On the Road Again July 20, 2007

Driving through Hell in Buffalo and Toronto

After loading Rosalita and her five suitcases into the CRV, we were on the road at 8:30 AM and headed northwest towards a little area called Spanish, Ontario, Canada, for 9 days of relaxation, fishing and general keep-us-out-of-the-house fun. Most of the drive was uneventful with the exception of a few brief showers here and there. By the time we hit Rochester, NY, the Sun was out for the remainder of the day.

As we were driving through my least favorite city on this planet, Buffalo, we hit the first traffic jammof the day. Somebody needs to explain to the folks at the NYS Thruway Authority that E-Z Pass was designed to reward drivers who invested in the tag. The Thruway Authority in Buffalo decided that E-Z Pass should only have two lanes, and both lanes have the old “stop-and-wait-for-the-gate” technology. Traffic control at other tolls, bridges and the border is none existent. In fact, I think we will wait until midnight on our return to go through U.S. Customs to avoid the five-mile back-up we saw today.

The Panic in Boston Begins July 19, 2007

Red Sox Fans Looking Over Their Shoulders

The first signs of panic have started in Boston. According to one blogger, the Boston sports radio station WEEI is fielding call after call from Boston fans sensing another Yankee comeback. This comes on the heels of the Sox losing two of three in Kansas City while the Yankees are in the middle of a five-game winning streak.

More importantly, the 12-game lead that the Red Sox enjoyed two weeks ago has dwindled to seven games. The Yankes are only six games back in the loss column and have two games in hand, and seventy games to go.

Rangers’ Trade Creates Questions July 19, 2007

Cullen Trade Leaves Some Fans Bewildered

On Tuesday, July 17, the New York Rangers announced that they had traded center Matt Cullen to the Carolina Hurricanes for defenseman Andrew Hutchinson, forward Joe Barnes and a 2008 third-round draft pick. The trade has received a mixed reception from Ranger fans. The move is largely regarded as an attempt by the Rangers to create more cap space, presumably to sign restricted free agents Sean Avery and Marcel Hossa. There has also been speculation that the Rangers are pursuing Toronto free agent Michael Peca.

Cullen, who will turn 31 this season, was an important part of Carolina’s 2006 Stanley Cup. Although Cullen did not live up to expectations in his first season as a Ranger, his hustle, speed and tenacity were respected by many fans. His effort in the drive to make the playoffs, and his performance in the playoffs, seemed to hold promise for some fans.

On the other hand, it is possible that management felt they were overpaying Cullen who became the third-line center with the acquisition of free agents Scott Gomez and Chris Drury. Cullen disappointed many fans with his frequent failure to hit the net with shots and his inability to finish (score on good opportunities).

Miss American Pie Lives July 18, 2007

Announcing the launch of my new American Pie web blog

I am pleased to announce the initial launch of my new blog, Miss American Pie, an analysis of the lyrics of the song “American Pie” by Don McLean. This site was inspired by my trip to Clear Lake, IA, and a longstanding desire to help people understand the magical imagery in McLean’s fabulous work.

While there have been many interpretations of the song, Don McLean has not answered any questions about the “meanings” contained in the song. An artist or poet does not explain their work. If it truly as an artisitic masterpiece, such a work is open to many interpretations. That allows a broader audience to develop their own meanings, their own understandings.

My intent is not to force an interpretation. In some cases, I was able to provide clues because of my familiarity with McLean’s home town and because we attended the same high school. For example, I hope that I have offered a probable solution to the riddle of “the sacred store.”

I hope you visit and look at the great pictures from Clear Lake, Iowa, the location of the crash that killed Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens on February 3, 1959 … the day the music died

CBS Doesn’t Know Jack about Radio July 16, 2007

The Oldies Return to WCBS-FM in New York, NY

The author is a former Oldies DJ for WDAQ-FM in Danbury, CT, and WCZX-FM in Poughkeepsie, NY. The former owner of Bluboo Radio, one of the Internet’s first on-demand radio programs, has a Master of Science in Education, a minor in Journalism and has studied the history of Rock and Roll and radio broadcasting.

