Yankees 6 Mets 4 in Subway Series Finale

 

My 20-game package included this afternoon's game between the Mets and Yankees.  It was Yankee standout Max Fried starting vs the Mets' bullpen. The numerous injuries to starting pitchers have compelled the Mets to use several relievers in this game.  Chris Devenski started for the Mets and pitched well for two innings. The Yankees scored runs off the subsequent relievers, Zach Pop, Brandon Waddell, and Huascar Brazoban.  The highlights were home runs by Austin Wells and Aaron Judge.  Another highlight was a shoestring catch by Cody Bellinger in left field.  He then made a throw to first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who doubled off Francisco Lindor.

The Subway Series ended in a 3-3 tie. There are now 6 games before the All-Star break.  After that we will see what trades will be made by contending teams.

Game Recap

Random Oldie of the Day - Walking My Cat Named Dog by Norma Tanega

 

I remember hearing this for the first time in 1966 on Dick Clark's American Bandstand.  I reached #22 on the Billboard chart, but it was the only record that charted for Norma Tanega, who passed away in 2019 at age 80.  I requested it last night on Bob Radil's 60s 70s show.

Mets 7 Brewers 3 - Hopefully the Mets Losing Ways are Over

 

Last night's game was part of our 20-game package, so we were there to root for the Mets. Manager Carlos Mendoza shuffled the lineup as Brandon Nimmo batted leadoff while Francisco Lindor was dropped to the #2 slot.  The move paid off in the second inning when Nimmo hit a grand slam home run, while Lindor followed it up with a solo shot.  That yielded a 5-0 lead that held up until the 6th inning when Christian Yellich and Jackson Chourio hit back-to-back homers off Blade Tidwell to make the score 5-3.  The Mets added tacked-on runs in the 6th and 8th innings to win 7-3.

Hopefully, this victory will mark the end of the Mets' 14 losses out of 17.  As of this writing the Mets are two games behind the Phillies in the NL East. There are 75 games to go in the season.

Box Score

Random Thought of the Day - July 1, 2025

• It is hard to believe that 2025 is half over.  Where does all this time go?
• If it is July 1, it is Bobby Bonilla Day. He will collect a check for $1,193,248.20 from the New York Mets, as he has and will every July 1 from 2011 through 2035. His contract was restructured as the Mets had financial problems during the Wilpon era
• The Mets have lost 13 out of their last 16 games, but are only two games behind Philadelphia in the NL East.  Hopefully, they will turn things around soon.
• It is July 1, and NJ Transit is raising its fares 3%.  When I feel blue, I am grateful I never have to ride any of their trains again.
• Yesterday, I received yet another chat request on Telegram from a young lady.  She was offering me the chance to make a lot of money working from home.  The first sign of a scam is that if it is too good to be true, it is.  There are too many scams on social networking sites.  I politely told her I wasn't interested, but she was persistent.  This time, I ghosted her.  How come only younger women try to contact me?

 

Three Definitions of Catfish with a Bob Dylan Reference (of course)

 

Catfish are a diverse group of ray-finned fish known for their prominent barbels (whiskers).

Jim "Catfish" Hunter was a major league pitcher for the Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees.

• SABR Biography
• Statistics from Baseball-Reference

Here is the Bob Dylan reference.  Catfish Hunter was the only baseball player who was the subject of a Dylan song.

Catfishing refers to the creation of a fictitious online persona, or fake identity (typically on social networking platforms), with the intent of deception, usually to mislead a victim into an online romantic relationship or to commit financial fraud.  When I meet new people online these days, I don't know if they are real or catfishing.  In any event, they turn into ghosts within a few days.

What Happens When a Nice Jewish Girl from Brooklyn Meets a Nobel Laureate from Minnesota

 

Barbra Streisand released a new album titled “The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume Two,” is that breath. It's a cozy, comforting audible hug from a parade of familiar friends, including Paul McCartney, James Taylor, Josh Groban, Sting, Ariana Grande, and Mariah Carey. Even Bob Dylan hopped aboard this love train.

Dylan and Streisand sang The Very Thought of You, a duet with Streisand and Dylan.

The song was first recorded by Ray Noble and His Orchestra with Al Bowlly on vocals for His Master's Voice in England in April 1934.  I am surprised they chose an adult standard rather than a Dylan composition.  For more information on this song, please visit Wikipedia.

Another Chatting "Relationship" Ends Abruptly

 

Here we go again. Facebook regularly provides users with friend suggestions, typically based on shared friends. Lily and I had one common friend, an oldies enthusiast, so we friended each other.  She lives in Southern California and appeared to be about 30 years old, so obviously, I can't date her. She emigrated from Germany about 5 years ago.  We had a nice chat for a few days on Facebook Messenger.  After a while, she suggested we move the chat to WhatsApp.  She began discussing Bitcoins and cryptocurrency. After I told her I wasn't interested in that, she abruptly ended the chat.

