Because let’s be honest: most people are pretty stinking awful at rolling a ball the size and weight of a human head perfectly straight down a sixty-foot lane. There are gutters on both sides, you’re slipping around in torn-up shoes that look like they’ve been through a war and a washing machine,and every time you go up for a toss you’re in the spotlight, up on stage, with critical eyes piercing holes in your back, watching your every move.
Yeah, it’s pressure all right.
But that’s what makes it so great when you do finally pick up that perfect spare or hit a big ten-pen knockdown in the final frame. Because that’s when it’s time for a bowling celebration — ideally featuring several of the following:
1. The Stage Dance. Hey, you’re up on stage so why not throw out a couple of moves? Perhaps the famous Hulk Hogan ear-cup, the invisible hula-hoop, or the Tiger Woods fist-pump? If all else fails you can do the moonwalk back down to your seat. Not a terrible choice.
2. The Celebrity. Pretty self-explanatory. The paparazzi loves you and you love them back, only without the paparazzi.
3. The All-Business Around-The-World High Five. This can happen when you have around ten hands to slap. There are just so many hands — so your eyes narrow, your eyebrows crunch, and your tongue fixes itself on your top lip as you focus on nailing every single high five offered to you. You don’t miss a slap. Yes, you’re all business around the world.
4. The Overly Exaggerated Jump. Always a fan-favorite. But watch out for that greasy floor and those all-skid shoes.
5. The Friendly Stranger. This is where a casual stranger who has been keeping a passive eye on your game suddenly leaves his lane and jumps into your bowling celebration. The Friendly Stranger can be awkward, but it does give your sweet roll some extra lane cred.
Now, whatever your style, it’s important to remember that once you hit down some pins, it’s all about the bowling celebration. You can do no wrong at this point, so just relax and do a little dance. Make a little love. And get down tonight.
Get down tonight.
AWESOME!
The mental image of the “Friendly Stranger” is just so fantastic…
I imagine an elderly bowling veteran, hobbling over in those skiddy shoes, and saying something like, “Boy howdy, I haven’t seen a spare like that since the summer of ’76!” or something along those lines. I love friendly strangers. As long as there not too friendly. Then it’s just a bit creepy.
This is great! Love it!!
I need to go bowling.
Does Wii bowling count? Cuz if it does, I’m the queen of celebrations when I get a strike!
And… the top picture looks kinda like that kid is rolling that big purple ball on her shoulders. I know its in the background, but it looks cool.
I’ve not been able to bowl for years now due to physical limitations, but I look forward to eventually bowling again and when I do, a BIG celebration just cuz I can even lift and roll the ball is gonna happen! I’m a pretty big goofball anyway, so putting me up on that bowling stage just brings out my goofiness. On that note, think I’ll watch me some of the Dude soon (The Big Lebowski) and celebrate bowling. :)