ON A DYING SPORT

October 1, 2023

October 1, 2023

I could not have said it better than Joe Drape, feature New York Times thoroughbred racing editor, on September 3, 2023, page 25 when he wrote: “It was the 12th horse fatality – the eighth while racing – at the 2023 Saratoga summer meet. Combined with the deaths of a dozen horses last spring at Churchill Down, including two on Kentucky Derby day, the fatalities have brought renewed scrutiny of horse racing and gamblers, trainers, and racetrack executives struggling to reassure the public that racing is safe for its human and equine athletes.  In 2019, 30 horses died at Santa Anita Park in California in a span of six months, creating national headlines and drawing the scrutiny of state lawmakers and animal rights activists.” Perhaps my including the word dying in the title is appropriate after all. But, there’s more. Read on.

No matter how you cut the cake, I can say with near certainty that the thoroughbred racing industry will have difficulty surviving for another decade. Why? Five reasons.

  1. With a takeout of 20%, intelligent bettors simply will not get involved with betting horses. As for me, it is in my blood. It has been a part of my life for nearly ¾ of a century. Not so much with those who came after me. They know better than to get involved with any gambling endeavor that carries with it the aforementioned 20% takeout. It is just as simple as that. It was once the only game in town and a large takeout was tolerated. Unfortunately, the industry has not moved swiftly or intelligently to correct this exploitation and address competition since earlier times.
  2. One of the major concerns of capitalism is GREED. And boy, this industry oozes GREED. It is based on the premise that they should maximize profits for the breeders, owners, administrative officials, etc., at the expense of their patrons. The end result is that the horseplayer has been mercilessly exploited since the industry’s founding. Here’s a simple point – why the $50,000 to $100,000 races and yet charge the patron a $5 entrance fee, a $10 parking fee, $12 for a grandstand seat, etc., etc.? Gouging the patron has become a way of life.
  3. Dog racing has been barred. They are now completely out of business. Why? What basis? Look it up. The same reasons for closing down shops for dogs also apply to horses. Only it’s worse here, as evidenced by the vicious whipping that occurs during every race. (Why not bar jockeys from carrying whips?)  In case you haven’t noticed, the thoroughbred industry is now spending a fortune informing an uninformed public how much they really care about these animals. It’s laughable. Forget about the beatings they endure during a race; you know what happens to these horses later in life. I believe every breeder should be assessed a “tax” for every foal to insure humane treatment later in a race horse’s career.
  4. The thoroughbred industry is subsidized by the taxpayer, particularly here in New York State. They are selling horses at some of these auctions for amounts approaching $1,000,000! Why do they need subsidizing?? One of these days, we will get an honest politician elected who will put a stop to this gouging of the taxpayers.
  5. Last but not least is INCOMPETENCE. You want an example? Look no further than our own New York Racing Association (NYRA) that is anything but the non-profit organization they profess it to be. They are in the process of destroying the most beautiful racetrack (Belmont Park) in the world. The incompetents that man NYRA have yet to figure out how to attract new customers to the industry. (I predicted this in several articles a half a century ago. And, I also provided invited testimony on parimutuel wagering to a Presidential Crime Commission hearing in 1977).

The signs are all there.

You want more? Think about this. This and the harness racing industry have been struggling for nearly 50 years. OTB first bailed them out. They started struggling again and casino gambling at the tracks bailed them out. Recently, ownership via partnerships bailed them out; in fact, on a given day at Belmont or Aqueduct, attendance is primarily these part owners. My guess is that they have run out of bailouts. More recently, attendance at the recent Saratoga meet nosedived, apparently following Aqueduct and Belmont’s example. And even more recently, the unthinkable happened; the premier thoroughbred meeting in the country – Saratoga – wasn’t able to secure the televising of their entire program on many days. What a disaster!

Here’s more on NYRA, Saratoga has become its premiere race meet. It features the senseless 30+ minutes between races, shocking calls (and non-calls) by stewards that deserve investigation, disseminated cards, cancelled races, small fields, and horses breaking down (and dying). It’s the in-place to be according to NYRA. However, it’s also the in-place to get gouged. I attended the races late in August and got treated to a $10 entrance fee, a $25 grandstand seat, a $20 parking fee, a $9 program, and some truly outrageous prices on food, drinks, souvenirs, etc. Naturally, the local businesses have adopted NYRA policies; $300 a night room accommodation with no maid service, dinner prices that are something to behold, drinks, etc. There was a good crowd that day but many of the grandstand seats were not occupied. Thank you, NYRA!  Obviously, the locals chose to stand in tight quarters, packed together, rather than being bilked. Meanwhile, the state officials, who support NYRA and the thoroughbred industry, look the other way. I must add that breakfast at the Triangle Diner just outside of town, is one of the few remaining highlights. Mercifully, the horses returned home for the Aqueduct race meet . . . but not before the NYRA brain trust brilliantly decided to close the track for 11 beautiful prime Fall days.  I kid you not.

Can industry survive? Of course, but the probability is low. How? Here’s my 4-point program:

  1. The takeout must be reduced to something at or below 2%. That’s right! At or below 2%. And, yes it can be done … but it will require some innovative thinking on the part of responsible people in the industry.
  2. Dissolve NYRA and replace it with a group of competent individuals who are sympathetic to the patrons.
  3. Come up with a program that will attract new patrons.
  4. Stop the phony concern for the horses. Call for industry donations and put in place

 horse retirement costs as an integral part of the industry’s business plan.

