Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 9/30 - Grey

Films about survival have long been a Hollywood staple. Last night I caught up to The Grey (2011), courtesy of Netflix. It stars Liam Neeson, who has excellent instincts in selecting scripts in the thriller genre. But this is more than an action flick. It is grim existentialism. Throughout the film there are brief flashbacks of the love the hero lost, and of his deceased, hard-drinking Irish father, who had a fondness for poetry and whose four-line poem haunts his son. The supporting characters have interesting things to say. The group shares laughter despite dire circumstances. And, of course, there is railing at the Almighty. I don’t know how accurate it is in its depiction of wolves, but that is irrelevant, as they are as much metaphor as real. A lot of the action occurs at night or in a tight frenzy, again metaphorically to a large degree, capturing the dark mystery of life. This is Ingmar Bergman territory. The film, his seventh as director, was a major step up for Joe Carnahan, best known for The A-Team (2006). He co-wrote the screenplay with Ian Mackenzie Jeffers, whose short story, Ghost Walker, inspired it. Made on a very modest budget of 25 million, it failed to attract a significant audience in America but did well internationally, taking in 77 million overall. On a scale of five, I rate it four. It is rated 6.9 at IMDb.
Once more into the fray
Into the last good fight I'll ever know
Live and die on this day
Live and die on this day

Every two years teams of U.S. and European golfers compete for the the Ryder Cup. Given that there are no cash prizes involved, it is amazing how hard the pros play and how dramatic the event often is. It was no different this time. On Saturday, Europe trailed 5-10 when England's Ian Poulter, who may be the most successful Ryder Cup player of all-time, made an eight foot birdie putt on the last hole to close the gap to 6-10. Today the Europeans routed the Yanks in the greatest comeback on foreign soil in the history of the event. Germany's Martin Kaymer made a five-foot putt for par on the 18th to win his match against Steve Stricker, making the results of the last match, in which Tiger Woods was leading, irrelevant. The great Woods has been an abysmal failure throughout his career in Ryder Cup play. He had a chance at redemption cruelly snatched away from him. The Europeans dedicated the event to the great Spanish champion Seve Ballesteros, who passed away recently. Ballesteros was mentor to Jose Maria Olazabal, this year's team captain, whose eyes glazed when Kaymer's putt fell.

I set up shop today at the annual 3rd Avenue festival in Bay Ridge. A few people stopped by, but no one bought any books. I ran into Bay 37th Street alumni Suki, a great friend of my niece Tanya. She had a booth on 76th Street. Unfortunately, I couldn't find her on my way out. There were thousands of people there. The highlight of the day was watching a middle age couple in an impromptu dance to Barry White's Can't Get Enough of Your Love in front of The Pearl Room restaurant directly across from where I was standing. 

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 9/29 - Robbery

France has instituted a 75% tax on millionaires in an attempt to cure its fiscal woes, proving once again that there are no greater thieves than Socialists. There will be no cutting of any government programs. This must have our own leftists agog with excitement, drooling. I've said this before: what do they do when this new revenue is squandered? Of course, there is also the chance that the economy will be so damaged that tax revenue will fall short of expectations.

West Virginia defeated Baylor today 70-63 - in football, not basketball.

I set up shop at my usual Saturday spot outside the Chase bank at Bay Parkway and 85th Street. Yon, an employee, stepped outside for a smoke break, and we exchanged greetings. He said there was an attempted robbery yesterday. The perpetrator passed a note to a female teller, who panicked, scaring the guy away. His image was captured on the security cameras. Even though no cash was lost, the bank had to close and all the money had to be counted. It is standard procedure. Four years ago a crew burst into the bank and fired four shots into the ceiling. One slimeball put a gun to Yon's head and demanded cooperation. Of course, everyone complied. A year later the crew was apprehended as they tried to rob another bank. Imagine having the barrel of a gun pressed to your temple. How would you react? Would you freeze or crumble or whimper? And how would it affect the rest of your life? I hope I never find out, although I sometimes wonder, in this economic climate, if some dirt bag might pull a gun on me.

A girl of about ten spotted the Harry Potter novels I had on display and got her mom to back track and take a look. They scored pristine hardcover editions of year one and two for five bucks, highway robbery. Thanks, ladies, and also to Bad News Billy, who bought an illustrated version of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, simplified for children, for his grandson. He hasn't paid his electric bill since June. He owes more than $750. I always feel I'm robbing him.

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 9/28 - Elementary

I watched two new prime time shows last night. Last Resort aired on ABC at eight. TV veteran Andre Braugher stars as the Captain of a U.S. submarine directed to launch missiles at Pakistan. When he seeks confirmation of the order, his ship is fired upon by another American ship, suggesting that rogue elements have taken over parts of the Navy and that a civil war has begun. I hope this doesn’t descend into a right wing nuts vs. left wing heroes thing. The first episode was directed by Martin Campbell, who has had great success in action films: Goldeneye (1995), The Mask of Zorro (1998), Vertical Limit (2000) and Casino Royale (2006). I noticed at the show's web site that the next episode is directed by someone else. I was so startled by the premise I’m not sure what to think of it right now. Robert Patrick, the android in the second Terminator film, has a supporting role.

Sherlock Holmes is one of the most enduring fictional characters in the history of western literature. Robert Downey and Jude Law have starred in two recent films about the quirky detective with ingenious powers of deduction. PBS has effectively brought Holmes into modern London in a mini series. And now CBS has brought him to modern New York and partnered him with a female Watson, played by the beautiful Lucy Liu. Jonny Lee Miller, a veteran of many British productions, stars and Aidan Quinn is in support as an NYPD detective. The show is off to a solid start. Fortunately, the hero’s thoughts and speech don’t fly quite as fast as they do in the BBC version starring Benedict Cummerbatch (what a great name). He does share the same massive ego, which may make viewers wonder how anyone, especially Watson, can stand his presence for very long. Case in point: She attends an opera, solo, and Holmes enters all agog about evidence and rudely makes his way toward her seat. He ignores the shushes of the audience and has the audacity to call someone on his cell phone. This was taking character development too far. It's clear that he is a neurotic unable to control his impulses. I thought it would have been better if Watson had slapped her palm across his mouth and whispered: “Wait until this act is over.” As it was, he should have been pummeled by the males in attendance. Other than that scene, I enjoyed it. CBS is giving Elementary great backing, airing it right after the popular Person of Interest. The Mentalist has been moved to Sundays at ten.

Showers had me try my luck in the shelter of the viaduct on Avenue Z. While a surprising number of people passed, none were interested in buying books.

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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 9/27 - Pact

Jodi Picoult has been writing since the age of five. There are 14 million of her books in print. She did a brief stint for Wonder Woman comics. Five of her novels have been adapted to the screen, four by the Lifetime network, including The Pact, which I just finished. As the title suggests, the theme is suicide, in this case teenage. The action alternates between Then and Now. The characters are realistically portrayed. The psychological effects on the parents are spot on, the strength of the narrative. I was not satisfied with that of the girl who decides to end her life. Then again, the tragedy of teen suicide is not uncommon and often comes as a complete mystery to survivors. I will not rate the book, as the theme has never worked for me in film or literature. It does work for many. The Pact is on the reading list at many high schools. The prose and dialogue are solid. I found some of the metaphors obscure, but that may reflect my own ignorance. There was more than one paragraph that confused me initially, beginning with a character speaking, followed by the thoughts of another, and ending with the first speaking again. I also spotted more little errors than usual in a popular book. It was a bit longer than necessary. The defense attorney's teenage son could have been dropped entirely without damage to the story, although I realize it was an attempt at a parallel with the main characters. I hated the ending, completely disagreeing with the jury's verdict. Still, a writer who would tackle such a subject should be commended. It is refreshingly serious work.

