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Tuesday, September 30, 2014

The Writer's Life 9/30 - Bats & Cats

The 162 game MLB schedule produces many marvels. Here are numbers that caught my eye in 2014. Mark Buehrle, currently with the Blue Jays, has pitched at least 200 innings in 14 straight seasons. In his first year with the Twins, Phillip Hughes, who struggled mightily as a Yankee, had 196 K’s and only 16 walks, the best ratio in the history of the game. He finished 16-10 for a team that lost 90 games. Jose Altuve, second baseman for the Astros, who have been terrible for several seasons, led the AL with a batting average of .341. He had 225 hits! More impressive are the numbers of the Dodgers’ ace, Clayton Kershaw: 21-3, ERA 1.77, only 139 hits allowed in 198 innings, 239 strike-outs. On the negative side, Ryan Braun’s statistics have dived since his steroid-enhanced MVP season. In 530 ABs he hit .266, had 19 HRs and 81 RBIs.

The most surprising development in week four of the NFL schedule is the apparent weakness of the New England Patriots, who were drubbed on the road in Kansas City to fall to 2-2. Last week they barely beat the winless Raiders, who seem to be the league’s doormat in 2014. Are Tom Brady’s better days behind him? I'll resist the Giselle joke. The Pats struggles gives hope to the rest of the AFC East, even the Jets, who are 1-3. This may prompt head coach Rex Ryan to bench QB Geno Smith in favor of Michael Vick. With his own job on the line, dare he stick with an error-prone young signal caller? 

I enjoyed episode two of Gotham, which featured the casting of talented guest stars that have been around a long time. An almost unrecognizable Lili Taylor, and Frank Whaley were the homicidal heads of a kidnapping ring. How many times has Whaley played a socio or psychopath? Carol Kane was terrific as the Penguin’s proud, doting mom. And there may be a new star emerging, Camren Bicodova, intriguing as the budding Catwoman. Only 15, she reminds me of a young Michelle Pfeiffer, who played the part so memorably in Batman Returns (1992), the best aspect of that disappointing film. Here’s a pic of each woman:

My thanks to the folks who purchased books today, and to the gentleman who donated a bag o'his wife's romance paperbacks, about 40 in all. Stephanie Laurens must write in her sleep. First published in 1992, I counted at least 50 of her novels listed at Wiki.
Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/rP7o9
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Monday, September 29, 2014

The Writer's Life 9/29 - Endo, Jack & Jill

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.“ - Edmund Burke. Although this quote does not appear in the novel, it is the basis of The Sea and Poison by the late Shusaku Endo. Set in Japan in the late stages of  WWII, it is the story of an atrocity perpetrated by doctors, interns and nurses, and the psychological effects it has on them. A captured American pilot is used in a medical experiment that will take his life. Only one of the members of the operating team is haunted by the crime, although he backed off from participation at the last minute. He tries to rationalize: “I’m only one person. What can I do with the world?” He remains haunted, however. The reaction of the others ranges from much less affected to unaffected, resigned to the horrors of the world. One seems a sociopath who, on the next to last page, muses: “The conscience of man, is that it? It seems to vary a good deal from man to man.” Readers have the privilege of being able to judge the actions objectively. The frightening question is how many would have gone along if placed in that situation. First published in 1958, the book is only 167 pages, minus many for breaks. It is unconventional, almost documentary-like. Its insight into the minds of human beings is keen. The hospital politics is fascinating. It is still being discovered, as its ranking, 604,966th, at Amazon, where twelve million books are listed, attests. 19 users have rated it, forging to a consensus of 4.7 of five. I rate it four of five. The title baffles me. I’ll take a crack at its meaning, although I've never been good at interpreting literary symbolism. The guilt-stricken intern frequently retreats to the roof of the hospital and gazes out on the sea, which remains untroubled, unaffected by the actions, the poisons of man. Each, the ocean and sin, is timeless. Endo wrote many novels, and twice received literary awards in his country. His most famous, Silence, was adapted to the screen in 1971, and has been optioned by Martin Scorsese. Liam Neeson is to star as a Portuguese priest trying to convert Japanese natives to Catholicism in the 1500's.

As I reached the corner of 7th Avenue and 9th Street in Park Slope, there were a squad car and paddy wagon parked at the curb where I usually set up the floating book shop. I detoured to 11th Street, where no parking was available. Rather than cruise around like an idiot, I decided to go to Bay Parkway, as I did last week. My thanks to the kind folks who made purchases. One gentleman, 85, reeled off a number of jokes, including one Andrew Dice Clay used about Jack and Jill each having a buck and a quarter and Jill coming down the hill with two-fifty. Another senior, a big guy, perhaps 65, spent a night in jail recently. He punched out somebody who has owed him $200 for five years. He insisted he couldn't let the bum get away with it, although he will now have to make many court appearances until he gets back the ten grand he put up as bail. He uses a debit card for just such eventualities. He asked if I'd ever been in jail. I immediately answered no, then recalled being busted for hitchhiking in Fort Collins, Colorado, while on my way to California in 1971. I was 21.
Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/rP7o9
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Sunday, September 28, 2014

The Writer's Life 9/28 - Travail & Triumph

There is a lot of interesting stuff in today’s NY Post. In an op-ed piece, Kyle Smith addresses the travails of the middle class, referencing a new book by Joel Kotkin: The New Class Conflicts. The two take Hollywood, academic, political, science and business elitists to task. A quote in a caption, attributed to NY Times columnist David Brooks, sums up the beliefs of the know-it-alls: “Trust us, we’re smarter than you.”
Movie critic Lou Lumenick profiles Hattie McDaniel, who played the maid in Gone with the Wind and received the first Academy Award (Best Supporting Actress) ever by an African-American. McDaniel is quoted as saying: “Why should I complain about making $7000 a week playing a maid. If I didn’t, I’d be making $7 a week being one.” Right on, mama! This is the 75th anniversary of GWTW, which I think is a colossal bore. Of course, millions disagree, but what do they know?
Larry Getlen asks if Andy Kaufman is really dead? The bizarre comedian’s frequent collaborator, Bob Zmuda, claims his pal is about to emerge from a 30-year hoax. I doubt it’s true, but if anyone is/was weird enough to pull off such a stunt, it’s Kaufman. Whenever I hear or see his name I chuckle, recalling his foray into pro wrestling, his bouts with women, and his billing himself ingeniously and hilariously as The Inter-Gender Champion.

I may have come up with the new title I’ve been seeking for my rock n roll epic. Previously called Rising Star, which is in conflict with the ABC talent show of the same name, I am considering Lost in Rock n Roll. A search of the phrase yields the song Drift Away, written by Mentor Williams and covered by many artists, and not much else.  

Kudos to Jordan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals, who pitched a no-hitter on the final day of the regular season, and to defensive replacement in leftfield, Steven Souza Jr., who made a circus catch for the last out. Here's the fantastic finish, courtesy of MLB.com: http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/70087564/v36687991/miawsh-souza-dives-to-seal-zimmermanns-nono

The Europeans made mincemeat of the USA in this year's Ryder Cup, played in Scotland. At least there won't be any silly articles blaming team captain Tom Watson's failed strategy.

