tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331284252024-03-17T23:03:03.891-04:00What I BelieveBrad Meltzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957774177356015078noreply@blogger.comBlogger457125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33128425.post-83319498593463716592014-09-12T10:00:00.000-04:002014-09-12T10:00:02.012-04:00The OathWhen I was 24 years old, my mentor, Eli Segal, asked to write an oath. It was for this new program called <a href="http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps" target="_blank">AmeriCorps</a>, to help people see the power of service. Co-writing that AmeriCorps oath is one of the things I'm most proud of. I've see it uttered by Presidents Clinton, Bush, and today, President Obama, who administered it via simulcast as I was swearing in 1,000 people in Florida. There's no politics with this one. We all can serve and help others.<br />
<br />
When I was 24 years old, my favorite line that I wrote was this one: <b>"Where there is adversity, I will persevere."</b> It's strong, defiant and never quits.<br />
<br />
Today, 20 years later, I love this line just as much: <b>"I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond."</b><br />
<br />
Back then, it was a hope. Today, it's a reality.<br />
<br />
Happy 20th anniversary, AmeriCorps. And thank you, Eli. In honor of this, go thank your own mentor or even the person who gave you your first real job.<br />
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<br />Brad Meltzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957774177356015078noreply@blogger.com55tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33128425.post-72893038374684553362013-12-31T14:08:00.002-05:002013-12-31T14:08:16.292-05:00Secret HistoryHere's the perfect way to finish the year.<br />
<br />
This week, a 97 year old man named Jerry Fine passed away. Nearly a decade ago, Jerry invited me into his house. The reason I was there was because when Jerry was a kid, he introduced his cousin Jerry Siegel to a boy named Joe Shuster. Siegel was a writer; Shuster an artist. And yes, together, those 17 year-old kids from Cleveland created the character known as Superman.<br />
<br />
History is just the best, isn't it? Jerry Fine did many things with his life. And on one particular day, though nobody knows his name, he changed the planet. Without him, Siegel and Shuster potentially never forge their famous friendship and we never get Superman.<br />
<br />
So thank you, Jerry Fine. Thank you for that day in your house where you shared your memories, your family, and your friendship. And thank you for proving that there's no such thing as an ordinary person.<br />
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Healthy and happy new year to you all!Brad Meltzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957774177356015078noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33128425.post-5633785395339452732013-06-21T12:19:00.002-04:002013-06-21T12:19:28.036-04:00Please Help!<p>It's that time! Please help us pick the cover for the next book. It's our first illustrated children's book, coming in January. Please vote which you like best for I AM AMELIA EARHART. A or B? (And yes, I always lose the vote).</p>
<p><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/1009157_10151654647902440_1432889702_o.jpg">
<img border="0" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/1009157_10151654647902440_1432889702_o.jpg" width="410" height="223" /></a></p>Brad Meltzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957774177356015078noreply@blogger.com331tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33128425.post-67260850421613247122013-05-16T17:09:00.000-04:002013-05-16T17:09:12.425-04:00Decoded!<p>Here it is -- world premiere of the cover of our new DECODED book (that's right, book) that's coming out in October. It counts down the top 10 conspiracies throughout history -- and even comes with removable pieces (letters from John Wilkes Booth, escape maps, etc, so you can see the evidence yourself). So proud of it. And yes, let's hear your top conspiracies for the list. As for the show, stay tuned...</p>
<p><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/525402_10151716013250209_46276421_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/525402_10151716013250209_46276421_n.jpg" width="300" height="303"/></a></p>Brad Meltzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957774177356015078noreply@blogger.com89tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33128425.post-904398742078275542013-05-02T10:04:00.000-04:002013-05-02T10:04:02.710-04:00Only in my FamilyYesterday, my father-in-law Bobby sees a homeless guy begging with a
sign that says, "I won't lie -- I just want beer." Bobby also helps
enough homeless at his restaurant, so he looks past the guy. But then,
the homeless man spots the <b>JUMBO'S</b> bumper sticker's on Bobby's car. He
knows <b>JUMBO'S</b>, the legendary soul food restaurant and civil rights
landmark. At which point, the homeless man yells through the window, "I
read all you son-in-law's books!" Only in Miami. Only in my family.
Needless to say, Bobby told him to come in for a free meal.Brad Meltzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957774177356015078noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33128425.post-60426158577023745432013-01-27T23:19:00.000-05:002013-01-27T23:19:05.552-05:00The Power of Thank YouHere's <a href="http://www.parade.com/news/views/guest/130127-brad-meltzer-power-of-thanks.html" target="_blank">the story</a> of one of the craziest, most rewarding experiences of my life. From my trip with the USO. How one soldier changed my life. [<a href="http://www.parade.com/news/views/guest/130127-brad-meltzer-power-of-thanks.html" target="_blank">Parade Magazine</a>]Brad Meltzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957774177356015078noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33128425.post-23496069845463420442013-01-11T14:13:00.003-05:002013-01-11T15:58:21.274-05:00Decode This!You asked for it: Solve the puzzle below -- and the first five people to email me at: bradmeltzer44 AT gmail.com get decoder rings.<br />
<br />
X Marks A Spot In Easy Code For You To Read:<br />
<br />
P - 1<br />
X + 1<br />
I - 5<br />
F + 8<br />
U + 1<br />
N - 1<br />
M + 6<br />
K + 3<br />
C - 4<br />
M - 1<br />
F + 3<br />
<br />
Thanks to pal and veteran puzzlemaker Mark Danna for this puzzle. He co-writes Mensa's annual page-a-day puzzle calendar, so if you like this, go buy those. He's also the author of more than 25 word search books and writer of the syndicated newspaper puzzle Wordy Gurdy. Where'd I meet him? Games magazine. For personalized crosswords, word searches, and other puzzles, contact Mark at wordygurdy10 AT aim.com.Brad Meltzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957774177356015078noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33128425.post-435435745636508622013-01-05T22:43:00.002-05:002013-01-05T22:50:52.671-05:00Decoder Rings!Remember last year when we tried to get you secret decoder rings and couldn't? Well guess what we just got? That's right. And next Tuesday in New York, on the publication day of The Fifth Assassin, we -- with the help of our judge John Hodgman -- are going to attempt to break the Guinness Book World Record for “Most Secret Decoder Rings Worn in One Place.” And, yes, we're supplying the rings! <br />
<b>When: </b>Tuesday, January 15 at 7pm<br />
<b>Where: </b>Barnes & Noble, Union Square - 33 E 17th St, New York<br />
<b>Why: </b>C'mon, we're giving out free secret decoder rings, and we're all gonna use them at the same time. This is my nerd dream come true. Also, with Hodgman acting as our official judge, it'll truly add some brains to my brawn.<br />
<b>Why else: </b> I'll then talk and sign copies of THE FIFTH ASSASSIN!<br />
