Author Topic: 4th Annual Gathering Report (Read 5024 times)

ThongPrincess · « **on:** July 22, 2006, 01:59:53 PM »

I promised to start this tonight, so here goes!

I just got back from dinner. I passed on the poker/pool/darts/social. It has been several long, exciting days and I decided to go back to the hotel and chill.

First I'd like to say SrKegler, Mrs Keler and BigWillyStyle, you were missed very much. We all hope you are fine and safe!

I have to admit whenever I come to NC, I feel like a celebrety. I walk into Creekside Lanes and am greeted with "Hey Thong Princess glad to see you back here." I am introduced to all witha "She came all the way from California, just to be here." What a great start.

Glenn28, Linda (his better half), and I had set up a lesson with Ron for Thursday afternoon. A BR lurker, ThinkYoung, and his wife Louise showed up and bowled next door to us. Strider made an appearance and joined them. The lesson went great! I got great news, a drill to work on, and found out I can release the ball with a whole lot more tape in it than I thought was possible.

Everytime I dropped a ball, Ron would say "Put another piece of tape in." I would give him a hard time about wanting to get a picture of TP spralled out on the lane with the ball still attached to the thumb

, but put the tape in and there is no picture, I actually could release the ball, and better

Ron graciously worked with us, video taping and coaching for quite some time. We all ended the lesson tired, but feeling like we had really learned something. Several others arrived, I can't remember which arrived on Thursday. Strider, Mrs Strider, Ron, Toma, Nollster, Steve (from Bowl4Fun chat), and I went to dinner at Hong Kong King (I think that was the name). We literally closed the place down. They very nicely gave us hints to leave. We finally did

Friday, we met at about 11AM. We went into the meeting room for introductions. The room was full. Julius (I can't remember the screen name) and his wife (Sharon if I remember correctly), Crazyyankee, Frank the Tank, a_ak57, jjweb, kev3inp and his wife Diane, mmike 1053 and his wife, WillynHook, and those of us from Thursday were told sort of what to expect and tentative plans for the tourney, scotch doubles, lineage costs, and so on. Then it was off to the lanes for bowling and socializing. As the day progressed others arrived including Re-evolution and Erica, Joe "the energizer bunny" Falco, Lucky Lefty, Rick Wunder, BoyToy and Heather. I apologize for anyone I forgot to mention.

A large group went to dinner at Omega House. Scotch Doubles was on tap after dinner. Several of us "wimmins got us two mens"

We had a blast! Poor Toma who got me as a partner, I put him to work trying to pick up the variety of splits I left him

Rick Wunder was the other privliged to get me for a partner, but I didn't leave him quite as much garbage.

Saturday started at 10AM with additional arrivals JPRLane1 and LexLefty. There was a brief meeting to get specifics on practive before the tourney, format, and handicap. Richie from Lane#1 came with balls to donate, and talked with the group.

The tourney was great, 3 games across 6 lanes with a different pattern on each pair. One was a 40ft flat pattern, the other two I can't recall. I expected to score the lowest on the flat pattern, but didn't. JPR was the winner of the coveted shirt and his choice of donated Lane#1 bowling ball. Frank won the most average score and also received one of the bowling balls. I forgot who won the ball for lowest score

No it wasn't me

This is way too long so I'll stop after saying it has been great renewing old friendships and making new one! What a great group of people!

A major thank you to Ron, for his patience, sharing his knowledge, and hosting this fantastic event! Ron, you are the best!

I apologize for not recognizing Karen, Mrs Ron, and Little Ron, but they weren't able to join us until Saturday afternoon. Class acts for sure!

Also a big thank you to the awesome staff at Creekside who went above and beyond to make us all feel like family!