On July 12, 2007, at 1:01 PM, WCBS Radio started its attempt to reverse the betrayal of its loyal listener base by canning Jack-FM, its voice-tracked, computer operated jukebox, and bringing back the successful Oldies format dumped unceremoniously on June 3, 2005, in favor of Jack-FM.

According to The Journal News, WCBS-FM will follow the trend of most oldies formats by playing hits from the 1960’s and the 1970’s, ignoring the 1950’s except through some special programming. While it will be good to hear Bob Shannon and Dan Taylor again, the old familiar voices of “Cousin Brucie” Morrow and his contemporaries will be sorely missed.

The cautious radio listener will avoid being dazzled by this blatant publicity move on the part of CBS Radio, which is still suffering the throes of ratings losses as a result of its mismanagement over the last two years. Besides the Jack-FM fiasco, CBS Radio took a major ratings plunge when it callously fired Don Imus. In short, they are likely to lose a major lawsuit that will require them to pay-off the remaining $30 million on Imus’ contract. In that light, this is a move by CBS Radio to garner radio ratings and advertising revenues, not to be penitent to the listeners it betrayed.

If you cannot forgive CBS Radio, and you really have no reason to forgive them, there are plenty of great oldies stations to choose from in the metro New York market, including: WVLT-FM (92.1, Vineland, NJ), WTKU (Cool 98.2, Ocean City, NJ), WJRZ-FM (100.1, Manahawkin), WMTR-AM (1250, Morristown, NJ), WMID-AM (1340, Atlantic City), WNNJ-AM (1360, Newton, NJ), WHTG-AM (1410, Eatontown, NJ), WGHT-AM (1500, Pompton Lakes), WRNJ-AM (1510, Hackettstown, NJ) and WREF-AM (850, Danbury, CT).

If you still don’t think this move is self-serving, you may ask yourself why the publicity department has already rewritten the Wikipedia article about “Oldies” to put WCBS-FM back at the forefront of Oldies Radio. This is not true yet and may not be true ever again.

Home Sweet Home July 15, 2007

We Made It Home!

On the Road with Bluboo and Rosalita, Day Twelve and Thirteen

The conclusion of the Bluboo and Rosalita cross-country excursion came at 2:00 PM on Sunday, July 15, 2007. During our trip, we covered 6,250 miles (including “side trip” miles) and twenty states. The states were: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana. We certainly did our share to stimulate the economy by spending money on gasoline, food and hotel rooms.

We began Day 12 in Granger, Indiana. We do not recommend crossing Illinois, Indiana and Ohio on I-80. First of all, you get much too close to Chicago for comfort and you have to deal with some horrendous drivers and traffic. Ohio and Indiana have made I-80 into a toll road, and they don’t even have the courtesy to use an automated system like E-Z Pass (welcome to the 21st Century!). The food and gasoline services on the highway are 10% to 20% higher than if you exit the highway, but to exit you have to pay the toll and get a new ticket to get back on.

Pennsylvania is lovely along the northern route on I-80. The rolling hills are called mountains … a sign tells you that I-80 reaches its highest point east of the Mississippi in Pennsylvania … 2,250 feet above sea level. Compared to the beautiful passes in Big Horn National Park and The Black Hills, Pennsylvania mountains are just slight inclines.

The Day the Music Died July 14, 2007

The site of the Plane Crash on February 3, 1959

On the Road with Bluboo and Rosalita, Day Eleven

We left Albert Lea later than we hoped, but the drive to Clear Lake, Iowa, was quick. As I drove along, I thought about the events of the early morning hours of February 3, 1959. My eyes welled-up often as I thought of that awful crash in a corn field that took the life of Buddy Holly (one of my heroes), J.P. Richardson (The Big Bopper), Ritchie Valens and Roger Peterson (the pilot). I could not help but think of the many ironies connected with our visit to Clear Lake.

First, as a former on-air deejay at Oldies 97 (WCZX-FM, Poughkeepsie, NY) and producer/intern/deejay for “Super 70’s Saturday Night” on WDAQ-FM (Danbury, CT), I have a certain expertise when it comes to the music of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. I also was a student in “The History of Rock and Roll” at SUNY Oneonta in 1978 … the first time such a course was offered in New York State. Without sounding too old, I have a very vivid recollection of Rock and Roll from 1963 forward; I’ve read and studied music from 1954 to 1980 and the roots of rock. IMHO, Buddy has always been the single greatest influence on rock, not only through his music but also as an inspiration to other major artists (The Beatles, for example).

