Bowling for Parkinson's
Tonight I'm going bowling with some of the ChicagoNow bloggers.
I used to like to bowl. I even had my own ball and shoes. Had because they've been in storage at my former mother in-laws house in California. The combination of her being a former and also being dead for ten years makes it unlikely for me to get these items back, along with my 500 albums.
Bowling was the one sport that made me very competitive. Losing really bothered me. Do I have examples...Oh Yeah!!
In college, one afternoon a group of us decided to go bowling after partaking in some illegal substances. I bowled an 89 and was fine with it until a lady in the next lane bowled a 215, and she was eight months pregnant.
When we went again the next week, there was no participating in the pre-game activities. Back to back 200 plus games.
Another time I was in a company league. One night, in our final game, I just needed a spare in the final frame for a 200 game. First ball is a nine, one pin to go. The guy next to me had the right of way. I waited....and waited...and waited. He took over a minute to roll. Finally it was my turned. I missed. No 200 game.
I was steaming. I was so mad that I drove around for an hour before going home. I'm not sure I'm over it yet.
One other time, one of my nephews was visiting when we lived in Southern California. On Christmas day, we were looking for something to do. It was either go to O.J. Simpson's house or go bowling. This was in 1994 and stalking O.J.'s house was a popular pastime. We went bowling.
He took an early lead. Around the 5th frame, he made a smart assed comment about how this game was his. I finished the game with six strikes in a row. YAHTZE!! I beat a 13 year old!!
Before this event begins, I'm wondering two things. Can I do this without being an asshole when things don't go right? I'm pretty sure I can. It's been more than ten years since my last time at the lanes. I'm not expecting a high score. Going tonight is about getting out, meeting people I've never met before, and having some fun.
Then there's the main reason for going. I really want to see how my Parkinson's affects this.
I used to use a 16 pound ball. I'm already having a fairly shaky day. I wonder if I can handle that? Will I have to go down to a 14 pound ball? But I need the extra two pounds to get those back corner pins. See, there's that competitive, asshole side coming out. OY!!
Then there's the balancing act. While walking, I tend to fade to the left. So I'm going to have to start on the far right side, hopefully hitting the foul line in the middle. Should be interesting.
Then there's stamina. A league night is usually three games. My guess is that's not going to happen. I'd be happy with two.
Exercise is good for people with Parkinson's. Gets you moving. All my joints are aching. Ankles, knees, wrists, shoulders!! Bowling works them all. SIGH!!
Will it be better afterwards? Will it be worse?
Countdown is in 3 hours!