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<a href="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/542970_10151462377105209_1206890305_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/542081_10151324771667440_1715203134_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Brad Meltzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957774177356015078noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33128425.post-81626277953170153342012-07-02T13:26:00.000-04:002012-07-02T13:26:09.674-04:00Need your help<p>We've narrowed it to these two attached covers for the new novel, and as always, would love your help picking the winner. So please vote and tell us which one you like best (one on the right or one on the left?).</p><br />
<p>No, you don't need to know what it's about. For once, judge a book by its cover.</p><br />
<p>Much love and thanks.</p><br />
<p>b</p><br />
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<br />
Maryann Frankson<br />
<b>Lifesaver</b><br />
Born in 1949, Maryann was the first female Emergency Medical Services squad captain in her hometown.<br />
And the first woman who was properly trained as Advanced Life Support personnel in her fire company.<br />
Along the way, she encouraged others, like her firefighting chief and her squad captain, to be trained in Advanced Life Support as well.<br />
<br />
As a result, lives were saved.<br />
Many, Maryann saved herself.<br />
In fact, to this day, she helped create many of the laws that emergency medical services in New York State still adhere to.<br />
<br />
But of all the lives she touched, the most vital were the ones in her family.<br />
She raised her grandson and granddaughter.<br />
She listened to their problems.<br />
And taught them to give back to their community.<br />
<br />
By the time her grandkids were sixteen, she helped them study -- and pass -- their own state certification exams.<br />
Indeed, by encouraging them to join the fire company themselves, she gave the world more heroes and more lifesavers.<br />
<br />
No question, they would be Maryann's greatest legacy:<br />
Twin reminders of the power of kindness,<br />
and the true power of a grandmother.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>"Don't forget to put on an extra pair of socks so your feet don't get wet when you drain the hoses after your next call." <br />- Maryann Frankson</i><br />
<i>"My grandmother is my hero." <br />- Marie Frankson</i>Brad Meltzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957774177356015078noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33128425.post-78260908216719547322011-10-31T10:37:00.001-04:002011-10-31T10:38:26.693-04:00The Goblin Book<p><b>The Goblin Book</b><br /><br />by Brad Meltzer</p><br /><p>On his deathbed, my grandfather gave me The Goblin Book.</p><br /><p>“It’ll work for you,” he whispered. “It will.”</p><br /><p>Don’t worry. I was confused too. I didn’t like creepy old grandfathers who talked in riddles. It was annoying.</p><br /><p>But he explained how it worked. How a reader usually the smart ones would be holding a book, lost in a story. And then, the book would feel odd in the reader’s hands.</p><br /><p>The book would feel heavy, then lighter, then heavy again.</p><br /><p>And then the reader would have the oddest feeling of all: that inescapable feeling that someone was watching them.</p> <br /><p>It was true, of course. That was the gift of The Goblin Book. With it, I could find any reader…and watch them through their book.</p><br /><p>The best part?</p><br /><p>I can see you right now.</p><br /><p>I can.</p><br /><p>No, you think to yourself.</p> <br /><p>But I can. And I’ll see you again tonight.</p>Brad Meltzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957774177356015078noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33128425.post-32916417157115405962011-03-14T22:13:00.002-04:002015-03-09T11:57:19.983-04:00Fighting the Lightning: A Eulogy for Stewart Meltzer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-C7bIaiKagc51Dx3BvcJZf0Nhrvv5GaNh1xj1L-zuR5wj4GytGp3T1THUa0V0S3eRgGwa4IvGVwn20p_Tl2hGnlOBZaK3dXoCuZJxwAYdQcAgdJsHplZ2zLDnrH8G83VM4lFNg/s1600/brad-press-photo-decoded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img align="right" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-C7bIaiKagc51Dx3BvcJZf0Nhrvv5GaNh1xj1L-zuR5wj4GytGp3T1THUa0V0S3eRgGwa4IvGVwn20p_Tl2hGnlOBZaK3dXoCuZJxwAYdQcAgdJsHplZ2zLDnrH8G83VM4lFNg/s1600/brad-press-photo-decoded.jpg" /></a>
My father was struck by lighting. And so was his father, my grandfather.<br />
That’s not a metaphor. They were both actually struck by a flaming bolt of lightning from the sky.<br />
And though this is my father’s funeral, to fully paint him, I need to start with my grandfather.<br />
My father’s father was the kind of dad who…let me just say it…he wasn’t a good father. My grandfather was a well known boxer in the military, and the sad truth is, he put those fists on my Dad. I don’t tell you that to elicit sympathy or make you feel bad. I tell you because it explains the core of my father⎯and what my father wanted to be: He simply wanted to not be like his own father.<br />
It wasn’t easy for my Dad. When it comes to bad habits, we’re so often taught them. <br />
And that’s how life is, right? As adults, we all know right from wrong, but no matter how hard we try, what we see as children colors how we see the world for the rest of our lives. We can try to escape, but fate has a way of making us like our own parents, whether we like it or not. <br />
And so, back to the lightning. <br />
When my grandfather was in the army, he was struck by a bolt of lighting. The resulting burns⎯and whatever mental damage came with them⎯led to his eventual discharge from the military.<br />
A generation later, my Dad (as a boy) was at sleepaway camp, bouncing on his bed at Camp Na-Sho-Pa when another lightning bolt came from the sky⎯I swear, this is what was told to us⎯and hit my father, who sank to the floor. They thought he was dead. They even put a sheet over his head. He was dead! And then, in his first (but not last) moment of death-defiance, Stewie Meltzer sat up and blurted, What’s everyone looking at?<br />
Two lightning bolts. Two men. Father and son. If I wrote this crap myself, my editor would tell me no one would believe it.<br />
But there it was: my father’s destiny. One lighting bolt hits. Then another follows.<br />
To be clear, for much of his life, my Dad doesn’t do much to step off the path.<br />
When he was born, it was because my grandmother fell⎯and it was the fall that sent her into labor. When my Dad was little, his grades were bad, but when his teachers picked out the occupation he was suited for, they said he should be a mayor.<br />
As a teenager, he was exactly what he was till his last days: a loud-mouthed, sports-obsessed super-fan, who only took his eye off the ball to look at a passing pretty girl. His number one sidekick was his cousin Harvey. Harvey was the pitcher. My dad was the catcher. And let me say, my father was an superb athlete. He wasn’t good. He was fantastic. A star, who almost played minor league ball, except for those bad knees. <br />
During summers, my Dad and his cousin would travel camp to camp…challenging and trying to take on whole teams. The camps would look at these two guys and say, “Sure. We’ll take that bet.” And then Harvey would throw his smoke, striking out everyone⎯and him and my Dad would walk away with the day’s money in their pockets. And if there was a bad call…or an argument that they were being suckered? That’s when Stewie’s temper would erupt. Could my father and his cousin fight an entire baseball team? They tried. A lot.<br />
