The Writer's Life 6/23 - Short Stay

Yesterday, radio talk show host Mark Simone sat in for Sean Hannity. The topic was health care. He asked his guest, Betsy McCaughey, a question I was surprised no one had ever framed thusly: "I can book a room in the best hotel in the world and it'll cost $600. A one-night stay in a hospital is $6000. Why?" McCaughey replied that the cost of a hospital stay covers that of all those who get to stay for "free." This is keen insight into how government increases the cost of services, and in only one sector. Voters must determine if this is what they want, and it seems an increasing number do want it or haven't thought the issue through.

I dreamed I was walking with someone I was nuts about. If I'm not still, why do I keep dreaming about her? Anyway, she asked me never to say anything offensive to her publicly. I didn't know how to respond, unsure if I, anyone, could keep such a promise, especially given my frustrations as a writer. The scene then shifted. I was working a menial job, harassed by a supervisor, interviewed by the company psychologist. I called her over-educated and a megalomaniac, and pointed out that she'd written "should of" rather than "should have" on a form, a common error I assured her nitpickers would mercilessly criticize. I sensed she believed I was on the brink of a nervous breakdown and scoffed. The root of the dream is easy to analyze. The past three sessions of the floating book shop have been disappointing, demeaning even, and it is a struggle to keep bitterness in check. I have -- outwardly.

I sometimes receive humorous emails from friends. I chuckle at most and hit delete. I share the following, which I found well above average:
Confucius Say: Kiss is merely shopping upstairs, for merchandise downstairs.
Confucius Say: Better to lose a lover than love a loser.
Confucius Say: Sex is same as bank account. You put it in, you take it out, you lose interest.
Confucius Say: Viagra just like Disneyland -- one hour wait for five minute ride.
Confucius Say: Much better to want the mate you do not have than to have the mate you do not want.
Confucius Say: Joke is like sex. Neither any good if you don't get it.

Today's session of the floating book shop manifested its unpredictability. Since I accompanied a friend to the doctor, I opened, despite the stifling humidity, almost three hours later than usual and stayed only an hour-and-fifteen minutes. Somehow business was way better than it's been since Friday. My thanks to those who bought books and DVDs, and apologies to the potential donors to whom I said I wouldn't be there and who scolded me.

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic'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://tinyurl.com/l84h63j

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/