My thanks to the kind folks who bought books today.
Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/rP7o9
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Saturday, September 27, 2014

The Writer's Life 9/27 - Gehdellottah

My thanks to the elderly woman who purchased the Reader's Digest large print book. Here's a brief excerpt from an unpublished novel, Present and Past. It's about lifelong friends, Brooklyn Italian-Americans, one amoral, the other honorable. Their conversations form the bulk of the narrative. In this instance they reminisce about a neighbor. I love the way language evolves.

They cruised onto a street lined with bare trees. Freddie saw no signs of activity as they passed his parents' house. It felt strange to visit the block with no thought of going to see his mother. The sidewalks were practically deserted. He did not recognize anyone who passed. There’d been an unusual turnover of  residents lately. For many years the faces had remained the same. It seemed he was getting further and further from the street, at least physically. It frightened him, as did all change. He did not want his roots erased, although he realized they were lodged in his memory. He wanted the comfort of visible evidence.
"Know who died?" said Tony, eyes alive. "'Gehda.'"
Freddie noted a wreath on the front door of a house. "Wow. How old was he?"
"Ninety-one. Hard to believe the miserable bastid lasted this long. "
Freddie smiled. "I'll never forget the time you had him going."
Tony snickered.
"'Gehdellottah.” Freddie threw his right arm into the air in imitation of the old man.
"'Wha'? ' "
"'Gehdellottah .'"     
"'Wha '?'”
They followed the same pattern, reenacting the scene several more times before laugh ter stopped them. Freddie had tears in his eyes.
"It took the giuche long enough to figure out  I was yankin' his chain.  'Wha'?' ‘Wha'?’ 'Wha'?' What a moron."
"That cane just missed your head."
"I shoulda let it hit me. I'd'a owned his house."
Freddie mouthed the phrase, counted on his fingers. "He cram med six words into one: ‘Get the hell out of here.’ Language is so fascinating, even when it's bastardized. And memory's unbelieveab1e. That was more than twen ty years ago, and I can still picture it so vividly."
"Me too."
Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/rP7o9
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Friday, September 26, 2014

The Writer's Life 9/26 - Bone

I added Winter’s Bone (2010) to my list at Netflix simply because Jennifer Lawrence is its star. At the time I was researching Daniel Woodrell, who wrote Tomato Red, a novel I wasn’t crazy about, and noticed that one of his others had been adapted to film. Like TR, WB is set in the Ozarks, specifically a rural area in Missouri. JLaw plays a 17-year-old who must take care of her younger siblings now that her mom, beaten down psychologically by her love for a criminal husband, has gone into a shell. The father puts up their house as collateral for a prison bond and disappears. If he fails to show at a hearing, the family will be evicted. JLaw’s character begins what becomes an often harrowing search for him, facing resistance from most of the community, proponents of backwoods justice. This is a largely quiet, serious, documentary-like portrait of time, place and people. Anyone seeking a traditional thriller dominated by chases and plot twists should pass. I was riveted, the sense of menace palpable. It has the same downbeat, grimness of Tomato Red, but it is not devoid of hope, as that novel is. It has a character at its center that strives to do good despite long odds. The best sequence has her speaking to an Army recruiter. She is willing to sacrifice herself for a $40,000 signing bonus that would keep a roof over her family's head. The dialogue between the two is sincere and realistic and does not demean either, so rare in Hollywood fare that touches on the subject of military recruitment. To my surprise, the film was direct by a woman, Debra Granik, who adapted the screenplay with Anne Rosellini. Since then, Granik has done only a documentary. She deserves more work. The film received four Oscar nominations: Best Actress, Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor. John Hawkes, a familiar face whose name I did not recognize, is chilling in his role. This was Lawrence’s 10th credit. She was 20 at the time, the third youngest nominee for Best Actress. My hunch is she will be one of the all-time greats. The film was only modestly successful financially, made for two million, bringing in six. Again, this is for those who appreciate serious work. 94,000+ users at IMDb rate it 7.2 of ten. On a scale of five, I rate it four.

The incomparable Hondo, the NY Post’s satiric handicapper, has come up with another gem, striking two birds with one stone, stating that CBS will soon be offering a new series: NCIS: NFL.

Are the Giants that good or the Redskins that bad? Big Blue actually looked like a contender last night. Are the offensive woes truly history? Stay tuned.

It was a rather quiet day at the floating book shop. My thanks to Kinesha and Lev, who bought five books between them, to the woman who bought the medical manual, and to the one who donated three books. I had a visit from Hans, aka Mr. So Do Ku. He flipped through his new IPOD, showing me the Rubik Cube-like images he created, which he hopes to turn into a book. 78, he is at a stage where he is constantly wondering what comes next, if anything does, although he does believe the universe was created and not merely a glorious accident.
Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/rP7o9
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Thursday, September 25, 2014

The Writer's Life - Another Loss

The neighborhood group ten to 15 years younger than me has suffered another premature loss. I had the privilege of coaching Steven at the JV level at Lafayette H. S.. He also was our shortstop on the appropriately named Rebels softball team, the third member to have perished. Joe D and Mitchell preceded him. Others are fortunate to be alive. They jumped headlong into the subculture born in the late 60‘s. At least 12 others who hung out at P.S. 101 are dead. Although Steve had reformed and was successful in business, his body’s defenses must have been worn down, leaving him susceptible to cancer, the same disease that took his ex-wife, Lynn. He was a good guy who went astray and made his way back to a productive life, which isn’t easy, as I witness each day as members of a local drinking crew, similar age as Steve, pass the floating book shop. Condolences to his family.

On to trivial matters: Last night’s season three premiere of Nashville was very disappointing, despite an interesting gimmick. At four points in the hour, live performances by cast members at the Bluebird CafĂ© were injected into the show. Music has always been the series’ strong point, and these were solid renditions, although they would have been just as effective on tape. I noticed only one error, if it indeed was one. During a Hollywood audition for a Patsy Cline biography, Hayden Panettiere as Juliette sings Crazy, and omits “so”  before “lonely.“ Of course, she may have intended it because it was somehow easier for her, or because she intended to highlight the character’s nervousness. Unfortunately, the show’s storylines have deteriorated. Scarlett’s is silly; Juliette’s is strained; and Rayna’s is old hat, been there done that. Surprisingly, the most interesting is Will’s, the gay guy, who may soon be fully outed. I don’t know how much more can be done with it. The creators had the entire off-season, and came up with virtually nothing. Unless they find their mojo, I’ll be very surprised if the show isn’t cancelled. Then again, prime time shows have survived slumps in the past.

My one remaining passion regarding pro sports is hoping the Yankees don't make the playoffs. When they move close to elimination I'm checking scores, cursing the the teams ahead of them when they lose. It's as if the world would be made right if the Yankees crapped out. Well, they have for the second straight year and the world remains exactly the same. They would have been fine, despite their occasional anemic offense, had Tanaka and Pineda remained healthy the entire schedule. Next season they will face the same problem -- the age of many of their players. If they stay reasonably healthy, they'll make it to the post season.

