The Writer's Life 9/28 - Travail & Triumph

There is a lot of interesting stuff in today’s NY Post. In an op-ed piece, Kyle Smith addresses the travails of the middle class, referencing a new book by Joel Kotkin: The New Class Conflicts. The two take Hollywood, academic, political, science and business elitists to task. A quote in a caption, attributed to NY Times columnist David Brooks, sums up the beliefs of the know-it-alls: “Trust us, we’re smarter than you.”
Movie critic Lou Lumenick profiles Hattie McDaniel, who played the maid in Gone with the Wind and received the first Academy Award (Best Supporting Actress) ever by an African-American. McDaniel is quoted as saying: “Why should I complain about making $7000 a week playing a maid. If I didn’t, I’d be making $7 a week being one.” Right on, mama! This is the 75th anniversary of GWTW, which I think is a colossal bore. Of course, millions disagree, but what do they know?
Larry Getlen asks if Andy Kaufman is really dead? The bizarre comedian’s frequent collaborator, Bob Zmuda, claims his pal is about to emerge from a 30-year hoax. I doubt it’s true, but if anyone is/was weird enough to pull off such a stunt, it’s Kaufman. Whenever I hear or see his name I chuckle, recalling his foray into pro wrestling, his bouts with women, and his billing himself ingeniously and hilariously as The Inter-Gender Champion.

I may have come up with the new title I’ve been seeking for my rock n roll epic. Previously called Rising Star, which is in conflict with the ABC talent show of the same name, I am considering Lost in Rock n Roll. A search of the phrase yields the song Drift Away, written by Mentor Williams and covered by many artists, and not much else.  

Kudos to Jordan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals, who pitched a no-hitter on the final day of the regular season, and to defensive replacement in leftfield, Steven Souza Jr., who made a circus catch for the last out. Here's the fantastic finish, courtesy of MLB.com: http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/70087564/v36687991/miawsh-souza-dives-to-seal-zimmermanns-nono

The Europeans made mincemeat of the USA in this year's Ryder Cup, played in Scotland. At least there won't be any silly articles blaming team captain Tom Watson's failed strategy.

My thanks to the kind folks who bought books today.

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/