Diary of Madman

[Aslan]

Apparently it's time for a new Challenge Event.

Should we call it "2nd Annual Aslan vs. Iceman Challenge" for history sake? Or should we rename it the "Aslan vs. Tony Challenge"?

Since Iceman is out, we can probably make it a handicap tournament and don't have to do it in Missouri. So that's good.

But will Rob return as the defending Champion? Mudpuppy most likely was murdered on the streets of Detroit and MWhite on the streets of San Bernadino...so those spots are probably open.

So, the first question is...will Rob defend his title? And as the defending Champion, he would choose the location. Probably Vegas somewhere....which is driveable for me. But where is Tony from? And it looks like shadd wants in on the action. What about Rob's friend Chuck? I think that's the same dude that looks like that actor from "Once Upon a Time"...erie in how alike they look...like a doppleganger.

So should I start a thread trying to recruit for this thing? Rob? Tony? Shadd?

See, while I certainly agree with some of the criticisms...the fact of the matter is I'm the only one on this site that takes all challengers. I'm like Action Jackson. I'll enter the WSOB...I'll make bets with the pros....and like Action Jackson I will likely lose all of those things. But we already DID THIS...I already threw out the VBT challenge...only to get scarce interest and then everyone eventually just stopped doing it. Bowling outside their comfort zones...was just a bit too much of a challenge I guess. I gladly entered and competed and promoted the Aslan vs Iceman Challenge in Vegas (also known as the greatest bowling event in the history of the universe). I faced 4 bowlers...all who averaged around 200-220...except me and Rob...and for Rob it was homefield advantage...and we bowled scratch.

So, I'd rather take all challengers, put myself out there, and risk losing or a reality check or a schooling....but at least I'm not afraid. I don't care how good you claim most bowlers are on this site...if they're too afraid to bowl outside their center and can barely bring themselves to even accept verbal challenges or virtual matches...then I win. Sure, you can sit at home and tell yourself, "Well...he's arrogant...he could never beat me. I'm awesome. What a joke." Drink your Swiss Miss, watch some re-runs on TV...duck me however makes you feel most fulfilled. But don't confuse arrogance with courage. There's those that DO...and those that make fun of those that do.

Lemme know....and we'll get the event set up. Just don't forget the crying towel at home...nobody wants to wipe tears with a dirty sock or a bowling towel with ball oil all over it.

[shadd]

I'm in the DC area with not a lot of time (my wife works ~100 hours a week, so I'm bordering on single dad status for 2 little girls)...I really can't justify a bowling-related vacation, unfortunately.

If anything does get scheduled, I will do my best to make it. Hell, I'm trying to find an ABT event to bowl in and a sport league to join...definitely won't shy away from this!

[Amyers]

Anytime your in the WV area or even this general side of the country

[Tony]

I am in Northern Illinois, I would love to go to Vegas (and bowl ?)...just doesn't seem to go together. While it sounds fun, it's probably a little too far for me. I would probably have been better off if it was in Podunk (Iceman) Missouri, although bowling on the wood lanes he spoke of sounds less than appealing.
Distance might be a limitation of this plan, but I would be interested if it was close enough and I could arrange it.

[bubba809]

Anytime your in the WV area or even this general side of the country

Ditto

[fortheloveofbowling]

Ditto

Add me to the list. I could probably afford to lose 50/game and 100/set to THE LION.

[fortheloveofbowling]

Just offering a counterpoint to encourage you to reflect on the comments you've made that seem to indicate that your average should be better than it is, the simple answer is that you're responsible for the average you hold, nobody else.

For the record I don't value your opinion as much as you think I might. I'm pretty sure that any perceived value you think your opinion has to me, is mostly in your own head.


Allowing the fact that "subpar" bowlers are better than you to have a detrimental effect on your attitude or game is one of the things holding you back. Stop letting them influence your attitude, gauge your progress on improving your own game and beating those players that are a little better than you.

As for the boast you can beat everyone here but Vdub and a few pro's ...uncontrolled laughter, you have no idea how well some of these guys shoot at houses outside of their own, I seriously doubt you can even beat me much less some of the higher average bowlers.

Really good post here and previously Tony. All good points and the rebuttal to your post was non informed dribble.

[NewToBowling]

I'd like to join in on the fun but Denver is still quite a drive

[Aslan]

Really good post here and previously Tony. All good points and the rebuttal to your post was non informed dribble.