For the first time since May the floating book shop lost a session due to weather. It gave me a chance to rearrange the apartment. In 1988, when I first moved in, the heat from the radiator was so stifling I turned it off. Last winter I turned it back on. I'd lay on the floor to watch TV, fall asleep, and wake up shivering. I've moved my bed in line with the TV so that I'll be under the covers while viewing. The only drawback may be falling asleep earlier, which would have me rising at four AM, as the most I sleep these days is five-and-a-half hours.
Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/rP7o9
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

The Writer's Life 9/24 - Presidents

Kudos to President Obama for ordering the bombings in Syria. These decisions must be so burdensome for a leader, especially one who promised to end war. The attack also marked the debut of the F-22 Raptor. The fleet of 188 had a price tag of 67 billion. The hard left must be furious. While those juveniles protest alleged global warming, which recent evidence indicates is non-existent, serious men tackle the pressing danger of terrorism. Let’s hope ISIS will be destroyed by air strikes and Arab forces alone, but I wouldn’t be surprised if elite U.S. troops engage in lightning strikes in the future. I would be surprised if ground forces were again stationed in trouble spots. The Kurds will stand and fight. Will the Iraqi Army find a spine?

And on to the trivial: There’s a fun article in today’s NY Post detailing a recent tweet on the NY Mets  Twitter page. It asked followers to state why they are Mets fans. Predictably, many of the comments were sarcastic -- and hilarious. All eleven cited in the article were good. Here are the two I enjoyed most: “I hate myself.” “I was dropped on my head many times as a child.” Some people have a flair for using the site. I use it twice a day for self promotion, rotating between the eight works I have listed at Amazon, my web site, the stories I have posted at Fictionaut, and a one-minute ad I created using Windows Movie Maker. I try to make each tweet different. It's difficult after having done hundreds.


For the first time in many months the floating book shop had a visit from author Bob Rubenstein. He called me a dago yid because of my support for Israel. He's revising his first novel, Ghost Runners, which will be back in his own hands when its contract with All Things That Matter Press expires next September. He's pissed that it wasn't chosen for audio format. I think he's made a mistake. Getting a book published is so hard, and he was fortunate enough to get two into print. He also relayed some information about his son, who works at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in DC, the institution where John Hinckley, the nut who shot President Reagan, is housed. Hinckley walks the grounds feeding squirrels, money in his sock. Bob urges his son to get a picture of Hinckley among the the statues of assassinated Presidents Garfield and McKinley, certain it would be a cash cow. It might also cost him his job.


My thanks to Joe, who finally delivered on his promise to donate books. He brought a nice mix of fiction and non, about 50 in all. My thanks also to the kind folks who made purchases today. Shana Tova to Jews worldwide. Long live Israel.
Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/rP7o9
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

The Writer's Life 9/23 - New Season

I hadn’t looked forward to a TV series since I was a kid. These days I sample a few and stick with those that are entertaining, despite their faults, which in some cases are many. I had to keep telling myself not to get my hopes up too high for Gotham, which premiered last night on Fox at eight. It’s off to a solid start. I don’t care if Batman, my favorite super-hero, ever shows up. I’m perfectly content that future Commissioner Jim Gordon is the lead character. Ben McKensie, with whose work I was heretofore unfamiliar, seems perfect for the part. He reminds me of a young Russell Crowe. I enjoyed the way the Caped Crusader’s youthful, future nemeses were injected into the story. I got misty when the Waynes were murdered in front of their son, although I’ve seen two similar scenes in the film series. And there was a great line late in the show, spoken by mob kingpin Falcone, something like: “You can’t have organized crime without law and order.” It may not be entirely true, but gangsters have a lot more to plunder in successful societies. I’d be surprised if this show doesn’t fare well.
Scorpion debuted at nine on CBS. I was afraid I would react to it as negatively as I do to other dramas dominated by a young cast playing obnoxious know-it-alls. Surprisingly, that aspect didn’t bother me. It seems this series will require suspension of belief. Episode one was fast-moving, silly fun, as over-the-top as Person of Interest has become. Veterans Robert Patrick and Katharine McPhee are on hand to lend a little balance to the proceedings -- very little. Will it last? It's too early to tell.
The season finale of Under the Dome aired at ten on CBS. The once interesting storyline, adapted from the novel by Stephen King, has deteriorated. The writers are substituting shock for ideas. The ending wasn’t definitive, so I guess it will return next summer. As dreadful as it has become, fans deserve closure.

The most surprising developments in Week Three of the 2014 NFL season is the poor play of San Francisco and Green Bay. Was 49ers' QB Colin Kaepernick a flash in the pan? His athleticism is always impressive, but he seems prone to the same problem most athletic QB's suffer -- excessive turnovers. As for the Packers, I'm not sure what the problem is. As for the local teams, the Giants and Jets, so far they have performed exactly as expected.

I sold seven books today. Five were in Russian. My thanks to the buyers.
Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/rP7o9
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Monday, September 22, 2014

The Writer's Life 9/22 - Fortuitous

How ‘bout this guy? According to an item in the NY Post Weird but True column, a chef in a Chinese restaurant in San Francisco walked off the job after being relentlessly pestered by food totalitarians. As he left he posted a sign: “Yes, we use MSG, we don’t believe in organic food, and don’t give a shit about gluten free.” Kudos, sir. Let them go elsewhere to get what they want. That stuff must be readily available in such a liberal bastion.

Yesterday more than 300,000 climate paranoiacs protested in midtown, leaving a huge carbon footprint and lots of garbage. This is one instance of irony this writer does not love.

As usual on Monday, I intended to set up the floating book shop in Park Slope. I drove around for about 15 minutes and didn't catch even a whiff of a parking spot, so I decided to go to my weekend site on Bay Parkway, and it was a most fortuitous decision. Clint, an aspiring writer, bought Killing and A Hitch in Twilight. Thank you, young man, and best of luck. Thanks also to the other kind folks who made purchases. And the luck didn't end there. When I got home there was a convenient spot waiting for my Hyundai just across the street from my usual nook. I'll only have to lug the crates 15 yards the rest of the week. It's weird how things just work out sometimes.
Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/rP7o9
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Sunday, September 21, 2014

The Writer's Life 9/21 - Rockin'

NY Post film critic Lou Lumenick has written an article on Sergio Leone's gangster epic Once Upon a Time in America, of which a third incarnation will soon be introduced on DVD. It was first released in 1984, ran 2:19, and was a major disappointment, confusing everyone. The master of the spaghetti western, who died in 1989 at the age of 60, shot ten hours of footage. It was re-released in 1984, ran almost four hours, and was highly praised. That version is rated 8.4 of ten by more than 170,000 users at IMDb. The latest adds 29 minutes to the epic, pushing it over four hours. Louise Fletcher, so memorable as Nurse Ratched in One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), has finally been reclaimed from the cutting room floor. When it becomes available I'll add it to my list at Netflix and watch it in installments over a few nights. I can already hear that damn phone ringing endlessly.

