Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/31 - RocknRoll

My thanks to the kind folks who bought books today. This evening I will once again take copies of Killing to its source, 18th Avenue, where the Santa Rosalia Feast is winding down. I hope I'm as lucky as last week. Meanwhile, here's an excerpt from an unpublished rock n roll epic, Rising Star.


1                                                         "...I know it's only rock 'n roll, but I like it...."*

   The small crowd huddled before the stage, which was but a platform that rose a foot from the floor tucked into the corner of the dark, smoky club. In design the place was like a roughly finished basement. The people cheered as the band capped its number with a deafening flourish.
   "Awright!" howled the singer, a tall, athletic, bearded blond whose locks fell well beyond his shoulders, whose taut flesh glowed with perspiration. "You're beautiful - at least some of you are. All you pretty girls now, don't forget to leave your name and number. You ugly ones take care of my fat friend back there on drums."
   He was bombarded by tiny paper balls. Laughing, he tried to avoid the barrage. The bassist bent, gathered as many of the papers as he could and stuffed them into the pocket of his shirt.
   "We're gonna do one more before we go, but before we do let me introduce the rest of the guys. On drums, fatboy himself - Richie DeSalvo." Richie banged out a crisp flourish and clash of cymbals, his dark mane whipping about. "On keyboards, our token Jew - Mitchell Weinstein." Slim, clean-cut, fair-skinned, Mitchell smiled as he sent out an eerie riff. "On bass - nervous Mike Scarpa." Mike bowed his short, compact frame over the fretboard of his Rickenbacker. "On guitar, the ice man - Paul Ranga." Tall, thin, bespectacled, Paul struck a chord on his Les Paul that reverberated throughout the club. "And on vocals, last but certainly not least, the only non-ethnic, non-New Yorker in the group - meet John Doe."
   Doe received the most applause and let out an appreciative howl. "You have such great taste. This one's called 'Star Chaser.' You better like it."
   He counted time and music burst from the stage. The audience was immediately infected with the energy. Fists flew into the air. Heads bobbed. The sound was hard and fast yet light, accessible. John's voice, as strong as it was, was lost in the volume. He compensated with movement, gyration, gestures. He spun, dipped and danced in place, overcoming the trappings of the tiny stage. The others provided the pace. Mitchell smiled as he worked at his keys. Richie pounded relentlessly on his drums. Mike eyed his fretboard intently, as if fearful of making a mistake. Paul glanced at Mitchell and laughed.
   "Goodnight!" said John, breathless, at the end of the piece, chuckling as he was bombarded with more paper. "You're too kind. Oops, here's one from a guy. You'll all get a shot, I promise. And please remember the more needy." He gazed at Mike and Richie.
   The applause died as a dance tune came through the sound system. People turned from the stage. Some headed for the exit, others for the bar, a few danced. There was still a buzz in the air.
   A blonde brought the band beer, which she deftly balanced on a small tray. "Great show." She beamed as she looked at John. Her leopard skin dress was filled with the body of a goddess.
   "Sit down," said John, seated at the edge of the stage, motioning to his lap. Mitchell and Richie, flanking him, laughed shyly.
   Her expression became serious. "I can't now. I don't wanna blow this job. It keeps my days free for auditions."
   "An actress/slash waitress. I'd've never guessed. If things don't work out, there's always porn."
   She stared, apparently unsure if he were joking. "Why don't you wait 'til I get off, that is, if you're still available? I should be out of here soon. My name's Tina."
   She smiled and hurried away. Mitchell and Richie, towels in hand, roared.

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/cyckn3

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/30 - Substance

About a year ago I read Barbara Taylor Bradford’s epic, A Woman of Substance. I was so impressed I added the TV adaptation (1984) to my list at Netflix, where it was missing for quite a while. It finally arrived and I am so pleased the production was faithful to the novel, which chronicles the life of Emma Harte from her humble beginnings in rural England in the early 20th century to wealth and power. To their credit, both the book and mini-series avoid lectures on feminism. Emma Harte is easy to root for, an inspiration for all who believe that hard work, risk and good fortune lead to success. The novel is affirmation of freedom and capitalism. The role of protagonist is shared by two actresses: Jenny Seagrove, who has appeared in many BBC series, plays the young Emma; and Deborah Kerr, always the epitome of grace and class in her long, great career, plays the older. There are many familiar faces in the cast. It took me a half hour to figure out that the mean butler, Murgatroyd, is played by Barry Morse, Lt. Gerard of The Fugitive TV series. The British accent threw me. Lo and behold - he is British! Who knew? The most interesting presence is Diane Baker, whose first role was as a sister of Anne Frank in 1959, and who continues to work to this day. She bought the rights to the book and produced the six-hour piece, as well as several other films. Short of funds, she took on a role herself. Liam Neeson appears as the stalwart Blackie O’Neill. The beautiful Gayle Hunnicut and Nicola Pagget, memorable as Anna Karenina in the Masterpiece Theatre production (1977), are perfectly cast as aristocratic women. Barry Bostwick is dashing as the love of Emma’s life. UK stalwarts John Mills and George Baker, Tiberius in the greatest mini-series ever made, I, Claudius (1976), lend their talents in minor roles. And Miranda Richardson plays the hard-working grand daughter who inherits granny’s empire. Admirers of the novel will likely appreciate this solid adaptation, rated 7.5 out of ten at IMDb. I rate it 3.5 out of five.

After two days of brisk sales, the floating book shop hit a brick wall this afternoon. There was a positive, however. Maddy, a lovely, articulate young woman who works in the area, agreed to accept a loan of Killing from me for her Kindle. I'm curious as to whether it will count as a sale. I was surprised Maddy was willing to give me her email address. Although we have spoken many times, we are really strangers. Curiously, she passed from the opposite direction 15 minutes later, wiping tears from her eyes. I asked if she were all right and she said yes. My mind immediately speculated as to the cause of her sorrow: Fight/break-up with boyfriend; death in the family; loss of job. I wanted to give her a hug and ask what was wrong, but she seemed anxious to be on her way, so I kept my distance. I hope she finds substance in Killing.

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/cyckn3

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/29 - Bagged

Pop quiz: What is this item?

It is a Jil Sander Vasari paper bag, priced at $290. It is described as a man-purse and features high-durability, coated paper, stitched seams and four metal eyelets that allow food to breathe. According to an article in the NY Post, women have been snapping them up. If this one doesn’t quite fit the bill, there is a black leather version selling for $630. Does this say anything significant about our society? My initial reaction to the product was negative. Then again, it’s harmless, probably even recyclable when it’s finally worn out, which would placate greeniacs, and it generates commerce and tax revenue. I think anyone who buys it is nuts, but I also question the purchase of many items available in our free society. Today a friend complained to me that he paid $60 for tickets to the U.S. Open. He wouldn’t even go near the concession stands, where a bottle of water sold for $4.50. I stopped patronizing pro sports long before I lost my job. I just couldn’t justify paying such high prices, but we should be grateful for the privilege of the opportunity of being cavalier and foolish with money. The alternative is a lot worse.

I don't know if it was the glorious weather, but people were buying and donating books today. Simon, the now 85-year-old veteran, dropped off a load, including a four volume set of fairy tales, which Mrs. Eclectic later purchased for her daughter. She donated three paperbacks and bought ten. I also sold three books in Russian, and a pristine hard cover Marvel comics compilation. Thanks, folks.

There was unwelcome action right in front of the floating book shop late in the session. Three yahoos were getting in each other's faces, making threats. One had punched a cabbie near the Sheepshead Bay train station, and two citizens decided to follow him. They did not do it intelligently, acting thuggishly. Unfortunately, my friend happened to have shown up just then, clinging to her walker. I put myself between the idiots and her and prepared for the worst. Fortunately, the perp noticed the crowd that had gathered and walked away. Soon a police car and EMT vehicle showed. An officer followed the trail on foot. Then young Ned, webmaster of the Sheepshead Bay Bites site, appeared, camera ready. He must listen to a police radio. He took a picture of the miscreant in cuffs, but wasn't sure he would use it. It was a minor event blown out of proportion by stupidity. At least no shots were fired.

