The Writer's Life 1/20 - Evolutions

What I’ll miss most after the end of the NFL season is the NY Post’s Hondo’s column on his weekly picks, which largely ignores analysis for droll commentary on pop culture and politics. He had two gems this week, each regarding the “Deflategate” scandal. He proposes a new TV series: PSI: New England. And he has a great slogan for a strategy the Patriots might employ in employ in the Super Bowl: Ground and Minus Two Pounds. Since he gave credit to a host of contributors for other comments, I assume he came up with those on his own. Kudos, sir.


Another controversy has arisen on the NFL front, one that manifests how society and the role of males has changed. All-Pro DB Richard Sherman's girlfriend is pregnant with their first child. The woman may go into labor at any time. The Seahawks have left it up to him, should the baby decide to show on Sunday, whether to forgo the game. If it comes to that, he will be excoriated no matter what he decides. I think he should play and have transportation immediately available, if needed, after the game. The mother to be is with him in Phoenix.

The other night I watched a bit of The Misfits (1961), the last completed film of Marilyn Monroe, written by her third husband, Arthur Miller, the playwright who gave the world Death of a Salesman, A View from the Bridge, and The Crucible. It showcases her mystique so well. Her vulnerability and air of mystery were riveting. Whatever it is that screen greats had, that x-factor or je nais se quoi, she had it in tons. How interesting it would have been to see her evolve through the years. She was only 36 when she died, most likely a suicide, despite speculation to the contrary. She continues to haunt, forever young. There are more than 600 books about her. Photographs of her are a marvel. Here’s a quote I found at IMDb: “I love a natural look in pictures. I like people with a feeling one way or another - it shows an inner life. I like to see that there's something going on inside them.” Alas, what was going on inside Norma Jean that compelled her to leave us so soon?


Tiger Woods shot 82 today, missing the cut in his first start of the year. He seems lost. It's astonishing, given his former excellence. He once seemed a lock to break Jack Nicklaus' major victories mark of 18. Woods, 39, has 14. It brings to mind a lyric from That's Life, sung with such gusto by Frank Sinatra: "...You're ridin' high in April, shot down in May..." (Dean Kay/Kelly L. Gordon)


I had no luck selling books on the street today. The first hour was rather warm, despite the snow flurries that persisted despite the sunshine. The wind kicked up during the second hour, a harbinger of killer cold on the way.

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/