Rest in Peace Andy Williams, 84. His beautiful voice graced television, radio and films. He was the epitome of decency. Here’s the song list from his greatest hits compilation:
Born Free
Days of Wine and Roses
Moon River
Dear Heart
Hawaiian Wedding Song
More
Almost There
Charade
Happy Heart
Can't Get Used to Losing You  (My favorite)
May Each Day
Well done, sir. Thank you.

There wasn't much action at the floating book shop today. I sold only one book, a Reader's Digest four in one of abridged novels. Thanks, ma'am.

Visit Vic's sites:

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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 9/26 - Prosper

There is controversy in the NYC subway system about an advertisement. When I first heard about it I thought I thought it was foolishly provocative. Now that I've actually seen it I don't object to it at all. Here it is:

Of course, this upsets those who believe there is a moral equivalence between Israel and Jihadists. A few years ago there was debate over what Jihad actually meant, some claiming it meant any type of struggle. I sensed that was a con. Regardless, there's no debate over what type of Jihad the ad condemns - the type that brings suicide bombers onto buses and into restaurants and one day may detonate a nuclear bomb in Israel.

Not many of the new shows in the network’s fall prime time schedule has aroused my interest. Vegas is one. I watched its debut last night and found it routine. Its strongest element is its cast, although Dennis Quaid’s character seems more cliché than human right now. The full-figured Carrie-Anne Moss of the Matrix films is the female lead. Stalwart TV tough guy Michael Chiklis brings appropriate menace to the Mafioso who has just hit town. Jason O’Mara (Band of Brothers, Life on Mars) is one of the many UK actors who portray Americans genuinely. The series is set in the early days of Sin City, although I didn’t catch what year exactly. Judging by the cars, I’d say the 60’s, post Bugsy Siegel. The casinos are already in place. I assume the characters are fictional. I hope the show improves. It will be interesting to see if Quaid adds depth to the hero’s characterization.

Since there is a large Jewish presence where I usually set up the floating shop, I decided to venture to Park Slope today, and it was all good. The traffic along Coney Island Avenue was smooth each way, as many businesses were closed. The trip was 15 minutes less than usual. I found a parking spot immediately. And I sold several books, including A Hitch in Twilight, purchased by Paula, whose hand was in a fresh cast. A middle age Asian woman bought a couple of books on plants and returned a half hour later and gave me a small bottle of water and a banana. I jotted my name down for a couple of people interested in looking me up on the web. And an exchange of greetings with a boy of eight or so capped the great day. He was wearing a Star Trek type shirt that had that communications swoosh above the right breast. For a change I was able to react immediately, not after the fact. I lifted my hand and said: "Live long and prosper." and the little guy flashed Spock's greeting in return. His mom got a big kick out of it.

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 9/25 - Wounds

I didn’t want to have to weigh in on the NFL officiating issue, but last night’s controversy compels me. Fans and sportswriters are in an uproar, citing incompetence. As Phil Mushnick pointed out in his column in the NY Post this past weekend, these are likely the same people who were excoriating the regular league refs just a few years ago. I’ve always found the officiating in pro football exasperating. Pass interference and holding, both offensive and defensive, can be called almost every play. If all violations were called, games would last six hours, if not longer. As a result, the penalty calls often seem whim, willy-nilly, forgiven one play, flagged the next. There is an extreme bias toward the offense. A defender who covers his man like a glove will be penalized if his timing is off a fraction. Poor timing between a receiver and quarterback is too often rewarded. Is there a solution? I doubt it. Fortunately, errors in officiating rarely, if ever, determine an outcome. They are merely annoying. Replay has helped correct some errors, but I’m still not sold that it’s a good idea. I hit the remote whenever a coach challenges a ruling. Someone please explain why simultaneous possession is ruled a completion, not an incompletion, which seems the fairest outcome. Even that rule is skewed toward the offense.

The floating book shop was closed today, as I accompanied a friend on a visit to the doctor. It was a three-hour wait, one of which was devoted to the newspaper. I took a walk and was shocked at the number of stores along 4th & 5th Avenue, below 75th Street, that had Arabic script on signs and windows. As I made the turn at 67th, I immediately looked toward a tall apartment building that stands before the Belt Parkway at 65th. A woman I was crazy about for a long time lived there, in 21A. I could feel it pulling me toward it. I had to resist the temptation to stroll by on the odd chance I might run into her. She probably doesn't even live there any more and she was probably at work. I haven't seen her for 21 years, yet I felt the churning of old feelings, positive and negative, beginning in my gut. I remember when they were so powerful my legs turn to jelly. I still think of her often. I occasionally enter her name in the Facebook search box on the chance that she may have joined. She is listed only at an alumni site, not classmates.com. She probably knows I've looked her up. If she wanted to friend me, she would have. I guess one never completely gets over such a love.    

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 9/24 - Destiny

For the second straight day I had an immediate sale and nothing thereafter. I thank the woman, who purchased two romance novels. Here's an excerpt from my most popular story, His Destiny, by web visits, more than 15,000. It's a bout a teacher suffering troubling dreams, and part of the A Hitch in Twilight collection.

 At home he sprawled onto the couch, which opened into his bed, and watched television. He pulled an afghan over himself, cursing the landlord for not providing adequate heat. He was awakened by a scream, the dream more vivid than ever. This time the corpse had a face - that of Barbara Cohen. He ground his teeth and clutched at his chest. On the screen before him a man was placing the body of a woman into the trunk of a car. He'd seen the episode before. Was it the story that horrified him - or did it arouse something buried in his subconscious? Or had the murder occurred in another lifetime? He was no longer skeptical of reincarnation. His dreams and the extraordinary instances of deja vu he experienced had him leaning toward belief in successive existences. The thought that he may have been a murderer was profoundly disturbing, however. He was able to imagine himself as a caveman man killing for survival but not simply for the sake of it, as the dream suggested. Were his years of devotion to his mother and his profession merely penance for past crimes?

He realized the murder would have had to have been recent had it occurred in a prior lifetime, as the automobile was only a century old. He was certain the trunk wasn't part of a stagecoach or train. He wondered if he were clairvoyant, envisioning a crime perpetrated by the car's previous owner, whom he did not know. He'd purchased the car from a dealer.

The next day he stopped at a supermarket after school. It was extremely crowded and noisy. He hated such confusion. He lacked items he would not do without, however, coffee and cigarettes chiefly. He could get by on a single meal a day, but coffee was his passion. He had at least two pots a day.

The express line was long and moved slowly. The cashier worked methodically, apparently in fear of error. George steamed as darkness began to fall, prematurely, the sky heavily overcast. He imagined his hands around the dark-haired girl's throat. He shuddered, realizing the extent of his anger. He contemplated returning the items to the shelves, putting the bag of coffee in his pocket and leaving. You're not a thief, he told himself, uncertain, however, if he were a murderer.

Another girl approached with a cash drawer. The first closed the register to ring-out, to the chagrin of the patrons. George, gazing out the window, cursed himself for not having gone to a convenience store, for having chosen to save himself a few dollars. Once an immigrant...he thought.

It was twilight by the time he exited. Headlights were flashing on throughout the huge lot. As he hurried to his car, which was parked a considerable distance away, trunk after trunk was opened by a woman. His head pounded as he broke into a sprint. He was nearly run down at an intersection, tires screeching menacingly. A woman honked and cursed him. His lungs were burning, aching for breath as he reached the shelter of his sedan. "That's it," he said, resolving to seek professional help, the expense no longer a deterrent.

