From Tracie: How (NOT) To Bowl

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

How (NOT) To Bowl

Bowling is...
Family fun. An excuse to throw heavy objects, and knock stuff over.
Bowling Balls

An opportunity to wear shoes that have been worn by hundreds of people before you.
Bowling Shoes

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We went bowling last week. It was our first time bowling as a family. 

This is how you hold the bowling ballAiming the bowling ball


Thomas taught Katarina how to pick up and hold the ball correctly; how to aim and throw the ball. I took a lot of pictures, ignored all of his instructions, and wondered why all of the eight pound bowling balls were orange instead of yellow.

Thomas pointing to the bowling lane

Thomas and I have different approaches to bowling. 

This is Thomas bowling...

Here I am getting ready to bowl...
Tracie holding a bowling ball

I have a special bowling technique. A photograph can't fully express my amazing bowling, so for you to be able to see why Thomas looks like this after I take my turn at the lane...
Head in hands

...I made you a video of our bowling fun:




What have I learned about bowling?
  • When the bowling ball hits the lane, it should not bounce.
  • It doesn't help me bowl better when the bowling snobs one lane over say, "WOW, that ball hits really HARD when she throws it!" in loud whispers (with exasperated sighs and rolled eyes) each time I take my turn.  
  • Having the lane all the way on the end of the row is good, because there is 50% less chance of my ball flying into a neighboring lane.
  • If we plan on making this a regular family activity, I should probably invest in some lessons - or some earplugs.
But all of this doesn't really matter, because I don't go to the bowling alley for the bowling. I go to the bowling alley for the food.
Bowling Alley Food - hot wings, nachos, cheese fries

Are you a bowler? 
Does the ball cause a sound like a small earthquake when you throw it?

38 comments:

  1. Yes, my twin... HAAAAAAAAA we even bowl the same. HILARIOUS!

    Also, if a yellow eight pounder had been available you'd have bowled 300. Fact. lol

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    1. YES!! You are so right. If only there had been a yellow eight pounder....

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  2. I dunno. You and I seem to have the same bowling technique, so it can't be ALL that wrong, right? RIGHT?!? Riiiiiight.

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  3. Yeah I have done the same thing don't feel lonely. I have learned to lean down lower. My nephew is so tall he can't even hold a ball like everyone else. He has to palm it basically and roll it weird lol.

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    1. I've seen people bowl like that! I even tried it once...but it was not a good thing. The ball jumped two lanes that day. lol

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  4. When you first walked up to thrown the ball, I thought you were going to throw it like a basketball chest pass. I was kind of hoping you were! (BTW, I don't think it would bounce it you used a slightly heavier ball. I am by no means a pro or even good bowler, but mine used to bounce until I went up a pound or two....). Looks like you guys had fun!

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    1. Now I kind of wish I had tried that!!

      I did try a heavier ball - 11 pounds - but it just bounced LOUDER. I really need a bowling intervention.

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  5. I bowl from between my knees... ;)

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    1. You are awesome! I would bowl with you any day.

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  6. So funny. We've only been bowling as a family once...and it was really fun! That food looks deliciously unhealthy : )

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    1. It really really was deliciously unhealthy. That is a great way of describing it.

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  7. I gutter worse than a 5 year old. We could totally bowl together and just not keep score.

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  8. So funny! I'm an awful bowler. I avoid it like the plague. Maybe we should bowl sometime together....

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  9. It wuz fun!!!! Katie has serious potential at everything she puts her hand to; Tracie just can't do a thing without having fun! What more could a guy ask for?

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  10. OH my gosh:

    This is what I said, "First time bowling?!"

    And then I said, "Oh.Yeah. They don't live in Wisconsin."

    We bowl all the time, there's bowling alleys on every corner.

    NOT EVEN LYING.

    Cheap and FUN.

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    1. It was fun!

      I probably shouldn't come to Wisconsin. All the bowling alleys might close down in fear, and then y'all would have nothing to do on a Friday night. ;-)

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  11. I haven't bowled in many many years...But I really enjoyed it when I did.....I think it is a fine game and fun when you get a strike!!! (lol)
    That ball of yours really hits the wood hard....! LOL!
    I think it is terrific that you went bowling as a family....!

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    1. I got one strike that day. It was when I threw a practice ball before we started keeping score. LOL!

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  12. too funny Tracy....at first I thought okay you got style...flair....pizzaz and then I heard the ball bounce...again and again and again and cracked up. It does look like you guys had an awesome time.

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    1. Hehe! It was just so bad....but a LOT of fun!

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  13. Hi Tracy!

    Thanks for sharing the video really puts a spin on bowling (pun intended). Thomas would get a kick from watching me bowl. Right handed and sliding on the right foot; at one point I had my own ball, bag and shoes...shoes pretty much became a need due to split sizes. Bowled league and high game was 208!!

    K Ryan

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    1. 208!! I'm totally impressed. The only time I see a two at the beginning of my score is when the score is in double digits.

      We should bowl sometime!

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    2. *chuckling* i bet you can break 100 and that counts, too!!

      K Ryan

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    3. I have broken 100 before....but not every game.

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  14. Tracie,

    I knew we were meant to be friends. Maybe it's the name but we are bowling soul mates. I love to dance. My ball bounces. And everyone I play with feels empowered to offer advice (unsolicited!)

    Katarina looks happy, Thomas looks amused, and the food looks yummy, so I think you are a great bowler!

    :-)
    Traci

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    1. Oh yes, the unsolicited advice. I know it so well.

      We really are meant to be friends!!

      I think your take on the situation is perfect, and clearly I am a great bowler! ;-)

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  15. Great post - your writing is so funny! You're still a better bowler than I am, though! :)

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    1. Thanks!

      ....and I have a hard time believing that I'm a better bowler than ANYbody, but I'm going to take your word for it! ;-)

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  16. Oh that is so funny! You go girl, it doesn't matter how you do it as long as you are having fun! lol And who doesn't LOVE bowling alley food?

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    1. True stuff - the food is junk-food-delicious!

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  17. Awesome! I, too, have a "unique technique" that causes my husband to make a similar face. I say, whatever works! Very funny.

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  18. I love bowling!!! Growing up in Wyoming it was one of the ONLY things to "go do" haha. :) I'm definitely no good at it though (if I break 100 I jump for joy) but my ball also doesn't bounce...well...most of the time ;)

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  19. Those are even the right balls and pins!:) my son is going out for provincials this spring, he's gone almost every year since he was 8. We Candle Pin. Roll the ball. Just roll the ball.

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