Fr. Frank Midura was the first pastor of Our Lady of Hope parish, established in 1987 in Carle Place. I was 13 at the time, and my family had attended Mass there for four years when it was the chapel of St. Brigid, but I still think of Fr. Midura as my first pastor. At the time, I was considering the priesthood and took the chance to couch my questions about it in an interview for school.
He was accommodating, informative, and approachable. He also served as a U.S. Army chaplain and volunteer fireman. I remember him training every year. I remember him leaving to serve in the first Gulf war. Most of all, though, I remember him visiting our house the day before my father died from pancreatic cancer. Despondent as I was, the visit was most unexpected and welcome. Fr. Midura's greatest gift, in my opinion, was his way with people, knowing how to approach them, how to lead them.
As much as I miss my father, he couldn't have gone under better circumstances, visited by a respected friend, and finally with his family around him. Fr. Midura had undergone several heart procedures in recent years but continued to serve at St. Thomas More in Hauppauge. Passing last night, he didn't live the longest life, but one of the fullest and most purposeful.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
DAREDEVIL Vol. 1 by Mark Waid
Though DD is my favorite superhero, I hadn't kept up with recent runs that saw him get very dark. Daredevil is well suited to trials by fire, but Waid tackles the equally important question, "How does he bounce back?"
Previous predicaments persist—Matt Murdock was outed as Daredevil, and business at the law firm of Nelson & Murdock has taken a hit—but, armed with a fresh perspective on the past, old Hornhead is ready for the next round.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Mysterical-E Spring/Summer 2012
This issue includes my summer/fall TV preview. Thanks as always to editor Joe DeMarco.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Back to the Movies
It's rare I watch a movie within six days of its premiere, but I was glad to prove the Aurora shooting did not affect my love of the movies. Reflecting on each part of the experience—the Subway sandwiches beforehand, the previews, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, and after-movie chat—I appreciated it all the more.
THE DARK KNIGHT RISES
Eight years have passed since the events of THE DARK KNIGHT. Since taking the blame for the death of popular D.A. Harvey Dent, Batman has disappeared and Bruce Wayne has become a shut-in. Meanwhile, a law bearing Dent's name has vastly reduced crime in Gotham.
As a rival businessman plots to take over floundering Wayne Enterprises with the help of supercriminal Bane, Bane sets in motion his own plan for a secret nuclear reactor beneath Gotham. Despite being realistically hobbled by past injuries, Batman swings back into action, and Bane handles him rather easily.
As BATMAN BEGINS was the story of Bruce Wayne shaping himself into Batman, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES is the story of Wayne reclaiming the desire to be Batman, to fight back in Gotham's name. As teased by Christopher Nolan, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES wraps up the trilogy, but the movie also stands well on its own.
There were points of overindulgence to all three movies, but the stakes for this last one were satisfyingly personal. My main complaint is, if you're more a fan of the trilogy than I was, if you cataloged every bit of hype about it, some twists will be spoiled. As a fan of BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES, I knew a crucial detail about one of the characters that could have spoiled more, but amid the normal adaptation from comics to film, I forgot it.
As a rival businessman plots to take over floundering Wayne Enterprises with the help of supercriminal Bane, Bane sets in motion his own plan for a secret nuclear reactor beneath Gotham. Despite being realistically hobbled by past injuries, Batman swings back into action, and Bane handles him rather easily.
As BATMAN BEGINS was the story of Bruce Wayne shaping himself into Batman, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES is the story of Wayne reclaiming the desire to be Batman, to fight back in Gotham's name. As teased by Christopher Nolan, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES wraps up the trilogy, but the movie also stands well on its own.
There were points of overindulgence to all three movies, but the stakes for this last one were satisfyingly personal. My main complaint is, if you're more a fan of the trilogy than I was, if you cataloged every bit of hype about it, some twists will be spoiled. As a fan of BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES, I knew a crucial detail about one of the characters that could have spoiled more, but amid the normal adaptation from comics to film, I forgot it.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
#versday Astronauts
#verseday is a Twitter hashtag I came up with to promote poetry writing. I invite Twitter people to suggest poetry topics by noon Eastern each Thursday. Participants must then draft poems by noon Eastern Friday. The resulting poems can be submitted anywhere.