Maybe intelligent, responsible individuals will come along and save the day. But I wouldn’t bet on it. Let me know what you think. 

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NEXT POSTINGS

NOVEMBER 1:         On Begin the Beguine

DECEMBER 1:          On Goodbye Baseball, Hello Basketball

JANUARY 1:             On the Biden Chronicles

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ON THE SOLUTION TO THE NY METS PROBLEM

September 1, 2023

September 1, 2023

I’ve been a baseball fan all my life…or at least as long as I can remember. I’ve been a New York Mets fan since Day 1. And, it’s a team that has had its ups and downs. But what happened these past two years was not only ridiculous but also embarrassing. And, we have both owner Steve Cohen and general manager Billy Eppler to thank for the present disastrous state of affairs. Why? Here’s why.

  1. They traded away two really good quality players for Lindor and signed him to a $360MM (!!!) contract. Insane? You bet!
  2. They signed Scherzer to a 3-year $130MM (!!!) contract. Two things were a given when he signed: he is not going to get better and he is more likely to get hurt. Insane? You bet!
  3. They signed Verlander to a 2-year $86MM (!!!) contract. Two things were a given when he signed: he is not going to get better and he is more likely to get hurt. Another mediocre pitcher at this point in time. Insane? You bet!
  4. They traded away two fairly good starters and signed two grandad starters. Insane? You bet!

My above analysis was made before the facts … not after the facts. I called all of these disasters before they occurred. In the meantime, check the Met’s performance this past month!

Who made the above decisions? Does it matter? Of course it does. Since it was Billy Eppler and Steve Cohen, the Mets better make sure that these two are not going to be involved in any decision-making processes in the future. 

That was then and today is today. The Mets now have two problems going into the future.

  1. They need to field a competitive team next year (2024).
  2. They need to put a program in place that will bring a World Series for this franchise and its fans.  Can it be done? Of course, and here’s how.

The problem can be solved by applying the Delphi Panel Approach I introduced to you three months ago in my newsletter. In case you have forgotten, here is how the DPA works.

The DPA works for a complex problem that needs a solution. At the simplest level, a group of experts are brought together to discuss the problem in order to reach a consensus as to its most appropriate solution. The procedure is iterative with feedback between iterations and involves five steps once the experts have been chosen. The five steps are as follows:

  1. Select, in isolation, independent solutions and reasons for justification for the solution from the experts.
  2. Provide the initial solutions and reasons of each expert to the other experts.
  3. Allow each expert to revise his or her initial solution and provide the reasoning for any change to their solution.
  4. Repeat Steps 1 through 3 until a “consensus” solution is approached.
  5. Use the “average” of the final solution as the best estimate of the solution to the problem of concern.

The panelists? I suggest retired intelligent baseball professionals in the following six areas:

  1. A manager
  2. A player
  3. An umpire
  4. A corporate executive
  5. A sports writer
  6. An announcer

These six should be able to do the job. The key is to definitely remove Eppler and Cohen from this process. All that remains is for Cohen to foot the bill for the solution that will turn the franchise’s future around.

Forgive me, but I need to close by stating in no uncertain terms that acting alone, I could do the job. Forgive my ego.

Comments?

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NEXT POSTINGS

OCTOBER 1:             On a Dying Sport

NOVEMBER 1:         On Begin the Beguine

DECEMBER 1:          On – Goodbye Baseball, Hello Basketball

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ON A BROADWAY MUSICAL PLAY REVISITED

August 1, 2023

August 1, 2023

I was always in love with the music of the 1950s and 1960s. And suddenly, it came to me 5 years ago while watching an advertisement on the great love songs of the past. I thought: How about a musical play on the great music of the 1950s and 1960s era? After some thought, I decided to put together an outline for a Broadway play concerned with the musical hits of that period, focusing on (but not limited to) country plus rock and roll music. And, that was what an article at that time was all about…a Broadway musical play titled: The Music of the 1950s and 1960s.

That was 5 years ago. Five years have elapsed and I’ve decided to revisit that article. And, here is my edited and revised version of my earlier work.

On to the musical itself. Keep in mind that I am not a producer or director, and have attended only 15 (my best guess) Broadway plays and 5 (my best guess again) off-Broadway plays. Most have been of a musical variety. My first play was Grease and remember becoming mesmerized on entering the theatre and hearing the piped-in music prior to the play. I also remember Dream Girls and Jersey Boys. Interestingly for me, the plot never came into “play;” it was strictly the music. Based on all of this, here is what I’ve come up with for a Broadway play on the music of the 1950s and 1960s.

Three things come into mind regarding the proposed play: the music/score, the singers/musicians, and the presentation/production. Each are detailed below.

The Music/Score: As noted earlier, the music would be primarily based on the hit songs of the 1950s and 1960s. Here are some of my favorites:

Be My Baby

Beyond the Sea

Blueberry Hill

California Girls

Georgia on My Mind

Crazy

I Want to Hold Your Hand

Johnny B. Good

ShBoom

Someday Soon

Sweet Caroline

Whole Lotta Lovin’ Going On

All My Lovin’

You Belong to Me

Begin the Beguine

Some, but not all, of the above would be part of the play for a given night, details of which are provided in the Presentation/Production section.

