Lane etiquette

Author's preface: I apparently stated that I needed to write this entry after coming back from the bowling alley a little bit past the drunk line. Andrea decreed it, I don't recall ever mentioning it.

I went bowling a few days ago with some people from work. It was the first time I hit the lanes in what seemed like forever. There are some things that always seem to happen when a bunch of somewhat drunk people throw heavy balls at innocent pins.

1. Someone always has to yell 'Over the line!' It is at that moment that I hate the Coen Brothers and John Goodman. That is the only time though. I have been that guy in the past and I try my best not to do it anymore because I know someone else will do it. I can then judge them, it's what I do.

2. I seem to be put next to some couple that can bowl 150 without even flinching. Its great that they can do that, don't get me wrong, but I hate them a little on the inside. I struggle to break into the 120s and occasionally have an excellent game up into the 130s or 140s. We were next to a group of people that were having a good ol' time and one of them threw a 290 game. 290! It was amazing to watch.

3. I love bowling next to people that understand lane etiquette. Waiting for the person in the next lane to throw before you go is the nicest thing anyone can do at the bowling alley. The idiots that don't wait need to be slapped around a little. Maybe bowling alleys should employ etiquette police that would take these people away for some 're-education'.

You don't have to be the best person at the lanes or go there frequently as long as you have a fun time with the people you are with that is all that matters. And don't be a menace, be aware of your surroundings and your bowling brethren.

They may smell like medicine, but they sure can roll

I took a few hours today to relieve some stress from work by going bowling. It is comforting to take your time and roll, even though I sucked today (122, 104, 93...fatigue set in during the last game), with no rush. Don't let the scores fool you, I left a lot of open frames, it was only a few good frames that helped me out. I had all afternoon. It was pretty empty on my side of the building. North rock lanes has forty five lanes, much larger than what it appears on the outside. The first half of them were taken up by senior citizens. A senior league. It was great to watch for a while. They all seemed so happy. And some of them could probably roll better than I can. They were calling out some of the high scores for last week. I heard a couple of 200 games. Very impressive.

That is the kind of old person I want to be. I may end up smelling like Vick's vapor rub, but if I can roll like that, I would be content.

The funniest thing I saw there, however, was not on the lanes. Three guys crowded around a pinball machine. Just like when they were fourteen years old. One playing and the other two on his flanks. Gawking, it seemed like, at how good the player was. If only I had had a camera at the time. That would have been a great picture.

I guess this kind of thing lets them all escape the world around them for a few hours during the day.