Bowled from the age of 5 to 30. Never won any huge tournaments, but usually did pretty good. We didn't have any high school teams, but we did take it in PE, which landed me a job at the local bowling alley. (They always got the new pins, so that part was great!). I was averaging right around the 180 mark in the early 90s, which was pretty good for a teenager, and I was one of the top 3 youth bowlers in that particular alley. When I got 'promoted' to a mechanic it caused an issue with my Tuesday night league, and the owner let me learn how to bowl in street shoes, with the stipulation that they were never worn besides for bowling. So when we closed down for the evening, I could practice while the lane stripper did its thing. My average went up 20 pins that summer.

Worked in a bowling alley throughout college. Pay wasn't great, but the owner was super supportive of my class schedule, so I was there 7 days a week for the most part, working every job there. When I was homeless for 2 months one year I was allowed to set up a small cot in the banquet room, and he allowed me to eat there for free.

During that time I was averaging 223 at the alley I worked at, and 229 in the alley the next town over. I really enjoyed it. But one evening at a concert I was outside the pit, and had three big guys fall into my left knee, snapping it inwards and tearing my ACL. My bowling days were over.

I just recently donated my equipment, but kept the shoes. I had an old Hammer Nail, a speed zone, and a Beast. My bowling shoes were a pair of Vans Cabs.

I sure do miss it, but the small ball bowler helps me relive those days