Some days the floating book shop is more fun than others. Such was the case this afternoon, even though I didn't make a lot of money. A woman introduced herself as Karen and said she'd seen the article about me in the Bay News. Her neighbor had also seen it and wondered if I wanted books he'd attempted to donate to the library and been turned down. I said yes and told her my schedule, which the article had gotten wrong. I had something to look forward to.
Soon Herbie, one of my most faithful regulars, stopped by. I know his taste and knew I didn't have anything for him. Then I spotted Simon, the 84-year-old veteran, who I hadn't seen in a few weeks, walking up East 13th, shopping cart in tow. He had a bunch of books for me. Herbie's eyes spread when he saw Sidney Sheldon's If Tomorrow Comes. He'd seen the film but never read the book. The three of us began discussing movies, a passion we share. Simon has been around since the early days of sound and saw all the early classics in the theater, not on television like Herbie and I. He is particularly fond of Jeanette McDonald and Nelson Eddy and Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. He mentioned that Dick Powell began as a singer, which I hadn't known, and that he introduced I Only Have Eyes for You in the 30's. I know the classic doo wop version by the Flamingos, which came up on the disc I was listening to in the car yesterday on my way home from the golf course. Simon broke into song several times and mentioned his mother told him she'd had him sing Yidishe Mama on the ship that brought them from England to America. He was two-and-a-half at the time and received a big ovation, his proud mom claimed. Priceless.
The conversation went on for at least an hour. Meanwhile, Eugene stopped by with the books Karen had promised. I was thrilled they were children's books, of which I was sold out. His youngest daughter is 24 now. His wife decided to clean house. I spotted a compilation of Nancy Drew mysteries and later showed it to Joan, who approached with her walker. She collects Drew books. I knew she wouldn't be able to resist buying it. I also broke from the conversation to show Mikhail/Mr. Almost a Russian translation of two Alistair MacLean novels, which he purchased. Unfortunately, Jeff, aka Political Man, showed up and immediately began a tirade about backward southerners, idiot Mormons, etc., etc.. Soon Simon left. To my disappointment, Herbie agreed with most of what Jeff was saying. They are seniors afraid of cuts Republicans might institute. As usual, I held my piece, even though I disagreed with 99% of what PM said. By the time he was done, it was time to pack up and head home.
I'm well-stocked for the rest of the week. Thanks, buyers and donors.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6 Vic’s
1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 7/30 - Nanny
NYC's head nanny, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, is at it again. He has been on crusades against smoking, trans-fats, soft drinks, and automobiles. He has claimed that banning smoking from restaurants and buildings has saved many lives. I hate smoking, but I am skeptical of the claim. It doesn't seem that less people are smoking. Then again, maybe that's because I live in a neighborhood that is predominantly Russian, and it seems like every Russian above the age of 16 is a smoker. The Mayor's edict against trans-fats seems to have flopped. Gothamites are as portly as ever, if not more so, and McDonalds fries now stink despite being laden with salt. He is trying to ban soft drinks more than 16 ounces, which seems ludicrous when a person can simply buy more than one at a time. His predilection for bicycle lanes at the expense of smooth automobile traffic has riled many more people than it has pleased. Not satisfied with these measures, he now wants hospitals to hide baby formula so that more mothers will breast feed. It's a good thing he doesn't have absolute power at the national level. Who knows how far he would go? His first edict would no doubt be a gun ban, leaving citizens at the mercy of criminals when policemen aren't around, which is almost always. I try not to be an alarmist about the so-called erosion of freedom conservative talk-show hosts rail about, but politicians like Bloomberg make it difficult.
We were back on the golf course after last week's rain-out. I was at the top of my game in all aspects except putting. I shot 87 despite six three-putts. The one putt I made was for birdie, which took a lot of the sting out of the others. My boy Cuz again struggled with his ball-striking except for a few off his classic bombs off the tee. He's had some interesting customers lately in his limousine duties: wildly successful mystery writer Michael Connelly and Annie Jacobsen, author of Area 51, a work of non-fiction that made it to the top of best sellers lists. Connelly has been very generous to him, as was a sheik of an Arab country, who gave him a tip in the currency of his native land, which turned out to be worth $113. A couple of weeks ago his son, Willie, went to a WWE try-out in Iowa, run by Jim Ross, who has done blow by blow from ringside thousands of times, including Wrestlemania. He really liked Willie, who has been doing side shows in the metropolitan area for years. Unfortunately, Willie is small for the Sport of Kings, standing only five-nine and weighing but 170. He was told to keep trying. Good luck, Junior.
The floating book shop will reopen tomorrow at East 13th and Avenue Z, 11:30.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6 Vic’s
1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
We were back on the golf course after last week's rain-out. I was at the top of my game in all aspects except putting. I shot 87 despite six three-putts. The one putt I made was for birdie, which took a lot of the sting out of the others. My boy Cuz again struggled with his ball-striking except for a few off his classic bombs off the tee. He's had some interesting customers lately in his limousine duties: wildly successful mystery writer Michael Connelly and Annie Jacobsen, author of Area 51, a work of non-fiction that made it to the top of best sellers lists. Connelly has been very generous to him, as was a sheik of an Arab country, who gave him a tip in the currency of his native land, which turned out to be worth $113. A couple of weeks ago his son, Willie, went to a WWE try-out in Iowa, run by Jim Ross, who has done blow by blow from ringside thousands of times, including Wrestlemania. He really liked Willie, who has been doing side shows in the metropolitan area for years. Unfortunately, Willie is small for the Sport of Kings, standing only five-nine and weighing but 170. He was told to keep trying. Good luck, Junior.
The floating book shop will reopen tomorrow at East 13th and Avenue Z, 11:30.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6 Vic’s
1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 7/29 - Chicks
Politicians in certain areas of the country are trying to block new Chick-fil-A restaurants from opening, citing the owner's opposition to gay marriage and belief in traditional marriage of man and woman, as stated in the Bible, a belief held by most of the public, although, according to polls, the margin seems to be shrinking. He is not banning anyone from eating in his venues. He is being penalized for a belief. By this logic, shouldn't all churches, synagogues and mosques that hold this belief be closed? If a person does not like the owner's beliefs, he/she is free to avoid the franchise. Let the market decide which businesses win and lose. This isn't a totalitarian society - at least not yet. Citizens are entitled to their beliefs without fear of government interference. Recently, I said to a friend how absurd the idea of marriage between men seemed. She laughed and said she thought marriage between women was absurd. If there were a Chick-fil-A nearby, I would eat there once a week. If it went public with a stock, I would buy it.
My thanks to the woman who purchased four Sue Grafton thrillers, C, D, F & G in the Kinsey Milhone series. The prolific author is now up to V Is for Vendetta. When she is through with the alphabet, she can use numbers and go on infinitely. I also thank the woman who bought Barbara Taylor Bradford's Power of a Woman. A Russian gentleman broke the streak of chick lit by buying a translation of three Alistair MacLean novels, including The Guns of Navarone. Spasibo, sir. I also reached the payout threshold at Ipsos surveys. Not a bad day.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6 Vic’s
1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
My thanks to the woman who purchased four Sue Grafton thrillers, C, D, F & G in the Kinsey Milhone series. The prolific author is now up to V Is for Vendetta. When she is through with the alphabet, she can use numbers and go on infinitely. I also thank the woman who bought Barbara Taylor Bradford's Power of a Woman. A Russian gentleman broke the streak of chick lit by buying a translation of three Alistair MacLean novels, including The Guns of Navarone. Spasibo, sir. I also reached the payout threshold at Ipsos surveys. Not a bad day.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6 Vic’s
1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 7/25 - Hit
I had another strange dream last night. For some reason, I was sleeping on a couch in a corner of a warehouse and awoke to a mob hit. The gangsters didn't notice me, so I hid behind the couch and covered myself with an afghan my mom knit for me ages ago, which I still use. The most interesting aspect was the clarity of the moral dilemma. I did not want to witness the killing, which would have me face the choice of doing the right thing by testifying or being a coward. I also feared being discovered and killed. Would I whimper and beg for my life or accept my fate like a man in my last act on earth? I couldn't get back to sleep. It was 2:30. Rather than toss and turn, I laid on the floor and turned on the TV, which is my cure for insomnia. One of the access channels was running Classics Arts Showcase, clips from opera, ballet, Broadway. I don't know that I fell fully asleep, but it helped. The only thing I can figure that triggered the dream is the troubling idea of fate, of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, like those poor folks in the theater in Colorado. For decades I never remembered any of my dreams. In the past few years those I've remembered have been so vivid. Fascinating.
I ran a balance check on my checking account this morning. Sure enough, it had increased significantly. My first social security payment is in the bank. I am now part of the entitlement problem. I know I paid into the system for many years, but I still think the government is foolish for allowing me to begin collecting at such a relatively young age. If not for my complete lack of confidence in the political class, I might have waited until I was 65. My aim is to stockpile in case of financial Armageddon. For the first time since early 2008, my savings account will no longer be shrinking and, if things get really bad, I'll have held onto my IRA funds that much longer. I don't know how long it will be before I am collecting more than I've contributed to the plan. My guess is ten years. Although given the current state of my health it seems a lock, who knows if I'll live that long? In my short story collection A Hitch in Twilight, Network 2015 addresses the problem in the way Alfred Hitchcock or Rod Serling may have. That's less than three years away. I hope it proves to be silly hysteria.
It began sprinkling as soon as I left to conduct business. I waited a while, to no avail. On days like this, I always wonder if I missed crossing paths with someone who may have purchased one of my books.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
I ran a balance check on my checking account this morning. Sure enough, it had increased significantly. My first social security payment is in the bank. I am now part of the entitlement problem. I know I paid into the system for many years, but I still think the government is foolish for allowing me to begin collecting at such a relatively young age. If not for my complete lack of confidence in the political class, I might have waited until I was 65. My aim is to stockpile in case of financial Armageddon. For the first time since early 2008, my savings account will no longer be shrinking and, if things get really bad, I'll have held onto my IRA funds that much longer. I don't know how long it will be before I am collecting more than I've contributed to the plan. My guess is ten years. Although given the current state of my health it seems a lock, who knows if I'll live that long? In my short story collection A Hitch in Twilight, Network 2015 addresses the problem in the way Alfred Hitchcock or Rod Serling may have. That's less than three years away. I hope it proves to be silly hysteria.
It began sprinkling as soon as I left to conduct business. I waited a while, to no avail. On days like this, I always wonder if I missed crossing paths with someone who may have purchased one of my books.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Friday, July 27, 2012
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 7/27 - Kindle
A couple of weeks ago I received a letter from my health care provider, which included a check for $196. One of the facets of ObamaCare is the 80/20 rule. A firm must use 80% of its revenue on customers. It was determined that the company in question allocated only 69%. In a sense, it was fined, forced to make payouts even to those, like me, who had no complaints about coverage. I was happy to have the money, of course, but I expected consequences. Yesterday I received another letter, which informed me the company had applied for a rate increase of 5.3%.
I had a scare this morning from my virus checker. I use Microsoft Security Essentials. It's free and doesn't take up the space on a hard drive that Norton or other software does. It has worked like a charm. I scan every Friday morning. Today the program spotted a Trojan. I wasn't that surprised, as I remember my PC stalling for a moment after clicking on a link, probably from a survey site. It's been just a tad slow ever since. I held my breath as the program worked to remove the virus. It seemed successful, although the machine still seems just a tad slow, but that might be because it's now three years old and has accumulated a lot of debris through constant use. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
NFL training camps are opening around the country. If I were a head coach, the first thing I'd tell my team is: "The Giants were 9-7 last season - and won the Super Bowl. If they did it, why can't we?"