Another connection between Buddy Holly and me goes to Don McLean, the singer/songwriter of “American Pie” … a tribute to Buddy Holly. McLean and I attended the same high school (Iona Prep, a few years apart), so many of the references in the song make perfect sense to me. I hope to set up a Buddy Holly page next week with an interpretation of the lyrics to “American Pie” and some great photos for you to download.

No Summertime Blues Here! July 13, 2007

The Missouri River, Lewis and Clarke Camp Site in South Dakota

On the Road with Bluboo and Rosalita, Day Ten

Today was a good driving day with lovely weather and clear roads most of the way. We set out due east from Murdo to Sioux Falls and then north to North Dakota. After ten miles on I-29 in North Dakota, we exited and headed east to Minnesota. We ended our 650-mile day by-passing Minneapolis and St. Paul, ending up in Albert Lea (MN), the birthplace of Eddie Cochran. We are about ten miles from the Iowa border.

Tomorrow promises to be a special day as we pass through Clear Lake, IA. If you can’t wait for tomorrow’s entry about the significance of Clear Lake, you can click HERE for a preview (hint: February 3, 1959).

There were not many spectacular sights along the way today. We raced over the Missouri River to reach a pit stop for Rosalita, and we were lucky enough to find a small exhibit building about Lewis and Clarke at the rest area. However, with too much time for my mind to wander aimlessly during the long day, there were more than enough bizarre things to keep me occupied.

At first I was puzzled by some exit signs along I-90 in South Dakota that simply read, for example, “Exit 22” with no other information. The only thing in sight was a small metal building and a radio tower. Missile silos? If WW III ever comes close to being a reality again, I want to be on I-90 to see the rocket’s red glare in relative safety! After all, why would anybody launch a rocket AT South Dakota?

Boppin’ in the Rockies, Black Hills and Badlands July 12, 2007

Eva Marie Saint and Cary Grant in their New York Ranger jerseys in front of Mount Rushmore

On the Road with Bluboo and Rosalita, Day Nine

Henrik Lundqvist has signed a one-year deal with the Rangers … and is expected to sign a new long-term contract after Jan. 1 when cap money is freed up. The goods news for the Rangers continues in this fabulous off-season.

Today was maybe the most bizarre of all the days on the trip so far. We only managed about 600 miles, making it from Cody, WY, to Murdo, SD. The most obvious losses in driving time were stopping at Mount Rushmore and crossing back into the central time zone. I think we need to get our “distance” driving stamina back in gear, or at least limit Rosalita to one pit stop every 150 miles. Before leaving the Best Western in Cody, we discovered that Bigelow makes a green tea with orange spice. Holy Tea Bag, Batman! I will have to order a few cases of it when I get back home.

We also spent our final time on two-lane highways. US 16 is a great drive in Wyoming at 65 MPH with very little traffic except for the occasional RV, camper or drivers from Utah and Minnesota (OMG! New Jersey does not have the worst drivers!). However, these roads led us into some one-horse towns where the speed limit dropped to 30 MPH so the local cops can pull over unsuspecting drivers. There were two towns (one in WY and Rapid City, SD) where a patrol car followed me from the moment I entered town to the other end. I made the cop in Rapid City crazy by driving 40 MPH in a 50 MPH zone.

Today had many interesting sights. As we left Cody, we saw four REAL cowboys, not those Brokeback Mountain/Hollywood fantasies, rounding up some cattle on the free range. I feel safer now having those dreams of the cattle drive days, riding along with a huge herd of cattle. We also had some close-up looks at antelope and mule deer, but Rosalita keep noticing the steers with long horns. She kept asking me if they were bulls. I wondered if she expected me to venture out in the field to snag her a few Rocky Mountain Oysters.

We drove to the south of The Devil’s Tower, the massive, solitary butte featured in “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” It was about thirty miles to our north but it still presented a spectacular view. Unfortunately, it was too far off our intended route. All I could think about while remembering “Close Encounters” was, “TAKE ME NOW!”