I inferred that she wanted me to invest with her and "gave up" on me as a potential client.  Thankfully, my finances are in good shape, and I am not interested in any type of investing.  If I were going to invest, I would do it through a reputable organization, not through an online "acquaintance".

I am aware there are many online scams on social networking sites, so I am careful.

I sense my chat with younger women are a substitute for dating.  They are just a waste of time since they all end abruptly.  All but one were with women hundreds of miles away.

I was ghosted again.  Oh well.

 

Mets 7 Braves 3

 

After the Mets lost 10 of 11 games, I was hoping that Lee and I would bring them some luck.  Over the course of 162 games, any team will have peaks, valleys, and plateaus.  Everything will even out by the end of the season.  The Mets' problem appears to be their inability to hit with men on base. The bottom of the lineup has been especially unproductive. Their bullpen has faltered recently since the pitchers are overworked.

The highlights of the game were two home runs by Juan Soto and another homer by Rony Mauricio.  Soto has now hit 10 home runs in his last 23 games.  Still, is any athlete worth $51 million/year?

Game Recap

The Bobby Sherman - Bob Dylan Connection - One Too Many Mornings

 

June was a very bad month for recording artists, as it was announced today that Bobby Sherman passed away at 81.  He revealed earlier this year that he had stage 4 cancer.  I best remember Bobby for his appearances on the TV show Shindig in the mid-1960s.  Leave it to me to find a link to Bob Dylan as Bobby covered One Too Many Mornings.

Random Thoughts of the Day - June 24, 2025

• Today is Primary Day in NYC for mayor and other city-wide offices.  I am just tired of seeing the incessant TV commercials for the various candidates.  I predict that Andrew Cuomo will win the Democratic primary for mayor, given that he has invested a significant amount of money in commercials. I will not rank him, but more voters will "forgive him" for his indiscretions as NYS governor. If Trump can be elected president despite his actions, Cuomo can be elected Mayor.  The election for mayor in November will be Cuomo (Democrat), Sliwa (Republican), and Eric Adams (independent)
• My stove has not been operating well lately.  The burners and broiler work, but the baking does not work properly.  A repairman is scheduled to come between 1 PM and 4 PM.  It is so hot, so I may as well stay home.  Perhaps it just needs a thermostat.  If I need a new stove, so be it.  I had this one for about 18 years.  No product lasts forever.
• Lee's bus came 2 1/2 hours late today.  Better late than never.
• I see statistics for Bruce's Journal from Blogger.  I just don't know how many are real hits and how many are from robots.

 

Fanatics Fest at the Javits Center - It was more for kids and collectors

 

Over the past few weeks, I saw numerous Facebook ads for this Fanfest, so I decided to attend.  When I bought the tickets online, I was sent a QR code with instructions to look for the Will Call window at the Javits Center.  When I arrived this morning, I had to wait 45 minutes in line to show my QR code and get a badge to attend the show.

Much of the show was devoted to vendors selling collectables, especially baseball cards.  I haven't collected baseball cards since I was a kid growing up in Rego Park.  There were many activities for kids, such as hitting a baseball, kicking a soccer ball, and throwing a football.  Sports stars were available for autographs.  We just bought two New York Mets t-shirts.

It was very crowded and noisy.   I was likely the oldest person there.  We stayed for about 3 1/2 hours,  but there were few places to sit.  I left the place very tired.

Two Faces Have I by Lou Christie - Oldie of the Day

 

I guess I've known many "two faces" in my lifetime.

Lou Christie Passes Away at 82

 

Cousin Brucie with Lou Christie

It has been a tough month for oldies artists, as Lou Christie is the third singer to pass away.  Cousin Brucie interviewed Lou several times over the years on SiriusXM and WABC.  I am sure the Cuz was devastated when he heard the news.

Lou had several hits, including:

• Lightning Strikes
• The Gypsy Cried
• Rhapsody in the Rain
• I'm Going to Make You Mine
• Two Faces Have I

I always remember how Lightning Strikes moved up the chart so quickly in late 1965.

Obituary in the New York Times

Received a New Air conditioner Today

This journal entry is for my own use only, so I can keep track of when I received the new unit.  The last air conditioner lasted 11 years.  If today's purchase lasts 11 years, I will be 87 years old when it conks out.

The service from PC Richards was excellent.  I ordered the unit on Friday, June 1,3, and it arrived today, the 18th.  The message stated. it would arrive between 8:15 AM and 12:15 PM, and the driver and installer came at 11:30 AM.  It took them about 1 hour to remove the old unit and install the new one.  It came in the nick of time as the weatherman predicts a heat wave for next week.