Even if you've never written a poem before, you're invited. Taking the time to think poetically can help your creativity on other projects. If you'd like to participate, tweet your topics, tagged #verseday, by noon Thursday, July 26. My topic this week is astronauts.
Write a poem about an astronaut or astronauts by noon Friday, July 27.
Even if you've never written a poem before, you're invited. Taking the time to think poetically can help your creativity on other projects. If you'd like to participate, tweet your topics, tagged #verseday, by noon Thursday, July 26. My topic this week is astronauts.
Write a poem about an astronaut or astronauts by noon Friday, July 27.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
My Review Policy
Jungle Red Writers today welcomes reviewer-turned-author Terry Ambrose, who offers advice on how authors can have their books reviewed. My comment reveals my own approach to reviewing books, TV, movies, and DVDs on my blog and for various sites and magazines:
Browse my reviews.
...I make no promise that I will post a review, so if I really don't like something, I don't review it.
With an academic background in writing and teaching, I can hone in on the material and not sound as if I'm grilling the author (because I'm not). I think reviewers have an obligation to give a balanced view of the material, pointing out what they liked, but also pointing out what others might not like (e.g. "The violence may be too much for some, but I found it appropriate to the story").
Browse my reviews.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Legacy
Pennsylvania State University has removed its statue of football coach Joe Paterno after evidence showed Paterno's role in allowing years of child abuse by defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky to go unchecked. As expected, some in the Penn State community assert that removing the statue wipes away all the good Paterno did. I disagree.
I didn't attend Penn State and didn't know Paterno, but I have been inspired by several people about whom opinion was divided, some of whom were even later disgraced. While this taints their legacies and dims my view of them, it does not take away the lessons I learned from them, the values I made my own. Joe Paterno's failings in the Sandusky scandal led to removal of the statue, but they do not take away the good values and behavior Paterno inspired in generations. Part of a person's legacy is all the people he inspires, and all the people they inspire in turn.
I didn't attend Penn State and didn't know Paterno, but I have been inspired by several people about whom opinion was divided, some of whom were even later disgraced. While this taints their legacies and dims my view of them, it does not take away the lessons I learned from them, the values I made my own. Joe Paterno's failings in the Sandusky scandal led to removal of the statue, but they do not take away the good values and behavior Paterno inspired in generations. Part of a person's legacy is all the people he inspires, and all the people they inspire in turn.
At The 5-2: "Santa Ana Winds" by Ray Daniel
Today, July 23, is the 124th anniversary of Raymond Chandler's birth, so this
week, a Chandleresque haiku from Boston mystery writer Ray Daniel.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Poetry as Witness to Tragedy
Last night, I received a 5-2 submission I read as a response to the Aurora midnight shooting. It prompted this commentary.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Midnight Movie Theater Shooting
I'm shaken to learn of the shooting at a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colorado, leaving twelve dead and many more injured.
On one level, it's a senseless attack no one could have foreseen, but it also gets to me as someone who's attended midnight screenings. I never once thought something like this could happen, and for that sense of safety I thank all police and security people.
When people go to movies, they are looking to escape reality for a couple of hours. They are ready to buy into what happens on the screen and rest assured that any violence that occurs will only be on the screen. For someone to open fire on a place of assumed safe imagination is especially evil.
I take small comfort that the gunman was arrested shortly after the shooting and will face justice, unlike so many previous gunmen who killed themselves before they could be caught.
I'll continue to attend midnight screenings whenever I get the chance and am in the wacky mood. It's not especially brave. It's just that the alternative is to fear everything that might happen. And that isn't living.
On one level, it's a senseless attack no one could have foreseen, but it also gets to me as someone who's attended midnight screenings. I never once thought something like this could happen, and for that sense of safety I thank all police and security people.
