Reconnecting with Phil K from My Rego Park Days

 

It is relatively easy to reconnect with an old friend through Facebook or another social networking site. There is another dimension when a phone conversation follows some online chats.  In 2009, I wrote a journal entry describing my growing up in Rego Park, Queens.  Phil was mentioned as a friend.  He lived on Booth Street and 64th Road, across the street from P.S. 139.

I didn't remember seeing Phil after I was promoted from that school in 1961.  He said that after one year at Russell Sage JHS 190, he enrolled in Kew Forest, a private school. He went to Wagner College for his B.S. degree and then earned an MBA from Baruch College. He had a few jobs in NYC and later relocated to Denver and then to Florida, where he now resides.  I told him of my personal and job histories.  I do not want to repeat that here.

We discussed:

• His father passed away at age 44 from acute leukemia
• His mother remarried twice and passed away at age 96
• He married relatively late and has a son and a daughter.
• How Rego Park has changed over the decades
• A few other mutual friends from the old neighborhood

Our phone call lasted about 50 minutes.  My experience is that reconnections are one-time events with no follow-up.  He has not visited NYC in many years, while my last visit to Florida was in 2015.

Finally - A New Jeopardy Superstar - Scott Riccardi Wins His 10th Game

 

In this season, there have been only a few big winners on Jeopardy.  Yesterday, Scott Riccardi, an engineer from Somerville, NJ, won his 10th game to qualify as a superstar. According to the Jeopardy Fan, his statistics to date are:

253 correct, 19 incorrect

15/15 on rebound attempts (on 41 rebound opportunities)

40.35% in first on buzzer (230/570)

11/17 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $23,600)

8/10 in Final Jeopardy

Average Coryat: $20,880the 

The big luck factor on Jeopardy is hitting the Daily Doubles, wagering high, and getting them correct.  We'll have to keep watching and see how far Scott goes.  The season should end either this Friday, 7/18, or next Friday, 7/25.  If he keeps winning, he can come back next season.  He obviously qualifies for the next Tournament of Champions.

Home Run Derby - Yesterday and Today

 

Home Run Derby Matchup between Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays in 1959

I only watched last night's All-Star game until 10 PM, just after Pete Alonso hit a 3-run homer to give the NL a 5-0 lead.  When I woke up this morning I found out that after the score was tied at 6-6 after 9 innings, the NL won the game after a home run derby.  I wasn't aware of that tie-breaking rule.  I think it is a silly way to end the game.  There has been a home run derby competition the day before the All-Star Game held since 1985.

I remember as a young boy watching a home run derby TV series.  There were 26 episodes filmed at Los Angeles Wrigley Field in 1959/60.  This series was rebroadcast on Classic Sports Network in 1996.

Random Thoughts of the Day July 14, 2025

 

• I was watching the Today Show this morning when the topic turned to Jeffrey Epstein and his list. I immediately went to the restroom to take care of my business, so I couldn't hear what was going on. I just don't understand why the media glorifies the notorious.
• Yesterday I saw a kid on a skateboard looking at his cell phone at the road leading out of Forest Park. I have observed so many careless pedestrians and cyclists on the street.
• I just hate party politics.  No Republican wants to cross Donald Trump.  They should do what is best for their constituents, not what is best for the party.  I just can't believe that 77 million people voted for that lowlife.
• I just don't understand why so many Democrats support Zohran Mamdani when he has so little experience as a legislator.  I am uncertain about his views on Israel and anti-semitism.  I will vote for a candidate based on qualifications not party.

George Reeves is Still My Superman

 

Growing up in the 1950s, I read the Superman comic books and watched the Adventures of Superman with George Reeves on TV.  When I grew older, I gave up the comic books, but watched the reruns of the classic TV series.  In the late 70s and into the 80s, there were Superman movies starring Christopher Reeve as the Man of Steel.  I enjoyed watching them, but they weren't the same as the TV series.

This weekend, a new Superman movie, the first film for DC Studios, was released, starring  David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman.  The 3D film obviously incorporated the newer technologies, such as the cell phone.  In this version, Lois Lane, played by Rachel Brosnahan, knows that Clark Kent is Superman.  There is also a romantic relationship between them.  Superman's archenemy, Lex Luthor, plays a significant role.

I enjoyed the movie, but George Reeves will always be my Superman.

Review in the New York Times.

I Walked Out of the Reality Check Group at the Older Adult Center after the Group Started to Discuss Jeffrey Epstein

 

 cu

In my Journal entry of September 22, 2024, I wrote about my frustration with the Reality Check Group at the Older Adult Center in Bayside.  This group discusses current events on Friday afternoons.  My last paragraph read:

I attended this group to enjoy myself for one hour on a Friday afternoon.  As I realize I no longer enjoy this group, it is time to leave it.  I don't feel any animosity toward the facilitator or any participants.  I just don't have the pleasure of listening to a political discussion.  Perhaps after the election, I'll sample this group again.

Nine months later, I decided to check it out again since there was no trivia group on Tuesday.  On many Fridays, I like to go on my "urban hikes," but it was just too hot and humid.

The 12 people discussed such depressing news stories as:

• The War in Gaza
• Perceived anti-semitism of mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani
• Donald Trump
• Partisan politics

All of a sudden the facilitator, a social worker in her 20s, started to bring up Jeffrey Epstein, an American financier and child sex offender.  The old farts in this group followed her lead and started a discussion.  I immediately walked out of the group. Perhaps I made a scene, and if so, I hope my action made a statement.

I do not want to talk about such a lowlife.

Why should I attend a group if the discussion saddens me?

A Fluid Leak from My Car Leads to a Big Repair Bill

 

Last Saturday, when I returned home, I noticed a leak from my car similar to the one seen above.  At first, I thought it was just condensate from the air conditioner, but it was greasy, so I thought it could be:

• Engine Oil
• Brake Fluid
• Power Steering Fluid
• Coolant

I called the local Chevrolet dealer and made an appointment to bring it in on Tuesday morning.  It is about a 4 mile trip from my home to the dealership.  About halfway there, a message appeared on the dashboard indicating that the car was overheating.  Fortunately, I made it to the dealership without stalling out.  The clerk said they couldn't work on it until Wednesday.

Wednesday morning, I received a call from the mechanic saying that there were several leaks in the cooling system.  The car needed new hoses, belts, and a thermostat.  The cost was quite high.  The only alternative would be to buy a new car.

My car is a 2015 Chevy Cruze that I bought pre-owned in January 2019.  Apparently, it was previously leased.  I only put 38,600 miles on it since most of my driving is local.  Problems inevitably arise as a car ages.