Several years ago I had fun writing a story, Threes, based on the myth of celebrities dying in that number. It isn’t fun when it happens in real life, especially to the relatively young, especially when life expectancy now approaches 80. Yesterday novelist Vince Flynn, only 47, passed away from prostate cancer. The news is equally brutal today. James Gandolfini, 51, who made a lasting impact as crime boss Tony Soprano, succumbed to a heart attack while vacationing in Italy. From all reports he was the exact opposite of the character he portrayed, greatly loved by his peers. I pay tribute with two quotes attributed to him, which I found at IMDb: “Like I always say, I’m standing on my parents shoulders. They allowed me to do this silly job.” And in one that is surprising from so successful an artist: “I’m a neurotic mess. I’m really basically a 260 pound Woody Allen.” The third man to leave us, Dave Jennings, 61, battled Parkinson’s Disease for 20 years. He did not mention it to anyone for the first ten years. Jennings, who did not play high school football, was an outstanding punter for the NY Giants in the 70’s, the lean years. His name was added to the team’s Ring of Honor in 2011. He played in four Pro Bowls. He served as radio analyst for both the Giants and the Jets and performed as capably and professionally in the booth as he did on the field. The death of such successful men reminds us of the cruel lottery life occasionally is. Their riches were unable to save them. It boggles the mind in this age of medical marvels. Rest in peace, gentlemen, and thank you.
It always feels creepy to follow such solemn news with lightness, but life is what it is and we must go forward until the final curtain. The underground economy is always fascinating. Here’s new spin, featured in an article in today’s NY Post. The Dominique Ansel Bakery recently opened. It’s special is the Cronut, a combination cream-filled croissant/donut, both sweet and tart. Only one type is available per month, and each is five bucks, limit of two per customer. This month’s is lemon-maple. Only 250 are made per day. Doors open at eight AM. Waiting time is as long as two hours and, of course, there are those willing to pay others to stand in line for them. The new entrepreneurs command up to $50 per Cronut. I love America! Hurry before Nanny Bloomberg closes the place down.
After having no buyers yesterday, customers changed course during today's session of the floating book shop. It started with a bang. Marie happened by as I was setting up, and bought Killing. That alone would have been good enough, but there was a lot more. For the past week a gentleman has been buying non-fiction and paying much more than I ask, what he thinks the books are actually worth. I finally learned his name is Joe. I also learned the name of the woman with the lovely islands accent - Alma, who is retiring and will be returning to the Caribbean this Friday. She has bought many books from me in the past, including westerns, which her husband loves. Today she purchased A Hitch in Twilight as "something to remember you by." And a middle age Russian woman bought four works of non-fiction, highlighted by the large The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell, which formed the basis of a multi-part PBS series hosted by Bill Moyers. I am humbled. Thanks, folks. Best of luck Alma.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
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