6/23/01

So, here it is: the new (definitely), improved (I think so - you be the judge) web site. Not all the sections are 100% complete (the Fiction page is coming in two weeks). I've had this site for almost 5 years now, and I've yet to come across the perfect design, the perfect font, the perfect layout, the perfect icons. But this is the best I've done, so, damn it, you better like it. Now, I can get some rest.

Well, no. It's been a busy week. Going crazy getting the book organized for the Sept. 22 release (why I stopped and decided to redesign my web site from top to bottom I'll never know). That's the first day of fall, so it's easy to remember. I could have released it, say, on Oct. 1, which has a nice ring to it. Or I could have released it during a weekday (the 22nd is a Saturday), but I figured: the first day of fall, the release of my first book. Yeah, I like that.

On top of the book, I also met with TBMC (The Big Media Company) about a possible editorial position. But I won't get into that right now (being a jinx, etc - besides I'd be embarrassed if I didn't get the job after mentioning it). If I get it, I'll say something here. If I don't, well, forget I even mentioned it.

Last weekend I watched TV Land's Leave It To Beaver marathon. 48 hours of Beaver (get your mind out of the gutter), Wally, Ward, June, Eddie, Lumpy, Gilbert, et al. I missed the first several episodes, and then remembered it was on. When I turned to the station, it was the end of an episode about Wally and the Beav (jeez, would you have wanted to be called Beaver or the Beav, even in the late 50s?) sitting in their room, each trying to figure out a way to get out of the house without the other knowing. They end up fighting on the floor. Ward and June are in the kitchen downstairs and hear the commotion. June suggests that Ward go up and break up the fight. As he goes out the kitchen door, June stops him and says: "Oh, and Ward...that's the last time I trust an Arab."

I looked down at my remote control, hoping that magically I was recording this and I could hit "rewind" to make sure I heard that right (I gotta buy a TiVo). I'm not sure that's a direct quote, but it was something like that. I have no idea what context it was in, and maybe I'm mistaken because I jumped into the middle of the episode and wasn't really into it. If I'm wrong, I apologize to Barbara Billingsley and the writers. But if anyone has the episode on tape or knows the scene I'm talking about, let me know. I'll send you a free book.

My two favorite pieces of Beaver trivia: the first person to play Eddie Haskell, in the pilot, was Harry Shearer (Spinal Tap, SNL, many voices on The Simpsons, including Mr. Burns, Smithers, Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner, Rev. Lovejoy, etc). And, the brother of the kid who played Gilbert (Stephen Talbot) is David Talbot, the head of Salon. Gilbert is now a documentary filmmaker, and was very active politically in the late 60s and throughout the 70s.

OK, sorry for the short Notebook. Lots to do. But here's some news: I'm going to update the Notebook every single Wednesday, starting next week! Let me repeat that: every single week. That's the plan anyway. Until then, take a look around the new digs. When you're done looking around here, the second part of my Summer Survival Guide is available at Ironminds. Ironminds was just named one of the Best of the Web by Time magazine

(By the way, the guy at the top is Jack. The woman on the Notebook archives page is Helen. They've been married for 18 years. Jack is an executive at some national company , while Helen is a stay-at-home mom. They have three kids: David, Mary, and Charlie . They welcome you to the new bobsassone.com.)

6/1/01

It has been brought to my attention by a reader ("Melissa," at one of those ever-mysterious Hotmail addresses) that I don't really say too much about myself on my Bio page. Actually, I think I do (check it out for yourself), but maybe it's not what readers are looking for. Therefore, here are 10 Things You Might Not Know About Me:

1. I'm 5' 5 1/2" tall.
2. Even though I live in a city famous for it's beautiful beaches and terrific seafood, I really can't swim, and I can't stand lobster or shrimp.
3. Until last year, I had never spit before.
4. Favorite Movies: It's a Wonderful Life, L.A. Confidential, Back to the Future, Three Days of the Condor, Brazil, Grosse Pointe Blank, Havana, Braveheart, the Evil Dead trilogy, the James Bond films, Out of Sight
5. I once accidentally punched a nun.
6. On a date many years ago, the girl I was with was accidentally dragged into a huge bar fight involving the lead singer of The Smithereens.
7. I wear contact lenses.
8. Favorite sport to play (and watch): tennis.
9. I don't drink coffee (I'm a tea man).
10. I often end Top 10 lists in a lame, unsatisfying manner.

This site is starting to make me ill. Well, I mean it's getting a little stale. I don't update as often as I'd like, and the design of this front page is rather...blah? It's probably more the former than the latter. I'm sure that once I get back into the swing of things, the site will seem fresh and nice and okey-dokey.* But there's something bugging me about that menu to the right. I've been promising readers two fiction sections for what seems like months now.** But that fiction is coming. Oh, yes, it's coming. It's weird: a big reason the book is even possible is because of the stuff that was on this site and other publications around the web. Now that I've been working on the book every single day for the past two months, what gets neglected? That's right, the web writings.

Having said that, here's some brand-spanking new web content for you to enjoy:

- Article at Ironminds about what to do during the summer rerun season. Note: yes, I'm aware that for some bizarre reason I skipped The West Wing in my season finale wrap-up. I don't know why (writing the article after midnight, perhaps).

By the way, Ironminds was just named one of the "Best of the Web" by Time magazine.

- A review in the Boston Herald of the new Marilyn Monroe documentary. Big nude scene!

By Marilyn, not me.

*Okey-dokey? Did I just channel Opie Taylor or something?
**Actually, it HAS been months.