The Writer's Life 12/4 - The Nile

Leftists who are desperately citing the California shooting as a gun control issue are navigating that river in Africa. I am clueless as to what to do about other shootings. I only hope that if someone opens fire in my vicinity, and no law enforcement people are around, that an armed citizen will be. If I weren’t so uncomfortable around guns I might seriously think about buying one right now. As far as terrorism is concerned, one thing I would not do is allow Muslims into the country. I would not object to our government providing money to help them relocate to other countries.

NY Post theater critic Elizabeth Vincentelli takes on two icons in her column today. Al Pacino and David Mamet have collaborated on several successful plays. The latest, China Doll, is earning a million per week despite scathing reviews. According to reports, Pacino is having difficulty remembering lines. People are said to be leaving in droves after intermission. Vincentelli’s piece falls under the heading Crapacino. She calls the play “garbage.” Tough broad, as one of Mamet's characters might say.

Has a single play ever captured the fortunes of two franchises as succinctly as the final one last night in Detroit when Aaron Rodgers threw a Hail Mary rainbow that traveled about 65 yards in length, heaven knows how high, and was caught by TE Richard Rodgers, who looked like an NBA power forward hauling in a rebound in heavy traffic? In a great bit of trivia, R. Rodgers’ dad, Richard Sr., was involved in perhaps the most famous game-ending play of all time when Cal executed a bunch of laterals that Stanford’s players could not corral -- as their marching band, thinking the game was over, took the field. The Packers continue to be blessed. Lions’ fans continue to have their hearts ripped out. If you've never seen the Cal-Stanford play, here's a clip that runs less than a minute: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfebpLfAt8g

The floating book shop began the day with one book in Russian. By session's end there were more than 30, even after several sold. Spasibo to the the four kind souls who donated them, and to Herbie, who donated four hardcovers in plain ol' English, including a bio of Ingrid Bergman. Thanks also to the kind folks who made purchases. The highlight was a visit from a man of about 40 who, when he learned I'm a writer, said he spent 22 years in prison, one of his crimes manslaughter. He claims to have once escaped from Rykers, coating his body with Vaseline for the 45 minute swim. One of the guys he'd fled with mangled his hand along the way and went back to the prison, which led to the recapture of his mates in Manhattan that same night. The guy bought three hardcover thrillers, taking a lot of weight off my hands. He also took my name so his wife can look it up on the computer.

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/