I am no fan of career politicians, especially liberals, but I think the recent criticism of VP Joe Biden's use of the words Shylock and Orient is silly. It is clear that he wasn't intentionally or unintentionally ridiculing Jews or Asians. True, Shakespeare's immortal character is a Jew, but, in my experience, Shylock is now applied to gangsters, many of them Italian-American. It is a perfectly good word, its meaning obvious. As for "orient," Biden was citing an area, and anyone within listening distance immediately knew what he meant. The watchdogs are way off base on this one. Even if the criticism came from the right to highlight the media's glossing over of the bad behavior of the left, it's wrong. I suppose a firestorm would have arisen had a conservative made those remarks, and it would have been just as ridiculous. The grievance mongers are tedious dingbats.

Speaking of tedious -- enough already on Adrian Peterson, Ray Rice and all other NFL boneheads. Anyone with any common sense condemns their actions. Move on.  

Yesterday I recalled a comment a friend made regarding my pending rock n roll epic, Rising Star, and the TV show of the same name. Suddenly it occurred to me that any search on my novel would be dwarfed by information regarding that program. A change of title is imperative. The first I thought of is Rock n Roll Hearts. I googled the phrase and, as expected, it has been used often. Since the book won’t be ready until late winter/early spring, I have a lot of time to think about it and hope that an appropriate title comes to me, as it did for Exchanges, which fits perfectly. So far I’m considering Rockin’, and Rockin’ the World, neither of which I’m crazy about. I'll have to run a search on the latter, as it likely has been used. I have what I believe is an effective tagline: Sex, Drugs, Rock n Roll. It too has been and continues to be used, but I wouldn't expect potential readers to use it to seek information on the book.

It was an all-male revue today at the floating book shop. My thanks to the guys who bought and donated books.
Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/rP7o9
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Saturday, September 20, 2014

The Writer's Life 9/20 - 3B

I’ve survived my first foray into urban lit. In this particular instance, the novel, The Man in 3B by Carl Weber, is similar to most best sellers except that the cast of characters is almost entirely black. It begins with a third person prologue set in a precinct in Queens. A young man has been murdered. The rest of the novel is alternating first person accounts of a handful of characters. It is good story-telling. The prose is solid, if a tad over-written. The dialogue is sound. And the mystery has a neat twist I didn’t see coming. I was only half-right as to the identity of the killer. The 355 pages glide by. My chief problem with the novel is with its sexual content, which often did not ring true. Of course, this may be a reflection of my age rather than the fault of the author. The attitudes seem juvenile, although I realize many of us, regardless of age, can be as crass and silly as the book’s players when it comes to sex. This is one of Weber’s most recent releases, published early in 2013. In scanning the list of his work at Amazon, I counted at least 15 others. He has been #1 on the NY Times best sellers list. He is the founder and publisher of Urban Books, and owner of a chain of stores, Urban Knowledge. On a scale of five, I rate The Man in 3B three. Those who have rated it at Amazon disagree. 599 contributors forge to a consensus of 4.5. I wonder how that breaks down by race. Perhaps there is a sensibility I lack that keeps me from appreciating it more. Then again, the copy was donated by a white woman who is at least 60. One thing is certain, Weber’s success is impressive and dwarfs mine. Anyone offended by modern depictions of sex and the language that goes with it should pass on the book.

I decided not to buy Alibaba, the amazon.com of China, which in its first day of trading opened above 92 and soared above 99 at one point. I was hoping it would come out at 50. I'll probably regret it. One factor that made me skittish is an op-ed piece in the NY Post by Charles Gasparino, who said investors would not be buying shares of the actual company but of a holding company in the U.S.. That doesn't sound kosher, although I have no idea if it has been done before.

Kudos to the Scots and Brits, the latter for allowing the vote for independence to take place, and especially the 45% of the former who voted for separation and didn't riot when the initiative failed. It's great to see democracy again serve as a beacon for the rest of the world. If only the citizens of other countries would follow suit.

Business was slow today on Bay Parkway, so I decided to keep the floating book shop open a little longer, and it worked like a charm. Thanks, folks.
Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/rP7o9
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Friday, September 19, 2014

The Writer's Life 9/20 - Colors

My thanks to the kind folks who bought and donated books today. Here’s a short story, Colors of the Day, that was published several years ago, soon after I was let go by the Exchange. It’s 1000 words, a less than ten-minute read.

   Frowning, loosening a purple tie, Tony pushed through the golden revolving doors of a skyscraper. He drifted into the crowded midtown street as if in a daze. He was roused to his senses as his cell phone sent out the melody of his wedding song.
   Perfect timing as usual, he thought, shutting off the phone, his memory flashing back to the whiteness of his wife’s gown that happy day.
   She would assume he was still in the interview, which had gone so badly he was ashamed to speak to her. He imagined she was tsk-tsking at his having neglected to turn the device off in the first place. No doubt she pictured him gazing at his inquisitor with egg on his face. It was the lesser of two evils at present.
   Suddenly he stopped and peered at the lapel of his suit. The pin was there, tiny pink feet standing out boldly against the blue fabric. Dummy, he thought, rolling his eyes heavenward, certain it accounted for the woman’s coldness. Nervous, he had forgotten to take it off. He tried to tell himself he wouldn’t want to work for someone so intolerant, but it wouldn’t wash. There were always those with whom he vehemently disagreed, friends, co-workers, family, and he would never disown any of them.
   He entered a bar, ordered a margarita, and watched TV. An hour and three more drinks later, he left, satisfied nothing disastrous had occurred in Iraq. No news is good news, he thought, amazed at the miracle that seemed to be taking place in that backward, bleached land. Just months ago all seemed lost, and he’d doubted his support, as a majority of Americans were waving a white flag. Goes to show, he told himself; never surrender.
   He was hit by the alcohol the moment he stepped onto the sidewalk. He paused, gathering his wits. He sniffed contemptuously at a political poster. The senate’s most liberal member was likely to be the next president. He shuddered at the thought. Would the economy ever shake its slump if taxes were raised and regulations tightened? Would the enemy be encouraged by an emphasis on diplomacy rather than force? Most states were trending blue. Citizens were fed up with red. Or is it the other way around? he wondered, suddenly confused.
   Squinting, he moved from the grays of shadow into brilliant sunshine. It was a beautiful late summer day, no trace of smog, the sky a perfect azure, people sporting a summery bronze glow. Many were clad in bright colors, yellow or orange shorts. Tourists, he thought, amused. His spirits momentarily lifted, then plummeted. He’d been out of work ten months, after having been at the same company for almost 30 years. He hadn’t been surprised when the ax fell, unlike certain colleagues, who’d been in denial. He’d seen it coming and cut back on expenses well before the arrival of that black day. Fortunately his children had finished college and were on their own. He was in no danger of missing a mortgage payment. Many were not as fortunate. He had yet to touch any of his buyout money, which he’d invested in a CD. Although his wife was working, and against his better instincts, he’d filed for the 13-week unemployment extension. The government did not even check if one were truly in need. It handed out money willy-nilly. He felt low, dirty, part of the entitlement mentality that plagued the nation. He tried to rationalize it by telling himself he was simply recouping the taxes that had been plundered from his check, but he couldn’t fool himself. He wondered if it were time to leave New York for a state more hospitable to the middle class, as many were doing. Although he was terribly out of step here politically, he could not imagine himself anywhere but the place he’d always lived and loved.
   He noted the silvery glint of the plastic bottles that littered the street. There were aluminum cans and glass as well, tons throughout the five boroughs. He wondered if he could make a business of recycling, become his own boss, use that good old Yankee ingenuity. Wasn’t he being unrealistic in thinking anyone would hire a man of 55? Why not eschew the white collar world? A former colleague had taken a job as a security guard, another was driving a yellow hack. Maybe that was the way to go, or maybe to use the internet somehow.
   He entered the subway at Broadway. It was not yet rush hour. There was plenty of room on the train. As he sat, his brown eyes were immediately drawn to a dapper middle aged couple, arms entwined, seated across from him. They seemed so out of place. He wondered if they too were cutting back on expenses, eschewing cabs. Realizing he was staring, he looked away abruptly. The woman, seated left, had beautiful red hair that probably cost a small fortune to maintain. The man’s hair, a full, shocking white, was equally well-coiffed.
   Tony closed his eyes and opened them at the next stop to observe those coming and going. An attractive young woman sat beside the middle aged man. She sported several piercings and colorful tattoos, prominently green, in most places where her flesh showed, and her hair was dyed blue. Tony thanked God his daughter had grown out of that stage before it became ultra ridiculous. He began looking from one to the others in the odd threesome. He covered his mouth but was unable to suppress a chuckle. Soon he was laughing uncontrollably.
   “What’s so funny?” said the man, face not quite as red as his companion’s hair.
   “Forgive me,” said Tony, smiling, shaking his head in wonder. “I mean no disrespect. I’ve had a little too much to drink.”
   “Obviously.”
   “I couldn’t help noticing – the three of you – your hair – red, white and blue. Only in New York.”
   The older woman smirked, the younger beamed.
   “Sorry,” said Tony, closing his eyes.
  He dozed off. When he awoke the others were gone. The train had passed into Brooklyn. He would be home in minutes. He couldn’t wait to tell his wife about the odd threesome. She would eat it up. Suddenly refreshed, he turned on his cell phone and checked his text messages. There was only one: “Love U.”
   His eyes glazed. He knew everything would be all right eventually.
Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/rP7o9
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Thursday, September 18, 2014