The floating book shop had a good day. I hadn't seen Susan, one of my most faithful customers, in more than a month. My spirits buoyed when I spotted her approaching. Staying in character, she bought two obscure novels: Half Broke Horses by Jeanette Walls and The Last Time They Met by the critically acclaimed Anita Shreve. Mr. Almost, that is, Mikhail bought a novel in Russia, as did another gentleman, a tall, quiet guy. When I put it out, I sensed it was the one he would buy, as the cover promised something other than fantasy. Thanks, folks.
The best part of the day involved imparting information to two e-readers about the Kindle Lending Library, where two of my items, the novel Killing and screenplay All Hallows, are available free to owners. I get a token sum for each borrow. I'm confident one woman will try it, as she bought hers. The other was given to a woman by a friend who upgraded to a more sophisticated machine. Anyone interested in the program please click on the appropriate link below. Thanks.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
I had a scare this morning from my virus checker. I use Microsoft Security Essentials. It's free and doesn't take up the space on a hard drive that Norton or other software does. It has worked like a charm. I scan every Friday morning. Today the program spotted a Trojan. I wasn't that surprised, as I remember my PC stalling for a moment after clicking on a link, probably from a survey site. It's been just a tad slow ever since. I held my breath as the program worked to remove the virus. It seemed successful, although the machine still seems just a tad slow, but that might be because it's now three years old and has accumulated a lot of debris through constant use. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
NFL training camps are opening around the country. If I were a head coach, the first thing I'd tell my team is: "The Giants were 9-7 last season - and won the Super Bowl. If they did it, why can't we?"
The floating book shop had a good day. I hadn't seen Susan, one of my most faithful customers, in more than a month. My spirits buoyed when I spotted her approaching. Staying in character, she bought two obscure novels: Half Broke Horses by Jeanette Walls and The Last Time They Met by the critically acclaimed Anita Shreve. Mr. Almost, that is, Mikhail bought a novel in Russia, as did another gentleman, a tall, quiet guy. When I put it out, I sensed it was the one he would buy, as the cover promised something other than fantasy. Thanks, folks.
The best part of the day involved imparting information to two e-readers about the Kindle Lending Library, where two of my items, the novel Killing and screenplay All Hallows, are available free to owners. I get a token sum for each borrow. I'm confident one woman will try it, as she bought hers. The other was given to a woman by a friend who upgraded to a more sophisticated machine. Anyone interested in the program please click on the appropriate link below. Thanks.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 7/26 - Hook
I haven't been this hooked by a song in a long time. I heard Gotye's Somebody That I Used to Know for the first time last week. It's a tale of love gone bad, the bitterness after the break up. It appears simplistic musically. In this case, the old adage "less is more" is as true as ever. Of course, it helps to have compelling lyrics. They are not as polished as those of the the writers of American standards, but they are intelligent and poignant. I particularly like the couplet, sung beautifully by the female counterpoint Kimba: "...But I don't want to live that way/Reading into every word you say...." Wow. It sort of reminds me of The Human League's Don't You Want Me, Baby, which I like despite its complete lack of subtlety. I was the daytime bartender at Hedges Cafe when the song came out, circa 1980, and the fabulous waitresses were crazy about the song. Somebody... is lethally subtle. It is art. Kudos, young man. Here's a link to a clip of the song done live. It is as close to the recording as a live performance ever gets. That's not necessarily a good thing, although in this case it is. Stevie Ray Vaughan's live work occasionally surpassed his studio tracks. Some nights, a great artist will reach a rare height. That may not occur in a recording session.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YzGOq42zLk
Speaking of musicians - I learned my great-nephew Ronnie has gotten his first gig under his belt. The guitarist of his dad's blue grass band, Pastimes, quit recently. Ronnie practices religiously on both his electric and acoustic. I sense his passion for sports has been transferred to music. His dad said he did really well, although he wasn't too happy about having to don a wig for the last number, which was about gender reversal. The two women donned baseball caps. He has spent the past week at a seminar at Columbia University for high school seniors-to-be interested in the medical profession. He is looking to enter the world of pharmaceuticals. I'm also proud of his sister, Danielle, who this morning delivered a flawless eulogy at the funeral mass of her Uncle Lou. I was amazed at how composed she was compared to just seven months ago when she performed the same function at her Grandpa's funeral. She will be 14 in a couple of weeks.
No luck at the floating book shop today. It was one of those sessions that has me question my sanity.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YzGOq42zLk
Speaking of musicians - I learned my great-nephew Ronnie has gotten his first gig under his belt. The guitarist of his dad's blue grass band, Pastimes, quit recently. Ronnie practices religiously on both his electric and acoustic. I sense his passion for sports has been transferred to music. His dad said he did really well, although he wasn't too happy about having to don a wig for the last number, which was about gender reversal. The two women donned baseball caps. He has spent the past week at a seminar at Columbia University for high school seniors-to-be interested in the medical profession. He is looking to enter the world of pharmaceuticals. I'm also proud of his sister, Danielle, who this morning delivered a flawless eulogy at the funeral mass of her Uncle Lou. I was amazed at how composed she was compared to just seven months ago when she performed the same function at her Grandpa's funeral. She will be 14 in a couple of weeks.
No luck at the floating book shop today. It was one of those sessions that has me question my sanity.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 7/25 - Studs
I caught up to Steven Spielberg's War Horse (2011) last night, courtesy of Netflix. Based on a 1982 novel by Michael Morpurgo, it is solid film-making, but it rarely soars. It is unusually understated for a Spielberg film. It is basically a reworking of Homer's The Odyssey, set during WWI, with a beautiful stallion at the center of the story. One big plus is the avoidance of gore, which probably would not have worked in such a feel-good movie. The deaths of likeable characters occur off-screen. One minus: German characters address each other in English. This is unacceptable in such a big time production, implying that the audience is jingoistic or too dumb or lazy to read subtitles. People at IMDb rated it 7.2 out of ten. I can't decide whether to rate it three or three-and-a-half out of five. The cinematography is beautiful, the characters are easy to root for, and there was a moment when I experienced chills but, overall, I thought it was standard stuff. It was nominated for six Oscars but took home none.
Here's something that will likely have duffers, especially male, eating their heart out: Latanna Stone, ten years old, has qualified for the U.S. Women's Amateur golf championship. She shot 70 in a recent tournament. She is four-feet-ten. The previous youngest qualifier was 12. Here's a pic of the mighty mite:
The weather was glorious and business was good at the floating book shop. Several of my regulars bought and donated today. Thanks, folks.
RIP Lou Trotta, brother in law in law of my niece Sandra. He passed away due to complications from diabetes. He was about the same age as I am, 62. I always enjoyed his jam sessions with his brother Ron, a superb banjo player. Lou was a guitarist. Condolences to his wife Marie and everyone else in his family.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Here's something that will likely have duffers, especially male, eating their heart out: Latanna Stone, ten years old, has qualified for the U.S. Women's Amateur golf championship. She shot 70 in a recent tournament. She is four-feet-ten. The previous youngest qualifier was 12. Here's a pic of the mighty mite:
The weather was glorious and business was good at the floating book shop. Several of my regulars bought and donated today. Thanks, folks.
RIP Lou Trotta, brother in law in law of my niece Sandra. He passed away due to complications from diabetes. He was about the same age as I am, 62. I always enjoyed his jam sessions with his brother Ron, a superb banjo player. Lou was a guitarist. Condolences to his wife Marie and everyone else in his family.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 7/24 - Praise
Baseball writers are proffering their opinion on the Skanks acquisition of Ichiro from the Mariners, the team he spent eleven years with. His once awesome hitting skills seem to be in steep decline. Being a Yankees-hater and a fatalist when it comes to the Bronx Bombers, I predict that the 11-time all-star will be revived, embraced by their front-running fans, and become instrumental in another Bronx championship. Add 30 points to the batting average, ten homers to a slugger's total, and 25% more pitching wins to anyone who dons pinstripes. Phooey!
The NY Post had several superb articles today: Brian Costello profiled Hall of Fame RB Curtis Martin (Patriots, Jets), who revealed that he actually hated football, describing it as a "headache." He used it to stay out of trouble as a youth, and as a means to acquire wealth as a professional. As someone who played and coached at the high school level, I can attest that it is no picnic. I loved game day and film review, but the rest of it was a grind.
Boxing legend Jake LaMotta, 90, the subject of Martin Scorsese's critically acclaimed Raging Bull (1980), is still going strong. Like Mike Tyson, he is doing a one-man show, off-Broadway, singing and telling stories. Given his take no prisoners boxing style, how in the world is he still alive, let alone coherent, not suffering "...the pocketful of mumbles" Paul Simon described in The Boxer? He must have amazing genes. Now there's a brain that should be studied by scientists. Reviewer Frank Scheck was not kind to the show, rating it only one-and-a-half stars.
Gabriel Malor had a terrific op-ed piece today, citing eight instances since 9/09 where the media labeled felons and murderers as Tea Party members or conservatives, only to have to retract. Several turned out to be Democrats, one was a conspiracy nut, another an environmental wacko, another a communist, and one a terrorist. The elites really believe all of us on the right are potential, if not downright, murderers.
RIP Sherman Helmsley, 74, who made us laugh as George Jefferson, one of Archie Bunker's foils on All in the Family, and who eventually moved on up to his own show, The Jeffersons, and later starred on Amen.
My customers have all been women the past two days. I'm reminded of the mysteries I've sampled, in which the murderer almost always is a woman. My thanks to the woman who purchased 31 Dias de Albanza, and the elderly woman of color who purchased a King James version of The Bible.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
The NY Post had several superb articles today: Brian Costello profiled Hall of Fame RB Curtis Martin (Patriots, Jets), who revealed that he actually hated football, describing it as a "headache." He used it to stay out of trouble as a youth, and as a means to acquire wealth as a professional. As someone who played and coached at the high school level, I can attest that it is no picnic. I loved game day and film review, but the rest of it was a grind.
Boxing legend Jake LaMotta, 90, the subject of Martin Scorsese's critically acclaimed Raging Bull (1980), is still going strong. Like Mike Tyson, he is doing a one-man show, off-Broadway, singing and telling stories. Given his take no prisoners boxing style, how in the world is he still alive, let alone coherent, not suffering "...the pocketful of mumbles" Paul Simon described in The Boxer? He must have amazing genes. Now there's a brain that should be studied by scientists. Reviewer Frank Scheck was not kind to the show, rating it only one-and-a-half stars.
Gabriel Malor had a terrific op-ed piece today, citing eight instances since 9/09 where the media labeled felons and murderers as Tea Party members or conservatives, only to have to retract. Several turned out to be Democrats, one was a conspiracy nut, another an environmental wacko, another a communist, and one a terrorist. The elites really believe all of us on the right are potential, if not downright, murderers.
RIP Sherman Helmsley, 74, who made us laugh as George Jefferson, one of Archie Bunker's foils on All in the Family, and who eventually moved on up to his own show, The Jeffersons, and later starred on Amen.
My customers have all been women the past two days. I'm reminded of the mysteries I've sampled, in which the murderer almost always is a woman. My thanks to the woman who purchased 31 Dias de Albanza, and the elderly woman of color who purchased a King James version of The Bible.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Monday, July 23, 2012
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 7/23 - Sad
I just read about the penalties the NCAA imposed on the Penn St. football program. Wow - four-year probation, no league championship game appearances, no bowl appearances, a cut in scholarships, and the vacating of 111 wins since 1998. I didn't expect that last part. This knocks Joe Paterno from winningest coach in history to twelfth. According to Yahoo, Florida St.'s Bobby Bowden becomes the Division I leader with 377 wins, although Eddie Robinson had 408 at Grambling, which is also considered Division I, so I don't understand the discrepancy. I wonder if an asterisk and explanation will be placed in the record book next to Paterno's name. After all, he did earn those wins legitimately, despite his unacceptable behavior regarding the case. Perhaps this ugly, distressing story will now begin to fade into the background. Of course, the victims will have to cope with demons the rest of their lives. If there is a lesson to be learned, it is to come clean immediately. Eventually, the truth will out. Cover ups always make things infinitely worse. Penn St. students, faculty and alumni must be devastated. It is also a sad day for Italian-Americans, especially those from Brooklyn. One of our own has fallen mightily.