Now, I know there are many people in this room who think they’ve seen my Dad’s temper. You are wrong. You’ve see Stewie mad when he was in his forties, fifties, or even sixties. That was nothing compared to the hurricane force that was my father’s temper when he was in his twenties. And again, he learned it right from his own father. My Dad rooted for the Brooklyn Dodgers; my grandfather rooted for the Yankees. There was the perfect metaphor. Opposite teams; bitter, hateful rivalry; and both from the exact same home.<br />
Burning with that anger, my father took the abuse from my grandfather. And he took extra hits when he was trying to protect his younger brother, my Uncle Jeff. It was that burning anger that my Dad brought everywhere. One summer at the bungalow colony, in a burst of it, I remember him being so mad, he flipped over a pool table. A pool table. It took four of us to lift one of those. <br />
And when I was growing up in Brooklyn, nearly every door in our apartment had a huge, deep dent right at the center of it: from where my Dad, in whatever fight he was having, punched a hole in it. His bedroom…every bathroom…they all had a hole. But y’know what room was never touched?<br />
My room. It was the room I shared with my sister. He would never lay a hand on my mother or any of us. And he never punched a hole in our door. <br />
So here’s where the lightning story takes it’s turn. My father may’ve never been one for introspection, but when I was born, he recognized the choice in front of him. Indeed, until that moment, as much as he didn’t want to be like his own father, my Dad was on my grandfather’s path: My grandfather was a salesman in the garment industry, working with schmatas; my father was a salesman and buyer in the garment industry, working with schmatas. My grandfather was a natural charmer, able to sell air to a fish; my father was a charmer, able to sell air to a fish. Two lightning bolts; one following right after the other.<br />
But when I arrived, my father made his decision. For all his faults and bluster and repetition of his father’s faults and bluster, my Dad was more determined than anything in this entire world to be the most loving father on this planet. And that is where my father beats every single person in this room.<br />
My first memory of my father is him coming home from work when I was little. He’d pick me up and put me on the top of the refrigerator, my little feet dangling over the freezer door. And in that moment, I realize he had the two things he loved most in life together in the exact same space: his family and food.<br />
As I got older, when I started writing and I asked my first editor, “How do books sell?” he told me that books are very different than movies. With movies, if you like the preview and the big star, you go see the movie. But with books, it’s usually because someone says to you, “You gotta read this book.” So he said to me, if you want your novel to sell, one of two things has to be true: either you know lots of people. Or you know a couple people with really big mouths.<br />
Now let’s really talk about my father.<br />
He was a big guy⎯big presence⎯big voice. As a dear friend said, you knew when he entered the room, any room, whether it was nearby or not. People just took to him. They were pulled to him like gravity.<br />
And with that voice. Howyadoin? What’sitmakeadifference? His first impression was that of a mobster. And for those who hated him, I’m sorry to break it to you, but he hated you too. He was a giant ball of chaos and emotion, and it never mixed well with those who demanded too much order in their lives. But at the center of that chaos was always one thing: a blind, animalistic devotion. No one was as devoted and as protective as my Dad.<br />
When I was nine or ten, back in Brooklyn, I remember when a group of older boys pretended they were my friends and said, “C’mon, come hang with us.” These were the cooler kids, so I was excited. But the moment they had me alone in the little jungle of trees behind our old apartment building, they took handfuls of prickly itchy plants and rubbed them in my hair, where they knotted and were unable to be taken out without cutting. I ran back to my apartment, hysterically crying. But it was father who found me. I remember his rage as he asked, “Where are those boys now?” I remember following right behind him as he plowed downstairs, raced up to them and literally grabbed the main bully by the neck and lifted him physically off the ground. The threat was a real one: “You go near my boy again and I. Will. Kill. You!” I remember being thrilled my father was doing it, even though I was just as terrified that he was really going to kill this boy. That’s not an exaggeration. <br />
My favorite thing is that, in the past few days, a dear friend reminded me of when we were sitting at a Marlins game a few years ago and I saw a group of boys starting to bully Jonas and Matthew and Nicholas. He reminded me that I exploded, threatening to beat up these little bastards who were messing with my boys. As my friend said, “That's not a Teri influence, or a Flam influence, or an NMB influence. That was pure Brooklyn Stewie.” I’m proud to carry that ruthless protective spirit in me. It is what makes me who I am to this very day. And I thank you, Dad, for showing me how hard a man should love his family.<br />
As time went on, that protectiveness found new outlets. When I got into Michigan and he knew he couldn’t afford it, he said to me, “You’re gonna go there,” determined to never let me down. <br />
When my first book came out, it was my father who was the one who took it from the bottom shelf in the store (where it was filed alphabetically) and put it right at the top, where he thought it belonged (fuck alphabetically).<br />
It was my father who’d go into the local Barnes & Noble and say, in that raspy ridiculous voice, “Yes, I’m wondering if you have the new Brad Meltzer book? He’s my favorite author in the world!” And the clerk would say, “Mr. Meltzer…we know he’s your son. We know.”<br />
And I remember when my second book came out and my father was going in for hip replacement surgery. To be clear, he was terrified of this surgery because when he was eighteen years old and had knee surgery, he died on the table. He flatlined. And they brought him back to life. So now, he knows he doesn’t have the body of an eighteen year old, so he’s terrified that he’s going to die on the table. These are his last moments on earth! And his blood pressure is raging so hard, they have to give him tranquilizers just to calm him down before he can even get the anesthetic. So they calm him down; they take him upstairs. And he’s up there for an hour…an hour and a half… I’m saying, “Please, God, let him be okay.” And after two hours, they finally bring him down, and the doctor says, “Do you wanna go see him?” Of course I wanna see him. And I go into his room…and he’s totally out of it. He’s filled with tranquilizers and all the anesthetic…and he opens his eyes…he has no idea where he is, and⎯this is a true story⎯he says, “I love you.” And then he says, “I sold a dozen books up there.”<br />
And I said, “That’s what you’re thinking of when you’re this close to death? That’s what you’re thinking of?” And I asked him, “Did you tell them about the paperbacks?”<br />
When every book came out, we’d make a t-shirt or a hat. But it was my Dad who turned it into a regular part of his wardrobe. He’d be wearing one of my novels on his hat, and a “Brad Meltzer” t-shirt, and still going up to people and say, “Have you heard about the show Brad Meltzer’s Decoded? He’s my favorite author.”<br />
The truth was, I was his only author. He read eight novels in his life: The Tenth Justice…Dead Even…only the ones I wrote. I’m not making that up. Like my sister said, all he cared about was us. And no one sold us better than my Dad.<br />
