Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 10/31 - Light

I took a long walk around the old neighborhood this morning. From 25th Avenue to Bay Parkway between Benson and Bath Avenues, there was little damage to the exterior of homes and businesses. There was one oddity. There were downed trees between 25th Avenue and Bay 40th Street on both Benson (two) and Bath, as if the same gust took all three out. I was surprised that all the canvas and plastic awnings along 86th Street remained intact. Several stores were opening as I passed, most of them run by Asians. Of course, other people in the tri-state area weren’t as fortunate, as photographs in the NY Post showed. Breezy Point was devastated. An old friend lost her house, but her family survived. Another friend, in Belle Harbor, which isn’t very far from Breezy, was incredibly lucky. Water lapped at her home but did no real damage, while the church across the street burned to the ground. I’m waiting to hear how friends on Staten Island fared.

Yesterday, as I was walking toward the old house, a woman called out my name. Lisa T. was in town from Florida for the funeral of her mom, Josie, 85. Their family has been living on Bay 37th for as long as I can remember. The years have been good to Lisa, who must be 50 by now. Her eyes retain the same vivid blue as her late dad’s, and her body seems young and firm. Condolences to her and brother, Michael, who we used to call Trini, I know not why. Their mom joins her husband Sam in heaven. The block has lost another of its stalwarts. It brings to mind the brilliant, powerful soliloquy that ends James Joyce’s short masterpiece, The Dead. “One by one we are becoming shadows….” Levity comes so hard right now. It's easy to rationalize the desire for sweets.

I returned home to see if power had been restored. I checked on the handicapped woman upstairs, who had been told it would be four or five days before the lights were back on. She is a nervous wreck. A couple down the hall were nice enough to take her cell phone someplace to be recharged. I went back downstairs along the pitch black corridors and stairwell, using the meaagre light from my cell phone for guidance. I played the guitar even more terribly than usual, read a bit, then took a nap. When I awoke I noticed the time flashing on the alarm clock. Yay! I will try to re-open the floating book shop tomorrow in Park Slope. I doubt I'd sell anything in Sheepshead Bay, where people will be scrambling to stock up on perishables.
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 10/30 - Aftermath

It was a long night. The power went out in Sheepshead Bay at 7:56 and still has not returned. I'm writing this from my sister's house in Bensonhurst. Last night I fell asleep to the sound of the pumps in the courtyard below my windows. It was such a relief when daylight appeared. Unfortunately, the news wasn't good for many of my neighbors. All the cars parked in the basement garages of the complex were totaled by the water that engulfed them. My main concern was my own car, so it was with trepidation that I made my way toward Avenue Y, side-stepping a couple of downed wires, which may have been TV cables. I kept my distance, just in case. I'd parked my Hyundai away from any trees. To my relief, there wasn't a puddle around it, and the interior was dry. Dumb luck, I suppose. I took a stroll through the neighborhood. I noticed a downed tree and huge puddle further along Y. When I got to Sheepshead Bay Road, I was stunned. A vending machine had floated across the street, as had a few wooden fruit and vegetable stands. There were cars in the middle of the road. At first I assumed they'd been abandoned. Then I realized that they too must have floated there. The car of the handicapped woman I accompany to the doctor had not suffered any exterior damage, but the interior was soaked. I cleaned it out later in the day. I decided not to try to start it for fear the dampness would cause a short. She won't be using the car soon, so I figured it would be best to let it dry out. It may be unsalvageable, however.

At the foot of the Bay, the two shops closest to the corner of Emmons Avenue, a convenience store and a hair salon, were severely damaged, windows smashed. If I'd reached under the railing on the concourse, I might have been able to touch the water line. I'd never seen it that high. As I walked to the lower end, I realized it must have overflowed earlier, as there were two boats that had floatied over the pedestrian bridge that connects Sheepshead Bay and Manhattan Beach. It will take a crane or helicopter to get them back on the other side. As I reached the overpass that spans above the Belt Parkway, there were cars parked on both sides, some on the sidewalk, smart pre-emptive moves against flooding.

I spent most of the day reading, the sound of sirens and pumps a constant in the background. At about three-thirty I decided I didn't want to spend another night in the dark with no diversion available other than my own thoughts, so I headed to my sister's. The traffic signals were down for the first half of the ride, which normally takes less than 15 minutes. I had to detour at Bay 40th Street, as a huge fallen tree was blocking both lanes of Benson Avenue. When I got to the house, I noticed the basement door was open. My oldest niece, Isabel, was cleaning up. I helped her bail what remained of the water. Between cleaning out my friend's car and hauling away all the soaked, weighted pillows and mats, and carrying big buckets of water out to the street, I worked as hard as I have in a long time. Still, I'm so lucky compared to so many unfortunates in the path of Sandy. There's one word to describe her, one which Emily Litella/Gilda Radner used to describe Jane Curtin on the old SNL newscasts: "Bitch!"
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 10/29 - Sandy

I went out at 6:30 this morning. Stop n Shop had been boarded up. Fortunately, the new 7-11 on Sheepshead Bay Road was open. So was a newsstand across the street. I was able to get my daily fix of the New York Post. Knowing it would be a long day, all manner of time-fillers are appreciated. I vacuumed the rug, cleaned the fridge and reorganized a closet. It's just about 3:30 and I don't think we've seen the worst of the storm yet. My apartment faces the courtyard, so the weather has to be really bad for me to notice. I now hear the wind. Out of curiosity, I went down to the lobby. The trees and bushes are being whipped. I spotted about four people passing. A young man came running toward the entrance with his dog. I opened the door for him. There's a sign near the elevator, saying it will be shut down at 7PM. I hope the power stays on at least until bed time, and I hope we don't have to go through this again tomorrow.

Of course, one of the best ways to fill time is by reading. I just finished James Hilton's Random Harvest, which ends just as news of the Nazi invasion of Poland arrives. The protagonist is a WWI vet who suffers a head injury, is taken prisoner and treated by German doctors. Both his identity and memory are lost. After being discharged, he awakens on a bench in Liverpool and suddenly remembers who he is, but now has no memory of the time period from his injury to the moment of his awakening. The narrative moves back and forth in time, unraveling the mystery, and also from first to third person. The ending, which I didn't see coming until the penultimate page, is wonderfully romantic.The writing is smooth, although there are quirks unique to the British that a Yank might have difficulty understanding, which brings to mind that great quote attributed to George Bernard Shaw: "The United States and Great Britain are two countries separated by a common language." 