 

Ron Taylor of the 1969 Mets Passes Away at 87

 

It has been 56 years since the Amazin' Mets won the World Series in 1969.  From an actuarial perspective, it is expected that many people in their 20s or 30s would have passed away by now. Deceased members of the 1969 Mets include (please forgive me if I have omitted anyone):

• Ed Charles
• Ed Kranepool
• Jerry Grote
• Tom Seaver
• Don Clendenon
• Tug McGraw
• Gil Hodges (Manager)
• Joe Pignatano (coach)

Yesterday we learned of the passing of relief pitcher Ron Taylor, who later became the team doctor for the Toronto Blue Jays.  Please see the following links for more information:

• Biography from SABR (Society for American Baseball Research)
• Career statistics from Baseball-Reference

Mets Were Swept by the Tampa Bay Rays as they Lose 9-0 on Father's Day

Any team will have hot and cold streaks in the course of a 162-game season.  The Mets have hit a skid, losing a 3-game series to the Tampa Bay Rays.

Met pitchers walked a season-high nine as they were dealt their most lopsided loss this season and were swept in a series for the first time since last Aug. 9-11 at Seattle. Starting pitcher Shane Baz allowed three hits and four walks in 6 2/3 innings while striking out six.  He held the Mets hitless in 12 at-bats with in scoring position.  This has been a problem for the Amazins this season.  After Junior Caminero hit a three-run homer in the ninth against Ryne Stanek, Carlos Mendoza brought in position player Jared Young to pitch.  I didn't see the point in putting a position player to get the last out, especially since there is an off-day tomorrow to rest the bullpen.

As a diehard, I stayed until the very end.  On August 12, 2023, I stayed until the end to see the Mets lose to the Atlanta Braves 21-3.  In that game position player Danny Mendick gave up 8 runs.  At least Jared Young didn't give up any more runs in today's game.

Box Score

 

The Beach Boys - That's Why God Made the Radio

 

Bob Radil played my request for this on his 60s 70s show, even though it was released in 2012.  I suppose God created the radio to provide entertainment and information for its listeners. Sadly, radio broadcasting has deteriorated over the years due to the major corporations that own radio stations.  They must cater to the advertisers, not the listeners.

Mets 5 Nationals 0 as David Peterson Pitches a Complete Game Shutout

 

This Wednesday night game was included in our season package for Sundays.  To honor Brian Wilson, a few Beach Boys songs were played on the stadium's loudspeaker system.  In recent years, complete games are rare in MLB.  Complete game shutouts are even less common, but David Peterson did the trick.  Brandon Nimmo hit two home runs and Juan Soto hit one to give the Mets the 5-0 victory.

The Mets have now won five games in a row and are 44-24.  Is this 1986 again?  There are still 94 games to go.

Game Recap

Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys Passes Away at 82

 

Like millions of others, I am saddened by the passing of Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys at age 82.  I cannot add to the volumes of tributes that will be written about him.  There are numerous biographies of the Beach Boys and Brian Wilson.  Here is his obituary in the New York Times.  It is normal journalistic practice to write obituaries before the subject passes away.  Shown above is a video of his album Smile.

Ten years ago, I wrote a journal entry about the link between Bob Dylan and Brian Wilson.  In that entry, there is a YouTube video with Bob and Brian collaborating in 1988 on a song called Spirit of Rock 'n Roll.  There is also a YouTube Video of the Beach Boys doing a parody of Dylan.  Both of those videos were deleted from YouTube.

A reader of that entry commented The Beach Boys covered Times They Are A-Changin' in 1965 on the Party! album, lead vocal by their resident folkie, Al Jardine.   He also said the Spirit of Rock' n 'Roll was meant for an album called Sweet Insanity, which was never officially released but did leak out on bootlegs a few years ago later.

Random Thoughts of the Day June 9, 2025

 

• I was thinking about shopping for a new air conditioner this afternoon, but I was tired after doing the laundry and some house cleaning.  I'll try to do it tomorrow as there is no big hurry,  I assume I'll have to wait for delivery and installation anyway.
• Young women find me on Telegram.  Now, I just ignore them, and they'll go away.  You never know when the friendly chat will turn into a romance scam.  I learned my lesson.
• I belong to a Facebook Group called Jewish Singles 65+.  Within this group, there was a side chat for people in NYC.  Last Saturday, the group had a luncheon in a restaurant in the Theater District.  I was the only man among 6 women.  I did feel a lititle uncomfortable, but it reminded my days working in a pharmaceutical company library from 1979-82 when I was the only man in the department.  Now they are chatting about holding a brunch later this summer.