To those who had wanted to attend, but couldn't you missed another great gathering and I sure hope to see you next year!
--------------------
"I cannot change the direction of the wind but I can adjust my sails to reach my destination." Jimmy Dean

Edited on 7/25/2006 4:33 PM

Ragnar · « **Reply #16 on:** July 25, 2006, 03:10:54 PM »

Thank you.
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"I do desire that we may be better strangers." Willie the Shake, As You Like it(III,ii)
"aroyskrikn zoln dir di oygn fun kop"

jjweb · « **Reply #17 on:** July 25, 2006, 03:44:05 PM »

What a blast I had! It's so nice to finally put screen names to faces.

I felt so welcomed from the start, got the honor of tossing a few with Joe Falco. Thanks to Mike (LuckyLefty) and Richie for taking the time to look at my grip and tossin' some games.

It was a pleasure to be there and meet so many nice folks. I'm looking forward to BR2007!

-Josh

BTW, I'm the one with the 'Ladies Man' T-shirt.
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"Trying is the first step towards failure" - Homer Simpson

Rick Wunder · « **Reply #18 on:** July 25, 2006, 04:28:17 PM »

My turn!

I haven't been to "the gathering" since the first one in 2003. It was great to be back and see some of the folks from the first one and meet new folks for the first time.

I have to pass along my sincere thanks to Ron and his entire staff for hosting this event each year.

I also want to thank Ron personally for his help. He helped me a great deal in 2003, and he may have outdone himself this year. I can only hope that this year's help will yield results similar to those in 2003. I have already started practicing the changes that Ron suggested to me.

I must also thank Richie Sposato, president and CEO of Lane#1. He took the time and quite a bit of aggravation (delayed flights, lost luggage) to be with us on Saturday and Sunday. It was very generous of him to donate his time and the bowling equipment and shirts that he sent along. He also put on a good show, once his own bowling equipment arrived, throwing quite a string of strikes with his new clear Lane#1 ball.

I would also like to thank the other sponsors of the event: Track, DynoThane, Visionary, and of course Ron C's Magic Carpet. I hope I haven't missed any sponsors, but if I have, thanks to them, and my apologies for forgetting them.

Last, but not least, I must thank Thong Princess for agreeing to be my Scotch Doubles partner. I couldn't have bowled in it without her, and thanks to her contribution to our final game of 236, we even won a few bucks.

I hope to make it back to next year's gathering!
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RW (THB)

JPRLane1 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 26, 2006, 10:24:14 AM »

Me, Mike and Chuck from Lane#1 are not pictured apparently everyone was maad at me for winning the tourney and mad at mike for bowling so poorly and well I am not sure why Chuck isn't in it but we got left out.

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There is only one Lane#1. Know it, Live it, Throw it or Get Beat by IT!

Leader & Founder of Fellowship of the Saws! 03/04/05 Respect us or get left in our Saw Dust!

If your not throwing Lane#1 your not mastering the lanes, Pick up a buzzsaw and start believing the hype!

Magic Carpet · « **Reply #20 on:** July 26, 2006, 04:57:28 PM »

I finely have a chance to sit down and say think you to everyone for coming to the 4th annual Gathering!!!

I had to leave town for a couple days and just got back and I have enjoyed reading all the post from the attendees. It is interesting to see each personâ€™s perspective on the gathering.

It was great that there were some good outside activities such as golf, poker and pool.
I want to thank Strider for opening up his beautiful home (brave man) to the Gathering crowd for poker and Pool. The poker was just for fun of course and not for real money, although Toma owes Strider a steak dinner I would say for the house cut.

I once again enjoyed seeing my old friends from this board and had a chance to meet a few new ones. It is always a blast when this crew hits town and is always one of the high lights of my year. You know it has to be a great time when TP travels from California every year.

I would like to thank Dyno-Thane for the ball they donated and Visionary for the ball and shirt they donated.

I especially would like to thank Richie Sposato, president of Lane#1 and his sidekick Chuck for attending and donating 3 balls to the gathering. Some of the balls were not even on the market yet as I understand it, so that made them extra-special.