Hilton is a rare writer who found success immediately, his first novel, Catherine Herself, published at 20. He also wrote the enduring Goodbye Mr. Chips and Lost Horizon, which is said to have inspired the paperback revolution. He wrote 22 books in all, all but one fiction, The Story of Dr. Wassel. He also wrote the screenplay for Mrs. Miniver (1942), which won six Oscars. He did a few more, including adaptations of his own works, and doctored others. He did not do the screenplay for Random Harvest (1942), which would be nearly impossible to film as written. It received 7 Academy Award nominations but did not win any. Hilton served as narrator for the film, and did so on two others as well. I've added it to my list at Netflix. On a scale of five, I rate the novel three-and-a-half. (Facts culled from Wiki and IMDb)

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 10/28 - Windy

The new network TV series have been running for a month. I’ve been watching four. So far, Nashville, which airs Wednesday at ten EST on ABC, is the best of the group. I continue to be impressed at how genuine the song clips sound. And there is none of the over the top portrayal that used to be prevalent regarding country artists. The show is grounded.
The Last Resort, Thursday eight EST ABC, is the most problematic of the bunch, although it has been entertaining. U.S. leaders have bombed areas of Pakistan in a pre-emptive war. So far, the term “right wing” hasn’t surfaced and the President hasn’t been seen. I’m surprised the show is running during the current administration. It plays more like an indictment of Bush’s policies.
Elementary, Thursday ten PM EST CBS, is solid, exactly what fans of Sherlock Holmes would expect, at least those who do not believe the iconic figure must remain in a specific time and place. The only problem is that his character is written as so arrogant it may eventually wear on everyone but hardcore followers.
Vegas, Tuesday ten PM EST CBS, has been standard fare. Fortunately, the lead character has been humanized a bit through his reminisces of his dead wife. I read this morning in the NY Post’s TV Week section that the character of Ralph Lamb is based on the man by that name who served as Sheriff of Las Vegas from ’61-’79. Now 85, he shares the same birthday as the man who plays him, Dennis Quaid. A critic spotted satellite dishes in certain shots. That type of error doesn’t bother me. I’m interested in strong narrative and interesting characters. I’m not ready to give up hope on the show.
My former favorite, Fringe, Friday nine PM EST FOX, is in its last season. It’s not as good as it was, as the show seems limited to a plot line from which it probably will not deviate -- wresting the planet away from the Watchers. In past seasons, just like in The X-Files, there were great episodes that had little or nothing to do with the main story arc. I miss that.

I was bad yesterday. I had one of the new angus burgers at McDonalds, the Bacon-Cheddar. That sucker was tasty. I didn’t order fries, but I did have a coke. That’s about 1000 calories. It will be months before I have another.

I watched a wild flick last night, courtesy of Netflix. The Yellow Sea (2010) was made in South Korea, whose films have been gaining respect. This one reminded of Old Boy (2003), but was even more violent. I’m not sure I understood the entire plot, and I question why the gangsters use only blades and not guns, but the intensity grabbed me. It may have more car wrecks than any movie in history. Its chase scenes, while highly implausible, were breath-taking. On a scale of five, three-and-a-half. It is rated 7.3 at IMDb.

By the time I collected the laundry at my sister's, it was almost noon. It wasn't raining and the wind wasn't any worse than many of the days I've set up the floating book shop. Knowing there's a possibility of being stuck indoors the next two days, I decided to give it a shot. I took a copy each of Killing, Adjustments and A Hitch in Twilight, and no other books, to Bay Parkway and 86th Street. I wanted to be able to move fast if the skies opened up. There were as many people out and about as usual. As soon as I'd placed the books atop the milk crate, a woman stopped, drawn by the cover of Killing. Ann Marie lives near 18th Avenue. She bought. If I ever complain about bad luck again, kick me. Thanks, ma'am.

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 10/27 - Evil

There have been two brutal stories dominating the news the past few days in NYC. A wife reported to authorities that her husband, an NYPD officer, had been hatching a plot with two other men to abduct, cook and eat women. And a nanny went berserk and stabbed the two toddlers in her care, and then plunged the knife into her own neck, only to survive. In the first case, I cannot imagine the state of mind of the wife, who discovered the man she loved  and thought she knew is a monster. In the second, the parents’ grief is just as unimaginable. Whenever I set up the floating book shop in Park Slope, I see many children in strollers pushed by nannies. I do not understand how a parent could leave a child in the care of a total stranger. I’m sure 99.99% of nannies are fine, but I wouldn’t risk it. I’d rather be dirt poor, on welfare, than leave my child with a stranger, although some children have suffered abuse at the hands of a family member. Such events give rise to the debate over evil. In my youth, I wanted to believe that it did not exist, that heinous acts were the product of environment. Eventually, I came to believe that evil is real, that some people have a predisposition to it despite environment, and others have a latency aroused by environment. In my first novel, Close to the Edge, I delved into the mind of someone who eventually crosses the line. In my youthful arrogance, while writing it, I believed I was making the definitive statement on the subject, despite only a layman’s credentials. I now laugh grudgingly at that notion. I believe the novel makes a sound argument for that one case only. It is a grand failure in the broad picture. I don’t know if experts will ever get a handle on why some people are remorselessly violent, although I realize there is a possibility that the genes that prompt such behavior may be isolated in the future. Until then, we all face the same chilling odds of an encounter with evil, like the poor soul whose car was hijacked by the fiend who had murdered a policeman only a while before. It’s best not to think about it, but hard when headlines push the horror directly into the face.

Looks like we're in for a big soak. The floating book shop may be on the shelf at least three days. Maybe if we all put our minds together we can will Sandy into a right turn out to sea.

My thanks to Jack of Chase bank, who purchased Joker One, Donovan Campbell's account of his platoon's combat experiences in Iraq; and to the young employee of Dunkin Donuts, who used her tip money to a buy Janet Evanovich's Sizzling Sixteen.

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 10/26 - Plus-Minus

There is a great op-ed piece in today’s NY Post by T. Simmons & Ryan M. Yonk. Throughout the nation, environmentalists are taking each other on, initiating litigation. Case in point: developers who want to use Northeast waterways for renewable energy projects are being challenged by greeniacs who believe it would be harmful to the American Eel, whose population has diminished by 90% due, in the opinion of some environmentalists, to acoustic disturbance from windmills. Just the other day I read an article in which some scientists pooh-poohed the complaints humans have made in this regard. I doubt that there is anything in life that isn’t harmful to someone or something in some way. Do the pluses outweigh the minuses - that is the question? Every day there is more proof that environmentalism is a weird science. It would be laughable if it didn’t cost so much money, a lot of which comes out of the pockets of taxpayers.

There is good news on the college athletics front. Graduation rates of student athletes have been improving. In the years ‘03-’06, 68% of football and basketball players graduated. That is better than the rate of all students in that period. Penn St.’s rate was 91%, tied with Rutgers for seventh place. UCONN’s basketball program graduated only 11% of its athletes, to no one's surprise. This year’s top two NFL draft picks, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, each earned a degree.

Most college football teams have four or five games remaining in the regular season, so the following thought will be premature, but right now I’d say the coach of the year is Bill O’Brien of Penn St.. The Nittany Lions lost their first two games, to Ohio University (undefeated) and Virginia, which is struggling. Since then, they have won five straight. Given the scandal and the defections of several players to other schools, this is remarkable. I was sure the program would suffer a losing season and that O’Brien would be merely a transitional figure. What a story.

My thanks to the kind folks who purchased and donated 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 10/25 - Paste

An old college friend I really respect posted a warning to her Facebook profile. I confess that I don't quite understand the issue, but I decided to copy and paste it into my own, as she is a very smart woman:

"You are hereby notified that you are strictly prohibited from disclosing, copying, distributing, disseminating, or taking any other action against me with regard to this profile and the contents herein, including, but not limited to my photos, and/or the comments made about my photos or any other "picture" art posted on my profile. The foregoing prohibitions also apply to your employee, agent, student or any personnel under your direction or control. The contents of this profile are private and legally privileged and confidential information, and the violation of my personal privacy is punishable by law. UCC 1-103 1-308 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED WITHOUT PREJUDICE

For those of you who do not understand the reasoning behind this posting, Facebook is now a publicly traded entity. Unless you state otherwise, anyone can infringe on your right to privacy once you post to this site. It is recommended that you and other members post a similar notice as this, or you may copy and paste this version. If you do not post such a statement once, then you are indirectly allowing public use of items such as your photos and the information contained in your status updates."

