Bruce Slutsky was born in New York City in 1949. I retired 8 years ago after working as a Science/Engineering Librarian at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark for 25 years. I was married to Karen until she passed away in February 2021. I have a son Lee who is now 37 years old. I am very much interested in the popular music of the 1960s, especially Bob Dylan and the Beatles. I am interested in rock and roll radio. I am an enthusiastic fan of the New York Mets.
Best wishes to Mary Ellen Brown, companion to Bob Radil, for a speedy recovery. She is a big New York Mets fan.
Fadi Deek found my review of his latest book, Portrait of an Expatriate: A Lebanese-American Story, in this journal. I revised and edited my review and had it published on Amazon.com. As of today, my journal entry has received 88 hits. I don't know how many are from real people and how many are from NJIT people.
My Bob Dylan friends report that " Baby, Won’t You Be My Baby, which was played in the last 2 concerts, had never been played in concerts before. It first appeared on The Basement Tapes box set and was recorded in 1967.
Some of those "baseball nuts" really amaze me. One guy traveled to Seattle and San Diego to see the Mets. On the way home, he stopped off in Chicago to see a game at Wrigley Field. What is he trying to prove? Where does he get the money to cover travel expenses?
Above is the setlist from the first concert of this leg of the tour in Troutdale, Oregon. I assume this will be the same setlist on July 21, when I will see him at Forest Hills.
It was the third of June, another sleepy, dusty Delta day I was out choppin' cotton, and my brother was balin' hay And at dinner time we stopped and walked back to the house to eat And mama hollered out the back door, y'all, remember to wipe your feet And then she said, I got some news this mornin' from Choctaw Ridge Today, Billy Joe MacAllister jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge
And papa said to mama, as he passed around the blackeyed peas Well, Billy Joe never had a lick of sense; pass the biscuits, please There's five more acres in the lower forty I've got to plow And mama said it was shame about Billy Joe, anyhow Seems like nothin' ever comes to no good up on Choctaw Ridge And now Billy Joe MacAllister's jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge
And brother said he recollected when he, and Tom, and Billie Joe Put a frog down my back at the Carroll County picture show And wasn't I talkin' to him after church last Sunday night? I'll have another piece-a apple pie; you know, it don't seem right I saw him at the sawmill yesterday on Choctaw Ridge And now ya tell me Billie Joe's jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge
And mama said to me, child, what's happened to your appetite? I've been cookin' all morning, and you haven't touched a single bite That nice young preacher, Brother Taylor, dropped by today Said he'd be pleased to have dinner on Sunday, oh, by the way He said he saw a girl that looked a lot like you up on Choctaw Ridge And she and Billy Joe was throwing somethin' off the Tallahatchie Bridge
A year has come and gone since we heard the news 'bout Billy Joe And brother married Becky Thompson; they bought a store in Tupelo There was a virus going 'round; papa caught it, and he died last spring And now mama doesn't seem to want to do much of anything And me, I spend a lot of time pickin' flowers up on Choctaw Ridge And drop them into the muddy water off the Tallahatchie Bridge
Since my last journal entry was so long, I'll make today's very short. I found this video by accident when I accessed YouTube. I am sure that Gary Mintz and everyone in the New York Giants Preservation Society know everything discussed here. This video did not describe any non-baseball events at the Polo Grounds.
I received an email from Fadi Deek saying he read review of his book and appreciated my comments.
Yours truly, with Fadi Deek at My Retirement Luncheon in December 2017
I was perusing LinkedIn and received an announcement of a
new book Portrait of an Expatriate: A Lebanese-American Story by Fadi
Deek. I knew that I had to read this
book as I knew him throughout my 25 years at the New Jersey Institute of
Technology (NJIT). I bought the Kindle
version of the book as very little room in my apartment for print books. It was the best $3.99 I ever spent for a
book. I highly recommend anyone
associated with NJIT, past, present or future read this book.
I don’t want to make this journal entry a tradition book
review but use it to reflect on my interactions with Fadi during and after my
NJIT years.
