Zathura

The Movie Pick of the Week
I watched the movie Zathura and loved it! It's sort of like Jumanji where kids play a game and it comes to life. My kids were clutching each other on some of the scary scenes. I love being able to watch and enjoy movies with my kids. I give this movie the webslinger thumbs up.

Eldest
I'm still reading this LARGE book. I'm a slow reader so it might be awhile before I get to the finish. I keep buying more books that I have to read. They're stacking up next to my computer. I could be like the Twilight Zone episode where the Atom Bomb is dropped and the bookworm has all the time in the world to read all his books. I guess I'm a hopeless geek.

My Next Book
Well Daisy Daring 2 is through and I'm in post production. I'm proofreading it and editing it. I'll have my first readers Evelyn and Linda check it out then my editor friend and then onto the publisher. I don't want to give away the title or premise until I see if North Country Books likes it. I enjoyed writing it and have chuckled several times while reading it. It's funny how I can write something many months ago and forget all about it. When I reread it, it's like someone else wrote it. So the big question is, what's next? I have a historical fiction novel I want to write, or the first installment of my detective series or. . . a memoir? I was seriously thinking of writing a story based on my life. It might turn out to be boring and stupid yet my kids might want to read it when I'm dead and buried. It's immortality when you're published. Your words and thought remain while you rot into dust. As long as someone, somewhere has your book. . . you're immortal - everlasting.

Revenge of the Sith

Star Wars
First of all, I'm a HUGE Star Wars fan. I remember seeing the first movie in the 70's at the Stanley Theater in Utica, NY for the admission of $1. I have all the DVD's so I'm a little bit of a geek. That being said, I was a little bummed about the new movie, Revenge of the Sith. I wish Darth Vader was on screen more than the last few minutes. I enjoyed seeing the birth of the Skywalker twins and the downfall of the Jedi. I guess that I'm bummed that this is the end of the road yet there's been talk that Lucas will go forward with a television series that bridges the gap between Sith and A New Hope.

pwdre ser
This is a Welsh term that translates to mean "rot of the stars." Apparantly, during the 17th century, the Welsh had gelanteous blobs falling from the sky. I read about this in my newest edition of Mysteries Magazine. Sometimes strange things happen in the world around us that we can't explain. For some reason this story reminded me of the creatures in the Stephen King novel From a Buick 8.

The Mohawk Valley Ghost Hunters
My good friends Susan and Roger from the Mohawk Valley Ghost Hunters have a profile on MySpace and were kind enough to place a picture of the cover of Daisy Daring. When you get a chance, check it out at www.myspace.com/mohawkvalleyghosthunters . This team of afterworld seekers are the best in the business and they're located right in my backyard. . . The Mohawk Valley!

Appearance !!!!

Learn About the Loomis Gang and Book Signing
I'll be at the Jervis Public Library in Rome, NY on Saturday, March 25th at 2pm. I'll be leading a discussion on the Loomis Gang followed by a question and answer period. Then I'll be signing copies of my mystery novel: Daisy Daring and the Quest for the Loomis Gang Gold. Rome is a great city and I'm glad to be going there. Back when I was younger and wilder, I used to go out there and hang out with my friends partying at JJ's or City Limits and having a good time, followed by 2am breakfasts at the Hollywood.

Ribe Tuchus
When people ask me what books I've studied about the craft of writing, I have very few to mention. I have a dictionary, a thesaurus, the Chicago Manuel of Style and the Strunk and White Manuel of Style. The other book I found excellent was On Writing by Stephen King. A great unflinching book on the writing life and what it takes to be a writer. The other book that helped me as much as anything I've ever read was The Observation Deck by Naomi Epel. On page 50, Ms. Epel uses a Yiddish term that I love, "Ribe Tuchus!" which means, "rub your bottom on the chair." The simple lesson is you have to place your ass in a chair and write. You can pontificate to the masses and lament to the world that you're going to write a novel but guess what? Unless you place yourself in a chair and write, it'll never happen.

Wicked Wicked Wind
Here we go again with wild weather in the Mohawk Valley. 70 mph winds battered the area with trees toppling onto electrical wires and homes. The Mohawk Valley seems to have made it through this latest wrath of Mother Nature unscathed.

Died of boredom?
My kids asked me today if anybody ever died of boredom? Well, read my book and see if it happens to you.

Mohawk Valley Pot Luck
In my latest edition, I'd like to mention the diverse fishing here in the Mohawk Valley. You can fish for walleye in Oneida Lake, brown trout in the Oriskany Creek, northern pike in Lake Delta or large mouth bass in Lake Morain. I could list dozens more of great streams, lakes, ponds and rivers in the Mohawk Valley. Outdoorsman rave at the diverse fish species and water mediums in the Mohawk Valley. If you love to fish, this is the place for you.

A Purpose In Life

A Life and a job
I work at the Central Association for the Blind in Utica, NY and it's a very satisfying way to make a living. There's more to life than just collecting a paycheck. It feels good to do something for a living that also helps out a fellow human being. I work with many wonderful people, some of whom happen to be blind and visually impaired. Check out the website at www.cabvi.org and see a great organization that helps many people.