It was a routine day at the floating book shop, made notable because for the second time this month I ran into Bay 37th alum Sukie, who I hadn't seen in ages prior to that. Funny how things like that happen. She parks her car in Sheepshead Bay whenever she has to take the train into the city. My thanks to the people who bought 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/cyckn3

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 10/24 - Sad Music

Marie has been very kind to me. When she first encountered the floating book shop, she may have assumed I was in dire straits financially and donated about 75 Cds she’d acquired from a friend whose bar went out of business. After months of regular visits, she finally took a chance on one of my books, A Hitch in Twilight, which she continues to rave about. She even bought a copy for a friend’s birthday. We’re both film buffs. Yesterday she loaned me a DVR of a strange flick, The Saddest Music in the World (2003). It was directed by a Canadian, Guy Maddin, who has been at the helm of 42 films, mostly shorts. I’d seen a couple of his other full length features and only remember not liking them. This one wasn’t bad. Shot in the style of a silent film, although it has sound and dialogue, it is the story of a double amputee bar owner, played by Isabella Rossellini, who sponsors a contest to find the saddest song in the world. It is set during the great depression, and the contest draws people from around the globe. Shot primarily in black and white, there are scenes in color here and there. It is over the top, bizarre, and charmingly funky. The original screenplay was written by Kasuo Ishiguro, who wrote the novel The Remains of the Day and the screenplay for it (1995). That film was nominated for eight Oscars but won none in the year of Schindler‘s List. Maddin and George Toles share writing credit on Saddest Music. I sense they changed the original version to accommodate their unconventional film-making style. It is rated 7.0 at IMDb. On a scale of five, I rate it three. I wonder if it influenced the makers of last year's critical darling and Academy Award winner, The Artist. Thanks again, Marie. 

With rain in the air, I did the sensible thing, setting up the floating book shop right beside the car in case the skies opened up and I had to scramble to put everything away. And my good run continued. A middle age woman purchased Danielle Steel's Going Home. When a young man showed, my spirits immediately lifted. A few weeks ago he purchased a number of books. As he was browsing, I asked if he were Latino and suggested Tales of the South Bronx by Abraham Rodriguez. He put it aside, squatted and looked carefully through a number of non-fiction titles, demonstrating unusual patience and discernment for one so young. I'd guess he was 20. He selected four on subjects as varied as slavery, finance, and the oil industry. He is impressive. It looked like that would be it for the session when a tall, jovial Russian gentleman appeared, two paperback thrillers in tow. He donated those and overpaid for three others. Not bad for a day that had the potential to be a wash-out. 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 10/23 - Vial

The blogosphere interview I did at Away with Words has been archived. It went much better than I expected. I wasn't at all nervous. I got through the excerpt I read with only a couple of glitches. The only problem is that the audio is a bit choppy. I don't know if that is because of my cell phone or  something on the other end. I was on exclusively with Victoria and Jill, her co-host, the first 28 minutes. We were then joined by a high school poetess, Elena, wise beyond her years. I contributed for a half hour more. I guess my anxiety about it manifests how comfortable my life has become - too comfortable. It needed to be shaken a bit. I wonder how many people, if any, actually tuned in. Here's the link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/aww1/2012/10/22/fiction-night-with-vic-fortezza-1

I hadn't seen much of my favorite Occupy Wall Street guy, Jack, lately. Actually, he's the only OWSer I know. He recently interviewed for a job in warehousing, in which he has a lot of experience. He hasn't worked for anyone but himself for 20 years. He was carrying a vial with him today. He is going to pay someone a hundred bucks for a clean urine sample in case he is required to submit one. Two weeks ago he partook of some hashish with his brethren. It'd been 30 years since he'd smoked any and he couldn't resist the temptation. Like marijuana, it stays in the system for 45 days. He offered me the same deal as his acquaintance. I said I had nothing on tap, which was only partly true. He also told me that his nephew, who lives in Florida and has a drug problem, was arrested for driving naked. The word "character" does not begin to describe Jack. Good luck, my man.

Will, local security, also stopped by the floating book shop and handed me the first installment on the most recent batch of CDs I handed off to him last week. Simon, the 85-year-old veteran, gave me two mystery compilations, which a gentleman who parked a Zipcar at the curb purchased a while later. He had a badge attached to chain he was wearing around his neck. I didn't ask. I also had a huge donation from one of the porters in our Atlantic Towers complex. One book, a massive tome on GED preparation, was bought by a large elderly gentleman whose clothing and hat make it seem he's on safari. He has passed me hundreds of times without making a purchase. Why he chose such a book is a mystery I chose not to explore. 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 10/22 - Courts

There's a shocking trial result out of central Italy, where an earthquake in 2009 killed 308. The court brought in guilty verdicts on charges of manslaughter for seven scientists, ruling that they should have predicted the disaster. According to an article I just read, earthquakes are virtually impossible to predict. Imagine the ramifications if such cases were brought around the world. And when the manslaughter cases were ruled upon, no doubt civil cases would ensue. Environmental paranoiacs would be able to be even more of a nuisance than they already are. What a scary precedent.

Last year I wondered if Giants' WR Victor Cruz was just a flash in the pan. Given his stats thus far this season, he seems here to stay, a star. Kudos to the team's talent evaluators, who have unearthed some real gems, starting with DE Osi Umenyiora several years ago, continuing with DE Jason Pierre-Paul, and RB David Wilson and DB Stevie Smith.

It's less than two hours to air time of Away with Words, where I will be interviewed tonight by my literary angel, Victoria Valentine and her co-host Jill. If you want to hear me make an idiot of myself, here's a link to the show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/aww1/2012/10/10/away-with-words-live

Bad luck became good today for the floating book shop. I ventured to Park Slope, waited in vain an hour for a parking spot to open up on 9th Street between 7th & 6th Avenue, then decided to look elsewhere. I found a spot on 8th Street and lugged two crates around the corner just below 5th Avenue, facing the side of a Chase bank, bus top at my back. An hour later a middle age woman stopped by. Doreen mails books to prison inmates. It's the sort of endeavor I would expect a resident of that liberal bastion to participate in. She bought A Hitch in Twilight and handed me a card that had a website on it: www.FREEJOHNGIUCA.com/ Giuca, 21, was convicted of the murder of Mark Fisher, a football player at a local college, a case that made headlines for many weeks. His mother, Dee Quinn, a beautiful woman of 46, went undercover on her own, entrapping one of the jurors. Her efforts were detailed in an article in Vanity Fair: Mother Justice by Christopher Ketcham. The case is now on appeal. The site asks visitors to sign a petition. I did not. I prefer to let the courts decide. I don't think Dee and Doreen are the same person, although several years have passed since the trial ended. Doreen was upbeat and kind and doesn't seem to be carrying the woe the mother of the wrongfully convicted would. I hope the next trial uncovers the truth, whatever it may be. Thank you, ma'am, and also to the gentleman who purchased the book on guitar chords.
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 10/20 - Chronicle

When this week's selection, Chronicle (2012), arrived from Netflix, it was a mystery. This has happened before. I add to my list months in advance and forget the more obscure films. This one put fresh spin on a familiar theme. Three teenage males find a hole in the ground in the woods. It leads to a deep cave, where they find a mysterious object, probably extraterrestrial. Soon, they begin to develop super powers. What makes this story different is the exploration of the psychological effects such gifts might bring, particularly on the most troubled of the group. The portrayal of the teens is genuine, unlike in most films. Kudos to screenwriter Max Landis, his first full length feature; to the three leads: Dane DeHaan, Alex Russell and Michael B. Jordan; and to director John Trank, who directed several episodes of a TV series, The Kill Point, with which I'm not familiar. The special effects are extraordinary, especially given that the entire budget of the film was "only" twelve million. It earned 125 million worldwide. The climactic scenes are reminiscent of the second Christopher Reeve Superman. The running time is less than 90 minutes. What a treat. On a scale of five, four. It is rated 7.1 out of ten at IMDb.