The Singers/Musicians: This should consist of a 5–10-person band with excellent singers and music playing abilities. A no-name group – that are true fans of the songs of the 1950s and 1960s – would be preferred. At a minimum, the band would consist of a drummer, guitarist, keyboard player, violinist, and horn. The band members would be male but a female singer/musician would be a plus. Other musicians could also be included in the band.

The Presentation/Production: Here is what I envision for a typical performance. The band opens up with a medley of 5 or more country music songs from the past. This would be followed by ACT I which would consist of 15 songs selected randomly by the Director from a list of 75 hits of the 1950s and 60s, almost all from a different artist. The 75 songs would initially be selected by the Director. Each song would be preceded by a short one-minute commentary on the songwriter(s) and/or original singer(s). ACT II would follow after a 15-minute break. This last act would consist of 10 songs that would be randomly selected by the audience. The play would conclude with another medley of songs of a rock-and-roll variety. The band would have to rehearse all songs early during the production stage of the play.

The aforementioned 15 songs in ACT I would be randomly selected from the “bank” of the aforementioned 75 songs for each performance. Songs would also be randomly selected from the 60 songs that were not selected that previous evening for the following (next) performance. The next performance would then be selected from the remaining 45 songs. Etc. Etc. The cycle would therefore be repeated after every five performances, being careful that the songs are randomly selected each night and each cycle.

The ACT II songs would be selected by the audience each night on entering the theatre from the 60 songs remaining in the pool of songs not included in ACT I for that evening. The selections from the audience would be computerized, with the results of the top 10 choices determined during ACT I and the break. These songs would then constitute the aforementioned 10 songs for ACT II that night.

The opening (prologue) and closing (epilogue) melodies would be the same each night.

A typical performance could consist of the following:

ACT I

INTRODUCTION: Lead member of band

OPENING MELODY (COUNTRY MUSIC; my selections)

            Country Road

            Someday Soon (my favorite)

            Don’t it Make My Brown Eyes Blue

            Lying Eyes

            Rocky Mountain High

15 SONGS

            These would be selected from the pool of 75 songs. For example, the 15 selected earlier could be chosen.

INTERLUDE/BREAK (15 minutes)

ACT II

10 SONGS

You (the audience) pick them.

CLOSING MELODY (ROCK-AND-ROLL; my selections)

            Earth Angel

            ShBoom

            Maybelline

            I Wanna Hold Your Hand

            Sweet Caroline (audience participation)

CLOSING REMARKS: Lead member of band

Finally, three points need to be made. First, I must inform the reader that I have never written a song, sung a song professionally, played a musical instrument, written a play, or understand the various ramifications associated with a play, let alone a musical play. Second, each performance would be different and thus could be attended numerous times by a theatergoer. (This is similar to Louie Prima’s shows of yesteryear in Las Vegas where – due to Prima’s insanity – the audience was treated to a different show every night.) Third, the above outline and details of the proposed musical play are dynamic in nature and could be “tweaked,” e.g., more or less selections, elimination of random selections, different musical categories, and any potential and/or special accommodations to the performers, audience, societal interests and problems, etc.

©Theodore Tutorials, 2018.

Any thoughts? Your comments would be appreciated.

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www.theodorenewsletter.com

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NEXT POSTINGS

SEPTEMBER 1:         On Technical Writing

OCTOBER 1:             On Begin the Beguine

NOVEMBER 1:         On the Beginning, the Middle, and the End

DECEMBER 1:          On Purely Chaste, Pristine and Random Thoughts XXXII

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ON PURELY, CHASTE, RANDOM, PRISTINE THOUGHTS XXXII

July 1, 2023

July 1, 2023

Here we go again with another “random” article. This one is strictly devoted to baseball thoughts. I hope you find the following twenty five comments interesting.

  1. DeGrom may have been the greatest pitcher of all time the two previous years. He hardly ever had a start where he was working with a comfortable lead.

2. I predicted DeGrom would flop this year (2023).

3. Why didn’t batters go the other way when the “shift” was on in previous years.

4. Naturally, I bet on the Mets; as is usual, my Met bet almost certainly is doomed. They really are an overrated team but here’s hoping I’m wrong.

5. When will pitchers learn that the key to success is not to walk anyone.

6. Scherzer will flop this year (2023). Why? He’s one year older, more subject to injuries, and another ridiculously high-priced acquisition.

7. Verlander will also flop this year for the same reasons in item 6. For me, the word dumb doesn’t do justice to the word describing the Met owner and management team.

8. My key bet this year (before the start of the season) was the Baltimore Orioles and Cincinnati Reds. Boy, am I looking good.

9. Any pitcher who goes head-hunting (ala Roger Clements) should not only be barred from baseball (and the Hall of Fame I might add), but also arrested.

10. These overpriced aging stars are nearly all overrated. I know this is a baseball article but look for the Jets (who I root for) with Rodgers to disappoint.

11. I find the new timing rules to be bothersome.

12. My favorite pitcher of all time was Sal Maglie. He was a terrific pitcher with great control.

13. I have the key for a youngster to become an immensely successful major league pitcher: just put the ball over the plate and don’t walk anyone.

14. Why can’t they have replays on balls and strikes? Moreso, why not replace the home plate umpire with a video-replay camera?

15. There are simply too many batters getting hit. I suggest that following a hit batsman, the next batter should also be given first base. If the same pitcher hits another batter, both he and the next batter should be given 2 bases. If a 3rd batter is hit by the same pitcher, add ejection and a 1-month suspension for the pitcher.

