New Jersey - Some Things Change, Others Stay the Same

 

• From 1992-2017, I commuted from Queens to Newark, New Jersey.  There were numerous delays on New Jersey Transit, many of which were documented on my commuting blog.  Almost every morning now, I hear about terrible NJ Transit delays on the TV news.  I count my blessings that I never have to ride any of their trains.  Avoiding NJ Transit is one reason I don't want to visit my former employer.
• From time to time, I peruse the websites of my former employer. (I choose not to name it here).  Certainly, over 8 years, things will change, most of which is positive.  Enrollment has grown with new programs, departments, and faculty.  There is a new president and provost.
• Let me discuss changes in the library that I observed. The staff has grown with about 4 new positions.  I am disappointed to see that the new librarians do not have degrees in the technical disciplines offered by the university.  I can't understand why reference hours were extended to 9 PM from Monday to Thursday.  During my last years there, reference transactions declined greatly.  For many hours, I sat at the reference desk and had no interactions.  I can not see this trend changing.  Let them do what they want, as I am not there any longer.

Natalie Merchant Covers Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands at Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa

 

The Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, presented "Sooner or Later: Celebrating 60 Years of Bob Dylan's Blonde on Blonde," a special one-night-only concert held on February 20, 2026, at Cain's Ballroom. The event featured a house band and various artists performing the landmark 1966 album in its entirety, with comedian Jordan Klepper as host.

I have chosen to feature Natalie Merchant's cover of Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands.  I remember Dylan's original had a long harmonica solo.  There is no video of the entire concert, but if you search YouTube you will find other concert appearances covering the songs.

Bob Dylan as Filmmaker: No Time to Think

 

In February 2021, in this journal, I questioned how many Bob Dylan books are enough.  What does Dylan think of all the books that have been written him or his works over the years?  He probably doesn't care since he didn't visit the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa the last time he performed in that city.  The Dylan archives at the center have certainly encouraged more research.  A book about Dylan is valuable if it provides new insights into his works.

Of course, Bob Dylan is best known as a songwriter and musician.  Michael Glover Smith is a Chicago-based filmmaker, author, and teacher.  His most recent film, Helka, was released in early 2026.  Please understand that this journal entry is not meant as a critical review of the book, but just an attempt to bring it to the attention of Dylan fans who regularly read my journal.  I don't know who they are since internet surfers are mostly anonymous.

In the introduction, the author states the book examines an authorial voice in moving image works directed by others, including:

• Eat the Document
• Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorcese
• Shadow Kingdom: The Early Songs of Bob Dylan
• A Complete Unknown directed by James Mangold

It does not examine in depth the better-known Dylan films, including:

• Don't Look Back
• Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
• I'm Not There

I was impressed by the information included in the book's appendices, which are useful to Dylan fans and scholars.  This includes lists of:

• Documentaries about Dylan
• Narrative films in which Bob Dylan appears as an actor
• Music videos where  Dylan appears
• Films for which Dylan wrote new music

Here are a few detailed reviews by Dylan scholars (I am a fan, not a scholar)

• Matthew Ingate
• Simon Warner
• Bradley Morgan

Michael Glover Smith has been interviewed on various podcasts, including:

• Definitely Dylan with Laura Tenschert
• Erin Callahan - Infinity Goes Up on Trial
• Kait Flower

There will be an open discussion through a Zoom Meeting with the Bob Dylan Book Club on March 22nd at 2 PM Eastern Time

Enough said.

Remembering Jack Spector of WMCA

 

It was 32 years ago today when Jack Spector suffered a fatal heart attack while on the air at WHLI.  He is best known for his time as a disc jockey on WMCA when his shift was 1 PM - 4 PM.  When WMCA started a talk format, he did a sports talk show.  Later, he did a similar show on WNBC.  He also worked at WHN and WCBS-FM.

Out of Sight Out of Mind by the Five Keys

 

I discussed the concept of "Out of Sight Out of Mind"  several times in this journal.  I discovered a song by that title that reached #23 on the Billboard chart in 1956.  Sadly, I was confronted by this notion again over the last week.  I won't discuss the specifics of this situation here. Briefly, I sent a friendly email to 3 people, but they didn't respond. I hadn't seen them in about 15 years and was trying to stay connected.  I guess I am Out of Sight Out of Mind to Them.  There is just nothing I can do.

64-12 Wetherole Street in Rego Park - Yesterday and Today

 In January 1980, I moved out of my parents' apartment on Saunders Street and moved to a small one-bedroom apartment a few blocks away at 64-12 Wetherole Street, across the street from P.S. 139. It was a small building with just 12 apartments.  I lived there until Fall 1983 when I married Karen and moved to 62-60 99th Street.  I remember the landlady was a cheap bitch and gave very little heat.  On a few occasions, it was so cold in the apartment that I could see my breath.

64-12 Wetherole Street in 2009

Today, as I perused Facebook, I found a post in the Rego-Forest Preservation Council Folder by Jim Orens and learned that 64-12 Wetherole Street is being demolished and will be replaced by a much larger building.  I haven't visited Rego Park in a while. I am aware that many small buildings were demolished and replaced by high rises.  For example, the Shalimar on 63rd Drive and the Trylon on Queens Blvd. are gone, replaced by high-rises.  Everyone is out for the almighty buck.

2026 64-12 is on the right side and is being deconstructed

The building on the left replaced a low-rise

Random Thoughts of the Day - Tuesday March 3

 

• I saw the documentary Man on the Run about Paul McCartney on Amazon Prime Video.  It was very good, but it stopped in the early 1980s.  Perhaps there will be another film about Paul's later years
• Out of Sight, Out of Mind also applies to families.  I sent a kind email to Karen's nephews and niece in California, but they didn't respond.  This is disappointing, but there is nothing I can do.
• This year, I will watch some of the World Baseball Classic.  Opening Day at Citi Field is on March 26.  Hopefully, it won't be cold that day.