The Writer's Life 1/6 - Epiphanies

We're only six days into the new year and the most pleasing story for all of 2015 may have already occurred. In his op-ed piece in today's NY Post, Rich Lowry comments on an article in the NY Times concerning the complaints about the implementation of Obamacare at Harvard. “For years,” the Times writes, “Harvard’s experts on health economics and policy have advised presidents and Congress on how to provide health benefits to the nation at a reasonable cost. But those remedies will now be applied to the Harvard faculty, and the professors are in an uproar.” Lowry says: "In other words, they’re getting the change they believed in — good and hard. As a wag commented on Twitter, karma is a pre-existing condition." How beautiful is the music of poetic justice. The entire column is filled with gems. Find it here: http://nypost.com/2015/01/05/when-obamacare-came-to-harvard/

NFL Review: There was only one surprise last weekend -- the Steelers going down rather easily to the Ravens. I guess RB Le'veon Bell, who missed the game due to injury, is as indispensible to Pittsburgh as Big Ben. I believe this has made New England's path even easier... At playoff time, the Bengals have become as predictable as any team in any sport in history. I bet gamblers cleaned up on that outcome. How does Cincinnati turn the corner? Better players... The controversial officials' ruling seems to validate that this is the Cowboys' year, as does the fact that QB Aaron Rodgers of the Packers, Dallas' next opponent, is injured. One of the reasons I no longer invest a lot of time and energy into pro football is the handling of holding calls on either side of the ball. Sometimes the most egregious fouls are ignored or unseen. Too often the penalties are questionable. The Lions and their fans must be sick over the crucial reversal of the pass interference call, while Cowboys fans exult. It seems the only solution is to make holding legal, which would probably curtail scoring considerably, which would not go over big with fans... Don't see how the Panthers can win in Seattle, or the Colts in Denver.

RIP Allie Sherman, 91, former head coach of the NY Giants, who lost three straight title games in the early 60's, two to the Packers, one to the Bears. His overall record was 57-51-4, the team succumbing to age in his final years at the helm. He was the son of Russian immigrants, and played QB at Brooklyn College. He was the epitome of class, especially when disgruntled fans began calling for his head. I'm ashamed to say I was amused when they chanted: "Goodbye, Allie, goodbye, Allie -- we hate to see you go." It was before I understood how debilitating the criticism is for a coach under fire and his family, which is in part what my second novel, Adjustments, is about.

My thanks to Zoom Panel surveys, which rewarded my efforts with a $25 Amazon gift certificate. Since we are in the midst of a stretch of real winter that keeps one indoors, I got a lot of reading done today. I have only 102 pages to proof of my rock n roll epic, Rising Star. I haven't found any errors in the past five chapters, although I did make slight changes. 

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/