I guess Cuz was intimidated by the forecast, which called for severe thunderstorms during the afternoon. We did not play our Monday round of golf, interrupting the groove we had going the last four weeks. Here in Brooklyn it's 5:46, and we've yet to see rain, although I've heard some rumbles of thunder. Of course, it may be pouring in Queens. I look at it this way - I saved about $40, counting gasoline, and I earned some money at the floating book shop. This past Saturday, Munsie, a woman who has asked my advice about writing several times, donated eight non-fiction books. I've sold all but one of them. Today a woman bought one by Joy Behar (yuck!). A young white girl purchased Growing Up X, a memoir by one of Malcolm X's daughters, and a young black woman bought The DaVinci Hoax. And another young female selected Sue Grafton's J Is for Judgment. I guess it was ladies day. Thanks.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
I guess Cuz was intimidated by the forecast, which called for severe thunderstorms during the afternoon. We did not play our Monday round of golf, interrupting the groove we had going the last four weeks. Here in Brooklyn it's 5:46, and we've yet to see rain, although I've heard some rumbles of thunder. Of course, it may be pouring in Queens. I look at it this way - I saved about $40, counting gasoline, and I earned some money at the floating book shop. This past Saturday, Munsie, a woman who has asked my advice about writing several times, donated eight non-fiction books. I've sold all but one of them. Today a woman bought one by Joy Behar (yuck!). A young white girl purchased Growing Up X, a memoir by one of Malcolm X's daughters, and a young black woman bought The DaVinci Hoax. And another young female selected Sue Grafton's J Is for Judgment. I guess it was ladies day. Thanks.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 7/22 - Odds & Ends
Here's another troubling sign for America: Last quarter 246,000 were added to the rolls of Social Security Disability. There were only 225,000 jobs created. The government printing press must be working overtime to cover all the outlays.
I just read a recap of the British Open. Australian Adam Scott had a four shot lead with four holes to play, and bogeyed all four closing holes, while old favorite Easy Ernie Els made a birdie down the stretch to steal the storied championship. It must have been gut-wrenching drama. After last Monday's round, I commented how golf can be a cruel mistress. Although Scott is young, talented, rich and handsome, I feel for him. No matter what level one achieves, golf is fiercely psychological. No one can predict what will happen to Scott's game after this. He should use Rory McElroy as an example. The young Irishman, who collapsed in the final round of the 2011 The Masters, rebounded at the very next major, winning the U.S. Open going away. Good luck, Adam.
Since the price of gasoline has gone up about 20 cents the past few weeks, I decided to take advantage of a partnership Stop n Shop has with Shell. Customers accumulate points at each shopping trip. After Saturday's run, I noticed I'd surpassed 200 points, good for a 20 cent per gallon discount. I got an extra dollar's worth of fuel. On the down side, why in the world does a quart of skim milk cost 1.89 at S & S and only 1.09, an 80% difference, at CVS? I noticed it by chance several months ago when I ran out of milk and took the short walk to the drug store. If I've bought 12 cartons in that span, it's a savings of more than ten bucks, nothing to sneeze at in these times. Granted, it's a different brand, but nearly double the price?
About a year ago WRXP, an alternative (to what?) station went belly up. The new format was talk. That failed. Alternative is back. It's the only commercial station playing new rock in NYC. I've already heard an eerie song I like: Somebody I Used To Know by Gotye, pronounced Gauthier, a Belgian-Australian. According to Wiki, the song reached #1 in 2011. I guess it's not exactly new. We share the same birthday, 5/21.
My thanks to the young man who pulled up on his bike and bought some classical lit: a collection of Elizabethan poetry and prose, essays on crime and punishment, and James Hilton's The Lost Horizon. Gracias also to Miguel, who bought Salmo 91, a Spanish translation and explication of the 91st Psalm. I also had a visit from actor-singer extraordinaire Johnny Feets, just back from his first dance gig. It went well, but he wasn't thrilled about having had to wear a white leotard. He is certain that if one of his three brothers had seen it he would have been knocked cold. On the plus side, he, 41, did get to pal around with four female dancers in their early 20's. And he got paid! Way to go, Johnny Boy.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
I just read a recap of the British Open. Australian Adam Scott had a four shot lead with four holes to play, and bogeyed all four closing holes, while old favorite Easy Ernie Els made a birdie down the stretch to steal the storied championship. It must have been gut-wrenching drama. After last Monday's round, I commented how golf can be a cruel mistress. Although Scott is young, talented, rich and handsome, I feel for him. No matter what level one achieves, golf is fiercely psychological. No one can predict what will happen to Scott's game after this. He should use Rory McElroy as an example. The young Irishman, who collapsed in the final round of the 2011 The Masters, rebounded at the very next major, winning the U.S. Open going away. Good luck, Adam.
Since the price of gasoline has gone up about 20 cents the past few weeks, I decided to take advantage of a partnership Stop n Shop has with Shell. Customers accumulate points at each shopping trip. After Saturday's run, I noticed I'd surpassed 200 points, good for a 20 cent per gallon discount. I got an extra dollar's worth of fuel. On the down side, why in the world does a quart of skim milk cost 1.89 at S & S and only 1.09, an 80% difference, at CVS? I noticed it by chance several months ago when I ran out of milk and took the short walk to the drug store. If I've bought 12 cartons in that span, it's a savings of more than ten bucks, nothing to sneeze at in these times. Granted, it's a different brand, but nearly double the price?
About a year ago WRXP, an alternative (to what?) station went belly up. The new format was talk. That failed. Alternative is back. It's the only commercial station playing new rock in NYC. I've already heard an eerie song I like: Somebody I Used To Know by Gotye, pronounced Gauthier, a Belgian-Australian. According to Wiki, the song reached #1 in 2011. I guess it's not exactly new. We share the same birthday, 5/21.
My thanks to the young man who pulled up on his bike and bought some classical lit: a collection of Elizabethan poetry and prose, essays on crime and punishment, and James Hilton's The Lost Horizon. Gracias also to Miguel, who bought Salmo 91, a Spanish translation and explication of the 91st Psalm. I also had a visit from actor-singer extraordinaire Johnny Feets, just back from his first dance gig. It went well, but he wasn't thrilled about having had to wear a white leotard. He is certain that if one of his three brothers had seen it he would have been knocked cold. On the plus side, he, 41, did get to pal around with four female dancers in their early 20's. And he got paid! Way to go, Johnny Boy.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 7/21 - War
I needed a break from the sampling of mystery writers I've been doing the past few years. I was in the mood for serious fare. Among the donations given to me was Adolph Caso's The Straw Obelisk, which I'd never heard of. I balked when I read the jacket and saw that it was an anti-war novel. All reasonable people know that war is the worse thing imaginable. I need something more provocative than that. Fortunately, I told myself not to be so narrow-minded. After all, if I didn't like the book, I could always put it aside, although, anal retentive, I've done this only once in my life. I found Henry James' The Golden Bowl unreadable, its sentences convoluted beyond belief.
Recently, World War II has been rehabbed by staunch liberals like Steven Spielberg (Saving Private Ryan), Tom Brokaw (The Greatest Generation) and Tom Hanks (Band of Brothers), excellent works that focused on the monumental accomplishments of G.I.'s. The Civil War, of course, has always been the ultimate PC war, more so even than The American Revolution. The War on Terror is probably supported by a majority, but not nearly in proportion to the other three. Of course, the Vietnam War is the left's ultimate whipping boy. Very few pundits made the argument that the hardline taken in Korea and Vietnam led to the fall of communism, which almost everyone celebrated. Wars continue to be re-evaluated throughout history. We still don't know whether the Iraq War was a success, and probably won't know for decades, same for Afghanistan, although that one seems hopeless. Civilizations have been forged, evil has been conquered through blood-letting. Reasonable men are left the terrible burden of figuring out when killing is necessary. That's the main theme of my novel of the same name.
The Straw Obelisk is the story of a 23-year-old Italian soldier returning to his small home town after WWII. It was a mistake to label it a WWII novel. It is post-war. The protagonist has made the long trek from a Russian prison camp, limping along, having lost part of a foot to frostbite. He has witnessed all the horrors of man's greatest folly, including the Nazi death camps. A former hell-raiser, he has been humbled by what he has seen and done, and is now determined to do good, to forgive the common sins of fellow human beings. This is a great theme. Unfortunately, the narrative is unpolished, filled with grammatical errors. I assume Caso edited it himself. No editor could have been so sloppy. It is not an exaggeration to say there is at least one error per page. Words are omitted. The sentence structure is frequently faulty, as if Caso changed his mind midway and then neglected to reconstruct to have it make sense. What a shame. It could have been a fine novel. If he's still alive, he should rewrite it, offer it as a Kindle book, perhaps. On a scale of five, two-and-a-half.
It was a good day for the floating book shop. Perhaps the spectacular weather had people in a book buying mood. There was an odd incident. I brought the ninth and tenth of the James Patterson co-writes with Maxine Paetro, hoping Jack of Chase Bank hadn't read them. He had, but another gentleman told me he is currently reading the eighth. What were the odds of that? He saved himself a lot of moolah.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Recently, World War II has been rehabbed by staunch liberals like Steven Spielberg (Saving Private Ryan), Tom Brokaw (The Greatest Generation) and Tom Hanks (Band of Brothers), excellent works that focused on the monumental accomplishments of G.I.'s. The Civil War, of course, has always been the ultimate PC war, more so even than The American Revolution. The War on Terror is probably supported by a majority, but not nearly in proportion to the other three. Of course, the Vietnam War is the left's ultimate whipping boy. Very few pundits made the argument that the hardline taken in Korea and Vietnam led to the fall of communism, which almost everyone celebrated. Wars continue to be re-evaluated throughout history. We still don't know whether the Iraq War was a success, and probably won't know for decades, same for Afghanistan, although that one seems hopeless. Civilizations have been forged, evil has been conquered through blood-letting. Reasonable men are left the terrible burden of figuring out when killing is necessary. That's the main theme of my novel of the same name.
The Straw Obelisk is the story of a 23-year-old Italian soldier returning to his small home town after WWII. It was a mistake to label it a WWII novel. It is post-war. The protagonist has made the long trek from a Russian prison camp, limping along, having lost part of a foot to frostbite. He has witnessed all the horrors of man's greatest folly, including the Nazi death camps. A former hell-raiser, he has been humbled by what he has seen and done, and is now determined to do good, to forgive the common sins of fellow human beings. This is a great theme. Unfortunately, the narrative is unpolished, filled with grammatical errors. I assume Caso edited it himself. No editor could have been so sloppy. It is not an exaggeration to say there is at least one error per page. Words are omitted. The sentence structure is frequently faulty, as if Caso changed his mind midway and then neglected to reconstruct to have it make sense. What a shame. It could have been a fine novel. If he's still alive, he should rewrite it, offer it as a Kindle book, perhaps. On a scale of five, two-and-a-half.
