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Nine Shiny Dimes

I’ve been in the financial industry for 37 years. I’ve screamed in the trading pits and presented financial plans in board rooms. In all those years there has been one consistent revenue stream for industry professionals. They count on retail clients preferring nine shiny dimes to one crumbled dollar bill.  In my early days the shiny dimes were glossy brochures or steaks and scotch in a power restaurant. Now it’s algorithms and video presentations. All of these shiny objects are presented to convince you to hand...

January 27, 2020By Blog0 CommentsRead more...
stock market

I don’t care!!

Those words were the beginning of the end to my career on Wall Street. It was the first time I realized that everything I had learned about my profession would soon mean nothing. To be honest, the words were a bit harsher. More vulgar and dismissive. At least the guy was up front with me. I knew my life would change the moment I heard those words. I was one of the first brokers in the trading pit of...

December 17, 2019By Blog3 CommentsRead more...
Harlem Rhapsody by John Nuckel

Charles and Belle at the Cotton Club (Upcoming Book Sample)

Charles didn’t have to approach Belle. A few minutes after he walked back to the warehouse, one of the bottlers walked over to him as he was talking to Moses.  “There’s a funny man here to see you.” Charles turned. “A funny man?” “Well, funny-looking, for sure.” The man turned and walked away. After getting a few more instructions on where Moses wanted the barrels placed, Charles walked towards the front of the warehouse. There was indeed a funny-looking man standing near the...

November 19, 2019By Blog, Upcoming Book Sample0 CommentsRead more...

Joe Doyle (Upcoming Book Sample)

Meet Joe Doyle. A character in my upcoming book who’s story is based on my Grandfather, Joe McNally. A proud Irishman and American. Doyle stood and walked over to a window that looked out on the Hudson River. He leaned against the frame and crossed his arms.           “Soldier to soldier. I have spent my entire life fighting against tyranny.” He suddenly slipped into a heavy Irish Brogue. “I was just a lad in Donegal when I saw my first act of terror. It...

January 17, 2019By Blog, Upcoming Book Sample3 CommentsRead more...
Owney Madden and the Gopher Gang Cotton-Club-NYC-1920s

Breaking noses

By the time he was nineteen Owney Madden was running the Gopher Gang. He got to that level because he knew how to handle any mug that crossed him. One of his trademark moves was the way he would bust a guy’s nose. Left him marked for life. All of New York knew that if you crossed Owney Madden, you’re gonna remember it every time you look in the mirror. He taught each new member the way he wanted...

July 8, 2018By Upcoming Book Sample, , 0 CommentsRead more...
Would you like a bag for that?

Would you like a bag for that?

I’ve been asked that question three times this weekend. First time was when I was checking out at the grocery store. The bagger held up a plastic bottle of ketchup and asked if I would like a bag for it. I looked at her with disbelief but refrained from responding that I would like to carry the ketchup in my hand as I walked out to my car. I said yes. The second time was later that afternoon as I...

June 9, 2018By Blog, , 0 CommentsRead more...
The cat’s a zombie

I don’t know if I like that guy

I’ve heard that a lot about the main character in my first three books. In fact, most opinions are more definitive than that. He has been called; moral center, toady, hero, shyster, genius, drunk, liar and savior. It mainly depends on who did the reading and thus did the defining. So what do I do with this guy? I can’t make him go away. He does make people form opinions, and if they hate him or love him; they care...

May 9, 2018By Blog0 CommentsRead more...
Garbage Pickin

Garbage Pickin’

I put out the recyclables last night and this morning I saw a man on my Manhattan street who collects cans. His cart was an engineering marvel. Blue bags hanging at odd angles from his shopping cart. Each bag looked like a half deflated Thanksgiving float. It was early, but his cart was already overstuffed to its limit. I didn’t look down on the guy, I identified with him. As a child I was him. I was taught my life’s credo while...

April 9, 2018By Blog, 1 CommentRead more...
Harder than it seemed

Harder than it seemed

"That was harder than it seemed." How many times have you heard that? A lot I would think. You know what I never hear? "That was easier than it seemed." There's a reason of course. There are very few tasks that one could describe with such a bold statement. If it was so easy, you wouldn't bother saying anything about it. But there is one activity that has inspired me to shout that phrase aloud after accomplishing it. Skiing! Now stay...

March 9, 2018By Blog0 CommentsRead more...