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 9/23 - Hallelujah!

Check out this pic and see if you can guess who it is. He's a former TV star, now a sculptor so gifted his work has been exhibited in the Louvre. Answer below:

Edgar Rice Borroughs is famous for his Tarzan novels. He also wrote Princess of Mars, on which Disney based its 2012 release John Carter. The reviews were tepid and the box office take was a disaster domestically. Its budget was 250 million. It must have done well in other countries, as it brought in 280 million worldwide. I watched it last night, courtesy of Netflix. It wasn’t bad, simply routine, a rehash of other favorites of the genre, Star Wars, Stargate, etc.. There was not one transcendent moment. Of course, the effects were first rate. That’s no longer an issue in the digital age. The story was simply too familiar, the characters common. On a scale of five, two. The folks at IMDb were much more enthusiastic, rating it 6.7 of ten. It’s probably safe to say its appeal is limited to fans of such fare. It was directed and co-written by Andrew Stanton, who has had great success in full length animation, which I know nothing about beyond recognition of the most familiar titles. I have no patience for it. Friends roll their eyes when I say I've never seen The Lion King or Toy Story. Although I recognize the skill of animators, I prefer the interaction of humans on the screen.

After the 49ers loss on the road to the Vikings today, who is the NFL's top team? Answer: none.

As soon as I opened the limited edition of the floating bookshop this afternoon, Neil showed. He is producer, director and star of Della Peppo Village, a wacky show that airs Friday at 9PM on channel 67 on Cablevision in Brooklyn. He was kind enough to interview me about my books a few years ago. Today he was kind enough to buy a copy of Killing. Thanks, my friend. I hope it will inspire a skit for the program. I have two copies left, which means it's time to order 20 more. Later a pleasant young man named Dylan approached and asked about my books. He took pictures of the covers with his cell phone. His girlfriend has been self-publishing novels through Lulu since she was 13! She has at least seven in print. That's about a grand a pop, more if she purchased a lot of copies. I suggested she try Kindle, which is free. By the time I thought of asking him for her name, he had walked away. Duh!

Answer to today's quiz: Tony Dow, our boy Wally from the classic sitcom Leave It to Beaver. Outstanding, sir.

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 9/22 - Rising Star

I’ve always loved walking in Manhattan, where there is palpable electricity. It feels like really being somewhere. I was smiling and excited as I climbed out of the subway at West 4th and glanced back at the marquee of the Waverly Theater as I crossed 6th Avenue. It was now a multiplex. One of the movies playing was The Thing. I wondered if it were the classic 1951 version. Walking east, I immediately noticed the sound of handballs being pounded against the wall at the nearby park famous for its pickup basketball games. The area was bustling with youth, hipsters, freaks and, of course, beautiful young women that immediately had me eating my heart out. I heard music coming from Washington Square Park, and saw students pouring out of the buildings of NYU. I was relying on memory to find the KGB Bar, located at 85 East 4th. Sure enough, I spotted 87 but no 85. Was it East 5th? I wondered, trying to picture the note I’d jotted near my PC. I circled the block and the addresses were in the 200s. I gave East 4th another try and would have missed the place again if I hadn’t looked up. The entrance was one flight up, and the bar was one more. It was so dark in there, lit only by candles placed atop each table and a desk lamp that sat atop a podium positioned in a corner at the end of the bar. I immediately noticed the flag of the hammer and cycle, and posters of communist stalwarts on the walls. What am I doing here? I thought, although I cautioned myself that the motif might simply be quirky, not political. Fortunately, Susan Tepper, who organizes the readings there, immediately introduced herself. She recognized my name and finally placed it among the writers who post stories at Fictionnaut. I told her I’d come to meet fellow ATTMP author Jen Knox, to repay her for all the kindness she’s shown me in our web relationship.

I sat on a bench at the rear, much like I did throughout my school years. I recognized Jen when she entered, although her web photos did not do her justice. She was wearing a sleeveless top, so I immediately noticed the barbed wire tattoo that circled her right upper arm. I said her name and she recognized me. I offered a hand, but she demanded a hug, which made my day, Her natural sweetness was obvious from the start. She congratulated me on the acceptance of my latest novel and I passed along greetings from another ATTMP author, Bob Rubenstein, who visited the floating book shop earlier in the day. “I’m so glad you came," she said, smiling. It was her first time in the city and she was loving it. She’d come all this way for the reading. We chatted a while, then I let her go get ready. She has done many. She didn’t appear at all nervous. To my delight, she was first up. She was poised and smooth, reading from her collection To Begin Again, which has received two awards: Next Generation Indie Book and Readers Favorite. The prose and dialogue were beautiful and witty. I’ve said this before - the writing I respect most is that which gets life right. Jen does that. I bought a copy of the book, which she signed and wrote something touching in, then I wished her well, hugged and kissed her goodbye, and went on my way. Her husband is a lucky guy. She may be a national literary star some day. She already is one in my book.

At the foot of the front door, two men were smoking and conversing. One mentioned someone who had been blacklisted. I repressed a laugh, as it was exactly what i would have expected to hear at such a venue. As I approached the subway, I reminded myself to make sure I went to the downtown track. Confident I was in the right place, I boarded the train and dove into the book I’m reading. Sure enough, by the time I noticed it was headed uptown it was approaching 125th Street. I was completely baffled, certain I’d done it right. I’d done this several times before. Keeping my embarrassment to myself, I got off, climbed the stairs, and walked to the other side. Naturally, the train went local in Manhattan, then paused for 15 minutes at the crest of the Manhattan Bridge. I wanted to scream, reminded of the great Seinfeld episode where all four of the characters are on separate trains and Elaine’s is stuck in the dreaded "congestion" and her dark thoughts are heard out loud and the bleeping is pronounced. This being the post 9/11 era, I was thinking about being killed in a terrorist attack because I’d lost so much time getting on the wrong train. Of course, no one can time such things. Any train is vulnerable, but the mind does what it does, seemingly independent of will sometimes. I’m so glad I don’t have to take the subway five days a week any more.

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 9/21 - KGB Bar

I'm off to the East Village to hear fellow ATTMP author Jen Knox give a reading at KGB Bar. I don't go out much. I'm pretty much a homebody who doesn't take advantage of the many wonderful events NYC offers. But I'm curious about this young woman whose day job is teaching in the southwest. She is one of two of our family of authors who I believe has a real shot at breaking big, or at least selling an above-average amount of books. Melissa Studdard, a college teacher, also in the southwest, is the other. Jen's creative non-fiction, Musical Chairs and To Begin Again, have a consistent ranking at Amazon I'd love to have. She also has had stories published in important journals. Melissa's fantasy, Six Weeks to Yehidah, is currently ranked 439,613. A book ranked below one million is selling. I believe Melissa's has been below that mark since it was published 13 months ago. I hope Jen will be offering hers for sale tonight. Sicilian that I am, I will buy whichever is cheaper. Already I'm calculating cover charge, drink minimum, ....

This morning radio host Mike Gallagher, the happy conservative warrior, was talking about how Facebook would not allow him to buy an advertisement for his book, 50 Things Liberals Love to Hate, on the site because of the word "Hate." A woman caller pointed out that FB has refused to take down a page dedicated to pedophilia, citing it as humor. I have not visited the page, but from what I've read from others who have the only joke is FB's policy. Why haven't they banned any mention of my third novel, Killing? Although the book does not condone the practice, the word is a lot more incendiary than hate. Of course, one wonders if the refusal to allow Gallagher to advertise is motivated by leftist politics. I hope not, although it wouldn't surprise me.