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/cyckn3

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/25 - Sizzling

Born in 1943, Janet Evanovich concentrated on raising a family after college. She was eventually infected with the writing bug and even took a class in improv acting to learn the nuances of dialogue. She had moderate success in the romance genre, then, observing authorities at work for two years, she hit it big in the mystery category with her Stephanie Plum series, which will soon see a 19th novel. Her books regularly top the NY Times Best Sellers list. I just finished her 2010 effort, Sizzling Sixteen, a fun read, although it strained credulity. Given the dangerous circumstances and seedy characters, the tone was a too blithe for my taste, sort of like the Thin Man flicks starring William Powell and Myrna Loy, although far seedier. The prose is smooth, the dialogue first rate, the supporting cast quirky. My only quibble is the repeated use of a pronoun or a character’s name when it is obvious who is speaking or present - apples and oranges. The narrative is refreshingly succinct. Its 309 pages read more like 209. So far, only the first of the series, One for the Money, has been made into a film. In fact, it has been done twice. Unfortunately, the first, a TV production (2004), rated 7.4 at IMDb, is not available at Netflix. The second (2012), starring the beautiful Katherine Heigl, is rated only 5.1. I can’t imagine her in the role of bounty hunter, although the character is by no means butch. Nevertheless, I added the movie to my list at Netflix. Maybe it will surprise me. It was not successful at the box office. As for Sizzling Sixteen - three on a scale of five. Remember, I am not a fan of the genre. My thanks to Wiki for the facts on the author.
A bleak, rainy morning evolved to a glorious afternoon. I actually felt the drop in humidity while operating the floating book shop. Several of my regulars showed, as did a new donor, who gave me several books on quilting, two pictorials, a large paperback on origami, and a hardcover Marvel comic compilation. Thanks, folks. It was all good until Ol' Smoky parked his butt on the ledge that surrounds the garden before the apartment building where I set up. He went on one of his rambling diatribes, chain smoking Camels, perhaps scaring potential customers away. He stayed about an hour, dropping the F-bomb continually, coughing up a storm at one point. He said his ex-wife liked to go out for Chinese food after attending religious services. If I understood him correctly, and I'm never sure I have, she was also an alcoholic. His thoughts are so disconnected it is hard to keep up with them. He would fit in smoothly among Evanovich's characters.
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/cyckn3

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/27 -

When Cuz didn't contact me about our usual Monday golf date, I thought he'd made a mistake giving in to the weather forecast. I figured there might be late afternoon showers at most. They arrived early, about noon. I don't know how much it rained in Queens, where we play, but it poured in Brooklyn. Fortunately, I'd had an hour to do business at the floating bookshop. I brought out the 14 CDs Marie donated last week, hoping William, a local security guard who has bought so much music from me, would buy a few. He took all 14. Most were jazz and big band, and there was also gospel and a Dire Straits album. Thank you, sir, and also to the two Russian benefactors who donated books in their native tongue, two of which immediately sold.

It was all good, then all of a sudden it started pouring. I hustled the books under a large tree nearby with the help of Morty, a retired salesman, but it only helped for a few minutes. I tried to protect the books by putting them in plastic bags. Since the deluge showed no sign of abating and the tree wasn't providing any shelter, I decided to haul the stuff to the car, which was about 80 yards away, across Avenue Z. I had to make two trips. I was so soaked that it made no sense to sit in the car and try to wipe down the books with a towel. I decided to do it later. Of course, my main worry was damage to my own books. All the others are expendable. I haven't paid a dime for them. As I feared, the cover to Adjustments had long striations where its thin plastic veneer bubbled. It has happened before. A lucky soul will get a steep discount on it. My other books were okay. So was Love Dreams, the novel of my literary angel January/Victoria Valentine. A number of the used books were wet. I stood them on their spines near the rear window, where the sun will dry them, hopefully. Two of the cardboard boxes I  stored the books in were ruined. One originally held Wee Wee Pads, a pet care product for our four-legged friends, the sight of which occasionally aroused a chuckle from a passerby, especially the young. All in all, I was lucky, but I hope I don't have to go through it again tomorrow.

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/cyckn3

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/26 -

Radio talk show host Mike Gallagher, "the  happy conservative warrior," has written a book: 50 Things Liberals Love to Hate. It's official launch is in a few days, but copies can be pre-ordered at Amazon. Walmart and steakhouses cracked the list. At the moment it is ranked 7,336, not bad but not nearly as high as I would have expected for a book that is being promoted every day to thousands, if not millions, of listeners. Gallagher has also endorsed the anti-Obama documentary, 2016, which is doing well at the box office. I'm surprised that I still haven't heard any criticism of it from Democrats. It is now the sixth ranked political documentary of all-time, although it is a long shot to surpass Michael Moore's most successful films. The left's silence is curious. Are they hoping the film will simply go away? Are they afraid commentary will attract interest and more viewers?

It's now been almost two years since a police Sergeant shooed the floating book shop from busy 86th Street and 20th Avenue. He said he didn't want to see me anywhere along the commercial strip. I thought about setting up on the even busier Bay Parkway and 86th today, as business at 85th Street has been slow on Sundays. Alas, I lacked the nerve. I've never been a trouble maker. I'm not someone who would defy a cop, although I might be seething within. About an hour into today's session I was kicking myself, as the results were obvious. It was brutal, salvaged only by an eleventh hour sale of Judith Krantz's Scruples Two, the sequel to her wildly popular '70's potboiler. I suppose it was just as possible that I would have been ignored by 500 passersby a block away instead of 200. Fortunately, I had some good news from Amazon. I reached the payout threshold for Kindle sales and borrows for Killing and All Hallows. Thanks, folks.
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/cyckn3

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/25 - Steps

RIP Neil Armstrong, 62, American hero. What a thrill it was watching the moon landing way back in 1969. I had tears in my eyes. The event manifested the greatness of which man, despite his flaws, is capable. It was inspired by a President, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, whose flaws have been well documented in recent years, and achieved by the brain-trust at NASA. "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." That quote will live as long as humanity does.

I went to the Santa Rosalia Feast on 18th Avenue in Bensonhurst last night. I only just realized that I omitted it, not even mentioning it in passing, from my novel, Killing. My bad. I got to wondering who Rosalia was, and found the following at Wiki, editing it a bit: "According to legend, Rosalia was born of a Norman noble family that claimed descent from Charlemagne. Devoutly religious, she retired to life as a hermit in a cave on Mount Pellegrino, where she died alone in 1166. Tradition says that she was led to the cave by two angels. On the cave wall she wrote 'I, Rosalia, daughter of Sinibald, Lord of Roses, and Quisquina, have taken the resolution to live in this cave for the love of my Lord, Jesus Christ.' In 1624 a horrible plague struck Palermo. St Rosalia appeared first to a sick woman, then to a hunter to whom she indicated where her remains were to be found. She ordered him to bring her bones to Palermo and have them carried in procession through the city. The hunter climbed the mountain and found them. He did what she had asked and, after the procession, the plague ceased. St Rosalia was venerated as the patron saint of Palermo and a sanctuary was built in the cave where her remains were discovered." I wonder how many people know any of this. My sister, at least, knew that Rosalia's origin was Palerman. It's similar to how our major holidays are celebrated - fun and food, with little thought to their real meaning.

