The Writer's Life 7/9 - Extracurricular

Three professional athletes were injured recently while participating in extracurricular activities. The world’s top-ranked golfer, Rory McIlroy, ruptured a ligament in his left ankle playing soccer with friends. He will be unable to defend his British Open championship next week. NY Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul, who is in contract negotiations, had his right index finger amputated after a July 4th fireworks snafu. And Tampa Bay Buccaneers DB C.J. Wilson lost two fingers in a similar incident. Accidents happen. Athletes should not be expected to sit idle in fear of injury. Unless alcohol was involved, the press should cease their attacks on the trio. On the other hand, no one should criticize Giants’ management if it takes a harder line in negotiations with JPP. 

I hadn't seen Mountain Man in a while. He showed today and his doom and gloom has not abated. He got to talking about tickets he's received through the years. He was once seated at the wheel of his car, eating, when an agent began filling out a citation. He tried a Passover defense, which failed. Later, he entered a shop nearby, where the agent was engaged in friendly conversation with the owner. As he was leaving, the agent hailed him from behind. The shop was owned by a friend. The guy changed the one on the ticket to a four and told MM to fight it, which of course he did.

Political Man also visited. He delivered his usual rant against Republicans. He was unusually cranky. He'd been awakened at five AM by a group of cricketers playing in the park near his building. He dialed 911 and was told to call 311, which provided no help. He said he would lodge a complaint at the office of the local representative. As I take my morning walk on Sundays, I pass that park about 6:30 and see the men playing, and it doesn't seem very loud even when the bat strikes the tennis ball being used. It is the only ball-playing, beside soccer, I see these days. At one time in the 50's and 60's, every block would have some type of game going: stickball, punchball, wiffleball, Chinese handball, football, boxball, slapball. And the schoolyards would have a softball game in progress or multiple games of mushball going. I miss that. 

I've sold several cook books to Mira, a young mom frequently out and about pushing a stroller. Today she bought Rising Star -- after having researched it at Amazon. My thanks, and to the other kind folks who purchased wares at today's session of the floating book shop. It was yet another example of how important effort is in the endeavor. The forecast was for rain. It was very overcast. I was sure I wouldn't be out there long. All these hours later it has yet to rain.

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/