Was it the fact that Dan's mind was blown due to showing up and seeing only the FNG and Scott A. practicing that contributed to such a pathetic 1st game effort of 116? It could be but that was not the only score that was less than awe inspiring (Brian 124 absentee, Scott 128 and FNG Mark 123). Considering those 4 scours it was somewhat amazing the team only lost by almost 100. It was only Pat that could muster up a respectable 174.
Game 2 saw a complete reversal as Dan smoked the lanes with a 231 (nice consistency), Scott increased by 27 to a 155 and Mark increased by 13 to 136. Pat, on the other hand, plummeted by 42 down to a 132. All in all, the efforts lead to a 132 point victory in game 2.
Despite the very solid 3rd game efforts (Pat 161, Dan 167, Scott 163, Mark 136) we lost the 3rd game by 37 and the overall evening by a total of 4 pins to go 2-5.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
FNG can't deliver on promise
"Hey, guys, I've got a 180 bowler that wants to join our team", Jim said enthusiastically. "Great, let's make him our new leader, we have to replace Ass-pan." Three weeks into the new season, as we sat around debating if the FNG (fu#@&ing new guy), claimed he was a 180 or a 160 bowler, it took a comment from Dan to put it all into perspective: "It does not really matter if he claimed he was a 180 or a 160 bowler, the reality is he is a 120 bowler". Of course this got the group laughing which led FNG Mark (his new name until he gets to at least 160) to state: "I don't think I like playing with you guys." "Neither does anyone else."
Thankfully we could laugh at that little exchange because our effort for the evening was only worthy of tears. After a dominating 1st game victory, we took a beating in game 2 and 3, losing the huge lead we built in the 1st game, stumbling to a 2-5 record for the evening. Despite the overall disappointment, there were a few highlights. Jim (223) and Dan (208) both broke 200 in the 1st game. Pat (516), Jim (521) and Dan (504) all broke the 500 series mark. Brain got more marks in these 3 games then he got in the month of April last season and Mark's 2nd game rally in the 10th allowed him to finish with a solid 105,avoiding the sub 100 humiliation.
It was fun watching Jim bowl his 4th, 200+ game in the 1st seven games of this season, but there was some suspicion that he was on borrowed time. Well, the bowling gods called in the loan in the 3rd game as Jim had six, 1st ball sevens and no strikes until the 10th frame on the way to a Brianesq 139 (Brian wishes he could bowl a 139!!). Pat, feeling the pressure of the 540 challenge put out by Dan, missed 3, middle of the lane 1 pin pickups on the way to a 151. If only 2 of the 3 had been picked up the 540 was within reach. Remember what your Dad says(no, not the smelly balls comment) "You have more than 2 ball widths to pick those up for crying out loud!!" At one point Pat was heard exclaiming: "The damn coach messed me up!!"
Thankfully we could laugh at that little exchange because our effort for the evening was only worthy of tears. After a dominating 1st game victory, we took a beating in game 2 and 3, losing the huge lead we built in the 1st game, stumbling to a 2-5 record for the evening. Despite the overall disappointment, there were a few highlights. Jim (223) and Dan (208) both broke 200 in the 1st game. Pat (516), Jim (521) and Dan (504) all broke the 500 series mark. Brain got more marks in these 3 games then he got in the month of April last season and Mark's 2nd game rally in the 10th allowed him to finish with a solid 105,avoiding the sub 100 humiliation.
It was fun watching Jim bowl his 4th, 200+ game in the 1st seven games of this season, but there was some suspicion that he was on borrowed time. Well, the bowling gods called in the loan in the 3rd game as Jim had six, 1st ball sevens and no strikes until the 10th frame on the way to a Brianesq 139 (Brian wishes he could bowl a 139!!). Pat, feeling the pressure of the 540 challenge put out by Dan, missed 3, middle of the lane 1 pin pickups on the way to a 151. If only 2 of the 3 had been picked up the 540 was within reach. Remember what your Dad says(no, not the smelly balls comment) "You have more than 2 ball widths to pick those up for crying out loud!!" At one point Pat was heard exclaiming: "The damn coach messed me up!!"
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Another Season is under way!!
Team Los Diablos started off the new season with 4 members of the original team and were once again searching for the elusive 5th team member. The dunce cap landed on yet another Naperville wannabe from the 'hood. It did not take long for the team to treat him as a long lost friend, taking no time to start heaping on the verbal abuse with no mercy. There was some speculation that Mark may n0t return for week 2. To his credit (or a testament to his stupidity) he showed up in week 2, raring to go.