16. Gloves for all fielders (not including the catcher) should be of a much smaller size.

17. How about scheduling weekend doubleheaders now that it is a faster game? This would result in a later start to the season and an earlier end, providing some cold weather relief.

18 There should be an age limit on a player batting – perhaps 40 or 42.

19. Here’s the scenario: It’s the ninth inning and your team is leading by two or more runs. Your pitcher walks a batter. If I’m the manager, I’d walk to the mound, replace my pitcher, and ship him down to the minors. The same applies if it’s the 8th inning.

20. Here’s another scenario: A batter doesn’t run out a ground ball or a fly ball at top speed. If I’m the manager, the player would be informed that he is being shipped to the minors.

21. I believe that pitchers don’t perform as well after the second go-around because they are tired. That’s why it is especially important for pitchers to be in great shape. Remember that the mound is approximately a foot above the playing field; this means that after 6 innings, the pitcher has walked up approximately 15 flights of stairs.

22. The playoffs do not provide sufficient advantages to those teams that outperform other teams during the season.

23. I guess it’s age, but I no longer have any interest in going to a ballpark or arena. None.

24. Is there anything more boring than sandlot baseball?

25. There should be some entertainment during an extended 7th inning stretch – either live or on the big screen. Baseball also needs some simple form of entertainment between innings.

I just came up with three more.

  1. I love the Met announcers but have had it with their historical / statistical data. Who gives a damn what happened in 1937? Or this is only the 4th time this has happened in the past 19 years? Give it up!
  2. Here’s the scenario: It’s the start of the 9th inning and you are losing by five runs. Your batter is swinging for the fences instead of trying to get on. If I’m the manager, he’s headed to the minors and a seminar to improve his intelligence.

3. Visited the baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. It was a bit of a disappointment and very difficult to get to.

Any thoughts on your part?

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www.theodorenewsletter.com

and

Basketball Coaching 101 on Facebook

NEXT POSTINGS

AUGUST 1:                On a Broadway Musical Play Revisited

SEPTEMBER 1:         On Technical Writing

OCTOBER 1:             On Begin the Beguine

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ON THE DELPHI PANEL

June 1, 2023

June 1, 2023

Delphi? A city in Greece? Yep. But this isn’t about a city in Greece. It’s about a unique and simple way to solve complex problems. So, this article is for all the readers, not just my people. And please, stay with me on this one.

Let’s start with Delphi. It was a town in ancient Greece and site of a celebrated oracle of the god Apollo and Earth goddess Gaea, situated on the slope of Mount Parnassus, about six miles inland from the Gulf of Corinth and considered by the ancient Greeks to be the center of the earth. According to mythology, Apollo defeated the monstrous serpent Python that guarded Gaea and expelled her from the sanctuary, which he then shared with the god Dionysus. The priests at Delphi developed an elaborate ritual, centered on a chief priestess called Pythia. Her utterances (often with multiple meanings) were regarded as the words of Apollo, and the oracle was consulted by private citizens and public officials alike for solutions to various social, business, personal, military, etc., problems.

The Delphi Panel Approach (DPA) has its origin based – there are numerous versions – on the aforementioned oracle at Delphi in Greece (home of the author’s ancestors) that foretold the future. It is rumored that Alexander the Great violated the sacredness of Delphi by forcing Pythia to relent and provide the answer he desired. Since the middle of the late century, this method has been employed by a host of technical individuals – including your author – to solve complex analytical problems. Your author has modestly referred to it as the Theodore Panel Approach; most others refer to it as the aforementioned Delphi Panel Approach.

Here is how it works. Consider a complex risk calculation. At the simplest level, a group of experts are brought together to discuss a risk valuation in order to reach a consensus as to its most appropriate value. The procedure is iterative, with feedback between iterations and involves five steps once the experts have been chosen. These five steps are as follows:

  1. Select, in isolation, independent estimates of the risk and reasons for justification for the selected value.
  2. Provide the initial results and reasons of each expert to the other experts.
  3. Allow each expert to revise his or her initial estimate and provide the reasoning for any change to the initial value.
  4. Repeat Steps 1 through 3 until a “consensus” value is approached.
  5. Use the average of the final estimates as the best estimate of the risk.

In effect, the experts get locked in separate rooms, providing independent judgements, until some approach to convergence is achieved. Naturally, the experts (panelists) must be willing to share their knowledge, experience, and information with each other if this effort is to be successful. The experts are usually given at least one opportunity to reevaluate their original solution based upon an examination of the other group member’s response. The approach does not lend itself to precise analytical techniques but benefits from subjective judgements on a collective basis; Time and cost can make frequent group meetings unfeasible, but the efficiency of face-to-face meetings can be increased by a supplemental group communication process.

A more recent approach replaces the panel members to a large degree by a computer which has been programmed to carry out the compilation of the panel results. This has the advantage of eliminating the delay caused in summarizing the results of each round from the panel, thereby turning the process into a near real-time communications system.

There are a host of present and past applications. A partial list is provided below.

  1. Generating current and historical data not accurately known or available
  2. Exploring urban and regional planning options
  3. Delineating the pros and cons associated with potential policy options
  4. Developing relationships in complex economic or social phenomena
  5. Obtaining priorities of personal values
  6. Obtaining priorities of social goals
  7. Quantifying budget allocations
  8. Justifying budget allocations
  9. Obtain priorities of military options

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. How about an example of the DPA? Here’s one that might presently be under consideration at the Pentagon. It concerns the monitoring tension(s) between the US and China. The military would like information on the probability China will launch a surprise nuclear attack on us. Obviously, there is no data, no past history, no source, and no references to refer to. What to do??? Hello DPA!

