Blue Velvet by Bobby Vinton

I am now into my second day of writer's cramp. Since I am still into Bobby Vinton and blue, I am posting his version of Blue Velvet. Facebook friends may see and hear it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qh1dAgoa3Bc

Blue on Blue by Bobby Vinton

Besides being a color the word blue is used as a synonym for sadness. Since there is nothing much to write about today I will post Blue on Blue by Bobby Vinton. Facebook friends can see it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4yyj7orXfs

Opening Day of the Baseball Season 2010

After a very snowy winter, the baseball season is finally here. The Yankees opened last night at Fenway Park against the hated Red Sox. We were home last night and watched most of the game. Those Yankee-Red Sox matchups are always very long. Both teams work out long counts and foul off many pitches. I just hate it when the manager takes out the pitcher after one batter. Anyway the Yankees lost 9 -7.

Game Summary

The Mets were more successful as they beat the Florida Marlins 7-1. The Mets have now won 32 of their last 41 openers after losing their first 8. It is a good start, but there are still 161 games left. The starting rotation after Johann Santana will likely be inconsistent this season.

Game Summary

Reviewing the Color Songs on Bruce's Journal

Regular readers of Bruce's Journal know that on days when I just don't know what to write, I post a color song. Let me take this opportunity to review what I have posted to date. I will move on to blue songs the next time I have writers cramp.


Colours - Donovan - November 20
She’s a Rainbow - Rolling Stones - November 25
White Room - Cream - November 30
Nights in White Satin - Moody Blues - December 4
A Whiter Shade of Pale - Dec 7
Black is Black - Los Bravos - Dec 9
Baby’s in Black - Beatles - Dec 14
Black Magic Woman - Santana - Dec 16
Black and White - Three Dog Night - Dec 18
Shades of Gray - Monkees - December 21
Yellow Submarine - Beatles - December 24
Mellow Yellow - Donovan - December 30
Tie a Yellow Ribbon - January 7
Yellow River - Christie - January 12
Green Tambourine - Lemon Pipers January 22
Green Onions - Booker T and the Mgs - January 27
Green, Green Grass of Home - February 16
Green Green - New Christie Minstrels March 3
Jolly Green Giant - Kingsmen March 5
Orange Blossom Special - Johnny Cash - March 10
Green Grass - Gary Lewis and the Playboys - March 16
Blue Moon - Marcels - March 18

Willie Mays The Life The Legend

Over the years I have read many biographies of public figures. Most readers don't realize all the work the an author must do as he writes a book on any topic. James S. Hirsch was born in 1962 and was only 11 years when the Say Hey Kid retired from baseball. He interviewed over 130 people, reviewed over 4000 articles and other documents, and read 135 books in researching Willie. It is an authorized biography since Willie with all of the author's efforts in compiling this book.

I like Hirsch's chrnological method as the reader knows the time frame of each chapter. He includes some personal aspect of Willie's life without being gossipy. There were significant racial issues when Mays broke into baseball in the early 1950s. Jackie Robinson was traded to the Giants before 1957, but retired instead of reporting. It is a shame that Jackie and Willie never played together. I was aware the Mrs. Joan Payson, first owner of the Mets tried to trade for Mays for years, but didn't get him until 1972 when his skill had greatly eroded. He played poorly and spradically during his tenure with the Mets.

The book is very detailed and does not bore the reader with insignificant minutae. It was over 550 pages so it will require several hours over a number of sittings to finish. I spent much time on the rainy days this week reading it. I highly recommend this book for all baseball fans.

Yes, it was a Good Friday

NJIT was closed today, so for that reason alone it was a good Friday. I brought my car into a local service station for an oil change and state inspection. Everything was OK. The mechanic noted that my car is in good condition for a 10 year old car. I only have 38,000 miles on it and keep it in a garage. For the most part it has been a weekend car. I took a drive over to Alley Pond Park in eastern Queens and spent some time reading the biography of Willie Mays.

Some Random Thoughts About Facebook

I wonder if Facebook has past its peak in popularity. I think some people have left the service completely or just abandoned their accounts. I have had good and bad experiences with this #1 social networking site. I started out trying to build a large list of friends, but realized that this is not the right thing. Should I care if a one time acquaintance is walking in the park today? On the other hand I have had some good reconnections with people I haven't heard from in 40 years. Most of these reconnections were brief. I recently sent a long e-mail to an old graduate student friend reminiscing about the old days, but didn't get a reply.

There have been some misunderstandings about friending and unfriending people. One big oldies enthusiast whom I've met, for some strange reason de-friended me. I just can't let it bother me. When I read the posts of one person in Florida whom I've never met, I think to myself that I am just glad that I am not in his predicament. He seems to be extremely frustrated and bitter about his situation.

I think Facebook is here today, but it will gradually lose popularity as other social networking sites gain populairty. I will keep my account, but should spend less time with it.