Will Bob Dylan Win the Nobel Prize for Literature?

A few weeks ago I reported on my Internet radio rituals, but I also have rituals for reading on my commute to and from work.  On Monday morning I usually read the magazine section of the Sunday New York Times while on the trip home I read the Sunday Review.  In either case, I never know what articles will appear.  Many times the articles are boring and dry and not of interest to me.  I was pleasantly surprised as I found Knock, Knock, Knockin' on Nobel's Door.

The author, Bill Wyman (not of Rolling Stones fame) argues that Bob Dylan should be seriously considered for the Nobel Prize in Literature.  This Bill Wyman is a freelance writer and former arts editor at NPR and Salon.  He states:

"If the academy doesn’t recognize Bob Dylan — a bard who embodied the most significant cultural upheaval of the second half of the last century — it will squander its best chance to honor a pop poet."

I guess in any voting for an award, there are politics involved.  I tend to doubt that the voting members of the Swedish Academy are Bob Dylan fans.  Since the award is announced in October, we'll find out soon.  If he doesn't win now, we can wait until next year.

The Mets Salute Mike Piazza and Win 3-2 in Season Finale

About a week ago I decided to see if I could get tickets for the last Met game of the season through Stub Hub.  I was able to get tickets in the upper deck behind home plate for about $30/each.  Even though the Mets were eliminated from post season play a long time ago, Mike Piazza was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame today.  There was close to a full house as his accomplishments as a Met from 1998-2005 were shown.  Several former Mets were in attendance.

As usual the Mets hitting was anemic, but they benefited by an error in the 8th inning and won 3-2 while getting only 3 hits.

Game Recap

The Mets ended the season with a 74-88 record, the same as last year.  With so many young players with potential there is cause for optimism next season.  I assume that Sandy Alderson will make moves in the off season.

Why I am Not Voting in the Runoff Election for Public Advocate

On Tuesday October 1 there will be a runoff election for the Democratic nomination for Public Advocate between Daniel Squadron and Letitia James shown above.  The role of the Public Advocate in NYC is:

 "That of a watchdog, ensuring that all New Yorkers receive the City services they deserve and have a voice in shaping the policies of their government.."

Both Squadron and James have good records in public service and would serve that role well.  Here is the issue that bothers me.

It will cost $13 million to hold this runoff election while the budget for Public Advocate is only $2 million.  Isn't there a more efficient way of running this election?  I guess most of this money will go to pay people to sit on their butts in the polling place while so few people come into vote.  There are plenty of better ways to spend $13 million:

• Resources for the New York City Schools
• Food for the hungry and homeless
• Fixing the infrastructure
• Many others

To protest this inefficient method of holding an election I am not voting for either candidate.

Bob Dylan - The Complete Album Collection is Announced

The Bob Dylan Complete Album Collection will be released on November 5th.  Amazon states the price will be $263.  For me, there is no sense in buying music that I already own.  I have many of the early releases in vinyl, but I still have a turntable to play it.  This set may be tough to sell since the big Dylan fans already own the CDs.

Internet Radio Rituals

I likely listen to more radio on my computer than I do on my radio.Here are some of my weekly internet radio rituals:

• Sunday Mornings - Sounds of the 60s with Brian Matthew (podcast)
• Sunday Early Evening - Lost 45s with Barry Scott on WROR Boston
• Sunday at 9 PM - Doo Wop with Cool Bobby B on SirusXM 50s on 5
• Monday Evenings - Dennis Mitchell's Breakfast with the Beatles Part 1 (podcast)
• Tuesday Evenings - Dennis Mitchell's Breakfast with the Beatles Part 2 (podcast)
• Wednesday Evening - Cousin Brucie SiriusXM 60s on 6
• Friday Evening - 60s 70s Show with Bob Radil on Rewound Radio
• Saturday Evening - Cousin Brucie on SiriusXM 60s on 6

Other Internet Radio Stations

• Pop Gold Radio - Don Tandler
• Hy Lit Radio - Sam Lit
• Johnny Cash Radio
• DylanRadio.com - Pete Freckleton
• Bob Dylan Tracks

Styles Section in Sunday's New York Times

I usually read the Sunday Styles section on Sunday afternoon, while I save several sections to read on my commute on Monday and Tuesday.  I would like to comment on three articles in today's edition.

Step Away from the Phone  - When cell phones first became popular in the 1990s, it was so annoying to be on a bus or train and have to listen to someone's conversation.  Often people would discuss personal issues in a public place.  Now that everyone and his brother has a smart phone, people are always texting or checking Facebook while not paying attention to anything else.  This article describes how smartphone addicts are trying to break the habit.

Love to Loathe You Baby - this article describes "hate reading" of social media posts.  I am certainly guilty of looking up people whom I have not seen in years.  I would never want to reconnect with these people, but I do it out of curiosity.  For example, I found out that a former college roommate has been living in North Carolina for many years.  He divorced his wife whom he dated when I knew him.  This type of cyberstalking is really harmless. I am sure there are people in my past who find me but don't want to contact me.

Divorce after 50 Grows More Common -  I guess I can understand this situation.  As people age they may develop different interests and grow apart.  I guess the "empty nest" very often leads to divorce.  I guess if Al and Tipper Gore can split, it could happen to anyone.  Some divorces are bitter while others are amicable.

Eliot Rivera and His New York Boogaloo Orchestra

There are more than books at public libraries.  Today we walked over to the Flushing branch of the Queens Borough Public Library to see a performance of Eliot Rivera and his New York Boogaloo Orchestra.  This group played an eclectic mix of salsa, boogaloo and boleros in English and Spanish.  I even found a Youtube video of one of their performances.