And the New Term Begins

Posted by Bob Greenberger on November 29, 2005

This could be a very long term.

Last night the newly elected RTM meet for the first time, which involved a fair amount of house keeping plus the normal agenda. At our Democratic caucus, we confirmed the people we wanted to see chair, vice chair and act as secretary for the five committees. Given the 26-24 split, only one of the four committees would have a majority, the others would be 5-5 ties. It was presumed, based on a similar incident in 1997 that the Committee on Committees would break any ties and with the Democrats in control there, things would be fine.

Our presumed Moderator, Joel Green, did a fine job explaining the nuances of the process to one and all, especially the newcomers.

We then filed into the meeting room and got things started. The room was packed more than usual since parents for one of the middle schools were in attendance to lend support to a forthcoming finance issue. After Ken Flatto, our First Selectman, got things started he took nominations for moderator. Sure enough, we put Joel Green, the Republicans put up Brian LeClerc, a longtime member and one-time moderator. Imagine our surprise when Joel won 26-24. And so our time got wasted with the obvious.

Joel did a well-practiced job of reviewing state and local statutes regarding our rules of conduct, sprinkled with his personal hopes that the body would remain a thoughtful group, whose opinions would be aired in an atmosphere where we recognized that all sit here to do what we feel is best for the town.

We then took nominations for members to the Committee on Committees. We put up three names, they put up two names. We voted. Then took a recess while they met to confirm the members who would serve on each committee. No sooner did they walk in and announce the member assignments than a political caucus was called. So, the bewildered audience watched as we all filed back out of the room.

Inside our classroom, our Majority Leader broke the bad news that Mr. LeClerc had decided to throw a monkey wrench into our plans. He decided the 1997 way of breaking committee ties was wrong, the rules governing the RTM did not specifically address how ties should be broken and was determined to use Robert’s Rules of Order to strangle the process.

Unless the Republicans got something. And so was the tone set for the term.

In the end, the Republicans were told they could put forth names for Vice Chair of the four committees in question. Democrats would control Chair and Secretary. As you can imagine, this did not sit well with the body. Personally, I was disappointed to lose a shot at Vice Chair for Finance, especially since I missed out on a seat on Education & Recreation in favor of this. On the other hand, I sided with my colleagues who feel we’ll get poked in the eye by the olive branch that was offered.

After the political caucus ended, we filed back in, and were immediately recessed to break into our new committee assignments so the choreographed election of officers could be played out. Finance has many returning members, and I have nothing but respect for Peter Ambrose, a veteran, who got the Vice Chair slot. I’m hoping that at least in our one committee, things can remain collegial.

Once more we trooped in, sat down, and each Chair announced the officers of the committee. Joel the, did a wise thing, given that 38% of the RTM were new faces. He had each of us get up, announce our district and ourselves. Once the 50 members completed that, the ex-officio members, such as our Selectmen and Board of Finance members, also introduced themselves.

With that done, we got back to the agenda. This included a report on the current construction at Tomlinson Middle School, which was running over budget. The goal was to give us an idea of the scope of the project and to prepare us for next month’s vote on the funding request. We also got a report on the current cell tower situation in town since next month we’ll also need to vote on a new contract with Cingular/ATT. Wisely, our First Selectman noted the forthcoming consolidation in carriers and secured a deal that financially benefited the town, although he got excoriated for it at the time.

And by 10:20 or so, we were adjourned.

By 10:30, the Democrats were drinking at the Angus while the Republicans drank down the road at the Bear & Grill. It’s become a tradition to go out and unwind after these events and it certainly gave me a chance to get to know my colleagues a wee bit better. One was fit to be tied since her committee meeting didn’t quite go as scripted while another lamented that we should all be drinking in the same place to help break down the ever-hardening line between town Democrats and Republicans.

He has a point and one worth exploring, especially next month during these times of good tidings. There was a real sense last night that the younger, new faces on the Republican side of the aisle, coupled with the veterans who smell blood, are going to put everything in a political light rather than determine what’s best for the community. That would be a real shame since we’ve had so much go right for the town the least few years, slowing that down for ideological reasons would be wasteful.

