Where I am from bowling is a pretty typical teen activity. In fact bowling was my gym credit in high school. Anyway, Wednesdays meant dollar bowling nights at a local bowling alley. It was about all there was to do, especially during long summers. So, we bowled out our over-privileged teen angst for three bucks a week.
Fast forward three years, a few of us headed to dollar bowling to reminisce a little but mostly get drunk and bowl. Only now instead of being owned by locals the alley is corporate. The coporate atmosphere changed everything. With out all the smoke and overall feeling of grimy-ness the place lost a lot of its charm. The swivel seats allowed for a quick and efficent games and the electronic score keepers don’t allow you to cheat. Forgive me if I am mistaken, but isn’t the point of bowling to linger and sip on your pitcher of cheap beer, bowling in between shared stories? (God I really want to watch the Big Lebowski) And isn’t it supposed to be fun if you suck balls at it because you are just goofing around? The games seemed sped up and all I heard was the constant sound of balls and pins. I feel bowling should be slower, dirtier and well, less douchy.
Returning to my suburban home town always causes a weird sense of disorientation. Sure, I know these places and these were some kids I went to high school with but how the fuck did I come from here? I looked at the people surrounding me and I just felt awkward. I was petrified that I would run into some dude who I went to high school with and found really obnoxious. Low and behold, just when I thought I was in the clear, some guy called my name as I was about to head to the ladies room. Fuck. I was found out. I was supposed to have escaped this place by now. I should at least be hanging in some tropical destination or big city, but no I am here at dollar bowling night surrounded by kids wearing too much eyeliner, hollister hoodies and sideways hats. I just feel like this should not be my life. Perhaps I have out-grown dollar night at Brunswick lanes. I think I need to head to the local places with character and charm. Sure it costs more than a dollar but perhaps the extra $4 is worth my sanity.
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