The Writer's Life 2/25 - You Never Know

In his column in today's  NY Post, John Crudele mentions an interesting development in the selling of tickets to sporting events. The gist of the article is about about Yankees' execs whining that many fans are buying ducats at less than face value from others. Rutgers University may have found a way to ensure maximum returns. Tickets for its men's basketball games are loaded onto a credit-card-like device, making it virtually impossible for the owner to sell tickets he won't be using. The Scarlet Knights are 6-22, 0-15 in the Big Ten. I would like to think that's karma, Kramer, but expect the idea to catch on big time. I hope that someday the sports world will receive the same comeuppance the digital revolution brought to the music industry. Unfortunately, I have no idea how that might happen.
 
In his op-ed piece, Benny Avni writes that, thus far, the normalization of relations with Cuba is not working out as hoped. The promised reforms have not materialized, and the Castros have "rounded up regime critics faster than ever before." It seems the brothers are going to live forever. The great unknown is, when they finally do die, will they be replaced by people like them or true reformers?

I left the apartment about 10;25 AM, hurried to the car, and got it into prime position for the floating book shop. As I sat waiting for the alternate side regulation to expire, there seemed to be no let up in the sprinkles left over from last night's nasty storm. I'd expected high winds, not rain, and yet the flag nearby hung limp except for an occasional gust. It looked like I'd be sidelined for a third straight day. I kept looking into the distance, hoping for an end to the darkest clouds. A few minutes after eleven the drizzle finally ceased. I decided to "take a shot," one of my mantra's, which I borrowed from a Silver commodities trader who used it to encourage a young man he'd sponsored, who was intimidated by the action. Of course, I don't ever face losing a bundle. The worst I can do is zero returns, and that's a rarity. About a half hour after I'd set up, I spotted Mr. Philadelphia approaching. He too lives in Atlantic Towers, but also owns several properties in the city of brotherly love. Recently, he was sideswiped by a bus there, and is suing. 70, it took him a while to recover. He always stops by and gives me an update and an earful about other stuff. Today he was interested in my books and bought A Hitch in Twilight, Rising Star and Billionths of a Lifetime. He told me he dabbled in screenplays long ago, and that one night, while watching the sy-fy channel, there was one of his stories. He didn't feel confident enough to file a lawsuit. I imagine that sounds like a fish story, but whether it is or not doesn't matter, as I'm almost always interested in what people have to say, the consistent exception being Political Man, who lectures everyone on how they should vote. Mr. Philadelphia related other ideas he'd developed, and I told him about Create Space and how a writer can have a book published there for free. He said he'd look into it. My thanks, sir, and also to the sweet Russian woman who bought three romance novels, to the woman who bought a thriller, to Herbie, who donated four paperbacks, and to Eddie, one of our complex's porters, who donated about ten Disney booklets in pristine condition. All together now - Take a Shot!
Vic's Short Works: http://tinyurl.com/jy55pzc

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tinyurl.com/l84h63j

Website: http://vicfortezzaauthor.my-free.website/