When people go to movies, they are looking to escape reality for a couple of hours. They are ready to buy into what happens on the screen and rest assured that any violence that occurs will only be on the screen. For someone to open fire on a place of assumed safe imagination is especially evil.
I take small comfort that the gunman was arrested shortly after the shooting and will face justice, unlike so many previous gunmen who killed themselves before they could be caught.
I'll continue to attend midnight screenings whenever I get the chance and am in the wacky mood. It's not especially brave. It's just that the alternative is to fear everything that might happen. And that isn't living.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
#verseday Insects
#verseday is a Twitter hashtag I came up with to promote poetry writing. I invite Twitter people to suggest poetry topics by noon Eastern each Thursday. Participants must then draft poems by noon Eastern Friday. The resulting poems can be submitted anywhere.
Even if you've never written a poem before, you're invited. Taking the time to think poetically can help your creativity on other projects. If you'd like to participate, tweet your topics, tagged #verseday, by noon Thursday, July 19. My topic this week is insects.
Write a poem about an insect or insects by noon Friday, July 20.
Even if you've never written a poem before, you're invited. Taking the time to think poetically can help your creativity on other projects. If you'd like to participate, tweet your topics, tagged #verseday, by noon Thursday, July 19. My topic this week is insects.
Write a poem about an insect or insects by noon Friday, July 20.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Goodbye, Jeremy Lin
At 11:59 last night, the Knicks officially passed on matching the Houston Rockets' offer to Jeremy Lin. As much as I liked Lin, the offer was too much. Lin did not gel with Carmelo and Amar'e as I'd hoped. His turnover ratio was problematic. If I were the Knicks, I would have passed, too.
The camp that thought the Knicks should have kept Lin points to what a splash he made in New York, how much money he would have brought in for the Knicks, but if Lin really wanted to stay on the team, where he could have learned from Jason Kidd, he wouldn't have signed the Rockets' offer sheet in the first place.
The camp that thought the Knicks should have kept Lin points to what a splash he made in New York, how much money he would have brought in for the Knicks, but if Lin really wanted to stay on the team, where he could have learned from Jason Kidd, he wouldn't have signed the Rockets' offer sheet in the first place.
Monday, July 16, 2012
At The 5-2: "The Creep with a Blowhole"
This week, a prison poem.
Spread the word about The 5-2 by Liking us on Facebook or recommending us on Google+.
Spread the word about The 5-2 by Liking us on Facebook or recommending us on Google+.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
LAST CHANCE LASSITER by Paul Levine
LAST CHANCE LASSITER is an ebook novella published this month, a prequel to TO SPEAK FOR THE DEAD, the first novel featuring Miami Dolphins linebacker-turned-lawyer Jake Lassiter. The novella has Jake refusing to represent James Farrell, a man who all but admits to beating his wife. Shortly after quitting his firm, Jake takes a case of music plagiarism on referral from the boss he just antagonized.
As with any prequel, the most compelling question is not whether things work out, but how they work out. A crafty lawyer and writer in his own regard, Levine paints Jake into quite a corner and just as craftily gets him out.
If you haven't read the Jake Lassiter novels, this is a chance to get in on the ground floor, so to speak. If you're a Lassiter fan like I am, you'll jump at the chance to see more of Jake's history.
As with any prequel, the most compelling question is not whether things work out, but how they work out. A crafty lawyer and writer in his own regard, Levine paints Jake into quite a corner and just as craftily gets him out.
If you haven't read the Jake Lassiter novels, this is a chance to get in on the ground floor, so to speak. If you're a Lassiter fan like I am, you'll jump at the chance to see more of Jake's history.
The 5-2 featured at Women of Mystery
Clare Toohey, manager and editor of Criminal Element and reader of this week's 5-2 poem, features her performance on the group blog Women of Mystery today. Stop by and comment. Thanks again, Clare.
#verseday Bill Cosby
#verseday is a Twitter hashtag I came up with to promote poetry writing. I invite Twitter people to suggest poetry topics by noon Eastern each Thursday. Participants must then draft poems by noon Eastern Friday. The resulting poems can be submitted anywhere.
