I finally set up the wireless at home!

I guess I should get a Mazel Tov for this. I finally set up the wireless in my apartment. The set up went perfectly. I did not have to phone the linksys help desk! Now I can access teh interentfrom anywhere in my apartment.

Bob Dylan Cover of the Day

As I do on most Sunday mornings, I listened to Brian Matthew's Sounds of the 60s on BBC Radio Two. On this week's show I heard an interesting Jimi Hendrix cover of Dylan's Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window which was featured in this journal in February. It is shame that Hendrix died at the age of 27. We never know what works he would have created. Here is that cover version thanks to YouTube.

Paul McCartney Concert Rumor

We were listening to Ken Dashow's Breakfast with the Beatles show on Q-104. 3 this morning when he reported that Paul McCartney would be giving concerts at Citifield on July 17 and 18th. It was not confirmed though, but if this comes to pass I will try to get tickets. I'll just have to wait for an official announcement.

Trip to the American Museum of Natural History

About once a year we like to go to the American Museum of Natural History at 81st Street and Central Park West. It can take days to see the temporary and permanent exhibits on display. We purchased our ticket entitled us to see the regular exhibits plus two special programs. We walked through the Cullman Hall of the Universe, North American Mammals, the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Hall, and the Akeley Hall of African Mammals. We saw Wild Ocean, a captivating IMAX film, features original music by award-winning directors Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas. Our last stop was a special exhibit called Climate Change which illustrates how climate works and demonstrated how global warming aafects, land, ocean, ice and the atmosphere. Visitors can larn ways to reduce energy consumption in their daily lives to reduce global warming. It was a welcome change of routine.

Thank you David Stein

David Stein is one of many radio enthusiasts tht I have met on the internet over the years. We were out of touch for a few years but we reconnected through Facebook. He just sent me a replica WMCA Good Guy Sweatshirt. The station gave them away as a prize in call in contests back when they were a Top 40 station. He also sent me a Murray the K Submarine Race Watchers Sweatshirt. Thanks a million Dave.

Baby Boomers are less active on Facebook Lately

There was a report on the web today stating theat baby boomers aged 55-65 have been using Facebook less lately. I guess the novelty has worn off after using it for about two years. Perhaps it has been replaced by Twitter. Maybe older people have realized that it has become the new world wide waste of time.

I first used Facebook to try to reach out to students at NJIT. It didn't work that way but it helped me network with people my age with similiar interests. I have used it to reconnect with people that I knew years ago. I have over 400 "friends" many of which I don't even know. For example I tried to befriend other people with the uncommon surname Slutsky. I made friends with some people I only met once. I don't plan on leaving Facebook, but maybe I should cut down my usage.

Paul McCartney will Record with Bob Dylan This Summer

It was recorded in this journal last November that Paul MCartney wanted to record with Bob Dylan. It was reported today that this will happen this summer. Dylan fans know that he recorded with George Harrison in the early 1970s and in the late 1980s with the Traveling Wilburys. I am sure that McCartney and Dylan will make beautiful music together. I just can't wait until this collaborative effect is released on CD.

One Advantage of Seeing a baseball game on home TV

A controversial play is never shown on the video screen at a baseball game since the umpires
contract with Major League Baseball forbids it. There is a new rule that a disputed home run may be reviewed on video tape. Last night Gary Sheffield hit a home run down the left field line. Since our seats were past third base our view was obstructed. There were likely several showings of that home run on television which we could not see at the ball park. After a 6 minute delay the umpires ruled it a home run. It hit above the orange stripe. There was a similiar situation in Boston on Friday night which also was ruled in favor of the Mets.

Last night they won 5-2, but the game was somewhat boring due to a total of 16 walks.

Ending my vacation at the Met Game Tonight

Our 15 ticket package includes tonight's game against the Washington Nationals. By the time we get home, it will be too late to write a journal entry about the game.

I spent much of this staycation getting adjusted to my new laptop computer. I am trying to get used to the Windows Vista operating system which will take time after using Windows XP exclusively for 6 years, All the computers at NJIT still run on XP. I stopped using AOL via DSL and started my subscription to Time Warner's Road Runner. I am still using the AOL software and using the same e-mail address. I had a little problem with the driver with the CD/DVD drive, but I resolved it by using the help chat from Gateway Computers. I downloaded the WABC Rewound files and had time to listen to three of the segments. I still was not able to set up the wireless in my apartment. I just didn't have the patience this morning to call the 800 number provided by Linksys. I'll do it next week.