Enough of the "welcome the new team member" crap. Let's get a re-cap of the nights' events. Week 1 saw Jim come storming out of the gates with an impressive 605 series...2 games over 200! Unfortunately for the overall team standings, those 2 games outscored the 3 game series for the majority of the team. Pat's 395, Brian's 379 and Mark's 357 left Jim mumbling under his breath. Dan's 461 was not all that much better and the team had an uninspired 2-5 record.
In week 2, Jim was out to show that week 1 was no fluke. A career best game of 255 led to a career best series of 620. After a 605 and a 620, I can only provide positive comments on this effort. Congratulations Jim. The question now is....can you keep it up? (easy Jim, I'm talking about the bowling scores). Pat up'd his score from the previous week, using a 210 to springboard to a 512 series. Dan had a 192 and 179 before limping home with a "Paulsenized" 3rd game 121. Brian, saving the best to last, had a 3rd game of 143, leading to the in-your-face "Paulsenize that!" comment. Mark's 131, 138 and 110 led everyone to fondly remember another Los Diablos of the same name. The team took the evening 5-2 to even up the record for the year.
Enough of the "welcome the new team member" crap. Let's get a re-cap of the nights' events. Week 1 saw Jim come storming out of the gates with an impressive 605 series...2 games over 200! Unfortunately for the overall team standings, those 2 games outscored the 3 game series for the majority of the team. Pat's 395, Brian's 379 and Mark's 357 left Jim mumbling under his breath. Dan's 461 was not all that much better and the team had an uninspired 2-5 record.
In week 2, Jim was out to show that week 1 was no fluke. A career best game of 255 led to a career best series of 620. After a 605 and a 620, I can only provide positive comments on this effort. Congratulations Jim. The question now is....can you keep it up? (easy Jim, I'm talking about the bowling scores). Pat up'd his score from the previous week, using a 210 to springboard to a 512 series. Dan had a 192 and 179 before limping home with a "Paulsenized" 3rd game 121. Brian, saving the best to last, had a 3rd game of 143, leading to the in-your-face "Paulsenize that!" comment. Mark's 131, 138 and 110 led everyone to fondly remember another Los Diablos of the same name. The team took the evening 5-2 to even up the record for the year.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
$$ on the line...what we've been waiting for!
For months we have gone with the idea that we will turn it around once playoffs hit. Tonight the playoff teams played for $30 a point and the game was on. In the 1st game, three of our 4 bowlers went over 2 bills (Rick 234, Dan 223 and Jim 207) leading to our high game of the year 949. This led to dominant 135 point victory. Rick and Dan both earned the 4 strike chicken dinner.
Game 2 was not quite the success story as we sunk to a 788 and lost by 96 pins. After 2 games, each team had 2 points with $90 riding on the last game. Rick, Dan and Jim, all cooled off in games 2 and 3, all averaging in the mid 170's for the last 2 games. It was Pat, shaking off the PP blues (Paulsen / Prybel), buried the memory of his 152 / 137 "efforts" in the 1st two games and exploded with a 233 in the 3rd (also earning the chicken dinner). This was a career best game leading to a series of 522. All 4 Los Diablos bypassed the 500 series mark (Rick 585, Dan 568 and Jim 553). This excellent team effort led to a 5-2 evening mark and tough guy talk about how great we are and how it was just a matter of time before we started to kick some butt again.
It is nice to have a solid effort under our belts as we head into the the final 2 weeks. One sad effect of the excellent bowling was the small poker pot winnings. We all agreed it will be nice to have Brian back so that the pots will be once again worth playing for...hurry back Captain.
Game 2 was not quite the success story as we sunk to a 788 and lost by 96 pins. After 2 games, each team had 2 points with $90 riding on the last game. Rick, Dan and Jim, all cooled off in games 2 and 3, all averaging in the mid 170's for the last 2 games. It was Pat, shaking off the PP blues (Paulsen / Prybel), buried the memory of his 152 / 137 "efforts" in the 1st two games and exploded with a 233 in the 3rd (also earning the chicken dinner). This was a career best game leading to a series of 522. All 4 Los Diablos bypassed the 500 series mark (Rick 585, Dan 568 and Jim 553). This excellent team effort led to a 5-2 evening mark and tough guy talk about how great we are and how it was just a matter of time before we started to kick some butt again.
