Paley Center and Ben's Deli This Afternoon

A few times a year we like to visit the Paley Center for Media on West 52nd  Street.  Today we saw a few episodes of Doctor Who, a popular science fiction seen on the BBC for many years  From there we went to the library where Lee insisted we research TV programs about Johnny Cash.  We saw a Trbiute to Johnny Cash recorded in 1999 at the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC.  Many country and rock stars saluted the "Man in Black" by covering his songs.  Both Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan who were touring in Europe at that time appeared via satellite transmission.

From there we walked over to Ben's Deli at 7th Avenue and 38th Street for dinner.  This of course is the scene of the many oldies meets and greets that have been held over the years.  The food was excellent as usual, ut why did they have to play WKTU?

Random Thoughts on Black Friday

I did not go into any shopping malls today.  I dislike shopping as it is and did not want to fight the crowds in a retail establishement.  I passed by a Toys r Us at about 9 AM and saw some cars in the parking lot, but it did not look very crowded at that time.

I was curious as to the original of the term "Black Friday" as applied to shopping the day after Thanksgiving.  Here I go quoting from the Wikipedia again. "The term "Black Friday" began to get wider exposure around 1975, as shown by two newspaper articles from November 29, 1975, both datelined Philadelphia."  I guess since I am not at work, it is OK to do that.

My theory about going to the barber shop late in the afternoon worked today.  I passed by the place at about 1 PM and noticed 4 people sitting an waiting.  That implies a one hour wait.  I came home and went back about 4 PM and just walked in.

Alice's Restaurant (The Mascacree Revisited)

My first exposure to Alice Restaurant must have been in Spring 1968 when Steve Greenblatt, a brother in Sigma Beta Phi fraternity, played it at one of our Sunday meeting at the house we rented on 6th Avenue between 27th and 28th Street.  In recent years the original has been played every Thanksgiving at 12 noon on Q104.3 and WFUV.

Today I was listening to SiriusXM's Deep Tracks channel at about 9 AM when the song came on.  It sounded somewhat different.  Arlo Guthrie talked about meeting Chip Carter (Jimmy's son) in 1977 and that he had learned that Richard Nixon owned a copy of the song.  I knew that this couldn't be the original version of the song released in 1967.  So I did a little research in the Wikipedia which can be a very reliable source of  popular information.  There were actually several revised versions.

I also remember seeing the movie Alice's Restaurant in 1969 in Brooklyn with a date that didn't work out.

The 2013 Leg of the Never Ending Tour Ended Tonight

The Never Ending Tour started in 1988 (the year that Lee was born) and continues to this day.  Bob usually takes a break around Thanksgiving and  resumes early the next year.  He is now 72 years old so we can all understand if he gives fewer concerts than he used to. The 2013 leg of the tour ended tonight at the Royal Albert Hall in London.  Dylan gave famous concerts there in 1965 and 1966.  So let's hope that Bob has a good rest so the tour will resume in 2014 and returns to NYC.  Below is the set list from last night's concerts taken from Bill Pagel's Boblinks Page.

London, England Royal Albert HallNovember 27, 2013

1.	Things Have Changed (Bob center stage)
2.	She Belongs To Me (Bob center stage with harp)
3.	Beyond Here Lies Nothin' (Bob on grand piano, Donnie on electric mandolin)
4.	What Good Am I? (Bob on grand piano, Tony on standup bass)
5.	Duquesne Whistle (Bob on grand piano, Tony on standup bass)
6.	Waiting For You (Bob on grand piano)
7.	Pay In Blood (Bob center stage)
8.	Tangled Up In Blue (Bob on grand piano)
9.	Love Sick (Bob center stage with harp, Donnie on electric mandolin)
	(Intermission)
10.	High Water (For Charley Patton) (Bob center stage with harp, Donnie on banjo, Tony on standup bass)
11.	Simple Twist Of Fate (Bob on grand piano)
12.	Early Roman Kings (Bob on grand piano)
13.	Forgetful Heart (Bob center stage with harp, Donnie on violin, Tony on standup bass)
14.	Spirit On The Water (Bob on grand piano, Tony on standup bass)
15.	Scarlet Town (Bob on grand piano, Donnie on banjo, Tony on standup bass)
16.	Soon After Midnight (Bob on grand piano)
17.	Long And Wasted Years (Bob center stage)
	(encore)
18.	All Along The Watchtower (Bob on grand piano)
19.	Blowin' In The Wind (Bob on grand piano with harp then center stage with harp, Donnie on violin)

Finally Got a Bluetooth Speaker

Sometimes I am chicken when it comes to trying new devices.  So today a bluetooth speaker that I ordered a few days ago arrived by FedEx.  I tested it out so now the music form my iPhone can be sent to the speaker seen above.  This way I can listen to Cousin Brucie on Wednesday and Bob Radil  on Fridays when I am eating dinner.  I just ordered an adaptor from my laptop so I use it with that.  It will not work with my Kindle Fire, since it is an older model.  Technology changes very quickly.

