The Writer's Life - Another Loss

The neighborhood group ten to 15 years younger than me has suffered another premature loss. I had the privilege of coaching Steven at the JV level at Lafayette H. S.. He also was our shortstop on the appropriately named Rebels softball team, the third member to have perished. Joe D and Mitchell preceded him. Others are fortunate to be alive. They jumped headlong into the subculture born in the late 60‘s. At least 12 others who hung out at P.S. 101 are dead. Although Steve had reformed and was successful in business, his body’s defenses must have been worn down, leaving him susceptible to cancer, the same disease that took his ex-wife, Lynn. He was a good guy who went astray and made his way back to a productive life, which isn’t easy, as I witness each day as members of a local drinking crew, similar age as Steve, pass the floating book shop. Condolences to his family.

On to trivial matters: Last night’s season three premiere of Nashville was very disappointing, despite an interesting gimmick. At four points in the hour, live performances by cast members at the Bluebird Café were injected into the show. Music has always been the series’ strong point, and these were solid renditions, although they would have been just as effective on tape. I noticed only one error, if it indeed was one. During a Hollywood audition for a Patsy Cline biography, Hayden Panettiere as Juliette sings Crazy, and omits “so”  before “lonely.“ Of course, she may have intended it because it was somehow easier for her, or because she intended to highlight the character’s nervousness. Unfortunately, the show’s storylines have deteriorated. Scarlett’s is silly; Juliette’s is strained; and Rayna’s is old hat, been there done that. Surprisingly, the most interesting is Will’s, the gay guy, who may soon be fully outed. I don’t know how much more can be done with it. The creators had the entire off-season, and came up with virtually nothing. Unless they find their mojo, I’ll be very surprised if the show isn’t cancelled. Then again, prime time shows have survived slumps in the past.

My one remaining passion regarding pro sports is hoping the Yankees don't make the playoffs. When they move close to elimination I'm checking scores, cursing the the teams ahead of them when they lose. It's as if the world would be made right if the Yankees crapped out. Well, they have for the second straight year and the world remains exactly the same. They would have been fine, despite their occasional anemic offense, had Tanaka and Pineda remained healthy the entire schedule. Next season they will face the same problem -- the age of many of their players. If they stay reasonably healthy, they'll make it to the post season.

For the first time since May the floating book shop lost a session due to weather. It gave me a chance to rearrange the apartment. In 1988, when I first moved in, the heat from the radiator was so stifling I turned it off. Last winter I turned it back on. I'd lay on the floor to watch TV, fall asleep, and wake up shivering. I've moved my bed in line with the TV so that I'll be under the covers while viewing. The only drawback may be falling asleep earlier, which would have me rising at four AM, as the most I sleep these days is five-and-a-half hours.

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/