The Writer's Life 9/18 - Stop

Minnesota Vikings management erred when it re-instated star RB Adrian Peterson and now looks insincere after caving to media and social pressure and suspending him. I don’t know what the law is regarding his actions. However, I would like to know if he has done it again or if he has changed his mind on corporal punishment. This doesn't mean he shouldn't be prosecuted if he broke the law. I’ve seen no mention of how many times he's whipped his children. Given that the overwhelming majority of athletes being arrested for violent behavior is black, I wonder how long it will be before someone like Al Sharpton blames the police for targeting minorities. The ugly question has to be asked: Why do so many black males resort so quickly to violence, especially against other blacks? Yesterday Anheuser-Busch, one of the NFL’s sponsors, blasted Vikings’ management for its actions. Arian Foster, black, star RB of the Houston Texans, answered the criticism intelligently, tweeting twice: “Selling poison on that high horse.” And: “Domestic violence and alcohol damn near synonymous.” I’m not in favor of prohibition, but alcohol does lead some to vile behavior. I doubt it’s the main reason for the rash of despicable behavior among athletes. I fear it is culturally ingrained, behavior that began when many fathers were replaced by a government check and  which has continued through generations of welfare dependency. Of course, this was done with noble intentions, but it has backfired. It is among several reasons Jason L. Riley wrote the book Please Stop Helping Us: How Liberals Make It Harder for Blacks to Succeed, currently ranked number one at Amazon in separate categories in hardcover and Kindle. (Reaction to article in NY Post)

Speaking of alcohol -- French screen legend Gerard Depardieu, 65, imbibes 14 bottles of wine a day and  claims to never get totally drunk. The fun begins every morning at ten AM. In classic understatement, he says: “I don’t drink like a normal person.” Imagine how many trips to the bathroom he makes. (Also from today’s Post)


My thanks to the kind folks who purchased books on yet another glorious day in Brooklyn.
Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/rP7o9
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

The Writer's Life 9/17 - Sins

Today’s Quiz: Who is this lovely 19-year-old? I was familiar with the name but not the face.
It's pro golfer Lexi Thompson, whose career earnings exceed three million dollars, despite her tender age. The pic is from a spread she did for Golf Punk Magazine, which dubbed her Sexi Thompson. Fore!

How far will a desperate man go to turn his life around? That's been a common theme in four films I’ve seen the past few months, courtesy of Netflix. The latest, 13 Sins, is the weakest of the lot. It makes no pretense whatsoever at seriousness, evolving midway to horror shock-fest. Unlike Graceland (Filipino, 2012), which is deadly serious, it is strictly Hollywood fare, much like Cheap Thrills (2013), which was better. 7 Boxes (Paraguayan, 2012) is more thriller than serious art, but superior to the latter two. The best aspect of 13 Sins is that it’s not boring. I did not pause the disc during its entire 93 minute running time. One must suspend belief to view its over the top nonsense. I enjoyed the twists at the end. I was not familiar with most of the cast. How does one judge the acting in so lurid a flick? The ubiquitous, always reliable Ron Perlman plays a detective. 65, he has amassed 207 credits and is still going strong, several projects in the can and in pre or post production this year and next. 13 Sins was directed by Daniel Stamm, who co-wrote the screenplay with David Birke. It was adapted from the Thai film 13: Game of Death (2006), which I haven’t seen. In the commentary section at IMDb, the majority of contributors ridiculed the work, one calling it the worst she’d ever seen. It’s far from the worst I’ve seen, but it isn’t very good. 11,000+ have rated the film at IMDb, forging to a consensus of 6.2 of ten. I rate it 2.25 on a scale of five. Anyone turned off by violence, crudity and gore should pass.


My thanks to the kind folks who bought and donated books on this gorgeous day. As I was idling the time, waiting for customers, an old, green SUV pulled up to the curb. A young couple exited and were approached by a male in soiled work clothes. The woman opened the rear hatch, reached into a cooler, came out with food wrapped in foil and in containers, and put them into a plastic bag, adding utensils and napkins. Her companion reached into a cooler sitting on the back seat and came out with a couple of cans of Pepsi and two soft drinks in glass bottles. The entire transaction went down in Spanish. I love the underground economy. 
Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/rP7o9
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

The Writer's Life 9/16 - Analytics

I've now seen all the 2013 nominees for the Best Picture Oscar except for two that don't interest me. Here's how I rank them:
Captain Phillips - tense and exciting.   
Gravity - the most surprising. Beautifully shot, short and to the point.
American Hustle - probably one of those types of movies that get better with each viewing.
Her - challenging and unique.   
Nebraska - also out of the mainstream. It too might improve with each viewing.
12 Years a Slave - one-note film.
The Wolf of Wall Street - hated it. Should have been titled The Worst of Wall Street. Characters are so unlike most of the traders I knew.
Dallas Buyers Club - since we are now compelled to not only tolerate but approve of gay life, I now boycott films with gay themes.
Philomena - seems like feminist twaddle.
Here's a list of 2013 films I enjoyed as much if not more than the nominees.
The Book Thief - loved it. Tapped into the sentimental old fool in me.
A Single Shot - bleak, gritty thriller.
Prisoners - gut-wrenching. Best ending of the year.
August: Osage County - family super-dysfunction made compelling by a great cast.
World War Z - atypical zombie flick, more a thriller than gory shock-fest.
Lone Survivor - crisp action.
Inside Llewyn Davis - another unconventional film by the Coen brothers. Not their best but interesting
As I Lay Dying - wouldn't say it's good, but a tip of the cap for having the audacity to adapt Faulkner's work, which couldn't have been easy.