It looked like luck had finally ended for the floating book shop after a solid week. The only positive in the first two-and-a-half hours was a visit from Bill, who has self-published five books through Lulu. He describes them as niche. One is on grain elevators. Anyway, he promised to buy one of my books if I can find more by John LeCarre for him. Deal. In the last ten minutes Bad News Billy and Sue, local realtor, LHS class of '67, showed and bought a bunch of books. As we were gabbing, a gentleman approached and purchased the last two of my current stock of Russian books. 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 10/19 - Mudville

The Yankees’ season is history, and I rejoice. Excuse me while I indulge my childish hatred of the Bronx Bombers. It’s amazing how twisted I can get over them without watching a single at-bat of their games. I’m not a negative person. Negative people don’t constantly submit their writing to publishers only to have it rejected 99% of the time. Then again, that may be just a symptom of insanity. Anyway, it was such fun to see things go suddenly, horribly wrong for baseball’s richest team. They never had the lead in any of the games against the Tigers. They had the lowest series batting average in history -- .188. Alex Rodriguez, whose salary is about 25 million, was benched in favor of Eric Chavez, who went 0-16. Arod, of course, took time out to hit on two women seated near the dugout. Not surprisingly, he struck out with them. Fans and management were not impressed. Early speculation has him being traded to the Marlins, as he has roots in Florida. Why would anyone want him when it is clear his skills have eroded considerably and he is frequently injured? Suggestion: go back to steroids and learn about masking agents. Robinson Cano was not benched, although he went 3-40, .075, in the post season. When his career is finished he should find work as a baker -- because, according to all reports, he is one hell of a loafer. I can’t speak for all Yankees-haters, but the Bomber I find most annoying is Nick Swisher, who also flopped mightily in the playoffs. He is a free agent and unlikely to be playing in New York next year, thank heavens. The wailing of Yankees fans is music to the ears. Their sense of entitlement is sickening. The organization faces the monumental task of replacing aging players. There were a lot of empty seats in the Stadium during the playoffs, and they weren’t just those that cost $2600 per. Their two mainstays, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, are in their late thirties and are coming off major injury. Perhaps the team should adopt the Cardinals’ strategy: spend modestly, enough to contend for a wild card, then hope the crap-shoot playoff format bails them out. St. Louis let superstar Albert Pujols walk and it barely mattered. Of course, there will be calls for manager Joe Girardi’s head. Well, no skipper would win when his millionaires lineup fails to deliver. Pinch-hitting for a sure-fire first ballot Hall of Famer with a 40-year-old journeyman was one of the boldest managerial moves ever - and it paid off. That alone should have Girardi re-hired. And when a team fails, the first group to turn on them are the most fickle of us all, sports writers. Here’s the headline from today’s NY Post, a take-off on the Arod debacle:

The floating book shop sailed all the way to Queens today. I had a call from an old Exchange buddy, Joey K, on Tuesday morning. He's been kind enough to purchase all my books and wanted Killing. I'd heard that it might rain Friday, so I told him I'd be by then. It capped off a week of great luck. Now 60, Joe's not doing well physically. He has had trouble with balance for a decade and has suffered numerous falls. He is now largely confined to the house. His oldest daughter, an elementary school teacher, recently married. His youngest is about halfway through her studies at FIT. He spends a lot of time on Facebook, where I helped him upload a picture of himself. His posts are political and he is supporting Romney, although he fears it might cause his daughter problems with liberal faculty members. He also works on training his three cats to not climb bureaus and dressers. He does this by firing water guns at their paws whenever they transgress. He is one of life's good guys. Bless you, K-meister.
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 10/18 - Linked-

The floating book shop has helped me promote my books. Although it has led to hundreds of sales, I doubt it would ever be as effective in marketing as the internet. I use many sites, including this one, to get the word out. I often try to be subtle and feel I'm transparent, shamelessly promoting. My fear is irking friends, old and new, I stay in contact with on the social websites. I restrict myself to three posts a day on Facebook and try to make them a little different each day. At Myspace, babyboomers.com and WordPress, I simply post this blog and hope it isn't some kind of violation to have the same one in four different locations. Pinterest is fun, but I doubt it will ever lead to a book sale. I had the same doubt about Twitter until recently, when I clicked on a link to WheelMan Press, which eventually led to the acceptance of my fourth novel, fifth book, Exchanges. If it does make it into print, all the posting would have been worth it. Then there's LinkedIn, a site I don't understand at all, perhaps because it's geared more to business professionals than artists. I accept invitations to connect there from anyone who asks, although I don't believe it will lead to any book sales. A few days ago, the site began a new strategy -- endorsements. I received one, endorsed the guy in return, and endorsed a number of other people, including non-writers, although I believe it will lead nowhere. It smacks of desperation, but I should be grateful all these options allow me to fill time constructively and to continue to hope beyond hope that a breakthrough will occur.

For the first time this week there was some warmth in the air. I was comfortable all afternoon. I was happy when I spotted Simon, the 85-year-old veteran who has donated many books to me, approaching with two gift bags in tow. I hadn't seen him for a couple of weeks. That is scary, given his age. Later, I handed off a bag of about 30 CDs to Will, a local security guard who has purchased at least 50 from me already. I told him to sort through them, keep whatever he wanted, and get back to me on a price. At least ten books in Russian were donated this week. Only two remain. I sold novels by P.D. James, Sidney Sheldon, and Rick Castle or whoever is writing under the name of that fictional TV character. 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 10/17 - Help!

Two presidential debates are now history. It was interesting to read and hear analysis in the media. Liberals believe Obama won, conservatives are certain Romney did. Which candidate coaxed the crucial undecideds to his corner? That is the question, and probably won't be determined until at least the next debate and possibly the last minute. My gut tells me Romney will win the popular vote by a small margin, while Obama will win the electoral count, a turnabout from the 2004 Bush/Gore race. If so, let's hope the post election period is not dominated by talk of hanging chads.

WPIX, Channel 11, has been a mainstay in NYC since 1948. It has been blacked out to subscribers of Cablevision since mid August because of a feud over money. It runs back to back episodes of Seinfeld Monday-Friday at 11PM. Every night I'd fall asleep during the second. It was the only PIX program I watched except for those times when the Giants or Jets play on Monday or Thursday night and the station picks up the feed. At first Cablevision ran the Style Network on eleven. I'll be kind and just say it was not my cup of tea. Then it ran the NFL Network and it was a great option in my limited package. I enjoy the highlight shows more than the games, despite the inanity of the hosts, and the Top Ten shows on topics such as the greatest defenses and broadcasting voices were fun. I also liked the hour long profile of Tom Coughlin, and that of the 1995 Cleveland Browns, who were moved to Baltimore after the season by owner Art Modell. When I tuned in to see what was being shown last night, Channel 11 was occupied by OWN, Oprah's network. Help!

