Abacus: Small Enough To Jail - Documentary Feature Oscar Nominee

source: Twitter

Congratulations to Steve James, Mark Mitten, Julie Goldman and the Sung Family for their Documentary Feature Oscar nomination.

If you like documentaries and haven't yet seen it, I strongly recommend it. Despite my personal connection to the Sung Family, this is an excellent film. Yes, I've already seen it 5 times (see March 14, 2017 blog entry).

You have no excuses to say you can't find it. It's available on Amazon Prime, YouTube, iTunes and was featured on PBS's Frontline.

Here's the trailer:

Stolen Bowling Equipment

source: Linds Bowling
Linds 2-ball roller bag

Storm Wipe Out

Storm Match Up Solid

source: bowlingball.com
Women's Storm SP2 (made by Dexter)

February 2018 has not started off well.
What started out as a persistent cough on Wednesday resulted in bronchitis.

The next morning, I walked to my car on my way to work and opened my trunk to find my laptop tote (thankfully no laptop in it) and Linds bowling bags gone.

My windows weren't broken nor was there any damage to the car. It's highly likely I forgot to lock the car after bowling Wednesday night. The neighborhood is relatively safe, so whomever stole my stuff took a careful look inside and saw the doors unlocked. It's my guess their first intent was to steal the car but couldn't because it has a stick shift transmission.

One bowling bag contained only extra towels and socks.
The other bag contained everything I consider necessary to bowl.
Contents:

• 2 bowling balls: Storm Wipe Out and Match Up Solid both in microfiber see-saws (covers and cleans the ball of excess lane oil)
• shoes: Storm SP2 (made by Dexter) with shoe covers
• accessory bag (tape, scissors, powder, cleaner, tape insert tool, shoe brush)

From the inside of my car, they took my tissue box, phone auxiliary cord, and car charger. 

What they didn't take: pouch of shopping bags, towels not in the bag, burned CD's of music, and my work cardigan.

What frustrates me most is that whomever stole my stuff gains to make little profit. I can't see custom drilled bowling balls and women's bowling shoes have much selling value on eBay or craigslist.

The Wipe Out bowling ball has special significance for me because it's the ball I used to bowl my first official 600 series last year.

After my Thursday morning appointment, I called Goody, my pro shop guy at All-American in the Inner Richmond to order a new ball. When he offered to price match whatever else I was going to order, I added shoes and a bag. He'd make sure they would all come at the same time as the ball, probably on Saturday, latest on Monday.

If it came on Monday, I'd have to take off work early to pick up everything in time for league with no opportunity beforehand to practice with the new ball. 

After I finished my order with Goody, I went to Amazon and ordered my Turbo bowling protection tape (mint and beige) and see-saws. Then to eBay to order shoe covers and tape insert tool.

My coughing got progressively worse Thursday afternoon. I called in sick Friday. I did a little work from home. Got the well-needed rest to help me recover. 

I called Goody on Saturday morning. Everything he ordered came in.
Here's what I got:

Women's Dexter SST 8

Storm Rolling Thunder bowling bag

Storm Match Up Hybrid

Tape and see saws arrived later in the afternoon. A phone accessory bag that was too big for my purse turns out to the ideal size to hold bowling tape and scissors.

Everything needed for league play is now in. The stuff not so urgent - shoe covers and tape insert tool come in next week. I'll replace the shoe brush at a later date.

If you play any sport long enough, it's a given you will spend money updating your equipment. I just never expected to update everything in 2 days. And put me out $500. 

With new equipment comes new features. For my shoes, side air hole vents in the arch. The roller bag, air vents in the shoe pocket and wide ass sturdy wheels. The new ball, also a Storm Match Up, is now a hybrid of pearl and solid coverstocks. My recently departed Match Up was all solid reactive resin.

Took the new ball and brought my Storm Tropical Heat back out of retirement this morning to practice. Glad I got some games in with the new ball. First game was a dismal 109. By the third game, the ball got broken in nicely. My high game for the day was 194. 

I have yet to replace the laptop tote. I spent most of Saturday morning online researching. It's been difficult to find one that has the pass through pocket (see photo with my purse attached to new bowling bag). 

It became a must have feature after I took the tote to Europe last year.

Baggallini purse with
pass through pocket

From here on out, I take everything out of the trunk when I get home. Benjamin Franklin said it best, "an ounce of prevention is worth of pound of cure." 

Dom Barrett - 2018 DHC PBA Japan Champion

source: bowlingdigital.com
Dom Barrett

Congratulations to Dom Barrett on his sixth PBA title, defeating Kyle Troup, 267-204.

