Over the past
few weeks, I've been accumulating a bunch of stuff for this experience. When
the UPS or FedEx delivery person, or even our mail carrier, would stop by our
office with a new package, I couldn't wait to tear into it! Whether it was
bowling balls, our team and competition apparel, a box of assorted bowling
accessories (shoe covers, tape, etc.), or the American flags I got to help
decorate the hotel, the items kept coming and the pile o'stuff at my apartment
kept growing.
Between all the
packages, all my equipment, and all my clothing, I had amassed a nice
"wall of fun" in my apartment. Various boxes and bags lined the wall,
soon to be replaced by various piles of all the contents. Somehow, it all fit
in my bags, though I wouldn't be surprised if my suitcase is over the weight
limit (N.B. it was, but not enough for El Al to charge).
The evening
began with me stopping in every store I could think of to buy a very important
accessory -- a personal fan to use at the bowling center during competition.
When you bowl, especially in warm conditions, your hands tend to swell, a lot.
While there is an air vent on the ball return, it's not practical to stand
there the entire time. Not only does it prevent those who are actually taking
their turn from using the vent, but when bowling with nine others on the lanes,
if everyone crowded around that little vent, it would be the most sought after
location in the entire center.
I had wanted to
get a small, AA battery-operated fan. Turn it on and the blades spin around.
Should be easy, right? WRONG. Of all the stores I went to (about a dozen in
all), I found only one and the blades looked like they would rip off at any
time for almost no reason at all.
Finally, I made
my last stop before going to the bowl for a final few games before departure.
This store wasn't producing anything either, but I finally found a small-ish,
table-top, D battery-operated fan. Hopefully it will work well and will be worth
the hassle. I guess it will be fun for the whole family (or at least whoever is
bowling near me).
I was happy
with my last games of practice. I've been subbing the past few weeks on
Tuesdays in a doubles league (4 games) at T-Bowl. The first three weeks, I shot
959, 921, and 834 (mostly because it took me until the last game to actually
get my game in order). I knew I wanted not only good scores but a night of
quality shots to complete my at-home practice on a high note. 237-239-241-228 / 945. I was throwing the ball well, getting good
reactions on the lanes, and was pleased that the IQ Tour Pearl finally started
reacting well for me (I had my doubts based on the few times I used it but knew
I'd figure it out, too).
Ok ... now I'm
ready ... to finish packing (but you already read about that!)
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