Well tonight was one of those nights I wish I just didn't bowl. I think not bowling all week hurt me, among other things. In practice things didn't feel right. My timing was earlier, then it was late, then my arm swing felt completely off, then my accuracy was gone. Then when my mechanics felt like they were coming around I also noticed a vast difference in how each lane was playing. The right lane was slick, the left lane hooking more. I finally figured out the right lane, playing up five or six with a slight point to the pocket. The left lane I couldn't do that, I had to try to throw eleven to...I don't know never found anything that worked consistently on that lane with my Ogre. One time the ball would hook good the next time skid, if I tried to move right some it was through the headpin. After a more direct shot into the pocket that left the 8-10 I switched balls to my Radical Inferno. Got a better look but couldn't repeat a shot. I finally went limp wristed throwing the ball straight on an angle toward the pocket my last game. On top of all of this it was the 21st birthday of third male bowler on my team, and he was constantly disappearing to go get drinks and we would wait five plus minutes for him to return, several times a game, throwing off any rhythm we might have been able to get into. I went 169, 130 and 160 for a 459 series, ouch. Thats a 126 pins under average for the night. Like I said my mechanics weren't there and I just had problems with spares, mainly the single pin spares. I'm definitely going to make it to the center a couple times this week to work on things. I'll probably go New Years day since there will be no league, and try to go another time as well. I need to work on 7 and 10 pins, and work on my mechanics some. Get them tuned up some.

During the whole evening there was plenty of talk about forming teams to go to the other league next season since this league is doing to fold, one way or another. I was talking to one guy who isn't going to be with anybody he is bowling with this season, and then after bowling was over, the other two guys on his team and another guy was talking and want to put us four and find a female to go down there to compete with. We all have good chemistry with each other, even though I've never bowled on a team with any of them. I've known them all since I started bowling, two of them are involved in the doubles side pot we do. We will see what happens though, since this is the four or so different team set up to go down there and it keeps changing.

I bowled good today.

Game 1: 165

I had 3 strikes and 3 opens. Few spares.

Game 2: 164

I had 2 strikes and 4 opens. Few spares.

Meanwhile at mid 2nd game. I put $3 in .50 cents pull tab machine and I opened it up and OMG I won $500. My teammate got jealous on me and I excited for won big cashs. It was my great luck for big money won.

Game 3: 141

I made couple spares and 2 different strikes. One big 4 split. I ran out of lemonade and didn't buy a water bottle to keep energy to bowl.

Total: 470

Ave: 155

Paul,
Nice bowling. Great Improvement over last week scores. You just need to learn to pick up more of those spares. A spare or two more a game will raise your average 10-20 pins.

I am now in deep doo-doo as I've now slumped to three horrible weeks on league. I've only hit average once in each three appearances. With the holidays and spending tons of money I haven't been able to keep with my normal 12-16 games a week of practice, and it's beginning to show. My accuracy has fallen off pace, and I can barely pickup 2-3 spares a game if I'm lucky... I'm all out of confidence in my bowling lately, and I feel I'm letting my team down, big time! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, and New Year. Mine were well, save for my bowling woes...

I just went and practiced for the first time since the week before Christmas last night, and I sucked! Couldn't find a good line and I wasn't hitting the spots I wanted to, plus I was exhausted. Good thing is it was just practice as I was also testing out new shoes and a new wrist brace (though I think I'm going to order a different one, I'm not sure if I like this one or not).

Tonight is serious league night, I know what to expect from those shoes, the brace has had some breaking in and I'm getting used to it, and I'm not tired today. With all that tonight I should be good to go. My big concern is how my leg will hold up and how much it was able to heal over the 2 week lay off.

Ample,
Forget what happened in the past...thats over. Just concentrate, get them Roto-Grips hummin again, and KNOW you are going to make the spares...if you leave any,.. because you will be striking on most balls.

Now that the Christmas season is over, things are back to normal, you will get back in the groove.

I'm like you in a way, struggling from time to time. So I'm simplifying things.
My new years resolution is to stop all the thinking and analysing once I'm on the approach. Just set up , and ROLL the ball. I am making this game way too hard on myself...I suspect you are too.

Again, the same result. The ball is rolling much better now then in October-November. But the results are the same. Nine counts in between strike runs stop me from scoring. Many corner pins, a 9 and 2 8 pins, all on good hits. I just can't carry to string strikes.

We won all seven points to start the second half. Again, 2 of us are under average, myself being one, and 2 of us are over. We just can't put it all together. But, we were consistent with 561, 578, 586, and my 190, 209, 172 for a 571. The last game for some reason, I slowed down on the first 2 balls, leaving 2 unmakeable splits, and stayed clean the rest of the game. Maybe it was a ball change? I don't know.

But, I felt better then I had in some time and was really pleased with the way I rolled.

Tonight was the first night of our State smoking ban in the lanes. The local News reporters were out in mass, interviewing bowlers who stepped outside, and following them in to get photos and more interviews.

Not to be political, but this is a Republican area and the local press has been writing negative stories about the Democratic Governor and Congress. Many new laws have been passed by our legislature, starting on Jan 1, Including new liquor taxes, sales tax increases, and cuts in education. Their point being that Chicago politics is running the State and our suburban areas are upset with State politics.

We started out the New Year losing 2 games and totals, only taking two points. We kinda ran into a buzzsaw, the other team had a couple of guys bowling way over their heads, stringing strikes together 6, 7 in a row at times. Thats the breaks I guess.

I had another so-so night, 197, 207,179 for a 583. I think I left 5 or 6 10 pins in the first game, but I kept it clean and made them all. How refreshing...LOL.

After the night was over I was "promoted" I guess, to anchor, because our current anchor is struggling a bit. First time for me at this position. I am actually looking forward to the challenge.

Well last night started off kinda bad with a 181, couldn't carry my strikes and mental lapses caused 3 missed 10-pins, plus I was wearing new shoes that I was still getting used to. Second game was a little better at 199 though I still wasn't carrying well and left a couple splits, but was able to find the right entry angle and get the 10-pins I left. Third game was 248, finally slowed down and got the carries. Ended with a 628, not great but considering how I started and the 2 weeks off I'll take it, and my average still goes up a pin or two =D.

Eraser, thanks for the words of wisdom! As I'm sure that is exactly what I'm doing. So unfortunately my Steelers will be playing while I'm bowling league on Saturday night. My rules for it will be only letting myself watch any of it if I mark! So hopefully this will set my determination to have an above average night!