So I've recently joined "AA" (assholes anonymous) because I've realized I have a problem.  I'm an asshole, as many of you have gathered and pointed out.  I've come to terms with this and have accepted that I need to change.  How does this relate to my topic?  Well I recently quit my summer "PBA Experience" league.  I got rather frustrated last week and decided instead of putting myself in situations where I know I'm going to get pissy, even if I know it's just me being overly sensitive, I'm going to do what they universally say to do to work on things and just keep myself away from situations that I know will set me off. 

I love bowling, probably too much.  I'm really into it, I'm competitive, and I'm a purist.  I don't really like bowling in the summer, but that's the only time they offer this league, so I've decided I needed to support it.  Normally there's some of the city's "big guns" that bowl, and some college bowlers that come bowl.  However, this year, there's none of that, and in fact, it's the opposite.  First of all, there are exactly 10 bowlers in the league.  There are two bowlers that are literally mentally handicapped, one of whom isn't aware enough to practice lane courtesy.  They can't even average 130 on a house shot.  There's another older guy who throws a backup ball, who during the year bowls 5 leagues and keeps a composite average updated after every set and whose dream is to win a senior PBA title before he dies.  His highest average for a single season in his life is 179.  There are two people in the league who average over 200, everybody else averages around 180 on a house shot and are basically beginners.  I'm everyone's "pro shop guy," so I'm constantly being asked for ball and laneplay advice.  Would this bother a normal person?  Maybe, maybe not.  But this is the only time I get to really challenge myself and really focus and learn some stuff, but all that happens is I spend the night getting lane jumped, yelling when they get strikes, and there's a constant line of people wanting ball advice or coaching and I just can't get focused on bowling.  It's bad enough in league during the winter, but at least it's a house shot.  There was no point in bowling, and I'm sure the hardasses will get on here and say, "well, maybe if you had a better mental game," or "stop crying and deal with it," but you just can't get any good practice or work done when you're being constantly interrupted, and I'm not there to drink and hang out.  I'm there to get some work done, it helps a lot with my coaching and work in the pro shop.  Yes, I'm sure it could have helped my patience, but being that I'm not there to work on patience . .

Maybe its time you put up or shut up.  Look in the classifieds of the two major bowling mags and buy a house that's up for sale.  You can then be in charge of the whole shebang.  Your rules.  Machines set up flawlessly.  Always an "honest" shot.  Nobody talks to anybody that's got a higher average than them and asks for advice.  People want a ball, they email you their specs, you punch it out, they bowl with it, and they love it.  Any 15 yr olds want to bowl, they better have the maturity of a 40 yr old.  A red carpet rolls out and a fanfare plays every time you walk into and out of the house.  All that and I'll bet it still won't be enough.     

But basically what you're saying is that I'm too idealistic and unrealistic and either need to do my own thing or walk away . . I get it. 


YEP!

"...but you just can't get any good practice or work done when you're being constantly interrupted, and I'm not there to drink and hang out..."

It's easy to call you another bowling Diva but did you ever think other bowlers are bugging you - just to take you off your game? We all know guys who take pride in setting up shop inside the hotshot bowler's head. It's quite comical to watch.