It is nice to have a solid effort under our belts as we head into the the final 2 weeks. One sad effect of the excellent bowling was the small poker pot winnings. We all agreed it will be nice to have Brian back so that the pots will be once again worth playing for...hurry back Captain.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Uh Oh.....an "O"-fer
The whole team was back for the 1st time in weeks and my buddy Brian looked like a new man. Our speculation that he was at an intensive bowling camp for the last few weeks was quickly dispelled as we saw him throw misguided ball after misguided ball. Is he going for the elusive sub 90 game, I asked myself? As it turns out he did achieve the team low of 86 (previous team low held by Mark and Pat with an 89). Of course the brothers aren't nearly men enough to have this score announced themselves so they talked Rick into doing it (it was funny, though). Dan (the unfeeling bastard) pointed out that Brian needed to bowl a 214 in this last game while kingpin Dan didn't even need to play a 3rd game for them to tie for the series.
Although I thought everyone knew I was an ass man, I was somewhat dismayed at Pat's shocked reaction when I proudly declared: "I'm an ASS man!". Maybe it was the timing of the comment since he had just referred to our teammate Rick as "Assman". Speaking of Rick, I find myself with a goofy smile on my face every time I think of his "She's Mrs. Candyland" comment regarding the 7 of clubs. Between that and the weekly USS (urine stained socks) comments, I am really glad I can affectionately call him my teammate.
I feel it is only right that I give Dan some credit. He bowled an impressive 614 series (230, 187, 197). At least he didn't gag like the last time he bowled over 230 and then followed it up with 125!!!! Hey, Dan....it's easier to bowl without you left hand clasping your throat!!!. Brian rallied in the last game to avoid his all time low 312 series, Rick was a little below average while Pat and I had 490 - something series. Right at our averages but bowling your average is kind of like kissing your sister....or in this case kissing your neighbor!! One more week of this humiliation and then I am off for a week of Deliverance-like adventures down in the backwoods. Pat sure has a pretty mouth!
Author's note: All accounts above are pure fiction and written by the same author as always. Any similarities to real people on a weekly bowling team in Wheaton is pure coincidence. Any change in style from an impartial 3rd party to a 1st party team member perspective is done strictly in the interest of providing a different point of reference.
Although I thought everyone knew I was an ass man, I was somewhat dismayed at Pat's shocked reaction when I proudly declared: "I'm an ASS man!". Maybe it was the timing of the comment since he had just referred to our teammate Rick as "Assman". Speaking of Rick, I find myself with a goofy smile on my face every time I think of his "She's Mrs. Candyland" comment regarding the 7 of clubs. Between that and the weekly USS (urine stained socks) comments, I am really glad I can affectionately call him my teammate.
I feel it is only right that I give Dan some credit. He bowled an impressive 614 series (230, 187, 197). At least he didn't gag like the last time he bowled over 230 and then followed it up with 125!!!! Hey, Dan....it's easier to bowl without you left hand clasping your throat!!!. Brian rallied in the last game to avoid his all time low 312 series, Rick was a little below average while Pat and I had 490 - something series. Right at our averages but bowling your average is kind of like kissing your sister....or in this case kissing your neighbor!! One more week of this humiliation and then I am off for a week of Deliverance-like adventures down in the backwoods. Pat sure has a pretty mouth!
Author's note: All accounts above are pure fiction and written by the same author as always. Any similarities to real people on a weekly bowling team in Wheaton is pure coincidence. Any change in style from an impartial 3rd party to a 1st party team member perspective is done strictly in the interest of providing a different point of reference.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
That Damn 10 Pin
It has been suggested that Los Diablos may not be an appropriate title since our recent efforts do not seem to justify what should be an intimidating name. Or, could it be that our play has gone to hell and that our name is totally befitting of our collective performance? Time will only tell and there is one fact that remains...we ARE in the playoffs and anything can happen once the big bucks are on the line!
Despite the fact that the scoreboard showed we were down over 100 pins very early on in the 1st game, Rick shook the dew off the lily and bowled five quick frames to get caught up after his late arrival. This seemed to spark the team on and going into the 10th we were in the thick of things...until we finished the 10th that is and managed to lose the game by 4 pins. Was it Jim's split inspired open frames in the 8th and 9th frames? Was it Pat's solid 6 spot in the 10th or Dan bowling 5 pins below his average? Perhaps Rick failing to mark in the 10th...we all could have picked up 4 pins somewhere along the way. The disappointing finish to game one led to a good 'ole fashion ass-kicking in the 2nd game. We did however salvage the 3rd game to maintain our stranglehold on last place.