My thanks to Rick, who purchased a copy of Killing last night, and to the kind folks who bought books today on 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/cyckn3

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/24 - Impossible

I was so looking forward to seeing Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011) that I was sure I was setting myself up for a let down. Fortunately, that was not the case. I watched it last night, courtesy of Netflix. The series, now in its fourth installment, continues to deliver excitement. Of course, the outcome is always a given in such fare - the hero will prevail. The real show is the thrills and surprises, the plot twists, the fate of the co-stars. The film’s most exciting scene takes place on a skyscraper in Dubai. I repeatedly experienced that flash that is common when looking down from heights. There is the requisite gadgetry and special effects, including a chase through a sandstorm and another through a new age parking garage. Another plus is the inclusion of the original TV theme in the score. Although Tom Cruise has begun to lose his boyishness, it is not essential to his role here. My only quibble is with the banter between characters. It is frequently lame rather humorous, at least to my taste. There are also odd cameos from Ving Rhames and Michelle Monaghan, co-stars in the previous installment. I wonder if they were under contract to appear but were left out when the screenwriters couldn’t find a place for them. Perhaps they will return for number five. The ubiquitous Jeremy Renner, star of The Hurt Locker (2008) and the latest Bourne opus, is also in support, as is Josh Holloway, Sawyer of Lost, my first sighting of him since the end of the series. JJ Abrams, Hollywood’s most successful producer at the moment, proved loyal to his former employee. Brad Bird served as director, his ninth film. I have not seen any of his others. The pace is fast, the plot simple - a solid popcorn movie. On a scale of five, three-and-a-half. The folks at IMDb rate it 7.4 out of ten.

It is impossible to believe that Anders Breivek, the Norwegian terrorist who murdered 79 in a bomb and gun attack, received only a 21 year prison term. That is the maximum in Norway. He is only 33. If he serves the full sentence, he will be 54 when he is released, young and strong enough to do a lot more damage. I understand opposition to the death penalty. It is a noble position. But the lack of a life sentence in its stead seems insanity. As beautiful as Norway is, I'm glad I don't live there.

I will be doing my own version of Mission Impossible this evening, taking copies of Killing right to its source, 18th Avenue, where the annual Santa Rosalia Feast is underway. I'm curious to see if people react to the cover, which prominently displays the street sign. What have I got to lose, especially if I stay away from the sausage and peppers stand? My thanks to the kind folks who bought books during the afternoon session of the floating book shop, and to Marie, who donated more CDs and several books. She will be going to Canada for a few days. Have fun, madam.

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/cyckn3

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/23 - Queue

As I exited Stop n Shop at seven AM, I noticed a line of approximately 40 people across the street, waiting for the grand opening of a new Marshall's. It resembled Black Friday. There were several men in suits milling around, execs, I imagine. I approached and asked the first woman in the queue what time the store was opening. She had no idea. Even though I need a few pair of new shorts, I decided not to wait. Even the freebies stacked on a table inside the main entrance failed to entice me. People carried bags emblazoned with the store's logo past the floating book shop continually. One woman waited 45 minutes to get to a cashier. The shorts can wait.

On the heels of the Oakland A's Bartolo Colon's 50 game suspension for the use of performance enhancing drugs, comes rumors that Derek Jeter must be juicing, hence his amazing numbers at the age of 37. Just two years ago, know-it-alls were saying he was through. Now he is 1000 hits behind Pete Rose, the all-time leader. He has an outside chance of doing it. He figures to get a lot of at-bats at the top of the Skanks order, which is always productive. A part of me wants to see him go away, another part wants him to show up the idiots who criticize this sure-fire first ballot Hall of Famer. I hate the Yankees, but I'm not blind to Jeter's greatness. He would be a hell of a lot better representative of the all-time hits leader than Rose.

I wish I'd had a queue similar to Marshall's at the floating book shop, but I can't complain. I've whittled down the ten-box donation of Russian books, at least 300 hundred in total, to nine sci-fi novels. I'll bring those out tomorrow. Today a woman donated six, which all sold. Spasibo, folks. I'm also paring the large donation of excellent children's books my friends Adam and Sharon gave me last week. Ol' Smokey promised to pay in the future for a beautiful illustrated edition of Aesop's Fables. How could I have refused when he talks of suicide each time he visits? "Everybody gets there eventually," I said, clueless as to handle someone who seems to long for death. "Why not stick around?" He had just purchased a handsome chess set, its pieces made of glass, for ten bucks. Typically, he said he would enjoy smashing them. Sad story, a cautionary tale of the ravages of drug and alcohol abuse.
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/cyckn3

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/22 - Lessons

I've heard of the anti-Obama film, 2016, Obama's America, through Mike Gallagher's radio talk show. It is based on Dinesh D'Souza's book, The Roots of Obama's Rage. There has been a curious lack of coverage of it throughout the media. I haven't seen anything about it even in the NY Post, which has a conservative bias. I failed to find any reviews online. I would have expected the majority of the media to blast it as partisan and false, even worse. This morning Gallagher, the Happy Conservative Warrior, mentioned that the Hollywood Reporter claims the documentary is doing well at the box office, despite playing on only 169 screens nationwide. Even New Yorkers, who vote overwhelming Democratic, are filling the one theater where it's playing. By Friday it will be in 1075 theaters. Perhaps the liberal press is waiting for that to begin an all-out counter assault. The film is already the twelfth-most popular political documentary of all time. It was co-directed by D'Souza and John Sullivan.

Jack stopped by the floating book shop today. Somehow we got into a discussion about the news report that authorities found bricks and pipes atop a roof in Tampa less than one mile from where the Republican National Convention is to take place. He thinks it's a set up to tar the movement, which he at least agrees has its bad elements. In fact, he divides OWS into four groups: the Homeless, Anarchists, Socialists, and Capitalists like himself, who decry the Crony Capitalism that exists between politicians and corporations. He vilifies the first two segments as trash. While selling T-shirts in Manhattan, he holds up a pro-Romney, anti-Obama sign. He has been spit at by one guy and excoriated by a black woman who made fun of his rotting teeth. He is unique, his own man, although he's not quite playing with a full deck.

Mrs. Eclectic purchased her usual mix of books today, including two for her daughter. I also sold four large pictorials to an elderly Russian woman. My first customer purchased a novel based on fictional characters inspired by the fictional author on the TV series Castle. It has a picture of Nathan Filion, the show's star, on the back, as if there actually were a successful writer named Richard Castle. I hope the book is as much fun as the series. Thanks, ladies.

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/cyckn3

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/20 - Serials

Lisa Jackson is a frequent presence on the NY Times Best Sellers list. She has at least 75 books in print. She has as many as ten series going or completed, including one with her sister, Nancy Bush. She has even written under a pseudonym, Susan Lynn Crose. She is only 50 and producing more than a book a year. Although she also writes romance novels, she confesses to a fascination with serial killers, shared by so many readers and writers, unlike me, a cereal killer who often downs two bowls a day. I just finished Born To Die (2011). It is part of a series featuring Detectives Alvarez and Pescoli, both female, set in Montana, snow country. Although the mystery is solid, I thought the writing rushed, sloppy, her choice of certain words odd. I wonder how many drafts she does. Maybe quantity has become more important to her than quality. Maybe she is determined to cash in at the height of her popularity. This book could have been so much better, could have used another draft, or a better editor. And, at 473 pages, it’s at least 100 too long, even though it is in the larger print of today's paperbacks. There is a lot of domestic ground covered (Pescoli has married three times), and a lot of repetition overall. In thrillers, I prefer the basics, tautness, though I realize Jackson's fans probably want the extras. On a scale of five, two-and-a-half. I’d guess she and her loyal readers would scoff at my work except, perhaps, A Hitch on Twilight.

I hadn't sold a copy of Adjustments since June of 2011. I'd begun to regard it as my neglected step-child. I'm thrilled to report that Marilena, a fellow alumnus of Lafayette H.S., ordered one by mail. Her dad taught Drafting. I was a student of his freshman year. He was old school when teachers were still allowed to be that way. Thanks, Lena, and to all the other kind folks who purchased 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/cyckn3

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/20 - Putts

Remember the Seinfeld episode where George laments that all his instincts are wrong and Jerry suggests that he do the opposite of every one? That was sort of what I experienced on the golf course today, unintentionally, of course. It has been my best season ever using the driver, and worst in terms of short game. It would have been more apt to use the term putz to describe my use of the flat stick. I was missing more putts under five feet than Sergio Garcia, who, coincidentally, won this weekend's PGA event. For this round I was driving the ball to the right, sometimes way right, but chipping and putting beautifully. And my iron play was as good as it gets. As every once-a-week golfer knows, one is not allowed to put it altogether more than once a year, if that. I had six one-putts, shooting 87. My boy Cuz continues to struggle mightily, hitting the dreaded triple digits for the second week in a row. For a change, his short game has deserted him.

