What Will Bob Dylan Do in 2025?

 

The Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour ended last week at the Royal Albert Hall in London.  We can only speculate on what he will do in 2025.  Here are my thoughts:

• The Never Ending Tour will resume in the Spring with a new set list.  The question is where will he play?  He seems to enjoy touring and obviously does not need the money.  This is quite possible.
• He will record an album with new songs.  He is now "off" for several months so this is a possibility especially since it is over 4 years since he released the Rough and Rowdy Ways album.
• Will he meet Timothée Chalamet after the release of A Complete Unknown?
• Steven Jenkins of Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa reported there will be a new bootleg series featuring very early Dylan recordings.

Of course, Dylan is very unpredictable.

I Love a Rainy Night by Eddie Rabbit - Appropriate Oldie of the Day

 

I requested this song on Bob Radil's 60s 70s show on Friday night. It has not rained much on the East Coast in the last month or so, creating drought conditions that have resulted in numerous brush fires.  If it rains at night people's plans for the day won't be ruined.

My Thoughts on Congestion Pricing in NYC

 

Much has been written and said about congestion pricing in NYC over the past few years. This article from MSN summarizes the latest developments.  Here are my thoughts:

I never drive my car into Manhattan to avoid the above congestion and not pay exorbitant fees for parking in private garages. Back in the late 1960s, I would drive into Manhattan on Friday nights to go to the Sigma Beta Phi fraternity house on 6th Avenue and 28th Street. Since then, I have only driven into Manhattan on rare occasions.

Congestion pricing would not affect me.  The MTA needs more funding to maintain its infrastructure and will rely on funds from congestion pricing.  I hope modernizing the signals will be a priority.  Over the years I confronted numerous agonizing delays from signal problems.  Expediting the construction of elevators in the subway system should also be prioritized.  For those reasons, I am in favor of congestion pricing.

Numerous cars enter Manhattan from New Jersey via the Holland or Lincoln tunnels.  Funds collected from those cars should go to New Jersey Transit since that agency desperately needs to improve its infrastructure.  After 7 years I am still grateful I never have to ride their trains.  I do take subways and buses, but not as often as I did when I worked.

Random Thoughts of the Day - November 13, 2024

• Does the media report the news or does it create it?  I am especially critical of sports journalism where so many articles are just speculative.  This is happening now with free agents in baseball on the market.  The big story is who will land Juan Soto?  This article from Major League Baseball is typical of a story based on conjecture.
• Whenever there was a professional opening in academia, it would usually take several months to fill. 
• The position would have to be approved
• Advertisements are then placed.
• The resumes are evaluated by a committee
• Candidates are invited for the first interview.
• Leading candidates are invited for a second interview
• An appointment is finally made.
• I observe that the NYC Mayor and President-Elect make appointments within days.  There is a saying "To the victor belongs the spoils."  Shouldn't there be a committee to appoint a new School's Chancellor?  I question some of the appointments made by the President-Elect within days of his election.  Shouldn't ambassadors have some experience as diplomats?
• The Mayor of NYC wants his trial date moved so it won't interfere with his re-election.  There is no way I will vote for him.

 

What's New Pussycat by Tom Jones - Random Oldie of the Day

 

For some strange reason, this song came to mind this morning.

Today's Visit to the New York Historical Society

 

Over the years I have visited the New York Historical Society as documented in this journal.  Every museum has permanent and short-term exhibits.  Let me outline some of the exhibits we saw today.

• Pets and the City - explores the visual history of New Yorkers and their animal companions over the last two and a half centuries.  I was amused by a video showing pets in TV series.  Another video showed presidential pets.
• “Turn Every Page”: Inside the Robert A. Caro Archive - Offers Unparalleled Look at Caro’s Research and Methodology as a Reporter, Biographer, and Writer.  Caro is best known for writing a 1200 page biography of Robert Moses and a multi-volume biography of Lyndon Baines Johnson.
• Gallery of Tiffany Lamps - this is a permanent exhibition.

Some Political Thoughts Post Election

 

I don't consider myself a political person, but here I go.

• In my opinion backlash against Biden was a major reason Trump won.  Kamala could not answer the questions of how she would differ from Biden
• Biden should have dropped out in late 2023 allowing for a primary season where several candidates could have run for the nomination.  I can't think of anyone else besides California Governor Gavin Newsome who would have run.  Many Democrats may have felt that there should have been a choice.  Kamala's truncated campaign likely hurt her chances.
• To quote a Bob Dylan song title "I Pity the Poor Immigrant", only a few migrants are criminals.  These people who crossed the border are seeking out a better life.  The migrants should not be demonized, but they have put stress on New York City's resources.
• I am afraid that Trump will cut aid to Ukraine so that his buddy Putin will eventually take over the country.

Let's hope for the best.