I am a Bob Dylan Fan but Certainly Appreciate the Writings of the Scholars

 

A fan is someone who shows a strong interest and admiration for something or someone, often with enthusiastic support.  I have been a Bob Dylan fan since I first heard Like a Rolling Stone in 1965.  I am aware of some Bob Dylan fans who have done some extraordinary things, such as traveling hundreds, if not thousands, of miles to see him in concert. A few have seen hundreds of his concerts over the years, even if the set list is the same.  I consider them fanatics.

Dylan's work is examined through the lens of various disciplines, including literature, musicology, history, and cultural studies.  His song lyrics are considered literature as he won the Nobel Prize in 2016.  There are hundreds, if not thousands, of books analyzing his works.  There is also an open-access scholarly journal called The Dylan Review.

I have many Bob Dylan books in my personal collection that I have read over the years.  Since I have little room in my apartment for books, I have read many Dylan e-books on my Amazon Kindle.  Most of these books are scholarly.  I appreciate all the authors.

I often take lines from Dylan songs out of context and apply them to my situation.  Here is an example from Memphis Blues Again.

An’ here I sit so patiently

Waiting to find out what price

You have to pay to get out of

Going through all these things twice

Two Air Conditioners Broke Down on the First Hot Day of the Season

 

Since it was in the high 80s yesterday, I decided to turn on the air conditioners in the apartment for the first time of the season.  The air conditioner in the bedroom just wouldn't turn on.  The electrical outlet worked, so I concluded there was a problem with the machine.  The air conditioner in the living room conked out 30 seconds after I turned it on.

Both air conditioners were over 10 years old.  Of course, no product lasts forever, so it is time to get new ones.  I will likely buy one at a time starting this week.  I just read there was a recall of certain air conditioner models.  So when I go to the appliance store, I'll bring the list of the recalled models.

At least my car air conditioner worked.  A few years ago, I had to bring it to the dealer for it to be repaired.

Treat Her Right by Roy Head - Random Oldie as I Have Writer's Cramp

 

It is one of those days when I don't know what to write about so I'll just post a random oldie.

Soul Makossa by Manu Dibango - Oldie of the Day

 

This was a hit in the Summer of 1973 when I was a student at the University of Rhode Island.  For some strange reason, it reminds me of a former friend.  Felix Hernandez plays it on his Rhythm Revue show on WBGO.  Manu Dibango passed away from COVID in the early days of the pandemic.

Mets 5 Rockies 3

 

In 1962, I suffered as the expansion New York Mets were 40-120.  Last year, fellow Bob Dylan enthusiast Henry Bernstein suffered as his Chicago White Sox lost 121 games. This season, the Colorado Rockies are now 9-50 with a .153 winning percentage.  At that rate, they could lose more games than the Cleveland Spiders of 1899, who finished 20-134.

Today, the Mets completed a three-game sweep of the hapless Rockies.  All the scoring was done through home runs.

For the Mets:

• Pete Alonso
• Francisco Lindor - the Mets have won the last 28 games, including the 2024 postseason, when Lindor homers.
• Juan Soto

For the Rockies

• Tyler Freeman

Box Score

Mission Impossible Final Reckoning at the AMC Bay Terrace 6

 

Since the College Point Multiplex closed last May I hadn't gone to very many movies.  Today I decided to drive over to the Bay Terrace Shopping Center to see Mission Impossible Final Reckoning.  I saw all the other films in this series, so I may as well see this last one.  It had excellent special effects making Ethan Hunt played by Tom Cruise, the hero.

Review in the New York Times

Reportedly, Bob Dylan Will release a Final Farewell Album

I only read about this on a British Website. I am not saying that this is fake news, but I would think that Sony Records would make an official announcement.  None of my Bob Dylan friends commented on this.  Dylan has been so busy touring that I don't know when he found the time to record this album.

Stayed tuned.

 

Ghosbusters Theme from the Movie Inspired Me to Write About Ghosting

 

Ghosting is defined as he practice of ending a personal relationship with someone by suddenly and without explanation withdrawing from all communication.  It is most commonly applied to dating apps, but can refer to any online communication, romantic or not.

If you are interested in reading more, I found this article What is Ghosting

Let me relate some of my experiences with ghosting over the past year or so with younger women.

In all cases, I stated my age and that I was a widower and obviously could not date them or even meet them since they were at a long distance from me.