There is other news in the golf word, sad to many, including me. Augusta National, where The Masters is held, has finally caved, allowing two females members into the exclusive club. One is former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. I admire Rice, but I believe private clubs should be able to restrict membership to anyone. There are many organizations that are female only, and I don't have a problem with that. It has always been a dream of mine to play Augusta. It's not going to happen, and I'll just have to live with it. It's for a privileged few, and I haven't earned that privilege. I wonder if Groucho was referring to Augusta National when he said: "I DON'T WANT TO BELONG TO ANY CLUB THAT WILL ACCEPT ME AS A MEMBER."

There have been 20 deaths from the West Nile Virus in Texas. With that in mind, I sprayed myself with Off as soon as I got to Forest Park today. It was only the second time I've ever used it. I tried it the last time the virus had a strong presence, which must have been a decade ago, and couldn't stand it. Now 62 and possibly more vulnerable to such an illness, I thought it would be wise protect myself. I couldn't wait to get home and wash the stuff off me. The odor is still in my nostrils. Yuck!

RIP Phyllis Diller, 95, who made us all laugh in her numerous television appearances. She joins husband Fang in heaven.

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/cyckn3

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/19 -

It was a perfect day to sell books, cloudy, barely a breeze. I thank the folks who purchased. Here's an excerpt from an unpublished novel, Present and Past. It's set in the late '80's. I intended it as a sort of lost generation story.

Suddenly conversation at the bar ceased. The sound of the television was prevalent. Freddie turned from the set and looked toward the en trance, where a burly, mustachioed man in a chic leather jacket had paused, seemingly for effect. A black tote covered his bald ing head. Soon he strode  toward the end of the bar and ordered scotch on the rocks. His gold chains and rings glistened in the dim light. Although all eyes were upon him, he seemed oblivious of the attention. Freddie sensed trouble.
"Dom aroun'?" said the hulk, clenching a cigarette between yellowed teeth, lighting it emphatically and tossing his head back as he took a long drag.
"Can I help you?"
"No. If he's here, I wanna see 'im. If he ain't, I'll wait."
Smoke had issued from his mouth at each word.
"Whom shall I say is calling?"   
  "None of your business."
From the look on his face, Dominick seemed to know exactly what was in store. The brute gave him an earful. Freddie listen ed without being obvious, fascinated by the man's speech and mannerisms, which were stereotypical of the Brooklyn wise guy. Rarely did a night pass when he didn't observe something interesting. There wasn’t a more ideal setting for an aspiring actor, or any artist, than a bar. He'd learned much and longed to use it.
"I heard you dropped a dime on me," said the brute, pantomim ing the depositing of a coin into the slot of a pay phone.
He towered over Dominick, who was short and stocky.
Tim approached Freddie discreetly. "Believe this guy?" he said softly, chuckling.  
"Somebody should tell 'im phone calls've gone up to a quarter."
Freddie suppressed a laugh. "'Dropped a quarter on me' does n't have the same ring."
There was no doubt in his mind that a lack of levity was his major weakness as an actor as well as human being. He viewed things, even comedy, seriously. He supposed this was why he en joyed the company of characters. He envied the quick of wit, at times even those who were vulgar.
"Dom's scared," he said, suddenly concerned. "He isn't in debt to a loan shark, is he?"
Tim shrugged. "I haven’t heard anything. I remember this jerk. He useta come in with Mario Santucci. I bet Mario sent 'im in to pay Dom back for bustin' his balls about his tab the other night. I think he's only tryin' to throw a scare into 'im."
The man persisted, repeating the phrase about the dime, which Dominick, exasperated, again denied. Freddie, certain there would be nothing further of note to observe, decided to intervene.
   "Excuse me, Dom. We're low on vodka. Is there any in the back?"
Dominick stared dumbly a moment. "Yeah, sure," he said, sudden ly realizing the out he'd been given.
  He hurried to the rear.
Freddie lowered his head as a smile crossed his face. If the brute had had any sense at all he'd have realized how bad Dominick's acting had been. Freddie refilled the glass.
   "That's on me."
  He was not surprised that no thanks came forth.
Debbie brought out the vodka. The brute's face brightened. He whispered something to her and leered. She left without acknow ledging him.
   "Oh," he called out, "c'mere, doll-face."
Freddie resisted the urge to break the bottle over the brute's head. If he did that, he would have to kill him or be killed himself. He swallowed his pride and left Debbie's honor undefended. He was ashamed. He thought the world of her.
Dominick did not return. The brute remained, elbow propped on the bar. He faced the rear, craned his neck occasion ally, apparently searching for Debbie. The other patrons allowed him adequate space. No one engaged him in conversation. Freddie also kept his distance, hoping he would grow bored and leave. With business slow, the hulking presence was obtrusive. Freddie did n't mind it being slow occasionally, although it affected tips. It allowed him to observe and converse with the regulars. Al though he had a quiet nature, he often felt the need to talk at work, as he was usually alone at home.
Commotion arose as a laughing, pale, dark-haired man entered. The pall immediately lifted from the place. Cries of  "Tony!" spread. Smiles broke out on the faces of the patrons who greet ed him. He shook hands with the men and kissed the cheeks of the women, and finally settled beside the brute, who’d glanced past his shoulder briefly and  resumed facing the rear. Tony pre tended to stumble, bumped into him, and excused himself. The brute turned, smirked and regained his pose without a word. Tony winked at Freddie, tossed his head in the direction of the hulk, and laughed.
   "What’ll it be?"
"A rusty nail," said Tony, dropping a  twenty on the bar. "And gimme the good stuff, none of that crap from the speed rack. I  know how you bartenders are."
“Hustling, like you. What's your latest scam?"
   Tony ignored the query and turned his attention to the hulk. He made faces at the broad back and pretended to slap the thick neck, desisting abruptly and striking a pose of innocence as his target turned.
"You know Louie Nails from Sixty-fifth Street?" he said. "Louie
Zanzelone, I mean."
The brute stared at him with the imperiousness a nobleman might have shown a  peasant  who’d addressed him familiarly.
"No, it ain't you," said Tony. "I thought you were somebody else. Louie's bigger than you. He works out."
  Freddie nearly choked suppressing laughter.
"Maybe I should get a hat like that. I'm goin' bald too." He tilted his head, showing its crown. "Give 'im a drink, Fred. What's that?" He picked up the glass and sniffed the contents. "Black? Give 'im a double. I like a guy who knows 'is scotch."
  Freddie ground his teeth, looked away.
The brute, who apparently wasn't sure if the man he dwarfed was a flake or so stupid as to dare make a fool of him, remained silent as Tony addressed him. Besides, at the rate at which the little man spoke it would have been impossible to get in a word edgewise. It soon became obvious that he craved escape, and some how Tony kept him at bay. He rattled on, searching for a link between them, dropping the name of every wise guy he knew, some too ridiculous to be genuine, such as Frankie "Fool Around" and Joey "Jumper Cables." His words were punctuated with energetic gesticulations of arms, eyes and torso, and the waving of an ever-present cigarette.
 "You gotta go?" he said, seizing the hulk's bicep as the lat ter tried to step away. "Yeah, go 'head." And he went on a few minutes more. "What's your name, by the way?"
   "Joe."
"Joe what?"
   "Sparo."
"Sparo? You mean like 'shoot' in Italian? You're Joey 'Shoot'?" He shook his hand vigorously in mid air. "I heard a lot about you."
Sparo lowered his head, as if modest about his notoriety. Tony offered a handshake.
  "Anthony DiBenedetto, or Tony 'Brajole.'"
He grabbed his crotch. Freddie stepped away,  pretending to cough. Sparo shot him a hard look that indicated he'd caught on.
"I knew I seen you before. It's good to be quiet about who you know." He put a finger to his lips. "It keeps you atta trouble."
   Finally Spa.ro walked away.
"Nice talkin' to you," said Tony, then, quietly: "you dirty...." He turned to Freddie. "How much he leave you? A buck? Figures,  the cheap bastid."
"Your performance was payment enough, Mister Trani," said Freddie, depositing the bill into a mixing cup. "Or is it Mister DiBenedetto''"
"Good, no? Was he pissed? I hope so.  'Sparo,' my ass. His real name's Branco. He's Santucci's bitch, a real wise ass. I saw 'im beat the piss atta some poor slob for nothin' one night outside the Brown Derby. The guy bumped into 'im by accident or somethin’. The poor guy was about fifty, too. He didn't have a chance. This jerk-off’ll end up with a  bullet in his head some day, mark my words. He's a moron."
   "Why'd you stick your neck out like that?"
"'cause he makes me sick. He wouldn't do nothin' in here with all these witnesses aroun'. He's the type who only goes after little guys or guys with their backs turned. He'd be the first one to run if things got hot. That's why he's nobody."
   "Do you know every wise guy in Brooklyn?"
He shrugged. "These parts. I make it my business. You never know when it might come in handy."