Wait, what was the good point? Actually, what was the POINT?

1) Encourage Aslan to reflect on his comments that his average should be better than it is. Got it. I officially retract any statements made or implied that my average should be better than it is.
2) Tony does not value my opinion. Point taken and noted.
3) Don't let anything affect my game including losing to children, old people, the handicapped, monkeys, kittens, midgets, aliens from outer space, etc.. Noted. As of this moment, I am no longer bothered by it.
4) Me entertaining the idea of beating everyone except VDub and pros, funny, laughter. Agreed. I don't know what I what I was thinking and retract said statements.
5) Seriously doubts I can beat him. Agreed. Tony is clearly a better bowler, again, don't know what I was thinking...maybe I had a 24-hour flu bug or something. I retract the statement and award Tony "Best Bowler on Bowlingboards.com" status until it is proven otherwise. Bowl1820, please have the site administrator send him an adaboy or a medal of some kind.

As for FTLOB...also correct. All dribble. It may not even have been me typing it. I think a 4-year old broke in my apartment and wrote that. I mean, seriously? Challenging bowlers and having the courage to face them...no need to repeat all that. Like most bowlers...I am absolutely petrified at the mere thought of not only competition...but especially outside the confines of my home center. So I retract the challenge and revise it that if anyone wants to challenge me...I officially refuse...and if I were drunk enough and foolish enough to do it, I would expect a minimum of 43 pins handicap and that we do it on the lanes and in the house of my choosing. I fear strange places.

There. Now it's all better.

[Aslan]

Non-Motiv Rant of the Day

Saturday...I bowled in the usual little tournament thing....mainly just for practice on oiled conditions.

Well...there was this kid bowling...and EVERYTHING about what he was doing...was wrong. He had a delivery that all I can describe it as....was someone looking like they were about to collapse and throw up....then rise up in slow motion...then run really fast....and jump in the air....spinning the ball (no thumb) as fast as he can...directly into the lane....about 5ft out.

So...in Game 2...I hit Brooklyn on shot #1....leave a 5-9...somehow...chop the 9-pin off. He strikes.
Shot 2, I pull the shot left, end up with a 5 /. He throws his first shot in the gutter, then strikes for the 0 /.
I get up, perfect pocket strike. He gets a Brooklyn strike.
I then pull another shot, leave a 1-3-8...can't convert....he strikes.
I then throw a Brooklyn strike. He strikes.
I'm finally getting comfortable on the left lane, 9 /. He strikes brooklyn.
I get a 'little' too outside...leave the 1-2, 8 /. He again goes Brooklyn...gets a roller to take out the 10-pin, strike.
I hit the pocket, leave a 10-pin, convert for a 9 /. He leaves the 1-5...then gutters for a 8 -.
I hit the pocket (again), leave a flat 7-pin and convert (9 /). He Brooklyn strikes AGAIN.
My line breaks down a little and in the 10th I leave a 4-pin, convert, then go Brooklyn and leave the 5-6 (somehow). He gutters on the first ball...then gets 7 on the second shot.

So...as a summary recap...I had two open frames on a chopped 5-9 and a chopped 1-3-8. I struck ONCE...despite hitting the pocket 3 times.

He, threw 3 gutter balls...two of which were on his first shots. He hit the pocket (sort of) only 4 times.

Now, on the "positive" note...his only spare conversion was a 0 / in the 2nd frame. Meanwhile, I made 6/8 spares (75%).

On the "not positive" note...it is completally demoralizing...to watch what I can only describe as some sort of walking seizure of an approach....strike SEVEN TIMES....4 of which were Brooklyn...yet he can only manage a 208!?? Last time I struck 7 times in this league...I had a 213. 2 turkeys and a single....only one open on a 2-7 split. He had a 5-bagger!!

Granted...the last time I had a 5-bagger I shot a 206...but that was because of 4-7-10 split in the 1st frame and a weird 3-4-6-1-9-10 split in the 3rd frame...which I couldn't leave if I tried 100 more times.

I don't know what the series was. I beat him in Game 1. He beat me in Game 2. Game 3 he probably beat me because mentally I was done and missed three single-pin spares....including one in the 10th. Like my coach tells me...I just gotta tell myself that...guys like that...they aren't gonna be able to compete with me over a long series...they won't be able to adjust, etc... But it's pretty friggin demoralizing nonetheless....rant over.