In fact, a year ago, when he was going in for heart surgery and we were interviewing doctors, we went to this one doctor at Mt. Sinai who said, “When I do your heart surgery, we don’t cut you open. We do a small incision, and it doesn’t hurt, and you’ll be up in a day…” And we know he’s lying to us, but my Dad’s happy to hear it. Then we go into the next doctor’s office, who says, “Oh, your name is Meltzer. You’re Brad. I like your books.” Of course, I thank him. And then he explains, “I do the surgery the old-fashioned way. I crack your chest…I cut you open. It’s painful. It takes weeks to recuperate. And I’ve lost people on the table.” <br />
So as we walk out, and I swear this is true, my father says, We found our guy. The old-fashioned one.<br />
And I say, “Are you insane? Didn’t you hear what he said? They crack your chest…it’s painful…you can die on the table…”<br />
“Yeah,” my father says. “But he buys the books.”<br />
For me, one of the best came just a few months ago, when I brought my Dad to the Decoded filming here in Florida. I introduce him to the producer and cameramen and sound and makeup people. I give him a place to sit. And I tell him that once they say “Action,” he has to do one thing: be quiet. Have you ever asked my Dad to be quiet? Now…it’s a two minute take. Two minutes. That’s it. But as I start speaking, I can feel it. It’s like a black hole has opened on the side of the room and my father is shaking, fighting the urge to blurt something. It’s physically killing him. And then, the instant they yell, “Cut,” my father unleashes, telling the producer something vitally important, like where the best new Chinese restaurant is that he just found on Oakland Park Boulevard. Looking back, it’s the perfect analogy: my father, Stu Meltzer, could never be contained. <br />
Everything else in my father’s life was unplanned. It was chaos. Like when he lost his job and decided to move from Brooklyn to Florida. He was 39 years old, but this was going to be what he called the “do-over” of life⎯he was going to start his life over from scratch. In 1983, he put me, my sister, and my Mom in the car, and headed to Florida with no job, no place to live, and only $1,200 to his name. My Dad left it all to happenstance. To his dying day, he couldn’t fathom consequences.<br />
Yet on the very day I was born, my father went to the liquor store, and bought a bottle of Dom Perignon, which he planned to open up on my wedding day. Indeed, when we got in the car and drove from Brooklyn to Florida, most of our belongings⎯clothes and furniture⎯that’s the stuff that went in the moving van. But the items you don’t trust to the movers⎯the items you take directly in the car with you⎯that’s not stuff. That’s your life. And the ONLY items I remember in that car with us were the two bottles of champagne that sat behind our backseat headrests, rolling back and forth and baking in the sun. My Dad knew nothing about taking care of champagne, but those bottles were us. We were his life.<br />
It was the one plan my father made. And the only plan he never gave up on⎯the only plan of his existence: Being that loving father to me and my sister. Making sure that if he had to sacrifice himself and take it square in the chest, the lightning would never strike twice.<br />
And of course, that extended to his grandchildren.<br />
I will be blunt here: I know my Dad loved me. He loved me as much as any father has ever loved any son. But. He loved his grandkids more.<br />
He knew the sports gene skipped my generation. But it didn’t skip his Jonas. My father never missed a game. Never. A few weeks back, his health was so bad, he could barely stand at the baseball practice. So he drove his car up near the fence and simply watched from the front seat of his car. And this was just a practice.<br />
It was the same with his Lila. He couldn’t walk a few months ago either. But that didn’t stop him from taking her⎯alone⎯to Aventura Mall, where he let Lila walk him from the Disney Store, to the opposite end of the mall, then back again when she finally picked out what she really wanted. You’ve seen my father walk⎯the way he’d hurl himself forward with each lumbering step. I know that walk hurt my father. But he made it for Lila.<br />
And same for Theo, named after his Teri. Just yesterday, we found even more cars and presents and little videos that my Dad had stashed away just for him. It is why, in his coffin right now, my father is wearing a baseball cap. It says, “Best Pop Ever.”<br />
I know where he first learned how to be that kind of Dad: he saw it in my mother’s father⎯my Poppy Benjamin. Like my father’s father, Benjamin came from nothing. But instead of an angry, permanent chip set into his shoulder, my mother’s father was filled with calm and satisfaction⎯content with the richness that came from nothing more than a loving family. To this day, I believe that relationship⎯between my father and his father-in-law, my Poppy Benjamin⎯was as vital to my father’s existence as his own relationship with my Mom.<br />
And I know he learned it from my Mom, who loved him as passionately as he loved her. I know the word “passion” is an overused one, especially when describing a marriage. But that’s what my parents were. <br />
When they met, my Mom actually had a date with another boy that night. My Dad said to her, “Let’s go talk.” Three hours later, she broke the date. Even back then, my Dad was the sensei of schmooze.<br />
But it was a perfect match. Neither of them apologized for who they were. If they loved you, you knew it. If they hated you, you knew it too. They loved hard, and played hard, fought hard, and went out to Studio 54 until three in the morning back in the Seventies. They had high times and low times, but man, did those two love each other⎯which is all any marriage can hope for. And in the end, especially the way he missed her, they died like any other rock stars: disappearing young rather than fading silently away. <br />
Without question, my Mom always knew that the big-tough-Stewie may’ve been the role he was taught to play…but deep down, it was the big soft mushy-hearted guy who was really at my Dad’s core.<br />
Still…to be truthful, in those early years here in Florida, my dad was still a salesman like my grandfather.<br />
He was a loudmouth. Like my grandfather.<br />
He had a temper. Like my grandfather.<br />
But somewhere along the way, my father started building his own life.<br />
I remember just a few years after we moved here, going on an insurance sales call with my Dad. The entire way, he told me about the people we were going to see…what their family was like…what Italian restaurant they told him about…where their kids were going to school.<br />
My father didn’t just come to sell you (though, yes, of course he did that). He came to get into your life.<br />
Of course, that’s the reason people kept buying insurance from my Dad. If you wanted cheaper prices and good, informed service…he wasn’t your best bet. But thousands of people paid more and spent the little bit extra on their insurance just because their plan came with that added benefit: my father. <br />
For Stewie, as everyone called him, that ability to talk to you⎯or any stranger⎯was primal. And yes, it’d be easy to say that it came from a need to connect…from a hole that was never filled by his own father. But y’know what my Dad would say to that? “That’s a buncha bullshit.”<br />
What made my father different from every person in this room is that my Dad loved to connect. He loved to kibitz. My father is in the Guinness Book of kibitzing and making friends. Don’t believe me?<br />
- In the history of the state of Florida, my father is the only person wearing a baseball cap in his driver’s license photo⎯and that was even before he had the scars on his forehead. He talked the DMV into it.<br />