Rich also told the fascinating story of how Lane One got started and I very much enjoyed that. Rich is just a bowler (that loves the game and the people like you and me) that took advantage of the American dream.

THANK YOU Rich and Chuck, you made this yearâ€™s Gathering one for the books.

We also got to see some great research that WillynHook (physics professor) did on the Lane one core. Thanks for coming Dr. Joe, you throw the ball pretty darn good for an academic.

My staff at Creekside Lanes would like to thank everyone as well for coming and making Creekside your â€œhomeâ€ center for a weekend. You guys were all great to my staff and you even managed to get my center manager Susan to come out of her shell. She is such a shy gal it is great to see her come out and talk now and then.

Sr, Kegler I could never express how thankful we all are for all you did for the Gathering and how much you were missed. You will have to come twice next year just to make up for it.
We also missed BigWillie did anyone ever find out what happened to him?

Hope to see you all next year!!!
Ron Clifton

ThongPrincess · « **Reply #21 on:** July 26, 2006, 08:36:31 PM »

Ron,

LOL Susan is about as shy as I am

Of course Creekside becomes our home center for the time we are there, we are treated like we belong. You have a super staff!

Rick,
I had a blast and it was definitely a team effort! I guess the Pete didn't ruin us too much

Joe,

Next year I want to get to bowl a game or two with you!

I calculated the number of games I bowled between Thursday and Sunday and couldn't believe the count. Thursday 7, Friday 12, Saturday 11, and Sunday 4 for a grand total of 34 games. Then I got in another 3 in league last night.
The good thing is no sore thumb, wrist, arm, knees, etc.

The carpet is great. I just need to get use to how snug I can get the thumb. I found I had to add a piece or 2 of tape more than I thought. Everytime I dropped the ball I could hear Ron's voice "Put in another piece of tape"

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"I cannot change the direction of the wind but I can adjust my sails to reach my destination." Jimmy Dean

Magic Carpet · « **Reply #22 on:** July 26, 2006, 11:34:02 PM »

Glenn,
I hand no idea how tired I was until Monday. I walked all over NC Stateâ€™s campus Monday and Tuesday (in pouring rain) and I wad DEAD. LOL

I got tired of all of those NC State girls undressing me with their eyes though.

TP
â€œI could hear Ron's voice "Put in another piece of tape"
I LMAO at that!
Gee with Magic Carpet, tape and Â½ forward pitch you should be able to hang on to that sucker by now!!!

Keep working at it and your scores will match up with the â€œlooksâ€ of your game.

Bowl great!
Ron Clifton

Strider · « **Reply #23 on:** July 27, 2006, 01:09:17 AM »

What's the record for the most forward pitch?

I know I want to go more forward in my next spare ball. Hopefully that clear XXXL comes out soon. Andy drilled a thumb with 7/8" forward and it felt pretty good. I didn't throw it on the lane, but I don't think it would have been a problem.
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Penn State Proud

Ron Clifton's Bowling Tip Archive

ThongPrincess · « **Reply #24 on:** July 27, 2006, 01:26:17 AM »

quote:

Gee with Magic Carpet, tape and Â½ forward pitch you should be able to hang on to that sucker by now!!!

LOL I just can't believe how loose the thumb was before

At least when I hear the voice, I know there is no hidden camera

quote:

Keep working at it and your scores will match up with the â€œlooksâ€ of your game.

I think I have an idea what the problem is, I want to do well in league and tense up just a little. Last night I had some trouble getting the right ball and line for the condition. Once I did, I found I was getting to the pocket, but not carrying. I figured out I was not as relaxed as in NC. Once I came to the realization and loosened up I shot 24 pins higher 159-160-184.

Need to work on the mental game and keeping loose.
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"I cannot change the direction of the wind but I can adjust my sails to reach my destination." Jimmy Dean

Edited on 7/27/2006 1:22 AM

Andy_WS · « **Reply #25 on:** July 27, 2006, 11:56:41 AM »

Strider, I think we should drill one up with the 7/8 or more and go ahead and throw it. I am sure you can fly right out of it.

