The Writer's Life 5/21 - 65

I've reached a significant milestone, my 65th birthday. It is bittersweet, as the future becomes shorter and even more unknown. I'll know the results of my check up next Thursday when I will also have an EKG and the ever popular rectal exam. Fortunately, I realize how lucky I've been. I've had the time to apply myself to goals. I wasn't cheated of years by the unfortunate twist of fate many suffer. Except for minor instances, my health has been good. Today I will quietly celebrate and, hopefully, resist the urge to proclaim my birthday aloud in the desperate hope for best wishes. Every day is a gift. That is something easy to lose sight of in light of disappointments. I will try to remember how easy I've had it, how that path was smoothed by my parents, sister, other relatives and friends. Some families endure terrible pain. The only difficult aspect of Facebook is reading news of the passing of friends and acquaintances. Some get clobbered by the loss of a child, as illustrated by the following:
"On May 21, 2011 Ryan was born and much too quickly gone. His life has had a lasting effect on us. We invite you on what would be his 4th birthday to spread happiness and joy in his name. Go out of your way to do something nice for someone else. Tape a dollar or two to a vending machine (with a note with Ryan's name). Pay for the person behind you in line. Hold open a door for a mom with a stroller. Pay a stranger a compliment. Make a donation in Ryan's name. (Face 2 Face or Rochester Area Preschool would be happy to accept!) The possibilities are endless! Whatever act or acts you do please come on this event page and let us know. And please share this around! The more the merrier. Thank you for helping us celebrate Ryan today and always."
I decided to offer a buy-one-get-one deal at the floating book shop. Although the weather was not conducive to street sales, I did manage to make three people happy. I wish it had been a lot more. I didn't mention the cause to any browsers, as I didn't want anyone to feel guilty or obligated to make a purchase. My thanks to those kind folks who did.

Cablevision has added two new channels, Laff (108 in NYC) and Decades (112). In prime time the former has focused on back to back episodes of 90's comedies, Spin City, which I refuse to watch because it is based on politics; and The Drew Carey Show, which I always found disappointing in its descent to the lowbrow humor, although I enjoyed the nasty banter between the star and Mimi. At ten the channel airs a film comedy. So far, not one in two weeks has interested me. Last night Decades aired a marathon of The Fugitive. I enjoyed an episode where Richard Kimble returns to his home town after learning his 70-year-old father, also a physician, has suffered a heart attack. His sister, younger brother and nephews were also included. I hope Combat, Naked City and The X-Files will be resurrected.

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic'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://tinyurl.com/l84h63j

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/