Living Wright: On a roll again

BY JASON ASHLEY WRIGHT World Scene Writer
Thursday, February 14, 2013
2/14/13 at 6:10 AM

My second time in bowling shoes, I bowled a 250.

I don't remember the first time, which means I probably bowled a 12 or something. A 250, however, sticks in mind.

Mostly it's because I had been dumped by phone on the way to drop off a friend at a charity bowling event 12 years ago, but she encouraged me to come inside and blow off some steam. And so I did - lots of steam, as I, a new Dumpee, seriously envisioned the bowling ball as the Dumper's face.

It was very, very fun to throw down a polished wooden floor, particularly while screaming like one of William Wallace's kilt-clad warriors from "Braveheart," albeit higher-pitched.

Anyway, that was the very last time I ever bowled, so it qualifies for my 2013 to-do list of things I've either never experienced or haven't in quite some time.

After lunch at Abuelo's (love their Espinaca Casserole), Banshee and I went to Broken Arrow Lanes, 4701 S. Elm Place in - surprise! - Broken Arrow. We waltzed right up to the counter and told a guy our shoe sizes.

Once upon a snottier time, I claimed that the reason I never bowled was that I didn't like the idea of wearing shoes other people have worn. But considering how many door handles I have to touch on a daily basis and the amount of recycled air I Hoover throughout flu season, I got over that pretty quickly.

We were assigned to Lane No. 20-something, which was not how I felt with all the young folk there - young and, apparently, much better skilled.

Banshee taught me how to pick a ball (a lesson I've since forgotten, sorry), and I decided on something green that fit. She typed our names into the computer (mine being Peaches - don't ask), and we commenced to bowling.

Everything started off rather well, with B getting a spare, after which I flung an ex's head down the alley, hoping to replicate my success from 2001 - and totally failed.

That F word fairly sums up my performance, as I proceeded to roll my first gutter ball ever, followed by my second and third ones. By game's end, B beat me by 23 points - and she bowled 101.

Now, I'm anxious to go back - perhaps to the Dust Bowl Lanes & Lounge at 211 S. Elgin Ave. - to better my game. Or to develop game, whatever. Besides, it's a good way to get your heart rate up - especially if you scream like an extra in a Mel Gibson war epic.

Original Print Headline: On a roll again

BROKEN ARROW LANES

4701 S. Elm Place

Hours: Noon-11 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.- midnight Monday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-1 a.m. Friday-Saturday.

Prices (open play rates, per game): $2.69-$4.39 per game, depending on time; $2.99 shoe rental. For more: 918-455-4616; or tulsaworld.com/balanes.

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