The Writer's Life 1/26 - Old Time's Sake

RIP Brooklyn born Abe Vigoda, 94, endearing star of stage, screen and TV. Because his name ends in a vowel and because he played an Italian in The Godfather (1972), many assumed he was a goombah. He was, in fact, the son of Russian Jewish immigrants, his father a tailor. He worked in theater for 20 years before his big break. There are 94 credits listed under his name at IMDb, not counting multiple appearances on TV shows, including the 61 he logged in his most memorable role, the lovable Sgt. Fish on Barney Miller and 35 more in the eponymous spin-off. His last line as Capo Regime Phillip Tessio has been repeated ad infinitum: "Can you get me off, Tom -- for old time's sake." Here is a personal quote that exemplifies his unassuming modesty: "I've always been content just to be working and making a modest living for my wife and child." Well done, sir.

The second installment of the six-episode reboot of The X-Files was far better than the first. While it hasn't broken new ground, the story has become interesting. Have the children that have special powers been injected with alien DNA or with some sort of man made wonder drug? The scenes featuring telekinetic power were excellent, And I was glad, after several potshots at right wingers in the first episode, to hear a dig at Obamacare in the second. Gillian Anderson's voice reminds me of what Jerry Orbach was suffering during his final season on Law & Order. Hope I'm wrong.

In his column in today's NY Post, John Crudele points out that, since the FED's December interest rate hike, credit card borrowing has increased dramatically, but it hasn't resulted in a rise in savings account interest. Sometimes there is good reason to hate banks, although I'm sure the hike wouldn't have been more than a tenth of a percent.

When McDonald's first said it was going to offer all-day breakfast, I thought it would flop. Wrong! Sales are up 5.7%, and its stock was the best performer in the Dow index in 2015, rising 33%. Just another example of why I'm not rich.

The floating book shop was back in action today. I didn't sell any books but I had fun chatting with a multitude of people whose acquaintance I've made. Political Man is still at it. As he approached he was arguing with a passerby who thinks Obama is the worst. He called the the guy stupid, then complained to me of crazy right wing Israelis.

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