Support Your Favorite Not For Profit Radio Stations

In the past I have written in this journal during fund drives for non-profit stations.  For years I have supported WFUV and WBGO with a yearly donation.  There are now many internet only radio stations in every genre of music who play music no longer heard on terrestrial radio.  Many owners of these stations do it out of love of radio and their favorite music.  The gentleman on the left is Don Tandler of Pop Gold Radio.  He plays the music of the 1950s - 70s that is now rarely heard on traditional radio.  I often listen at lunch and on the way home via my iPhone.  In appreciation of his efforts I gave him a small donation today.  Running internet radio stations should never be a financial burden to those who provide entertainment to listeners.

If Don does not like the photo which was taken at the Long Island Radio Day in 2010, I will gladly take it down.

Memories of November 22, 1963

In previous years I have reminisced about Kennedy Assassination.  Below are the links for 3 entries:

• 2009
• 2010
• 2011 

The 2011 entry includes a link to Irv Kass's blog entry where he talks about being in Russell Sage Junior High School when he heard the news.  We were in the same school, but two years apart.  I did not know him back then as I met him electronically on Facebook.

I don't want to repeat what I wrote in previous years, but this time I'll discuss some of the people I knew back then.  I was in class 9-6 in the 1963/64 school year.  My teachers were:

• Carol Minov - Social Studies I found out that she became a reference librarian at a public library on Long Island
• Frank Jackson - Algebra - I was in his class when I heard the news
• Alice Duffy - English
• Jane Singer - Spanish
• Betram Valenti - Science

Some of my classmates in 9-6

• Alan Metzger - I went to my first game at Shea Stadium in Apil 1964
• David Alper - went to Richmond Hill HS
• Andy Bard
• Richie Heller
• Susan Feinstein - I heard through the grapevine that she passed away
• Susan Raphael - she too past away at a young age
• Lola Gold - she passed away within the last year
• Joan Koser - I ran into her at CCNY in the early 1970s
• Carolyn Brindle

Maybe I'll dig out the class picture and remember some more people

Some other friends at Russell Sage

• Larry Stahl - I reconnected with him on Facebook,  He is a lawyer in Baltimore
• Alan Nelson - he is a physician in Connecticut
• Joshua Socoloff

Less than half of the people alive today were born before 1963.  So certainly the younger generation did not experience the Kennedy years or the tragedy of November 22, 1963

Random Thoughts of the Day

Since I am working on the late shift tonight I am going to stop by Madison Square Garden to buy tickets to a few college basketball games.  Since the prices for Knick tickets are so high ($100/seat for the upper level) I will settle for a college game at $35/seat.

As a radio enthusiast I have followed the New York Radio Message Board for many years.  It can be very informative as radio professionals and hobbyists often report on developments in the radio business and offer their opinions.  Unfortuately in recent days there was a big fight between two parties on that board.  I just feel that should have duked it out through private e-mails not on the message board.

That's about it for today.

A Consequence of Making A Facebook Friend with Someone You Don't Know

I should do an inventory of my Facebook friends which now numbers about 500.  Many of them I have never met face to face and just "know them" electronically.  Many of my "electronic friends" are  fellow radio enthusiasts.  One of these friends is Mike Piazza (not the baseball player) who did an oldies show on WTSR affiliated with The College of New Jersey near Trenton.  Sadly Mike passed away in March 2011.

On the upper right side of my Facebook home page there was a note saying it was Mike's birthday today.  Over 40 people wished him a happy birthday and obviously did not he had passed away.  Only a few of the birthday wishes acknowledged he had died.  I really think there should be a mechanism for a family to request a Facebook profile of a deceased relative to be deleted.

Today's Radio Notes

Since we went out last night, we stayed close to home today.  We just took a walk to nearby Bowne Park in the early afternoon.  Here is today's radio log with some comments.

• WINS News
• WCBS-FM - Sue O'Neill
• WBGO - Saturday morning function with Bob Porter followed by Felix Hernandez's Rhythm Revue
• Johnny Cash Radio - the Slutskys love the Man in Black
• Norm N Nite on SiriusXM 50s on Five
• Rewound Radio - Allan Sniffen narrated the station for a few hours in the afternoon
• Pop Gold Radio - Don Tandler was doing a countdown on November 16, 1963.  These were the hits at the time of the Kennedy Assassination
• Hy Lit airchecks from WOGL Philadelphia.  I received these from Sam Lit
• WFUV HD2 - the parent station was airing Fordham University Football.  I am one of the few people with an HD radio so I heard music
• Cousin Brucie on SiriusXM 60s on 6

There was a very nasty exchange today on the New York Radio Message Board.

LA Kings 2 NJ Devils 0

Last night Karen and Lee met me at the Prudential Center after work to see Devils hockey.  Lee seems to be the big hockey fan in the family.  The defense were very tight as no goals were scored until about 7 minutes to play in the 3rd period.  The LA Kings scored an open net goal with 3 seconds to go and won 2-0.  The Devils are now 6-8-5.