I thank the folks who bought books today, and the woman who donated a hardcover edition of the final Harry Potter book, which, to my surprise, went unsold. 
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 9/20 - Fox

I don’t forward many political emails. Most are simplistic and extremely partisan. I received one yesterday that I believe comes close to the truth, although there is always a danger in labeling and pigeon-holing an entire bloc. These thoughts definitely describe almost all Republicans but describe only those Democrats far left, particularly much of the political class. They come from Jeff Foxworthy, famed for his “You may be a redneck…” stand up comedy routine. This is better than that.
“If you ever wondered which side of the fence you sit on, this is a great test!

If a Republican doesn't like guns, he doesn't buy one.
If a Democrat doesn't like guns, he wants all guns outlawed.

If a Republican is a vegetarian, he doesn't eat meat.
If a Democrat is a vegetarian, he wants all meat products banned for everyone.

If a Republican is homosexual, he quietly leads his life.
If a Democrat is homosexual, he demands legislated respect.

If a Republican is down-and-out, he thinks about how to better his situation.
A Democrat wonders who is going to take care of him.

If a Republican doesn't like a talk show host, he switches channels.
Democrats demand that those they don't like be shut down.

If a Republican is a non-believer, he doesn't go to church.
A Democrat non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced.

If a Republican decides he needs health care, he goes about shopping for it, or may choose a job that provides it.
A Democrat demands that the rest of us pay for his.

If a Republican reads this, he'll forward it so his friends can have a good laugh.
A Democrat will delete it because he's offended.”

Well done, sir. Thank you.

Here’s another reason politicians are maddening, something that sounds like it was taken from a satire on a communist country. It was in the Weird But True column of today’s NY Post: “No good deed goes unpunished. A Philadelphia city agency is threatening to sue a man if he doesn’t return 40 tons of garbage to a weed-choked, government-owned lot he dared clean up without permission. Ori Felbush spruced up the eyesore near his coffee shop, and the city is demanding he restore it to the condition in which he found it.”

I sold a wide variety of books today, almost all non-fiction or Russian, until a woman bought Sidney Sheldon's Windmills of the Gods late in the session. 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 9/19 -

What an interesting development occurred in the race for the White House. In an interview in May, Mitt Romney said he expected the 47% of the public that receives some sort of assistance from the government to vote for Obama. The media has cast this as dismissive, divisive. I don’t know if it was wise, but it was truthful, although I doubt the entire percentage would vote for the President. I began receiving Social Security payments in July, and I will be voting for Romney. I’m sure there are others like me, but the Republican candidate does have a large constituency to overcome and it’s probably more than 40%. The media has sounded the death knell for Romney’s campaign over this supposed latest gaffe, emphasizing that Obama is the leader of all Americans, not just the remaining 53%. Several conservative pundits also lamented it. I don’t know who will win the election, but I do know there is a huge bloc that hopes Obama will not continue to lead us. What is the lesson here - politicians should not tell the truth? I hope Romney does not retreat on this. It would make him look like a fool.

The French government has closed many of its embassies worldwide, as a journal has printed cartoons that lampoon Muhammad. Doesn’t this negate the argument that there is moral equivalence between the western and Muslim worlds? Produced in the west: The Life of Brian, The Book of Mormon, Dogma, Michael, Piss Christ and the Dung Virgin, works deeply offensive to many Christians. There were protests, mostly to the press, but there were no riots and no one was killed. Free speech is sometimes a pain in the butt, but most of us in the west bear the rants from the fringes of society. It is far preferable to the alternative, and it must not become selective. Everyone or no one should be fair game.

All my book sales were in Russian today. Spasibo, folks. I did a two for one trade with Madeline, who I knew would be interested in Sylvia Brown's All Pets Go to Heaven. And Simon donated four pristine hardcovers. I reluctantly asked if he would donate only paperbacks from now on. They're so much easier to carry, unlike the air conditioners I just hauled to the curb at my sister's. Fortunately, it appears my hip incurred no damage.
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 9/18 - Anxiety

OMG. LOL. I was emailed a contract for my novel, Exchanges, by a new publishing firm, WheelMan Press. I'm stunned by this sudden turn of events. I'd only briefly described the book in my query, saying it was a year in the life of the supervisor of a commodities ring, based on my experiences in the business. I was honest about the sales count of my four books, about 630, counting Kindles. To my surprise, I was asked to submit the manuscript, and a few days later learned it had been accepted. I looked over the contract and found nothing unexpected. I will ask my niece Luci to print it out and it will be in the mail by Monday. Then the anxiety will begin, and it won't be about money. Maybe it will be someday, but right now I'm just thrilled to have my work in print. The tension will stem from how the manuscript will be handled, if the profanity and nasty behavior in the narrative will be toned down. It would not be the truest account of life on the trading floor without that harshness. And what about the main character's life away from work, which is about half the story? What about his obsession with the 1988 Mets? What will my ex-co-workers think of their portrayals? It wouldn't be hard to determine who the fictional characters represent. I didn't say anything untruthful, but it is impossible to know how people will react to seeing themselves in print. It's a risk/reward endeavor. I remember a broker I respected, Jack G., telling a young trader who was just starting out to: "Take a shot." One cannot be successful without taking chances. It's true on the financial level, as well as the artistic. The businessman risks losing capital, the writer at the bottom of the literary totem pole risks ridicule and indifference to his work. Even the wildly successful, Madonna, Celine Dion, for example, face rancor from professional and civilian critics. Some hate them merely because they are successful, just as I hate the Yankees. One trait all successful people share is toughness. They refuse to allow naysayers to defeat them. I hope to get there some day.

The floating book shop was rained out today. I spent some time converting manuscripts to google docs, which automatically convert files to Word. I was 50% successful.
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 Street 9/17 - Wheels

A few days ago I submitted a novel, Exchanges, to Wheelman Press. I just received an email asking if it had been published before. I wonder what made them ask. I've posted excerpts months ago and months apart in this blog, but nothing more than that. At least it wasn't an outright rejection. Of course, I want to believe it means the book is being considered seriously. Then I'll have a fifth book that will go largely ignored, although I imagine some former co-workers would be interested in reading it. It's not assured, though. I've seen that with my second novel, Adjustments, which many of my teammates and classmates at Lafayette H.S. have yet to order, and with Killing, whose cover, which depicts 18th Avenue aka Cristoforo Columbo Boulevard in Bensonhurst Brooklyn, has not drawn the attention I'd anticipated from the area's residents. I'm also a bit surprised the people at Wheelman have said nothing about the profanity and behavior prevalent in the novel. Those who worked on the trading floor, including yours truly, occasionally behaved despicably. I remember yelling cusses at the top of my lungs at a trader who was constantly having fraudulent prints entered into the system, screwing us up regularly. I was just a lowly data entry person, titled "reporter" at the Exchange. It was not my place to chastise anyone. It was a miracle I wasn't fired. I guess my overall reputation saved me. Few of the floor personnel who worked there for any length of time left without ever having a blow up. It was a great place to study human behavior and a great setting for a novel. I am so curious as to how Exchange vets would view it. I'd guess many traders would find it lacking, as it concentrates on overall behavior rather than the buying and selling of commodities. It was a great experience, and helped me to overcome my fear of the real world. I would not, however, return to it if electronic trading were suddenly banned and open outcry restored. I'd had enough by the time I got the boot.