Here is another example. Both China (more recently) and NASA now claim that water is in a relatively pure state on Mars. The question we need answered is (because of potable water problems existing on planet Earth): provide a best estimate of the quantity of water on Mars. Once again, hello DPA!

Can you think of an application that applies to you (the reader)?

To summarize, the Delphi approach may be characterized as a method for structuring a group communication process so that the process is effective in allowing a group of individuals, as a whole, to deal and solve a complex problem.

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NEXT POSTINGS

JULY 1:                      On Purely, Chaste, Random, Pristine Thoughts XXXII

AUGUST 1:                On a Broadway Musical Play Revisited

SEPTEMBER 1:         On Technical Writing

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IT’S INTERVIEW TIME

May 1, 2023

May 1, 2023

Many of the younger set in my reading audience are now fast approaching crunch time regarding employment. In effect, it’s job time.

Over the years, my students have often asked for advice on employment and careers. My response to them centers on four questions:

  1. What are you looking for?
  2. What is the company looking for?
  3. What about the interview?
  4. What is needed to succeed?

Each of these questions are briefly addressed below, with more extensive information provided for (3).

Regarding (1), only you can answer this question. The applicant / student should know something about what he/she wants for the job. Quite frankly, I find it difficult for anyone to really expect a youngster to know what they really want regarding a job or career.

Here are a few tips on what might help you land the job (2&3)… perhaps of your dreams.

  1. It is important to prepare an impressive and up-to-date resume that truly reflects you. Put your best foot forward, and don’t lie. Exaggerate? Be careful. Shield the truth? Perhaps, but definitely don’t lie.
  2. Prepare for the interview by researching the company. Check them out on their website or review an annual report. This will enable you to ask informed questions during the interview.
  3. Attire is important, so dress appropriately.
  4. The interview does not begin when you meet the interviewer; it begins earlier at the front door.
  5. Turn your cellphone off and avoid texting and phone conversations earlier while in a waiting room.
  6. If you are shown into a room to meet the interviewer, wait for the interviewer to tell you where to sit. Remain standing until the interviewer sits. Don’t plop your feet on the interviewer’s desk and start picking your nose or ear(s).
  7. Stand up to greet anyone you subsequently meet and shake hands confidently.
  8. During the interview, sit on the edge of the chair and lean forward slightly to let the interviewer know you are attentive.
  9. Thank the interviewer for his/her time and shake hands before leaving.
  10. During the interview meal, generally follow the interviewer’s lead. Place your napkin in your lap and begin eating when the interviewer does.
  11. Start with the utensils on the outside and work your way in toward the plate.
  12. Order something familiar that is neat as opposed to messy.
  13. Taste the food before seasoning.
  14. Keep on the same eating pace with your interviewer.
  15. Do not mix food on your plate into a pile of hash.
  16. Do not order alcohol if your interviewer does not.
  17. Be extra courteous to the waiter and busboy.

As the old saying goes, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression,” so make the most of it. Prepare and rehearse for the interview. I also believe it is appropriate to either send the recruiter a thank you letter or follow with a call or e-mail the following day.

Well, what about (4). Over the years, I had the privilege of maintaining close social and professional ties with many of my successful graduates in our profession. In thinking about what character traits likely contributed to their success, I found the following to be the most common.

  1. Communication abilities.
  2. Appearance.
  3. Self-awareness.
  4. Self-regulation.
  5. Self-motivation.
  6. Empathy.
  7. Social Skills.
  8. Creative leaders have an ability to innovate and “think outside the box.”
  9. Self-depreciation.
  10. Action-oriented is most important; leaders are doers and have an ability to make things happen, even when the odds are stacked against them.

Interestingly, I have found that technical ability (or the equivalent) and GPA (Grade Point Average) correlate weakly with successful leaders.

I close with a tale that appeared in a number of my earlier publications, one authored by a former student, Anthony J. Buonicore. The moral of the tale may register with a few of the readers concerned with their future.

One stormy night many years ago, an el­derly man and his wife entered the lobby of a small hotel in Philadelphia. Trying to get out of the rain, the couple approached the front desk hoping to get shelter for the night.

“Could you possibly give us a room here?” the man asked. The clerk, a friendly man with a winning smile, explained that there were three conventions in town.

“All of our rooms are taken,” the clerk said. “But I can’t send a nice couple like you into the rain at one o’clock in the morning. Would you perhaps be willing to sleep in my room? It’s not exactly a suite, but it will be good enough to make you folks comfortable for the night.”

When the couple declined, the young man pressed on. “Don’t worry about me; I’ll make out just fine,” the clerk told them. So, the couple agreed.

As he paid the bill the next morning, the elderly man said to the clerk; “You are the kind of manager who should be the boss of the best hotel in the country.” The clerk looked at them and smiled. As they drove away, the elderly couple agreed that the helpful clerk was indeed exceptional.

Two years passed. The clerk had almost for­gotten the incident when he received a letter from the old man. It recalled the stormy night and enclosed a round-trip ticket to New York, asking the young man to pay them a visit.

