Phillies 7 Mets 2

It was another disappointing night at Citifield as the Mets lost to the Phillies 7-2.  All fans received a Curtis Granderson bobble head doll, but the "honoree" did not perform as he went 0-4. I certainly hope that he doesn't become another poor investment.  Our record at Met games this season is now 3-7 with one more game to go.  Bartolo Colon has lost all 4 games that he started when we were at his starts.  The Mets have been a losing team for the 6 seasons at Citifield.

Game recap

Crank Call at 2 AM

At 2 AM the phone rang and the low life said "Slutsky, don't walk on my lawn."  I obviously put down the phone and the trash called again and thus I took the phone off the hook.  Thanks to this "expletive deleted" I could not fall back asleep until 3 AM.

When I woke about I checked the caller ID and saw the number was 661-748-0240.  When I googled that number it turns out it is a Skype phone number and people were using it to make scam calls from a Microsoft person.  I guess the caller ID number can be changed very easily.  I just hope this doesn't happen again.

Being Too Personal on Facebook

October 19, 1997 - First Kiss
November 17, 2002 - Engaged
May 22, 2004 - Married
December 2004 - One dog joins the family
December 2007 - Second dog joins the family
October 9, 2013 - I move to TX for his job (happily)
April 11, 2014 - Move in to our newly built home in TX
August 12, 2014 - He walks out with no warning, no desire to work on things, no feeling that he has to act like a grown man or wanting to stay a part of Mine, Coda or Beau's life in any way - and I quote "This is me leaving you"
August 28, 2014 - He delivers divorce papers

The post above in my opinion is just too personal for Facebook.  The women who wrote it is a librarian whom I met a few years ago at a professional meeting.  I made friends with her on Facebook shortly after that and haven't been in contact with her since then.  She is sharing something very personal with people she really does not know.  This is certainly a traumatic experience for her.

I wish her all the best and hope that in the long run her personal situation works out for the best.  The point of this post is too advise people not to be too personal on Facebook.

Bob Dylan's Never Ending Tour Returns to NYC on November 28

It sure has been an eventful couple of days for Bob Dylan fans.  Today I found out that Bob Dylan will play at the Beacon Theater on November 28, 29, December 1 and 2.  This will end the 2014 leg of the Never Ending Tour.  I saw Dylan there in December 1995 with Patti Smyth and in April 2005 with Merle Haggard.  The sight lines at the Beacon Theater are very good so I am glad he will be playing at that venue.  Bob Dylan. com states the tickets will go on sale next Friday September 5.

Bob Dylan Complete Basement Tapes to Be Released in November

It was announced today that Bob Dylan Bootleg Series Volume 11 will be released on November 4th as the complete Basement Tapes.  It will be a 6 CD set with 138 tracks including many never heard before.  Of course, I pre-ordered the deluxe version from Amazon.com. You can read all the details including the track listings on this web site from Rolling Stone magazine.

Watch Out for Phone Scams from Area Code 202

Last week at home we received a few phone calls asking for Lee saying that he owes money to the Internal Revenue Service.  The caller ID indicated the  call came from area code 202 which is Washington, DC.  I suspected something fishy so I hung up.  The person called back immediately and left a voice mail message.  The same thing happened today at work.  My suggestion is that if you see a number on caller ID that is not familiar, let it go to the voice mail.  If it is important enough the person will leave a message.  If it is not a scam it could be another junk phone call.

Please check this web site from the Federal Trade Commission for some general information about scams.

Mets Pull Off Triple Play in 11-3 Victory over the Dodgers

There hasn't been too much for Mets fans to cheer about lately as the team has performed poorly.  In a laugher the Mets beat the Dodgers 11-3.  The highlight of the game was a triple play pulled off by the Amazins.  With men on first and second in the bottom of the sixth, Matt Kemp hit a ground ball to third base off Bartolo Colon. Eric Campbell fielded it and fired to second, starting what seemed destined to become a routine 5-4-3 double play.  However Yasiel Puig who should have stopped at third base tried to score, but Lucas Duda threw him out at home plate to complete a 5-4-3-2 triple play.