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

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/17 - Protest

Russian punk rock band Pussy Riot has aroused a controversy that has gone global. Months ago they stormed an orthodox church and performed a punk prayer near the altar in protest of the church leader’s support of Vladimir Putin. The lyrics urge the Virgin Mary to throw the Premier out. Three female members of the ten-piece band were arrested and charged with hooliganism, the equivalent of disorderly conduct. They have been incarcerated ever since, and today received a sentence of two years. Paul McCartney and Madonna have spoken out in their defense. Protestors around the world have taken to the streets in support of the women. While Putin and the church leader are certainly not above criticism, I think the band went too far. If they had set up outside, the protest would have had greater resonance and legitimacy. They tarred all who worship there, especially those who seek only solace and have no interest in politics. Those parishioners are not at fault if their leader chooses to be a puppet. Of course, the authorities have completely botched the situation. A slap on the wrist would have been wiser. It looks like and probably is an attack on free speech. Now protesters worldwide are howling. Then again, does a thug like Putin even care about the opinions of foreigners? He is ex-KGB. Shame is not likely in his DNA. The entire affair manifests why it is better to let free speech go too far than to curtail it. The stupid, venomous things some say eventually go away, are replaced by other controversial remarks. To dwell on them only makes a situation worse. Of course, as a writer, my opinion is biased. A sound argument can be made that such speech has coarsened society. Still, it is better than repression. However, the inside of a place of worship should be off limits to demonstrations of this sort. Take it outside.

Sheila, a middle-aged woman who lives in the other wing of our building, purchased Close to the Edge two years ago. Although she said she liked it, I thought she was just being nice, as she didn't inquire about my other books. Today she passed the floating book shop and we exchanged greetings. She crossed East 13th on her way home. Suddenly she turned around and re-approached. "You wouldn't be doing this if you didn't have to," she said, holding a twenty, having no idea of an artist's madness. I assured her I would be promoting my books as long as health allowed. Again, I don't think she believed me. She bought both Killing and A Hitch in Twilight, and refused to take any other books as gifts. Thanks, madam, and to my other customers on an afternoon where the heat and humidity came roaring back. It had been a month between sales of my own books. They have often come in bunches in the past, and I hope will so again.

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

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/13 - Hits

Last night I watched another of the music videotapes I made, this one circa 1997. It began with a circus-like freak show, Porno for Pyros performing Hard Charger on Letterman. Guitarist Dave Navarro and bassist Flea guested, Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction fronted. The staging made it unique. It featured three costumed young women prancing about and singing backup. That was followed by a segment from a Robert Altman  PBS recreation of the Kansas City Jazz scene during the Great Depression, highlighted by a gritty blues vocal by Kevin Mahogany on a song I believe is titled Rhinehardt. The musicianship was first rate. Unfortunately, I was unable to find the clip at youtube. Altman also did a movie on the subject. Unlike the PBS production, it was terrible. The tape featured performances of the breakout songs of Jewel (You Were Meant for Me), Leann Rimes (Blue), Shawn Colvin (Sunny Came Home) and The Wallflowers (One Head Light), fronted by Jakob Dylan, Bob’s son. Rimes was 14 at the time. The yodel-like trill she did with the word blue, her ease, still amazes me. INXS did the funky Elegantly Wasted, with the late Michael Hutchence showing his great skill as a front man. Only 37, his death was ruled a suicide by asphyxiation, which was disputed by his wife. Grand Funk Railroad promoted its reunion tour on Leno, doing a medley: Closer to Home (great), American Band (so, so). Devo also reunited, performing a fun three-song set at an outdoor extravaganza, doing their silly robotic movements and shredding their yellow space suits. David Bowie was in top form on Letterman, doing Dead Man Walking, which features a riff donated by Led Zeppelin‘s Jimmy Page. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the clip on YT. Rusted Root did the rockin’ Ecstasy, notable for the outstanding acoustic lead work of its front man, Michael Glabicki. The Dave Matthews Band tore it up on Letterman, doing Too Much. And Depeche Mode was unbelievable on The Tonight Show, doing an unusually positive song for them, ironically titled It’s No Good. They received a loud and sustained ovation that was well-deserved. As for a highlight, I chose Porno for Pyros because of its wacky decadence and availablity: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoIJnT3m6XE Enjoy.

35 years ago today I was returning from work as a messenger in Manhattan, in the company of my friend Lou, when I heard the king had died. Lou, an All-City FB/LB on Lafayette’s undefeated 1970 team, went pale. He was one of the strongest guys I’ve ever known. I’m a few years older than him. I was in college, at the height of my strength, lifting weights daily, when he challenged me to an arm wrestle. It was over in a micro-second. I immediately asked for a rematch and suffered the same result. It was very humbling. Anyway, this blend of toughness and sweetness was a big fan of Elvis. When Phil, riding by on his bike, told us the bad news, Lou hung his head and said: “Now I’m gonna go upstairs and cry my eyes out.” He had recently married and was living in the apartment above his grandmother’s on what we referred to as “The Block,” Bay 37th.

It was all good today until I attempted to move my car for alternate side. There wasn’t even a peep when I turned the key. AAA got it started. I could have had the kid replace the battery on the spot. Fortunately, he was honest and said he wasn’t sure that was the problem, as something was blocking his test read-out. So it was with trepidation that I drove to Emil’s, worried it might be the computer. To my relief, it was only a minor part, besides the AC Delco. It cost me only $185. A month ago it would have been a big hit. Now that I’ve begun collecting Social Security, it was only an annoyance.

My thanks to the 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

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/15 - Gaffes

I don't believe for a second that Vice-President Joe Biden is a bigot, despite his infamous gaffes, the latest his use of a down-home accent and reference to chains. Can he be as stupid as he often appears? That's hard to believe, as it takes guile to win elections. However, I'm surprised the President hasn't replaced him on the ticket with Hillary Clinton. How much longer will the press give Biden a free pass on his ill-chosen words? Any Republican who made such statements would be forced to the sidelines by a media firestorm. Given the closeness of the race, Obama needs a boost. He can't run on his record, which is abysmal. He must rely on slander to diminish Romney. A large portion of the populace love the Clintons, believe the prosperity of the '90's was attributable to them. What would the President have to lose? This is his final campaign. He wouldn't have to worry about Hillary stealing his thunder. I don't get it, although I hope he sticks with Biden, which would give Romney a better chance of winning.

Former Yankees CF Melky Cabrera, currently with the SF Giants, has been suspended 50 games for use of testosterone. He is having a career year, leading the NL in batting, .346. He began to come into his own last year with the KC Royals, batting .305 with 18 homers, both career highs. He has hit only 11 homers so far this year. Aren't performance enhancers supposed to increase power significantly? On the one hand, given the sharp rise in his overall productivity, the testosterone seems to be the logical reason, but the low HR total suggests otherwise. The Giants have only 45 regular season games remaining, which means Cabrera would not be eligible to return until the sixth game of the playoffs. Of course, it is perfectly understandable why Cabrera or any player would use an illegal substance. He will be a free agent next year. Millions of dollars are at stake. Having been caught cheating will probably cost him a lot of money. But if he hadn't been caught....

I was very lucky today. I expected to be stuck indoors, as the forecast called for rain. To my surprise, the sun was shining. I set up the floating book shop, received donations of about 50 books, and had several sales. Thanks, folks.