The old man met him at a corner in New York City. He then pointed to a great new building, a palace of reddish stone, with tur­rets, and watchtowers thrusting up to the sky. “That,” said the old man, “is the hotel I have just built for you to manage.” “You must be joking,” the clerk said. “I can assure you I am not,” said the old man.

The old man’s name was William Waldorf-Astoria, and the magnificent structure he built was the Waldorf-Astoria hotel. The young clerk who became its first manager was George C. Boldt. The clerk never foresaw the turn of events that would lead him to become the man­ager of one of the world’s most glamorous ho­tels.

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NEXT POSTINGS

JUNE 1:                      On the Delphi Method

JULY 1:                      On a Broadway Musical Play Revisited

AUGUST 1:                On Purely, Chaste, Random, Pristine Thoughts XXXII

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ON NAMES AND NICKNAMES

April 1, 2023

April 1, 2023 

Nearly 20 years to the day, I penned an article titled “On Names and Nicknames.” I think we all know what a name is. But a nickname? Here what Webster has to say:” a name given instead of the one belonging to a person, place, or thing, usually descriptive and given in sports … to misname.”.

In any event, and to be sure, names and nicknames have always fascinated me. Their origin and ability to survive the test of time is a tribute to the importance we place on names. Some are shocking, some simply do not make sense, and others are as appropriate as one would expect. Take my last name for starters: Theodore. It is a Greek name that means “gift of God.” I have told my wife Mary on numerous occasions that a loose interpretation of the name is “God’s gift to women.” I will pass on her comment.

At the local level, many of my neighbors live in either Williston Park or East Williston. Now, East Williston has several parks, but I am still trying to find a park in Williston Park, although I am told there are some.

There are also names associated with other towns, cities and village, Here’s a few in our country: Boring (Oregon), Bland (Missouri), Pray (Montana), Due West (Georgia), and Hell (Michigan). To add to the mix, Baby Island can be viewed from Honeymoon Bay in the State of Washington, while in Iowa, the town of Fertile is adjacent to Manly, and then due north and east of Iceland, there’s ice-covered Greenland.

Here are some anomalies: Learned, Mississippi has no public schools. Ballplay, Alabama lacks a baseball diamond. Bottom, North Carolina sits at the top (northern) end of the state. Zigzag, Oregon lies on a perfectly straight stretch of road. The temperature in Cool, Texas once reached 115°F.

I annually hosted a pre-Super Bowl reunion with my Astoria gang that came to be defined by my family as the “animal” party. The group consists of Damon Runyon characters with nicknames like Willie the Buff, Louie the Lob, the Hawk, The Big Guy, Marty Cool, the Phantom, Jake the Weightlifter, Bobby the Rat, the Creeper, Superman, Steve the Greek, the Great One, Tony the Snake, the Scavenger, Zack the Animal, the Gaylord, etc. Even the girls had nicknames: Marie the Dancer, Betty the Booper, Mary Gloves, etc. Everyone, and I mean everyone, had a nickname. Mine was the Gaylord. How I came upon the name must be buried in my subconscious. I have no recollection of its baptismal founding, but many of my friends still (affectionately?) call me “Gay” and / or “Lord.”

Earlier in my career, I would often make tough-to-get reservations using my last name – Theodorakis – prior to it being changed. I would also claim I was with the Greek Embassy. Believe it or not, it often helped.

The racetrack is also notorious for unique names and nicknames. The group I hung out with carried such monikers as : Johnny Stash (moustache), One Punch Vito, Nunzie, Frankie Budweiser, Stretch, Joe the Cutter, etc. I always thought Joe had been in a knife fight, but it turns out he worked as a cutter in the garment industry. Vito was never in a fight; however, he was notorious for making large bets on one horse, with the teller only punching out one ticket. Frankie as you might suppose, drove a Budweiser truck.

Now a lot can be done with names. I  often pick up a phone and announce “this is Bruce Willis” or “this is Tom Sellick” or “this is Denzel Washington” or “this is Horatio” or “this is Felix.” Some people believe me initially. Many years ago, I called a colleague at the USEPA in RTP, NC. The secretary answered: “May I ask who is calling?” “This is Dan Quayle for Charley Pratt.” There was a long pause and I heard the phone drop with the secretary yelling hysterically: “It’s the vice-president!” Several years later, Charley’s secretary would announce with a wink “The White House is on the phone.” “What in hell do you want this time?” Charley asked. Believe it or not, it was the White House calling to invite Charley, the newly elected President of the International Air and Waste Management Association, to a dinner in Washington.,

So much for names…and nicknames.

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NEXT POSTINGS

MAY 1:                      On It’s Interview Time

JUNE 1:                      On the Delphi Method

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WHAT HAPPENED???

March 1, 2023

March 1, 2023

The United States of America, popularly referred to as America, is a federal republic. The total area of the U.S. is over 4 million square miles and it has an enormous variety and quantity of physical and chemical features plus a wide diversity of animal and plant life.

It is also fair to say that the U.S. is blessed with natural resources. The country’s climate is favorable for a diversity of crops and forest products. The Corn Belt, a region stretching from western Ohio to central Nebraska, is the largest expanse of prime farmland in the world. Significant deposits of many important minerals are also present within the country’s borders.

