Ken Navarro, “The Test of Time” January 12, 2012
Posted by Mike C. in Animation, Football, Jazz, Media, Music, Personal, Sports, Travel, TV.add a comment
Ken Navarro rang in 2012 by releasing his new solo acoustic guitar album, “The Test of Time,” on his website. The street date is March 20, but if you can’t wait, and I sure couldn’t, you can buy through his website. Since it arrived in the mail two days ago, I’ve listened intently to the album’s twelve tracks, classic songs that truly stand “The Test of Time.”
The tracks (original artist in italics):
1. Imagine (John Lennon) (5:11)
2. Little Martha (The Allman Brothers Band) (3:56)
3. Just Like A Woman/Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands (Bob Dylan) (6:09)
4. Message In A Bottle (The Police) (4:37)
5. Eight Days A Week/Ticket to Ride/Day Tripper (The Beatles) (4:37) – As I listened to this, I found myself impersonating the Beatles on select lyrics, namely on “Day Tripper”
6. The Days of Wine and Roses (Henry Mancini) (5:03)
7. Wichita Lineman (Glen Campbell) (4:26)
8. Letter From Home (Pat Metheny Group) (2:41)
9. Caroline No (Brian Wilson) (2:42)
10. Europa (Santana) (6:57)
I got my first taste of “Letter From Home” and “Europa” at last year’s Smooth Jazz for Scholars concert in Milford, Connecticut.
Bonus Tracks:
11. Bach BWV 998 (J.S. Bach) (3:28)
12. When You Wish Upon A Star (Cliff Edwards as Jiminy Cricket) (3:15) – This was originally heard in the Disney classic Pinocchio, but since 1987 (following Super Bowl XXI), it’s used in the post-Super Bowl (and other major sports championships) ad for Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts. You’ve just finished listening to “The Test of Time.” What are you going to do next? I’m going to Disney World!
The description on the album’s webpage is apt: it’s a “Ken Navarro masterpiece” from start to finish.
2/1 UPDATE: “Message In A Bottle” music video:
5/1 UPDATE: “Imagine” music video:
NICE touch-up January 11, 2012
Posted by Mike C. in Personal, Travel.add a comment
I have yet to take a ride on any of the NICE buses, but I have seen them drive down Wantagh Avenue. They are the most recent buses in the MTA Long Island Bus fleet, but slightly touched up. The MTA logos are gone or covered up. In the case of an Able Ride bus that I saw driving down Hempstead Turnpike last Monday, I still see the MTA logo underneath the white paint.
This explains why Long Island Bus was using buses from the New York City Bus fleet in its last weeks. The new buses–those added in the last few years where the seats in the back are elevated–were being redone.
Have a NICE day! January 1, 2012
Posted by Mike C. in Personal, Travel.add a comment
As I noted last week, today is the day Nassau County says goodbye to MTA Long Island Bus and hello to NICE Bus. More info on NICE (Nassau Inter-County Express) can be found at their News and Events page:
Your Bus Service is Becoming NICE
Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) is the new name of the bus system in Nassau County. The system will no longer be called LI Bus. The new name commemorates the transition from the bus service being part of the regional MTA to being managed by Nassau County and its operating partner Veolia Transportation. Nassau County and Veolia Transportation are committed to providing a well-managed, high-quality bus service available to citizens.
Use Your MetroCard on NICE Bus!
We are delighted to announce that starting January 1st, 2012 and going foward, NICE Bus will continue to accept MetroCard ®. It will function in the same way it always has.
NICE buses accept coins and all types of MetroCard ®, the fare card issued by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
You can learn more about the MetroCard ® at the MTA website, http://www.mta.info/metrocard/, including the Reduced-Fare program for qualified riders, fare discounts available and where to buy MetroCard ®.
For information and fares about the Long Island Rail Road, visit http://www.mta.info/lirr/about/TicketInfo/. …
The routes and schedules haven’t changed much, if at all. So, have a NICE day and many more days to come.
MikeChimeri.com 
LIU Post January 27, 2012
Posted by Mike C. in Commentary, Education, Internet, Personal.add a comment
The bus operator for Nassau County wasn’t the only thing to change on New Year’s Day. All campuses of Long Island University rebranded themselves, including C.W. Post. The C.W. was dropped and the university now goes by “LIU Post.”
The pre-rebrand press release has more:
LIU Post is just another thing to get used to in 2012. Before long, it will roll off the tongue and the old habit of referring to “C.W. Post” will be broken.