The Writer's Life 7/26 - Flights of Fancy

Although I'm no longer a true sports fan and hardly ever watch any basketball, I'm intrigued by a novel approach to the game outlined in an article at Yahoo Sports, edited by yours truly. Nick Elam, a Ball State professor, Mensa member and Cincinnati Reds groundskeeper, has too often watched entertaining basketball games deteriorate down the stretch into disjointed, foul-laden whistle-fests. Ten years ago he devised a solution: the game clock disappears at the first stoppage in the last four minutes of a college game and the last three minutes of an NBA game. Officials then establish a target score by adding seven imaginary points to the total of the team that's ahead. The game ends whenever one side reaches that number, which ensures that every contest concludes with the winner sinking a clinching basket or foul shot. It will be tested this summer at The Basketball Tournament (TBT), a single-elimination U.S. event currently featuring 72 teams comprised of pros, ex-pros and amateurs. The champions will receive $2,000,000 in prize money. The past three tourneys have been won by the Overseas Elite. Whether or not the idea flies, one has to admire the creative thinking behind it, and the tournament organizers willingness to break from tradition. At one time I would have been appalled by the change. I hope this means I'm more open minded than I used to be.

Recovered from hip replacement surgery and rehab, vocalist Thirsty Dave is en route to Japan in the company of his mates. Western Caravan, a country swing band, was invited to a mountain music festival for a second straight year. They will also play a gig in Tokyo. Afterward, Dave and his manager-wife, Candy, will spend five days there. The hardest part will be the 14-hour flight. Dave said that Tokyo has to be experienced to believe, given the population of 38+ million, the most populated metropolis in the world. But its land area is large. The population density is 15,604 per square mile. NYC's is almost twice that, 27, 578. Best of luck, folks.

It was quiet at the floating book shop today. My thanks to the elderly women who each bought two books in Russian, and to who used to be my Tuesday benefactress. Unfortunately, her sister passed away. The apartment is being cleared, so she said to expect more books. Thanks also to Herbie, who donated a Hollywood pictorial. The inventory is as good as it gets. The highlight of the session was a visit from local porter Rob, who railed about the management of his co-op, where he's been working for 20 years. He receives a $500 bonus at Christmas. The last two years it has been taxed. Can't blame him for being pissed about that. With all the stuff that goes on under the table in this life, that seems a petty maneuver by the co-op board.

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