Letters from the Inside, Michael Swango, #73

Dear Kelly,

Big storm headed your way this weekend, but right now they say you'll miss the worst of it.

Much to get to, including your super eventual* vintage postcard (Calder's Pregnant Whale, 1963) Where do you find these gems?

*In Stephen King's title story of his short story collection: Everything's Eventual there is a character who uses the word "eventual" in place of "awesome". THe sotry is a king classic---I think even you would like it, KK!

[Ed.: I'm cutting all the Lost commentary.]

***

Now to your cards and letter. I will try to adopt your style of brilliant but brief and pithy comments so as to get it all in. You are a woman with so many levels and interests that a lot of things I see and hear make me think of you.

>Hope the construction in and around your apt. bldg. is complete soon. Sounds like you are living in the London Blitz.
>Just seeing the adverts for "Bright Star" looked way too "costumey" & sappy. Plus no darkness or bleakness or nihilsm. I know, you go to movies to escape all that.
> The article from New Yorker about memoirs was most interesting. I really liked the historical context (Rousseau). Plus it mentioned your friend, Mr. Frey.

In RE: Your suggestion...you're looking past the tree into forest. KK---you should write your memoir based on your years of blogs. I will say a bit more about this later.
[Ed.: I suggested he write a memoir -- particularly about my crimes.]

However, if the book you propose were to ever be written, it would be definitely be with someone like yourself to put it all together.

>Jack Littman, defense atty extraordinaire has died of lymphoma at age 66. His obit was reprinted here. He was a New York legend. He handles the Robert Chambers "preppie murder case" in 1986. But in 1977 he "won" (manlaughter- no murder) an even tougher case: the death of Yale student Bonnie Joan Garland. Defendant was Richard Herrin.

>Oh, speaking of your favorite "S-word" personalities: I normally don't watch any of these true-crime/forensics shows--but E! has a new one "Too Young to Kill". I only saw a bit, but you could - also title it "How to Make a Sociopath" For a serious aficionada like yourself- you m ight check it out.

>Several strange (even for New York!) stories in the past week from your fair city:
- On the Upper West Side-- the bldg super who is a convicted child rapist & registered sex offender. Has keys & unlimited access to 50 apts in three buildings.

Hard to believe that will still be the case by the time you get this letter.

- And the woman who somehow managed to put a gash in a Picasso! You must tell me if she was interviewed locally.

>Await your comments on "FISH TANK". I read some more about Andrea Arnold's earlier film: "RED ROAD" --- you definitely need that one on your NETFLIX queue.

>Your "Washing Machine Chronicles" are hilarious. and well-written. And totally gives a vivid picture of what was going

* FOR the THIRD or FOURTH TIME, KK: I read a lot, far more than most folks: Your blogs/stories- put together in a book--would make a great book. A sort of memoir/slice of NYC life.

>IN RE: TZ episode "The Flooracle." The next time you're at the library (maybe it's on-line?) -- find a short story from the late 1800s title "The Yellow Wallpaper." Your story reminded me of that.

>Spot-on "NY TIMES" article on "e-snubs" by Neal Hirschfeld.

OK- must get this in the mail. More on writing in my next letter. Your take care and stay warm and stay away from both "Black Jesus" and "Black Satan." Write again soon---and talk to you soon.

Yer humble obedient servant,

Was reading some Dickens. You have to love those long, flowery greetings (Dear...) and closings in Victorian era letters!

Michael