Near the end of the book he states “This book is not a
ledger of accomplishments, but an acknowledgement of a life that was made
better by those who shaped me, believed in me, and stood with me. For all of it, I am deeply humbled and eternally
grateful.”
Fadi was born in Lebanon in 1961. Then and now, that was a very volatile part
of the world. He details his childhood,
family, and academic goals in his formative years. Late in his college years he emigrated to the
United States and completed his studies at NJIT. Much of the book relates how his academic
career developed from undergraduate to professor, to researcher, to mentor, to
university administrator, and back to researcher. I am amazed at the multitude of positions he
held at NJIT including Provost, the highest academic office in a university.
Let me list my comments about Fadi:
·Everyone
called him by his first name. Nobody addressed
him by any of his academic titles including Professor, Dean, or Provost.
·He
was an impeccable dresser as he always wore a suit and tie while many of his
colleagues dressed informally at NJIT.
·In
his early years as a researcher, I helped the interlibrary loan people verify
the articles he needed to order from other universities.
·When
he applied for a promotion to Distinguished Professor he specifically asked me
to compile his cited reference report which was a long and tedious task for me.
·My
only disappointment in reading the book is that it did not mention at all the NJIT
Library that reported to him. He
mentioned several university administrators, but not the two University
Librarians who reported directly to him (the late Richard Sweeney and Ann
Hoang). Shortly after Rich Sweeney’s
tragic accident, he visited him at the hospital.
He spoke at a memorial gathering for Rich.
·He
came to my retirement luncheon in December 2017. I understand that he changed an appointment
to come to it. Please see the photo
above. That was the last time I wore a
suit and tie.
·After
I retired from NJIT, I had two email exchanges with him. After I received the Albert Nelson Marquis
Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who's Who in October 2019, I sent emails
to several former colleagues at NJIT.
Fadi was one of the few who responded. He said, “Bruce, this is marvelous
news for an award that is well-deserved by you. I am happy to learn that you
are enjoying your retirement. I also
appreciate very much that you stay in touch. Have a great weekend.
Fadi”
·Last
year he wrote a book titled The Enduring Presence of Christianity in Lebanon. I sent him a message congratulating him, which
he acknowledged.
This passage made me laugh:
“Now let me conclude with what is “not acceptable”. Starting with micromanagement. I observed how it can undermine trust, stifle
creativity, and create a demoralizing work environment. Leaders must avoid and reject the temptation
to micromanage because it can prevent team members from growing and developing
their own leadership skills.”
Did he realize that Richard Sweeney was a micromanager?
After 5400 journal entries over 20 years, I never know who
reads Bruce’s Journal. Perhaps Fadi will find my thoughts about his book. Fadi, thank you for sharing your thoughts
with everyone. I hope your children and
grandchildren will bring happiness and joy to you. I am sure that at age 65 you may begin to
think about retirement. Keep on doing
what you enjoy no matter what your age.
I know that a few NJIT professors didn’t retire until age 90. I look forward to your next book
If anyone wants to contact me, I can be reached at Bruce@BruceSlutsky.com
Just one year ago, I purchased an air conditioner from a reputable manufacturer at a reliable retailer. Thankfully, I added a warranty. On the first hot day of the season, nothing happened when I turned on the unit. I called up the retailer, who referred me to a company that repairs air conditioners. They picked up the AC a week ago and took it to their shop. Today, I received a phone call saying the unit needs both the indoor and outdoor fan motors. It is disappointing that two major parts would break down after one year of use. What aggravated the situation is that both parts are on back order until October.
I called the retailer's customer service, who said they would honor the warranty but would have to pick up the broken AC. I arranged for the repair company to bring it to my home, but they cannot come until Friday, June 5. After that, I will have to go to the store to get a new AC. That will obviously take time until the new unit arrives. I hope the weather will be cool over the next few weeks.
I guess the Mets' owner, Steve Cohen, just likes to give away money. As you can see he is paying over $32 million to former Mets. The biggest bust is $17 million to pitcher Frankie Montas, who is injured and can't pitch. I blame David Stearns, President of Baseball Operations, for this mess. I assume if Stearns is fired, Cohen will have to pay him millions.