Game Recap

Tom Petty's Buried Treasure Show - A Must For Lovers of Classic Rock

Tom Petty's Buried Treasure Show is another good reason to subscribe to SiriusXM.  New episodes appear weekly on the Deep Tracks Channel, but now there is a channel devoted to "encore performances."  This is a euphemism for reruns.  Programming a radio show is more of an art than a science, but Tom and/or the people behind the scenes do a good job playing the right rarities.  I highly recommend it for classic rock enthusiasts.

Who Is Lurking Here?

I must be careful about writing in this blog since anyone can see what I am doing.  I use Google Analytics to see how people are accessing this journal.  The program tells me the location of people who access Bruce's Journal.  There are regular posters from Monroe Township and Rahway, both in New Jersey.  I am guessing that they are from NJIT, but I don't know who they are.  Who is lurking here?

Surprise Package from UPS Today

I have stated before that I miss the excitement of running to record stores when a new Beatles or Bob Dylan album came out.  A few weeks ago I ordered The Beatles Live at the BBC Volume 2 from Amazon.com.  They are very reliable at sending out pre-orders the day the book or recording is released.  On Friday I received an e-mail stating that it was sent.  I didn't expect it today since there is no postal mail on Veterans Day, but it was sent via UPS and arrived today.  Those early Beatles sound terrific and as a bonus Brian Matthew appeared.

Random Thoughts on a November Sunday

We went over to visit my mother at the Bristal in Westbury as we do on most Sundays.  Today she said that I look like my grandmother (her mother) since both of us did not get gray hair until late in life.  I must admit that I have a few, but people say that I don't look my age.  My grandmother was a redhead, but none of 3 children, 6 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren had red hair.

Sony TVs are very reliable.  The one I have at home must be at least 12 years old and still plays very well.  The only problem is that it is analog.  I am finally thinking of upgrading to an HD TV.  In a couple of weeks I should get some retroactive pay, so I'll have extra money.

Tomorrow is Veterans Day, but I have to go to work.  I can't complain since we get the week off between Christmas and New Years and Fridays off during the summer.  The bus and subway should be less crowded since schools and government agencies are closed.  I just hope that train delays and passengers blocking the doors also take the day off.

Some Random Thoughts about Facebook

I think I have been on Facebook for about 7 years and have amassed close to 500 friends.  Here are some thoughts about the world’s largest social networking site.  Here are some thoughts:

Many of these friends I have never met all or just once.  I have maintained some good electronic relationships with some of them, but others I should drop as friends since I have not communicated at all with them.

It is interesting to see what professional acquaintances do outside of work.

Some people write things that are just too personal.  I have seen a few people who have documented their romances which is just not appropriate.  Others talk about their illnesses or sicknesses in their families.  I just would not do that.  I guess I have discussed my adventures at the dentist.

Will the popularity of Facebook fall off in the years to come?  I guess every product or service has a life cycle.

The Mets are Already Trying to Sell Me Tickets for 2014

Today I received an e-mail from the Mets ticket office offering some partial plans for 2014.  There is a 10 pack which includes opening day and 9 Saturdays.  Well, it is only November and I doubt it will be difficult to get tickets this season.  I will likely buy tickets for this season, but the Wilpons will just have to wait for my money.

Murray the K Introduced Me to Jimi Hendrix

Last night PBS (Channel 13 in NYC) aired an excellent biography of Jimi Hendrix who has appeard in this journal several times in the past.  It was an excellent show tracing Jimi's career from a sideman to a superstar who sadly left us at the age of 27.  Several performances  were featured in this show.  I  remember that in the late 1960s Murray the K on WOR-FM introduced me to his music.  Back in those days WOR-FM was a free form station that played almost everything.  Murray had excellent tastes in music and was an asset to New York radio for many years.  Below is Jimi singing Like a Rolling Stone at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967.

It Is Official The Mets Will Be Heard on WOR for the Next 5 Years

Mr. Met is seen visiting the WOR studio. I just hope he avoids Mr. Pompous.

I Just Love Pat St. John's Collectible Cut Feature on WCBS-FM

Pat St. John has already been named my Facebook Friend of The Day.  Today I am honoring him for his Collectible Cut feature on WCBS-FM.  Pat has considerable air time on at least 3 channels on SiriusXm, but is only heard from 11 AM - 3 PM on Sundays on WCBS-FM.  I must admit that I don't listen to 101.1 FM as much as I used to since they are burning out too many "Greatest Hits" from the 1980s.  I don't hate music from the 1980s, but how many times must I hear the "Logical Song."

On most Sundays I leave my house at about 12:15 to visit my mother in Westbury.  When I reach Post Avenue I usually hear Pat's Collectible Cut.  Today he played a version of George Harrison singing It Don't Come Easy which was a hit for Ringo Starr.  Tonight, I found it on Youtube.

Doo Wop Music in the Library?

No, the sounds of the 1950s and early 1960s were not heard in the NJIT Library today.  We took a walk over to the Flushing branch of the Queens Library to hear a Doo Wop group called The Creations.  They pretty much covered the standard hits that were once heard on WCBS-FM.  Maybe Cool Bobby B can dig out one of their recordings and play them on his show.  My only disappointment was that the performances was less than one hour.  Since the show was for free, I really can't complain.