It was another good day for the floating book shop. I received a second massive donation from the young educator who lives in the apartment building where I set up. Many of the books have to do with education. She also gave me about 15 CDs, Counting Crows, Prince and Jefferson Airplane among them. One huge tome, a primer for the GRE, was snapped up by a young man who looked at me as if I were crazy when I charged a dollar for it. I was happy not to have to carry it. A burly, gruff Russian man donated a stack of books in his native language, four of which were purchased by a woman walking her dog. I also sold several novels to various customers. Alas, I couldn't convince anyone to take a shot on one of my books. Maybe 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 10/16 - Censor

The big shots at ABC have censored a line from Tim Allen's sitcom, Last Man Standing. His character, a conservative, tries to convince his daughter to vote for Romney, saying: "Obama is a communist." This is the same network that broadcast a show called Good Christian Bitches for an entire season before cancelling it. Several years ago, one of its execs questioned a scene from Desperate Housewives wherein Eva Longoria's character had sex with a 16-year-old. He asked: "Should she be smoking?"

Battery maker A123, which received a 249 million dollar loan from the Obama administration, has declared bankruptcy, losing out to other producers. Fortunately, it has used "only" 130 million of it. There is a glut of batteries on the market, as sales of electric cars has been lagging. The President's goal was to have a million electric cars on the road by 2015. Current estimates predict 400,000. They just aren't practical for the average consumer. That doesn't mean research should cease, but, in the meantime, drilling for oil should be increased. In a related story, a London newspaper has published an article on the findings of a group of British scientists that states there has been no uptick in global warming from 1997-2012. Of course, other scientists labelled the data flawed.

Despite brilliant sunshine, it was a lot colder than I expected today. Fortunately, several people bought books. And no sooner had the elderly, hand-holding Russian couple that has donated so many books to the floating book shop give me six more than Lev showed and snapped up four of them. Spasibo, 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 10/15 - Yay!

The NFL season is now almost finished with week six, and no team has been dominant. Although the Atlanta is 6-0 and Baltimore 5-1, neither team has overwhelmed the opposition, and now the Ravens have lost LB Ray Lewis, it's leader, for the season. One writer had the audacity to suggest the injury might be beneficial, as the future Hall of Famer has slowed considerably and struggles to keep up on passing downs. That remains to be seen. Until last night, Houston seemed the team to beat. Having lost defensive leader, LB Brian Cushing, for the season, the team looked out of sorts. Was it the inevitable bad game or did Green Bay expose them by concentrating on stopping RB Arian Foster and daring them to pass? Remember how awful the Giants were on opening night and how great the Cowboys looked? Well, Dallas keeps finding ways to lose and Big Blue rolls along despite a string of injuries. The 49ers were favored by just about everyone Sunday and Eli and company took them apart rather easily. Remember how the Cardinals began 4-0 and everyone was talking up their defense? They're now 4-2 after losses to the mediocre Rams and Bills. The Eagles appear to be loaded with talent, as did last year's "Dream Team," but Michael Vick has been a turnover machine. Maybe they're just over-rated, although they do have the Giants' number. The Jets were written off by the experts and yet sit tied for the lead at 3-3 with everyone else in their division after the "ground and pound" attack finally showed itself against the Colts. Are they back or was the opposition simply vulnerable to the philosophy? There are six rookie QBs starting in the NFL. Parity has made the path to the Super Bowl wide open. As I said before the season began, every team should look at what the Giants accomplished last year and say: "Why not us?" My hunch is the Packers began a major run last night, and the Patriots will separate themselves from the rest of the teams in their division, but neither team is unbeatable. How will the Giants fare against the amazing RG3 this weekend? It should be fun.

Luck was with the floating book shop today. I listened to the weather forecast at 10 AM to see if it would be worth it to venture all the way to Park Slope. The rain was supposed to hold off until late afternoon. As soon as I set up, though, it began sprinkling. Fortunately, it let up immediately. I immediately sold a couple of thrillers to a lively elderly woman and was grateful I'd have something to show for the trip if it started pouring. The next two and a half hours were frustrating, as several people visited but no one bought. Then a nice couple happened by and purchased A Hitch in Twilight. For the second straight day I sold one to a guy named Vinnie. Simultaneously, a middle aged woman was attracted to a couple of large books on teaching, and overpaid for them. Thanks, folks. And when I returned to Sheepshead Bay, I got the second best parking spot possible for the rest of the week's sessions. Yay!
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 10/14 - Artist

Last night I finally got around to watching The Artist (2011), courtesy of Netflix. I was wary, sensing that the making of a silent film these days was merely a gimmick, although it received ten Academy Award nominations and won five: Picture, Director, Actor, Score, Costume Design; and was on most top ten lists, frequently at number one. Well, I didn’t fall asleep, which I’ve done during just about every silent film I’ve ever attempted to watch, but I found it no more than nice. I love the sound and fury of life, even when it signifies nothing, to paraphrase Shakespeare. To remove that element seems a handicap. Why not use such a wonderful gift? The film is an homage to movies. The storyline is familiar, sharing elements with two classics: Singin’ in the Rain (1952) and A Star Is Born (1937, 1954, 1976). Although Jean Dujardin is excellent as the male lead, I found Berenice Bejo absolutely charming. To my eyes, she resembles the young Bianca Jagger, with tons more zest and personality. I was disappointed in not hearing her speak, which seems ironic in that her character becomes a sensation just as talkies are taking over the movie business. France contributed greatly to the film. In addition to the co-stars, the director was Michael Hazanavicius, his tenth stint at the helm. There are several familiar faces in the supporting cast: John Goodman, James Cromwell, Penelope Ann Miller and Ed Lauter, who I was surprised is still working. The perfect “average” man, he has amassed 199 credits, the first on TV series Mannix in 1971. The Artist is rated 8.1 out of ten at IMDb. I am not as enthusiastic. On a scale of five, three. Don’t hate me. I would be remiss in not mentioning that a cute dog logs considerable screen time. Ruff, ruff.

For the first time in months I set up shop at 24th Avenue and 86th Street. Several people browsed my wares but no one made a purchase. One young man seemed on the point of buying Killing, and backed off. Frustration elicited a four-letter word from me when he was out of earshot. It looked like a disappointing session until a woman I haven't seen in a couple of years happened by. I met her about ten years ago, when I first began selling Close to the Edge on the street, at the 18th Avenue Street Fair. While her husband, son and daughter explored the booths, she stood beside me lending moral support. I'm ashamed I've forgotten her name. I'd see her every now and then through the years. She asked what had happened to me, and I told her that the police no longer allow peddlers on certain parts of 86th Street or Kings Highway. She's been through a tough period, a bout with breast cancer and trouble with her daughter, who's now a senior in high school. The kid fell in love with a Russian boy, and when things fell apart she became the victim of such vicious bullying that she had to transfer in April. She has taken up writing and even won a poetry contest. She's writing a book about about the hell she went through. It seems like something publishers would love to have these days.

Vinnie's family has owned the huge property that spans the entire space between 24th Avenue and Bay 37th Street at 86th Street. It is currently occupied by a discount store, an Albanian restaurant, and Dolphin Gym, which my friend Andrew owns. In the late 50's and 60's, when the main section was a Rollerama, there would be wrestling cards there every now and then. I devoted a brief passage to it in a short story, Defining Moment, which is part of A Hitch in Twilight. Today I showed the paragraph to Vinnie, hoping he would recommend the book to his daughter, who has a Kindle. He did even better, purchasing it. Thank you, 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 10/13 - Exchanges

My thanks to the folks who bought books on this glorious day. Here's an excerpt from Exchanges, the novel I've had accepted by WheelMan Press. For some reason, I don't expect it to make into print. I hope it's just the normal anxiety that arises between acceptance and publication, and that my instincts about the operation prove unfounded. 