Draft One

Posted by Bob Greenberger on November 26, 2005

OK, so the first draft for BattleTech is now done.

8,468 / 7,000 (121.0%)

I’m still not thrilled and don’t feel fully engaged. My problem now is to whittle this down to size and then bring the characters to life and make them more interesting than they are now.

Good thing I have most of tomorrow to fuss with it.

Getting Started

Posted by Bob Greenberger on November 25, 2005

Finally sat down today to begin my BattleTech short story. It’s a good solid story, I think, but the world of BattleTech is so new to me, I find that I’m constantly looking things up.

I’m not entirely thrilled with what I’ve come up with but it’s a start that will need whittling once the first draft is complete. I’m concerned that I’ll be way over my word limit since I’m better than halfway there and have more than half the story to tell.

4,400 / 7,000 (62.9%)

Cancellations and a Passing

Posted by Bob Greenberger on

ABC has decided to pull the plug on Alias after five seasons, despite having Jennifer Garner signed through the 2007-2008 season. In one of the toughest timeslots of the week, it was getting clobbered by just about everything other than Joey. Rather than switch it somewhere else, they’ve chosen to cancel it now so J.J. Abrams and company can wrap everything up.

I’ll admit the family is somewhat behind on the series this season, more due to our schedules than a marked drop in quality. As a result, I can’t comment on whether or not the new cast members and Garner’s own pregnancy forced such story contortions that audiences drifted away. I will say that its breathless pacing and appealing characters will be missed after the final ep runs in May.

For those keep tabs, the show goes on hiatus over the winter, giving Garner time to spend with her newborn. It’ll be back in, I believe, March taking its timeslot back from Dancing with the Stars and then running straight through to the final mission. Please, may it be something other than a Rambaldi device.

I also note the cancellation this week of Brannon Braga’s first non-Trek effort, Threshold. My general dislike for Brannon’s work coupled with uniformly negative reviews has kept me from watching this despite an appealing cast headed by Carla Gugino and Brent Spiner. The ratings on Fridays were suffering so CBS sampled it on Tuesday night and it did even worse. They tried to build support these last few weeks by streaming previous episodes on the website since its serialized nature made it tough to sample mid-run.

Finally, I want to note the passing of Pat Morita at age 73. Best known to one and all for his work in the four Karate Kid movies, I’ve enjoyed his work over the last three decades or so and will miss his gentle, reassuring presence.

Hot Stove Rant

Posted by Bob Greenberger on November 24, 2005

First of all, a happy Thanksgiving to one and all. I hope everyone is spending the day and the weekend with friends and family. As usual, we will be part of the extended Rozakis family later today.

Now, on to other hot stove topics:

I don’t like it,

That was the first thing I thought when I heard about the Mets obtaining Carlos Delgado from the Florida Marlins in exchange for Mike Jacobs and Yusmeiro Petit. Sure, it’s flashy and brings a potentially big bat to first base. Sure, it’s another marquee name to use when promoting the Mets’ own cable channel NYSN as it gears up for a spring debut.

But they’re trading away the future, the one thing that continually undermines teams who get mesmerized with the potential today.

Jacobs came up during the last season, proved he could not only catch but played a pretty good first base. He batted .310 with 11 homers and 23 RBI in 100 at-bats, tantalizing us with what could be accomplished over a full season. Petit, meantime, was a very promising pitcher who struggled when he moved from AA to AAA but clearly could be a factor in another year or so.

Instead, we get Delgado who appears to be a me-first player who will need careful handling. When the Mets nearly signed him last season, the deal floundered when Delgado felt the Mets overplayed the Latin American angle by using Tony Bernazard, special assistant to Mets general manager Omar Minaya to lead the discussions. Delgado felt he wasn’t being treated with enough respect and Bernazard had to step aside to let the boss handle things. Delgado apparently still has hard feelings for this and Bernazard is still there.