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

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/14 -

Last night I watched Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, courtesy of Netflix. Based on John LeCarre’s 1974 novel, which was adapted into a PBS miniseries in 1979,  it depicts the quiet, real world of spying, so unlike the silly fun of the James Bond series, the tense, action-packed Bourne films, and even the MI5 TV series, which showcased edge of the seat suspense and the modern horror of terrorism. I don’t know why it was remade. The story remains rooted in the cold war era. It is not easy to follow. It is just too dry. Alfred Hitchcock said something like movies were life with the boring parts cut out. The film does have one major asset - a cast comprised of UK stalwarts: John Hurt, Colin Firth (The King’s Speech),  Ciarin Hinds, who goes all the way back to Excalibur (1981), Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock), and Gary Oldman in the role more suited for his predecessor, Alec Guinness. Even the aged LeCarre has a cameo. It’s always odd to see Oldman as a good guy, especially one as reserved as George Smiley. In his bio at IMDb, it says he has specialized in playing “borderline psychotics.” He has played Sid Vicious, Lee Harvey Oswald and Dracula, and has appeared in the Batman and Harry Potter series. My favorite performance by this great talent was as a Boston hood in the under-rated State of Grace (1990). No one would guess he was/is a Brit. He was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for T,T,S,S. It’s not nearly his best work. It’s just another case of the Academy finally catching up to an actor’s great body of work. The film was directed by Tomas Alfredson, who breathed life into the vampire genre with the excellent Let the Right One In (2008). On a scale of five, I rate T,T,S,S two-and-a-half. The folks at IMDb rate it 7.1 out of ten. The producers proved correct in doing a remake. Made for “only” 20 million pounds, it brought it 39 million worldwide, proving that LeCarre‘s work still has a significant audience. Cheerio, old chap.

I accompanied a friend on a trip to the doctor today. When she was ready to go home, it started sprinkling, and I knew I wouldn’t have the will to open the floating book shop. We had lunch at Hinsch’s, a Bay Ridge diner that has been in business about 100 years. The highlight was an Egg Cream, a NYC fountain drink that has neither egg nor cream and is rare these days. It’s just milk, seltzer and chocolate syrup. It brought back memories of a luncheonette my classmates and I used to frequent as students at St. Mary’s Elementary School. The Special was: burger, fries and an egg cream for 50 cents. We alternated between that and Reliable Bakery’s double square slice of pizza. That and a soda from the Five Sons deli added up to a quarter. A single slice alone today is $2.50 at Delmar’s. Things change.
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

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/13 - Glutton

There is encouraging news from Iraq, whose oil production is at its highest peak in 20 years. Currently, it is out-producing Iran and Kuwait. Perhaps the fact that this ran in a tiny item in today’s NY Post is a sign that the war torn country is on its way to stability, despite a recent spike in terrorist attacks. Then again, with America having pulled out, it probably manifests only the laziness or partisanship of the press. The hatred of many Shiites and Sunnis toward each other shows no sign of abating. Until that ends, freedom in the Arab world will always be in peril.

Rest in peace Helen Gurley Brown, 90, author of the groundbreaking work of non-fiction, Sex and the Single Girl (1962). The feminist tract, wildly popular worldwide, preceded the work of Germaine Greer, Betty Friedan and Gloria Steinem by several years. In fact, the term "feminism" may not even have been invented when the book was published. Brown also served as editor of Cosmopolitan magazine for 32 years.

I took to the links today. My buddy Cuz is really struggling out there, pulling and hooking almost every shot. Even his stellar short game couldn't bail him out today, as he surpassed the dreaded triple digits mark. He has broken 80 from the back tees at Forest Park at least four times in the past, which is no easy feat. I've broken it only once, from the white tees at the much easier Douglaston course. He used to play twice a week. We didn't play at all last year, and it seems to have really affected his ball-striking. I didn't play that well today, either, but I sank a couple of bombs from the fringe and made a couple of five-footers, which kept me in the ballpark. I finished with a 90. It's hard to score when your chip shots are going sideways and you continually miss putts under four feet. I wasn't in the right frame of mind. I made the mistake of checking my book sale stats at Amazon. As I'd expected, the woman who said she would upload Killing and A Hitch in Twilight to her Kindle did not. The literary process is more frustrating than usual at present. Nevertheless, I will be back at it tomorrow. Like golf, the writer's life is perfect for gluttons of psychological punishment. Perhaps four more chocolate chip cookies will make it all better.
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

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/12 - Hope

I'm impressed with Mitt Romney's choice for Vice-President. Paul Ryan seems to knows his stuff and, more importantly, may be able to articulate his ideas on the economy, especially the growing problem of entitlements. It will not be easy. 90% of the media will hurl as much mud as possible at the Republicans, and do its best to scare the electorate into voting for the President. Given the state of the economy, the election should be no contest, but Romney lacks charisma, and a lot of people still blame Bush, who deserves it because his economic policies in his second term were liberal. Romney has to convince a significant portion of the more than 50% of Americans that receive some sort of government assistance that his way is better. His recent trip to Europe, where I thought he hit all the right notes, shows how the press will hammer him mercilessly until Election Day. The appointment of Ryan has given the right hope.

I hadn't been impressed with the PBS reunions of old rock n rollers for several years. I found the productions nauseatingly slick and I suspected that some of the acts pre-recorded their vocals. Last night I happened to catch a ten minute segment. The Tokens were introduced by legendary NYC disc jockey Cousin Bruce Morrow, who said the entire original line-up was intact, including the original Jay of Jay and the Americans. Jay Black was their second lead. The group did a great rendition of The Lion Sleeps Tonight, aided by a young woman who sang the operatic highs. And I believe it was not pre-recorded. That was followed by a knock-out performance by Little Anthony and the Imperials. It was so good I suspected it was gleaned from a past concert at least 15 years old. Wimoweh!

It looked like it was going to be a very disappointing session for the floating book shop. I had only one sale in almost three hours, a baby guide to a young mom. Then actor/singer extraordinaire Johnny Feets showed and bought The Amityville Horror. While we were gabbing, an energetic elderly woman approached and lamented that she had recently donated 276 hard cover books to the Salvation Army, as she has acquired a Kindle. I told her she'd done the right thing and mentioned that Killing and A Hitch in Twilight, which Johnny Boy wholeheartedly endorsed, were available electronically. Her face lit up, especially when she learned that the family in Killing is Italian-American. I wrote down the information and she thanked me profusely, promising to pass it on to friends. I try not too get to excited about such events, as people never follow up. Once they leave without having purchased one of my books, I rarely hear from them again. But it was a shot in the arm. It's been awhile between sales 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

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/10 - Tidbits

Here's something that manifests how the world has change since I was a boy. Trojan has sponsored a giveaway of vibrators in lower Manhattan. It was closed down the first day by the Mayor, who has campaigned against smoking, trans fats, large soft drinks and baby formula. He flip-flopped this time, and the party resumed the next day. Women by the thousands, and even some men, lined up for a free device, batteries included. Does this say anything significant about our society? One thing for sure, shame has all but disappeared. Is that a good thing? Let the arguments rage.

In an op-ed piece in today's NY Post, Dale McFeathers cited a study that estimates that cats kill four billion animals per year. 12% are birds. Lizards, snakes, chipmunks, insects and worms are among the others. Holy feline, Batman! Nothing is as ruthless as nature.

What is the most popular pastime of the slimeballs housed in the prison at Guantanamo Bay? Would you believe watching Will Smith in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air? I didn't believe it, either. The librarian has ordered all six seasons on DVD. Life never ceases to amaze.

If you're looking for a mature drama, I caught up to The Descendants (2011) last night, courtesy of Netflix. Set in Hawaii, it is a story focused on family, the good, the bad and the ugly of it. Has any American actor made as many good serious films as George Clooney the past decade? Of course, the film has the typical Hollywood bias toward the dysfunctional, but such families are usually more interesting than happy ones. Tolstoy said it best: "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." On a scale of five, I rate The Descendants four. The folks at IMDb rated it 7.3 out of ten.

