Three Things That Happened To Me, Or: Things I Did Unto The World
At work this week I accidentally became Bowling Guy. Before going out for a nice dinner, my office had the first part of its year-end holiday party at Pickwick Bowl in Burbank:
A few hours before the bowling portion of the evening I whispered to one of my coworkers that I hoped to play well but not so well that I become Bowling Guy.I didn’t have a great game. I bowled a 139, which is respectable but nothing to write home about. Still, my 139 blew everyone else out (multiple coworkers asked for bumpers) and I accidentally let slip that I sometimes watch professional bowling.
I recognize that watching any pro bowling at all is an inappropriate amount of bowling to watch. But I won’t apologize for liking Kyle Troup, the bad boy of the PBA:
Or regret the fact that I’m actively following the career of RyansBowling, a 10 year old from Dexter, Michigan whose Tiger Mom has him training to make the PBA Tour:You hear that? The boy is tired and will be back bright and early! That’s the kind of dedication required to be the next BelMo, the next Pete Weber, the next Norm Duke. Who do you think you are? Ryan is.
(For reference, the top earner on PBA last year - my boy Troup - earned $496,000, so Ryan and Mom must be training for the love of the game.)
So yeah, I bowled a 139 at the Christmas party. Every office gibe has been at my expense and bowling-oriented. But I’ll take my licks and wear the facetious Bowling Guy title out of respect for the game.
After all, how can you not be romantic about bowling?
Our softball team lost again. A few blogs back I shared that I was the Bill Mazeroski of the Cheviot Hills Slow-Pitch Softball League. As it turns out, I’m the Mario Mendoza. Read: I’m not very good. I don’t know why, having never played organized baseball in my life, I thought I’d be competitive, but I’m not. Whatever, catch me at Pickwick.
I watched Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinnochio this week and it lived up to my lofty expectations. GDT is easily one of my favorite directors; He has a big heart and an imaginative brain, both of which translate flawlessly to his fairytale movies. Special shoutout to:
1) Ewan McGregor’s Scottish lilt. His performance was so good.2) The gorgeous score, but this song in particular:
If you watch this film be sure to check out the 30 minute how-it-was-made accompaniment on Netflix. Stop motion is so cool.
On My Calendar This Weekend
Saturday, 7am: World Cup Final My ten-year-old French niece has been following the games and texting about them, so I hope France wins. That’d be a lifelong memory for her. Will this be the most-watched television event ever? The defending champions vs. Lionel Messi, Europe vs. South America. Will I wake up at 7 on a Saturday to watch soccer? Eh.
Saturday, 7pm: Rock Climbing: A friend of mine - who is shaped like a boulder - is having a birthday party at his rock climbing gym. Maybe this is my sport? (tall and lanky, the perfect rock climbing build!)
Sunday, 10am: Steelers @ Panthers: I tried all year. I really did. We all did! Alas, I’m apathetic. Six Mason Rudolphs in one hand, a half dozen Mitchell Trubiskys in the other. Aaaaand as I type this I realize I’m sad. Who am I kidding?
Sunday, 2pm: Penguins @ Hurricanes: Earlier this year I was feared a similar demise for the Penguins but no no. Sidney Crosby is Sidney Crosby and the Penguins are humming. I won’t be able to watch this game as I’m filming ~something~ for work. Will I make my friends in my work carpool listen to Penguins radio? Quite probably.
Gene Wilder Willy Wonka Quote of the Week:
“We have so much time and so little to do… Strike that, reverse it.”
Hey, Steelers apathy’s back! Funny how that works.
- Julien, the French way