It was a good day for the floating book shop. Perhaps the spectacular weather had people in a book buying mood. There was an odd incident. I brought the ninth and tenth of the James Patterson co-writes with Maxine Paetro, hoping Jack of Chase Bank hadn't read them. He had, but another gentleman told me he is currently reading the eighth. What were the odds of that? He saved himself a lot of moolah.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Friday, July 20, 2012
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 7/20 - Blot
What's to be said when a maniac breaks down an emergency door of a theater, hurls a smoke bomb, and opens fire on innocents? The political arguments will rage. The left will demand greater gun control, the right slacker so that an armed citizen might kill or severely wound such a murderer before fatalities climb. I'm in the right's corner, although I doubt an armed citizen would have prevented much, if any, of the deaths in that theater. Then again, who knows? But I do believe that stricter gun laws would result in more incidents like this one. What a blot on humankind. Columbine, now this - maybe there's something in the drinking water in Colorado.
I saw an interesting film last night, courtesy of Netflix. According to IMDb, Take Shelter (2011) had a budget of one million dollars and brought in just above that. A family man, 35, suffers nightmares. Is it the onset of the paranoid schizophrenia his mother began suffering at approximately the same age, or is it a premonition of a storm to end all storms? Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain turn in first-rate performances as husband and wife. TV stalwarts Kathy Baker and Lisa Gay Hamilton bring their talents to cameos. The pace of the film is slow and it's a tad too long, coming in at about two hours, but the story is absorbing. I think it would appeal especially to fans of M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Signs), whose career has been in a slide since it peaked with that great story about a little boy who sees dead people. Take Shelter was directed by Jeff Nichols, who has only three films under his belt. I'm interested in seeing more. On a scale of five, three-and-a-half. The folks at IMDb rated it 7.6 out of ten.
The floating book shop was rained out, making for a long day of busy work to fill the hours. I'm getting close to climbing the walls.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
I saw an interesting film last night, courtesy of Netflix. According to IMDb, Take Shelter (2011) had a budget of one million dollars and brought in just above that. A family man, 35, suffers nightmares. Is it the onset of the paranoid schizophrenia his mother began suffering at approximately the same age, or is it a premonition of a storm to end all storms? Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain turn in first-rate performances as husband and wife. TV stalwarts Kathy Baker and Lisa Gay Hamilton bring their talents to cameos. The pace of the film is slow and it's a tad too long, coming in at about two hours, but the story is absorbing. I think it would appeal especially to fans of M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Signs), whose career has been in a slide since it peaked with that great story about a little boy who sees dead people. Take Shelter was directed by Jeff Nichols, who has only three films under his belt. I'm interested in seeing more. On a scale of five, three-and-a-half. The folks at IMDb rated it 7.6 out of ten.
The floating book shop was rained out, making for a long day of busy work to fill the hours. I'm getting close to climbing the walls.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 7/19 - Procedures
I opened the floating book shop an hour later than usual. As expected, my friend passed her cardiograms with flying colors. Needless to say, she is pissed at her regular doctor's associate, who threw a scare into her without even taking her blood pressure or having enough imagination to discern that a person with a rare neurological disorder is vulnerable to unusual swelling. She underwent the tests so she wouldn't obsess about it, which she tends to do about anything important. It's just another example of how tax-payer money is squandered on unnecessary procedures.
I had a visit from Morty, a retired salesman who recently completed a month of radiation treatment on a growth beneath his jaw. His appetite is returning. He is now able to consume more than Ensure. In fact, he went to the lobby of the apartment building nearby to pick up a flier that had a coupon for a tuna sandwich at Dunkin' Donuts. Finding discounts, saving money, is his passion. I sense he has loads of it stashed away. As he approached he waved a newspaper clipping at me and said: "You thought you'd be able to slip this past me?" It was the article about me from the Bay News.
I had a nice laugh while killing time between customers and well-wishers. An attractive, full-figured blonde passes me every day. She works in a Russian deli nearby. I sense she doesn't speak much English. I'd guess she's in her mid-thirties. She has a pre-teen son but doesn't wear a wedding band. Anyway, she was standing directly across the street on the little traffic island that separates Avenue Z and the short service road that leads onto East 13th, talking on her cell phone. A silver Mercedes pulled up and summoned her. "Lucky dog, he gets to see her naked," I thought. She opened the passenger door, addressed the driver, then quickly closed the door and walked away, toward me. The guy rolled down his window and beseeched her, but she wasn't haven't any of his come-on. She curled her fingers and waved several times without looking back, continuing to speak into her phone. Can't blame a guy for trying. I'm pretty sure I failed totally to repress my smile.
My thanks to the three people who bought books, and to my literary angel January (Victoria) Valentine, who sent me a royalty check for an Amazon sale of Killing. I will also be receiving copies of her romance novel, Love Dreams, as UPS employee Roland shouted that he would be seeing me later. Everyone in the area knows him. He recently took his family to Disney World.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
I had a visit from Morty, a retired salesman who recently completed a month of radiation treatment on a growth beneath his jaw. His appetite is returning. He is now able to consume more than Ensure. In fact, he went to the lobby of the apartment building nearby to pick up a flier that had a coupon for a tuna sandwich at Dunkin' Donuts. Finding discounts, saving money, is his passion. I sense he has loads of it stashed away. As he approached he waved a newspaper clipping at me and said: "You thought you'd be able to slip this past me?" It was the article about me from the Bay News.
I had a nice laugh while killing time between customers and well-wishers. An attractive, full-figured blonde passes me every day. She works in a Russian deli nearby. I sense she doesn't speak much English. I'd guess she's in her mid-thirties. She has a pre-teen son but doesn't wear a wedding band. Anyway, she was standing directly across the street on the little traffic island that separates Avenue Z and the short service road that leads onto East 13th, talking on her cell phone. A silver Mercedes pulled up and summoned her. "Lucky dog, he gets to see her naked," I thought. She opened the passenger door, addressed the driver, then quickly closed the door and walked away, toward me. The guy rolled down his window and beseeched her, but she wasn't haven't any of his come-on. She curled her fingers and waved several times without looking back, continuing to speak into her phone. Can't blame a guy for trying. I'm pretty sure I failed totally to repress my smile.
My thanks to the three people who bought books, and to my literary angel January (Victoria) Valentine, who sent me a royalty check for an Amazon sale of Killing. I will also be receiving copies of her romance novel, Love Dreams, as UPS employee Roland shouted that he would be seeing me later. Everyone in the area knows him. He recently took his family to Disney World.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 7/18 - Relief!
The sky has darkened. Thunder is crackling. It looks like the heat wave is about to be broken. I probably should log off and pull the plug from the laptop, but I'll wait a few more minutes to see if the lightning is a serious threat.
I went with Plan B today. Returning from my morning walk, knowing the storm was predicted for late afternoon, I moved my car from beneath a tree and to an open spot on the opposite side of the street more than a block away from where I usually park. This meant I wouldn't be able to display as many books as usual at the floating shop. I took about 20 from my apartment, 12 of them in Russian. I left a little earlier than usual, 10:30, hoping to take full advantage of the shade. It paid off, as I sold four books to graduates of the eastern bloc. Several people called me by my first name. I expect they read the article about me in the Bay News. One joker I see every day, who resembles a homeless person, addressed me in Italian. The only disappointment was that Lev, one of my best customers, found nothing to his liking. Just after one PM, the sunlight began to encroach on the space. I packed up, went home and splashed my head and face with cold water, then went to the library, where I spent an hour fighting to concentrate on reading while others engaged in normal conversational tones. Even though the discussion was about old movies, I was pissed. I don't remember people talking so loudly in the library while I was growing up.
My friend's regular doctor was on a sudden vacation yesterday, so she saw the guy's partner. Boy, was she sorry. She recently had swelling in her ankle and foot, as she had several years ago. The doctor said she was retaining water, although she hasn't had any problem peeing. He suggested she get her heart checked out. She scheduled a visit to a specialist for tomorrow morning, so I don't know if I will be able to set up shop. By the time we get home, all the favorable parking spots will likely be taken. I will be paid for my time, so I won't complain. The woman refuses to use a wheelchair, which would be a great help to her. It would make her feel handicapped. She would rather inch around with her walker. She is pushing 70. Things will only get harder from here. She's taken offense to anyone who has mentioned a wheelchair. I dared to do it once, feeling I had to say it. I won't ever say it again.
The rain just started.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
I went with Plan B today. Returning from my morning walk, knowing the storm was predicted for late afternoon, I moved my car from beneath a tree and to an open spot on the opposite side of the street more than a block away from where I usually park. This meant I wouldn't be able to display as many books as usual at the floating shop. I took about 20 from my apartment, 12 of them in Russian. I left a little earlier than usual, 10:30, hoping to take full advantage of the shade. It paid off, as I sold four books to graduates of the eastern bloc. Several people called me by my first name. I expect they read the article about me in the Bay News. One joker I see every day, who resembles a homeless person, addressed me in Italian. The only disappointment was that Lev, one of my best customers, found nothing to his liking. Just after one PM, the sunlight began to encroach on the space. I packed up, went home and splashed my head and face with cold water, then went to the library, where I spent an hour fighting to concentrate on reading while others engaged in normal conversational tones. Even though the discussion was about old movies, I was pissed. I don't remember people talking so loudly in the library while I was growing up.
My friend's regular doctor was on a sudden vacation yesterday, so she saw the guy's partner. Boy, was she sorry. She recently had swelling in her ankle and foot, as she had several years ago. The doctor said she was retaining water, although she hasn't had any problem peeing. He suggested she get her heart checked out. She scheduled a visit to a specialist for tomorrow morning, so I don't know if I will be able to set up shop. By the time we get home, all the favorable parking spots will likely be taken. I will be paid for my time, so I won't complain. The woman refuses to use a wheelchair, which would be a great help to her. It would make her feel handicapped. She would rather inch around with her walker. She is pushing 70. Things will only get harder from here. She's taken offense to anyone who has mentioned a wheelchair. I dared to do it once, feeling I had to say it. I won't ever say it again.
The rain just started.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 7/17 - Plan Z
I was rooting around with the remote control last night, searching for something interesting to watch. PBS came through, as it so often does. Photographer Robert Knight was profiled in a documentary called Rock Prophecies. The son of a Baptist minister who failed to shelter him from the devil's music, he has taken photographs of all the guitar greats. There are approximately 200,000 pictures in his archive, whose value is estimated at 3.5 million dollars. These days he's interested in publicizing artists he senses might break big. He found a boy from a small town, Tyler Dow Bryant. Is he the next the next guitar god? Judge for yourself. Here's a clip from youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCUNJtJJv3Q&feature=related
And here's Knight's most iconic photograph:
Today I went to plan Z in terms of the floating book shop. Since I had to accompany a friend to a doctor in Bay Ridge, I decided to set up on a sidewalk bench at 5th Avenue & 75th Street, displaying only Adjustments, Killing & A Hitch in Twilight. Only one person stopped in the nearly two hours I was there, but it wasn't an entirely unproductive day on the literary front. I submitted two short stories electronically (love it!) to separate magazines through duotrope.com. I've had more than 50 published worldwide, and another is due out later in the year in the Literary House anthology. I have only five left. It's been more than a year since I've had a fresh idea for one. These days I've concentrated on blogging, and have issued nearly one a day. I have six more novels on file that I'd like to have published. It's great to have a goal, a reason to jump out of bed each day in one's senior years.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
And here's Knight's most iconic photograph:
Today I went to plan Z in terms of the floating book shop. Since I had to accompany a friend to a doctor in Bay Ridge, I decided to set up on a sidewalk bench at 5th Avenue & 75th Street, displaying only Adjustments, Killing & A Hitch in Twilight. Only one person stopped in the nearly two hours I was there, but it wasn't an entirely unproductive day on the literary front. I submitted two short stories electronically (love it!) to separate magazines through duotrope.com. I've had more than 50 published worldwide, and another is due out later in the year in the Literary House anthology. I have only five left. It's been more than a year since I've had a fresh idea for one. These days I've concentrated on blogging, and have issued nearly one a day. I have six more novels on file that I'd like to have published. It's great to have a goal, a reason to jump out of bed each day in one's senior years.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Monday, July 16, 2012
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 7/16 - Cruelty
Here's a quick quiz: which is the most valuable sports franchise in the world? I was shocked at the answer, which will be below.