- At his dentist’s office, they told me that even when they had the tools down his throat, he was still talking.<br />
- When he went into the hospital, his beloved Jennifer, the waitress from Bagel Cove, visited multiple time to see how he was doing.<br />
- He then, last year, got invited to the wedding of the receptionist at the dentist office. Did you hear that? Y’know that receptionist that everyone walks right past? My Dad got invited to her wedding.<br />
- Over the years, sure, my father made lots of enemies. But look around. He made far more friends.<br />
I know. My father was a walking contradiction. The first to point out the hot girl at the baseball game…and then he’d go home and watch his favorite movies: chick flicks like Must Love Dogs. Serendipity (his favorite). He raised me on Cannonball Run and Three Stooges, but as he got older, my Dad loved sappy crappy movies. In one moment, he was loud and cursing and telling the most offensive dirty jokes…but then he’d be bringing everyone in the dentist’s office chocolates on Valentine’s Day (which he did⎯how else do you think he got invited to the wedding?). As my Mom knew, he was a mush at heart. And it was that soft mushy spot that was the most attractive part of him. THAT’S what let him connect the way he did.<br />
Yes, he could turn on a dime, and had that temper, and he was always his own biggest worst enemy⎯but if you watered him with kindness, no one⎯repeat⎯no one produced more love. He had a neverending well of generosity that he shared with anyone he could possibly engage, from the haircutter…the dry cleaner…the dentist…the valets who parked his car…the motherland of Bagel Cove…if you flew with him, he’d walk the aisles of the plane, working the crowd, and by the time he landed, he’d have sold fifty books and have half a dozen new people that he’d brought into his life. You think they were just acquaintances. They were friends.<br />
It became even clearer after the past few weeks and news spread that he was sick. Every single day, there’d be a new person in the hospital, visiting him. I didn’t know any of them⎯and I certainly had no idea of the impact he’d had on their lives. But they all knew about Jonas and Lila and Theo and me⎯and they all came⎯all of them telling me how much they loved Stewie.<br />
I always knew he was a family man. But until recently, I don’t think I ever appreciated the role he played in this community. When I walked into Bagel Cove a few days after my father died, they were passing out photocopies⎯dozens of copies⎯of the funeral details since so many people had asked. On the back of the paper placemats, one of the waitresses said that she was collecting phone numbers of people who wanted updates on my Dad. As she unfolded the sheet, it was filled with names and numbers.<br />
And so, thank you to all of you⎯the people who looked out for my father all these years. I appreciate every single one of you in a way I can’t express. It takes a village to raise a Stewie. But it also take a Stewie to make a village.<br />
A special thanks to those who took care of him after my Mom died: Jennifer and all his pals at Bagel Cove, where, yes, they will be naming a daily special after my father. All the valets as his place. Plus my pals Mike Lemont and Wayne Pollak, the two doctors who looked out for him and all of us.<br />
In the end, during my last real conversation with my father, I knew he was on his deathbed. We’d decided not to tell him to go be with my Mom⎯we knew he was too scared of being sick and didn’t want to panic him. But when everyone left the room, I told my Dad two things I wanted him to hear. And one of them was this: That as my Dad, he was never like his own father. Never.<br />
To this day, I know where my ability to kibbitz comes from. And my love of dumb comedies. And my ability to curse. And fight. And lose my temper, especially if you mess with my family. And love my kids with such intense, blind love that I swear I can outshine the sun. <br />
I know that any strength or confidence I have comes from that love my father⎯and mother⎯built as a foundation in me.<br />
I know that that love will never recede, especially when he said to me, a few years ago when things weren’t going well, the words that I repeat to myself every day: “You’re still our little boy.”<br />
<br />
I know my father gave me my best parts. But no one gave him his.<br />
Stewie Meltzer found his own best parts on his own. He hunted and collected them and found them in his wife, in her family especially my Poppy and the Katzs, in us, in the Flams, in my Uncle Jeff and Aunt Debbie and of course, in every single one of you. <br />
Everything my Dad got in life, he fought for. Especially when it came to kindness. But that was also the very first thing he gave back.<br />
He lived loud, and proud, and always with his heart out on his sleeve.<br />
But best of all, he proved once and for all that love is a far more powerful force than lightning.<br />
I love you, Pop.Brad Meltzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957774177356015078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33128425.post-67278756519834372322011-02-07T11:02:00.001-05:002011-02-07T11:05:31.086-05:00Hugs for YOU<p>I'm now finally home after the long tour (me to my kids: "Hi, I'm your father. Remember me?"). And yes, there's truly only one thing that needs to be said: thankyouthankyouthankYOU for what you did for us when you supported this book. From voting on the original title, to facebooking the release, to coming out to events, to buying it that first week when the sales really count, and most important, for all the nice notes you sent -- it was ALL appreciated. Every darn part.</p><br /><br /><p>Last night, as we aired the last episode of Decoded (which sent my son to bed terrified that Florida will soon be underwater), all I kept saying to Cori was how lucky we felt to have you in our world. I've said it before, and I'll say it for everything we do: I know other authors have family and friends. But they don't have OUR family and friends.</p><br /><br /><p>So that warm fuzzy feeling you're now getting is coming from me (or you have a minor rash). I have no idea if Decoded will be renewed. For sure working on the sequel to The Inner Circle. But whatever happens, I'm sending you much love and thanks for letting us dream all the silly things we've been able to dream. And yes, I'm still trying to get a free car from History Channel. I've asked them for one for you too. No joke.</p><br /><br /><p>Love and thanks and even more mushy stuff,</p><br /><br /><p>Brad</p>Brad Meltzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957774177356015078noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33128425.post-64385775615813919122011-01-10T19:46:00.004-05:002011-01-10T19:56:49.845-05:00Does Fiction Matter?<p>The Saturday Evening Post asked me if fiction matters. Here's my answer. (And if you're a new reader of the blog, Hi there. Don't steal nothin').</p><br /><br /><br /><blockquote><br /><p><b>Does Fiction Matter?</b><br />By Brad Meltzer</p><br /><p>Simple question, right? Does fiction matter?</p><br /><p>As a novelist, I’m supposed to say yes. I have to say yes. But. I hate when someone says I have to do something.</p><br /><p>So fiction doesn’t matter. It doesn’t. It shouldn’t.</p><br /><p>It’s not real. It’s all made up. It’s just the imagined, make-believe ramblings of people whose only real qualification is access to a pencil. Indeed, by definition, fictional stories are, in the words of my sister, “total BS.” They never really happened - and therefore should have no impact on our everyday existence.</p> <br /><p>But then I keep thinking: Why do we ban books?</p><br /><p>Fiction’s just nonsense, right? It’s inconsequential. Just made up.</p><br /><p>So. Why do we ban books?</p><br /><p>Let me tell you why.