Plus, he still doesn’t want to stand for the singing of “God Bless America”. Heck, I don’t either, having grown tired of the song and don’t appreciate its sentiments (I’m with Woody Guthrie who wrote “This Land is My Land” in response). Still, the NY media will make this a point. In fact, the NY media are likely to shine a harsh spotlight on the man which may turn him brittle.

Meantime, he didn’t exactly carry the Marlins far last season. 33 homers, 119 RBIs and a .301 average are okay, but for the money he’s commanding, he needs to turn things up a notch and history shows, players coming to Shea rarely turn things up a notch. In fact, I’d love to figure out exactly why veteran players coming to New York struggle or fail.

Anyway, it’s a huge salary and potential albatross that they don’t need. Instead, they should be building around David Wright, Jose Reyes and guys like Jacobs and Petit.

I worry about the coming season and only hope they finish their winter shopping with a clear mind.

I Swear

Posted by Bob Greenberger on November 22, 2005

For a 30-second event, Fairfield sure knows how to stretch it to 90 minutes. With all the small town pageantry and schmaltz, the town’s elected officials took the oath of office last night.

The Mill River Band, a surprisingly entertaining folk/country group, performed during the first thirty minutes as people filled the middle school auditorium. As we took our seats, I introduced Deb to some people and we sat back to enjoy the music. Sue Barrett, from District 8, handed every District 8 official a red rose buttoneer, which pleased Deb no end, since she insisted I actually wear a sports jacket to the event. Good thing I did. Others, including several I’ve never seen in anything more formal than jeans, turned up in jackets and ties.

By 7:30, the real work began. A local Reverend and Rabbi hosted as Masters of Ceremony. They introduced the color guard and representatives from the Fire and Police departments marched down the aisles, carrying their flags, axes and rifles. One of the Girl Scout troops then took the stage to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. They were followed by a high school female acappella group who sang the “Star Spangled-Banner.

Our elected Selectmen were due next but here’s where politics came into play. When Jack Stone lost the race for First Selectman, he was elected to Selectman. He declined the post, preferring to keep his State seat as a Representative. This left the job of filling the spot to our First Selectman, Ken Flatto. Everyone’s been pushing for Ken to pick Stone’s running mate, Steve Elworthy, to fill the spot. Steve had been Selectman last term so the notion of continuity was very appealing. Ken had not decided by yesterday so only his running mate, Denise Dougiello, took the oath as administered by State Comptroller Nancy Wyman.

Our Town Clerk, Betsy Browne, was sworn in next by local judge Dan Caruso and then she took over, swearing in each department or committee, from Board of Ed to Constable. Then, finally, each RTM district was called up to take the oath. All five of us stood there, looking pretty sharp with our roses if I do say so, and said, “I do.” Later, Betsy admitted to me she was sorely tempted to raise her right hand and then splay her fingers in the Vulcan salute in my honor but chickened out. I told her she should have so we agreed, next term, if there is one, we’d do that.

A soloist gave us the seventh inning stretch by singing the complete version of “God Bless America” a song I have truly grown tired of for numerous reasons.

State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal then swore in Ken, who gave a very nice little speech and we stood and applauded. I do like that Blumenthal took time to acknowledge the Fire and Police staff as well as any veterans in the audience, who all served us in different ways. Additionally, a recurring theme was tough it was on the local level, being in the trenches and dealing with the people in ways those at the State and Federal level can’t hope to match. Also, our spouses and families were acknowledged for supporting our efforts even though it meant we’d be out late at night throughout the year.

There was then a cookies and cider reception in the cafeteria and so the mingling began. Our DTC chairman grumbled that some of the newly elected young Republicans refused to applaud when Ken took the oath. Several others noted these new RTM members are younger and could make things very partisan when, at the local level, it doesn’t need to be.