Daisy Daring 2
Well I just finished the first draft of the sequel to my book Daisy Daring. My cousin Evelyn Webster will be reading it first and letting me know if I'm on the right track. I don't want to give anything away but I do think it turned out as good as the first. I did enjoy developing the characters and placing more fun and adventure for Daisy except this time she brings along her five year old daughter Buttercup! And of course Blanche remains the same old Blanche.

My Name is Earl
Is there anything funnier on television than My Name is Earl? I just live the heck out of this little piece of white trash heaven. Jamie Pressley is a hoot as Joy and Jason Lee as good ole' Earl. He's trying to cross all the bad things off his list of bad deeds so he can balance his Karma. Once again it's proven that great writing can make a fantastic show.

Future Book Signing
I'm working on some new appearances and book signings. Please stay tuned!

Yup, there it is. . .

Fan-Tan
Well. My review of the book Fan-Tan. Let me think. Well, I, ummm. I read to page twenty. As Forrest Gump said, "and that's all I got to say about that."

Eldest
I loved the first book by Christopher Paolini called Eragon. It's the story of the dragon rider and his dragon Saphira fighting the evil King Galbatorix. I'm currently reading, Eldest that is the second installment in the inheritance trilogy. I rarely read sci-fi fantasy books yet I enjoy this series. It sort of reminds me of the Lord of the Rings and Star Wars. This is being made into a movie and I will predict right now that it'll be the smash hit next Christmas season.

Mohawk Valley Pot Luck
Cheesecake. My absolute favorite dessert in the whole world and Utica, NY has a place that makes the best - Manny's. I love cheesecake with the cherries on top and I don't even want to know how many artery-clogging calories I'm chowing down or the possible chemicals that'll kill me. Three things are assured in life- death, taxes and cheesecake delight! Life's too short to worry about what I'm eating, breathing and drinking. Don't get me wrong, I'm no Poe, Hemingway or Jim Morrison. I'm just saying that a bean sprout-eating, yoga-participating, tri athlete can drop dead as easily as me. So go out there and get some cheesecake- right here in the good ole' Mohawk Valley.

Wallace and Grommit
I watched Curse of the Were-Rabbit with my kids and I roared all the way through this claymation masterpiece. I love it that I can watch programs with my children and laugh along with them. This movie was witty and funny. I wouldn't doubt that this will win an Oscar for best animated movie, although Corpse Bride was a cool flick. I can't imagine the love and hard work that goes into these stop-motion animation movies. Anyhow, check this out and have a few giggles.

I'm Finally Finished with Frey's Book

A Million Little Pieces Review from the Webslinger
Well, I have to say that I enjoyed James Frey's book very much. I can see why it's such a great seller. Even if I viewed it as a piece of fiction, I still enjoyed it. Don't laugh but I got very emotional at the end when I discovered the fate of Lilly, the cute little Goth girl with the shattered life and drug addiction. I had to wipe tears from my eyes. Yes, I'm a man and I admit that I have emotions. . . what a revelation! I give it the webslinger thumbs up.

Fan-Tan
Well, I'm onto my next novel and my pick is Fan-Tan by Marlon Brando and Donald Cammell. Entertainment Weekly called it the worst book of 2005 so I'm really anxious to see what the fuss is about. I'm not a literary person so my reading habits mow a wide path. I could read pulpy trash book one day and Pulitzer Prize winning novel the next. I like to mix it up with everything I watch and read. It makes me well rounded. I like to expand my horizons and move beyond my little comfort zone. Besides, my view on critics is that it's one person's opinion. I can love something and another person might hate it. I make up my own mind about stuff. I don't take someone else's word for it. . . except the movie Freddy Got Fingered. I love Tom Green but that movie was an all new level in crapola!

Super Steelers
I'm an Oakland Raiders fan yet I couldn't help but root for Bill Cower and the Steelers in the Super Bowl. He's a great coach that will now get the respect he deserves. I played football in high school and loved it for you could legally knock the snot out of someone.

Fans and Friends
I had several old friends show up to my booksigning including some from my old stomping grounds - Oriskany. If you were at my book signing, throw me an e-mail at dennis66@adelphia.net . I love talking with friends and family so throw me a message.

Barnes and Noble Book Signing

B&N Event
Wow, what a turnout at Barnes and Noble. I spent three hours signing books, talking about the Loomis Gang and getting writer's cramp. This is what being a published writer is all about. I don't care who you are, if you write, you only dream of days like this. I thank all my family and friends who came out to support me.

Cybervillage
Rob Thrasher has a great website that has lots of cool things on it including more information on the Mohawk Valley. Just go to www.cybervillage.com and browse around. Rob has a twisted sense of humor, just like me, and loves the Mohawk Valley as much as I do.

Greensboro, NC
Well I went on a business trip last week and I still think the Mohawk Valley has the best scenery and food. I'm biased because I've lived here all my life and will continue to hang in the valley drink some Saranac and dive into some Piggy Pat's pulled pork BBQ.

Chappelle's Show
I stayed up last night watching my Chappelle's Show DVD and roared all through it. The Rick James True Hollywood Story is the best thing ever! It's too bad there won't be a season 3 of Chappelle's Show. Two seasons is not enough of this.

A Million Little Pieces
I'm still working on this book. I'm slow in my reading because I have to fit it in where I can. I will say my favorite part so far is when James Frey shoves his thumb into the neck of a wise ass fellow junkie. I'll give the full report when I'm finished.