Charlie's Books

Charlie's Books
Buon Giorno, Amici!

Our motto ...

Leave the (political) party. Take the cannoli.

"It always seems impossible until it's done." Nelson Mandela

Right now 6 Stella crime novels are available on Kindle for just $.99 ... Eddie's World has been reprinted and is also available from Stark House Press (Gat Books).

Monday, March 7, 2011

Johnny Porno reading ... Rigoletto & Lola ... new Knuckmeter ... Wisconsin

Amici:

Johnny Porno ... an upcoming reading of Johnny Porno is scheduled for April 7, at 8:00 p.m. at The Raconteur (April 7, 8:00 p.m.). It’s a neat little book shop the Principessa and I have walked into a few times while taking strolls in the small town of Metuchen, New Jersey. So, if yous got nothing happening for April 7 (a Thursday night), 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

Rigoletto ... Mr. Charles (not Charlie) and Mrs. (Leslie) Stella visited for Christmas this past weekend ... and they brought the granddaughter, an injection of pure energy also known as Lola. Picture of the two doggies compliments of Mr. Facebook himself, Charles (not Charlie). How cute are these dogs?

He kissa the daddy doggie ...


What a pair ...

The beautiful (and inquisitive) one ...


Oh, no, not him again!


Another Brand New Knuckmeter ... okay, his whaleness went on a little binge this past week (oy vey) ... so we’re starting this party at 325 and dieting (great day yesterday--close to starvation). This is all in an attempt to show up for my first week of MFA classes in New Hampshire (end of June) somewhat short of the ‘tree (or four) bills.

While we’re at it, the old man is going to try 2 more weightlifting meets. One in the 308 class (between 275-308) and the one after in the 242’s. May 14 is Poppa Tommy (my Dad) and Dustin Stella's (my son)'s birthday ... how cool is that?

Next Meet: Bench on the Boards
Federation: IPA
Date: May 14 2011
End Date: May 14 2011
Type of Meet: BP
City: WIldwood
State/Province: NJ

The end of the holdout ... it looks as though at least 1 of the 14 State Democratic Senators from Wisconsin will be returning after all. They/he did what they could while the national party stood by and made believe none of this was happening. President Obama once again showed what he was made of (jelly) by not even daring to address his absolute rebuff of his 2007 campaign promise to organized labor. AFL-CIO President, Richard Trumka, made giddy on Meet the Press a couple of weeks ago and stated: “He’s doing exactly what he needs to do.”

I don’t know about the rank and file of the AFL-CIO unions, but I’d want Trumka’s ass replaced post haste after he voiced his concern about Obama (doing what he needs to do) instead of a) sticking up for the rank and file of his own membership and b) not demanding Obama honor one of his oh-so-charistmatic speeches (where he even used his famous minister voice). While Obama danced to Motown hits celebrating Black History Month, black union workers in Wisconsin waited for him to honor his promise to stand in their corner.

Union workers across the board should rebuke any attempt by their leadership for a block democratic vote for Obama come 2012. How can you vote for someone who took your hard earned contributions and then turned his back on you?

Many of my Democratic friends (including those who can’t stand me for pointing out what a joke their party has become {over and over and over again}) have buried their heads (where they appear to be pretty damn comfortble) ... rather than hold their own responsible. They continue to point and make fun of the absolute irrelevant in the Republican Party; their President turns his back on the workers who donated $200 million to his campaign, on organized labor across the board, and Democrat loyalists a) make believe nothing happened and/or b) poke more fun at Sarah Palin and her ilk. They argue that Obama is still better for the working man than any Republican. Really? Can someone explain the difference to me between saying you want to do away with organized labor and watching it happen while doing nothing about it?

And yous wonder why I advocate for ANY third party (preferably socialist)?

Obama, still concerned with his legacy, has now added the beginning of the end of organized labor to his resume. And this morning word is we’re looking at another extension in Afghanistan. Gee, there’s a great idea. I understand how Obama’s escalation of war there brought home the Nobel Peace Prize once, but ... really? Another four-five years in Afghanistan? That’ll sure help reduce the deficit.

Well, it’s not like he didn’t tell us there would be change.

Salaries in Inv. Banking (w/ bonus)
1st Yr Analyst $90-150K $125K BA
3rd Yr Analyst $120-350K $165K BA
1st Yr Ass. $150-250K $180K MBA
3rd Yr Ass. $300-500K $350K MBA
VP $350K-1MM $700K 3-6 yrs
Dir-Principal $400K-1.5MM $900K 5-10 yrs
Mng Dir-Partner $500K-20 MM $1.5 MM 7-10 yrs
Dept head $800K-70MM $3.5MM 10+ yrs

Avg WI Teaching salary: $46,390

And teachers didn’t bankrupt the economy.

Guess which above jobs Obama supported/protected with all his might?

Leadership my ass ...

—Knucks