In terms of temperature, it was the hottest round of golf Cuz and I have played this season. Last night's heavy thunderstorms slowed the track down considerably. There was no extra roll to shots. I really messed up the second hole. I was in the fairway, 120 yards out and chunked two consecutive short irons, left a pitch a few feet short of the green, and walked away muttering. I then rallied, parring four of the next five holes, only to throw it all away with double bogie on eight and a triple on the par-three ninth, a hole which has been so kind to me over the years and which I've completely butchered two weeks in a row. I was pretty demoralized, especially when my drive on ten landed behind a tree root. I feared the next shot would pop straight into the air. It did, caromed off a branch of the big tree, and landed behind me. Golf can be a cruel mistress. I'm sure Cuz wanted to laugh but he held it back. On the long par-four twelfth, I hit what looked like a beautiful pitch right at the flag, which was on the upper tier of the green. It lost steam about a foot from the plateau and rolled all the way to the lower corner, and I let out an MF at the top of my lungs. I three-putted and did so at the next hole as well. By then I was suicidal. Cuz, on the other hand, was chipping and putting phenomenally, making up for his poor ball-striking, especially off the tee. It looked like he was going to smoke me, when suddenly I rallied, making three five-footers down the stretch, coming in at 89, which manifests how silly I was to get so bent out of shape. Cuz had the cruelty of the game bite him hard, finishing with two Mickeys (Mantle), sevens, that is, for a 92. One can't get too high or too low on the course. There are ups and downs, no matter the skill level of the player. An even keel is the best approach. Cuz exemplifies this. I, on the other hand.... I thank our playing partners, Jeff and Kevin, for putting up with me.
Answer to the quiz: Manchester United, way ahead of the second place franchise, Real Madrid. The Skanks and Cowgirls tie for third.
I'm not sure I'll be doing any book-selling tomorrow. I'm accompanying a friend to the doctor, and the temperature is supposed to climb to 95. Only nuts play golf and sell books on the streets in this kind of weather.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
In terms of temperature, it was the hottest round of golf Cuz and I have played this season. Last night's heavy thunderstorms slowed the track down considerably. There was no extra roll to shots. I really messed up the second hole. I was in the fairway, 120 yards out and chunked two consecutive short irons, left a pitch a few feet short of the green, and walked away muttering. I then rallied, parring four of the next five holes, only to throw it all away with double bogie on eight and a triple on the par-three ninth, a hole which has been so kind to me over the years and which I've completely butchered two weeks in a row. I was pretty demoralized, especially when my drive on ten landed behind a tree root. I feared the next shot would pop straight into the air. It did, caromed off a branch of the big tree, and landed behind me. Golf can be a cruel mistress. I'm sure Cuz wanted to laugh but he held it back. On the long par-four twelfth, I hit what looked like a beautiful pitch right at the flag, which was on the upper tier of the green. It lost steam about a foot from the plateau and rolled all the way to the lower corner, and I let out an MF at the top of my lungs. I three-putted and did so at the next hole as well. By then I was suicidal. Cuz, on the other hand, was chipping and putting phenomenally, making up for his poor ball-striking, especially off the tee. It looked like he was going to smoke me, when suddenly I rallied, making three five-footers down the stretch, coming in at 89, which manifests how silly I was to get so bent out of shape. Cuz had the cruelty of the game bite him hard, finishing with two Mickeys (Mantle), sevens, that is, for a 92. One can't get too high or too low on the course. There are ups and downs, no matter the skill level of the player. An even keel is the best approach. Cuz exemplifies this. I, on the other hand.... I thank our playing partners, Jeff and Kevin, for putting up with me.
Answer to the quiz: Manchester United, way ahead of the second place franchise, Real Madrid. The Skanks and Cowgirls tie for third.
I'm not sure I'll be doing any book-selling tomorrow. I'm accompanying a friend to the doctor, and the temperature is supposed to climb to 95. Only nuts play golf and sell books on the streets in this kind of weather.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 7/15 - Virtuosi
Fortunately, the cloud cover and breeze negated the heat, but the humidity was draining out there today. I was fortunate to attract a buyer immediately, who spotted Suzi Orman's Women & Money, which I'd displayed prominently. An early sale always goes a long way to lessening the feeling of futility the endeavor engenders. I sold a sci-fi novel in Russian to an elderly repeat customer, who I sensed was merely being kind. He didn't seem too thrilled with the selection. An elderly woman donated a handsome illustrated copy of Robin Hood geared toward young readers. Only problem is, do kids even know who that medieval figure is? Is there a video game about him? He robbed from the rich and gave to the poor, unlike the Monty Python character Dennis More, who "robbed from the poor and gave to the rich - stupid bitch!"
Even though I didn't sell any of my own books, the day was a success, as I sold my literary angel January (Victoria) Valentine's romance novel, Love Dreams, to a young woman who asked what I had in the genre. Thanks, miss. And thanks to Munsie, who said she really enjoyed the article about me in the Bensonhurst version of the Brooklyn newspaper.
RIP in peace Celeste Holm, 95, one of the great ladies of Hollywood and Broadway. She was nominated three times for Best Supporting Actress, winning for Gentleman's Agreement (1947), and she was the original Ado Annie in the Oscar and Hammerstein classic, Oklahoma, singing the memorable "I Cain't Say No." I'll always remember her as Frank Sinatra's frustrated love in Cole Porter's High Society (1956), which featured the classic duets "Did You Eva?" sung by Ol' Blue eyes and Bing Crosby ("Have you heard? It's in the stars, next July we collide with Mars"); and "Now You Has Jazz," sung by Bing and Louis Armstrong ("For these cozy virtuosi, the best in the trade, are fixin' to show you, approximately, how Jazz music is made"). All of those giants are gone, but their art lives on.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Even though I didn't sell any of my own books, the day was a success, as I sold my literary angel January (Victoria) Valentine's romance novel, Love Dreams, to a young woman who asked what I had in the genre. Thanks, miss. And thanks to Munsie, who said she really enjoyed the article about me in the Bensonhurst version of the Brooklyn newspaper.
RIP in peace Celeste Holm, 95, one of the great ladies of Hollywood and Broadway. She was nominated three times for Best Supporting Actress, winning for Gentleman's Agreement (1947), and she was the original Ado Annie in the Oscar and Hammerstein classic, Oklahoma, singing the memorable "I Cain't Say No." I'll always remember her as Frank Sinatra's frustrated love in Cole Porter's High Society (1956), which featured the classic duets "Did You Eva?" sung by Ol' Blue eyes and Bing Crosby ("Have you heard? It's in the stars, next July we collide with Mars"); and "Now You Has Jazz," sung by Bing and Louis Armstrong ("For these cozy virtuosi, the best in the trade, are fixin' to show you, approximately, how Jazz music is made"). All of those giants are gone, but their art lives on.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 7/11 - Killing
I had another odd, vivid dream last night. In it, I was in bed and someone, probably my mom, was moving the quilt in the area of my feet. Then I heard an announcement over a loudspeaker. I approached a window and saw a repair shop set up in the driveway shared by the Mazzos and Venerusos. When I awoke it took me a moment to realize I was in Sheepshead Bay and not back in my old bedroom on Bay 37th. I was completely baffled, finding none of the wish fulfillment that Freud insists is at the root of every dream. Perhaps it was simply a desire to return to youth. I expect the repair shop aspect was triggered by the episode of the PBS/BBC drama New Tricks I watched last night, which focused on a motorcycle gang using its shop to smuggle drugs.
I doubt the dream was triggered by the DVD I viewed, Largo Winch (2008), an international collaborative thriller about an adopted young man who inherits a fortune when his father is murdered. It was entertaining but familiar, beautifully shot and fast paced, moving so rapidly that the leaps in the plot didn't matter. It did have two memorable scenes: a leap from a cliff was especially exciting, as was the unique murder that set the story in motion. On a scale of five, three.
On the other hand, real life killing is not exciting. As I was on my way to the bank in the old neighborhood, I came upon a crime scene at Bay 35th near the corner of 86th Street. The familiar yellow tape was strung around an area of 50 yards. Inside it, there was a blood stain on the asphalt, something that looked like a plastic bag beside it, and small yellow cones numbered two and three, which may have denoted gun shots. This is a rare occurrence. I'm sure there were more than the four murders I remember, three of which were mob related: Fat Charlie (50 years ago), Arthur Bop and a local funeral hall director. Of course the most infamous was the Yusef Hawkins killing, the night insanity and stupidity forever tainted a great neighborhood.
I had great luck from the get-go today. This morning I discovered that I'd had a Kindle sale of All Hallows during the week, and a borrow of Killing from the Kindle Library, which is the equivalent of a sale. Then, at the floating book shop, a woman emerged from a car and said: "I read about you." Faythe had seen the article about me in the Mill Basin version of the Brooklyn paper. Her family has been operating a convenience store on 20th Avenue for more than 70 years. I thank her for purchasing Killing, and Jack of Chase Bank, who bought two more thrillers, and my niece Isabel, who got me a nice T-shirt while visiting her sister Tanya in Denver. And to top it all off, there was a check from Synovate Surveys waiting for me in the mailbox.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
I doubt the dream was triggered by the DVD I viewed, Largo Winch (2008), an international collaborative thriller about an adopted young man who inherits a fortune when his father is murdered. It was entertaining but familiar, beautifully shot and fast paced, moving so rapidly that the leaps in the plot didn't matter. It did have two memorable scenes: a leap from a cliff was especially exciting, as was the unique murder that set the story in motion. On a scale of five, three.
On the other hand, real life killing is not exciting. As I was on my way to the bank in the old neighborhood, I came upon a crime scene at Bay 35th near the corner of 86th Street. The familiar yellow tape was strung around an area of 50 yards. Inside it, there was a blood stain on the asphalt, something that looked like a plastic bag beside it, and small yellow cones numbered two and three, which may have denoted gun shots. This is a rare occurrence. I'm sure there were more than the four murders I remember, three of which were mob related: Fat Charlie (50 years ago), Arthur Bop and a local funeral hall director. Of course the most infamous was the Yusef Hawkins killing, the night insanity and stupidity forever tainted a great neighborhood.
I had great luck from the get-go today. This morning I discovered that I'd had a Kindle sale of All Hallows during the week, and a borrow of Killing from the Kindle Library, which is the equivalent of a sale. Then, at the floating book shop, a woman emerged from a car and said: "I read about you." Faythe had seen the article about me in the Mill Basin version of the Brooklyn paper. Her family has been operating a convenience store on 20th Avenue for more than 70 years. I thank her for purchasing Killing, and Jack of Chase Bank, who bought two more thrillers, and my niece Isabel, who got me a nice T-shirt while visiting her sister Tanya in Denver. And to top it all off, there was a check from Synovate Surveys waiting for me in the mailbox.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Friday, July 13, 2012
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 7/13 - Plugged
This week I have the honor of being profiled in the Brooklyn newspapers. My thanks to Sol, who led me to Eli Rosenberg, who wrote the article, and to Steve, the photographer. Here's the text, amended by my own comments:
Brownstone Brooklyn has the title for the borough’s most literary land around, but a Brooklynite who sells his books on the streets of South Brooklyn says you don’t need a fancy bookstore to be a respected writer — but you can’t stay home, either. “If you don’t go out and sell it yourself, I believe it’s going to get lost (seven million books listed at Amazon),” said Vic Fortezza, a Bensonhurst(grew up there, now in Sheepshead Bay) native who peddles his three (four books: three novels, one story collection. Close to the Edge is temporarily sold out) novels on the streets of Sheepshead Bay and Bensonhurst four (six) days a week, in addition to selling them online. “Of course I hope for a tipping point where people will be buying online all the time, but I enjoy talking to people on the street, and I’ve made a lot of friends, it’s nice.”
