About 10 years ago, my buddy asked me join his bowling team. Me saying "yes" has led to bowling in many leagues and tons of money spent so my ball will spin just right to find it's way in between the 1st and 3rd pins. For everyone who isn't familiar with the sport, this more often than not leads to a strike, unless you are me and then it leads to a split.
Taking up bowling has confirmed one thing and disproved another. From hanging out at various bowling alleys, I can honestly say that the film "The Big Lebowski" wasn't far off. No disrespect, but where there's bowling there will be interesting characters. I don't know the origin of how the Coen's came up with using bowling as a backdrop for their film, but I truly believe Ethan and Joel sat down at the alley closest to their house and just took in everything for a few hours. When they got home they wrote down everything that they saw and boom....you have a cult classic with some of the funniest lines I've ever heard in film.
What bowling disproved, was my ability to suck at any sport that I attempt, other than table tennis. Strap on a wrist guard, put on shoes that slide, wrap tape around your thumb to prevent pesky blisters, and have a ball that has something in its core to help it find it's way down the lane; then you are in business. It took me a long while, but I can honestly say I have a 180 average. Even though my average seems to lower each week, it's far and away from where I started.
The reason I look forward to Thursdays each week isn't to beat the other team or get that much closer to attaining a 300 game, no it's much deeper than that. For me, it's about community. There hasn't been a Thursday when people weren't having a good time. Everyone has their day and some are more competitive than others, which can affect their mood and overall temperament, but most of the time you have 30 people who don't normally hang out other than the 4th day of each week having an absolute blast together. That's what bowling is about. I think the Coen's knew that before making their film and that's why the film works so well. Can you imagine if they centered the movie around curling? Actually, that might be pretty good.
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