Just Another Lousy Day in Yellowstone July 10, 2007

Upper Falls, Yellowstone River

On the Road with Bluboo and Rosalita, Day Eight

THE BIG NEWS! The Rangers re-signed Brendan Shanahan … and my lucky #14 jersey is so ready for a new season!

It’s been a week since we left New York and it seems like a lifetime ago. We have traveled close to 4,000 miles (total mileage) and we have a million memories to go with it. Today was our earliest start … we were out the door at 7:15 and into Yellowstone’s East Gate at 8:30 AM after a pretty easy drive.

We decided we had enough of the East Gate (see “Yellowstone” page for a picture of the drop off) and planned our exit through the Northeast Gate. I will let the pictures on the Yellowstone page tell the story of our day rather than my words. However, let me share a few thoughts:

Formula for Danger: one female driver PLUS blonde hair PLUS one red car PLUS California license plates. Such aliens should be restricted to the California Highway System (or, its distant cousin, New Jersey).

Rosalita and I realized that we have become stereotyped New York travelers. We arrived early, ahead of the crowds, but by 2:30 we had seen enough geysers, waterfalls, bison, elk, canyons, trees and mountains. I lost all patience when I went to buy some chilled green tea … a very healthy drink … only to discover that “NATURAL” in Yellowstone means with sugar or aspartame. YUCK!

Even more New York-ish was our decision to use the Northeast Gate, driving 60 miles out of our way to avoid a traffic jam. We actually made it back to Cody faster … and the drive was breath-taking!

A Buffet for the Eyes in Wyoming July 9, 2007

Lewis Falls, Snake River, Yellowstone

On the Road with Bluboo and Rosalita, Day Seven

Today’s entry starts with a confession … I just don’t get it. I used to drink coffee … a LOT of coffee … but thankfully I was able to break the habit. Eliminating the coffee addiction was a blessing to my health and my pocketbook, just like kicking cigarettes was. My greatest reward was freedom … freedom from products harmful to my health forced on me by the government and BIG business. The government is willing to let you KILL yourself smoking cigarettes, as long as you pay lots of taxes and the cigarette pushers keep making a buck.

Maybe coffee isn’t quite as deadly as cigarettes, but what the hell … waiting on line 15 minutes to buy a cup of coffee for 10 or 15 times the price it costs you to brew it at home? Have we become a country like Lewis Black foresaw … where eventually there will be a Starbucks on all four corners of every intersection?

Well, we waited behind ONE car at a drive-up coffee stand for ten minutes in Pine Nuts or Pine Balls, WY, so Rosalita could get that one cup of super-charged, extra strong, extra caffeine, melt-the-Styrofoam coffee. Then it took ten more minutes to get the coffee because the nice, young lass working the counter put spoiled milk in the coffee. The reaction between “Brazilian Stroke Brew” and the spoiled milk set off car alarms for sixty square miles.

Otherwise, I think we drove less miles today than any other day, and even spent less time in the car. We started out from Rawlins, WY, and arrived in Rock Springs in a flash. I love driving in the West with the great 75 MPH speed limits. The only problem is that the paranoia from suspecting that the authorities have hidden some 35 MPH signs to catch me when I drop my guard.

Rocky Mountain Low to a Triple Sunset July 9, 2007

Walking in the Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, CO

On the Road with Bluboo and Rosalita, Day Six

As we sang “A Horse with No Name” for the tenth time today, it occurred to me that I have never been through the desert on a horse with no name. However, I drove through New Mexico’s high desert with a NAG. Okay, forgive me … I thought of that line bout 1,000 miles ago and I was determined to use it.

Sadly, we left Albuquerque this morning and headed north along I-25 to Cheyenne, WY, and then west along I-80. 700 miloes or so later, we would up in Rawlins, WY, which seems to have no other useful purpose than being “motel heaven” after Laramie and nothing but mountains and grass. Over the course of the day, here are some of the places that we passed through or visited.

Santa Fe, NM: it’s a pretty little city nestled into the side of the mountains. Rosalita developed a fondness for the architecture and the city’s design, but I remain too partial to Albuquerque.