So the Lakers have acquired Superman, Dwight Howard. The NBA is rigged - who knew?

The floating bookshop was open only a half-hour before the rain came, but my good luck continued. A gentleman bought Martin Scorsese's The Departed (Best Picture Oscar 2006) on Blue Ray, and a large Mayo Clinic book on digestive health. And Ol' Smokey paid an outstanding debt. Thanks, gentlemen.

Since I had some hours to fill, I went to Target and bought a mini-fridge, something I've neglected too long. My old refrigerator is on its last legs, working only ten percent of the time, if that. I've been moving items in and out of the freezer for about a year. It was a pain in the butt. There was a deluge while I was in the store. On the way home traffic inched along for the first mile. In the area of the perpetual construction the Belt Parkway has been undergoing, there was a river at least six inches deep. It has always had a problem with flooding, but that was extraordinary. A little higher and it would have been impassable.

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

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/8 - Dreams

I had another vivid dream last night. I was walking across the pedestrian bridge that spans lower Sheepshead Bay when, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a huge wave coming from the lower end, which is absurd, as the ocean is the other way. Not having time to get across - it's about 200 yards long - I dove into the water and tried to make it to the bottom so the wave would pass over me. Later, I dreamed I grabbed a young Asian boy, who was fishing and had his back to the danger, by the collar of his shirt and hauled him to safety. Somehow I was in two places at once. I think I know the meaning. I hope to avoid the economic tsunami I believe is coming, which has been caused by policies geared toward the entitlement generation and which are especially daunting for future generations. I hope I'm wrong.
After consecutive successful days for the floating book shop, it looked like I wasn't going to have a single sale today. Fortunately, buyers showed up during the third hour. I sold a bag of seven Harlequin novels I've had for more than a year to a middle aged woman, and I let Mikhail/Mr. Almost have four Russian novels for a dollar. I had to get rid of inventory, as Simon bombarded me with another large donation, and who better to give a deal to than a loyal customer. The highlight of the day was the sale of my literary angel's romance, Love Dreams. Young women seem to be attracted to its cover, which is different from the original she'd chosen. Here it is:

I made the last of my airport runs this morning, at least for a while, taking my niece to LaGuardia. She's making a stop in her old stomping grounds in Grand Rapids, Michigan before heading home to Denver. For a change, it went like a dream. I arrived home early enough to snag a parking spot after the street cleaner had passed. I had the least possible distance to haul my overloaded crates. Yay for the home team.
My thanks to the 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

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/8 - Party

Yesterday was a great day. Although it was an abbreviated session for the floating book shop, I had several sales and donations. A young man pulled his car up to the bus stop and asked if I wanted the books he had in his trunk, which he'd tried to unload at a flea market, where it's hard to turn a profit, as a set up fee is charged. That's why I take to the sidewalks. He gave me several huge Stephen King tomes and a bunch of how-to and cook books. I sold a lot of them. And Ali Baba showed up with a batch of novels Simon, the 84-year-old veteran, left at the gyro stand. Thank you, sirs.
We timed our trip to Jersey perfectly, going and coming. Traffic was a breeze. And my nieces, Isabel and Tanya, paid for the gasoline, which is forty cents cheaper in the Garden State than Brooklyn. Luci couldn't make it, as she had to work. We celebrated the 14th birthday of my great-niece/godchild Danielle. Fortunately, her mom, Sandra, and dad were able to get away from work early, so we were all at a table in Applebee's before six. There were a couple of beautiful waitresses on the staff. Unfortunately, they weren't our servers. One, a blond, sat directly in my sight line for a long while - two dishes for the price of one. I ordered the Bourbon Street Chicken and Shrimp, and really enjoyed it. Dani ordered pasta. She wore a purple tiara that matched her blouse. My sister, who at 82 is 20 years older than me, had the Fish and Chips - and dessert. I am amazed at her appetite, and she is so thin! She picked up the entire tab. I call her Mrs. Rockefeller. The highlight, of course, was when the staff approached clapping rhythmically and chanting, which was a lot more fun than the singing of Happy Birthday.
Recently, the family traveled south to scout college locations for Ron Jr., who will be a junior this year and has an eye on a career in pharmaceuticals. Whilst in a restaurant in Tennessee, where a local blue grass band was playing, Ron Sr. approached the banjo player. Soon Sr. and Jr., a guitarist, were asked to sit in with the band. The locals really took to the Yankees and extended invitations to their homes the next time they were in that neck of the woods. This was so different than what they experienced in North Carolina, where they felt the folks weren't too pleased with their presence. At least they weren't there for white water rafting like the guys in James Dickey's Deliverance. Who knows what might have happened to them? Ronnie most likely will be attending the university at Chapel Hill. He is growing up - and still growing. He recently attended a week-long seminar at Columbia University in Manhattan, his first time on his own, and he had a ball.
Business was good today also at the floating book shop. The same young man donated even more books, many of them in the health genre, a couple of which sold. Lev bought three of the huge Stephen King volumes, Herbie another. The only negative - and I'm not sure it is the case - is that my own books may be overshadowed by the selection I'm now carrying. Now that I'm receiving Social Security and don't really need the book shop dollars anymore, I'd rather focus on my own books, but it's hard to turn down the nice people who make an effort to bring me 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

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/7 - Preview

There will be an abbreviated session of the floating book shop today, then I'll be off to Jersey to celebrate the 14th birthday of my great niece/godchild Danielle. Meanwhile, here's a preview of the story I've been working on the past week. It's about 95% done. I used a few Italian terms. I'm not sure about the spelling of one, i sciarri, marital arguments. I'll have to ask my sister and oldest niece, Isabel, about it. I changed the title of the piece from Paradise Lost, already taken by John Milton, to Bad Form, mala figura, to use the Italian phrase:
Clarissa and Vinnie exited the theater holding hands. Vinnie’s eyes brightened as he took in the beauty of the summer night, the bustle of the Brooklyn street.
“That was the worst,” said Clarissa, miffed.
He chuckled. Her face tightened.
“How can you laugh? It’s not like movies are cheap anymore.”
“No risk, no reward.”
“The critics should be shot.”
He was surprised by her anger. In the six months they’d been dating, he’d never seen her like this. She’d been distant all evening. He was unsure what to do or say. They were silent as they walked to the car.
“Doesn’t anything ever bother you?” she finally blurted.
He looked at her face, which was remarkably unlined for 55. What genes she had. She could pass for 35. People said he had the body of a young man, but her beauty was timeless.
“One thing I’ve learned is that ninety-nine percent of life isn’t worth getting mad about.”
“You’re always so positive, so happy. It’s not normal.”
He stopped, sensing she wanted a fight. “I spent the first thirty-five years of my life being miserable, bewildered by the enormity of life, befuddled by the cruelty of humans to each other. I don’t want to go back there.”
“How come I never saw it? At least until….”
She didn’t have to complete the sentence. He knew what she’d been about to say - until she’d read his work, especially his first novel, which she’d just finished. She’d read his four books in reverse order at his suggestion.
“That is odd, although my unhappiness was inner, inside my head. Maybe it went on hold whenever your family visited ours and I knew I’d see you.”
She let go of his hand, folded her arms to her breasts and looked away. Damn, she was beautiful - a complexion to die for, rich dark hair, deep brown eyes. He loved the slight rasp in her voice, loved her good-natured laugh. How could he be anything but happy in her presence at this stage of his life, 62? He remembered how touched he’d been the first time, as a teenager, she came to his room uninvited. She seemed attracted to him and he did not understand why. Was it his muscles or because he was a college man? He was masculine, certainly not handsome. And she’d had a boyfriend, whom she eventually married. And he’d had a long undefined journey ahead of him before he dared think of marriage. He’d held his heart at bay. She was so old-fashioned he’d had to beg her to dance at a New Year’s Eve party at the house of a friend across the street. And it wasn’t even a slow dance. They did not touch at all. Her younger sister scolded her as if it were adultery.
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

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/6 - Op-Eds

There were two particularly interesting op-ed pieces in today's NY Post. George Marlin focused on the pay of legislators. In Texas it's $7200; in Connecticut $28,000; New Jersey $49,000; New York $79,000 - and they want a raise! And this doesn't even count their perks. An elite class of the corrupt and entitled has been created. Too bad their pay scale wasn't up to the citizens. I'd vote that they receive the national average, which might have many rushing for the exits. Then again, they could always make up the difference in bribes. What a racket!
George Will addressed the dangers of football, a game he dubs a mistake. The average life expectancy for those who play five years in the NFL is less than 60, even lower for offensive linemen, many of whom are in excess of 300 pounds these days. I was an assistant coach at the high school level for six years. The game has become more dangerous than ever, as players are bigger, stronger and faster. There is no effective means of reducing injuries without emasculating the game and reducing fan interest. And I always wonder what effect banning the game would have on our national character. Also, our most aggressive young men would be deprived an outlet that might keep them from questionable behavior off the field. And if football were banned, wouldn't boxing have to be as well? Perhaps what will doom football in the end, at least at the professional level, are lawsuits. There is a class action underway on behalf of those who suffered concussions. Pro sports is all about money. The loss of profits is about the only thing that would endanger the NFL.