Next week we have our first meeting. It’ll be largely organizational as the Committee on Committees establishes which members will serve on which of the five committees. Our Majority Leader requested our preferences a few weeks back and I indicated a desire to move from Finance to Education & Recreation. Then I got a call from the Finance Chair asking if I would serve as her Vice Chair. I was pleased at being asked and accepted. Deb warned Pat, though, that I am horrible with numbers. The town may be doomed.

I am now an official card carrying member of the RTM, a duly elected official and with any luck, will actually do some good for the town.

Clicking til I Drop

Posted by Bob Greenberger on November 20, 2005

I admire my friend Laurie. Usually, we wind up visiting her and Bob at their Long island during the summer. Tucked away in a corner of the Dining Room is a neatly wrapped stack of Christmas presents. Laurie is actually done for the holidays by August which I find amazing.

I start talking about shopping for friends and family in October and Deb invariably puts me off until November and then we plan a few weekends to blitz the malls trying to be mainly done before December 1.

This year, we did it a bit differently. Yesterday, we went to the mall and bought a handful of the gifts we needed. Later in the day, I spent about an hour on line ordering a variety of gifts for the immediate family and more relatives. Just about every site was offering free shipping plus nice deals on the items. Click, click, click, I was rapidly filling in the list (on behalf of Santa of course).

This morning I ordered a few more things and can safely say that we’re just about done. The transition to cyber shopping makes me save time and effort and probably some money. It’s a growing trend, one covered in the papers the other day. Monday the 28th will be Cyber Monday, the twelfth busiest shopping day on line, but growing. In theory, starting the Christmas Season on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, brings throngs of people out to spend, spend, spend. I have always avoided going anywhere other than the supermarket that entire weekend. Anyway, the theory goes that many are now window shopping on Black Friday and on Cyber Monday, they arrive at work armed and ready to use the company high-speed internet connection to order everything they saw on line.

This probably means the websites slow down given the crush of users. So, we have neatly avoided all that although I do note Amazon, among other sites, was a wee bit slow yesterday. Could be, people are catching on to this early on line shopping notion.

And for those who still like to visit the brick and mortar stores, there are websites that will reveal the Black Friday circulars, letting you figure out when and where to shop to maximize your bargains.

Me, I’ll now have all of that weekend to write (and sadly, to rake). Ho ho ho.

Is it Really Only Thursday?

Posted by Bob Greenberger on November 17, 2005

There are just some weeks when the calendar fills up until you have to scream, “No mas!”

Monday was the SFWA reception. Lots of socializing but a late night to start the week.

Tuesday was lots of hard work at DC followed by the gym and then a collapse at home, watching TV. (Speaking of which, here we are, well into the second season of House and the lead remains an engaging and enraging báštárd. This week’s episode proved that time and again.)

Wednesday started with completing proofreading the designed page proofs for the Organizing book on the train, followed by more hard work at DC followed by an alumni event. The big donors and major volunteers got invited to a screening of The Squid and the Whale which features Billy Baldwin, ’85. My pal Ray got invited and I got invited to be his date. First, I misplace his building by a block so I’m late to meet him for our trip downtown. It’s raining hard and we’re sloshing through the streets to the 1 subway. When we finally get to the 42nd street platform, we then cool our wet heels for something like 15 minutes before a train arrives. By now it’s 6:29 for a 6:30 event in Tribeca.

We finally make it to Franklin Street and start looking for Greenwich Street. A woman is also looking for the same place so the three of us trudge ahead. We enter the Tribeca Screening Room, thrilled that things hadn’t started yet. We take our seats, exhale and then look around. I lean over to Ray and say, “This crowd doesn’t quite look like an alumni crowd.” He leans to his left and asks the person next to him what movie we’re seeing. It’s something called Double O Zero. We head back downstairs and ask the guard if he knows where we need to be. Turns out, he just sent the film over to 54 Varick Street just a little while ago.