Guest commentator Jesper Svensson has close ties to both bowlers. Jesper was Dom's Weber Cup teammate for the past 2 years. With Kyle, they won the Roth-Holman PBA Doubles in 2017.

My Ohio State color blindness couldn't help but notice the scarlet and gray on Dom's jersey and Dexter's HT 9 shoes (see August 27, 2017 blog entry).

This title was especially gratifying for Dom. As it was this year, Dom was the top seed going into the stepladder final 2 years ago. He lost the match to PBA Hall of Famer Amleto Monacelli.

Here's the YouTube video of the match.Take a close listen of the ball roll. This bowling center has wood lanes - which are rare these days. My Wednesday night league at Classic Bowl in Daly City converted from wood to synthetic about 4 years ago.

Chiwetel Ejiofor - Benedict Wong Trilogy

source: Andy Butterton PA Images
L to R: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sophie Okoendo, Benedict Wong

The above photo is taken from a promotional appearance for the 2002 independent/international film Dirty Pretty Things. The men standing in the photo are actors Chiwetel Ejiofor and Benedict Wong. Mr. Ejiofor is a London native, Mr. Wong is from Manchester.

As an avid film goer, I've known for some time Dirty Pretty Things is not the only film Ejiofor and Wong have appeared in together.

Take a look-see.

2015: The Martian (see also October 4, 2015 entry)
film clip courtesy of GetYarn

2016: Doctor Strange (starring the other UK native named Benedict)
film clip courtesy of YouTube's Movies Fun

Google Art and Culture App

Spent the past half hour playing with a fun new app, Google Art and Culture. Yes, it's available for iPhone too.

I got carried away with the app because I wanted a match to be at least 50%. As the app is brand new, don't expect too much. I was dismayed to see up to 36% matches with portraits of young boys and older men (I blame middle age and eye bags).

Phone's battery must have breathed a sigh of relief when I settled on Diego Rivera's Portrait of Dolores Olmedo with a 51% match.

The next highest match, 44%, is Nguyen Thu's watercolor.

To relieve your guilt of all the me-me-selfies you've taken, there's also lots of cool stories in arts and photography - the cultural part of the app.

Your gray matter will leave you with the big 'E' trio:
Entertainment, Education and Enlightenment.

US Figure Skating Team Selections - 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea

source: Kyle Terada, USA Today Sports
L to R: Nathan Chen, Vincent Zhou, Adam Rippon

source: Kyle Terada, USA Today Sports
L to R: Mirai Nagasu, Bradie Tennell, Karen Chen

First blog entry of 2018. This past weekend, there was no shortage of drama in San Jose with the US Figure Skating Championships. What's most notable is that you can finish in the top 3 (as Ross Miner did in the men's championships) but not get automatically selected to the Olympic team.

As an American of Chinese ancestry born to immigrant parents, I am very proud that 4 of the 6 skaters selected to represent the United States are also American born to immigrant parents from China, Taiwan and Japan.

Congratulations to all.
Best of luck to you in Pyeongchang,

2017 in Review

source: steemit.com

Season's Greetings. As this will be my last blog entry for 2017, I'll include  my personal highlights for the year.

Enjoy the rest of the holiday - see you in 2018.

1. First place, Chinese-Japanese Labor Day Tournament, 740 and under division, National Bowling Stadium, Reno, Nevada.
   
2. First trip to Europe, cruise to Italy, Spain and France. 
   
3. New job position/promotion in June. 

   

   source: LinkedIn

4. First 600 series in bowling, highest women's average in Wednesday league. 
   
5. Power outage, December 15, 2017, 9:51 pm to December 16, 2017, approximately 5:30 pm. 
   

2017 PBA WSOB Chameleon Champion - Liz Johnson

source: PBA

Televised today on ESPN, and streamed live on ESPN3 on November 18 (see November 5 entry), a big congratulations to Liz Johnson for winning her first PBA title, the Chameleon Championship,

The Chameleon Championship was the 2nd of 7 tournaments in PBA's World Series of Bowling at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada.

2017 has been a terrific year for Liz. She won her 4th consecutive PWBA US Open title (see August 6, 2017 entry). She had to battle way up the stepladder as the 5th seed to defeat 4 bowlers to do it.

Kelly Kulick was the last female to win a PBA title (Tournament of Champions) in 2010. She defeated Chris Barnes, 265-195.

It seems nearly every time PBA announces a tournament winner on Facebook, there is a litany of complaints that the tournaments should be televised live.