It was a frustrating session at the floating book shop. I had two choices where to set up: Park Slope or the aforementioned 18th Avenue. I made the wrong one. Con Ed had placed a number of cones along 18th Avenue before a playground, taking up about five parking spots. I drove around like an idiot for a half hour but couldn't find a spot within a reasonable distance to haul all my wares, so for the second straight day I brought out only my books. I attracted some stares but only one comment, and that in passing by a young man. The sense of futility was stark. It looks like I'll get a day off tomorrow, as the forecast is for rain, bringing an end to a long run of spectacular 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/cyckn3

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

I spent some time this morning trying to figure out how to move a manuscript file into Google Docs, which automatically converts it to Word, which my system doesn't have. My PC has Microsoft Works word processor. Another advantage of using GDocs is that files can be emailed directly from it. I experimented with Rising Star, a rock n roll epic that is almost 200,000 words. I seemed to get the pasting right, but the novel appeared on the page for only an instant and then disappeared as the program first indicated that it was saving and then that it was trying to contact google.com -- who knows why. It should not be this hard. There are two ways the program will accept a paste: using Ctrl + V or using the clipboard icon. I don't know why it won't let it happen with a right click on a mouse. Weird. I'll try it later with my latest short story, Bad Form, a tiny file.

The Giants have started the season with their usual tricks, demonstrating mediocrity. Then again, the NFL has become largely unpredictable. How many handicappers had the Patriots in a rout over the Cardinals today? I did. It was a game I was happy to lose, though. Any Belichick loss is fun. Also on the topic of football: the NY Post's expert on the college game, Lenn Robbins, predicted that Virginia Tech would win the national championship. After two lackluster wins to start the season, the Hokies lost Saturday to Pitt, which had looked putrid in its first two games. This may have been the worse call in the history of sports reporting. I assume it was merely a hunch. VT has been a solid program in the Frank Beamer era, but has always fallen short of grand expectations.

For the second Sunday in a row I set up shop on Bay Parkway & 86th Street with only my books, and had no sales. I did have two inquiries instead of one. What's two times zero?

Shana Tova to Jews everywhere. Long live Israel.

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 9/15 - Books

There was a fun item on Page Six of today's New York Post. Monica Lewinsky is back to entertain us, shopping a book to publishers. Web jokers immediately began tweeting title suggestions. Here are the ones listed in the piece: How the Government Brought Me to My Knees, The Monica Lewinsky Story; Fifty Shades of Blue Dress; Catch ’er in the Eye; Salty Tales From the Oval Office; Crouching Intern, Hidden Cigar. There are a lot of clever, creative people out there.

This morning I was notified by Twitter that I was being followed by Wheelman Press. I sent a thank you, returned the follow, and clicked on the link to its website. If there is a fee involved in being published there, it was well-disguised. I sent a query about the next novel I hope to have published, Exchanges, which was influenced by my near 25 year run at the madhouse that was Comex/Nymex. I've already received a response asking to see the manuscript, which I just submitted. Of course, now I have in mind the old adage: "If something seems to good to be true, it probably is." Then again, what do I have to lose? The only thing that can be stolen is the file. It would be hell seeing the novel published in someone else's name, but there's that other old adage: "No risk, no reward."

The floating book shop's luck continued today. My thanks to regular customers Jack, Maryann, Munsey, and everyone else who bought.
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 9/14 - Creative

I’ve read or seen about two-thirds of Shakespeare’s plays. Hamlet remains my favorite. I've seen at least four versions. It’s language and psychological insight are remarkable. One of the Bard’s plays I was completely unfamiliar with was Coriolanus. Last night I watched a film adaptation (2011) produced, directed and starring Ralph Fiennes, courtesy of Netflix. I really enjoyed it, despite the fact that I was unable to figure out how to get the close captioning to work. I was unable to distinguish some of the dialogue, as my hearing is not as good as it used to be. Regardless, the lead character, based on an actual Roman warrior, is so interesting. Arrogant and prideful, he alienates the fickle citizenry he despises, despite his heroics in defense of his country. The production was updated to modern times. This is the first time this tack has worked for me. I did not enjoy either Ethan Hawke’s Hamlet (2000) or Ian McKellen’s Richard III (1995). They came off as gimmicks, not so Coriolanus. Although the events are set in a city called Rome, they mimic the carnage that went on in the Balkans. It has the elements of an action film, but rises above the genre because of the depth of the characterizations. Fiennes is excellent, although he overdoes it at times, foaming at the mouth ala Al Pacino in And Justice for All (1979). Vanessa Redgrave matches him as his proud mother. The ubiquitous Brian Cox, eight film appearances in 2011, lends his considerable talent to the production, as do the prolific Jessica Chastain, six films in 2011, and Gerard Butler (300 {2006}). John Logan is to be commended for the adaptation to the screen. On a scale of five, four. It is rated 6.3 at IMDB.

There’s an amusing new issue in the legal field. The owners of strip club Nite Moves, who owe $400,000 in back taxes, are claiming lap dances are an art form that should be exempt from taxation. There has to be a punchline there.

The Pittsburgh Pirates, who have suffered 19 consecutive losing seasons, are now only two games above .500. C’mon, guys.  

It was another good day for the floating book shop. Maybe it's the weather, which has been as good as it gets for a week. Mrs. Eclectic bought another twelve books. She is about 35, I'd say, so she was unfamiliar with Sidney Sheldon's If Tomorrow Comes and Judith Krantz's Scruples, two blockbusters I urged her to select. I also sold six books in Russian, two of which had been donated by Michael minutes before. But the best part of the day came from Sheila, who recently read A Hitch in Twilight, which she said was "very creative." She particularly liked Nowak's Dreams, which covers past lives. Thank you, madam, and to all who bought and donated.
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 9/13 - Outrageous

RIP U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and the three other Americans slain by radical Islamists, and condolences to their families. If anyone needed to be reminded that the war on terror is ongoing, there’s the proof. No amount of apologizing will appease the monsters who perpetrated the attack. They would find any excuse, however flimsy, to perpetrate their evil. Scapegoating the makers of an unctuous film is ludicrous. The goal of jihadists is to kill all those they believe to be infidels, including Muslims who do not conform to specific doctrines. They should be hunted down and brought to justice, killed during capture or executed after trial.

Now for something infinitely more pleasant. I’ve had the good fortune to view two PBS musical specials this week, one on videotape, the other on Long Island’s Channel 21. There was nothing interesting to watch on broadcast TV two nights ago, so I popped Oklahoma, which I’d recorded several years ago, into the VCR. I was curious about its enduring popularity. I was won over immediately. The music of Richard Rodgers is beautiful and rousing and the lyrics of Oscar Hammerstein are wonderful and insightful. Hugh Jackman, who I’d known only as Wolverine in the X-Men films, was the star. When I'd first heard this I was skeptical. I remember thinking: “Okay, pretty boy, let’s see what you can do.” My jaw dropped as he sang Oh, What a Beautiful Morning. This guy is a major talent, not just the centerpiece of simplistic Hollywood blockbusters. Here’s the clip, courtesy of you tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZbAKYQkP_Q

The other show was Judy Collins Live at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Now into her 70’s and completely gray, her voice seems to have lost nothing. She did Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now and Joan Baez’s Diamonds and Rust and, of course, Steven Sondheim’s Send in the Clowns, on which she captures the wistful longing of the subconscious better than anyone, including Sinatra. It was as if the song were written specifically for her. It has always made me misty. Unfortunately, I was unable to find any clips from that performance on the web. If the program is listed in the TV schedule, check it out. The liberal philosophy of some songs aside, it’s great. Tape it to avoid pledge breaks.