Stunk it up on the golf course today, the most unsatisfying round of the year. Kudos to Cuz, whose short game continues to be stellar. He had an 84, despite poor ball-striking. We played Kissena Park, a par 64. I had an 89. My chipping and putting continue to be putrid.
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

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/5 - Bad News

There's a maniac on the loose in our section of Brooklyn. On June 6th a shop keeper was murdered at 7718 5th Av. in Bay Ridge. The creep used a .22 caliber handgun. This past week another at 1877 86th Street met the same fate. Neither victim was robbed. Police are wondering if the similarity in the building numbers is purely coincidental. Today I saw a young man, walking with a friend, who fit the description, sunglasses at the crown of his head. He was looking back and mimicking shooting someone in the distance, his hand made into a gun. He seemed only stupid. Witnesses described the suspect as disturbed. Here's a sketch of him and a picture of his latest victim:

Bad News Billy visited the floating book shop today, sporting a welt on his arm. He recently was attacked by a co-worker at a minor, private construction job. The guy teased Billy about living with a 13-year-old girl, his grand-daughter, making untoward suggestions, and things got ugly. The guy whacked Billy in the head with a bat, breaking his glasses, then went after his car, breaking the windshield. Billy reported it to the police, who told him pursuing prosecution wasn't worth the hassle. He was told to try to first get the guy to pay for damages, and proceed from there if he wasn't satisfied. Despite this, Billy was nice enough to buy some VHS tapes and a copy of The South Beach Diet. I gave him a book for his rebellious grandkid, who has a big math test tomorrow in summer school - Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul. I hope it helps.
Lorraine also stopped by. She has been suspended seven days from her clerical job. She has been feuding with a new supervisor ever since he came onto the scene. She said she recently tried to read Close to the Edge, which she purchased a few years ago. She stopped at a critical juncture about halfway through, feeling the graphic scene didn't fit. I've sold 348 copies, and this was the first time anyone had said this. Most readers have found the scene riveting and disturbing. It's always interesting to see how people interpret your work. She was nice enough to buy Nicholas Sparks' The Choice.
My thanks also to the young man who rolled up on his bike and bought a couple of non-fiction books, including one by Emily Post. Every time I hear that name I think of the Three Stooges and Moe telling Curly to "mind your Emily Post," whereupon Curly, smiling, releases his pinky from the tea cup he's drinking from.
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

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/4 - Luck

Carla Neggers has been writing since she was eleven. She has had great success, publishing 60 novels in the romantic mystery genre. Her work has been translated into 24 languages. I just finished Kiss the Moon (1999). Set in rural Vermont, she describes the area convincingly. The characters are believable and interesting. The mystery worked, although the climax did not ring quite true. It's not easy to create something that is plausible and exciting. As for the romance, it's just not my cup of tea. Of course, I understand this is what her fans expect of her. I simply prefer a cut to the chase. The writing is solid. On a scale of five, two-and-a-half. Tami Hoag's A Thin Dark Line remains the best mystery I've sampled. It transcends the genre. Joy Fielding and Daniel Silva are the smoothest writers. I've restricted myself to one book per mystery writer, so I may not have caught the best work of the others.
I dreaded opening the floating book shop today. It was already hot when I walked to the bank at 10 AM. I was sweating and constantly sniffing at my armpits. I sprayed my T-shirt with Febreze before leaving my sister's house at noon. To my surprise and relief, there was a nice breeze blowing along Bay Parkway, so it was quite pleasant under the tree in front of the Chase Bank. Fortunately, Jack was working. I had a bunch of thrillers I knew he would like, all donated by Simon during the week. He bought five, and a couple bought three. But the best part of the day was a chat I had with Jan (Yon), another employee of Chase. He was 14 when his family emigrated from the Soviet Union. They lived in St. Petersburg. I asked if things were as bad as was believed, which was a dumb question given that his family had chosen to leave. On his first day at school at the age of six, he was turned away, as the quota for Jews had been met. His mom is Jewish. She had to go to the school and fudge the paperwork so that he could enter. He also said that his parents, in the 50's and 60's when western music was banned, would somehow record the Beatles and other artists on x-rays, which were called Bone Records. I had never heard of this before. Sadly, he had an uncle who disappeared two days after making a joke about communism at a gathering. The guy was never heard from again. I wonder if the likes of Bill Maher and Roseanne Barr realize how lucky they are to live in a country that allows them to get away with the things they say.
I learned something else today. In honoring a follow request on Twitter, a young man asked if I was into Emotobooks, which are designed for tablets. What makes them unique is the placement of images that interpret the feelings of the characters. I'll leave this and Kindles to the young.
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

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/3 - Paisans

This week I watched a television production of Dr. Zhivago (2002), courtesy of Netflix. It was in two parts, each less than two hours. Based on the novel by Boris Pasternack, one can't help but compare it to David Lean's 1965 film, which won five Oscars. The first is more cinematic, of course, the second more intimate. Which Lara was better, Julie Christie or Kiera Knightley? Christie was so beautiful, her blue eyes so devastating, that she was irresistible. Knightley, in one of her early roles here, displayed the talent that has made her one of the world's best actresses - toss up. And the villain - Rod Steiger vs. Sam Neill? The former was volatile, the latter chose a more reserved sense of menace - toss up. As for the hero.... I was never a fan of Omar Sharif. Hans Matheson, 27 at the time of release, was excellent. Of course, the story and the backdrop, the madness Russia was undergoing, are the stuff writers dream of. Not having read the novel, I don't know which version follows it more closely. As far as I recall, only the endings are considerably different. There is no ambiguity in the latter. I was particularly impressed with one ten-minute stretch where the doctor is forced to serve a revolutionary squad and witnesses harrowing atrocities. The original's score, by Maurice Jarre, was memorable, particularly Lara's Theme. It won the Oscar. I kept hearing it in my head as I watched the remake, which used what seems like Russian folk music, although the score is credited to a paisan, Ludivico Einaudi. Two mournful pieces in the second part perfectly captured the mood, the tragedy Russian was undergoing. The production was also directed by a goombah, Giacomo Campiotti. Hai fatto bene, signore. On a scale of five, four. The folks at IMDb rate it 7.3 out of ten. The original scores eight. Both are more than worthwhile.
When people are panting from the humidity, it usually isn't a good omen for business. Fortunately, that wasn't the case today for the floating book shop. My spirits buoyed as soon as I saw Mrs. Eclectic approach. She didn't disappoint, buying eight books across the genre spectrum. But the best sale of the day was odd. Among the 30 or so books Simon, the 84-year-old vet, donated the other day was one in German that had the word Kampf, as in Hitler's Mein Kampf, in the title. I know it means "struggle." At first I thought I'd have to wait for a fluke occurrence, a German-speaking person to pass, to unload it. Then I remembered Hans, aka Mr. Su Do Ku, who is Swiss. Sure enough, he showed today and is fluent in German. He explained that the title referred to a coming battle, an endgame. Although we've spoken countless times, it was his first purchase. Thank you, sir, and madam, and the other buyers.
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