At 18 he became reckless. Employment provided cash, which allowed him freedom, especially when he saved enough to pay for a car and insurance. For so long he’d been under his father's thumb, without the means to rebel. Suddenly he had the means, meager though they were, and rebel he did, visiting rock clubs nightly, drinking, stealing money from atop the bar, taking drugs, fighting, driving fast, nailing any girl who was willing. His youth coincided with the "free love" movement. Terrified the first time he entered a club, the meeting of women became as easy as: "Got a match?" He was without conscience, performing the act in cars, alleys, bathrooms, in beds shared with friends and their lovers. His father made a single futile attempt to put an end to the hours he was keeping, but Charley had grown so strong and his father so weak from indolence and neglect that he evaded most of the blows aimed at him, shrugged off the rest, and snickered at the verbal threats leveled at him.
In retrospect, he was amazed he’d survived those years of driving under the influence. Had he believed in God, he would have believed he was being watched over. He doubted God would favor him over the many innocents who perished in traffic accidents. He experienced guilt whenever he recalled how disrespectful he’d been to his father, even though he’d despised him. He cringed at the thought that Billy might one day treat him that way.
Ironically, considering the sins he’d committed in clubs or that were led to in them, he met Loretta in one. He’d met countless others like her, girls who at a glance or word he knew were out of place, who he knew it would be futile to pursue for a fast fling. He’d disregarded them all without a second thought, yet the first time he gazed into Loretta’s eyes he was stopped in his tracks. He immediately sensed her personality and values. He was surprised she didn't ignore him, didn't turn away, didn't see the real him as he believed he saw the real her. To his friends' chagrin, he soon fell out of circulation. He reformed almost entirely, shaving his beard, cutting his long hair, quitting cigarettes.
"If I ever got married and had kids I wouldn't want ‘em to think it was okay for them to smoke," she’d said.
He was humbled by the insightful simplicity of the remark. The thought that she seemed to have designs on him was all the incentive he needed to continue his reformation. He did not miss drugs at all. He also cut back greatly on his drinking. His only falls from grace were sexual. He was 21 and accustomed to having sex regularly. Loretta would not allow him more than a polite kiss, even after their engagement. And he feared that, should  he force her, she would leave him. And with women continuing to call him, he was unable and unwilling to resist temptation. He cut his activity to weekly, long sessions, and allowed himself at least a day before seeing Loretta again so his guilt wouldn't be severe or apparent. If she suspected his philandering, she didn't let on.
The change in him became complete once they were wed. The sight of his father, of all people, shaved and in a tuxedo, impressed upon him the importance of the vow. And Loretta never denied him, although sex was very difficult for her for months. His drive at least had an outlet. And once she relaxed, became convinced that the enjoyment of the act was not damning, their sex life became very satisfying, and they grew even closer.
Looking back, he was glad Loretta had been a virgin on their wedding night, proud no other man had ever had her. The years had allayed the frustration he’d suffered in her presence before their marriage. He’d often been on the point of blurting: "You're makin’ me go to other girls for it," inwardly blaming her for his infidelity. Fortunately common sense prevailed. He shuddered at the thought of how close he’d been to telling her. Where would he be now had he let slip and lost her - prison? Dead? It did not seem far-fetched. Somehow, deep down, he must have known, must have believed he would never have such an opportunity again. He dreamed of a "normal" life, which he would not have thought possible until he’d met her. Suddenly the romance of films seemed truth, not fiction. Although their life together had been a struggle, nothing like anything out of Hollywood, he’d chosen wisely. His instincts, if not his fantasy, had proven correct. No man would ever have a better wife, a better mother for his children.
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 10/12 - Bugged

Joke of the Day: And the winner of this year's Nobel Peace Prize is - The European Union. Let's see how long peace lasts if the money runs out. The best candidate for the award I've seen is the 14-year-old Pakistani girl,  Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in the head by a sniper for her criticism of the Taliban. Although the bullet was removed and she has moved her arms and legs, she remains in critical condition. She was silenced by the type of thug European elites constantly appease.

I had another of my vivid dreams last night. It began as pure erotica and evolved to a scene of men and women of Middle Eastern origin rushing along the Sheepshead Bay promenade, carrying mattresses. It requires no analysis to figure what triggered the first part, and I know exactly what triggered the second. As I entered the building yesterday, men were hauling out a mattress. There was another against the wall near the elevator, almost entirely covered by plastic. As I approached, an insect flew from it. Our three-building complex has been invaded by bed bugs and it seems our wing has finally been hit, despite the hundreds of thousands spent on fumigation. The woman I was with was afraid to go near the mattress. I can’t blame her, but bed bugs can be picked up anywhere. Even a Bloomingdales had them. It sucks. I figure it’s only a matter of time before I get hit.

I see a lot of posts at Facebook by liberals trying to shame those who support the scaling back of government programs, using the phrase: “What would Jesus do?” Studies have shown that conservatives, especially the religious, donate far more to charity than leftists, who expect others to pick up the tab, which they believe should be limitless. St. Matthew was a government hack, a tax collector, who walked off the job to follow Christ. If only the IRS mafia would do the same.

It was a winter-like day, not much sun, plenty of wind, the real-feel temperature about 40. I'm still shivering a bit and look forward to a hot shower at halftime of the evening's web session. I thank the woman who was kind enough to stop and buy a book on writing term papers.
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 10/11 -

RIP Alex Karras, Detroit Lions DT, 12 years in the NFL, four time All-Pro, named to the All-Decade Team of the 1960’s. After his football career, he made a smooth segue into acting, most memorably as Mongo in Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles (1974). In Victor/Victoria (1982, Screenplay Blake Edwards), during a madcap back and forth of people spying on each other in a hotel, he walks to the door of his room covered in snow and asks the person staring at him: "Do you have heat in your room?" One evening during his two-year stint as a commentator on Monday Night Football, the camera focused on DT Otis Sistrunk of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who had steam rising from his bald head. Karras said: "University of Mars." He also starred in the long-running sitcom, Webster. Well done, sir.

It seems a given that Paul Ryan will clobber Joe Biden in their debate. Biden has committed so many gaffes that it is hard to imagine he would do well in any kind of exchange of ideas. On the other hand, it takes a lot of savvy and ruthlessness to get elected time and again, as he has. Since the expectations are so low for Biden and so high for Ryan, any deviation will come as a surprise. If Ryan does not win decisively, it will probably be viewed as a loss, and the leftist media will have a field day. It should be interesting.

Since there has been rampant cheating on the SATs, students will be required to show an ID to take the test. I wonder if leftists will protest as they do against ID requirements for voting.

The premiere of Nashville aired last night on ABC and, if the first episode is any indication, it will be a winner. Connie Britton stars as the diva whose career may be waning, and Hayden Panettiere plays the new sensation. The most impressive element so far are the song snippets, all original to my knowledge. All seem genuine, lending the show a realistic feel. Several plot lines are already underway. The trick will be to keep them grounded, not over the top.