I actually saw the first triple play in Mets history when my Dad and his friend Seymour Rosenberg took me to a Memorial Day doubleheader at the Polo Grounds.  In the second game Willie Davis lined out to Elio Chacon who threw to Charlie Neal at 2nd base and then to Gil Hodges at 1st base to complete the triple play.  I confirmed this by checking this site compiled by the Society of American Baseball Research.

Hero Cops Should Get More Attention from the Media

There is much controversy over several high profile cases where the police have allegedly acted illegally in their actions against minorities.  There has been much press about the situation with Eric Garner where a policeman used an illegal choke hold while trying to apprehend him.  Likewise the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri has rightfully outraged many.  I was greatly saddened many years ago when Amadou Diallo was shot 43 times in the Bronx when he was just reaching for his wallet to show identification.  There were certainly many other high profile cases.

I strongly believe that in the current cases, the police involved should be brought to justice and that training be given to all police on how to confront an alleged perpetrator.

All these situations have been covered intensely by the media who have made Al Sharpton a "superstar".

I think the media should give more attention to police officers who have gone beyond the call of duty to protect the public.  Officer Steven MacDonald has received much attention as he was paralyzed many years ago in the line of duty.  I think there are many other cases where police officers have been heroes.  They should get more media exposure than Al Sharpton.

Another idea is for the Patrolman's Benevolent Association should run a public relations campaign emphasizing the positive things that police officers do.  Situations like the one with Eric Garner are very rare.

3 Radio All Stars on SiriusXM 60s on 6 Tonight

I was pleasantly surprised to hear two guests on Cousin Brucie's show tonight,  Jim Kerr and Carol Miller were on his show briefly.  Above are photos of all three with yours truly.

Below is a photo of the three together

Soul Finger by the Bar-Kays - Oldie of the Day

Since two people just requested this on Bob Radil's 60s 70s show, I thought I should make it the "Oldie of the Day."

Today is National Radio Day

I don't know why today was chosen as National Radio Day.  Since today is a weekday and I was at work there was only so much time I could listen to the radio.  Here is what I listened to today:

• WFUV - at home
• WBGO - online at my office
• Classic AT 40 with Casey Kasem on iHeart radio while I was at lunch (iPhone)
• Cousin Brucie on Sirius XM 60s on 6 on the way home (iPhone) and on my computer

Random Comments of the Day

I returned to work today after a week of staycation.  This time it took me a few hours longer to catch up on things than usual.  I got a  question about a Japanese patent was not translated into English.  If I stayed at home today I would have seen the Mets lose 4-1.  Still, they have no hitting.  But, the New Jersey Transit train scheduled to leave Newark at 4:22 was 20 minutes late.

There is still no announcement about Bob Dylan's Never Ending Tour coming to the USA in the fall.

I still check Google Analytics for the location of readers to Bruce's Journal. For a few weeks mu "friend" from Monore Township, NJ disappeared but he came back.  Is he an NJIT employee, Dylan fan, or Met fan?

How Can Major League Baseball Shorten Games?

This post was inspired by an article that I read in today's New York Times.  The couple seen above seems to be falling asleep during a baseball game that is likely too long.  The average game is more than 3 hours long.  Here are some of my thoughts on the subject:

• I just hate it when a pitcher is brought in to face just one batter.  You don't have to play the percentages all the time.  Perhaps teams should be limited to 11 pitchers on the roster.
• There must be a limitation on how many times a catcher can consult with the pitcher during the game.  A manager or pitching coach can visit the mound once in an inning.  Perhaps that rule should be changed to allow only one visit per pitcher.
• Umpires should limit the times a batter can step out of the box.
• Ideally there should be less time between innings, but TV must get all their commericals on the air.  No changes will be made since the almighty buck rules.
• Likewise, very often batters work out a deep count and foul off many pitches.  This is part of the game and shouldn't be changed.