I know I am tempted to redrill my thumb and see what I can do with it. I am positive I can throw atleast a 1/2 without any problems.

The bigger question is can I repeat the shot?

The even better news is I really think the Physical Therapy this time is helping my back a lot or is it the drugs, hard to tell. But regardless something is working and I am moving around a lot better these last few weeks.

Look out, I'll be back for the bragging rights tourny next year

Andy

ThongPrincess · « **Reply #26 on:** July 27, 2006, 01:50:36 PM »

That is great news Andy!
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"I cannot change the direction of the wind but I can adjust my sails to reach my destination." Jimmy Dean

Nollster · « **Reply #27 on:** July 27, 2006, 03:31:36 PM »

quote:
Strider, I think we should drill one up with the 7/8 or more and go ahead and throw it. I am sure you can fly right out of it.

I know I am tempted to redrill my thumb and see what I can do with it. I am positive I can throw atleast a 1/2 without any problems.

The bigger question is can I repeat the shot?

The even better news is I really think the Physical Therapy this time is helping my back a lot or is it the drugs, hard to tell. But regardless something is working and I am moving around a lot better these last few weeks.

Look out, I'll be back for the bragging rights tourny next year

Andy

It's the drugs, man!!

--------------------

Nollster

Summer league
Winter League

Magic Carpet · « **Reply #28 on:** July 27, 2006, 10:24:57 PM »

I know I can throw 5/8 forward with no problem so more than likely I can throw 7/8 forward but I would have to "think" about clearing the thumb most likely.

Ok where is BigWillie??

and what happend to PinNut?

Bowl great!
Ron Clifton

BigWillyStyle · « **Reply #29 on:** July 28, 2006, 10:19:52 AM »

Gatherees (if that is a word...),

I'm really sorry that I was unable to attend, but had a passing of someone close to me, and I guess it kinda got to me more than I figured it would. I'm sorry for not letting you guys know what was up (especially JPR...Jesse), but I guess I kinda got into a secluded state after the shock from the news wore off. I'm glad to hear that you guys all had a great time, and it actually brought a tear to my eyes when I read this whole post the last 15 minutes, to know just how much I was missed up there. Sorry again for not returning any calls Jesse. I'm in the process of making my appearance to the Gathering a bit late this year (you'll see what I mean guys...I'll keep y'all posted on that). Also, Angela (the girl-friend) said she was sorry she wasn't able to meet "all the people that can beat me at bowling" as she so mildly put it...

Even though I wasn't there, I would like to thank: everyone that donated equipment this year (Dyno-Thane, Lane#1, Visionary, and Magic Carpet), Ron C. and the family for accepting us "Strangers" and even "Strangerers" (like ThongPrince and his Princess) into their neck of the woods for the weekend, and JPR for just being you man....this is twice I've missed out on ya in a couple months buddy....now I owe you 2 sets of BoRounds/BoTatoes!!!

Sincerely,

Big Willy Style

PS...I know only a few will get this, but here's what I've been up to the last year...

http://sumomortalkombat.ytmnd.com/
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ThongPrincess · « **Reply #30 on:** July 28, 2006, 10:31:22 AM »

BigWilly,

So very sorry for your loss and so very relieved to hear you are okay! Yes we were worried about you and your girlfriend! Thank you for posting!
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"I cannot change the direction of the wind but I can adjust my sails to reach my destination." Jimmy Dean

Author Topic: 4th Annual Gathering Report (Read 5024 times)

ThongPrincess

4th Annual Gathering Report

Ragnar

Re: 4th Annual Gathering Report

jjweb

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Rick Wunder

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JPRLane1

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Magic Carpet

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ThongPrincess

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Magic Carpet

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Strider

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ThongPrincess

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Andy_WS

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ThongPrincess

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Nollster

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Magic Carpet

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BigWillyStyle

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ThongPrincess

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