As I said in my February 7, 2016 entry,
I'll put it gently. The 20th century ended 15 years ago. There are too many other sports venues with larger markets where bowling cannot compete. Not going to happen.

Suggestion: Wait a week or so and watch it on PBA's YouTube channel. Nearly all the televised matches can be found there. 

Or, subscribe to xtraframe. Yes, it will cost money. If you're that much of a bowling enthusiast, then it's as much value as a Hulu or Netflix subscription.

I'll close with thoughts on men who comment about opening PWBA events to men for equality's sake.

My rebuttal: it isn't equality.
It's why you don't see men playing women's volleyball, basketball, hockey, or sports. In other words, most women physically cannot match in size and strength to men.

However, when a woman like Kelly or Liz does win, are you threatened by the idea she is better than you?

Below is video of the match. If you watch to the end, you'll see how happy Wes Malott and Anthony Pepe are to see Liz win.

Split Conversions at 2017 World Bowling Championships

4-6-7-10 split, a.k.a. 'The Big Four'

To pick up from last week's Gutter Bowler's awesome YouTube bowling videos of the 2017 World Bowling Championships, check out the meticulous editing on split conversions.

As the video is 9 minutes long, this should give you an idea of how many splits were bowled under tough lane conditions (39 foot Beijing).

2017 World Bowling Men's Team Championship

source: Bowl.com
Bottom Row: L to R: Tommy Jones, Jakob Butturff, Chris Via
Top Row: L to R: Chris Barnes, AJ Johnson, Marshall Kent

source: bowlingdigital.com
Chinese Taipei Men's Team, silver medalists

Congratulations to Team USA, Men's for their gold medal versus Chinese Taipei.

Chinese Taipei is known for their unique spinner style. It is not without its critics, and rather harsh ones. Below is YouTube's Gutter Bowler's video:



If you have some time, take a few minutes to read the comments on the YouTube page.

Fear, ignorance, and most of all, ethnocentrism is alive and well.
UPDATE: 8 December 2017
Thankfully, the vitriolic comments posted last week have been taken down.

Philadelphia Eagles Touchdown Celebration - 2017 November 27

source: NFL

Touchdown celebrations are often grand, showy and loads of fun. While reading today's Twitter feed, I found 2 separate shares of the same video from the Philadelphia Eagles-Chicago Bears game.

These gridiron guys know how to have fun. Last month, they got recognition for last month's home run celebration.


But for us bowlers, we consider today's one of the best celebrations of all time, thanks to wide receiver Alshon Jeffery and his teammates.

Keep it up Eagles. Due to copyright issues, I can't post the video, but here's the YouTube link: https://youtu.be/vPEToRIa5rg

Return of The Sharper Image

source: Wikipedia

After a 9-year absence, high-tech gadget/lifestyle retailer The Sharper Image, which opened in 1977 and closed in 2008, returned from the dead with a new store (now owned by Camelot Venture Group) in New York's Times Square.

For me, The Sharper Image meant a lot more. It was my first full-time employer and my first job when I moved to San Francisco in 1983.

The experience gained from my 8 years there set the foundation for my current career - a mix of finance, operations, asset protection and customer service.

Today was particularly bittersweet for 2 reasons:
1. Birthday of a longtime friend who didn't work for The Sharper Image, but worked as a vendor contact to another friend/former colleague/ex-boss.
2. Berkeley visit to see former colleagues who are mother and daughter. The daughter hired me and was my first boss.

Reason #2 is why this Thanksgiving week will be difficult.
The mother is now in hospice care in her Berkeley apartment. The same Berkeley apartment where I met her for many Saturday lunches and was my Thanksgiving dinner destination for 8 years.

After a 20+ years absence, I'll come back to where it all started.

Gordon Edgar Downie - 6 February 1964 – 17 October 2017

source: allmusic.com
Gord Downie

Tragically Hip fans knew day the would come. Doesn't make it any easier (see also August 21, 2017 blog entry).

On October 17, Tragically Hip lead singer Gord Downie passed away after being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in May 2016.

Before his death, Gord penned his final album, Introduce Yerself. It reached the top of Billboard Canadian Albums this past week.

As described in Wikipedia, Introduce Yerself is a double album consisting of 23 songs which Downie has described as each being about one person in his life.

Take a listen.

2017 ESPN3 Live Streaming Schedule - World Series of Bowling

Bowling fans - set your calendars. See below listed schedule.
As it was last year, ESPN3 will stream live (online only) the World Series of Bowling finals from Reno's National Bowling Stadium (cable or satellite subscription required).

