The Writer's Life 8/7 - Individuals

The NY Post's Page Six is a great indicator of celebrity popularity. One of its blurbs today features someone off the radar of most people. Irving Fields, 100, is America’s oldest working musician. His 1950s album, Bagels and Bongos, sold more than two million copies. Incredibly, he still plays seven gigs a week. He celebrated his birthday with three different parties. On Wednesday, he had a jam-packed bash at Nino’s Tuscany, where he plays four nights a week. “It went from seven till the wee hours,” he said. He had a second celebration at the Park Lane Hotel, where he also plays, and one with family. “I can’t go skiing anymore,” he said. “Thirty-six holes of golf is out. But my mind is clear. I’m happy to be here. I’m happy to be anywhere! I’m 100 years young.” A doc on his life is in the works. He says: “When my time’s up, I hope there’s a piano up there.” He is an inspiration to all. Here's a pic:

How's this for lucidness under pressure? A 24-year-old woman was attacked on the street. A creep grabbed her neck and said: "I'm gonna have sex with you." The victim offered him money not to go through with it. They walked to an ATM, where she withdrew $20 and handed it to him, whereupon the slimeball took off. Managers in high stress fields should look into hiring this woman. (Also from the Post)

I did not watch the debate, but I read about it in the paper. When it comes to politicians, I prefer Cliff Notes. Jonathan Podhoretz believes Marco Rubio out-shined the others. In his op-ed piece, Podhoretz cited two points the senator made. I found this the more compelling: “If I’m our nominee, how is Hillary Clinton gonna lecture me about living paycheck to paycheck? I was raised paycheck to paycheck. How is she . . . gonna lecture me about student loans? I owed over $100,000 just four years ago.” According to Sean Hannity and Newt Gingrich, who I just heard on the radio, Carly Fiorina was the most impressive of the candidates in the earlier showdown. I think she'd be a great VP.

I despise Chuck Schumer, a career politician, limousine liberal, so it's difficult for me to give him credit for opposing the Iran deal. I suppose it was a tough decision to buck the party for which he has always been in the tank. I have to ask the ugly question: would he have voted "no" were Israel not at the center of the issue? I doubt it. Hack that he is, he released the news to the press at 10PM, the middle of the debate. I suppose he hoped no one would notice.
 
No luck selling books on the street on this glorious day.

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic'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://tinyurl.com/l84h63j

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

The Writer's Life 8/6 - Manure

In an op-ed piece in today’s NY Post, Seth Lipsky writes about what the GOP needs to counter Trump -- a Reagan-like candidate of sunny optimism, “master of the heart-warming homily and self-deprecating joke.” He cites his favorite Reagan anecdote wherein a candidate addressing farmers climbs onto a mound of manure and says it’s “the first time he’d made a Republican speech from a Democratic platform.” There are several promising candidates in the Republican field. So far they’ve been completely overshadowed by Trump. If Trump wins the nomination, I’ll vote for him, and I believe there’s a good chance he’d get America back on track, but I’d rather see Perry, Kasich or Walker ascend. I will vote for Jeb Bush if he’s the nominee, but I won’t like it, even though his track record as governor of Florida is solid. If he is the man, I believe Democrats will retain the White House, especially if Hillary rides out her mounting scandals and hangs on. The Clintons have no shame and will stay in the race unless forced out.

The Dodgers have been trying to buy a championship for several years. Astonishingly, they owe $87.5 million to players not even on their major league roster. Contention can be bought, but championships are won on the field. Their stars will have step up to the plate, as the cliche goes. Pitcher Clayton Kershaw has been phenomenal during the regular season (2,47 ERA, .660% winning percentage) and a bust in the playoffs (5.12 ERA, .167% winning percentage).

Two more people, one retired, the other on disability, approached me complaining about increases in Medicare premiums and drug costs. I have no broad statistics on Obamacare. All I know is the complaints have been many and the praise entirely absent. Hopefully it is not the disaster it seems.

My thanks to Alan, who bought Dan Brown's Angel and Demons, to the gentleman who bought the five pamphlets on gardening in Russian, and to the Jewish Meals on Wheels guy, who pulled five hardcovers out of his truck's refrigerator, four of them J.D. Robb thrillers. It seems the law of averages has caught up to the floating book shop after last week's surprising haul.

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic'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://tinyurl.com/l84h63j

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

The Writer's Life 8/5 - Droning

Technology is such a boon to mankind. Of course, humans being what they are, it is abused. 99% of that is done by average Jacks and Jills, mostly notably with electronic devices, stretching from the largely benign focus while walking to the foolish while driving. Then there is that one percent or so who will use it criminally, those who get a twisted delight in destroying the computers of others or those bent on theft. Drones have proven effective in the killing of terrorists and surveillance, but there are bozos who fly them dangerously close to airplanes and those who are using them to transport contraband. Case in point: A drone dropped a package into the yard of an Ohio prison, setting off a melee among inmates. The contents? Heroin, pot, tobacco.

