Summer Snapshot

The July 2009 issue of The Houston Literary Review (PDF) is online, including my poem "Summer Snapshot". Thanks again to poetry editor Joseph R. Trombatore. Zoom in.

Slice of Life

Got together with my friends from the early days of Font, Hofstra's literary magazine, last night for a barbecue. There was much to celebrate including the birth of a son to John and Kelly Ricotta and their purchase of a house in Lindenhurst where the party took place. Thanks again to my friends Deshant and Tracy who gave me a ride to and from the festivities in a rental Mini Cooper (Great car). I wore the Lineup baseball jersey and hope to have some pictures to post.

Warehouse 13

A mysterious bleeding stone mask possesses a museum employee while the President is visiting. In the aftermath, Secret Service agents Pete Lattimer (Eddie McClintock) and Myka Bering (Joanne Kelly) are transferred to a super-secret detail in South Dakota. Working for the seemingly immortal Mrs. Frederic (CCH Pounder), they're tasked with tracking down and neutralizing various artifacts that have taken on supernatural aura.

The premise to SyFy's newest show is familiar by now (The X-Files, Men in Black, The Middleman), but I'll watch for smart writing from the likes of Jane Espenson and David Simkins acted naturally by McClintock, Saul Rubinek, and Kelly.

JACK WAKES UP by Seth Harwood

One-hit-wonder action star Jack Palms, on the rebound from a trashed reputation and a heroin addiction, agrees to help his old friend Ralph with a drug deal. Jack is just supposed to be window dressing, maybe show the prospective buyers a good time. The next morning, though, Jack finds Ralph brutally murdered and sets out on a personal quest for answers.

If you remember the B action flicks of the 90s as fondly as I do, you'll appreciate Jack Wakes Up. The book's third-person present narration brings a movie to mind and, along with short, punchy chapters, keeps the plot moving. Though Jack Wakes Up may be an homage to action movies, Harwood's careful characterization and overall energy made Jack and his world seem new to me. And now I'd gladly visit them again.

Federer's Fifteenth

Tuning in midway through the second set, yesterday's Roddick/Federer Wimbledon final was still the best match I've ever seen. Crisp play throughout, not to mention in the 30-game fifth set. In the end, unfortunately for him, Andy Roddick flinched. Roddick's play has definitely improved since previous losses to Federer, but Federer still has a mental edge on him.

Commentators have been saying how well Roddick handled the loss, but to me he seemed to be mocking Federer in the post-match ceremonies. He probably couldn't believe he had lost. I wish he had more self-control, but then he might not be the same player.

Nitpickers say Federer hasn't faced Nadal in these past two Grand Slams, but history is often as tough an opponent as the one across the net. Congrats to him.

Lucky Seven

My seventh C.J. Stone story, "Artifacts", has gone live at BEAT to a PULP, a great capper to a day of hot dogs and baseball. Thanks again to David Cranmer and Elaine Ash. As usual, I slept through the fireworks, but I don't need a light show to appreciate America and the freedoms she represents.

CASTLE Tie-in Plans

A member of my crime TV and movie discussion list CrimeSeen passed along word that a novel tie-in to Nathan Fillion's ABC crime series "Castle" is in the works.

The first chapter of Heat Wave by Richard Castle will be posted on ABC.com August 10. The full novel will be published by Hyperion September 29. The author's true identity has yet to be revealed but my money's on Stephen J. Cannell or one of James Patterson's ghosts.

Summer Rentals

Recently on Crimespree Cinema I've reviewed two B action movies that came to stores this week: The Betrayed, starring Melissa George and Oded Fehr, and 12 Rounds, starring John Cena.

Mysterical-E Summer 2009 Issue

...is live, featuring my television column, "What Keeps Us Watching?"

Current Events

Having received the first Lineup shirts from CafePress last Monday, I spent much of the week perfecting their design and gladly missed the media blitz of Michael Jackson's death. The Michael I miss is the seemingly normal, smiling kid who was in a group with four of his brothers. That Michael has been gone for ages.



I'm maybe five years too young to have fully appreciated Farrah Fawcett at the height of her fame. Even with the age gap, hers was the iconic female look of my youth. Having lost some family members to cancer, I don't wish the experience on anyone.

And finally, most jolting to me, informercial king Billy Mays reportedly died this morning at age 50. I know the least about Mays, but I'll miss his booming voice and enthusiasm (even if it was an act) filling hours of insomnia.

To end on a happy note, my friends John and Kelly Ricotta welcomed their first boy, John Stephen Ricotta, early Friday morning. May he not face too much hazing from his older sisters.