OK. I have now seen [i]Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull[/i]. It’s almost 20 years since the last Indiana Jones movie, and the big question is: was it worth the wait?

I won’t go into too much here, as I’m sure many people haven’t seen it yet, but I will say this:

Stay home, pull out your DVD collection and watch [i]Raiders of the Lost Ark.[/i] There may not be a more fun movie in the history of movies. Stick with the original.OK. I have now seen [i]Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull[/i]. It’s almost 20 years since the last Indiana Jones movie, and the big question is: was it worth the wait?

I won’t go into too much here, as I’m sure many people haven’t seen it yet, but I will say this:

Stay home, pull out your DVD collection and watch [i]Raiders of the Lost Ark.[/i] There may not be a more fun movie in the history of movies. Stick with the original.

From 1989 to 1994 I spent the better part of my days (and some very, very cold) nights, in Buffalo, N.Y., having gone to school at Buffalo State College. And aside from a quick trip there in 1995, I haven’t been back since.

And then a few weeks ago I received an email from an old friend, one I haven’t spoken to in at least 10 years. She was walking past a comic book shop not long ago, thought of me, and then googled me. Through that she found the Finders Keepers Web site, and sent me a notFrom 1989 to 1994 I spent the better part of my days (and some very, very cold) nights, in Buffalo, N.Y., having gone to school at Buffalo State College. And aside from a quick trip there in 1995, I haven’t been back since.

And then a few weeks ago I received an email from an old friend, one I haven’t spoken to in at least 10 years. She was walking past a comic book shop not long ago, thought of me, and then googled me. Through that she found the Finders Keepers Web site, and sent me a note.

It was indeed a blast from the past, one of those voices I thought I’d never hear from again. She’s now married with two kids, still living in the Buffalo area, and yet I couldn’t help but flash back to my younger days, back when I was only 18 or 19 (that’s half a life ago! yikes!), with images of tiny moments running through my mind. The elevators in the dorms. The Elmwood strip. Mighty Taco. Art History class (don’t ask me why I thought of that).

It was great to hear from her, feeling a connection to my college days that I’ve mostly left behind. I’m not nearly as nostalgic I thought I would be at this point, as I tend to look forward, and not back, but it was great to remember so many fun little moments, all because one person I hadn’t spoken to in a decade reached out, through sheer inspiration.

And for that, I’m grateful.

Here’s my situation: I’ve missed you guys. Due to some technical issues, and then some scheduling issues, I haven’t been blogging the last two weeks nearly as much as I’ve wanted to. And I feel the difference.

What I mean is, I’ve grow to anticipate my connection with you guys, sharing my goofy little thoughts as they come to me, on a fairly regular basis. And even though my blogging schedule was only temporarily disrupted, I noticed it. Writing is a part of me, and blogging has become an Here’s my situation: I’ve missed you guys. Due to some technical issues, and then some scheduling issues, I haven’t been blogging the last two weeks nearly as much as I’ve wanted to. And I feel the difference.

What I mean is, I’ve grow to anticipate my connection with you guys, sharing my goofy little thoughts as they come to me, on a fairly regular basis. And even though my blogging schedule was only temporarily disrupted, I noticed it. Writing is a part of me, and blogging has become an extension of that. So when I don’t blog as often, I feel a little disconnected. It makes me sad. … sniff …

So … with the Memorial Day Weekend upon us and the sun finally shining and the weather clear and warm, I’m just here today to wish you all a fantabulous weekend–and promise to be back with my regular blogging goofiness from here on out, with all sorts of updates and musings from the wacky world that is my brain.

Iron Man has already hit the screens, but here is my list of most anticipated movies for this summer:

Indiana Jones and Curse of the Crystal Skull

The Dark Knight

Get Smart

The X-Files 2

I’m curious about The Hulk, but I’m not optimistic, and I can’t make up my mind about The Sex and City movie. And Wall-E sounds mildly interesting, so hopefully some of these will pan out.Iron Man has already hit the screens, but here is my list of most anticipated movies for this summer:

Indiana Jones and Curse of the Crystal Skull

The Dark Knight

Get Smart

The X-Files 2

I’m curious about The Hulk, but I’m not optimistic, and I can’t make up my mind about The Sex and City movie. And Wall-E sounds mildly interesting, so hopefully some of these will pan out.

Sorry about the radio silence the last few days, but the Finders Keepers web site needed a little regularly scheduled maintenance. Meaning … Web master Ron fell down on the job!

Just kidding, Ron! 🙂

Please don’t delete the entire Web site!!!!

Ron is king … Ron is King … Ron is King …

So now that we’re back up and running, expect the usual blogging activity … and possibly a few more technical upgrades …Sorry about the radio silence the last few days, but the Finders Keepers web site needed a little regularly scheduled maintenance. Meaning … Web master Ron fell down on the job!

Just kidding, Ron! 🙂

Please don’t delete the entire Web site!!!!

Ron is king … Ron is King … Ron is King …

So now that we’re back up and running, expect the usual blogging activity … and possibly a few more technical upgrades …

I may officially be in my late 30s (just turned 37 last week, but that has only inspired me to elongate the celebrations. Liz and I had dinner plans for my birthday, but she had to fly to Houston for work. So instead she took me out to dinner on Wed. for one of my favorite meals. We went to Cabana, in Forest Hills, and I had the skirt steak (with extra limes) and then this out of this world fried banana desert with banana ice cream (two scoops – sooooooooo good).