Here's one of the strangest sports headlines ever: "Tanaka Pitches Five Scoreless Innings in Simulated Game." Why not simply say he looked sharp and felt fine after the test? Whoever came up with the caption must be a die-hard Yankees fan desperate for good news in what has been a disappointing season. The franchise has millions tied up in that talented right arm and is no doubt suffering extreme anxiety regarding its health.

The most interesting development in week two of the NFL season is the possibility that San Diego has shown the rest of the league how to attack the vaunted Seattle defense.

Hockey gets complicated: According to an article at Yahoo Sports, several NHL teams are following a new theory, using advanced stats -- analytics -- as a guide. It revolves around strategies to increase puck possession. Someone figured out that the most successful teams dominate time of possession.

The floating book shop opened an hour later than usual due to lingering sprinkles, yet earned more than it does on an average day. My first two customers bought books to take to Florida. Thanks, gentlemen, and to all the others who made purchases.
Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/rP7o9
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Monday, September 15, 2014

The Writer's Life 9/15 - Miss Alabama

The argument continues. Here are excerpts from an op-ed piece in today's NY Post, edited by yours truly:
"In the run-up to the Sept. 23 UN Climate Summit in New York, Leonardo DiCaprio is releasing a series of films about the climate crisis.
"According to NASA satellites and all ground-based temperature measurements, global warming ceased in the late 1990s, despite the fact that CO2 levels have risen almost ten percent since 1997. The post-1997 CO2 emissions represent an astonishing 30 percent of all human-related emissions since the industrial revolution began. That we’ve seen no warming contradicts all CO2-based climate models upon which global-warming concerns are founded. Rates of sea-level rise remain small and are even slowing, averaging about one millimeter per year in recent decades, as measured by tide gauges, and 2 to 3 mm/year as inferred from adjusted satellite data. This is far less than what alarmists suggested.
Satellites also show that a greater area of Antarctic sea ice exists now than any time since space-based measurements began in 1979. In other words, the ice caps aren’t melting. A 2012 report concluded that there has been no significant increase in either the frequency or intensity of extreme weather events in the modern era. The 2013 report concluded the same. Yes, Hurricane Sandy was devastating — but it’s not part of any new trend. The climate scare has become a sort of societal pathogen that virulently spreads misinformation in tiny packages -- like a virus. And DiCaprio’s film is just another vector for spreading the virus. The costs of feeding the climate-change monster are staggering. According to the Congressional Research Service, from 2001 to 2014 the US government spent $131 billion on projects meant to combat human-caused climate change, plus $176 billion in breaks for anti-CO2 energy initiatives. Federal anti-climate-change spending is now running at $11 billion a year, plus tax breaks of $20 billion a year. Dr Bjørn Lomborg, director of the Copenhagen Consensus Center, calculates that the European Union’s goal of a 20 percent reduction in CO2 emissions below 1990 levels by 2020, currently the most severe target in the world, will cost almost $100 billion a year, or more than $7 trillion over the course of this century. Lomborg, a supporter of the UN’s climate science, notes that this would buy imperceptible improvement: 'After spending all that money, we would not even be able to tell the difference.' Al Gore was right in one respect: Climate change is a moral issue — but that’s because there is nothing quite so immoral as well-fed, well-housed Westerners assuaging their consciences by wasting huge amounts of money on futile anti-global-warming policies, using money that could instead go to improve living standards in developing countries. That is where the moral outrage should lie. Perhaps DiCaprio would like to make a film about it?"
The piece was written by Tom Harris, executive director of the Ottawa-based International Climate Science Coalition, and Bob Carter, former professor and head of the School of Earth Sciences at James Cook University in Australia.

I made my Monday sojourn to Park Slope. I squeezed into a parking space less than a hundred yards from my usual spot on 9th Street just below 7th Avenue. If it hadn't been for the high bumper of the truck behind me, my Hyundai would not have fit. As it was, I was wedged. I have no idea how I got it in there other than it being dumb luck. Sales were modest, hardly worth it given the hassles that go with setting up shop there. Just minutes before the end of the session, an elderly woman, cane in hand, approached. Something about her was familiar, which was confirmed when she spoke. When I first started visited the neighborhood, she'd bought several thrillers. She is an Alabama girl. I asked how she'd come to settle in Brooklyn, and I still haven't forgotten her reply, in wonderful drawl: "I would've followed that man anywhere." I may have softened her up by mentioning it, as she purchased three novels. My thanks, and also to the other kind ladies who bought.
Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/rP7o9
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 9/14 - Sweet 16

I had a nice time in Jersey yesterday at my great niece/godchild’s Sweet 16 party. The food was good and the spinner crew of three did a fine job of entertaining. Danielle was radiant in her wedding-like dress. When her dad said said: "Here comes her 'grand entrance'," I laughed, recalling it as one of Classie Freddie Blassie's pet phrases during his managerial days in the WWF.  Late in the event the court ditched their formals and did a dance they’d choreographed. Dani did the candle-lighting ceremony in leotards. She got choked up when mentioning her grandfather, who passed away two years ago. When my niece Luci, Dani’s godmother, and I were summoned to light a candle, the DJ cued the Theme to The Godfather. It was an offer I could not refuse. The only negative was the absence of Dani’s older brother, Ron Jr., who is a freshman at the University of Kentucky. His dad, a terrific banjo player, said Junior decided not to bring a guitar with him. Ronnie was out somewhere the other night and a young man was playing, finished a song, and picked up a different guitar. Ronnie asked to play along, and the two hit it off. They will be doing a gig soon, playing for their supper. The other kid is the son from the first marriage of country legend Ricky Skaggs. I’ve always had the feeling Ronnie would one day change his major from pharmaceuticals to music. I’ve never brought it up. I don’t think his dad would mind. I’m not sure about his mom, who’s a teacher. I hope he doesn't so that he has something to fall back on, to coin that old phrase. I'd bet most professional musicians don't have a degree in music.

Note to drivers in NYC: if you’re traveling the Staten Island Expressway city bound, stay out of the right lane. There’s a stretch where it’s blocked off, and two points along it where cars merge onto the highway. It’s a tedious, single file slog made infuriating by the sight of the cars in the other two lanes moving smoothly, at least as smooth as traffic on that road gets.

There are a couple of interesting tidbits in today’s NY Post. An article about Viking myths is led by a clever caption: “Norse Manure.” And, in a sign of the times, another piece states that 730 NFL players have been arrested since 2000.