Here's a novel approach to crime fighting, Authorities in municipalities in Massachusetts, Kentucky and Georgia are asking drug dealers to rat out their competitors in order to eliminate them. Two of the towns have posted forms on Facebook. So far, no one has filled any out. Maybe there's honor among thieves after all.

Highly regarded pitching prospect Luis Severino will make his debut tonight in the Bronx vs. the Red Sox. Because this is the Yankees, expect at least a shutout if not a no-hitter.

The heat wave is finally subsiding. There was a nice breeze along Avenue Z this afternoon. My thanks to the gentleman who purchased a books on back pain and acupuncture, and to the woman who bought a romance novel -- all in Russian, the floating book shop's only sales of the day. I had a visit from Mountain Man, who droned on for a half hour on the pathetic state of the union. He sees no hope. His glass is not half empty -- it is drained.

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic'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://tinyurl.com/l84h63j

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

The Writer's Life 8/4 - Money

The recent orders I placed in my retirement account have been filled. Apple fell below $120, where I’d placed a stop order. I earned $2621 on 100 hundred shares in 14 months. I now fully expect it to be trading $150 by year’s end. And I expect Twitter to fall to $10 now that I’ve bought 100 at $30. It’s only money. Don’t say I didn’t tell you. You won’t be accused of insider trading if you buy Apple and short Twitter, although one can never be sure in this era of high government regulation.

Since I will be transporting family to South Jersey on Saturday, it was time to address an issue my mechanic mentioned when I had the car inspected in March. I’m always amazed at the trepidation auto repairs arouse. What’s this gonna cost me -- $500, $200? My Hyundai is a 2003 model, still running well, knock wood. All the hoses and thermostat needed to be replaced. The bill came to $270, far below my greatest fear. To my surprise, upon my return home, I found a decent parking spot in terms of operating the floating book shop. Since it was after 7PM, I expected them all to be locked up for the night. "It was almost worth it," I muttered to myself. Nah.

Adrian Beltre has been a big leaguer for 18 seasons, many of them highly productive. 38, he earns about $16 million per. His numbers in 2015 have paled compared to his best days, which is understandable at his age. Last night he turned back the clock. For the third time in his career, he hit for the cycle - and he did it by the fifth inning! Only B.J. Upton in 2009 had done that before yesterday. Beltre has also become only the fourth player in MLB history to have hit for the cycle three times, the first since 1933, when Babe Herman did it. Kudos, sir.

I earned some cash accompanying a friend on a trip to the doctor in downtown Brooklyn and, despite mind numbing traffic each way, had time to open up an abbreviated session of the floating book shop. My thanks to the young man who bought the Freud biography and the erotica, both in Russian, and to the woman who bought Ophira Eisenberg's Screw Everyone: Sleeping My Way to Monogamy, of which she said: "I hope it's not too porny." She hopes it's as good as Gail Parents' Sheila Levine Is Dead and Living in New York, which had her laughing out loud on the subway in the 70's.

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic'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://tinyurl.com/l84h63j

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

The Writer's Life 8/3 - Succubi

The online Urban Dictionary defines Succubus as "a demoness from Hell whose sole purpose is to drain the souls of men by having sex with them while they are asleep." I just finished Into a Million Pieces by Angela V. Cook, her debut. It is a first person account of the victim of a family curse that dates to the 1800's. Her mom committed suicide, unable to curb her addiction to the high sex brought her, as it killed her lovers. The 17-year-old, a natural beauty, copes with the situation by going goth, isolating herself. Her twin is the exact opposite, a popular flirt. They live with their aunt, who deals with the curse through religious zeal. Will the girls be able to resist the temptation of going all the way? A mere kiss zaps males into a flu-like state for a number of days. Only 189 pages, filled with references to popular culture teenagers would make, I found the story tedious, dwelling far too long in the teasing phase. A mystery element pops up late and is quickly resolved, the resolution fairly obvious and unsatisfying. The novel's strength is its depiction of angst and behavior of the young. In the blurb at the rear, the author states she prefers writing from a teen's perspective "because it's the best outlet for her sarcastic personality, immature sense of humor, and love of romantic firsts." Published in 2014, it has attracted flattering reviews at Amazon, where 40 users have rated it, forging to a consensus of 4.5 of five. Despite this, its sales are tepid, the ranking of the print version languishing around five millionth. It will be interesting to see if her publisher sticks with her. On a scale of five, I rate it 2.5. No doubt fans of the genre would be more appreciative of it than I. Still, it is a worthy first novel, over-written but demonstrating talent. I hope she chooses "normal" teens as her future protagonists.

Just about this time in 1969, the NY Mets began their amazing run to their first world championship. I have the feeling the Washington Nationals will be this generation's Chicago Cubs, favored to win by many, cruelly surpassed by an upstart. Despite a woeful offense, there is excitement once again in Queens.