Back to work tomorrow. I guess one must be grateful to have a job these days.

Photo of the day

A picture is worth 1000 words.

Some Thoughts on Bob Dylan's 68th Birthday

As the DJ at today's Bar Mitzvah introduced his parents to light a candle he played a clip of Dylan's "If Not for You" from the 1970 album "New Morning". Dylan's work has obviously transcended two generations. Where were you in '62? Here is his song to his hero Woody Guthrie recorded on his self titled album in 1962.



Let's turn the clock ahead 47 years when Dylan released his CD titled Together Through Life. There are not many recording artists who have been in the business that long. Here is Beyond Here Lies Nothin'



Happy Birthday Bob, and many more.

Bar Mitzvah today

Today was the Bar Mitzvah of Landon, my brother-in-law Paul's step son. The service was at Temple Sinai, a reform temple in Tenafly, New Jersey. The service was run diferently from Temple Israel of Jamaica where Lee was bar mitzvahed in May 2001. From there we went to the reception at a restaurant in Liberty State Park in Jersey City. There was a terrific view of the Hudson River and lower Manhattan. The food was very good, but the receptions are for the 13 year old kids. It was nice seeing Karen's family since I hadn't seen many of them in several years.

WABC Rewound Airchecks are now available

Since I already wrote two detailed entries about WABC Rewound, I will be brief here, The 12 airchecks are now available for downloading at http://wabcradio.com I am downloading #1 and there is no hurry to get all of them since they will be archived indefinitely.

Busy day with the new computer

About 10:30 this morning the technician from Time Warner cable came and extended the cable line from my TV into my bedroom with a new modem so that my computer has direct access to the Internet. I can just access the internet by going to to the Internet Explorer browser. I decided to take things one step at a time so this is what I did today:

• I downloaded the AOL software
• I downloaded the McAfee Virus software
• I got the Real Player
• I got the latest version of WinAMP
• I connected my HP printer to the new computer

I decided to wait a few days before I hook up the wireless router.

• 
  

History of My Using Personal Computers

Back in the mid 1980s I used a computer like the one fetured above when I worked at the big New York Public Library at 5th Avenue and 42nd Street. Those computers ran on PC-DOS with 512 kb of RAM and a hard drive of 10 megs. Everything was done in text with no graphics. I bought my first computer at home in December 1993. It was an IBM PS-1 running on Windows 3.1 with 120 MB hard drive. The computer came with a 2400 baud modem which I used to access America Online and Prodigy. I eventually upgraded to a 12,000 baud modem.

In 1999 I bought a Gateway Computer with an internal 24,000 baud modem with a 3 gigabyte hard drive. In ran with the Windows 98 operating system. I eventually got a DSL modem to access the internet.

In 2003 I bought the Gateway computer (Windows XP) that I am using right now. I still used the DSL modem. This computer has a 40 gigabyte hard drive. I will still keep it as a backup as I just bought the Gateway laptop using Windows Vista. I am having the Time Warnet Cable Road Runner installed tomorrow.

Staycation Report - Busman's holiday?

I work in a library so what am I doing in another library during my vacation? Here is the story. Time Warner Cable is not coming until Thursday to install my new Internet connection, so here I am at the Queens Public Library down the street using their wireless connection. I am listening to Bob Shannon and Connie T. Empress on WLNG while I am writing this journal entry. I shouldn't be here too long since I want to sit on a park bench like an old fart doing some reading.

Earlier in the day Karen and I installed the digital converter for the small TV in the bedroom. Since we only watch it for about one hour a week we didn't want to incure a larger expense to hook it up to cable TV. The big TV in the bedroom is connected to cable TV.

I received a phone call from my mother in the morning. She wasn't feeling well (nothing serious) and she asked me to pick up some groceries for her. It was my pleasure to do it for her.

The Gentleman of Leisure Today

So what happened on this staycation day?

I can never sleep late even on days when I don't have to get up for work, so I was out of bed at 6:20.

