I know we still have about a month left until the end of the year, but, with Nationals coming up this week, I have found myself falling back into nostalgic times, thinking about everything that has happened in my 4 years here.

It has been a roller-coaster ride, with a lot more good times than bad. I remember my first ever Thursday night practice, when Randy saw me bowl for the first time. I had met E and Dre, courtesy of Mike. But other than that, I knew no one else. I had never heard of Brian Valenta and I don't think he was actually there that night. Anyway, I was nervous as all get out. I wanted so bad to impress people. And IDK if I did or not, but throwing 6 in a row on the gutter was enough to impress Randy.

My first "official" practice with the team in August of 2005 felt a little more comfortable but I still felt somewhat out of place. Then I walked into the pro shop. We had probably 10-15 people in there, just talking bowling. Since I knew Mike, I was able to join right in, and it never felt weird after that.

Life in the dorm was probably the most fun I've had outside of bowling in this city. Living with Brian "DONG DONG DONG DONG DONG DONG DONG" Levin, sharing a suite with Wick and Shadow, living next to Chase and J-Lowe and across from Jerry. I'll never forget the airsoft gun wars in the dorm, listening to Levin check his Buddy List randomly at 3am, or playing wiffle ball outside the dorm til 2am (or whenever security forced us inside.) If you ride by guffy, there is still a wiffle ball wrapped in dict tape in one of the vents on the outside of the building, thanks to a monster shot by Jerry. Check it out sometime

My first tournament was one of the most nerve-wracking moments, behind my first Nationals and JOG finals in Ft. Lauderdale. My dad and I had no clue what balls we needed, and, as we all know, Wisconsin is always a dryer shot. I had nothing that would get down the lane. Averaged 176.625 for 8 games. Fail.

I remember leaving the hotel Saturday night, walking down the street to some chinese buffet place. It was me, Chase, Cat (yeah, remember her? lol), Nate and Shadow...possibly a few others. Two nicknames were coined this weekend. "DQ" was brought up for the first time, thanks to Dre. None of us are sure why he called me that, even to this day. The other nickname was Spin 2 Win. I think we all know who that is.

The rest of the season went on, a jumble of tournaments, dropped classes, practicing til 2am and 3am trips to Jack In The Box / Wal-Mart.

We destroyed everyone at Sectionals, winning by 330 pins. Another notable moment in the season was at Sectionals, when Ronnie Sparks threw one of the most bad-ass strikes ever, only to have Cassidy choke it away in the tenth. But that's ok, Cassidy recovered and has had one helluva career. Ronnie tried to buy a car. With SMART money. Oops.

The following three years have been up and down, but, none will compare to that first one.

Now, I'm within a month of graduating, moving back home, and starting an "adult" life. Of course, I'll be trying to make it in Regionals, followed by the National Tour. The "real job" ideal hasn't set in yet. We'll just see how the bowling goes.

I wanted to take this moment to pick some people out of the pile, and thank them individually. This is not meant to slight anyone I don't mention, but to highlight the good deeds done by the ones mentioned:

E - I've learned a lot from you, on and off the lanes. You've become one of my best friends, and I hope that one day I can have the clear head on my shoulders that you have.

BV - You taught me, whether you know it or not, how to gain my swagger. I think I overdid it my first year, only because I had joined a bunch of defending National Champions. But since then, I've learned how to tone it down a bit.....but only a bit lol

Town - No matter what happened, you stuck by me. You had my back through thick and thin. Don't think it has gone unnoticed. Thanks brother.

Randy - You're the one who gave me the chance to come to Lindenwood, bowl, and most importantly, earn my degree while gaining amazing experience in the radio and TV industry.

Melanie - Our hockey games and late night talks, no matter about what, always seemed to bring the world back down into a rational perspective.

Last, but not least.......

Mike Halwe - Everything that I have learned in the last 7 years has had influence from you. You taught dad how to teach me to do what I do. Our Monday night dinners and mid-afternoon talks in the shop helped me pick your brain into the world of bowling. I also learned a lot about your past, and who you were as a person. I just wish that the kids on the team had gotten to know you like this. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Thank You.



-- Edited by Just_Another_Righty on Monday 13th of April 2009 10:53:51 PM