Mets 3 Cubs 2

This game was not part of the 10 game package that we bought at the beginning of the season.  We thought we would go to this game to get a free t-shirt.  Zach Wheeler had been pitching very well lately as he faced the Cubs.  He struck out 10 in 6 2/3 innings as the bullpen was able to hold the slim one run lead.  The highlight of the game was a 3 run home run by Eric Campbell.  Otherwise it was a very boring game, but the Mets won.

Game Recap

There were some interesting activities outside the stadium before the game.  As the Beatles performed at Shea Stadium on August 15, 1965, the tribute group Strawberry Fields performed outside of Citifield last night.  Back in 2009 we saw Strawberry Fields at BB Kings when we celebrated Lee's birthday.

Also former Mets Jon Matlack and Jesse Orosco were outside signing autographs.

Jesse Oroscoo

John Matlack

Mel Bochner Strong Language at the Jewish Museum

Since I am still on staycation Karen and I decided to visit the Jewish Museum at 5th Avenue and 92nd Street.  It was much less crowded today than it was in December when we saw the exhibit about Art Spiegelman.  We saw an interesting exhibit called "Mel Bochner Strong Language.  According to the museum's web site, the exhibit "focuses on the artist’s career-long fascination with the cerebral and visual associations of words."

Lauren Bacall and a Top 40 Hit

Lauren Bacall died yesterday at age 89.  In late 1981 Bertie Higgins, a one-hit wonder, charted with Key Largo inspired by the movie starring Lauren and Humphrey Bogart.  It peaked at #8 on the Billboard Charts.

Good Morning Vietnam - My Favorite Robin Williams Movie

I too was saddened by the untimely passing of actor Robin Williams.  Over the years I have seen many of his movies, but my favorite has to be Good morning Vietnam where he played a disc jockey.  There was an excellent soundtrack of this film including:

• I Get Around
• The Game of Love
• Sugar and Spice
• Liar Liar
• The Warmth Of The Sun
• I Got You (I Feel Good)
• Baby Please Don't Go
• Danger Heartbreak Dead Ahead
• Five O'Clock World
• California Sun
• What a Wonderful World

Below are some of the best scenes from the movie:

Today I Was a Tourist in My Own City

I don't want to stay around the apartment during my staycation so Karen and I decided to take a boat ride around Manhattan with Circle Line Cruises.  I haven't done that in many years so I thought it was time to take the ride again.  It was a beautiful day and we were able to get good views of the Statue of Liberty and the Freedom Tower.  Perhaps we were the only native New Yorkers on the boat.

Today's Radio Log

• WINS
• WCBS-FM Sue O'Neal
• WAXQ - Breakfast with the Beatles - Ken Dashow
• Sounds of the 60s - Brian Matthew on BBC2
• NASH FM
• NJ 101.5 with Don Tandler
• SiriusXM 50s on 5 - Cool Bobby B's Doo Wop Stop
• Radio XL5 with Gary Brefini

Another Bob Dylan Biography is Coming in September

Victor Maymudes (1935-2001) seen above was Bob Dylan's tour manager at various times during his career.  David Hajdu, a musical historian, described Victor as "a keeper of secrets."  Victor was a confidant of Dylan, but was fired as Dylan's tour manager in 1995.

In 2000 Victor signed a contract with St. Martin's Press and spoke into a tape recorder for 24 hours.  Sadly Victor died of an aneurysm in 2001, but his son Jacob is releasing a book based on these recordings next month.  Certainly there have been many biographies of Dylan written over the years, but will this one reveal secrets about the reclusive Mr. Zimmermans?  My Facebook friend Scott Warmuth who is a certified Dylan expert seems to have his doubts.

I suggest readers who are Dylan enthusiasts read today's article in the New York Times.  In any event this book will be downloaded on my Amazon Kindle on September 9.

Should Major League Baseball Expand to 32 teams?

