Another new bowling ball (oops - I mean two new ones)

Well today I went down at lunch and had the first of two new balls drilled that I am taking to Reno. The first ball is replacing THE ONE that had cracked completely around the surface of the ball. Luckily, Ernie Backer at Strike City had one in stock that he was able to drill. I drilled it exactly like my ANGULAR ONE, which has been one of my go to balls. Ernie, thanks for bailing me out and getting these done on such short notice.

Tomorrow I will be going back to get the second new ball drilled. Rick Guined came down after a quick trip to Portland to lay out a Rico drilling on a TOTAL NV. Rick, thanks for all your help on laying out equipment for me. I really appreciate it.

I am really looking forward to throwing these two nuggets. I just love a new bowling ball and I will need all of the help I can get to help with the carry at the Stadium.

More surprises

Just when I thought it was safe to go to lunch I get another surprise. Helen and Pat had mentioned that they wanted to meet with me at noon to go over some items that was discussed at last weeks Board Meeting. When it came time to meet with them, I found out that there was more fun and excitement to be had. As I went out in the hallway I was greeted my none other than the OREGON DUCK. As you can see by the expression on my face, I was totally in shock. How cool was it to get the DUCK to visit you on your birthday. I got to hang out with the DUCK and high five each other and just goof around for a couple of minutes.
He then led me to the lunch room where there was still more to come. The lounge was full of employees, friends and family. They had gotten me a cake decorated like a membership card to AARP. That was way cool. It was such a nice surprise I really didn't know what to say. I just want to thank everyone involved who made my 50th birthday a very special day that I won't soon forget.

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise

What can I say. I was totally surprised when I came into work Wednesday morning. I thought I was going to make it through the week without having to endure the punishment of a 50th Birthday Bashing. But, to my amazement, my office had been totally remodeled. For starters, when I opened my door a cup full of confetti came crashing down on me. When I turned on the lights - you can see exactly what had been done. Black and green streamers as well as black and green balloons had taken over.

I had to low crawl to get to my desk. When I arrived at my desk I found that my chair had been removed and replaced with a wheelchair. I probably shouldn't say this, but it really was quite comfortable.
As I looked around the room I notice a BUNCH of sticky notes all over the place. My entire office decor had been labeled, as if I couldn't remember what the items were. As an example, you can see what the saying on my globe said. Some of the other items that had sticky notes on them were all of my pictures, books, stapler, phone, tape dispenser, chair, mouse, keyboard (you get the drift). It was totally hilarious.
All of this before I had my first cup of coffee. How was I going to make it through the day, let alone the next hour or so. Throughout the day, I would get lots of visitors looking at my office and laughing with astonishment. I felt really bad for the new cleaning service for our building. Confetti had made it down both hallways by the end of the day. As I was leaving my office for the night, I met the cleaning service supervisor and told her that I was sorry for making such a mess. She was very understanding and wished me a happy birthday.

The Schedule

Here is the schedule for this years event. I will have my scores posted by squad for all of you to look at. As soon as my squad has finished, I will post a scoresheet with the equipment that I used so you can see how well I bowled. I am on "C" squad on Monday, "A" squad on Tuesday and "B" squad on Wednesday.

2007 Tentative Schedule
Sunday, July 8 Sweeper side tournament at 2:30 p.m. Practice beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Monday, July 9 – Qualifying round 1 Squads at 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m. (5-game block)

Tuesday, July 10 – Qualifying round 2 Squads at 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m. (5-game block)

Wednesday, July 11 – Qualifying round 3 Squads at 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m. (5-game block) After 15 games of qualifying the top 63 players join the defending champion in double-elimination match play.

Wednesday evening – Match play rounds 1 and 2. All 64 players bowl at 7:30 and 9 p.m.

Thursday, July 12 – Match play continues beginning at 9 a.m.

Friday, July 13 – Match play continues. Final four players determined for championship match at noon

Building My Arsenal

I will be working this week on deciding which equipment I will be taking with me. I don't want to bog the trailer down too much. Today I went in and talked with Ernie Backer about drilling a couple of new balls to take with me. My ONE has cracked and I would like to replace it before I leave. It is one of my favorite balls. Rick Guined will be laying out the Rico Drilling for a new Total NV that I want to drill as well. Nothing carries better than a new bowling ball. I will be saving these for the tournament.

Pre Tournament Thoughts

Well, it is a week away before I depart to Reno, Nevada to bowl in the USBC Senior Masters. I have been anticipating this event for a very long time. Not sure this is the first event that I should be bowling, it just happens to be the first tournament that I am eligible to bowl. I will be very nervous knowing that I will be competing against many bowlers who I grew up watching and admiring. I understand that it will be on very demanding lane conditions and that I should have put in more practice than I have over the last month since leagues have been over. I had a good year and have been bowling a PBA Experience League at Emerald Lanes trying to prepare myself for the tougher lane conditions that I will bowling on. I have a lesson scheduled for Sunday - July 8th with Mike Jasnau at the Bowling Stadium. I am looking forward to his critique and hope it gives me some things to work on and improve my game. After that I will jump into the Sweeper at 2:30 and then I am off to the practice session at 5:30. Well, I guess that is it for now. More updates to follow over the next couple of weeks.