The Raton Pass: here is where I had early indications that many of my remaining “good” memories of Colorado were about to be blasted out of the water. When I moved here 24 years ago, one of my favorite memories was viewing the Rockies looking north from the Raton Pass. Today, smog, fog and clouds completely obscured the view.

Payback Time for MSNBC July 8, 2007

First, I’d like to extend a hearty thanks to Catcleopatrick for a very nice referral on the MSNBC discussion board, post #756. You are tops, Cat.

In message 758, Cat supplies the following information: “Cable News Ratings from Imus’ last day until Friday. Fox & Friends: + 30%. American Morning: + 26%. Robin & Co. + 45%. Morning Joe: - 68%. Let me say it again. a loss of 68%. Minus 68%. I.E., two-thirds of the audience. A 68% loss. Even Mika trying to light the MSNBC building on fire in tribute to Al Sharpton’s 1995 Harlem demonstration won’t improve the MINUS 68% STATUS AT MSNBC. How is Brian Williams doing? More to be revealed.”

The Cable News ratings tell a very dramatic story. A 68% loss in audience is total self-destruction, a catastrophe beyond any recoverable levels. This is what happens when Corporate America listens to a loud, uninformed segment of the population and makes decisions based on panic rather than sound, loyal thinking. Despite MSNBC’s attempts to spin the story to make themselves and CBS Radio look like heroes, they simply come out looking like the rats they truly are.

Living Easy in Albuquerque July 8, 2007

Sandia Peak, Albuquerque, NM

On the Road with Bluboo and Rosalita, Days Four and Five

Most people know Denver as “The Mile High City” but much of Albuquerque is more than one-mile above sea level. Majestic Sandia peak, part of the southern portion of the Rockies that extends into Mexico, towers above the city to the east at an elevation of 10,300 feet, almost two miles above sea level.

Friday was a nice relaxing day, starting with a late wake-up and a motor tour of Albuquerque. Sunport Airport, the size of a county airport 23 years ago, is now a full-size international airport. The stadium for the Albuquerque Dukes is as gorgeous as ever, and the University of New Mexico has added several new sports facilities. Downtown is still a special sight, and cruising along Tramway Boulevard continues to offer travelers a marvelous views of the city.

We joined Ms. B for a wonderful lunch from Garduno’s of Mexico, a fabulous Mexican restaurant. The chiles rellenos, guacamole, enchiladas, tamales and sopapillas were outrageously scrumptious. The highlight of the afternoon was watching Rosalita perform her version of the Mexican hat dance after biting into her second jalapeno … unfortunately, the camera was in the car, but I might be able to recreate the spectacle at a later date using claymation (like Gumby).

We decided to spend an extra day here in Albuquerque before heading up to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone. That should give the July 4th crowds a chance to clear out.

Getting My Kicks on Route 66 July 6, 2007

On the Road with Bluboo and Rosalita, Day Three

All in all, this was quite a memorable and happy day. My trusty navigator resisted any attempts to rattle the pilot as she enjoyed the scenery and her first venture through the Texas panhandle into New Mexico. There was a horrible lack of radio stations (besides ranting talk show hosts, Christian preaching and country western twanging).

The iPod was played over and over again, but our song list dropped to 27 … John Valby’s “50 Ways to F*** Your Lover” was voted as boring and repetitious. “50 Ways to Grill the Perfect Steak” sounded like a much better idea and would lead to a more restful nap afterwards.

One radio talk show host told us that he “was here” but not to solve our relationship problems or to create a long-lasting bond … his job was simply to help us get laid. Rosalita and I listened with great interest just in case such an opportunity should ever “rise” again. Unfortunately, his foreplay was too long and disoriented … after listening to his self-promo for 45 minutes, even the hope of getting laid could not prevent our cases of AADS (adult attention deficit syndrome) from kicking in. We finally pulled off the road … not for a quickie but for an A&W Root Beer Float.

Elvis Has Left This Planet July 5, 2007

The “Other” King’s House, Not King Henrik Lundqvist!

On the Road with Bluboo and Rosalita, Day Two

Sorry we’re a little late … the Internet died in our hotel last night. I was questioned and released when no evidence of my tampering could be proven (once a hacker, always a hacker). We’re in a McDonald’s outside Oklahoma City using their Wi-Fi, just so we can keep you up-to-date.

