The Writer's Life 3/21 - Chump & Champs

Through two rounds, the 2016 NCAA tourney has already provided three fantastic finishes. I have not watched more than a minute of any of the broadcasts, but have enjoyed the highlights through the magic of the internet. Kudos to Wisconsin, whose coach, Bo Ryan, ran out on them early in the season when it looked like the team was going nowhere. They rallied from 9-9 under coach Greg Gard, and have moved on to the Sweet 16 after yesterday's stunning win at the buzzer. Bo Ryan is looking like a big chump, deservedly so.

Luck has been with the floating book shop the past two days. I expected to lose both sessions to bad weather, but Mother Nature arranged it so that the precipitation fell overnight. By the time I left the apartment today, the sun was shining. I snagged a parking spot immediately on 84th Street and had set up by eleven. I sold the last of my stock of Russian books to two women and expected action on only the six copies of Danielle Steel romances I had on display. None sold, but two customers were very generous. Bad News Billy was back. After having overpaid for a CD and DVD on Saturday, he overpaid for two works of non-fiction: an bio of SNL's Chris Farley and an exercise book by "ESPN's Fitness Queen," Kiana Tom, of whom I'd never heard prior to someone having donated the book. She has an interesting resume: Raiders cheerleader, actress (4 credits), Playboy spread, TV hostess, wife of a firefighter, mom of two. She is of Hawaiian, Chinese and Irish descent. Her dad, the late Layne Tom Jr., has eleven credits listed at IMDb, three as a son of Charlie Chan. He also played a Boy Ranger in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939). Kiana had two 65 year old guys leering at her photographs on the street today.

Billy wants to write a book about the characters who patronaged his dad's deli. It sounds like a good idea. I said I'd help, but I won't write it for him. My thanks, my friend, and also to the Asian gentleman who, when I said the books, other than mine, were one or two bucks, said he'd buy "ten for ten" for his kids. I like a guy who knows how to deal. He picked out an equal mix of fiction and non. Some days things just work out. My car passed inspection with flying colors, and I even bagged a great parking spot near my usual nook, which sets up the next two days' sessions very nicely.

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/