No luck selling books today, despite the gorgeous weather. Get 'im 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 10/10 - Surprises

I got an email from Amazon informing me that it now has not only book but author rankings, which are updated hourly. As of 9AM mine was 212,135. That’s a lot higher than any of my book rankings, which are pretty pathetic. I’ve always sensed that a ranking that remains below a million means a book is selling at a pace of about one per month. There are about eight millions books listed there. Since I have five in play, my ranking is higher than most of those who share the bottom of the totem pole and have only one or two books in print or on Kindle. It’s nothing to write home about and probably just a marketing gimmick to get authors to do more promotion.

It was a day of surprises at the floating book shop. The first was being able to open at all. It rained all morning. I couldn't believe it when I left the house at 11AM and saw the sun peeking from the clouds, and the weather got better and better throughout the afternoon. I hadn't seen my first customer in at least a year, since she took on the care of an elderly woman. I've been carrying two westerns, which her husband enjoys, hoping she would come along. She also bought Dan Brown's mega-blockbuster, The DaVinci Code. "You wouldn't believe what I'm reading now," she said in her lovely Caribbean accent. "Fifty Shades..." I said. Her eyes narrowed: "How you know?" I chuckled: "Everybody in the world's reading it." Soon, a young woman approached and said she and her husband were cleaning their apartment and wanted to unload some books. She returned with about 20, most of them out of the mainstream, several geared toward teachers. She teaches at Kingsborough Community College and Mercy College. One book had a homemade cover on it, Sidibe Ibrahima's The Lesbian's Wife. From the looks of it, I figured it was urban lit. Another home attendant, young mother of two boys, bought it, saying: "I don't want my husband to see it, though." I pulled the makeshift cover, which I had folded, from my pocket and handed it to her. She laughed as she took it. It looked like that would be it in terms of sales until the last minute when an elderly woman bought Danielle Steel's No Greater Love, and a young man purchased six books, including, curiously, a Korean Bible. He looked Hispanic. And then the coup de gras, as Marie showed up and bought A Hitch in Twilight as a present for her friend's birthday. She said she was touched by The Sad Song, a story that takes place largely in an abortion clinic that was fire-bombed. She dubbed the book "a keeper." It made my day.

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 10/9 - Cuckoo

It is a sad day in Hollywood. After 41 years of togetherness, 30 of marriage, Rhea Perlman and Danny DeVito are divorcing. Perlman had a great run as the sassy waitress on the beloved sitcom Cheers. IMDB lists 115 credits for DeVito. He uttered two of my favorite film lines. In One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975, Screenplay: Lawrence Hauben, Bo Goldman), Nurse Ratched tells the inmates she is rationing cigarettes and suspending certain privileges due to gambling. She asks if there are any questions. Martini/DeVito raises his hand and says: “How are we gonna win our money back?” In Ruthless People (1986, Screenplay: Dale Launer), his character receives an office phone call, the person asking if a certain female is there, whereupon DeVito goes into an obscene description of the sexual act the woman is performing on him. He hangs up, smiles and says: “I love wrong numbers.”

Here’s a quirky bit of news taken from Yahoo and edited for brevity. The winner of a roach-eating contest in South Florida died shortly after downing dozens of the live bugs as well as worms. About 30 contestants ate the insects during the contest. The grand prize was a python. Edward Archbold, 32, of West Palm Beach, became ill shortly after the contest ended and collapsed. He was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities were waiting for results of an autopsy to determine a cause of death. None of the other contestants got sick. There’s a moral here, but I’m not sure what it is.

The dreary weather offered no alternative than to set up the floating book shop in the shelter of the viaduct at Avenue Z & East 15th. Only two elderly men showed an interest. Neither made a purchase. The forecast is iffy for tomorrow too. It's a discouraging period that has to be fought through.
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 10/8 - Chutzpah

I did a web search on the word “chutzpah” just to make sure I wouldn’t be using it incorrectly. It is defined as “shameless audacity, impudence.” There is a new poster boy for it and he comes, naturally, from the world of politics. In 2008 Bear Stearns was about to go bust. The government asked JP Morgan, which did not engage in the schemes that got most banks in trouble, to buy out BS to prevent what they feared would be the beginning of a meltdown of the entire financial system. Now, four years later, NY Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has instituted a lawsuit against JPM for the behavior that occurred at BS before the former absorbed it. This lends credence to the old adage: “No good deed goes unpunished.” It is another case of government going after someone with deep pockets simply because it can. It is monstrous.

J.K. Rowling, rags to riches author of the Harry Potter series, had had a novel for adults published. Unfortunately, The Casual Vacancy has flopped, and she says she will return to children's books. That's too bad. She must be worth enough money to be able to continue to write in any genre she pleases, self publish if she must. Has her extraordinary success thinned her skin? If so, it's disappointing. It's like an actor who has been popular in action films afraid to a serious film. On the heels of Rocky, Sylvester Stallone was offered the part of Stanley Kowalski in a new Broadway production of Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire. He turned it down, saying he didn't want to be compared to Marlon Brando, and he was never again taken seriously as an artist. He is more celebrity than actor, like Arnold Schwarzenegger, who recently had a memoir, Total Recall, published. In it, he mentions the controversy that arose concerning a comment made in his early years in the States. He professed admiration for Hitler, a little man of humble origin who rose to great power. He now claims that he was being outrageous for the sake of publicity, and denies his admiration included the way the monster used that power.

Hipsterville, aka Park Slope, was not kind to the floating book shop today. There were many browsers but only one buyer. I thank the woman who purchased the Anna Quindlen essay collection.
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 10/7 - Drizzle

The floating book shop was drizzled out today. Here's an excerpt from an unpublished rock n roll epic, Rising Star:

