Norman Mailer - R.I.P.

Norman Mailer died this week. He was 83. He and I knew each other, not well. We saw each other at parties. I always loved his book The Naked and the Dead. He was the writer I always wanted to be. He was combative and nasty. He also knifed one of his wives, which was something I should have done. He and I boxed one round together under the tutelege of Jose Torres, the famous boxing coach. Ryan O'Neal boxed us both as well that night.

All the old lions are passing into the night. I am shocked I am outlasting them all.