Let’s just say it took us a while to find 54. Varick Street was easy. We arrive, even wetter now, and it turns out Ray was late in RSVPing and missed that the location had changed. The film had begun only scant minutes before so we hustle towards the front, grab seats and start drip-drying. Ray, until we sat on the subway, thought we were seeing a nature film on the order of March of the Penguins so I quickly corrected him.

The movie itself is engaging, despite being a mere 80 minutes. It’s the story of a divorcing couple in 1986 Brooklyn and their struggles to make join custody work. Both parents are self-absorbed to the point they have little idea what’s going on with their own children. Baldwin plays the youngest son’s tennis coach and is pretty much a dimwitted but pleasant fellow. Written and directed by Noah Baumbach, it’s largely autobiographical and stars Laura Linney and Jeff Daniels. Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates’ son Owen plays the youngest son who, at 12, has to say and do some pretty rough things (hence its R-rating). The movie is very gritty, feels real and as a result, you get uncomfortable (especially if you’re a parent) at what gets said and done. Still, it was strong and it deserves its positive reviews.

Afterwards, Baldwin addressed the packed screening room, taking questions for 20-30 minutes and answering quite good-naturedly. He also extolled the virtues of his time at Binghamton University and was pretty rah-rah about supporting the school in whatever tangible way people could.

There was a reception that followed and there, I ran into fellow alum and fellow fantasy baseball owner Chuck Rosenbluth, which was a pleasant treat. The appetizers were tiny but plentiful still, when I left at 9:50 to catch a train, I was still hungry.

Got home at midnight and suddenly it was Thursday.

This morning, I spoke at Robbie’s high school. This week it’s Teen Read Week and the high school wanted Brian Augustyn (whose daughter also attends) and me to come talk about comics and graphic novels. Brian and I have been good buddies and neighbors for years. Despite not seeing much of each other in recent times, we picked up our good-natured patter and went back and forth, hopefully educating and entertaining three periods’ worth of students. I think it went well and the Librarians and teachers seemed pretty pleased by the conversation.

I took the train in, arriving at DC around noon and played catch up and have been working steadily. Tonight I get to leave and attend a Parking Authority meeting.

Friday, which seems so long away, looks very light with just a gym workout on the schedule. And then there’s the coming weekend with holiday shopping, raking, and some writing to try and fit in.

I need a break.

Lot Auctions server crashed due to high volume

Posted by Glenn Hauman on November 16, 2005

The Lot Auctions server has crashed due to high volume. We’re working on the problem and will be extending the comic book auction 24 hours from when we get the server live again.

A comic book commercial break

Posted by Glenn Hauman on November 15, 2005

Hi, I’m Glenn Hauman. As you may know, I’m the site administrator around here, and the assistant editor on Jon Sable and GrimJack. I also run a website called Lot Auctions, and there’s an auction going on now of 30,000+ comics that a lot of you might want to bid on. Every so often, you hear about a collection like this– now you have a chance to get in on it.

This is the personal collection of a long-time employee of the big-two comics companies (we can’t tell you who because of their corporate policy) who has to pay for a college education for his kids– so he’s selling off his entire collection, from Action Comics to Zot!, including complete runs of Avengers, Justice League, Green Lantern, Iron Man, and many others. And just to keep it on topic, there are a lot of books Bob worked on, editing and even writing an issue or two.

Most books prior to 1975 are VG or better, most books after 1975 are VF or better. Many are in mint condition (read once) and many rare issues are to be found, like the Elseworlds 80 Page Giant that includes Kyle Baker’s “Letetia Lerner, Superman’s Babysitter” and which was pulped in the United States– less than 700 copies are suspected to exist.

Covers shown are NOT the actual covers, but used only for display purposes. The collection is available for viewing by appointment, and individual issues are also available for more precise grading information on request. Shipping costs will be paid by the buyer for any and all issues purchased.

Any questions, feel free to ask in comments here or on the Lot Auctions site. Bid heavy– the more money this auction brings in, the less intrusive ads I have to put on the site to pay for all this bandwidth.

And bid soon– the auction ends in just over 24 hours.