It looked like it was going to be a disappointing session at the floating book shop, then buyers swooped in the last hour. Thanks, folks, and also to Simon, who donated about 20 hardcover best sellers.
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 9/12 - Hug & Kiss

Cleo Virginia Andrews, pen name V.C. Andrews, conquered ill health to become a best selling author. She never fully recovered from a fall down a flight of stairs in high school. She spent the rest of her life using crutches or a wheelchair. She succumbed to breast cancer at 63 in 1986 at the height of her literary career. Since then, Andrew Neiderman has been writing under her name. At first he worked from her outlines and unfinished manuscripts. He is now on his own. For some reason, I thought Andrews wrote about the supernatural. This was not the case, at least not in the novel I just finished, Dark Angel, the second in the Casteel series, her final completed book. It was a refreshing change of pace from the mysteries I’ve been sampling. The characters are real and fleshed out. The prose is fine, old-fashioned to a degree, in a good way. It is basically a rags to riches story with a complex heroine driving the action, making many mistakes despite good intentions. The only aspect that bothered me was an overuse of the exclamation point, which always brings to mind the Seinfeld argument about punctuation that ended Elaine’s relationship with author Jake Jarmel, and which brilliantly encapsulates the insanity of modern relationships. Andrews' most popular work is Flowers in the Attic, which was adapted to a film starring Louise Fletcher in 1987, a year after Andrews' death. It is rated 5.1 at IMDb. On a scale of five, I rate Dark Angel two-and-a-half. (Facts culled from Wiki.)

Although I chose not to blog yesterday, the anniversary of 9/11, I did set up the floating book shop. I hadn’t seen the elderly Russian couple that always holds hand for a while. I assumed they'd gone on a long visit to their homeland. Even better, they spent two months in Monticello. The woman was so happy to see me she planted a kiss on my cheek. It made my day. Later on, I helped Grandma sort through the stack of Russian romance novels I had on display. She’s having trouble with her eyes and prefers large print. Fortunately, we found a couple that suited her. She was thrilled when I offered her another, from which the first few pages were missing, gone with the wind in Park Slope the day before. If Webster wanted to put an illustrative picture of a grandmother in his dictionary, she would fit the bill. I also got a hug from Big Al, local poet, who I hadn’t seen in weeks. He’s getting antsy, as his self-published volume of "love-ku" poetry is delayed. AuthorHouse, which originally said the book would be ready in September, is now saying before Christmas. I'd be going nuts.

As for today, it was another good session, as I sold about ten books, traded a few, and received a couple of donations, including a slew of V.C. Andrews' other books. The best part of the day was hearing that Morty, a retired salesman who recently underwent radiation treatments, has gained weight. Six-feet tall, he is up to 142. His doctor told him that if he hit 135 he would have to go into the hospital. He had fallen to 137. He's been "eating like an animal." He was his old, upbeat self 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/cyckn3

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

My vivid Monday morning dreams are becoming routine. This time I was on a beach, giving away books, as I didn’t have long to live. My heart had been weakened by cancer treatment. The handicapped woman I frequently accompany to the doctor was sad. This part of the dream is not hard to analyze: the struggle to sell his work weakens the artist. I worry about brain cancer, and run a hand across my head every once in a while, checking for tumors, I guess. The dream then took an odd segue. I saw an application my niece Tanya filled out to play soccer for Bishop Kearney High School, from which she graduated in the ‘70’s. She never played sports. I have no idea what that aspect means. And why don’t I remember the dreams I have on other days? Weird.

2016: Obama’s America remained among the top ten films at the box office, but appears finally to be losing steam. It has now earned a little more than 26 million. The book on which it is based, by Dinesh D’Souza, is ranked 29th at Amazon. Conservative radio host Mike Gallagher’s 50 Things Liberals Love to Hate is ranked 1038th. Does this say anything about the mood of the electorate? Doubt it. I haven't seen the film or read either book, although I'm sure I agree with most of what's said in them. As far as I'm concerned, the election is about policy and it is not difficult to find where the candidates stand. I haven't seen any of Michael Moore's films, either, and it would be a cold day in hell before I put money in his pocket..

When Cuz did not contact me about golf, I decided to take the floating book shop to the hipster haven of Park Slope, supposedly the most literate neighborhood in Brooklyn. Although I did some business, I was frustrated by the number of people who took a hard look and walked away without purchasing anything. Several took a close look at my books. A few said they were broke, which is understandable these days. I thank those who did buy, and the ladies of the nearby hospital office, who donated nine popular hard covers (Hamill, Patterson, Cook, Baldacci) in excellent condition.
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 9/9 - Fritz

Last night I watched legendary director Fritz Lang’s last film before he fled Nazi Germany, The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1933), courtesy of Netflix. Lang did a lot of good work in America, although he complained of the lack of artistic freedom in the old studio system, but his most famous films were done in his homeland: Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler (1922), Metropolis (1927) and M (1931). The first two are silents and, yahoo that I am, I just can’t sit through movies that don’t have sound and dialogue. M, starring Peter Lorre at his creepy best as a child murderer, is riveting. The second Mabuse was one of the first films to tell a non-linear story, so common today. The first five minutes are fantastic, incredibly tense, driven by an unidentified industrial racket in the background. I enjoyed the rest, despite its flaws, but it doesn’t compare to M. The early talkies feature actors who often employ the exaggerated techniques of the silent era. It’s hard not to laugh at it. Also, the plot is shaky. There has been debate on whether the Mabuse of this version was patterned after Hitler. Actually, the main character is a professor who has bought into Mabuse’s dream of a chaos that would see the criminal class rule the world. Mabuse himself is in an asylum, filling pages of notebooks with his ideas, which miscreants acquire and put to use. The film was banned by the Nazis and was not shown in Germany until 1951. I’m not sure what to think of it in that respect, and I’m not sure it matters. Lang was famous for lying and exaggerating in interviews, so even his word on the subject could not be taken as definitive. One aspect of the film is hilarious. During the high speed chase at the end, Der Kommissar’s car gets a flat. The flat is fixed and the pursuit is resumed. Although the authorities know the villain is on his way to the sanitarium where he works, the segue is bizarre, one of the oddest scenes I’ve ever encountered. The restorers did a great job in all aspects save one. The subtitles are white, which get lost in black and white films. Unless one speaks German, there is a lot of reading involved. The film is rated 7.9 out of ten at IMDb. I rate it 3.5 of five.   

I didn't spot any storm damage during my morning walk or later while driving. It seems our end of Brooklyn was spared. I didn't even hear a thunderclap last night. I wonder what brought down the tree on the next block. It has already been removed. Only the root remains. The sidewalk has a three foot slope on either side of it.