Whenever I've missed a session of the floating book shop, I'm anxious to get back to work. Bill Brown, author of Words and Guitar, the Music of Lou Reed, visited. He's beginning a new job tomorrow, proofreading the ads Dish TV sends out through the mail and the web. As we were talking, Bob showed up. I asked him to tell Bill the name of his employer. "Yellow Rat Bastard," he said, a clothier he's worked at for five weeks. Bill laughed, as I did the first time I heard it.
My thanks to the kind folks who made purchases today, especially to Bad News Billy, who came along huffing and puffing on his bike.
Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/rP7o9
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Friday, September 12, 2014

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 9/12 - Around the Horn

It’s always a relief when 9/11 passes, especially when no new attack has occurred. A couple of weeks ago I heard a retired general predict there would be one. Hopefully, all such predictions will be wrong forever.

The Buffalo Bills have been saved by fracking, which is outlawed in the Empire State. The team’s new owner, Terry Pegula, made his fortune through the process. The franchise will remain in Buffalo. I wonder if leftists Bills fans will boycott.

Since January, the DeBlasio administration has shipped 1412 homeless persons out of NYC. Once it has been established the vagrants have relatives in another state willing to take them in, they are given a one-way bus, train or plane ticket. In his last year in office Mike Bloomberg got rid of 2208. Of course, those ensconced in the poverty industry are protesting, as the attrition may cost a few cushy jobs and the benefits that go with them. I’ve always wished the federal government would do the same with anyone who feels aggrieved in this country. I’d bet there’d  be very few takers.

According to an article in the NY Post, the average one-bedroom apartment in the once blighted now hot Bushwick section of Brooklyn is renting at an average of $2647. That’s just under $30,000 a year. Kudos to those who can afford it.

Why I hate the Yankees, Part 1001: In the off season the Mets signed outfielder Chris Young to a one-year contract in excess of seven million bucks. His numbers were dismal: eight HR’s in 254 at-bats. He was recently released. Picked up by the Bombers in a move laughed at by most, he is six for twelve with two homers, including a game-winning three-run knock in the bottom of the ninth of last night’s game. It keeps hope alive in the playoff race. Even if Young doesn't get another hit the remainder of the schedule, his acquisition would have been worth it.

My thanks to the kind folks who purchased books on this glorious day. 
Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/rP7o9
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 9/11 - Aftershocks

I wrote this early in 2002.  It’s about 1500 words, approximately a ten-minute read.
Aftershocks Near Ground Zero
   Girls in light blue jackets were crying. After 20 years of trading gold futures, Billy, their company's point man, was leaving the Exchange. Although he hadn't been himself since 9/11, I was surprised. He was tough. I'd expected him to overcome his pain. His older brother had been in one of the towers, identified through DNA testing. He'd had a glaze over his eyes since he'd returned to the floor. He'd always approached his work with blue collar intensity, often screaming obscenities. He'd lost the will to continue that fight.
   My first direct experience with him, long before I was assigned to gold, was on a softball field. He knocked me on my butt at secondbase with a clean, hard slide, after which he took my hand, helped me up, and apologized, although he'd done nothing wrong. Our team had the last laugh that day. We were good, winning three straight Wall St. League championships. Billy lost a lot of money betting against us. Although I didn't like the way he threatened people in the pit, I respected him. Another broker summed him up precisely: "He's real; he's not a phony."
   One day when the market was dead, Billy and Wally took to berating each other and each other's wives. They decided to settle it like men, dueling with black magic markers, staining each other's shirt, laughing themselves silly. Aside from that hard slide, it is the image of him I will always remember.
   Darrin returned to work later than most of us. Several chose not to come back. We re-opened the Monday following the attack, the first business near ground zero to do so. A month later there was concern, due to  air quality, about re-opening Stuyvesant High School. We were a lot closer to the fire. I guess we were expendable.
   Darrin, 300 pounds, had to be helped into the building. Eventually, he was able to do it on his own. He was popular. Sometimes, when things were dull, he was persuaded to do his dance. The sight of this roly-poly figure jigger-bugging would have everyone laughing. He loved the Mets. They've lost a big fan. One morning he didn't wake up. Maybe all the fluctuations in weight through the years weakened his heart. I'd seen him as light as 190. He was 33, married but a few years.
   Dave was one of the world's good guys. He lived large. My earliest recollection of him was of his wolfing down a salami hero at 8 AM. His tailgate parties at the Meadowlands were legendary. He was a season ticket holder for the Giants. He headed a charitable foundation. The wing of a hospital bore his family name. He was a big pussycat, unless crossed. Few dared it. One clerk, despite a warning, kept making unwelcomed advances to his sister. Dave boarded an elevator with the guy, politely asking another man to wait for the next. When the doors opened on the ground floor, Dave walked off, and the guy lay sprawled, groaning.
   Once, during a hectic session, raising my head from a handheld computer used to enter trades, I noted how terrible he looked. He was sweating bullets, skin pasty. Weeks later, frustrated at how the gold market had slowed, he secured a seat trading energy, where it was always busy. One night he didn't wake up. He was 43. The line at his wake stretched for blocks. Firemen and police officers stopped their vehicles before the hall and went inside to pay their respects.
   "Did you hear?" said Kevin, the floor supervisor, entering the pit one afternoon. I assumed someone else had died. It was far worse, something unimaginable, sickening. Skippy's daughter, six, had been snatched from her front lawn. Only weeks ago he'd moved out of the city, out to the suburbs where it was safe. He was one of the nicest guys I'd ever met, unchanged by wealth. He'd transferred to the energy markets just as they were beginning to boom, and eventually started his own company. I was not surprised at his success. He'd been our lead-off man, playing so intelligently, drawing walks, laying down perfect bunts, always throwing to the right base. And what a character he was. Always smiling, even the opposition couldn't get mad at him. "Put a tent over that circus," he'd yell when an opponent made an error; "Put a band aid over that cut."
   "What's goin' on?" said Kevin, the perennial MVP of the team. "Is it some kind of jinx?"
   I wasn't sure myself.
   That night Skippy was on TV, pleading for his daughter's return. My stomach was in knots, having once read that the statistics in such cases were not favorable. Fortunately, the kidnapper lost nerve. The child was released unharmed. Finally, we felt we'd all won one.
   On Friday, January 11th, four months to the day of the attack, before the market opened, Joey approached, weeping. Bob, whom Joey had flanked for years, had died. As I comforted Joey, I could hear Frankie wailing in the background. Frankie had flanked Bob's other side. I was stunned. Bob seemed indestructible, too ornery to die. He was not popular. He reminded me of a line a player once used to describe the great Vince Lombardi: "He treats us all alike -- like dogs."
   62, Bob slugged it out with men ten, 20, 30 years his junior. He did not seem to suffer that slowing of the thought process, which, in my case, scared the dickens out of me. He was hardcore. I'd hated him with a passion when I first worked in gold. Eventually I realized his demeanor was 50% act. I came to look forward to greeting him just to hear him curse me out. Long-termers swore that he had mellowed, that he'd been much fiercer in his younger days. That must have been fun.
   Whenever I substituted for the supervisor, I was sure to be ridiculed. It was a while before I realized that half the time it was being done just to get my goat. I called Bob and Joe "The Devil and Bob Fahngool." Since there were hundreds of people on each trading floor, scores of others in offices, we used nicknames for clarity. There was Cigar, Flipper, Fat Joe, Joe Piss, Joey K, Joey Elvis, Joey Gotz-in-gool. I called this Joe "Joey Forked-Tongue" because of the way he was always misleading me.
   "You got the Judotz's number?" he asked, wiping away tears. That was our buddy, Dougie, who was on vacation. "He won't believe me. Whenever Bob's out and he asks me where he is, I say: 'The World Trade Center, between the seventieth and eightieth floors.'"
   "You guys are nuts," I said.
   You wouldn't believe what they say about each other's wife. That's life at the Exchange -- complete irreverence. It may be the last place where free speech actually exists, where outbursts are tolerated as human and not something unforgivable, where there is no selective outrage. It teems with life, is ideal for anyone fascinated by humanity.
   Larry, who bought four copies of my novel (Close to the Edge), gave one to Bob. One day Bob approached and told me he'd read the book. I didn't believe him, of course. It wasn't the type of book he would like, but I was flattered nonetheless, as he seemed impressed that I'd actually wrote one. When he heard I played guitar, he told me he played violin as a boy. I almost fell down laughing, trying to picture it. He was the type you would expect to break a violin over a sissy's head.
   He was hit hard by Dave's death, a rare show of vulnerability. He'd failed to persuade Dave to change his ways. He'd quit smoking himself three months ago, complaining of stiffness in his shoulder. The doctor suggested exercise. Soon there was numbness in his fingers, the nails turning blue. Joey urged him to go back to the doctor. Bob responded typically: "Whatta they know?" (expletive deleted). Now he too was gone, as the Towers were, replaced by an empty space. When I leave the ring to go to the podium, I pass through the point on the top step where Bob had stood, where he would curse me or sandwich me with Joey. I'd never thought I would miss it.
   We're all wondering when, if, the demoralizing run will end. Many appear to have grown numb. Given our population, we frequently observe a minute of silence, usually in memory of an old-timer. The bad news seems endless. Others with whom I was unfamiliar have died, one only 31. A young co-worker buried his father and an uncle within a month. Another's wife suffered a second miscarriage. Haven't we used up what Shakespeare called the thousand natural shocks to which flesh is heir? We carry on, wondering what Bob Fahngool would have said about this or that, shaking our heads, chuckling.
   I hope the departed are up there somewhere watching, laughing at our foolishness. Normalcy has returned. Life may pause, but it will not cease for anyone, even the great. Our eyes glaze occasionally, then we forget, we recall, we forget, we recall, forget, recall, forget. Such is humanity.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 9/10 - Across the Board