• Connie found me on Facebook, stating she would like to friend me since she found my postings interesting. You never know when people are telling the truth, but she said was in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Syria.  Since she could not use her credit card until she returned to the USA, she asked me to buy a Steam Card for her.  When I refused, she ghosted me.  Several months later, she tried to friend me on Facebook with the name Tessa. I recognized her picture. I didn't fall for it this time.
• Carolyn friended me on Facebook.  She lost her husband and had a five-year-old son. She moved the chat to WhatsApp.After flattering me for several days, she said she needed money to pay her rent.  Like a fool, I gave her a small amount.  A few days later, she insisted she needed more money.  I ghosted her, but about 6 months later, she chatted with me again for a day and then ghosted me permanently. Never send anyone money.  This is the Romance Scam.
• Allyson also friended me on Facebook. Like Carolyn, she started to flatter me after telling me she had lost her husband.  After she said wasn't working, I suspected something.  Sure enough, she cried that she could she couldn't feed her children and begged me for money.  I learned my lesson, and goodbye. This was another Romance Scam
• A few Asian women found my account on Telegram and started to chat with me. In all cases, they had good jobs, so I knew these would not be romance scams. Cindy was from San Francisco and even told me I could stay at her house if I came to her city.  After a while, she talked about investments.  When I said I wasn't interested, she ghosted me.  Apparently, she friended me to try to do financial business with her. Gina lived in St. Petersburg, Florida and kept sending me pictures.  One day, she said she was in church and prayed that our relationship would last forever.  A few days later, she ghosted me.  They say one thing and do the opposite.  It reminds me of a library manager I once knew.

I guess I am amused by all of this.

My Misadventure with a Dating App

 

About a year after Karen passed away, I started to think about returning to dating.  There were two basic issues:

• ·       Finding someone
• ·       Will a date become a relationship, and then something serious

I dreaded those miserable singles dances back in the late 60s and 70s.  We jokingly called them “meat markets” where the meat was kosher.  I met several young ladies at dances back then.

First dates were often difficult for me as I had trouble initiating a conversation with a new person.  Sometimes, I thought a first date went well, but when I asked for a second date the young lady would reply “I’m busy.”  Other times a relationship would fizzle out after a few dates.

I was reluctant to face those issues decades later.  In 2023 I dabbled with dating apps.  I had a Facetime chat with one woman, but I decided not to pursue it.

Very recently, I decided to try dating apps again.  I thought it would be nice to have some female companionship four years after I lost Karen.  I signed up with JDate a service for Jewish singles.  I decided to sign up for just one month to see if it was worth it.  I filled out the questionnaire and posted my profile.  I stated I only wanted matches 25 miles or less from home.  Most of the matches were from places such as Massachusetts, Maryland, and Virginia, more than 200 miles away.  I contacted a few from NYC, but they never responded.  That is fair game.

For the next three weeks I got no new matches and thought of cancelling my membership at the end of the month.  All of a sudden I got a slew of potential matches, including New Jersey and Long Island.  I thought to myself, do I really want to travel a long distance for a date?  I am not desperate to find someone.  I remember in 1969 when I had a date in the Bronx, my father remarked, aren’t there enough girls in Queens.  That date didn’t work out anyway.

I did connect with a woman named Joan whose profile said she was in NYC.  We started to chat within the dating app for a while and then she asked for my email and suggested we communicate that way.  A little while later, her JDate profile disappeared.

In one of her emails, she said:

I value sincerity, and I'm seeking a genuine, romantic, and fulfilling relationship. I am down-to-earth, honest, non-judgmental, and giving in my relationships and intimacy. My heart is big, and my personality is warm and caring. I’m someone who truly wants to experience love in its fullest sense. I am sociable, outgoing, and well-balanced in my life. My character is grounded in the belief of giving everyone a fair chance.

After a few more emails I suggested we have a video chat or meet at a neutral location for a face-to-face meeting.  Her response:

As for meeting in person, I appreciate your suggestion about a neutral location. That's a good point! I live in Ocala Florida . Since you live in Flushing, Queens, if we're both comfortable with traveling, we could potentially meet somewhere in the middle or a place that's convenient for both of us

I think this qualifies for an “Oy Vey.”  She said she values sincerity, but why did she say in her profile that she was in NYC while she actually lives in Florida.  Am I really going to travel to Florida to meet a woman?

This was her last communication with me:

Let's discuss the video chat over the next weekend but we can continue sharing emails and see how that goes. If we both feel comfortable, we can then plan an in-person meeting at a neutral spot. What are your thoughts on this approach?

I decided to stop communicating with her.  Long-distance relationships rarely work out, especially when they begin as a long-distance situation. If she sends me an email, I’ll politely say that this won't work out.

I also decided to end my subscription to JDate since it was creating too much anxiety for me.

My nephew in California met his wife through JDate, so dating apps do work.