</p><br /><p>Because books are powerful. Stories are powerful. They’re recipes made of hopes and dreams and fears. Stories transport us to new places, and show us things we could never see, and reveal the darkest parts of our souls.</p><br /><p>Stories educate us, terrify us, and even protect us.</p><br /><p>Jay Gatsby was the one who warned us of the dangers of our own excesses during the 1920s. Superman swooped to the rescue and gave America hope during the terrifying early days of World War II. Scout and Atticus showed us our racism, but also showed us the people who we aspire to be - who we want to be - and who we can be. And even today, it’s Harry Potter who reminds generations of young and old that magic still exists.</p><br /><p>And that’s why books get banned. That’s why they ban Maya Angelou and Judy Blume and Mark Twain. Because stories change us.</p><br /><p>In Huckleberry Finn, people thought they were getting the story about a boy. Instead, Mark Twain gave them a manifesto. A challenge. An uncompromising fistfight about injustice and slavery. People thought they were getting a book. But Mark Twain knew that if you really want to teach people something, you need to tell them a story.</p><br /><p>The best part is, it’s nothing new. Fables have taught morality since the very first story was told by the very first storyteller.</p> <br /><p>Fiction is how we share - and not just how we share our dreams - it’s how we share ourselves. And perhaps more important, how we connect.</p><br /><p>When Alexander McCall Smith, a fiction writer, was faced with vocal readers who disagreed with what he’d done to the imaginary characters in his book, he became all too aware that “the world of fiction and the world of real flesh-and-blood people are not quite as separate as one might imagine. Writing is a moral act: What you write has a real effect on others, often to a rather surprising extent.”</p><br /><p>I love that. I love that the world of make-believe lives so darn close to the real one. And not just to crazy people, like the woman who writes to me in only gold lowercase letters. Indeed, as my fellow mystery writer P.D. James points out, something as simple as the good guy catching the bad guy at the end of the story is exactly why the traditional detective story “confirms our belief, despite some evidence to the contrary, that we live in a rational, comprehensible, and moral universe."</p><br /><p>I know, I know - that sounds overblown. Too philosophical.</p> <br /><p>So let’s just cut to the facts: According to the Library of Congress, after the Bible, y’know what’s cited as the number one book that’s made a difference in people’s lives? To Kill A Mockingbird.</p><br /><p>Read that again. Number 1: the Bible. Number 2: To Kill A Mockingbird.</p><br /><p>Mockingbird is fiction.</p><br /><p>Make-believe.</p><br /><p>Total BS.</p><br /><p>This is where Atticus says, “I rest my case.” But for the stubborn few who still think fiction doesn’t matter, I want you to imagine a world without it. A world without Romeo and Juliet, Don Quioxte, or Ebenezar Scrooge…Sherlock Holmes, Captain Ahab, or Dr. Frankenstein…a world without Charlie Brown, Batman, or the Cat in the Hat. It’s a world without fiction - a world without dreams and - </p><br /><p>Wait.</p><br /><p>That’s a great idea for a book.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><i>Brad Meltzer is the bestselling author of The Inner Circle. His new TV show, Brad Meltzer’s Decoded, is on History Channel - and deals with real life mysteries. Not fictional ones.</i></p><br /></blockquote>Brad Meltzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957774177356015078noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33128425.post-81289347596617239632011-01-04T15:46:00.002-05:002011-01-04T16:49:10.211-05:00Deep Throat<p>Here it is -- world premiere of the TV commercial for The Inner Circle (with the best gravel-voice EVAH)!</p><br /><p>Two books ago, they had me do the voiceover -- and then everyone asked: Who's that woman?</p><br /><p>This will be running on TV starting on publication day, Tuesday, 1/11.</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/video/video.php?v=495653852439&oid=36882655208&comments">video link</a></p><br /><object width="400" height="300" ><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="movie" value="http://www.facebook.com/v/495653852439" /><embed src="http://www.facebook.com/v/495653852439" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300"></embed></object>Brad Meltzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957774177356015078noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33128425.post-76054820819448847782010-12-03T13:25:00.001-05:002010-12-03T13:28:02.853-05:00Decoded Premiere<p>Thanks to everyone who watched the <a href="http://www.history.com/shows/brad-meltzers-decoded">Decoded</a> premiere last night on History Channel. And the love you've been sending means so so much. Can't even tell you how many times it's made bring the tears. The one thing I have to share is the experience of watching it with my family last night, all of us gathered around the screen:</p><br /><p>Without question, my oldest son now hates -- HATES -- Harry Truman. In order of hate, it goes:</p><br /><ol><br /><li>Truman<br /><li>Nixon<br /></ol><br /><p>Daughter watched for 15 minutes, then, bored, whispered to me, "When're you coming back on screen?" And walked away.</p><br /><p>And youngest son spent ENTIRE episode playing new gift: a drum set. Yes. Drums. Nice quiet beautiful perfect night (with lots of hate for that bastard Harry Truman).</p><br /><p>Love you much.</p>Brad Meltzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957774177356015078noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33128425.post-5572087042979268942010-12-01T09:08:00.002-05:002010-12-01T09:10:47.376-05:00For Hanukkah<p>For Hanukkah, I give you this gift: <a href="http://www.MyFamilyIsMoreJewishThanYours.com">www.MyFamilyIsMoreJewishThanYours.com</a>.</p>Brad Meltzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957774177356015078noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33128425.post-74031548480639395022010-11-04T10:16:00.001-04:002010-11-04T10:18:33.620-04:00Ordinary Heroes<p>I get fun mail. And hate mail. And sad mail. But this is the best mail -- and the entire reason I wrote Heroes For My Son. Never forget the heroes you see every day.</p><br /><blockquote><br /><p>Dear Mr. Meltzer,</p><br /><p>Two months ago, this past week, my thirty-six year old sister, Renee, was diagnosed with GlioBlastoma Stage 4 brain cancer. It has taken its toll, not only on my sister, as I'm sure you could imagine, but on my entire family; my parents, my sisters two children 6 and 7, and her husband, Scott, my wife, Megan and me. Throughout the course of these two horrific months, my sister has undergone and finished her radiation treatments and continues to receive chemo. She has been in and out of Stony Brook University Hospital as well as Sloan in NYC. She initially went to a local hospital, because she had headaches. Who would have thought this? In the course of Renee’s first four weeks with this illness, the two tumors that were found doubled in size. The tumors are lying on a part of the brain that effects her emotions, personality and short term memory. Because of this, they were and still are unoperable. When asked about her prognosis, the doctors said she would have two to four weeks without treatments. My mom, dad and I, have aged, so it seems, ten years in these two months.