The Writer's Life: The Writer's Life 12/2

There were two interesting items in today's NY Post. First, the National Debt has reached 18 trillion, increasing 70% since Barack Obama became President. One of the talking points the left used to defend the President's economic stewardship was the falling deficit. While that is welcomed, this information places it in proper perspective. His supporters also used the falling unemployment rate as ammunition, conveniently leaving out the fact that workforce participation has fallen to a level not seen since the 70's. As far as his bridging the racial divide between whites and black, statistics show that Black Friday was a boon to gun dealers, their second highest sales date in history. Analysts cite the unrest in Ferguson and other areas as a factor.

On to trivial matters: NFL Review: There weren’t any real surprises this week. I’d still rate the Patriots as the top team, despite its loss on the frozen tundra in Green Bay, a close road game vs. a tough opponent… I’m impressed with the Chargers, although I doubt they’re a real contender. They’ve developed a resiliency that was lacking in the Norv Turner era… The Eagles look great, but they'd better work on a clock-chewing strategy for the latter stages of the fourth quarter. All-out all the time has never cut it… I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cardinals suffer a long losing streak… The Broncos seem to have regained their mojo… With the Browns seemingly having hit a wall, Johnny Football may see more playing time. Hurray, although I feel sorry for Hoyer, who has done a good job… Are the Rams on the verge of becoming a good team, or is it just another of the flashes they’ve shown the past two seasons? As for the players who took the field raising their arms in protest over the Michael Brown Grand Jury decision, I have no problem with it other than that they’re wrong. Free speech is often exasperating, but it beats the alternative by light years.

The University of Nebraska has fired its head football coach, Bo Pellini. Although the Cornhuskers never failed to win at least nine games in every one of his seven years at the helm, his superiors deemed it unworthy of the storied program. His record was 67-27, which would be envied by many colleges. He won three division titles and three bowl games, and never suffered more than four losses in a season. What did him in was the blowouts the Huskers suffered at the hands of Top 20 squads. In games I viewed, and it hurts to say this about a goombah, I did not like his demeanor on the sidelines. He too often lacked composure and seemed unduly harsh. I’m sure he’ll find work immediately, either at another institution or in a TV studio... And this just in: Michigan has fired its head coach, Brady Hoke, after four seasons. His record 31-20, 18-14 in the Big Ten, four straight losses to arch-rival Ohio St., a couple of player scandals, which are overlooked when a program is winning big. They don't call it the Hot Seat for nothing.

I was extremely lucky today. On a day the floating book would have been sidelined by foul weather, I accompanied a handicapped friend to the doctor. Not only did I earn money doing that, I got to spend the 20 bucks in Barnes & Noble gift certificates I earned scanning mail for the USPS. The store is right across the street from Methodist Hospital. Since it doesn't carry blank CDs, I bought batteries and chocolate.

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/