance was 41,016, the highest in all the games we attended this season.  The team was giving out a Hello Kitty Light up Bow Bobblehead doll.  Over the years we collected numerous bobbleheads and don't need another.  Years ago everyone attending got one, but now it is limited to the first 15,000 at the gates.  Thus, one must arrive two hours before the game and wait in line to get one.

I just can't understand why during the game people want to wait in line to get food and miss much of the game.  If I buy food I'll do it before the game starts.

Box Score

Mets Lose 7-2 in 10 Innings to the Giants as Edwin Diaz Blows Another Save

The Mets have lost five games in a row and 10 out of the last 12.  Starting pitcher Luis Severino held the Giants to one run and two hits in seven innings.  Home runs by Starlin Marte and Brett Baty gave the Mets and 2-1 lead going into the ninth inning.  Closer Edwin Diaz was brought in to close the door on the Giants, but he failed. Wilmer Flores singled on Díaz’s first pitch. Ryan McKenna pinch-ran for Flores and stole second with one out before Lamonte Wade singled to right to tie the game.  That was Diaz's fourth blown save.

Mike Yastrzemski capped a five-run 10th inning with a three-run triple as the Giants earned a 7-2 win over the skidding Mets.

We usually don't go to Saturday games, but we picked this game after one of the games in our plan was rained out earlier this season.  I picked the wrong game.

Game Recap