The new Sunday strategy of taking just my own books to the busy intersection of Bay Parkway and 86th Street failed to generate much interest. Only one young man inquired and then balked at the ten dollar asking price. Two weeks ago the cover of a copy of Adjustments developed striations when it got wet during a sudden downpour. I offered it to actor/singer extraordinaire Johnny Feets for two bucks, and he jumped at it, as I presumed he would. Thanks, my friend.
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 9/8 - Ship

In a classic episode of The Honeymooners, Ralph brings home a suitcase he found abandoned on his bus. To his astonishment, it is filled with money -- "hummina, hummina." He immediately thinks he has struck it rich. Alice, ever level-headed, tries to talk him down, which frustrates him. He bellows something like: "For years you've been sayin': 'When is my ship comin' in, when is my ship comin'?' Well, here it is, the Queen Mary." I sort of asked myself that this past week, as the rain and paltry street sales combined to disappoint me. Well, the ship came in last night. Maybe it was just a dinghy, not an ocean liner, by real world standards, but it was big in a struggling artist's life. A week ago I mailed a copy of Adjustments to Marilena, Lafayette High School class of 1977, who I met on Facebook. A decade earlier, her dad was one of my teachers. Well, she ordered four more copies for friends. I gave them to her last night at L&B Spumoni Gardens, where she was among a gathering of friends and relatives. And she wouldn't accept the 20% discount I offered, which goes a long way toward helping me recoup the money I invested in 200 copies, and possibly turning a profit, which means a lot to a Sicilian. I have 79 copies left, so whether the novel will be profitable or not is still a long way from being decided.  Most of those copies will go for ten dollars. Par was originally twelve. It is less than ten now due to the generosity of the public, but the remainder still has to be sold. Special thanks, Marilena.

As I was driving to my sister's this morning at 9:30, it started to pour. I assumed the severe storm that had been predicted had arrived early and that the floating book shop would not open. To my surprise, the sun was out an hour and a half later. I set up shop at Bay Parkway and 85th, hoping the weather would hold for a couple of hours. It did. The strong wind even negated the humidity to a large degree. I thank Jack and Bad News Billy, two of my most faithful customers, and a Russian gentleman, who relieved me of a lot of book weight for the long trek back to the car. As I returned to Sheepshead Bay, there were a lot of open parking spots beneath trees. I resisted the temptation and settled for one out of danger on East 13th between Avenue Y & X. As I approached the building, I noticed flashing lights between Avenue Z & Shore Parkway, where a tree had toppled just yards from where I set up shop most days. Right now it's eerily dark and there is a tornado watch in effect for the entire metropolitan area, including NYC, a rare occurrence and more ammunition for climate change alarmists.

My oldest niece, Isabel, was in the basement this morning when I went down to do my laundry. She'd recently downloaded and read my screenplay, All Hallows. She had fun imagining actors filling the roles. I'd had Tom Selleck in mind as the Sheriff when I wrote it in the early '90's. Although he still looks great, he would probably be more suited to the role of the retired Sheriff these days. Tempus fugit. Thanks, Is.
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 9/7 - Pizza

Last night I watched another of the music videotapes I made, this one circa 1997. It was even more eclectic than usual. There were tracks by mainstream artist such as The Boss, Billy Joel, Bonnie Raitt (with Ruth Brown) and Metallica, but the rest was from the fringes or breakout acts. Roland Olazabal, after his split from Tears for Fears, did a wonderful vocal on the unusual Raul and the Kings of Spain, which I culled from a PBS show I do not recall the title of -- Ra-ool! There was also a two-song segue into the Afro-Cuban Jovenes Del Barrio, featuring a vocalist named Gillian, who looked Irish but whose Spanish sounded flawless. I’m not crazy about that sound, which substitutes violin and flute for brass. It doesn’t go deep enough for my ear, if that makes any sense. Legendary Jazz saxophonist Joe Henderson did George and Ira Gershwin’s I Love You Porgy, accompanied by an acoustic guitarist. Again, to my ear, the pairing did not fit. The tape picked up steam with bluesman Coco Montoya, a heavyset left-handed guitarist howlin‘ out Dyin‘ Flu, and playing beautifully. Jane’s Addiction did the infectious Jane Says on SNL. Either Perry Farrell was not in top voice or the music simply overpowered him. His hair was styled in silly, colorful spikes. The last hour of the tape was strong, starting with three numbers from Yanni. I remember how I scoffed when I landed on the PBS airing of the concert at the Taj Mahal. I expected New Age drivel. I was blown away. I was especially taken by the joy of performing demonstrated by the orchestra and singers, particularly on the rousing Love Is All. For years I’d heard Leo Kottke’s name in advertisements on local radio for NYC performances at venues such as the Bottom Line. The producers of PBS’ Sessions at West 54th Street had the good sense to feature him. The guy is so talented at times it seemed two guitars were playing. He plays an acoustic with the ease of the masters of electric. The tape concluded with two breakout artists: bluesman Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Chumbawumba. The Shepherd track was routine, though his talent is obvious. Chumbawumba burst onto the music scene with the rollicking Tubthumping, irresistible despite being an ode to questionable behavior. It has two great lyrical hooks: “I get knocked down, but I get up again” and “Pissing the night away.” As for a highlight, I’ll go with Mr. Kottke playing Deep River Blues: “My ol’ gal is a good ol’ gal, but she looks like a water fowl.” Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKb-FBsGLH4

Suddenly, selling books on the street has become very tough, and it's not for lack of beautiful wares. I thank the young woman who purchased a children's book, and Eugene and the Russian gentleman for the donations. I'm so over-stocked I had to turn down Abdul the Friendly Porter's offer. I hope the weight isn't damaging my car.

I'm off to the Spumoni Gardens, hoping to meet a Facebook friend and sell copies of my own books. It seems too good, too easy to be true. What's the worst that can happen? I'll have a couple of their famous squares while I'm there. Friday is pizza night, anyway.

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

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 9/6 - True Colors

I don't watch the political conventions, which amount to little more than silly cheer leading. I know where the parties stand on issues. The conventions are a waste of time and money, which is what politicians do best. I scan the morning paper to see if anything interesting occurred and listen to a few minutes of conservative radio host Mike Gallagher. I didn't see Clint Eastwood's appearance at the RNC, but read and heard clips of it the next day. Whatever anyone thought of the speech, it was the highlight of the show, although it probably didn't sway independent voters. Yesterday it was the Democrats turn to provide unusual entertainment. In their platform, they left out any mention of God, and of Jerusalem being the capital of Israel. Dumb move. 89% of Americans believe in God. A significant majority support Israel. Party leadership decided to do a do-over and took a group voice vote on whether to restore those planks to the platform. Apparently, it had no clue as to the embarrassment that lay in store. The vote was taken three times and at best the delegates were evenly divided. Nevertheless, the resolutions were passed. Loud booing ensued. And today spokespersons tried desperately to spin the incident in a positive light. Paul Begala, party loyalist, wasn't buying it, calling it "an unforced error." I'm not sure this will be damaging to the President. The platform was changed. Jews will continue to vote in an overwhelming majority for Democrats. The general public will continue to view politicians as a necessary evil. It's always interesting when the true colors of the elites show, in this case the hardcore left. It's similar to viewing a Martin Scorsese film -- one doesn't know whether to laugh or tear one's hair out in despair. The corruption rife in New York is another example. No one expects anything less. Yet it apparently is what the electorate wants, as it keeps returning the same people to office. I will vote, but I'll do it with the lowest of expectations.