Even if you've never written a poem before, you're invited. Taking the time to think poetically can help your creativity on other projects. If you'd like to participate, tweet your topics, tagged #verseday, by noon Thursday, July 12. My topic this week is Bill Cosby.
Write a poem about Bill Cosby by noon Friday, July 13.
Even if you've never written a poem before, you're invited. Taking the time to think poetically can help your creativity on other projects. If you'd like to participate, tweet your topics, tagged #verseday, by noon Thursday, July 12. My topic this week is Bill Cosby.
Write a poem about Bill Cosby by noon Friday, July 13.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
THE TRINITY GAME by Sean Chercover
Father Daniel Byrne, who works for the Vatican verifying and disproving miracles, is assigned to debunk televangelist Tim Trinity, who also happens to be Daniel's estranged uncle. Having been raised by Trinity, Daniel already knows his uncle is a con man. However, arriving on scene, Daniel deciphers Trinity's speaking-in-tongues act as a genuine gift of prophecy. This discovery sends everyone after Trinity, from a legendary Las Vegas bookie, to shadowy factions of the Church, to the lost love of Daniel's life, newspaper reporter Julia Rothman.
Religious conspiracies don't interest me; I'm too skeptical of them to get very far. I was able to put that bias aside, though, and read the book for Daniel Byrne, a man hiding much behind the collar. The complex relationship of nephew and uncle was more important than their being priest and preacher. If you like mounting conspiracies and sweeping suspense, there's plenty to go around.
I come away from THE TRINITY GAME with an even higher opinion of Chercover's writing, convinced he can thrive in page-turners as well as P.I. fiction.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Finding Your Poetry
I nudge people to submit to The 5-2 whenever I can, of course, and many tell me they'd love to write poetry, but they don't know how to start. Some are even great prose writers. As a teacher, there's nothing I love more than stirring someone's imagination, giving him the tools to create something that shows his individuality and dedication.
I discovered I wanted to write at thirteen, but didn't dedicate myself to poetry until I was an adjunct English professor at Hofstra University, working the technical side of a faculty poetry website. You might say my motivators were a desire to contribute and a fear of embarrassment, a fear so strong, I made sure I wouldn't be embarrassed.
Three books helped and continue to help me: In the Palm of Your Hand: The Poet's Portable Workshop by Steve Kowit, The Practice of Poetry: Writing Exercises From Poets Who Teach by Robin Behn and Chase Twichell, and Poemcrazy: Freeing Your Life with Words by Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge. There are, of course, several good books on writing poetry, and a different one may help you. For that reason, before you seek out books on writing poetry, try to connect with a poem you've read. Does it move you or not? Why? Analyze your reaction and try to write a poem in response, bypassing for now the need to generate an idea all on your own.
That's how I started. Let curiosity lead you from there. I look forward to reading your work.
I discovered I wanted to write at thirteen, but didn't dedicate myself to poetry until I was an adjunct English professor at Hofstra University, working the technical side of a faculty poetry website. You might say my motivators were a desire to contribute and a fear of embarrassment, a fear so strong, I made sure I wouldn't be embarrassed.
Three books helped and continue to help me: In the Palm of Your Hand: The Poet's Portable Workshop by Steve Kowit, The Practice of Poetry: Writing Exercises From Poets Who Teach by Robin Behn and Chase Twichell, and Poemcrazy: Freeing Your Life with Words by Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge. There are, of course, several good books on writing poetry, and a different one may help you. For that reason, before you seek out books on writing poetry, try to connect with a poem you've read. Does it move you or not? Why? Analyze your reaction and try to write a poem in response, bypassing for now the need to generate an idea all on your own.
That's how I started. Let curiosity lead you from there. I look forward to reading your work.
PERCEPTION on TNT
As a longtime fan of Eric McCormack, Rachael Leigh Cook, and mysteries, I've been anticipating PERCEPTION for months, and it delivered. McCormack plays Chicago neuroscience professor Daniel Pierce, a brilliant schizophrenic who believes he functions better without his medication. Cook plays FBI Special Agent Kate Moretti, Pierce's former student, transferred back to Chicago thanks to her tendency to go beyond the scope of her assignments.