Spike Jonze is an unconventional filmmaker, a gift for those who wish to occasionally escape Hollywood fare. Being John Malkovich (1999) is inventive fun. Adaptation (2002) is a quirky journey in the life of a screenwriter. His latest release, her (2013) was nominated for an Oscar as Best Picture. It is the one I most looked forward to viewing, and I did so last night courtesy of Netflix. Joaquin Phoenix stars as a sensitive sort going through the final stages of divorce. He purchases a new operating system and falls in love with it. Despite the outrageous premise, the story is quiet, largely understated. It is not sci-fi. It takes the relationship seriously, and it unfolds much like most do. The voice is provided by the talented Scarlett Johansson. Three other actresses on the rise lend solid support: Amy Adams, Rooney Mara and Kristen Wiig. This is a work that demands concentration, participation, not one where the viewer can simply sit back and enjoy. It runs about two hours. It is set in L.A., but its subway scenes were filmed in Shanghai, giving the location an other-worldly feel. I suppose the film is saying that such relationships are inevitable, given the advances of technology. It is handled so well as to be convincing. 201,000+ users have rated it at IMDb, forging to a consensus of 8.1 of ten. I rate it 3.75 of five. The film was only modestly successful financially, made on a budget of 23 million, taking in 25 million domestically. It is a refreshing break from the typical flick.

The results of the NY primaries manifest the sorry state of its politics. Andrew Cuomo, under fire for having quashed a panel investigating corruption, received “only” 61% of the vote. His opponent, an apparent Marxist he cowardly refused to debate, garnered 34.5%. A third candidate got the rest. Pundits are calling it a “rebuke.” Whatever -- it will be quickly forgotten. Cuomo will easily be re-elected governor. Polls show Rob Astorino trailing by more than 30%. The majority of New Yorkers prefer a corrupt Democrat to a qualified Republican. In another telling race, state senator John Sampson, indicted twice, was rewarded by 55% of the voters.

An article in the NY Post reveals that 50.2% of the U.S. population 16 and older is unmarried. The figure has been tracked since 1976, when it was 37.4%. It isn’t surprising, as changes are apparent in all aspects of life. Is it evidence of a society in decline? I’m sure the debate would be heated.

Yesterday the ranking of A Hitch in Twilight was eleven million plus at Amazon. After I bought six copies with my accumulation of gift certificate funds, it was ranked 186,000+. This shows that the ranking of books outside the top 100,000, perhaps 50,000, is irrelevant except to an author's ego. As for the floating book shop -- I started the day with six books in Russian and ended it with eleven. Surprisingly, none sold. My thanks to the kind folks who made purchases and donations. At present the pickings across all genres are about as good as they get.
Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/rP7o9
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/ 

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 9/9 - Moves

What former Baltimore Ravens RB Ray Rice did in that elevator was reprehensible, but isn’t it interesting that the victim, his then fiance now wife, is the only one to have forgiven him. The media loves such stuff. It gets on its high horse, condemns an easy target, shows the video repeatedly. I expect Rice to be back in the NFL next year. After all, Michael Vick has returned, despite his crimes, and Ray Lewis played despite being implicated in a murder. These men have a talent for football and, if they are not in prison, must be allowed to pursue it. Denying Rice the right to work would not make him a better person. It might do the opposite.

The Giants performed as I expected, losing big to the Lions. It was the easiest pick on the board in week one. To no one's surprise, the offense was unable to take advantage of a secondary that had three third-stringers playing. In order for Big Blue to have a chance at all, Victor Cruz must make tough catches. He dropped two last night. The defense would fare better if the offense didn’t have so many three-and-outs. The only positive is that the team seems to have found a good TE in Larry Donnell. As far as my pool picks went, I was in the middle of the pack. To my disappointment, it seems there are no prizes involved, and the slate is wiped clean at the end of each week. Bummer.

I was so embarrassed and disappointed by the sales ranking of A Hitch in Twilight at Amazon, eleven million+, that I decided to use my gift certificate accumulation to buy six copies. Even with free shipping, the cost came to $16.50 per. My royalty $1.50 per, which means I will lose five bucks on each selling them at ten apiece on the street. Fortunately, the book will still be profitable, as is Killing. The others are in the red to the tune of about a grand total, but that will be erased if/when I sell all the copies I have laying about in the apartment. The forlorn hope is to get as many out there as possible to create a tipping point of momentum that would lead to web sales. A pipe dream, I know. If I counted the money I make at the floating book shop, I'd be way ahead. My thanks to the kind folks who bought, donated and swapped today. In the past two days I've picked up at least 75 eminently marketable books.
Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/rP7o9
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/