Last night Movies!, channel 113 on Cablevision in NYC, ran The Delta Force (1986), a mediocre action flick distinguished by only one aspect -- it was Lee Marvin's last appearance. I'd bet the final appearance of most of cinema's greats was not up to the excellence of their best work. If only terrorists could be dispatched as easily as they are in TDF. The good guys suffer only one fatality. Although I enjoy the visceral satisfaction such fare delivers, it's a bit much in this one. And the way it is set up to make Chuck Norris' character heroic is downright silly. He was at the height of his career and I'm sure his fans loved it, but the movie severely lacks authenticity.

The old switcheroo that proved successful last week flopped this time. I had only two sales the past two days. Since parking in Park Slope on Sunday has proven to be a snap, I'll stick with the plan. My thanks to the young mom who saved today's session by buying four children's books as I was closing shop, the only sale of the day.
Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5

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://tinyurl.com/l84h63j

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

The Writer's Life 8/2 - Streaks

Sign of the times: Music Row, 48th Street between 6th & 7th Avenue in Manhattan, is renowned worldwide for its shops and famous clientele. It will soon be a fond memory. All its music based stores save one have closed, done in by dwindling business and high rents. Things change, and it has to be accepted. Fret not for the owners, at least not for the last man standing, who has made a fortune in real estate.

A study in Seattle, where the minimum wage was raised to $15 an hour, reveals that many workers are asking for shorter hours in order to hang on to government assistance. Maybe activists should demand $20 or $25 per hour, so workers can work five hours a week.

A remarkable run came to an end yesterday in MLB. Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals’ reliever, surrendered a home run to Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays, snapping a streak of 125 2/3 innings, 123 appearances, without having yielded one. The streak is actually a little longer, as he pitched in last year’s post season. Believe it or not, it wasn’t even half way to the record, which is held by the retired Greg Minton of the San Francisco Giants, whose streak covered 269 1/3 innings over 178 appearances. Wow.

I snared the perfect parking spot in Park Slope and was able to lean against my car in the shade the entire three-hour session of the floating book shop. Alas, business was disappointing, ending a winning streak of more than a week. My thanks to the wise young man who bought Cervantes' Don Quixote for the bargain basement price of a buck. Just after I'd finished setting up, author Jim Hanas approached, lugging a medium size air-conditioner he'd just purchased on sale. His ebook short story collection, Why They Cried, has sold almost seven hundred copies, justifying the $500 advance he received from the publisher. Small royalty checks continue to come his way as well. Well done, sir. Continued success.

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic'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://tinyurl.com/l84h63j

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

The Writer's Life 8/1 - Gone

While his personal life slumps, Ben Affleck continues his professional hot streak in Gone Girl (2014), based on the novel by Gilian Flynn, who adapted the screenplay. The story is simple: a wife of five years goes missing. The devil’s in the details. Intricately plotted, the film is absorbing despite its almost two-and-a-half hours length. I did not pause the DVD once. Are there holes? I didn’t look for any, but I’m sure there are. Many movies I love that have them. It only bothers me when they are obvious. Is it plausible? More so than most thrillers. Does the narrative make salient points about marriage or relationships? I didn’t notice any. I enjoyed it as a creepy mystery. Does it say anything relevant about culture and humanity? Yes, and it’s not flattering. Since I haven’t read the book, I was taken by the unconventional twists. Did I buy Affleck’s decision at the end? Yes, even though I believe the character wasn’t quite developed enough. The plot is fresh, different from the usual fare. Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry and a cast of TV and Hollywood veterans lend able support, but the acting honors go to Rosamund Pike, whose performance received an Oscar nomination. David Fincher directed. His impressive canon includes Fight Club (1999) and Se7en (1995). 700,000+ users at IMDb have rated Gone Girl, forging to a consensus of 8.2 of ten. On a scale of five, I rate it 3.5. It was successful at the box office as well, bringing in $167+ million on a budget of $61 million in the USA alone.

RIP wrestling legend Rowdy Roddy Piper, 61, who succumbed to a heart attack. He successfully fought Hodgkins Lymphoma. A friend who suffered it in his 20's said the doctor warned him that he might suffer a heart attack some day. He did in his 40's and survived. Piper had an incredible gift for inciting fans. He also starred in successful B movies, notably for John Carpenter. In They Live (1988), he delivered a line quoted till this day: “I’m here to chew bubble gum and kick ass -- and I’m all out of bubblegum.” Here’s a six-minute clip of him at his best: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9V5br1QhMs

The day started on the wrong foot. When I reached check out at Stop n Shop, I had no money and had to use my debit card. I assumed I'd left the $20 bill and $2.50 voucher on my dresser. They weren't there, and I realized I may have deposited them in the mailbox along with the Netflix parcel and a bill. Either that or I dropped them along the way. It's the dumbest thing I've done in a long time. At least some lucky soul's day. Fortunately, my good luck continued at the floating book shop. My thanks to the oddball who pointed at Rising Star and handed me a wad of cash. When I plucked a ten, he looked distressed, so I settled for five, even though he still didn't look happy about it. I'm sure he's spoken to me before. Maybe he's taken a vow of silence. My thanks also to Jack of Chase, who bought two more thrillers, and to Conspiracy Guy, who purchased Learning Japanese.

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic'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://tinyurl.com/l84h63j

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/