In last night's pilot, Moretti called on Pierce's expertise in the case of a woman who had already confessed to her husband's murder. Questioning the woman, Pierce learned she'd become delusional and the suggestion by the police that she'd killed her husband made her believe she had done it.
The show turns on McCormack winning sympathy for Pierce as he's bombarded with puzzles and hallucinates people to help solve them. It's a vivid way to see his mind at work, and, appropriately, viewers can't tell hallucination from reality until they see other characters' view of Pierce, or Pierce comes to the realization himself.
PERCEPTION airs Monday nights at 10:00, and you can count on me to be there.
In last night's pilot, Moretti called on Pierce's expertise in the case of a woman who had already confessed to her husband's murder. Questioning the woman, Pierce learned she'd become delusional and the suggestion by the police that she'd killed her husband made her believe she had done it.
The show turns on McCormack winning sympathy for Pierce as he's bombarded with puzzles and hallucinates people to help solve them. It's a vivid way to see his mind at work, and, appropriately, viewers can't tell hallucination from reality until they see other characters' view of Pierce, or Pierce comes to the realization himself.
PERCEPTION airs Monday nights at 10:00, and you can count on me to be there.
Monday, July 09, 2012
At The 5-2: "On Car Theft" by R.A. Allen
This week I'm pleased to present the work of Memphis poet R.A. Allen, with a reading by Clare Toohey of Criminal Element.
In other news, the week of August 27, The 5-2 will feature a poem by David S. Pointer in memory of Andy Griffith and his beloved TV character, Sheriff Andy Taylor.
I'm currently seeking the final poem of The 5-2's first year. Submit today.
And though The 5-2 did not win California Casualty Insurance's Battle of the Blogs, it was an honor to be named a top law enforcement blog.
In other news, the week of August 27, The 5-2 will feature a poem by David S. Pointer in memory of Andy Griffith and his beloved TV character, Sheriff Andy Taylor.
I'm currently seeking the final poem of The 5-2's first year. Submit today.
And though The 5-2 did not win California Casualty Insurance's Battle of the Blogs, it was an honor to be named a top law enforcement blog.
Thursday, July 05, 2012
#verseday Heat
#verseday is a Twitter hashtag I came up with to promote poetry writing. I invite Twitter people to suggest poetry topics by noon Eastern each Thursday. Participants must then draft poems by noon Eastern Friday. The resulting poems can be submitted anywhere.
Even if you've never written a poem before, you're invited. Taking the time to think poetically can help your creativity on other projects. If you'd like to participate, tweet your topics, tagged #verseday, by noon Thursday, July 5. My topic this week is heat.
Write a poem about heat (literal or figurative) by noon Friday, July 6.
Even if you've never written a poem before, you're invited. Taking the time to think poetically can help your creativity on other projects. If you'd like to participate, tweet your topics, tagged #verseday, by noon Thursday, July 5. My topic this week is heat.
Write a poem about heat (literal or figurative) by noon Friday, July 6.
Wednesday, July 04, 2012
Another Quiet 4th
Many of my closest family members are in Florida through the weekend, so it looks to be a quiet day here. That's fine by me. The older I get, the less impressed I am with bombs bursting in air. Part of me would like to be doing something more exciting, but in quiet moments, I can reflect on the life I've been able to lead and be grateful for the freedom to lead it.
Monday, July 02, 2012
At The 5-2: "Stickup Kids" by Ian Khadan
Enjoy, and check out Bob Holman's reading of "Stickup Kids".
The 5-2 is open to submissions year-round.
The 5-2 is open to submissions year-round.
Sunday, July 01, 2012
SMFS Vice President
Today begins my two-year term as vice president of the Short Mystery Fiction Society, a large discussion group for writers, editors, publishers, and readers. The SMFS also presents the annual Derringer Awards.
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