Fortezza, a former high school football coach (assistant) at Lafayette High School and data entry supervisor (assistant) on the New York Mercantile Exchange trading floor, has been writing since 1975 but only started selling his novels and short stories on the street (full time) after he was laid off in 2007 as electronic trading took over, he said. His narratives, many of them set in the Italian American community in Bensonhurst, cover much ground, and deal with plots that revolve around families stretched thin by wartime service (only Killing), and touch on topics of infidelity and lust.
Fortezza, who has published numerous stories in addition to his novels, says that those seeking stereotypical mob stories should look elsewhere. His third and latest novel, “Killing,” — includes no murders or killings except in a dream sequence; instead, it is about a family of three generations of war veterans dealing with internecine tensions around their troubled relationships.
Fortezza has also included his experiences on the notoriously hellish trading floors of the Mercantile Exchange in his writing — like a short story of his inspired by what his co-workers called the “dead pool,” a weekly betting game on what famous person would be the next to die. The storied (??? LOL) author says he’s tried selling his books around literary neighborhoods like Park Slope and Brooklyn Heights, but he prefers to stick around Sheepshead Bay and Bensonhurst — plus it saves him gas money.
“I’m not comfortable going into literary circles.” said Fortezza, who also sells used books in addition to his own. “Maybe it’s a fear of being criticized.” Though doubt is something all authors regularly deal with, the writer turned book seller becomes upbeat when reflecting on his neighborhood and the people who he has befriended over the years. “Some days I go out and absolutely nobody comes by and I ask myself if I’m the stupidest person in the world! But in general I have so many regular customers (and well-wishers) and I get a sale here and there (of my own books, hundreds of others). Brooklyn is a vast beautiful place with a fantastic array of people, and I just love it.”
Vic Fortezza and his books [East 13th Street and Avenue Z in Sheepshead Bay] Tues. and Thurs. (Tues. - Fri., 11:30-2:30), and [Bay Parkway and 85th Street in Bensonhurst] Sat., (& Sun. 12:30 to 3).
There were no immediate results for the free publicity in terms of book sales today, but several people teased me about my new-found celebrity status. Let's see what happens tomorrow at Bay Parkway.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Brownstone Brooklyn has the title for the borough’s most literary land around, but a Brooklynite who sells his books on the streets of South Brooklyn says you don’t need a fancy bookstore to be a respected writer — but you can’t stay home, either. “If you don’t go out and sell it yourself, I believe it’s going to get lost (seven million books listed at Amazon),” said Vic Fortezza, a Bensonhurst(grew up there, now in Sheepshead Bay) native who peddles his three (four books: three novels, one story collection. Close to the Edge is temporarily sold out) novels on the streets of Sheepshead Bay and Bensonhurst four (six) days a week, in addition to selling them online. “Of course I hope for a tipping point where people will be buying online all the time, but I enjoy talking to people on the street, and I’ve made a lot of friends, it’s nice.”
Fortezza, a former high school football coach (assistant) at Lafayette High School and data entry supervisor (assistant) on the New York Mercantile Exchange trading floor, has been writing since 1975 but only started selling his novels and short stories on the street (full time) after he was laid off in 2007 as electronic trading took over, he said. His narratives, many of them set in the Italian American community in Bensonhurst, cover much ground, and deal with plots that revolve around families stretched thin by wartime service (only Killing), and touch on topics of infidelity and lust.
Fortezza, who has published numerous stories in addition to his novels, says that those seeking stereotypical mob stories should look elsewhere. His third and latest novel, “Killing,” — includes no murders or killings except in a dream sequence; instead, it is about a family of three generations of war veterans dealing with internecine tensions around their troubled relationships.
Fortezza has also included his experiences on the notoriously hellish trading floors of the Mercantile Exchange in his writing — like a short story of his inspired by what his co-workers called the “dead pool,” a weekly betting game on what famous person would be the next to die. The storied (??? LOL) author says he’s tried selling his books around literary neighborhoods like Park Slope and Brooklyn Heights, but he prefers to stick around Sheepshead Bay and Bensonhurst — plus it saves him gas money.
“I’m not comfortable going into literary circles.” said Fortezza, who also sells used books in addition to his own. “Maybe it’s a fear of being criticized.” Though doubt is something all authors regularly deal with, the writer turned book seller becomes upbeat when reflecting on his neighborhood and the people who he has befriended over the years. “Some days I go out and absolutely nobody comes by and I ask myself if I’m the stupidest person in the world! But in general I have so many regular customers (and well-wishers) and I get a sale here and there (of my own books, hundreds of others). Brooklyn is a vast beautiful place with a fantastic array of people, and I just love it.”
Vic Fortezza and his books [East 13th Street and Avenue Z in Sheepshead Bay] Tues. and Thurs. (Tues. - Fri., 11:30-2:30), and [Bay Parkway and 85th Street in Bensonhurst] Sat., (& Sun. 12:30 to 3).
There were no immediate results for the free publicity in terms of book sales today, but several people teased me about my new-found celebrity status. Let's see what happens tomorrow at Bay Parkway.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 7/12 - Shop
We've all heard the old saying: "It pays to shop." I ignored it in large part when I had good cash flow. Not so the past four years, when I've watched every nickel. I've dreaded July, when the car insurance bill is due, the biggest hit of the year, which I've always paid in full to take advantage of the discount. I was shocked to find that Liberty Mutual was raising my rate from $1400 to $1800. I sent an email to verify no mistake had been. I'm 62, have never had an accident, and have had only one moving violation in 40+ years, an illegal left at 5th Av. & 86th St. days after the edict first went into effect. I have the absolute minimum coverage. An official for LM responded that since I'd filled out a survey that showed an increase in my driving, my rate was increased. I'd calculated the eight trips back and forth to the airports I'd made, forgetting that I didn't play golf for a year and a half because of hip pain, which greatly reduced my car usage, which has been about 2500 miles per year. Anyway, I went to Esurance for a quote, which came in at about $1400. All State, which I'd had prior to LM, came in at $1500. Then I tried Geico, which I figured would be in the same ball park. I was ecstatic when the six-month figure was $501, an annual saving of $400 to $800 vs. the other options. I was so surprised I feared I'd left something out and would be accused of fraud. I mean - how could there be such a discrepancy? Fortunately a friend who uses Geico assured me there was no mistake. She has more coverage than I do at the same price. And the contract was so easy to get done, all online. Even my request that the insurance cards be mailed was honored. I didn't have to ask a friend to print them out. I was using my printer so infrequently I decided not to replace it when it died. I've had little need for one since most publishing companies now accept, even demand, electronic submissions. I feel like I've found money.
I've had good luck on the stocks front too. Coca Cola was one of the first I bought, sometime in the early 90's. I asked the advice of one of the gold traders at the Exchange, Pat Fero, whose dad, if I remember correctly, used to drive a truck for the famous soda maker. He recommended it, saying something like: "It's just sugar and water - you can't eff that up." All I could afford was 30 at the time. I now have 94, and the company just announced a two-for-one split, which will take me to 188. The only thing that worries me is that when a previous split was announced many years ago, the entire market tanked and the action was cancelled. It would not surprise me if that happened now. I've been expecting a collapse for months.
My thanks to the kind folks who bought books today.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
I've had good luck on the stocks front too. Coca Cola was one of the first I bought, sometime in the early 90's. I asked the advice of one of the gold traders at the Exchange, Pat Fero, whose dad, if I remember correctly, used to drive a truck for the famous soda maker. He recommended it, saying something like: "It's just sugar and water - you can't eff that up." All I could afford was 30 at the time. I now have 94, and the company just announced a two-for-one split, which will take me to 188. The only thing that worries me is that when a previous split was announced many years ago, the entire market tanked and the action was cancelled. It would not surprise me if that happened now. I've been expecting a collapse for months.
My thanks to the kind folks who bought books today.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 7/11 - The Pits
Yesterday, conservative talk show host Mike Gallagher mentioned an interesting development concerning a movie star's mom. I got the following from NYPost.com, editing it a tiny bit. It illustrates how intolerant some liberals can be:
Brad Pitt’s mom, Jane, has faced a barrage of death threats and other slurs after writing to her local paper bashing President Obama and his positions on gay marriage and abortion.
“Brad Pitt’s mom, die,” said one Twitter post, according to Web site Twitchy, while another tweet read, “[bleep] you, brad pitt's mom. the gay community made your kid a star, you whacko” and another says, “Brad Pitt’s mom wrote an anti-gay pro-Romney editorial. Kill the Bitch.”
The venomous tweets erupted after the Moneyball star’s mother wrote a letter to her local Missouri paper, the Springfield News-Leader, saying of the upcoming election, “Any Christian who does not vote or writes in a name is casting a vote for Romney’s opponent, Barack Hussein Obama — a man who sat in Jeremiah Wright’s church for years, did not hold a public ceremony to mark the National Day of Prayer, and is a liberal who supports the killing of unborn babies and same-sex marriage.” In the letter, Jane Pitt called Romney, “a family man with high morals, business experience, who is against abortion and shares Christian conviction concerning homosexuality.” Web site WND says it reached out to Jane Pitt about the vicious tweets, and that her voice conveyed “fear and despair.” WND spoke briefly with her and asked about the media assault against her for her comments as a private citizen supporting Romney. With inflections in her voice that conveyed fear and despair, she quietly and politely said she was not interested in talking to anyone in the media about the incident. Brad Pitt’s brother Doug went on Today to defend his mom, saying, "You know, I think moms and dads and kids agree to disagree all over the world. So why would our family be any different? There can be healthy discussion when people disagree with you. The bad thing is when it turns to venom and negativity, and we don't have that in our family. It's open discussion. We can learn from each other and, if anything, it solidifies your point. Or maybe you learn something." Brad Pitt has been openly supportive of Obama, as well as same sex marriage. He told talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, about his relationship with fiance Angelina Jolie, "I've said that we would not be getting married until everyone in this country had the right to get married."
Thus far Brad has remained silent. I wonder if his mom told him to stay out of it so he won't suffer the notorious, vengeful wrath of Hollywood's liberal power structure. Leftists have always been smug, believing they are on the side of the angels. I tremble to think what would happen if the most strident had absolute power - re-education camps for many, the guillotine for the rest, I imagine.
No sooner had Michael, who lives in my building, donated four crime thrillers in Russian than they were purchased by Lev, who overpaid, as usual. And an hour after a lovely elderly woman dropped off a pair of romance novels, Herbie bought them. Alan made it it a trio of regulars, buying a John Sandford thriller. Thanks, guys.
Good luck to local beat poet Big Al, who is publishing a book of his poetry, which he dubs love-ku, not haiku.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Brad Pitt’s mom, Jane, has faced a barrage of death threats and other slurs after writing to her local paper bashing President Obama and his positions on gay marriage and abortion.
“Brad Pitt’s mom, die,” said one Twitter post, according to Web site Twitchy, while another tweet read, “[bleep] you, brad pitt's mom. the gay community made your kid a star, you whacko” and another says, “Brad Pitt’s mom wrote an anti-gay pro-Romney editorial. Kill the Bitch.”