</p><br /><p>Only three months ago, my sister was planning to go back to teaching for her 14th year, driving her boys to their baseball and swimming events and doing everything a parent could do with their children. All of this was taken away that Sunday when she went into the hospital. Prior to her diagnosis – two weeks before, the eight of us, and my one year old son, Matthew, were fortunate enough to take a family trip to Aruba. Will this be the last family trip? Who knows? We are hoping, no, praying for a miracle. Renee recently met with her doctor from Sloan and he was amazed at how well she looked and sounded since he last saw her a few weeks back. After so many negative outcomes, could this be the break we are looking for? (As if there is such a thing.)</p><br /><p>On September 11th, just two weeks after my sister Renee’s diagnosis, my sister-in-law, Kaitlin, went into Stony Brook University Hospital after feeling numbness in her tongue, legs and feet. Within one day, she lost the use of her lower half of her body, and within two days, she was paralyzed from the neck down. After the third day, she was put on a respirator and sent to ICU. She was diagnosed with Guillain Barre Syndrome, a rare disease where the immune system attacks the nervous system. Basically, your blood turns bad. With this disease, 90% of patients diagnosed will recover. However, once the first symptoms appear, it gets worse for three weeks before it gets better. I am happy to say that Kaitlin is on the slow road to recovery, and is able to walk, with crutches and a walker. She still needs intense occupational and physical therapy, as she cannot open a soda bottle by herself. The one thing that never strayed, was Kaitlin’s mind. She did question her will to live, and go on.</p><br /><p>Through these two separate experiences within my own family, I have learned a ton – especially about everyday heroes, and more importantly,who I am. I can talk about my brother-in-law, Scott- Renee’s husband, and how he has found an inner strength to take care of my sister and his two children. I have learned to be a better dad and husband because of him. I look at my parents, my mom and dad, and how they offer their help, guidance and support to their daughter and her family. I feel as if I have become a better son because of them. I look at their neighbors who have cooked food on a regular basis for the past two months. They even held a fall festival on my sister’s driveway so she could celebrate Halloween with her children and their friends. Perhaps one day, I’ll be that neighbor that can lend that hand. I commend my colleagues and the community that I work for, and where my sister lives, that created fundraisers on my sister’s behalf, sent and continue to send gift cards. I look at my wife, who has been the strength for me, despite what she is going through. I look at her family and see what they have done for Kaitlin. Then I look at Matthew, my son, perhaps the true hero at age 17 months. He is the one who can get me to smile at any moments notice. Sure, he probably senses what going on, but he makes us laugh regardless.</p><br /><p>Then there is Renee. My sister. A teacher. A friend. The person who helped me find my way in this world. It’s pretty basic quite honestly. At some point in time we have to face reality and have to make simple decisions that will effect us tomorrow. Fifteen years ago, my sister invited me into her classroom to help her set it up. I was hanging up a bulletin board behind her desk. At that moment, I turned around and had an epiphany. I saw a classroom of students looking at me, instead of empty desks waiting anxiously for those children. I knew then that teaching was for me. I had found my tomorrow, because of my sister. Besides her classroom ways, she taught me to love my child more than anything, and to appreciate my parents. She taught me to set time aside to watch your children play and live. My sister, my hero. Now I look at her, and I see that she is in the fight for her life. I have told her many times how she inspired and continues to inspire me. I can only hope she gets through this, not only for me, but for her own children and family, for my son too, and my mom and dad.</p><br /><p>I don't know why, but I feel compelled to write you. You wrote about heroes; those that defied the odds and did things that noone could think possible, especially when others turned their backs. I truly appreciated what you wrote and how simple you made these heroes sound. I cannot wait to share these stories with my son when he is old enough. I have been sharing these stories with the 5th grade students whom I teach, since I bought this books less than two weeks ago. My fifth graders are now turning my questions about what you wrote into writing assignments – if that’s okay with you. Through all of these experiences that you write, it seems like you hit upon- story after story- of what you learned. For that I am grateful and perhaps that’s why I write.</p><br /><p>Thank you for allowing me to write my story to you. Everyone of us has a hero within us. At times we lose that sense, especially with all the negativity in the world. Perhaps that’s why you wrote this book too. It’s these trying moments that define who we are as people. Please continue to show and talk to your children about these heroes, yet continue to show them that there are heroes within all of us, and you don’t have to look to far to see that. Besides, I’m sure they already look at you that way!</p><br /><p>Respectfully,</p><br /><p>Mark Yashowitz</p><br /></blockquote>Brad Meltzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957774177356015078noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33128425.post-72138425562710076142010-10-05T14:26:00.001-04:002010-10-05T14:27:28.851-04:00RIP Stephen J. Cannell<p>Yes, Stephen Cannell was responsible for my childhood. But he was also one of the nicest guys around. So nice, in fact, that when we wanted to use the Greatest American Hero theme on the soundtrack for The Book of Lies, I called him to ask who owned the rights.</p><br /><p>Sony told me Warner Brothers owned them.</p><br /><p>"Warners doesn't own them," Stephen told me in his beautifully insistent and wise-by-time tone.</p><br /><p>"Then who does?" I asked.</p><br /><p>"I do," he replied.</p><br /><p>"Uh," I stuttered. "Can we have them?"</p><br /><p>And that's all it took. He gave them to us -- free -- just one novelist helping another. (And yes, for those who didn't know, Stephen spent the rest of his career as a novelist -- a dyslexic one -- struggling to put the words down, but never letting it stop him. Go buy his books). I loved him for that persistence. And for teaching me about ownership. And for giving me the A-Team, the Greatest American Hero, and those end credits with him pulling the paper from the typewriter. As I said, my childhood.</p><br /><p>Rest well, Mr. H.</p>Brad Meltzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957774177356015078noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33128425.post-51846528961015584522010-09-14T11:18:00.000-04:002010-09-14T11:19:00.168-04:00David Thompson<p>Just now heard about the death of David Thompson, who ran Houston's premiere mystery bookstore, Murder By The Book. David hosted one of my first signings ever when The Tenth Justice was FIRST published. For the first hour, nobody showed. Not one person. Then, two friends showed up (a law school pal and her Mom). That was the grand total: two customers and one was her Mom. I know we were supposed to look at that signing as a disaster, but David and I never did. We went out to the movies after and laughed our asses off watching South Park. I remember thanking him so much for taking a chance on an unknown like me. At the time, the bookstore around the corner from my parents' apartment wouldn't invite me to sign there -- but David said, "No. We need to support the first time authors. Come to Houston."</p> <br /><p>That was his great gift. I owe him forever for that.