A bowling Champion for a moment

Bowling? Really? Me? OF COURSE! 1998...

One very humid day, my sister asked me if I could substitute on her bowling league. I thought, really? Ok. What else did I have to do besides work on pager after pager and get ready for audio sales. Yes pagers did exist!

I agreed, because I loved bowling at Thunderbird Lanes with my dad and grandparents. Ahh... the good ole days. My sister, aunt, and I ventured out to the bowling alley. At first I was unsure, but then I had too much fun. I sucked something awful, but I drank tons of nasty draft beer that gave me horrible headaches. Oh those hangovers. I had such a great time, I decided to join a league in the fall. I didn't take it serious at first, just a time to get away from the slavery of work. Towards the end, I was fierce. Still only an average of 120 but I was competitive. I joined another league in the summer and then another the next fall.

It's the fall league now and my competitive spirit was full force. I think my aunt and sister began to ignore me at that point because I'd get so aggravated with myself. They were there to drink and relax.

A Phillip Morris Tournament came up for amateur bowling and I thought maybe I had a slight chance. I entered the contest. When I arrived at the bowling alley for my league the next week, I just happen to look on the list of winners. I didn't expect to see my name in the top five. I screamed and jumped up and down. Not only was I in the top five, I was number one. I won a trip to Vegas and an automatic seven hundred dollars.
I went on this four day trip to Vegas and I have to say I was terrible. I had never been away from home, alone. I was utterly terrified. I tried to call home, just wanting to hear a familiar voice, but no one answered. My nerves were shot.
Though, I loved to bowl, I just couldn't get the hang of their lanes. I finally began to relax with the team I bowled alongside. Okay, I know this isn't a bowling thing but I must tell you a funny side story.

So, we were lined up and ready to head to the bowling lanes in the Orleans Casino, brand new by the way, when I heard someone whisper, "There's Tracy Lawrence."
I popped my head up and said aloud, "Who is she?" The girl in front of me, gestured for me to look over my shoulder.
Oh my gosh! He was standing right behind me. He tipped his hat with a smile. My cheeks were on fire. I smiled at him apologetically, and rushed to the lanes.

I bowled with my group for a day or two and then the last, I enjoyed bowling with Pro Bowler Chris Barnes from Kansas. I bowled my best that day, but I really didn't do well at all. Maybe it was nerves, maybe it was the new oil they tested on the lane which made me over compensate my curve. Maybe, I was just lucky to be there.
In the end, I finished second to last and went home with seven hundred dollars. It was a blast and I did get to gamble a bit. The Cajun quarters machine always paid out so I brought home a lot more than seven hundred.
I walked the strip in Vegas and had an absolute blast. I almost pulled a "What Happens In Vegas..." But I chickened out. Las Vegas is another story.