Major League Baseball has not expanded since 1998 when Arizona joined the NL and Tampa Bay joined the AL.  The current alignment with 2 leagues with 3 divisions and 15 teams seems a little awkward.  Would it make sense to have 32 teams in MLB with 16 teams in each league divided into two divisions.  There would be no wild cards in any playoff, so any team in the playoff would have a good record.  Here are some candidates for expansion:

• Charlotte, NC - the state already has basketball, football and hockey
• Porltand OR - the metropolitan area has a population of 2.3 million which is more than Cleveland or Kansas City
• San Antonio, TX - would create a good rivalry with Rangers and Astros
• Montreal - the Expos were very popular for many years.  It was said that the baseball strike of 1994-95 diminished interest in baseball there.  Also the seats in Olympic Stadium were too far from the field. 

Would expansion dilute the level of play in the major leagues as 50 new positions would be open for players not now in the Major League.

Thoughts?

Remembering August 8, 1974

Do you remember where you were 40 years ago today when Nixon announced his was resigning the presidency?  I was a chemist working at Rhodia in New Brunswick.  I was living in a temporary apartment at 9 Hartwell Street near the College Avenue of Rutgers.  The landlord was a real jerk who never left me alone.  Anyway about 3 weeks later I moved to the Colony House at 1050 George Street where I lived until the end of 1976.  I think everyone was relieved when Tricky Dick resigned.

The Never Ending Tour Resumes in New Zealand

After a 3 week break Bob Dylan's Never Ending Tour resumes in New Zealand as Bob and his band spend the next 5 weeks in that part of the world.  There is no word yet on a United States leg of the tour late in the year.  The last time we saw Bob was in late July 2013 at Jones Beach. I am sure hoping that he comes to NYC in October or November.

Bob Dylan Question on Who Wants to be a Millionaire

The 30th season of Jeopardy ended last Friday as the show will be airing reruns for the next 5 weeks.  Who Wants to be a Millionaire airs on Channel 7 at 12:30 PM when I am rarely at home.  So, I decided that on most days we will record Millionaire on the DVR and play it back at 7 PM.  Today there was a pleasant surprise as a Bob Dylan question surfaced:

In 1971 Bob Dylan wrote a novel name after a creepy crawler.  I obviously knew that the answer was Tarantula.  The contestant got it right and won about $58,000.  I have watched Millionaire since the Regis Philbin days and this was the first time that I have watched the show in all the years that there was a Bob Dylan question.

What is this guy smiling about?

We went to Citifield today to see the Mets play the San Francisco Giants.  Madison Bumgarner pitched a gem for the Giants as he allowed only two hits as the Mets lost 9-0.  Bartolo Colon was pretty bad as he allowed 6 runs in 4 2/3 innings.  The Giants hit 4 home runs including 2 by Hunter Pence.  I think I must have gotten bored late in the game as I played with my cell phone and took a selfie and decided to smile.  I obviously was not thinking about today's game.

Game summary

Random Thoughts on a Summer Saturday

It was raining this morning so I was able to spend some time getting used to the new computer with Windows 8.1.  I am gradually learning how to use this new operating system.  It is nice to have a computer that is so much faster than my old computer from 2009 that uses Windows Vista.

We visited Mom in the early afternoon at the Amber Court in Westbury.  When I got home I tuned in Pop Gold Radio to hear par of Don Tandler's countdown of the hits of August 2, 1964.  I then listened to Darren DeVivo sitting in for Don McGee on Mixed Bag on WFUV

We went to see the James Brown biopic Get On Up. at the local multiplex.  Mick Jagger was the executive producer.

The Yankees beat the Red Sox 6-4 while the Mets beat the Giants 4-2 as Jacob DeGrom won his 5th straight game.  Could he be the Rookie of the Year?

Got a New Laptop Today

Believe me, I have been thinking about this for months.  Today I finally made up my mind and bought a Dell Inspiron Laptop at Microcenter.  The model I bought has 6 GB of RAM with a 500 GB hard drive.  After 5 years it was really time for a new one.  So this is the first entry of Bruce's Journal with the new computer.  The computer runs on Windows 8.1 so I will have to spend time learning this new operating system.  My last laptop ran on Windows Vista while the one I use at work runs on Windows 7.

I spent some time this afternoon downloading  Google Chrome, Firefox, Winamp, AOL and  the drivers for my HP printer.  This is now the 6th computer that I've owned since 1993.