</p><br /><p>In fact, for the past few books, my publisher had stopped sending me to Houston (media was too sparse there) -- but David and I conspired when The Book of Lies was published. I was going back. The day before I got there, the hurricane hit Houston, shutting the entire city down. I still tried to get in. And when one friend in Houston told me her living room was knee-deep in water, I called David and he was in the store, all set for business. Man, we should all love books like that.</p><br /><p>For me, the highway from Austin to Houston was shut down, so no Murder By The Book for me. But David and I were still determined, and months ago, we rebooked my return visit for The Inner Circle this January.</p><br /><p>I'll be there. David won't. And I don't care if there's another hurricane -- or only two more people join us -- we'll be raising a glass in his honor.</p><br /><p>Miss you , pal. And thank you.</p><br /><p>- b</p>Brad Meltzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957774177356015078noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33128425.post-5928794310462027082010-07-27T10:19:00.004-04:002010-07-27T10:27:03.698-04:00Comicon Report<p>Just now back from taking my son to Comicon for the first time for the full indoctrination. And while so much of the fun of Comicon these days is bitching about how good Comicon used to be in the old days, lemme just say, it's still a wet dream for me. I did one panel, but avoided all meetings, all interviews -- and just spent days talking comics with my boy and taking him to see Iron Man armor, Cap's shield, dead Green Lantern bodies, and even HR Puff n Stuff (to make me feel young). Puff n Stuff! Plus lots of time at Legoland and the San Diego zoo.</p> <br /><br /><p>Special thanks to all those who came to the panel with myself, Paul Feig, Chip Kidd, Whitney Matheson and Michael Uslan. Was convinced that -- being up against Green Lantern and Harry Potter -- it might just be the five of us there, but you saved us and made our collective months.</p><br /><br /><p>Also, super thanks to the marketing guy who let my son in to see the Tron arcade even though it was officially closed. I didn't ask for any special favors. I didn't play the "I work in comics" card. And unlike the reporter guy who snuck in behind me, who was insisting that he works at a "huge site," and hinting that he'd get them free press or crush them below his heel, I just stood there and told the truth: "My boy just digs Tron." So thanks for that. You brainwashed him the best way of all: with kindness.</p><br /><br /><p>I know, I know, collective awwww. But still, Tron! Plus, HR Puff n Stuff!</p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bradmeltzer.com/images/blog_sdcc_pns.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="http://bradmeltzer.com/images/blog_sdcc_pns.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Brad Meltzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957774177356015078noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33128425.post-41824783736076913912010-07-22T10:12:00.000-04:002010-07-22T10:13:26.445-04:00Meltzer's Greatest Dance Mix<p>Last night was my wife's 40th -- and in honor of it, I spent the afternoon reassembling the original greatest dance mix known to humankind -- the mix that was used in every single college party I was at: <b>Please Meltz Don't Hurt Em.</b></p><br /><p>Admittedly, it was missing a few of the songs from the seminal mixes -- <b>Meltz E. Fresh</b> -- and the controversial <b>Meltz E. Soul</b> (c'mon, iTunes, like I'm gonna buy the whole De La Soul album to get one song. I forever boycott such dickishness).</p><br /><p>But with this, you will be able to recapture your youth. Special thanks to the Notorious W.E.I.S.S for helping recreate it (it was like building Frankenstein -- with lighting and thunder and extra Miami beats). Enjoy the weekend. And notice how I slowed it down in the end...just for you...</p><br /><br /><br /><p><b>Please Meltz Don't Hurt Em - Greatest Dance Mix to Humankind by Brad Meltzer:</b></p><br /><ul><br /><li>Apache, The Sugarhill Gang<br /><li>Supersonic, J.J. Fad<br /><li>Bust a move <br /><li>IT takes two <br /><li>Baby got back <br /><li>Ice Ice Baby, Vanilla Ice <br /><li>Peter Piper, Run-DMC<br /><li>Joy and Pain <br /><li>Party Up, DMX <br /><li>Big Pimpin', Jay-Z <br /><li>It's Tricky, Run-DMC <br /><li>Work It, Missy Elliott <br /><li>Poison, Bell Biv DeVoe <br /><li>Mercy (feat. The Game)vDuffy <br /><li>Let Me Clear My Throat, DJ Kool <br /><li>Throw the 'D', 2 Live Crew<br /><li>Give It to Me (feat. Justin Timberlake & Nelly Furtado), Timbaland <br /><li>The Show, Doug E. Fresh <br /><li>Kiss, Prince And The Revolution <br /><li>O.P.P. <br /><li>Creep <br /><li>Shoop <br /><li>Tootsie Roll, Boyz <br /><li>Just a Friend, Biz Markie <br /><li>Keep On Movin', Soul II Soul <br /><li>Double Dutch Bus, Frankie Smith <br /><li>Going Back to Cali, LL Cool J <br /><li>Rapper's Delight, The Sugarhill Gang<br /></ul>Brad Meltzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957774177356015078noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33128425.post-67393203832586089972010-07-15T14:41:00.001-04:002010-07-15T14:43:31.043-04:00San Diego Schedule<p>Here's my San Diego schedule this year. I'm taking my son for the first time and doing no signings, no anything. Just a short panel and enjoying the rest of it as a fan. So here's the one appearance:</p><br /><blockquote><br /><p><b>Saturday</b> at San Diego Comicon 2010:<br /><br /><b>12:30-1:30 Comics Across all Media</b><br /><br /><b>Paul Feig</b> (creator of Freaks and Geeks), <b>Chip Kidd</b> (Shazam!: The Golden Age of the World's Mightiest Mortal), <b>Whitney Matheson</b> (USA Today's Pop Candy blog), <b>Brad Meltzer</b> (The Inner Circle), and <b>Michael E. Uslan</b> (The Dark Knight) are five superstars who make headlines in television, the graphic arts, journalism, novels, and film. But they all have comics in common. As they reunite for another visit, join them for a discussion of all things nerd. It'll be like a 21st century Breakfast Club -- but with even better references. Moderated by audiobook star <b>Scott Brick</b> (The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant). <b>Room 24ABC</b></p><br /></blockquote>Brad Meltzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957774177356015078noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33128425.post-15294285742218581192010-06-24T11:19:00.001-04:002010-06-24T11:21:27.461-04:00Vook 2: The Wraith of Vook<p>As promised, here's the second <a href="http://vook.com/heroes-for-my-son.html">Vook</a> video, this one for Harry Houdini.</p><br /><p>b</p><br /><p><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oPXT_2x6LfY&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oPXT_2x6LfY&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></p>Brad Meltzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957774177356015078noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33128425.post-48843914479940287532010-06-22T17:51:00.003-04:002010-06-24T11:22:48.645-04:00Vook<p>I know it looks like a typo, but a vook is a video book, and the nice people who made the <a href="http://vook.com/heroes-for-my-son.html">vook for Heroes For My Son</a> gave me three free videos to share. So let's share. I must say, when I first heard of the concept, I was, like...why? (kinda like when I predicted that email would never catch on.) But then I saw the real video and imagined showing my kids that. Seeing the real thing. So enjoy...</p><br /><p>Here's the Vook for Jesse Owens. And I'll post two more in the next few days...</p><br /><p>b</p><br /><br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JsNLjgSbsqw&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JsNLjgSbsqw&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Brad Meltzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957774177356015078noreply@blogger.com1