• I surfed the web using my old computer.
• I spent 2-3 hours reading the Sunday New York Times
• I went to Ben's Deli in Bayside to pick up a pastrami sandwich.
• I watched a DVD on the features of Windows Vista
  

Mazel Tov Heather Huey

A hearty mazel tov to my colleague Heather Huey on her engagement to Bhavin. I found out about this by reading her Facebook profile. I know she reads my journal, so Heather I will see you on Wednesday when I am coming to NJIT to work at the New Jersey Chemistry Olympics. I should be finished by 2 PM, so I will see you in the afternoon.

My First Encounter with Windows Vista

I went to Radio Shack this morning to pick up my new Gateway Notebook computer running on Windows Vista. I felt that I just had too many slow experiences my 2003 model desktop running on Windows XP. I also bought a Linksys router so I could have wireless access in my apartment. I was like a kid with a new toy, but they a had a problem setting up the Router. I phoned the 800 help phone number and reached someone in India who was very helpful and patient. After about an hour we lost the phone connection. I phoned again and reached an assistant located in the Philippines. She too was very helpful and persistent, but couldn't figure out the solution. I thought to myself that maybe I should "walk before I run" so I tiried to use the DSL modem hard wired to the computer. For many years I have used a DSL modem to contact AOL directly. When this failed, I called AOL and determined the cause of my problems. The version of AOL that I am using and the set up for the AOL broadband connection are not compatible with Windows Vista.

I decided to get Time Warner Cable's Road Runner and connect to the internet that way in the future. I will have to wait until Thursday to have it installed. Until then I'll have to work with the 2003 desktop. I will have to learn the capabilities of Windows Vista. I can work with the new laptop as long as I don't access the internet.

And so it goes with technology :)

Staycation Day #1

I just can not sleep late when I don't have to go to work. I can not remember the last time I slept later that 6:30 AM. Anyway, today I went to the local Radio Shack and bought a Gateway notebook computer. The desktop that I have now is 6 years old. It has provided me very reliable service, but it can be very slow at times. I will pick it up at the store tomorrow.

LAter in the day I drove to the Holliswood section of Queens where I paid a shiva call to my friend Herb Hollander who lost his mother last weekend. Mrs Hollander lived to age 91, but it is still very sad to lose a parent. Herb and his wife Diane seem to be doing well.

Beginning my May Staycation

One advantage of working for a university is having 20 vacation days and 3 personal days a year. If you don't use them you lose them. Since the Spring semester just ended, I am taking some vacation time as I usually do in May. I'm not going away, but need to get away from the normal routine. I am sure that New Jersey Transit and the NJIT Library will do just fine without me for a week.

Paul McCartney Song of the Day - Another Day

Just another day :(

Installed Internet Explorer Version 8

There is nothing much to talk about today. Final exams are winding down and people will be leaving NJIT for the summer. I installed Internet Explorer Version #8 on my computer at home. I guess I need to work more with it to see the enhancements over older versions.

Happy Birthday -Eric Burdon (of the Animals)

Here is one of my favorite Animal songs "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood"

Mothers Day 2009

Bruce, you need a haircut. She has said this to me before but I heard it on the way my sister's house on Long Island. We had a gathering there as we've had for many years. I am grateful that my mom is still living and is in good health at age 89. I just found out that the mother of my long time friend Herb Hollander passed away yesterday in Florida. My condolences to the Hollander family. It's a shame for them to have to bury their mother today.

I Broke a Bad Habit Today

This involves radio. I rather not make my remarks, public so please contact me privately and I will send you my comments.

We should go to more Met Games

The Mets are 3 for 3 in the games that we have attended at Citifield in this inaugural season. What a fantasy, I would quit my job and go to every home game and travel on the road with the team. In a 17 hit attack with 13 singles the Mets beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-1. The highlight was a Carlos Beltran home run that traveled 440 feet to left field. It was nice to see the home run apple come up. The only run the the Pirates scored was on a home run by pitcher Paul Maholm. Game Summary

Do You Own Facebook (Or Does Facebook own you?)

There was an interesting article in the April 13, 2009 New York Magazine about Facebook that I would like to recommend to readers of my journal. I just would like add that please do not take the word "friend" literally when you make a friend on Facebook or other social networking site.

Look Who's Number One!

Together Through Life hit number one on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart in the USA the first week it was released. It is also #1 on the British album chart. I think it is safe to say that Bob Dylan is a mainstream artist.