The venomous tweets erupted after the Moneyball star’s mother wrote a letter to her local Missouri paper, the Springfield News-Leader, saying of the upcoming election, “Any Christian who does not vote or writes in a name is casting a vote for Romney’s opponent, Barack Hussein Obama — a man who sat in Jeremiah Wright’s church for years, did not hold a public ceremony to mark the National Day of Prayer, and is a liberal who supports the killing of unborn babies and same-sex marriage.” In the letter, Jane Pitt called Romney, “a family man with high morals, business experience, who is against abortion and shares Christian conviction concerning homosexuality.” Web site WND says it reached out to Jane Pitt about the vicious tweets, and that her voice conveyed “fear and despair.” WND spoke briefly with her and asked about the media assault against her for her comments as a private citizen supporting Romney. With inflections in her voice that conveyed fear and despair, she quietly and politely said she was not interested in talking to anyone in the media about the incident. Brad Pitt’s brother Doug went on Today to defend his mom, saying, "You know, I think moms and dads and kids agree to disagree all over the world. So why would our family be any different? There can be healthy discussion when people disagree with you. The bad thing is when it turns to venom and negativity, and we don't have that in our family. It's open discussion. We can learn from each other and, if anything, it solidifies your point. Or maybe you learn something." Brad Pitt has been openly supportive of Obama, as well as same sex marriage. He told talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, about his relationship with fiance Angelina Jolie, "I've said that we would not be getting married until everyone in this country had the right to get married."
Thus far Brad has remained silent. I wonder if his mom told him to stay out of it so he won't suffer the notorious, vengeful wrath of Hollywood's liberal power structure. Leftists have always been smug, believing they are on the side of the angels. I tremble to think what would happen if the most strident had absolute power - re-education camps for many, the guillotine for the rest, I imagine.
No sooner had Michael, who lives in my building, donated four crime thrillers in Russian than they were purchased by Lev, who overpaid, as usual. And an hour after a lovely elderly woman dropped off a pair of romance novels, Herbie bought them. Alan made it it a trio of regulars, buying a John Sandford thriller. Thanks, guys.
Good luck to local beat poet Big Al, who is publishing a book of his poetry, which he dubs love-ku, not haiku.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 7/10 - Lust
I had a fun dream last night. I was riding the subway and seated next to me was none other than the lovely Tina Louise, the "movie star" among the odd group stranded on Gilligan's Island. She fell asleep and her head rested on my shoulder. When the train lurched suddenly, her face went to my lap and she shrieked. It's not hard to figure that the dream was grounded in lust, but I'm baffled as to why my mind chose the unfortunate Ms. Louise, beautiful though she was. True, her name did come up in conversation recently, but more than a week ago. Why hadn't my brain conjured Gina Lollobrigida or Sophia Loren or Raquel Welch or Gina Gershon, all of whom have a passing resemblance to the lust of my life, a certain Peggyann? I remember how amused I was when I first learned Peggy wasn't short for Margaret. Her parents had given her a little girl's name, apparently not envisioning the voluptuous beauty she would become. Life never ceases to amaze. Thanks, Tina. Sorry my warped mind made you part of my dreams.
I've had my first personal encounter with Obamacare. I got a letter from my healthcare provider. I have only hospitalization, which cost me $164 per month. I assumed the bill was due. To my surprise, a check was enclosed for $192. There is a facet of the new law dubbed the 80/20 Rule, which means a firm must spend 80% of the money it takes in on consumers, the rest on salary and operating expenses. The government deemed that this company spent only 69% on its customers, and forced it to redistribute its funds. Of course, I'm happy to have the money, but I still have severe doubts about politicians telling a business how it must be run, although I'm sure businesses strive to maximize profits. It's what they do. I wonder where this tyranny will lead. In fact, I have a pretty good idea already - to a European style system. Some small firms will go out of business. The largest will survive. Eventually, health services will be so expensive they will have to be covered by the government. I don't know if this can be stopped, although I will vote with those trying to stop it come November, despite the $192. I think the President's policies are a prescription for madness. I hope I'm wrong, but approximately 50% of the public is on the federal gravy train in some way. That's a large constituency to dissuade, and it will probably grow as even more citizens are bribed.
My thanks to the young lady who purchased a Clive Cussler thriller and Susan Polis Schultz's Find Happiness in Everything You Do, which sounds like a wonderful philosophy of life.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
I've had my first personal encounter with Obamacare. I got a letter from my healthcare provider. I have only hospitalization, which cost me $164 per month. I assumed the bill was due. To my surprise, a check was enclosed for $192. There is a facet of the new law dubbed the 80/20 Rule, which means a firm must spend 80% of the money it takes in on consumers, the rest on salary and operating expenses. The government deemed that this company spent only 69% on its customers, and forced it to redistribute its funds. Of course, I'm happy to have the money, but I still have severe doubts about politicians telling a business how it must be run, although I'm sure businesses strive to maximize profits. It's what they do. I wonder where this tyranny will lead. In fact, I have a pretty good idea already - to a European style system. Some small firms will go out of business. The largest will survive. Eventually, health services will be so expensive they will have to be covered by the government. I don't know if this can be stopped, although I will vote with those trying to stop it come November, despite the $192. I think the President's policies are a prescription for madness. I hope I'm wrong, but approximately 50% of the public is on the federal gravy train in some way. That's a large constituency to dissuade, and it will probably grow as even more citizens are bribed.
My thanks to the young lady who purchased a Clive Cussler thriller and Susan Polis Schultz's Find Happiness in Everything You Do, which sounds like a wonderful philosophy of life.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Monday, July 9, 2012
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 7/9 - Gulp
Romance novelist Brenda Joyce, 49, must write in her sleep. She's had at least 44 novels and novellas published, and there are 14 million copies in print. I just finished Deadly Kisses (2006), the eighth in a series set in Manhattan in the early 1900's, featuring wealthy sleuth Francesca Cahill. Although I'm not a fan of the genre, I enjoyed the story and characters. It was over-written by my taste. Names are constantly used in dialogue, as if the reader were likely to forget who was conversing. In my experience, after greeting someone, I find I don't say the person's name again until the goodbye. Maybe that's just me. Dialogue is "exclaimed" when a simple said would be enough. Characters frequently gasp when speaking, another thing rare in real life but common, I suppose, in such fare. If the novel had been up for review at Pendant Publishing (Seinfeld), Elaine and Mr. Pittman might have had an argument about the use of exclamation points. The sex stops short of explicit. On a scale of five, three. Now I will allow the male chauvinist pig in me to emerge. Joyce, a native New Yorker, may be the foxiest female author ever. Here's a pic:
According to WCBS-TV News, a rally is being held today against Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposed ban on super-sized sugary drinks. About 1,000 protesters chanting “Drink Free Or Die” are taking part in the “Million Big Gulp March” in City Hall Park. Finally - a political protest I can believe in.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
According to WCBS-TV News, a rally is being held today against Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposed ban on super-sized sugary drinks. About 1,000 protesters chanting “Drink Free Or Die” are taking part in the “Million Big Gulp March” in City Hall Park. Finally - a political protest I can believe in.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 7/8 - Bravo
In a profile at IMDb, David Cronenberg is described as "The King of Venereal Horror" and "The Baron of Blood." I first learned of him in the early '80's, intrigued by the exploding heads in Scanners (1981). In Videodrome (1983), Deborah Harry did something creepy with a lit cigarette. That same year he did The Dead Zone, which remains my favorite adaptation of Stephen King. Crash came out in 1996. It featured something I'd never heard of and not sure even exists - characters deriving a sexual thrill from involvement in auto accidents. I don't think it was satire on how far society was willing to take sexuality, as the tone was deadly serious. A lot of my friends loved A History of Violence (2005). Although I found it satisfying viscerally, the protagonist was too much like a super-hero for the film to be taken seriously. Eastern Promises (2007), which focused on gangsters from former Soviet satellites, had an authenticity that gave me the willies. In one scene, the protagonist is vetted by made men, taking off his shirt to reveal elaborate tattoos of his dirty deeds. Last night I watched A Dangerous Method (2011), courtesy of Netflix. It is the story of two pioneers of psychology, Carl Jung and his mentor Sigmund Freud, who are connected by a female patient on the verge of madness, victim of abuse by her father. She eventually becomes a psychologist herself. It is a bold film in that it requires the viewer to listen carefully to the dialogue of the two famous men, who approach discussion with quiet intellectualism. They eventually have a falling out. Jung believes there is more to analysis than the sexual element that Freud found. The further I get from my peak sexuality, the more I agree with this. I also believe that dreams have broader meaning than the wish fulfillment that Freud diagnosed. Whenever I have a puzzling one, I try to find the wish behind it. It does not always work, so I suspect there is more to it. Science is always evolving. Michael Fassbender, Viggo Mortensen and Keira Knightley played the leads. Knightley injected needed vigor into the narrative. Without her, it would probably have been too dry to sit through. Still, it does not quite take off. On a scale of five, three.
I thank the four people who purchased books today at Bay Parkway & 85th, where Steve, a photographer for the Brooklyn weekly newspapers, showed and took pictures of the silly venture I call the floating book shop. His boss told me the article should be in the coming issue. I doubt it will increase sales any, but it is fun. You never know.
RIP Ernest Borgnine, 95. The son of Italian immigrants, he accumulated 203 acting credits according to IMDb, beginning in 1951. He continued to work to this day, appearing in at least one film or TV show per year since the start of the millennium. His last appearance will be in the forthcoming The Man Who Shook the Hand of Vicente Fernandez. Of course, his most famous role was as the PT boat Lt. Commander in the WWII spoof, McHale's Navy, which ran 138 episodes form '62-'66 on ABC. Few people know that he won the Oscar as Best Actor in 1955 in Marty, written by Paddy Chayefsky (Network), directed by Delbert Mann. It featured a couple of lines that were repeated around Brooklyn for years:
Angie: What do you wanna do tonight?
Marty Pilletti: I dunno, Angie. What do you wanna do?
Bravo, paisano.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
I thank the four people who purchased books today at Bay Parkway & 85th, where Steve, a photographer for the Brooklyn weekly newspapers, showed and took pictures of the silly venture I call the floating book shop. His boss told me the article should be in the coming issue. I doubt it will increase sales any, but it is fun. You never know.
RIP Ernest Borgnine, 95. The son of Italian immigrants, he accumulated 203 acting credits according to IMDb, beginning in 1951. He continued to work to this day, appearing in at least one film or TV show per year since the start of the millennium. His last appearance will be in the forthcoming The Man Who Shook the Hand of Vicente Fernandez. Of course, his most famous role was as the PT boat Lt. Commander in the WWII spoof, McHale's Navy, which ran 138 episodes form '62-'66 on ABC. Few people know that he won the Oscar as Best Actor in 1955 in Marty, written by Paddy Chayefsky (Network), directed by Delbert Mann. It featured a couple of lines that were repeated around Brooklyn for years:
Angie: What do you wanna do tonight?
Marty Pilletti: I dunno, Angie. What do you wanna do?
Bravo, paisano.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 7/7 - Punk
"He punked-out," we used to say in Brooklyn about someone who backed down from a tough task or a fight. That's what I did today regarding the floating bookshop, which I eschewed because of the heat and humidity. Man, am I getting soft. In high school, we had two practice sessions in such weather. When I trained for the marathon, I jogged ten miles in it. If the forecast is right, tomorrow will be the last day of the current heat wave, only 90 degrees - "a mere bag of shells," as Ralph Kramden would say. What will the accu-weather real-feel be - 95? "Big deal," as Classie Freddie Blassie would say.
