A Virtual Group of Bob Dylan Enthusiasts Meets in Person for the First Time in Four Years

 

Three of the Seven People Who Met Last Night

A group of Bob Dylan enthusiasts met at NYU in November 2019 and February 2020.  Shortly after that those meeting the pandemic hit and we had to meet virtually.  For the last four years we met virtually using either Zoom and Google Meet and had some lively discussions about our favorite singer songwriter.

Last night we met at a bar in Greenwich Village called The Spaniard.  It was nice to finally meet again in person.  Hopefully, in the future we can meet both online and in person.

Portland Trailblazers 134 Brooklyn Nets 127 in OT at Barclay's Center

The last time we were at Barclay's Center was in February 2020 when we saw the Vancouver Canucks beat the Islanders.  Since that time the Islanders moved to the UBS Arena on Long Island while the Nets stayed at Barclay's Center.  Since tickets for the Knicks are so expensive we decided to take a longer subway ride to Brooklyn.

The Nets led for the first three quarters, but could not hold that lead.  The game was tied at 115 at the end of regulation, but Malcolm Brogdon scored eight of his 18 points during Portland’s nearly flawless overtime.  The Nets are now 16-21 and have lost 11 out of their last 14 games.

Game Recap

 

The Demise of Movie Theaters in Queens Comes to This Generation

 

When I was growing up in Rego Park in the 1960s there were several movie theaters within walking distance or a short bus ride.  Back in those days, there were no multiplexes.  The following theaters have closed over the years:

• Elmwood
• Trylon 
• Drake
• Forest Hills
• Continental (changed its name to Brandon)

Only the Midway stands today.  It now has 9 screens.

In the 1980s after I was married I moved to northern Queens where the following movie theaters eventually closed:

• RKO Keiths
• Prospect
• Quartet
• Bayside (at Bell Blvd. and 39th Avenue)
• Whitestone

The AMC Bay Terrace with six screens still stands

In 1999 the College Point Multiplex with 12 screens was built at the intersections of the Whitestone Expressway and Linden Place.  It was nice to have a movie theater within walking distance for all these years. 

The Bayside Times reports today that the College Point Multiplex will likely close since the Jamaica Multiplex Cinemas will shut down in June.  The parent company closed several theaters in the past year.  I must have seen hundreds of movies in that multiplex since it opened in 1999.  It was always nice to have a movie theater in the neighborhood.  Sadly, movie theaters have become dinosaurs as people would prefer to stay home and watch movies on streaming services such as Netflix.

Nothing in this world stays the same.  I guess movie theaters are going the way of the landline telephone.

Roster Moves by the New York Mets This Off-Season

 

Obviously, this list is subject to change.  I am disappointed that the Mets non-tendered Luis Guillorme as he was a good backup infielder.  The Atlanta Braves just signed him to a one-year contract.  Adam Ottavino was an effective relief pitcher who is still a free agent.  The two major acquisitions are former Yankees Harrison Bader and Luis Severino.  We hope they can bounce back after disappointing 2023 seasons.  We can only hope for the best for the 2024 season, but at this point I am not overly optimistic.

What Will Bob Dylan Do in 2024?

 

According to this "announcement," the Rough and Rowdy Ways tour will continue into 2024.  In recent years the Neverending Tour takes a break in winter and resumes in the spring.  The uncertainty is where he will tour this year.

It is always very easy to spread rumors on the internet.  There is a rumor that he will release a new album this year.  On X, Dylan author Ray Padgett states there is a rumor the album will be titled Triplicate 2.  Could this mean more adult standards?

I am quoting from a website called MediaMass:

Has Bob Dylan been working on a new album? While representatives are keeping tight-lipped, reports have been circulating on the Internet. There have been strong rumors that the singer is finally returning to the recording studio working on a what might be a back-to-roots album.

Can back-to-roots mean acoustic folk?

All we can do is wait and see.

Jimi Hendrix Plays Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band with Comments by Paul McCartney

 

New Beginning by Tracy Chapman - First Post of the New Year

I never like to post the same song twice in this journal.  I first thought of New Morning by Bob Dylan or Just Like Starting Over by John Lennon, but both have appeared in Bruce's Journal.  Instead I chose New Beginning by Tracy Chapman which expresses the same sentiment.