Thinking of Buying a Laptop

I have this current desk top since August 2003. It still runs reasonably well, but at times in moves slowly. I just hate it when the McAfee Virus update downloads and installs. It just takes forever to complete this task which really slows down the computer. I am thinking of buying a laptop and having a wireless network in my apartment. Current computers run on Windows Vista which people say is not the best operating system. There is supposed to be a Windows 7.0 operating system coming out, but it may not be ready until next January. Some of the students at NJIT saiad if I get a new computer, I should downgrade to Windows XP. My last two desktops were from Gateway, so I am not sure if I should stick with them or try another brand. Suggestions from readers of this journal are always welcome.

Bob Dylan article in Rolling Stone Magazine

Some months back a got an e-mail from Amazon.com to get a free 3 month subscription to Rolling Stone magazine. I thought that the articles are more suited for kids, but I was pleasantly suprised to find out that many articles were suited for baby boomers like myself. Anyway, I was really pleasantly surpised to see in article about Dylan in the current issue. I read it this morning on my subway ride to work.

The article was written by Douglas Brinkley, Professor of U.S. History, at Rice University. He actually interviewed Dylan for this article and we all know that it is rare when Bob gives an in depth interview to any journalist. He starts by describing a concert at the Palais des Congres in Paris where President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife attended and met Dylan backstage. In many articles, books, songs, and movies there is a short segment that really hits me:

"The audiences at the Palais de Congres were cross-generational: The grayhairs and the body-pierced youths sat side by side. At this juncture Dylan's audience is..... well, everybody."

The article moves along and discusses the new CD Together Through Life and other issues.

"Something is happening here and you don't know what it is, do you Mr. _________."

Not Mr. Jones this time. I'll let my reader interpret that last sentence anyway he/she wants.

Sad News - Uncle Abe passes away at 91

I just spoke to my mother and found out that my uncle Abraham Wagman passed away at age 91 in Rockville, Md. He certainly lived to a ripe old age. I remember that Abe would come up to see us every August to visit the cemetery plots of his parents, my grandparents. He took the Shuttle from Washington, DC and I would pick him up at Laguardia. We drove to Mount Mariah Cemetery in NJ. From there we would drive back and had lunch at Ben's Deli. We will surely miss him.

Happy 90th Birthday Pete Seeger

There was a big birthday gala last night at Madison Square Garden to celebrate the 90th birthday of fold singer and activist Pete Seeger. The guests included Bruce Springsteen, Arlo Guthrie, John Mellencamp, Joan Baez, Roger McGuinn, and Emmylou Harris. My favorite Pete Seeger song is Turn, Turn Turn.

The video below is Roger McGuinn singing Turn Turn Turn at last night's concert.

John Lennon Song of the Day - The Dream is Over

Radio Personalities should not state their musical preferences on the air

A newspaper reports the news and must be objective in its coverage. It can state its opinion on the editorial page. A radio audience consists of listeners who have various tastes and preferences for artists within a genre of music. Sometimes the disk jockey picks the music for a show or sometimes the playlist comes from a computerized list. A DJ is certainly entitlted to his/her preferences in music, but if he/she dislikes an artist he should not editorialize about it over the air.

This remark is intentionlly being very vague and is not being posted on a message board. Please contact me privately if you want to discuss the details of a particular incident.

Our First game at the New Yankee Stadium

Above is our view from the last row of Section 405 in right field of the upper deck of the new Yankee Stadium. I bought them the first day that single game tickets went on sale. We arrived early so we would have time to look around before the game started. We were too late to get a chance to see Monument Park. There was a very long line to see the Yankee Museum, so we took a pass on that so we could tour the stadium. We bought a miniature model of the new stadium to go with models of past and present New York City baseball parks. There was a large selection of food as there is in Citifield. We stopped in to an art gallery with drawings of Yankee players by Peter Maxx. Steiner Collectables also had a shop within the stadium.

Although pitchng ace C.C. Sabathia started the game, the Yankees faltered and lost the game 8-4. The only highlight was a two run home run in the 9th inning by Jorge Posada. Box Score.

Best wishes Uncle Abe

Yesterday I found out that my Uncle Abe in Rockville, Maryland was in the hospital with pneumonia. He is 91 years old, so we are hoping for the best for him. I just spoke to my mother who siad she hadn't heard anything in a day, so no news is good news for now.