 

Mets 3 Dodgers 1 on Memorial Day Weekend

 

The game started on a bad note, as Shohei Otani hit Kodai Senga's second pitch for a home run, giving the Dodgers the lead early. After 71 consecutive plate appearances without a home run, Pete Alonso hit a two-run blast to put the Mets ahead. The Mets scored one more run in the third inning.  Senga pitched into the sixth inning without allowing another run to the Dodgers.  Reliever Ryne Stanek, Max Kranick, and Reed Garrett closed the door as the Mets took the series 2-1 against last year's World Champions.

Box Score

When we arrived home, we were able to catch the end of Game 3 of the Knicks—Pacers series.  The Knicks came from behind to win 106-100.

Random Thoughts about Bob Dylan on His 84th Birthday

 

• At age 84 he is still touring.  He must really enjoy it as he obviously does not need the money.  Tonight he will be playing in Ridgefield, Washington.  I assume that many of my Dylan fan friends will be there.  They will either sing or hold placards wishing him a happy birthday.  I doubt if Bob will acknowledge them.
• There are Dylan fans who travel around the world to see his concerts.  For me, once a year is enough.  I will see him at Jones Beach on August 1.
• On Substack, writers and creators can publish their work and profit from paid subscriptions.  I just refuse to pay to read people's thoughts on Dylan.  There is enough free stuff to read.  I do subscribe to Bob Dylan Isis magazine.  How much can you read about him?
• I attended the World of Dylan symposium in Tulsa in 2019.  There was a mix of fans and scholars.  I also attended the 2021 conference, which was completely online during the COVID pandemic.  I was told the attendance at the 2023 meeting was lower than the one in 2019.  I am not going to the one this coming July since it will too scholarly for me.  I did visit Tulsa again in 2022 to see the Bob Dylan Center.
• I run an online video meeting every month.

Gimme Little Sign by Brenton Wood - Oldie of the Day

 

I can't think of anything new to write today.  I guess it is a case of writer's cramp.  Anyway, I just heard Gimme Little Sign on 60s Gold with Phlash Phelps so I thought I would post it.

The Rick Nelson - Bob Dylan Connection

 

On May 15, Bob Dylan covered Rick Nelson's Garden Party at the Chula Vista, California Outlaw Music Festival. Dylan actually sang about himself.

Taken out of context:

And over in the corner

Much to my surprise

Mr. Hughes hid in Dylan's shoes

Wearing his disguise 

Back in 1969, Rick Nelson covered Dylan's She Belongs to Me originally recorded on the Bringing It All Back Home album in 1965.

Another Evening at Flushing Town Hall: Global Mashup: Middle Eastern Rock Meets Western Swing.

 

Since Flushing Town Hall is within walking distance of home, I have attended several events documented in this journal. Last night's program was titled Global Mashup: Middle Eastern Rock Meets Western Swing. After two dance workshops, each band played a set, and then the two met and jammed for the third and final "Mashup" set.

The first group was Chogan, a Middle Eastern rock band founded by Mehrnam Rastegari, a master kamancheh player, composer, and singer. With her original compositions, she celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the Middle East while blending it seamlessly with the universal energy of rock music, delivering a sound that is both deeply rooted and refreshingly.

Queen Esther fronted the second group.  She was raised in Atlanta and rooted in Charleston’s Lowcountry traditions; her work fuses Black Southern heritage with Americana, blues, jazz, and alt-country, creating a rich, reclamation-driven soundscape.

It is nice to do something different on a Saturday night.  On  early Sunday afternoon, I am listening to the recording of Cousin Brucie's radio show.

Thank Goodness I Don't Have to Cope with a New Jersey Transit Strike

 

For 25 years (1992-2017), I commuted from Flushing to Newark, NJ, using the New York City Subway and New Jersey Transit.  Over that time, I encountered numerous delays for different reasons.  Believe me, that miserable commute took its toll on me.  I documented many of those problems in my companion commuting blog.  In those 25 years, I never experienced a strike by New Jersey Transit workers.

Today, the engineers struck over wages (what else?), impacting about 350,000 commuters. Some substitute bus service is available, but that could only accommodate 20% of those affected. Traffic is bad enough in the Garden State, but this situation will force more people to drive to work.

Since I have been retired for over 7 years, I don't have to worry about this, but it gives me an excuse to write a blog entry.  I could have used the PATH trains to travel from Midtown Manhattan to Newark, but I assume those trains would be jam-packed even for reverse commuters.  Perhaps my employer would let me work from home as was done during the COVID pandemic.  But not everyone can work from home.

I was amused by this article in the Gothamist that criticized current Governor Phil Murphy for not fixing the problems on New Jersey Transit, which this article states that the system is worse now than it was when he took office.  So commuting would have been worse for me had I not retired.  Anyway, at age 68, it was time to pack it in.

Since term limits prevent Murphy from running again, there is a primary battle for the Democratic nomination.  In the umpteen commercials I've seen by the various candidates, there is no mention of how they will solve the problems on New Jersey Transit.

