Brian’s Memorial ... Obama’s Spin ... Foreign Flicks ... Reminders (Kindle & Reading) ...

Amici:

Brian’s Memorial ... Ann Marie and I attended a true brother and friend’s memorial Saturday night in Bridgewater, New Jersey. It was the first time I met his wonderful parents (Ann & John), his best friend (Bruno) and more than one hundred people whose lives Brian touched back from when he was a kid. I guess from lack of thinking and general shyness (and awkwardness) I forgot to introduce myself to Brian’s sister and her kids. He loved his family; especially his sister’s kids. He never didn’t mention them when he was with Ann Marie and myself. Brian was color blind and that was brought up by one of the speakers. There was no need; a very healthy percentage of those there were people of color. There was also a three-time world champion fighter in attendance. Bobby Czyz, someone Brian was very close to and who graciously took the time to attend. I felt somewhat awkward because most of the people there knew Brian much longer than I did.

I first met Brian after I was contacted by the production company looking for a screenplay for a movie. Brian was an executive producer of the movie. He dealt with my agent at the time and I was signed to write the screenplay. We became instant friends and tried to launch a pilot screenplay shortly afterward to some big shots at Fox. Brian and I worked together on the pilot and although it failed, our time together was priceless; I knew I had someone I could work with on such products in the future and more importantly, I knew I had found a true friend.

That was the thing about Brian I forgot to mention the other night when I gave my two cents (I managed to keep the tears in check for a few minutes to speak at his memorial). My best memory of Brian was his absolutely positive spirit. Nobody could brighten a room faster or better. Nobody could make people feel more comfortable. Nobody could make you more proud of being considered his friend. I mentioned the dopey weightlifting meet Brian took the time to attend and film for me a couple of years ago. Because he did the filming, he also provided what he couldn’t stop himself from doing, subjective commentary; cheering someone on. In that particular case it was me. I mentioned how boring weightlifting meets are to attend. Asking someone to come along is like asking someone if they want to watch grass grow. Brian never hesitated. In fact, he was excited about it and that excited me (who stood no chance in hell of attaining anything more than a pulled muscle or two). That was Brian; always upbeat, always positive.

This world isn’t the same without him, not for his parents, his sister, her kids or all those who attended his memorial the other night. It hasn’t been the same for Ann Marie or myself. We all miss him dearly, but will never forget what a joy it was to be around him.

Obama’s speech ... he doesn’t want to see mass graves before taking action ... it’s a noble statement, especially considering we (along with much of the world) didn’t move anywhere fast enough to put an end to what Hitler was doing in WWII, but times have changed and unless we’re willing to begin World War III sooner rather than later, someone should show el Presidente a map where genocide and mass graves continue to accumulate bodies throughout the Middle East and Africa. His speech last night was nothing more than political posturing for 2012. He’s tough, he's telling us. He’s prepared to do what any Republican would do (and not the Republicans (Doc/Newt Gingrich, et al ...) who two weeks ago said he wasn’t doing enough and then last week were blaming him for engaging a 3rd war) ... just those who want to paint him as not tough enough. Here are some other places he seems conveniently blinded to (if his speech last night was anything nearing honest) ... Darfur ...

Somalia ... Ruwanda ... Congo ...

Nothing having to do with war is quick and easy and Libya will be no different. I just wish he’d make up his mind as to where his laser like focus is going to remain for more than 24 hours (while praying there aren’t any more White House parties celebrating anything while effectively close to 20% of the county remains out of work). And pray that maybe the Nobel Peace Prize winning, anti-war president, manages to avoid a #4 ... or #5 or #6, etc. Foreign Films ...

Kinamand ... A Danish mostly fun flick, sometimes very sad, about a plumber whose wife walks out after 25 years (“our marriage has been like a funeral parlor” she tells him) ... he’s down and out of sorts ... and eating at the same Chinese grill across the street from his house every night afterward, befriending the owner (and vice versa) and eventually he’s made an offer to marry Mr. Feng’s sister so she doesn’t get deported (pro forma only marriage) ... of course the ex gets jealous and the fun starts ...

Leaving ... wow, what a movie ... the beautiful Kristin Scott Thomas stars as Suzanne, an unhappy woman/mom anxious to return to work (after 15 years of child rearing); her husband, an MD, a prick, is also politically connected ... when her new office is being built she befriends one of the workers and the sparks fly. I really enjoyed this one. Tough stuff.
Reminder(s) ...

The first three of the ugly one’s novels are now available on kindle (as well as #6) ... Cheapskates (#4) will be available in another month or so ... Here's Eddie’s World ... Here's Jimmy Bench-Press ... Here's Charlie Opera ... Here's Mafiya ...

Johnny Porno at The Raconteur ... Hey, reserve Thursday, April 7th soon as yous can ... an evening with Knucks? Oy vey ... he’s reading from Johnny Porno in Metuchen, New Jersey ... April 7, at 8:00 p.m. at The Raconteur (April 7, 8:00 p.m.). The Raconteur offers wine and Johnny Porno ... where half the proceeds will go towards keeping this small independent bookstore from getting crushed.

The Raconteur, 431 Main Street, Metuchen, NJ 08840 (732) 906-0009 —Knucks

He wasn’t one of the nicer Puccini characters (not that many of Puccini’s tenors were), but here’s the big guy singing Pinkerton's Addio fiorito from Madama Butterfly ...