Let’s start with media bias. Bias? Here’s what Webster has to say about this word: “tendency, prejudice, influence, presupposed…” Elsewhere we have: “prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair.” The main function of the media – newspapers, radio television, movies, plays, etc. – is to report the news. It is a significant force throughout the world for informed people in helping mold their opinion. Most of the media compete for advertisement (income and readers / viewers). To cope with the competition associated with “instant” news and information, some of the media, e.g., newspapers, have become more analytical by providing background and analysis material on the news. However, the freedom employed by the media has been attacked in recent years because of concerns associated with the aforementioned bias.

What a great nation for anyone to be born into. At least, I always felt that way. But something very negative has occurred since the turn of this century. Here are the two major concerns that now have me worried:

  1. The integrity of elections has now legitimately come into question. But even worse, elected officials have been voting in blocks, not as individuals. This was brought on by Pelosi’s effectively mandating that Democrats ostracize Republicans and vote solely on the Party’s interests (not the electorate’s interests). The Republicans have understandably recently followed suit, producing a polarized state, for which there appears no solution. Thank you, Pelosi. The end result is that the Democrats have put our nation on a very dangerous course.
  2. The media has bought into a new liberal progressive policy that in a very real sense violates not only the intent but also the rule of the Constitution. I read the headlines in the New York Times and Newsday every day and it is disgusting; I occasionally watch some of the progressive TV programs, and I find the presentation sickening. But make no mistake, we are a product of the media. I for one believe what is reported on Fox because of the video replays and because they have been proven right time and time again.

What does all of this mean? Our nation cannot survive without fair elections and / or with a biased media. When was the last time the present Administration and the liberal progressive media had a positive thing to say about Trump? About Republicans? About guys like me? I’ve been labelled un-American, a Nazi, a hater, a racist…you name it. Here’s some of the lies we have experienced over the last 6 years because of the media: obstruction of justice, collusion with the Russians, stealing the election, hatred for minorities, hatred for illegal immigrants, hatred for America (!), exploitation of workers, etc., etc. At the time of the preparation of this article, it was the media’s squelching news on the Biden crime family, Hunter Biden, the President’s mental incompetence, Kamala’s incompetence, the Administration’s incompetence, COVID-19, China’s invasion of our air space, etc. etc. 

In the meantime, a spoiled billionaire egomaniac playboy (who some of us–including yours truly–used to laugh at) somehow overcame insurmountable odds to win a primary, win the 2016 election, and deliver on his promises to the electorate – all despite opposition from unions, liberals, the Democratic party, the Republican party, the cesspool in Washington, some truly crazed women, Hollywood, foreign leaders, sports heroes, idols, etc. And further, and still in the meantime, the corrupt media has mounted nonstop attacks (with no credence) on not only the past president regarding his physical health, mental health, adult sons, daughter, in-laws, younger child, wife, associates, appointments, lying, womanizing, etc., but also your favorite author.

Will we follow the same path as so many other great nations in the past? It’s easy to say yes. After all, Biden has eliminated any chance for energy independence, is content to see gas / home heating oil prices soar, and thanks to the media, successfully blame others for what has happened. At this point in time, however, there is a new kid on the block: a Republican House. The question now is whether the Republicans will follow Pelosi’s gameplan. I hope so, at least for the time being. It’s what is called fair play. Let’s get to the bottom of the Biden crime family, Hunter Biden, the Afghanistan debacle, the COVID-19 debacle, the earlier 574 riots, the southern border debacle, the FBI, the Attorney General, key news not reported by the media, the 2-tiered justice system, etc., etc., and put an end to these relentless attacks on Trump, Fox News, … and those of us who came to love and appreciate what a great nation we were prior to this Administration.

Bottom Line: What will come of our once great country?? What about our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren? Do others not see what has happened? Why are responsible individuals catering to illegals, prisoners, murderers, illiterates, rioters, etc., and not to the working class? And then there is the $64,000 questions – who the hell is running our country and transforming the trajectory of our great nation? Help %&$#?@!

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NEXT POSTINGS

APRIL 1:                    On Names and Nicknames II

MAY 1:                      On Its Interview Time

JUNE 1:                      On the Delphi Method

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ON A HYDROGEN ENERGY ECONOMY: AN INSANE IDEA

February 1, 2023

 February 1, 2023

Sorry folks. This is another one that is technical in nature. Why? I’ve just finished up a book (for John Wiley & Sons) titled Hydrogen Energy: Principles and Applications. Why did I write it? Because I was told it was a hot topic, and that it might sell. I say might because all my books have one thing in common: they simply don’t sell.

In the 1847 novel, The Mysterious Island, Jules Verne amazingly envisioned the use of hydrogen as an energy carrier. “Yes, my friends, I believe that ordinary water will one day be employed as fuel, that hydrogen and oxygen, which constitute it, used singly or together, will furnish an inexhaustible source of heat and light.” Today, Verne’s dream is being taken seriously by many practicing engineers and applied scientists. Hydrogen has the necessary properties and can fulfill the role of an energy carrier that can be derived from either methane or water, but unfortunately, the economics are not there.

Increased stringent regulations and demand for zero-carbon and zero-sulfur fuels has dramatically increased interest in hydrogen as a source of energy. And, hydrogen may well emerge as a very important fuel toward the middle of this century, but your author doesn’t think so. Since hydrogen is not a basic energy resource (except in the sun), it must be supplied by using some other basic energy resource to separate hydrogen from water or other hydrogen-containing chemical compounds (like methane). Unlike carbon-based fuels, hydrogen used directly as a fuel produces only water and no carbon dioxide. Thus, hydrogen fuel is viewed by environmentalists and politicians as an ecologically friendly fuel.