I wish the best of luck to current commuters.

Trying to Juggle Jeopardy, the Knicks, and the Mets Last Night

 

Last night's game at Citi Field was part of my 20-Game package for the Mets. It was raining all day and at about 5 PM I decided not to go.  This is a rare decision for me, but I didn't want to feel uncomfortable sitting in a damp and cold stadium with the possibility of a rain delay.  But I have plenty of games to see in the future.  In any event, the Mets lost 4-0 to the Pittsburgh Pirates.  There was only a short 15-minute delay at the start of the game.

The TV schedule last night:

• Regular Jeopardy 7 PM
• Wheel of Fortune 7:30 PM
• Celebrity Wheel of Fortune 8 PM (we recorded this on the DVR)
• Mets vs Pittsburgh 7 PM
• Knicks vs Celtics 7 PM
• Jeopardy Masters 9 PM

We watched Jeopardy and Wheel between 7 and 8.  At 8 PM I turned on the Knicks and watched until halftime.  At that point, I watched the Mets until 9 PM.

The answers on Jeopardy Masters were really tough.  When I was watching it, I saw on my phone that the Knicks lost to the Celtics 127-102, forcing a Game 6 on Friday at MSG.

Jeopardy was the big winner of the night.

Is Chronicles Volume II - An Autobiography of Bob Dylan Being Released Soon?

 

In 2004, Bob Dylan wrote an autobiography called Chronicles Volume I. There were supposed to be three volumes in this series, but after 20 years, nothing has been said about the next two volumes.  Sean Penn, who narrated volume 1 said that he was just getting ready to record Chronicles II but he hadn't read it yet. To be clear, he mentioned it by title so we're not talking Bob's recent book on music.

Dylan has always been secretive about what he does, so we will have to wait and hear for an announcement.  I really should reread Volume 1 as it has been cited by the Dylan scholars.

Mets 6 Cubs 2 on Mother's Day at Citi Field

The Mets took a 1-0 lead as Luis Torrens hit a triple in the second inning to drive in Starlin Marte.  In the top of the sixth, Pete Crow-Armstrong homered for the Cubs to tie the game. The Mets traded Crow-Armstrong to the Cubs at the trading deadline in 2021 for Javier Baez, who did not sign with the Mets in the off-season.  Mark Vientos homered in the bottom of the sixth to regain the lead.  Nico Hoerner drove in a run in the seventh inning to tie the game again.

The Mets rallied for four runs in the eighth, featuring home runs by Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo, to win the game 6-2.

Game Summary

I made a fashion statement at the game.

 

It's Alright by Adam Faith - Random One-Hit Wonder of the Day

 

It's Alright by Adam Faith hit #31 on the Billboard Chart in 1965.  I remember this record being played in the film Good Morning Vietnam.  Adam Faith had more hits in the United Kingdom.

In the Last Week I Got Two Final Jeopardy Questions Correct While All 3 Contestants Miss

It is very unusual when I get a final Jeopardy question correct while all three contestants miss.  This happened twice within the last week.

Best New Artist at the 7th annual Grammys, this band would be nominated the next 6 years, but not again until the 39th & 67th events

The correct question is: Who are the Beatles? This was a wild guess on my part.

 I did a little "research" into this. The Best New Artist would be in 1964, while the next six years cover the time until 1970, when the group actively recorded.  They were nominated in the 39th event for The Beatles Anthology as Best Long Form Video, and Free as a Bird for Short Form Video.  At the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, they won for "Now and Then" as Best Rock Performance.  I wasn't overly thrilled about "Now and Then."

Of the 4 independent nations of the Americas without English or Spanish as an official language, it’s the smallest in area

The correct question:  What is Haiti?  Two contestants guessed Suriname, where Dutch is the official language.  However, Haiti, where French is the official language, is smaller in area.

Those questions in the Jeopardy Masters Tournament are really tough.  Yogesh Raut is really a terrific player and could win the tournament.  I watched the Jeopardy tournament last night and missed the Knicks' second comeback win of the series against the Celtics.

 

Rainy Days and Mondays [Tuesdays Too] by the Carpenters

 

It looks like there will be two rainy days in a row.  Yesterday I watched the movie Diamond King on Amazon Prime Video.  It is about Dick Perez, the Official Artist of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.  Maybe today, I'll do some reading.

No More Bagels in My Immediate Neighborhood

 

The JK Bakery on Union Street in Flushing, around the corner from my building, has closed permanently. The discussion about this on Nextdoor and Facebook assumes that the landlord has raised the rent so high that the business could no longer be profitable.  There was no sign on the front at all, so assumptions must be made.

