Follow the Bouncing Ball  The rules of life don't change much.
Never buy loose diamonds from a man in lizard-skin cowboy boots.
Remain faithful to your beloved. At a mile and an eighth, always
consider Eddie Delahoussaye's horse. Once past the age of
twelve, never, ever request an autograph--not from John Elway,
not from Sandra Bullock, not from God. Avoid cheap whiskey. Kiss
your babies regularly. Keep your front shoulder in there against
the inside curveball.  And let somebody else finance Carmen
Electra's wedding trousseau. The National Basketball Association
lockout, or players' strike, or hostage crisis--whatever the
hell they call it--is now in its 148th day. Seven weeks of the
season have already been canceled, and the rest is in doubt. To
hear the participants tell the story, this is a life-and-death
struggle for the rights of man, something akin to the Battle of
Stalingrad. If matters aren't resolved soon, we learn, Karl
Malone won't be able to tip the servants at Christmas. Shaquille
O'Neal may have