I had a real ginzo lunch at my sister's: tomato & muhtzarell, fried zucchini, and a thin slice of roast beef. Leftovers have piled up in her fridge since her grand-daughter Danielle arrived earlier in the week, craving delicacies that are hard to get in her neck of Jersey. As I was enjoying the feast, I learned that my eldest niece Isabel was due to fly out to Denver to visit her sister Tanya. She hadn't asked for a ride, feeling bad since I'd been back and forth umpteen times when her kids visited from Italy to say goodbye to their grandpa. The Sicilian in me wouldn't let her spend money on car service. Of course, I will someday ask for something in return, recalling the great line, of the many great ones Mario Puzo came up with for The Godfather: "Someday - and that day may never come - I will call on you to perform a service for me." When she finally gets a computer, she will be assigned to do reviews of my books, which she has all read.
Let's have a blast of trumpets - for the first time ever I made an airport run without a single wrong turn, going and coming. And I did it without writing down directions. Hmmm - I wonder if the green tea extract I've been adding to bottles of seltzer has done wonders for my brain. Of course, this is probably nonsense. I will later do trivia quizzes at sporcle.com and be appalled at all I've forgotten.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
I had a real ginzo lunch at my sister's: tomato & muhtzarell, fried zucchini, and a thin slice of roast beef. Leftovers have piled up in her fridge since her grand-daughter Danielle arrived earlier in the week, craving delicacies that are hard to get in her neck of Jersey. As I was enjoying the feast, I learned that my eldest niece Isabel was due to fly out to Denver to visit her sister Tanya. She hadn't asked for a ride, feeling bad since I'd been back and forth umpteen times when her kids visited from Italy to say goodbye to their grandpa. The Sicilian in me wouldn't let her spend money on car service. Of course, I will someday ask for something in return, recalling the great line, of the many great ones Mario Puzo came up with for The Godfather: "Someday - and that day may never come - I will call on you to perform a service for me." When she finally gets a computer, she will be assigned to do reviews of my books, which she has all read.
Let's have a blast of trumpets - for the first time ever I made an airport run without a single wrong turn, going and coming. And I did it without writing down directions. Hmmm - I wonder if the green tea extract I've been adding to bottles of seltzer has done wonders for my brain. Of course, this is probably nonsense. I will later do trivia quizzes at sporcle.com and be appalled at all I've forgotten.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Friday, July 6, 2012
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 7/6 - Victory
Some days good things happen in bunches. I set up shop knowing people would be hurrying back to their AC's or backyard swimming pools to beat the heat, although it wasn't nearly as hot today as yesterday. I hadn't seen Morty, a retired salesman closing in on 80, in six weeks. He recently "graduated" from a program of radiation treatments on a growth in his jaw. Although he said he was still feeling a little shaky, he was his usual positive self. Welcome back, sir.
A while later a heavy set gentleman who visits about once a month overpaid for two paperbacks, a nice surprise I figured would be my only sale of the day - and I was almost right. As I was about to pack up, a young woman, who two weeks ago said she would return, finally got around to it. She debated whether to purchase A Hitch in Twilight or January Valentine's Love Dreams. January, who went by Victoria until she self-published the romance novel through her own Water Forest Press, sent me two copies about a month ago. She has published two of my novels: Adjustments & Killing, and twelve of my short stories in her magazines and anthologies. I was happy to try to sell her book. I feel I owe her. I was thrilled the young woman chose LD. I just sent January a payment through paypal. I can't wait to see her reaction.
Thanks, folks.
As I was taking care of that customer, Laura, one of my biggest fans, happened by with a handsome boy of about ten, who I assumed was her brother. It was her son, John. I was stunned. I'd assumed she was 20, as she is attending college. She explained to him who I was, as if I were someone important. I was touched.
As if all that wasn't enough, I just finished a phone interview with Eli Rosenberg, who works for the Brooklyn weekly newspapers (Bay News, Brooklyn Courier, etc.). Looks like I will be featured in an article, possibly as soon as this week. He's going to send a photographer to Bay Parkway Sunday. I'll believe it when I see it. I would have asked to be photographed tomorrow, but the temperature is forecast to be 100. The global warming alarmists have a lot of ammunition these days. I still say it's just as likely caused by solar activity as carbon emissions. Then again, what do I know?
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
A while later a heavy set gentleman who visits about once a month overpaid for two paperbacks, a nice surprise I figured would be my only sale of the day - and I was almost right. As I was about to pack up, a young woman, who two weeks ago said she would return, finally got around to it. She debated whether to purchase A Hitch in Twilight or January Valentine's Love Dreams. January, who went by Victoria until she self-published the romance novel through her own Water Forest Press, sent me two copies about a month ago. She has published two of my novels: Adjustments & Killing, and twelve of my short stories in her magazines and anthologies. I was happy to try to sell her book. I feel I owe her. I was thrilled the young woman chose LD. I just sent January a payment through paypal. I can't wait to see her reaction.
Thanks, folks.
As I was taking care of that customer, Laura, one of my biggest fans, happened by with a handsome boy of about ten, who I assumed was her brother. It was her son, John. I was stunned. I'd assumed she was 20, as she is attending college. She explained to him who I was, as if I were someone important. I was touched.
As if all that wasn't enough, I just finished a phone interview with Eli Rosenberg, who works for the Brooklyn weekly newspapers (Bay News, Brooklyn Courier, etc.). Looks like I will be featured in an article, possibly as soon as this week. He's going to send a photographer to Bay Parkway Sunday. I'll believe it when I see it. I would have asked to be photographed tomorrow, but the temperature is forecast to be 100. The global warming alarmists have a lot of ammunition these days. I still say it's just as likely caused by solar activity as carbon emissions. Then again, what do I know?
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 7/5 - Music
I watched another of the music videos I made, this one circa '95, an eclectic mix of performers. It started on a high note, Bonnie Raitt doing the blues lament Love Me Like a Man, featuring dazzling guitar work that would put many men to shame. She may have used every blues lick ever invented. There was only one cut I had to fast-forward through, something by Sound Garden on SNL. There were several tracks by the Pretenders, all excellent, including their biggest hit, The Night in My Veins. The mis-named Cowboy Junkies did an unusually up tempo piece for them, Common Disaster. All of the other stuff I know by them is quiet. Bjork did her adorable big band-type song Ssssh! on The Tonight Show. During this period, Fox ran a show against SNL called Saturday Night Special that spotlighted rising music acts. Bush (not George) rocked out on Machinehead ("There's no sex in violence") and Tracy Bonham, whom I have not heard from since, did Mother Mother, a song about a struggling artist trying to keep the truth from her mom during a phone conversation, which I certainly relate to ("Everything's fine!"). Garbage did I'm Only Happy When It Rains, a terrific look into a warped mind ("Pour your misery down on me"). And Alice in Chains ended the run of SNS tunes with Again, which features a five-word alliteration ("help her heal her heart") that would attract any writer. The Sex Pistols, promoting their Filthy Lucre tour, sans original bassist Sid Vicious, showed up on Letterman and brought the house down with Pretty Vacant ("And we don't care!"). Radiohead did a beautiful rendition of High and Dry on Leno ("Don't leave me high, don't leave me dry..."). The front man had a Protect Choice decal on the body of his guitar, which is forgivable only if it had something to do with the song. The guitarist of the leftist Rage Against the Machine also had to make a view known with a sticker: Arm the Homeless. I always found their politics ridiculous - and their performances riveting, including this one, Bulls on Parade. The biggest surprise on the tape was Celine Dion, who stepped out of character on Letterman, doing an unbelievable cover of Ike and Tina Turner's Mountain High, River Deep. I'm blown away every time I see it.
Here's my choice for the highlight. A different version of Bonham's moment in sun. It may be the least artistic number on the tape, but it's charming and amusing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c7_u_eBam8
I spent some time on this sweltering day in Coney Island with my great niece/godchild Danielle, who will enter high school in the fall. She's on a one-week time-out from her parents and brother in Jersey. We had lunch at Nathan's and then took in the aquarium. Dani snapped away with her cell phone. For 15 minutes I wondered why it was so dark inside, then I realized I still had my sunglasses on - duh! The biggest kick was witnessing the reaction of the toddlers to the huge walruses and sharks. It was a relief to be in air-conditioned rooms. I doubt I would have sold many books today, and the heat wave is forecast to continue through the weekend. It will be a tough stretch.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Here's my choice for the highlight. A different version of Bonham's moment in sun. It may be the least artistic number on the tape, but it's charming and amusing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c7_u_eBam8
I spent some time on this sweltering day in Coney Island with my great niece/godchild Danielle, who will enter high school in the fall. She's on a one-week time-out from her parents and brother in Jersey. We had lunch at Nathan's and then took in the aquarium. Dani snapped away with her cell phone. For 15 minutes I wondered why it was so dark inside, then I realized I still had my sunglasses on - duh! The biggest kick was witnessing the reaction of the toddlers to the huge walruses and sharks. It was a relief to be in air-conditioned rooms. I doubt I would have sold many books today, and the heat wave is forecast to continue through the weekend. It will be a tough stretch.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 7/4 - American
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government...."
And so began the greatest country the world has known - the idea, the experiment. Sure, we've had our sins, but far fewer than other nations, and none has worked harder to rectify them than America. Certain elites scoff at this, openly deride this great land and its people - and many of them are rewarded handsomely for it, behavior that would bring incarceration, even death in some places. I went through a period of similar cynicism in my youth. Eventually, I realized that I was dissatisfied with myself, overwhelmed by the enormity of life and looking at the problem without rather than within. We are a land of abundance, prosperous even in difficult economic times. Our poor are fat, not starving. Free education is available to anyone willing to make an effort. Every American citizen has an opportunity to better himself/herself. The responsibility resides with the individual. He must choose whether to become a ward of government or stand on his/her own. I have opted for the writer's life. I want no assistance from government, no grant, no housing, no Medicaid, no free cell phone or food stamps, although I'd probably qualify for all of that given what I earn these days. I want to be free, to stand on my own through success or failure. I am an American.
I thank the gentleman who purchased Graham Greene's The Quiet American, and Mr. Almost, who took home another sci-fi novel in Russian, and Lev, who bought three others. And special thanks to the 84-year-old veteran, who donated a bunch of books, including Tom Brokaw's The Greatest Generation, which focuses on the awesome accomplishments of those Americans who came to the world's rescue in WWII.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
And so began the greatest country the world has known - the idea, the experiment. Sure, we've had our sins, but far fewer than other nations, and none has worked harder to rectify them than America. Certain elites scoff at this, openly deride this great land and its people - and many of them are rewarded handsomely for it, behavior that would bring incarceration, even death in some places. I went through a period of similar cynicism in my youth. Eventually, I realized that I was dissatisfied with myself, overwhelmed by the enormity of life and looking at the problem without rather than within. We are a land of abundance, prosperous even in difficult economic times. Our poor are fat, not starving. Free education is available to anyone willing to make an effort. Every American citizen has an opportunity to better himself/herself. The responsibility resides with the individual. He must choose whether to become a ward of government or stand on his/her own. I have opted for the writer's life. I want no assistance from government, no grant, no housing, no Medicaid, no free cell phone or food stamps, although I'd probably qualify for all of that given what I earn these days. I want to be free, to stand on my own through success or failure. I am an American.
I thank the gentleman who purchased Graham Greene's The Quiet American, and Mr. Almost, who took home another sci-fi novel in Russian, and Lev, who bought three others. And special thanks to the 84-year-old veteran, who donated a bunch of books, including Tom Brokaw's The Greatest Generation, which focuses on the awesome accomplishments of those Americans who came to the world's rescue in WWII.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f
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