The Writer's Life 1/23 - Pay Dirt

There are two hot stories I really didn’t want to broach, as my opinion of the subjects is so biased. All humans cheat to a degree. The best people keep it to a bare minimum. I’ve never been a fan of Bill Belichick, even when he was a Giants assistant. I thought he got too much credit for the defensive prowess of a unit that was blessed with unbelievable talent. However, his record since then has been remarkable and he ranks as one of the best NFL coaches of all time, one of the very few who actually make a difference. Perhaps my dislike is rooted in simple professional jealousy. I coached at the high school level for six years with less than mediocre results. The current controversy regarding the deflated balls seems silly, although it would not have been perpetrated if it didn’t provide an advantage. Would the Colts have won had all things been equal? Who can say for sure, although it seems highly doubtful? So what’s the league to do? Suspend Belichick or Brady or both, which would severely detract from the already tainted big bash? I think any penalty should not been imposed until next season. And since this is not a first offense, Belichick should receive more than a slap on the wrist.

Despite one’s political leanings, no one should be happy when a government official is accused of fraud and arrested. I am contemptuous of career politicians, and NYC’s Shelley Silver in that class. He has been accused of conflict of interest for years, drawing a second impressive salary as a lawyer. Finally, there seems to be enough evidence to convict him. Conservatives may gloat, but what difference will the arrest make? NYC is a liberal town and likely will always be so. There will be no change in governing. My prediction: a light sentence, or he will walk after only months behind bars.

Last night I watched the premiere of Backstrom on Fox. It stars Rainn Wilson, who shot to fame as a weirdo in the long-running sitcom, The Office. The part, a talented, unconventional detective in ill health, is perfect for him. The episode was mildly entertaining. The show features modern clichés including the know-it-all attractive female partner and the super smart gay roommate. While viewing, I realized how much I missed the realism of the original Law & Order, and the professionalism of its characters. I’m not sure if I’ll give Backstrom another look.


It was one of those fluke sessions of the floating book shop. My thanks to Judith, who purchased Killing, and Jacqueline, who bought A Hitch in Twilight minutes later. Thanks also to Crazy Joe, scourge of local talk radio hosts, who overpaid for Sally McMillen's Seneca Falls and the Origins of the Women's Rights Movement, which I'm sure will provide ammunition for one of his arguments. He was wearing a protective boot on his right foot, having torn something in the ankle. Special thanks to Gary, who gushed about A Hitch in Twilight, which he bought a couple of months ago.

Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/rP7o9

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/