Both Pat and Dan Prybel'd, pulling off the unconventional 1st ball gutter, 2nd ball spare routine. Rarely has this feat been achieved since the departure of "Walk-away Mark" and to see it twice in one evening is baffling. What could cause two 160 + bowlers to do this? I am not sure but it may have been indirectly related to Jim's disturbing comment (request?) to Scott about throwing him a big bone. I don't even want to know whose big bone was being referenced and where it was going to be thrown but my anal sphincter is puckering up as I type this!!
The glory of 1st is in our past, unfortunately now we are solidly LAST!!!
Despite the fact that the scoreboard showed we were down over 100 pins very early on in the 1st game, Rick shook the dew off the lily and bowled five quick frames to get caught up after his late arrival. This seemed to spark the team on and going into the 10th we were in the thick of things...until we finished the 10th that is and managed to lose the game by 4 pins. Was it Jim's split inspired open frames in the 8th and 9th frames? Was it Pat's solid 6 spot in the 10th or Dan bowling 5 pins below his average? Perhaps Rick failing to mark in the 10th...we all could have picked up 4 pins somewhere along the way. The disappointing finish to game one led to a good 'ole fashion ass-kicking in the 2nd game. We did however salvage the 3rd game to maintain our stranglehold on last place.
Both Pat and Dan Prybel'd, pulling off the unconventional 1st ball gutter, 2nd ball spare routine. Rarely has this feat been achieved since the departure of "Walk-away Mark" and to see it twice in one evening is baffling. What could cause two 160 + bowlers to do this? I am not sure but it may have been indirectly related to Jim's disturbing comment (request?) to Scott about throwing him a big bone. I don't even want to know whose big bone was being referenced and where it was going to be thrown but my anal sphincter is puckering up as I type this!!
The glory of 1st is in our past, unfortunately now we are solidly LAST!!!
Sunday, March 2, 2008
The computer is back...an update
A few weeks without the services of the home computer and the blogging world is clamoring for a Los Diablos Bowling team update. In the past few weeks we have seen our 1st 600 series, turned in by Rick with an impressive 618. If Rick could actually get a mark in the 10th I could see a 700 series in his future. Nice job. Speaking of marks in the 10th.....the whole team (all five of us) went without a mark in the 10th frame of the 1st and the 3rd game...and Brian wasn't even here!!! Needless the say, we let a 7-0 evening turn into a 2-5 evening. Dan turned in the season's high game for the team with a 231 (previous team high by Dan at 226) and immediately found the 1st ball gutter ball that had previously eluded him and managed to score 105 pins lower in the next game. As a team we also shattered our previous high of 902 with a nice 927 effort. Pat's recent tear has put him in the low 160's, steadily improving his average.
Clearly some highs and lows over the last few weeks. Now let's do a little reflection on the season. Remember how we started out? 14-0 after 2 weeks and 19-2 after 3 weeks. We all knew that torrid of a pace would not continue but as of 11/13/07 we had a very respectable 50-27 and were solidly in 1st place. We started the downward slide about this time and limped into a 1st half of the season playoff spot with a record of 60-52 (10 and 25 the last 5 weeks of the 1st half). It doesn't get any prettier...since our 50-27 in November, we have gone 25 and 66. OUCH.
We are running out of time boys, winning breeds winning and losing breeds losing. We need to get back in the habit of winning in order to make some noise in the playoffs. We started the season solidly in first, it now appears we are aiming for worst.
Clearly some highs and lows over the last few weeks. Now let's do a little reflection on the season. Remember how we started out? 14-0 after 2 weeks and 19-2 after 3 weeks. We all knew that torrid of a pace would not continue but as of 11/13/07 we had a very respectable 50-27 and were solidly in 1st place. We started the downward slide about this time and limped into a 1st half of the season playoff spot with a record of 60-52 (10 and 25 the last 5 weeks of the 1st half). It doesn't get any prettier...since our 50-27 in November, we have gone 25 and 66. OUCH.
We are running out of time boys, winning breeds winning and losing breeds losing. We need to get back in the habit of winning in order to make some noise in the playoffs. We started the season solidly in first, it now appears we are aiming for worst.
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