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Monday, June 17, 2013

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brookyln 6/17 - Slummin'

The golf gods have not been kind to us this year. Cuz and I had been rained-out of our Monday soiree three straight weeks. The week before that was Memorial Day and the week before that Cuz had a family obligation. Luck was finally with us today, although we had to make a detour at the start. Our usual stomping ground, Forest Park, was hosting an outing, so we ventured to Kissena Park, a quirky par 64 that is a lot of fun and well-maintained. There we are able to park on the street, which saved us three bucks. The guy at the club house desk told us it would be an hour wait. With nowhere else to go, we sat at a table and caught up on each others news. The chauffeuring company that employs Cuz, Boston Coach, has been sold by its parent company, Fidelity Investments. Fortunately, his job is secure. He has just had to fill out a ton of paperwork. His son, Willie, who just completed his junior year of college, is following his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. He's been hired by the third largest promotion in the country and has traveled to several states. For now his main job is on the set up crew. He is also working for another outfit, where he actually wrestles. He recently did a show in front of 3000 people and had a blast. He has undergone a name change from the Spartan to Will F. In the latest storyline, he has been fired, but he will be sneaking into a four man title match in a mask. Cuz told me what's going to happen, but he swore me to secrecy. Anyway, back to golf. To our great surprise, we waited only 20 minutes. I guess those ahead of us on the list decided to try their luck elsewhere. To our delight, the fee was several dollars less than we usually pay. We had even greater luck when on the back nine only the edge of a thunderstorm passed. It rained lightly for about 15 minutes while there was rumbling and lightning in the distance. As for the caliber of play, after a shaky start, Cuz showed flashes of his old self. He stayed out of trouble and shot 83. I struggled with my putting, chipping and sand play and had a 90. My ball-striking wasn't bad, especially considering that we've played only twice in the last nine months. Hopefully, we'll be able to play every week until Labor Day. I was only mildly disappointed as I came off the course, unlike my old crazed self. The game has faded in importance. The only downside to playing golf is missing a day of selling books, but that wasn't the case today. On the way to Queens this morning, I stopped by our old trading floor buddy Joey K's home to deliver a copy of Exchanges. He must have come into an inheritance, as he gave me double what I asked for it. He's on disability. A couple of years before he was let go by the Exchange, he was having trouble with his balance and was falling a lot. To this day, doctors have been unable to determine the cause. He is pretty much confined to the house and is now using a walker. It pained me to see that. He's a gentle soul who deserves better. On the bright side, his eldest daughter and her husband have bought a house on Long Island. Thank you, my friend. Joey now owns all five of my books and had me number them.
The floating book shop will return tomorrow, weather permitting.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3

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