On Thursday, my dad took mI may officially be in my late 30s (just turned 37 last week, but that has only inspired me to elongate the celebrations. Liz and I had dinner plans for my birthday, but she had to fly to Houston for work. So instead she took me out to dinner on Wed. for one of my favorite meals. We went to Cabana, in Forest Hills, and I had the skirt steak (with extra limes) and then this out of this world fried banana desert with banana ice cream (two scoops – sooooooooo good).

On Thursday, my dad took me out for Italian (chicken cutlet parmigiana). Friday night I just chilled at home with the cat and watched the Yankee game (they won!). Saturday I hung out with Ron, and after seeing Iron Man (for the second time), we went out for beers (also fun). And Sunday, I went out to my mom’s place for Mother’s Day, but it also happens to be my sisters’ birthday (they’re twins), so it was birthday madness, with lots of cake and presents!

So, all in all, I made out pretty well this time through the gate …

In the publishing industry, there’s a well-known Web site–Publisher’s Marketplace–that is used for literary listings. Writers, editors and publishers have one. It’s a way for people to find you. It’s a database and listing source, with all sorts of info. This is how it is described:

[i]The biggest and best dedicated marketplace for publishing professionals to find critical information and unique databases, find each other, and to do business better electronically.[/i]

Well, I’m on thIn the publishing industry, there’s a well-known Web site–Publisher’s Marketplace–that is used for literary listings. Writers, editors and publishers have one. It’s a way for people to find you. It’s a database and listing source, with all sorts of info. This is how it is described:

[i]The biggest and best dedicated marketplace for publishing professionals to find critical information and unique databases, find each other, and to do business better electronically.[/i]

Well, I’m on their too! So if you want to see my official listing–offering Finders Keepers–check out the link below:

http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/rights/display.cgi?no=5494

Cool, huh?

Well, it seems that the law has finally caught up with me again. Jury Duty. And while I actually don’t mind serving, it can be a real hassle, especially how they nailed me this time.

I got one of those call-in notices, where you find out if you need to come in the next day.

Friday Night Call-In:

Don’t have to serve Monday, call back Monday night.

Monday Night Call-In:

Don’t have to serve Tuesday, call back Tuesday night.

Tuesday Night Call-In:

Don’t have to serve Wed.,Well, it seems that the law has finally caught up with me again. Jury Duty. And while I actually don’t mind serving, it can be a real hassle, especially how they nailed me this time.

I got one of those call-in notices, where you find out if you need to come in the next day.

Friday Night Call-In:

Don’t have to serve Monday, call back Monday night.

Monday Night Call-In:

Don’t have to serve Tuesday, call back Tuesday night.

Tuesday Night Call-In:

Don’t have to serve Wed., call back Wed. night.

Wed. Night Call-In:

Don’t have to serve Thursday, call back Thursday night.

Thursday Night Call-In:

Report for Jury Duty on Friday.

Ugh! If Ihad gotten a pass for today, I would have been done.

#$@!

So I’m off to the courthouse in an hour to due my civic duty. Sometimes being a part of this world is a real pain in the you-know-what …

Yesterday was a wild day on the publisher’s front. In fact, it was a wild two hours.

As I’ve written about earlier, a leading Sci-Fi publisher had asked to read Finders Keepers, so naturally, I was pretty happy about that. Well, they passed. Said they didn’t fall in love with the writing.

Obviously they don’t know bunk, so they’re out.

My agent then sent out a bunch of pitches to other publishers, and almost immediately one got back, and thought Finders Keepers sounds fun as aYesterday was a wild day on the publisher’s front. In fact, it was a wild two hours.

As I’ve written about earlier, a leading Sci-Fi publisher had asked to read Finders Keepers, so naturally, I was pretty happy about that. Well, they passed. Said they didn’t fall in love with the writing.

Obviously they don’t know bunk, so they’re out.

My agent then sent out a bunch of pitches to other publishers, and almost immediately one got back, and thought Finders Keepers sounds fun as all get-out, but it’s not really their cup of tea. They’re the straight-forward sci-fi type, so that’s out.

So my morning started out 0 for 2.

But then a third publisher entered the fray and requested to read Finders Keepers. So we’re back in business, baby!

Talk about having an up-and-down day …

As always, I’ll keep you posted.

When Iron Man was first announced, I have to admit I had mixed feelings. Could be good, but probably kinda tough to pull off. But then they signed Robert Downey Jr. to play Iron Man, and I thought, hmmm … interesting. And then the hype just grew and grew and grew until it was already being hailed as one of the greatest comic movies ever.

I liked it. I really enjoyed. But I wouldn’t say I loved it. It’s a good, entertaining movie from start to finish, with good performances, a solid, beenWhen Iron Man was first announced, I have to admit I had mixed feelings. Could be good, but probably kinda tough to pull off. But then they signed Robert Downey Jr. to play Iron Man, and I thought, hmmm … interesting. And then the hype just grew and grew and grew until it was already being hailed as one of the greatest comic movies ever.

I liked it. I really enjoyed. But I wouldn’t say I loved it. It’s a good, entertaining movie from start to finish, with good performances, a solid, been-there-done-that origin story, and awesome F/X that don’t overpower, but rather, enhance the movie. For me, the only thing missing was some heart. Well really well-crafted, I thought it lacked a little human element. I was into the movie, and had fun, but wasn’t as emotionally invested as I wanted to be.

But otherwise, Iron Man is a big thumbs up. If you go in thinking, this will be a fun movie, you won’t be disappointed.