As I discovered this morning, we had actually driven 766 miles on Day One, certainly an admirable start. Part of the Bluboo mission is to visit Arkansas, North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa on this trek. By doing so, I will have officially visited all 48 of the contiguous states in America, leaving only Hawaii and Alaska as the final if I want to make it an even 50. As a note, I’ve also visited Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Many of my travels were done the best way … on the company!

Princess Lucia, my sister-in-law and a brilliant dentist (who injects a placebo and tells me it is Novocain), warned me that my iPod would not be enough music for the trip. I originally put 500 songs on there for our wedding last summer, so I included some stuff for Rosalita that I wouldn’t listen to if I was deaf. I did, of course, include our two different wedding songs, Rosalita’s La Vie en Rose (Dean Martin) and my choice, Private Idaho by the B-52’s. The best part was when my daughter’s boyfriend “accidentally” played “Private Idaho” as Rosalita walked down the elegant stone stairs to the grand lawn, thankfully well out of earshot.

In any event, I hate admitting that Princess Lucia was right … but she was. By the time we eliminated my songs that Rosalita doesn’y like and Rosalita’s songs that I dislike, the 500 song playlist was whittled down to 28 items which were actually mostly bits by Lewis Black and three of my comedy favs: There’s a Skeeter on Your Peter, Whack it Off (John Valby), The End of the Month Blues (John Valby) and Hey Gonorrhea! (Cheech Marin).

Over the Hudson River and Through the Woods July 3, 2007

On the Road with Bluboo and Rosalita

Day 1 of the Bluboo Travel Extravaganza finds that the trusty CRV has landed somewhere in Kentucky at a Super 8 Motel, about 25 miles from Louisville and some 700+ miles from the Squirrel Shooting Grounds in Cross River, NY. The squirrels bid Rosalita and me a fond farewell by taking several good natured, well-placed BB-pellets in their butts and heads. My concern is that the squirrels will have too much time to gobble down bird feed while planning a pre-emptive nuclear strike upon our return.

There are no pictures from the first day as today was a work day of sorts. Our mission is to get to the real “meat” of the adventure in New Mexico, Colorado, Yellowstone, Jackson Hole and Mount Rushmore. As for me, most of my day was spent driving, but I also found time for meditation, deep reflection and creative thought. For example, with necessity being the mother of invention, I dreamed of a design to install the Cone of Silence from “Get Smart” around my driver’s seat. My next best option was turning the driver’s compartment into something like the isolation booth from the “$64,000 Question.”

I would be lying if I, at times, did not envy James Bond and that little red button in the stick shift knob of his Aston Martin for the ejector seat. And only 4,300 more miles to go!

A Coup by the New York Rangers July 2, 2007

The Rangers announced yesterday the signing of free agents Chris Drury (formerly of the Buffalo Sabres) and Scott Gomez (formerly of the New Jersey Devils) to long-term contracts. The signings fill a major gap in the Rangers line-up at center and brings two top NHL talents to the team, providing additional power for years to come. Forming a nucleus with youngsters like Henrik Lundqvist, Ryan Callahan, Fedor Tyutin, Blair Betts, Petr Prucha and Dan Girardi (along with many talented minor league players), the Ranger’s future seems bright.

There have been very few days that are truly magical as a fan of the New York Rangers since 1994. The last two seasons have been special for many of us who are season ticket holders despite the drought since we won our last Stanley Cup. While we demand perfection from Ranger management, sometimes unrealistically, we have been pleasantly surprised by some great moves in recent months.

Last season, we signed or obtained players like Brendan Shanahan, Matt Cullen, Paul Mara and Sean Avery. The level of devotion to this team is at the highest I’ve seen it in my 39 years as a fan, even superseding that great season of 1993-1994. Much in the same way that Mike Richter, Adam Graves, Mark Messier and Brian Leetch inspired many great seasons of hockey, Ranger fans will be able to feast their hockey appetite on a menu that includes Jaromir Jagr, Marty Straka, Lundqvist, Shanahan (likely), Prucha (likely), Avery (it had better be definite!), Gomez and Drury.