I belong to a site called CrowdPicks.com, where members compete by picking the outcomes of professional sports from Baseball to Soccer. It’s free. For the first few years players were able to accumulate cash by making wise choices. It amounted to about a dollar a month. Whoever finished on top at the end of a season received a bonus. I never finished higher than second, so I don't know how much that was. Originally, cash-out was ten bucks. It’s now 20, but since the site is struggling to attract backing rewards have been limited to gift certificates for a top ten finish at the end of a season, and only in pro football. Last year I finished tenth and received an Amazon GC. Through the first three weeks of 2013, I’m in 47th. This past week was a disaster. I beat the spread in only two of 15 games, with one push. The spread accounts for 60% of one's score, which makes sense, as it is the hardest aspect to predict. Picking winners and getting the over/under correct are 20% each. This week I didn’t do very well on either of those categories, either. This is by far my worst performance ever, and I doubt I'll be able to make up so much ground, even though 13 weeks remain. My margin for error has shrunk considerably. I've always believed I'd make money gambling on NFL games. At the moment I'm glad I never had the balls to try it. Want to use me as a gauge on which way to go tonight? I have the Broncos giving 15 ½ to the Raiders, and the under (49.5). Remember -- bet with your head, not over it.
Considering the good luck I've had lately and, really, throughout my life, I feel uncomfortable describing a particular day as disappointing. My buddy Cuz twisted his knee and had to cancel our Monday round of golf. Usually, a missed links date turns into a money-maker for me. I decided to take the floating book shop to the hipster haven of Park Slope, said to be the most literate neighborhood in Brooklyn. One of the reasons I stopped going there is the difficulty of finding a convenient parking spot, which leads to hard work. I had to carry the crates the length of 6th Street, which is uphill, which is probably a stupid thing to do at this stage of my life, although I'm in decent shape. A lot of people browsed but no one bought. The highlight of the session was seeing George, who purchased Killing yesterday in Bensonhurst. I didn't mention where I'll be tomorrow. If we run into each other in Sheepshead Bay, it will be scary. Suffice to say, I was not thrilled about the long trek back to the car with no cash to show for my efforts. My arms and shoulders were aching. Ibuprofen may be required in the morning.
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
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
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