Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Checking up on Mobster Nick's MO!

The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition is a 2005 children's picture book, written by Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell, and illustrated by Coë Steinwart. The book tells a Christmas-themed story, written in rhyme, that explains how Santa Claus knows who is naughty and who is nice. It describes elves visiting children between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, after which they return to the North Pole until the next holiday season. The Elf on the Shelf comes in a keepsake box that features a hardbound picture book and a small soft toy in the form of a pixiescout elf.
Although not all elves stick to checking up on children. One in particular seems to be fascinated by Mobster Nick's highly malfeasant and shady activities.


Saturday, November 18, 2017

Leonardo Da Vinci's "SALVATOR MUNDI" sold at auction!



After 19 minutes of dueling, with four bidders on the telephone and one in the room, Leonardo da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi” sold on Wednesday night for $450.3 million with fees, shattering the high for any work of art sold at auction. It far surpassed Picasso’s “Women of Algiers,” which fetched $179.4 million at Christie’s in May 2015. The buyer was not immediately disclosed.

Sunday, October 29, 2017

Happy Third Birthday to my beautiful little Princess!

My little granddaughter is 3 years old today and I am the happiest grandfather ever! Life is passing by at a dizzying rate so I have to grasp every single moment before it's all over!!! - Don't we all?

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

MOBSTER NICK in Syndication...NOT!

After sending a request to every known Newspaper Syndicate in hopes of getting the MOBSTER NICK comic strip syndicated, the reactions have been quite disappointing. As expected, some syndicates didn't even bother to send a reply. Those who did, sent the same, standardized automatic response: 
"Regrettably, our editorial board has decided we are unable to distribute your material at this time. Please understand that this does not reflect on your talents but rather on our needs at present. Because the cost of launching a new feature is so high, only a few of the thousands of submissions received each year by syndicates can be accepted. Nevertheless, we would encourage you to continue developing your work and feel free to submit new samples at any point in the future."
Well, that's more or less what I was expecting, so the level of disappointment is not really that high! Nonetheless, although MOBSTER NICK may have gotten the pink slip treatment, he's not out yet! I expect to try some other means of publishing the strips, come rain or come shine. And even if it still doesn't work out, nobody will take away the fun of doing this strip! Frank Sinatra said it and I repeat it: "The best is yet to come!" 



"Please be advised that Tribune Content Agency has received the material you sent through our electronic submissions process. If we are interested in discussing your inquiry, we will contact you. Thank you for your interest in Tribune Content Agency."
Sincerely,
The Editors at TCA

Sunday, October 8, 2017

My son Ricardo's Birthday!

My son's birthday is always a date that brings back fond memories of great moments we've spent together and a promise of even greater things for the future! Happy Birthday, son! Love you very much! Many happy returns!!!


Friday, October 6, 2017

THE 2017 NEW YORK COMIC CON!

New York Comic Con is the East Coast's largest pop culture convention and the only one that takes place in the comic book, publishing, media, and licensing capital of the world — Gotham City.
Antonio, my little five year old grandson, who is a big comic book reader, attended the event wearing his Spiderman costume and made the scene with several Cosplayers!













Going back home by ferry, after a full day of fun and excitement!

Monday, October 2, 2017

The 1964/1965 New York World's Fair!

Ever since I saw this special souvenir issue of THE FLINTSTONES AT THE NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR, more than 50 years ago, I've always wanted to visit the location.
The 1964/1965 New York World's Fair held over 140 pavilions, 110 restaurants, for 80 nations (hosted by 37), 24 US states, and over 45 corporations to build exhibits or attractions at Flushing Meadows Park in Queens, NY. The immense fair covered 646 acres on half the park, with numerous pools or fountains, and an amusement park with rides near the lake.
Finally, this past Summer, my dream came true and I walked around the big signature Earth Globe.
The site is no longer anything like it was back when the Fair opened. No dinosaurs or amusement park rides nor any pavilions and no sign of the Flintstones anywhere!
 Today the grounds are occupied by the Arthur Ashe Stadium, site of the U.S. Open. 
But the iconic globe is still there and it was just as exciting to be there simply trying to imagine what the fair had been like.