Letters from the Inside, Michael Swango, #11

KK---

Hello again! Too bad about the Imitrex. A relative of mine suffers from migraines, and he says Imitrex is the best medicine he's ever used. [Yes, he knows he is in the minority--since women suffer migraines far more often than men.] Any change your insurance will cover it again at some point?

There's something we have in common---love of books. Your analogy of a demented squirrel hoarding nuts sounds about right! Several times In the past I've been forced by sheer numbers & space to "cull" my collection. Always an excruciating process.

So what is this true love you seem to have for dachshunds? Clearly Mini is a joyful part of your life. Did you have a weiner dog when you were a child, or did they come in to your life via a friend or lover or the sheer mechanics and limitations of Manhattan apartment living?

A word about bookstores in Southern Africa, which may be the same in India (you can tell me). Almost every city that attracts tourists and/or ex-pats has several "trade-in" bookstores. You can either purchase the thousands of used books, or pay a smaller fee and trade-in your used books for others. Either way is dirt-cheap. Because of the volume & variety, you find paperbacks there from Britain & Australia & South Africa that you might otherwise never see. Thus did I discover Patricia Highsmith's* amazing series of Ripley novels: The Talented Mr. Ripley is only the first in a series of five or six outstanding & details explorations of the charming but utterly conscience-less Tom Ripley...AND the brilliant novels of Iris Murdoch...AND the South African novelist J.M. Coetzee...among others. Will make a note to discuss those authors in future letters.

Thank you for clarifying "Outside the Box" vs. "Unbearable Heaviness of Being." Either the Observer writer got it wrong or I somehow misunderstood what she wrote. Anything you can send from either source is most appreciated. Do tell me one thing about your infamous "open letter' though Who was Paul Janka and why did your editor force you to write the letter?!

*AND her 20 or 25 other novels--always different, always dark, and no happy ending. She wrote Strangers on a Train, the basis for the Hitchcock movie. Book is better.

HBO-L/When you decide to get HBO you go all the way, don't you? ALICE definitely sounds different. If you have time, can you send me a brief description of the series? Although I've not seen it, I have read & heard a lot about "IN TREATMENT" with Gabriel Byrne. Apparently a critical hit. Perhaps it will show up on LIFETIME at some point. Curious what you think about Season I.

While it may be a long story and all very familiar to you -- the story of what happened four years ago with your firing & blog sounds like a New York media sensation! I won't ask you to recount every step--but could you send the text of the full-page N.Y. Post article?

And do you still do any reporting for UK TV? If I didn't make it clear earlier, I am a huge Anglophile-modern English authors, English films [especially 60s & 70s], etc. AND UK politics--even more of a blood sport there than here. Prime Minister's Questions live on C-SPAN at 0500 hrs Mountain Time on Wednesdays. Keep an eye on (GEEK ALERT!) Mr. Cameron. I believe he will be the next P.M.

I have actually read the WIKIPEDIA entry regarding my sad history. Multiple factual error/I'm not sure if Google would do any better. However--allow me to make this comment, which may surprise you: Not only did a series of bad decisions and bad acts put me here--but I also (I have learned) had a bad heart. That person--in those ways--seems as distant to me now as Alpha Centauri. I no longer have a bad heart. Though I remain here, I can assure you it makes a tremendous difference in my outlook on the world in general and my attitudes on virtually everything.

Regarding the personal info: Again, probably not on Google! Married once in Virginia, for about three years. No children from that marriage. But two lovely children with two women in Africa--both living in Zambia. One girl, one boy--both now tweens. Both healthy & doing well. Cannot say any more. But thanks for asking!

***

Must get this in the mail. In my next letter I will talk about your LOL holiday shopping story about finding the perfect pair of jeans!

However, before I close, a brief mention of an incoming film with Amy Adams & Meryl Streep: "Julie & Julia" [August 7th] Streep plays celebrity chef Julia Childs & Adams play a blogger ! Julie Powers. Written & directed by Nora Ephron.

Doesn't really sound like my kind of film--but I always keep an open mind. And as you said, Amy Adams is brilliant.

One more thing, KK. I find it somewhat charming that you don't want to send your Paul Janka letter because it is "not well-written" and "way too graphic!" Are you kidding! :-) You would not believe some of the "stories" I have received unsolicited - "graphic" would be the mildest term I would use.

In any even, trust me that my sensibilities and life experiences cover anything & everything that you can imagine. And I don't say that lightly. I should add that I'm not proud of every thing, but there it is. On the plus side, I never sit around wishing I could do A or B or C...or X or Y or Z.

I hope to discuss whatever comes to mind with you [see page 4], and I hope you will feel free & unfettered to do the same.

You take care and hope to hear from you soon. Be good.

Yours, Michael