   Mitchell approached the room tentatively. His grandmother was sleeping peacefully, face up, hands folded over her abdomen. There was a tube emanating from a plastic bag hanging on a metallic rack, feeding a clear solution into her left arm. He'd expected more - oxygen mask, life support system, plastic tent, several intravenous tubes. The other bed was empty. He shuddered, imagining the patient had died.
   He decided not to wake her and sat in the lone chair, which was opposite the foot of the bed. He heard weeping.
   "Is this how it's gonna end for me, God? Is this how it's gonna end?" a woman nearby lamented pitifully.
   It forced a lump to his throat. His flesh crawled as he recalled the groans he'd heard while visiting his grandfather, who'd succumbed to cancer two years ago.
   "Nurse!" another woman called harshly, repeatedly.
   He shivered. He was proud his grandmother was maintaining dignity even in death. He wondered how he would face it when his time came.
   "Mitchell?" said his grandmother suddenly.
   He sprang from the chair, kissed her withered cheek and took her hand.
   "I thought I was dreaming. How long have you been waiting?"
   "Not long. I didn't want to wake you."
   "You were always such a good boy."
   "How are you?"
   "Comfortable. They say my heart is very weak, but I don't feel anything."
   "When are you coming home?"
   "Who knows? I talked to Rachel on the phone just now. She's driving all the way from Long Island to see me tonight. I have such wonderful grandchildren. I won't be unhappy to die knowing they're going to live long after me."
   "Don't talk like that, Grandma."
   "It's not the same without my Mordy." She averted her gaze, pained. "I tried, but it's not the same. Fifty years. He was part of me."
   "So are we. We need you too."
   "No, it's not true. You may love me, but you don't need me. Your father has your mother. Rachel has her husband and children, and some day you'll have a nice girl too. And you have your music, and your other grandparents too, very nice people."
   "But they're in Florida. We hardly ever see them. And I don't love them the way I love you."
   "You should."
   "But I don't."
   She avoided his gaze. Her face had taken on many wrinkles and brown spots the past two years. She'd lost a considerable amount of weight.. Her cheeks had hollowed. She'd ceased coloring her hair, which was now a shocking white. She'd lost her zest for life, which had been powerful. She looked even older than 75.
   Again the woman's cry of "Nurse!" interrupted the silence.
   "That poor woman. All day long and no one answers. It's a curse to be old and alone."
   "But you're not alone, Grandma. You have us."
   "I don't want to be a burden. I'm afraid I already am."
   His eyes glazed. "That's crazy. You always brought us joy."
   "You're young. You don't understand. Even your father doesn't. You will when you're old. Tell me, how's the band?"
   "Good. We have a manager now, a Jewish girl."
   Her eyes sparkled. "Wonderful. I know you'll be famous some day. Your poor grandfather wanted so much to be famous, but it wasn't meant to be. I remember the day we gave you the guitar, your twelfth birthday. You didn't want to play the piano. It was for sissies, you said. You wanted to be like the meshuga, who's it."
   He smiled. "Led Zeppelin."
   "The first time you played that record - that scream. I thought someone was murdering my Mitchell." She smiled, tears glistening in her now dull blue eyes. "I don't understand that music. I remember when your grandfather took me dancing when we were young. The music was so romantic and he was so handsome, just like you. Times were different then, I guess. It was before that devil came. Sometimes it seems even crazier now, though."
   Her smile vanished. Age returned to her.
   "You were the best teacher I ever had. You knew more about the piano than any of my professors. You should still be giving lessons."
   "You like it now?" She was glowing again. "Maybe someday you'll compose a beautiful concerto and make the name Weinstein famous like your grandfather always dreamed."
   "And I'd owe it all to you. I need you to teach me more."
   "You've learned all that can be taught. The rest you must find yourself."
   "A nurse entered. "Do you need anything, Mrs. Weinstein?"
   "No, thank you. I have all I want - my grandson. Isn't he handsome?"
   The nurse nodded. "I can see the resemblance."
   She left quickly.
  "A very nice girl," said Mrs. Weinstein quietly, "and pretty. What kind of name is Connolly?"
   "Irish. You know that."
   "I hope when you find the girl you love she'll be Jewish."
   "I don't think I could love a girl who wasn't Jewish."
   "I hope you're not saying that just because I'm dying. I worry because all your friends are gentiles - nice boys, but gentiles. Remember our history, Mitchell."
   "I will, Grandma. You taught me well."
   "My parents were lucky. They saw what that devil was doing and came to America. We lost everything we had and had to work like dogs to prosper again, but at least we survived. My aunts and uncles wouldn't listen and they all died with their children. Your poor father was only six when we left. He was so sick on the crossing we thought we were going to lose him. Thank God we didn't. He's all we had. Remember, Mitchell, remember."
   She squeezed his hand weakly and closed her eyelids tightly, forcing teardrops from the lids. She drifted back to sleep. He sat in the chair, weeping, praying she wouldn't die in his presence. He noted her chest rising and falling slightly at each breath, and was relieved yet fearful it would cease action suddenly.
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 10/6 - Knocks

I just finished an excellent book. Here's a review of it I posted at Amazon:

The best literature is that which gets life right. This is the case with Jen Knox’s story collection, To Begin Again. She is a young author with keen insight into the human condition. She is plumbing her psyche for meaning, one that unites all humanity. She seems to be hunting, searching for the literary holy grail -- the elusive great American novel that resides deep within everyone. Are the stories fiction, non-fiction? It doesn’t matter. They ring with universal truths. Three pieces in particular demonstrate the author’s prowess. Each deals with the aged. In Absurd Hunger, a man in a mental facility is encouraged by a doctor to write letters to his dead wife, which he at first believes is idiotic. In Solitary Value, two words shouted by a taciturn old woman create intrigue among the residents of an old age home. The final story, Disengaged, poignantly captures the fragmenting mind of a 92-year-old woman, especially in her remembrance of a wounded hand. It is heart-breaking and chilling. I would have rated the book higher if not for the occasional error: pedals rather than petals, mediation rather than meditation; failure to eliminate the original word after a change, i.e., recommended/ran. Readers should not be deterred by this. Even best sellers have them.
I had the privilege of hearing Miss Knox read at the KGB Bar in Manhattan. I will cherish the signed copy I purchased. She is a rising star and All Things That Matter Press is to be commended for putting her work into print. Her first book, Musical Chairs, a memoir, is also available.

Although I sold several books today, it was one of the more disappointing days at the floating book shop in a while. A gentleman dressed casually in black visited. I guess that should have served as a signal. He too is of Sicilian descent, a year younger than me. He noticed the cover of Killing. He assumed it was about the mob and was surprised it wasn't. He too thinks that theme is played out. He picked up A Hitch in Twilight and thumbed through it. He ran down the list of stories and asked what each of the first half of them were about. Perhaps he was testing, skeptical that I was actually the author. Although he described himself as a "book guy," he passed, apologizing for putting me through the ringer. It was a hard knock, but I smiled and said: "That's why I'm out here."

My thanks to Jack, Bad News Billy, and the old woman whose name I've yet to learn, who all bought books, and the Russian gentleman who donated two, including The DaVinci Code.
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 10/5 - Crowned

Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers has accomplished a baseball feat not only rare but even more difficult than it has been in the past. The triple crown winner leads MLB in homers, RBIs and batting average. I will explain why I believe it is a more impressive feat today once you've taken a look at past winners:        2012 AL     Miguel Cabrera     DET .330, 44 HR, 139 RBI 1967 AL     Carl Yastrzemski     BOS .326, 44 HR, 121 RBI 1966 AL     Frank Robinson     BAL .316, 49 HR, 122 RBI 1956 AL     Mickey Mantle     NYY .353, 52 HR, 130 RBI 1947 AL     Ted Williams     BOS .343, 32 HR, 114 RBI 1942 AL     Ted Williams     BOS .356, 36 HR, 137 RBI 1937 NL     Joe Medwick     STL .374, 31 HR, 154 RBI 1934 AL     Lou Gehrig     NYY .363, 49 HR, 165 RBI 1933 AL     Jimmie Foxx     PHA .356, 48 HR, 163 RBI 1933 NL     Chuck Klein     PHI .368, 28 HR, 120 RBI 1925 NL     Rogers Hornsby     STL .403, 39 HR, 143 RBI 1922 NL     Rogers Hornsby     STL .401, 42 HR, 152 RBI 1909 AL     Ty Cobb     DET .377, 9 HR, 107 RBI 1901 AL     Nap Lajoie     PHA .426, 14 HR, 125 RBI 1887 AA     Tip O'Neill     STL .435, 14 HR, 123 RBI 1878 NL     Paul Hines     PRO .358, 4 HR, 50 RBI                         Prior to 1960 there were only 16 teams in MLB. Frank Robinson and Carl Yazstremski accomplished their feat against players from 20 teams, Cabrera from 30! I believe expansion has lessened the talent pool and thus made most landmarks more accessible to the game's greats, but not this one. Some pundits have argued that the AL's true MVP is the Angel's phenomenal rookie, Mike Trump. Poppycock! While his stats were incredible, they were not as good as Cabrera's - and his team didn't make the playoffs! Hail, Miguel.             It's funny how things work out. I made more money the previous two days at the floating bookshop dodging sprinkles than today when the weather was spectacular. My thanks to the folks who bought, donated and traded 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/cyckn3