When I moved into the neighborhood in the mid 1980s Jews owned the business, but shortly thereafter Koreans bought it.  I don't know if the same woman has owned it for all these years.  The current owner only sells bagels, coffee, and bottled water.  In the past, we could buy assorted pastries, sandwiches, and sodas.

The owner always listened to 1010 WINS, the all-news station.  That station must be repetitive and assumes only short-term listeners.  I asked the owner once if she is bored listening to the station all day.  Her response was "I like the news."  Maybe she does, but I sure don't.  All you hear about is crime, fires, natural disasters, and corrupt public officials.

For the past week, I got my bagels at Stop and Shop when I do my bi-weekly trips there.  Their bagels are not as good as the ones from the JK Bakery.  There is another bagel bakery at 34th Road and Union Street about 1/2 mile away.  Once in a while I will have to walk over there.

Nothing in this world is permanent.

It is Sad that the President Signed an Executive Order to End Federal Funding for NPR and PBS

 

This article in the New York Times states that the president wants to cut federal funding for NPR and PBS.  I have some concerns:

• The current president is overusing Executive Orders.  He thinks he can do whatever he wants without consulting Congress.
• He perceives the news on NPR and PBS stations is biased against him.  I believe they are objective and present all sides of the issues.
• Music and cultural programming on these stations will be adversely affected.
• I am a sustaining member of WFUV, WBGO, and WNET (TV).  They will be more aggressive in their fundraising in the future, which is understandable.  
• I hope that the quality of their programs will not suffer.

Mets 8 Diamondbacks 3

 

Our 20-game Sunday plan includes some weekday games, so Lee and I were at Citi Field last night.  The game featured two-run home runs by Francisco Lindor and Starlin Marte and a solo homer by Pete Alonso whose batting average is now .346.

The Mets had a spectacular defensive inning, as seen below, with amazing plays from Mark Vientos, Tyrone Taylor, and Francisco Lindor.

The Mets improved their MLB-leading record to 21-9 and their league-best home mark to 13-1.

Box Score

Happy 92nd Birthday to Willie Nelson

 

At 92 years old, Willie Nelson will appear at the Outlaw Music Festival this summer.  The tour will stop at Jones Beach on August 1, when Lee and I will be there.  Last summer he skipped the stop at Jones Beach for health reasons.  Of course, I picked his cover of Bob Dylan's What Was It You Wanted.

Where the Action Is (Was) - A Follow Up on a Journal Entry from 2011

 

Last night, Freddie "Boom Boom" Cannon was a guest on Cousin Brucie's show.  It did not come up in the conversation, but I remembered that Freddie sang the theme to Where the Action Is, a TV show in the mid 1960s hosted by Dick Clark that featured performances by the rock stars of that of that era.  I searched my journal and discovered an entry I wrote in 2011.  It refreshed my memory and stated that I have two DVDs of shows from that series.  I will have to re-watch them now.

There is now a detailed article in Wikipedia describing the show.

Check out this full episode:

Chicago the Musical at the Ambassador Theater

 

Today, we continued a family tradition of seeing a Broadway show at birthdays.  Lee decided to see Chicago The Musical.  It originally opened on Broadway in 1975 and ran for about two years.  It was revived on Broadway in 1996 and holds the record as the longest-running musical revival and the longest-running American musical in Broadway history.

It tells the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife who murders her lover, and Velma Kelly, a vaudeville star, as they both navigate the legal system and the media circus surrounding their crimes. 

I observed that all the actors were dressed in black.  There was no scenery as the orchestra was always behind the actors and dancers.

Oy Vey - A Man Was Fatally Stabbed for Stepping on Toes in the NYC Subway

 

Stepping on toes is an idiom meaning to upset or offend someone, especially by doing something that is not their responsibility or that encroaches on their area of authority.  A former colleague always mumbled to herself that she shouldn't step on people's toes, but kept on doing it.  She would regularly offer to do someone else's job.  After the normal one-year probationary period, she was terminated.  This happened about 12 years ago.  I hope she is doing well wherever she ended up.

Anyway, I rarely see that expression used literally.  Today, I read that an argument about someone's shoes being stepped on aboard a rush-hour 6 train ended with a man being stabbed to death at the City Hall subway station in Lower Manhattan.  I have heard of many crimes in the subway, but this has to be the stupidest.  I have ridden on many crowded trains in my years of riding, but I have never stepped on anyone's toes.

Don't Think Twice by Eric Clapton - One of My Favorite Dylan Covers

Don't Think Twice was originally recorded by Bob Dylan in his Freewheelin' album in 1963.  It has been covered umpteen times in many musical genres.  Eric Clapton recorded this version at the 30th Anniversary Concert at Madison Square Garden on October 16, 1992.