Today, our nation’s energy requirements for producing electricity and heat are primarily derived from fossil fuels (natural gas, oil, and coal) which when burned, produce carbon dioxide, a supposed pollutant, that can impact the climate. This concern with carbon dioxide has created a free-for-all for the technical community in its quest to replace the traditional fossil fuels. Industry is recklessly (from a financial perspective) pouring money into not only research and development (R&D) but also advertising that this as an energy solution. But, ultimately,  the basic laws of engineering and science are untouchable and non-negotiable.

Here’s the insanity with what is going on. Pure hydrogen does not occur naturally; it takes energy to manufacture it. Once manufactured, it is an energy carrier (i.e., a storer for energy first generated by other means). Energy is required to isolate the chemical bound hydrogen. If a fossil fuel is employed for this purpose, it would require depleting an irreplaceable natural resource and produce carbon dioxide. Thus, the production of hydrogen depends on the availability of a source of energy to assist the process. After the hydrogen is produced, there are companion costs associated with storage, transmission, and conversion, which is then followed by its use. If water (H2O) is employed as the source of hydrogen, a significant amount of energy must be employed to initially separate the hydrogen from the oxygen. High energy “losses” occur no matter what the source of hydrogen. Therefore, producing hydrogen by any means simply does not make sense. As I said in the title of this article – it’s INSANE!!

What about a solution to the energy problem? Your author is a believer in geothermal (preferably) and nuclear energy. Geothermal energy refers to the heat stored in the Earth’s crust, i.e., the Earth is hotter the deeper one drills below the surface…and, this energy is limitless. Nuclear energy – unfortunately, much maligned by the uneducated and environmentalists – is energy obtained from the nucleus of an atom where fission energy is liberated when an atom is split. This energy corresponds to the loss in mass that occurs because the fragments are less than the mass of the original form. Nuclear fusion occurs when two or more atoms are fused into one larger one without long-lived radioactive waste. Here’s more on fusion – Livermore Labs announced on December 12 that they produced a nuclear fusion reaction that resulted in a net energy gain … a monumental breakthrough that is certain to impact all other applications involving energy.

The present fossil fuel energy economy must be replaced. But it has to be done gradually over several decades, and hopefully, with one of the two above sources of energy.

In conclusion, the implementation of a hydrogen energy economy by the government would be an economic disaster and negatively impact capitalism. The many advantages of traditional and other forms of energy are not well understood by the general public, and mercilessly demeaned, particularly by those (politicians are at the top of the list) for their own agenda.

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NEXT POSTINGS

MARCH 1:                 ZZZABUU VII

APRIL 1:                    On Great Eats VII

MAY 1:                      On Purely Random, Pristine Thoughts XXVII

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ON THE ULTIMATE QUIZ VII

January 1, 2023

January 1, 2023

You are asked to provide the correct answer to the following 20 questions. Credit 5 points for each correct answer. A grade of 80 indicates that you are brilliant. There are a couple of tough ones in this quiz.

  1. The first game played at Yankee Stadium occurred in what year?
  2. What is the age of the Sun?
  3. What was the earlier name (before 1846) of the city now called San Francisco?
  4. True or false: U.S. ground forces invaded Okinawa on April 1, 1945.
  5. True or false:  Elvis Presley recorded his first song in 1963.
  6. What was the name of the planet Uranus prior to 100 years ago?
  7. John Glenn orbited what planet?
  8. The Bay of Pigs invasion occurred in what year?
  9. Who played for the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Dodgers, and New York Rangers during the 1950-60 time period?
  10. Who played Samson in Samson and Delilah?
  11. What two New York baseball teams played their last game in New York City in 1954?
  12. Name the author who recently initiated work on a book to be titled Hydrogen Energy.
  13. Name the newly elected Supervisor of the Town of North Hempstead.
  14. Who was the star of the movie The Wizard of Oz?
  15. What is the mathematic relationship between °F and °C?
  16. What is thoroughbred horse racing’s showcase race run on the first Saturday in May?
  17. Water boils at what temperature?
  18. What are the chemical symbols for hydrogen and helium?
  19. What Yankee baseballer was called “old reliable?”
  20. What two brothers from Rockaway Beach played basketball for the New York Knicks?

Answers:

  1. 1923.
  2. Approximately 4.5 billion years.
  3. Yerba Buena.
  4. True.
  5. False, it was 1953 and the song was “My Happiness.”
  6. George; it was named after King George by a British astronomer.
  7. Earth on 1949.
  8. 1950.
  • A tough one but a great trivia question. The organist Gladys Gooding.
  • Victor Mature.
  • New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers.
  • Yours truly, of course. Naturally, I don’t know anything about the topic.
  • Jennifer DeSena. TNH is now home to your favorite author.
  • Judy Garland.
  • °F = 1.8(°C) + 32
  • The Kentucky Derby.
  • 100°C or 212°F, but only at 1 atmosphere pressure.
  • A Chemistry 101 question. H and He, respectively.
  • Tommy Henrich.
  • Dick and Al McGuire.

I’ll return with VIII later this year.

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NEXT POSTINGS

FEBRUARY 1:          On A Hydrogen Energy Economy: An Insane Idea?

MARCH 1:                 ZZZABUU VII

APRIL 1:                    On Great Eats VII

MAY 1:                      On Purely Random, Pristine Thoughts XXVII

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