As I wait for my friend Tim to finish his edits on the dialog in my first book I feel the need to be productive again. So, I have started the second book in my planned three book series. The first two chapters have been completed. There are almost 2,000 words that begin a new adventure for my intrepid detective. He is starting out in the Amazon jungle. He’s been assigned to assist the anti-narcotics section of the Peruvian National Police in finding the labs that are supplying large quantities of cocaine to the street gangs of Lima. I know where and how I want the book to get there. The process of filling in all the details is left. There’ll be new characters to develop, old ones to kill off or make disappear, sad moments, happy moments, horrible moments and maybe a few laughs. I hope to provide the reader with enough action to keep them turning the pages, unable to put the book down. It will be a daunting goal to say the least.
Recently I’ve notice the fees for my banking transactions rising steadily. It’s not enough that they’re making billions of dollars in profit; they have to squeeze the poor and middle class with fees until they have nothing left. I ask you, where can you put your money, get a decent interest rate and have it be safe. I’ve come to the conclusion that burying it in a can in the yard is almost better than having a savings or checking account. The moment that brought me to this state of mind was noticing a mysterious $50 deduction from the amount of money being sent to Peru from my account in the US. Let me add that my bank in the US charges $40 to send the money, my bank in Peru charges $18 to receive it in addition to that $50 that evaporates between the US and Peru. That’s $108 a month to do an electronic transfer of funds. Excuse me! How in the hell can they justify that kind of charge. That’s $1,296.00 a year, $12,960.00 over 10 years, providing they don’t raise their rates again. What a scam, Bernie Madoff and his ilk have nothing on these guys.
On another note, today is the day my upper permanent crowns are put in. I’m looking forward to having a beautiful white smile again. When I went in to select the shade of white I wanted, I was all set to get them as white as I could. After looking at the selection, I changed my mind and went down two shades. The top one looked like a bright white plastic sheet in my mouth. Just a tad unnatural. For those people who have seen every episode of “Friends,” remember the one where Ross had his teeth whitened? Like that only brighter. I thought I was going to get them yesterday but that didn’t happen. As a result, I missed the writers’ group meeting. Apparently only Katrina and Victoria made it. Not a good for a critique. I think I will suggest we do Katrina’s work again this coming Thursday.
On Wednesday Kathy and I met a friend from our days in ICPNA (learning Spanish) for lunch at Café Z. It was nice seeing Kano again. He’s a nice young man, very ambitious and hard working. We chatted about things going on in our lives. Naturally I was all about my writing. Kano talked about the tour business he and his dad are trying to get going and Kathy talked about the trips she’s done and plans on doing.
That’s it for now; need to get to work on Chapter 3. Have a great weekend everyone. Get up, get active and try to exercise that thing between your ears also.