After a four day hiatus, the floating book shop will re-open tomorrow -- unless the front backs up.
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 9/5 - Timing

My literary angel, Victoria/January Valentine, has published a second novel, Sweet Dreams, In the Mind of a Serial Killer, hot on the heels of her fiery romance, Love Dreams, which is doing well at Amazon. Here's a synopsis of the former: "A serial killer is on the loose, moving up the East Coast, leaving bodies & notes . . . Planting roses in his victims. Leonardo Gibraldi, Baltimore’s sexy Assistant DA, is tracking the fiend who’s responsible for the grisly murder of his ex-girlfriend. Leo’s out for revenge — so is the killer. Between hunting the madman, and fighting off beautiful women, Leo’s got his hands full. There's one break in the case: An eye witness who says, “It doesn’t look human.”
Can't go wrong with goombah hero. Best of luck, V.

http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Dreams-Mind-Serial-Killer/dp/0984957359/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346878916&sr=1-4&keywords=january+valentine

The rain held off all morning, then started about noon, about an hour after I'd set up shop. I'd hauled out one less crate, so it wasn't hard to get all the books to safety. I then took just a copy each of Killing, Adjustments and A Hitch in Twilight to the rear of the Sheepshead Bay train station. I was testing the waters, as I was chased from there more than a year ago by a police officer. I hoped I'd get away with it if it looked like promotion instead of commerce. It was a lonely vigil. Only one person inquired. I was pretty bummed out, especially since I may not be doing any book selling tomorrow, as a friend needs someone to accompany her to the doctor mid day. Then I found great news on Facebook. Marilena, whose dad was one of my teachers in the ninth grade at Lafayette H.S., has been reading Adjustments. She wants two copies for friends, one of whom is a coach. I will be meeting her at the Spumoni Gardens Friday evening. Every so often the artist's life needs a shot in the arm. The timing was perfect.

Are you ready for some football? Go Giants!
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 9/4 - #s

The remnants of Isaac are upon the Northeast and likely to linger through Thursday. I have the rainy day blues. Here are some numbers that will surely make some people blue. First on the political front, a recent poll showed that blacks prefer Obama to Romney 94% to 0%, with the rest undecided. Given that unemployment has risen among blacks during the President’s term, pundits are scratching their heads at the statistic. Currently, joblessness among blacks is 15.3%, as opposed to 8.3% overall. I am not surprised by the approval rating. It is cultural. If Obama were white, he wouldn’t stand a chance in November, whether one attributes the economic woes to him or not. Elections have always followed the bottom line.

Here are the latest box office numbers for the anti-Obama film, 2016: 18.3 million, robust for a documentary. To give it perspective, Michael Moore’s anti-Bush Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004) earned more than 224 million worldwide. His second best money-maker, Bowling for Columbine (2002), made 58 million. I doubt the rest of the planet will be as interested in a film with a conservative bias. Still, 2016 continues to build an audience here in the America, finally forcing the left to respond. Is it merely preaching to the choir or will it convince independents to vote Republican? Stay tuned.

Turning to sports, Tiger Woods has become the first pro golfer to surpass 100 million in earnings. This must really rankle his detractors, including my golfing partner of 25 years, Cuz, who is the most even-tempered person I’ve ever known in just about all things excluding Tiger. He will not use a Nike golf ball because it is endorsed by Woods.

And on the baseball front: Pirates fans must be going to the Pepto Bismol. The Bucs have not had a winning record since 1992. Just a month ago they seemed a lock not only to break the streak but to make the playoffs. They have lost ten of their last 13 games, four straight, and stand at six games over .500.  If they flop, they will not face the heat that will be leveled at the Nationals if their pitching falls short in the post season. Washington will soon shut down phenom Stephen Strasburg, who is 15-6, 2.94 ERA, and leads the NL is strikeouts. Strasburg, who is coming off major surgery to his valuable pitching arm, has been limited by the organization brain trust to about 170 innings. He is up to 156. The team has a shot to win it all and that figures to be more difficult without its star. From an economic standpoint, the move is understandable, as millions have been invested in the young man, but the team may never have a better opportunity to win a championship than at present, although it seems certain to contend for the next few years. This is another issue that gets Cuz’s goat. He is not big on pitch counts.
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 9/3 - 86

I had another vivid dream last night. They seem to occur mostly Monday mornings. In this one, several people who used to work at the commodity exchange were living in the same house. I was invited to move in, but declined when I saw a certain someone was an occupant. I suppose I didn’t want to go back to eating my heart out. The only other person who wasn’t vague was Mary Ellen, a long time clerk, who was the spokesperson for the property. I have no idea why she was in it. I hardly ever spoke to her. The dream reminded me of another unrequited love, Peggy, who I was crazy about for a decade and who preceded my time at the Exchange. One of her fantasies was that every significant person of her life would live in the same apartment building. The mind never ceases to fascinate.

I had planned to take the floating bookshop to the hipster haven of Park Slope today, but the forecast scared me off. I did what I used to do before people started donating books to me. I went to the busy intersection of Bay Parkway and 86th Street with just my own books. If it started raining, all I had to do was take shelter under the train station. Hundreds passed but not one person was impressed enough to question me. Fortunately, several people I've befriended stopped and wished me well. The opposite side of Bay Parkway, where Vinnie the Retard used to strum his two-string guitar, seemed eerily clear. A Citibank has replaced the fruit market whose stands filled most of the sidewalk.

The day wasn't a total loss, as I finally got around to shopping for shorts, which were on sale at Modells. I bought two pair for $18 and, to my surprise, was not taxed. One pair falls below the knees. I hate that! And neither has a back pocket. I'd been hoping to score pairs on sale on the net, but was unable to get free shipping on any potential order. While in the store, I ran into an old high school teammate, Gus, who just became a grandfather for the third time. I believe we're the last two in Brooklyn. Everyone else has dispersed. Stuie keeps posting pictures of the Hudson from his boat on Facebook. Joey P. just turned 63 in his adopted home, California. Life rolls 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/cyckn3

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 9/2 - Brooklynites

RIP lyricist Hal David, 91, a Brooklyn guy. He had an incredible career, working with many composers, chiefly Burt Bacharach. Here is a song list of his work just with the latter. Most were recorded by Dionne Warwick in the ‘60’s & ‘70’s. In fact, some of them were hits for more than one artist.
"Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head"
"This Guy's in Love with You"
"I'll Never Fall in Love Again"
"Do You Know the Way to San Jose"
"Don't Make Me Over"
"(They Long to Be) Close to You"
"Walk On By"
"What the World Needs Now Is Love"
"I Say a Little Prayer"
"The Story of My Life"
"Magic Moments"
"(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me"
"One Less Bell to Answer"
"Anyone Who Had a Heart"
"What's New Pussycat?"
"Alfie"
Great work, sir. Thank you.

As big a fan of movies as I am, I somehow had never gotten around to watching I Want to Live (1958), which features the performance that won an Oscar, on her fifth nomination, for Susan Hayward. It ran last night on PBS in NYC. Born Edythe Marrener in Flatbush, she was one of Hollywood’s great beauties and had the talent to match. Curiously, she is not mentioned among the all-time greats. I Want to Live is a portrait of a lost soul, a girl from the wrong side of the tracks found guilty of the murder of a 61 year old woman. Directed by Robert Wise (West Side Story {1961}), the film is uncompromising in its portrayal of this “tough cookie,” as one officer describes her. The screenplay suggests the murder was perpetrated by her or one of her three male accomplices, although evidence was overwhelming. Reporter Gene Blake called the film "... propaganda for the abolition of the death penalty." Shot in glorious black and white, it reminds me in style of The Man with the Golden Arm (1955), Anatomy of a Murder (1959) and The Sweet Smell of Success (1957). All had a jazz feel to them, in an era when Hollywood wasn‘t afraid to make serious films. The last 20 minutes of I Want to Live, leading up to the execution, is riveting. The cast is rife with stalwarts familiar to movie and TV buffs: Simon Oakland, Theodore Bikel, Joe DeSantis, Stafford Repp, Peter Breck, Jack Weston, John Marley. Tragically, Hayward died at 57 from cancer. She chain-smoked throughout I Want to Live. I rate the film four stars out of five. It is rated 7.5 at IMDb. Facts also culled from Wiki.

My thanks to Bad News Billy, who bought books for the second day in a row, despite being in arrears to his landlord. Brooklynites are a unique lot.
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