If you miss any of them, not to worry. All events on the schedule will be aired on ESPN (dates not yet announced).

Bowlers will include Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts, who participated in his first WSOB in 2015.

source: PBA.com

Joe Thomas Barrett IV - The Ohio State University

source: Eleven Warriors
J.T. Barrett IV

One of the most dramatic comebacks in Ohio State football history took place yesterday against the 2nd ranked Penn State Nittany Lions.

All led by 5th year senior quarterback J.T. Barrett IV.

Down 14 points within the first 5 minutes of the first quarter, the Buckeyes trailed as much as 18 points to mount an impressive comeback in the last 5 minutes of the game.

To give you an idea of how much Penn State dominated for 3 quarters, here is the scoring summary:

source: Ohio State Buckeyes

J.T.'s final stats:
Rushing: 17 times for 95 yards.
Passing: 33 completed passes of 39 attempts, 0 interceptions, 328 yards, 4 touchdowns.
He completed his last 16 passes, 13 of them in the 4th quarter.

Video highlights here:


Ohio State moves up to 3rd from 6th in the AP Top 25, week 10, 2017 season.

#metoo

source: CNN/Twitter

Assaulted, no. Harassed, yes.

Relax, Release, Repeat

source: personalbuy.com
thanks Ken and Cel for the inspiration

Since the purchase of my new bowling ball in July, I'm having difficulty adjusting to it.

My averages in both leagues are down - as much as 10 pins so far this season.

I'll save you the 20-plus reasons why I'm in a slump. The root cause: differences in fit between my new and old ball.

Without being comfortable with the fit, I failed to execute 3 simple but critical components of bowling: relax, release, and repeat.

It resulted in developing bad habits such as grabbing, tugging, muscling, and awkward finish at the foul line.

I put in some extra practice this week and made an adjustment on where I placed bowling tape on my thumb. I'm hoping I'll pick up (spares especially) from where I left off at the end of spring season.

It's a long season, so I have some time to figure it out.

A Fond Farewell To Matt Cain

source: Zimbio

Two weeks ago, former San Francisco Giant pitcher Ryan Vogelsong retired (see blog entry September 17, 2017).

Yesterday, it was Matt Cain.

Drafted out of high school in the 1st round in 2002, he made his MLB debut in 2005. At the age of 33 (today's his birthday), he made the decision to end his career with the same team that gave him his start.

There isn't enough to say how much Matt's 13 years with the Giants means. He will forever remain etched in team history for his perfect game on June 13, 2012 - the first and only perfect game (to date) in the Giants franchise.

His last start yesterday was the perfect way to end a stellar career. 5 innings pitched, 2 hits, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts, 0 earned runs.

The Giants lost the game 4-3 to the Padres but it did not diminish in any way Matt's emotional farewell. The waterworks began as soon as the dugout hugs started. Tears flowed freely when I saw 2nd baseman Joe Panik in tears. Then toward the end, the long hug with fellow ace Madison Bumgarner.  I lost it.

Goodbye, Matt. We are going to miss you so much.

Star Trek: Discovery

source: CBS

While not a die-hard fanatic, I consider myself an avid follower of the Star Trek series.

I was one that eagerly waited for months to see tonight's premiere episode of Star Trek: Discovery on CBS.

I found the first episode very promising. Of course it helps when one of my all-time favorites, Michelle Yeoh (see November 18, 2007 blog entry) is cast as Captain Philippa Georgiou.

Is it so good that I'll cough up the CBS All-Access subscription fee?
Maybe.

And yes, the subscription fee is in addition to your already overpriced cable bill.

Episode 2 is already available now. What I'll probably do is use the 7-day free trial later in the week to squeeze in Episodes 2 and 3. Then I'll stick the crowbar in my wallet to endure endless ads (ad-free is $4 more) to watch the remaining episodes.

Ryan Vogelsong retires as a San Francisco Giant

source: Ezra Stone / Getty Images

"...I don't know where I'm gonna be at next year. Or what the front of my jersey's gonna say. But I do know one thing. I will always - always - be a Giant."

--Ryan Vogelsong, October 4, 2015, San Francisco's last home game of the season.

If you're a regular follower of my blog, you already know I'm a huge Ryan Vogelsong fan. My September 23, 2012 blog entry titled "Resilient - Ryan Vogelsong" got the attention of Ryan's wife Nicole on Twitter.

Knowing he wouldn't be with the team after the 2015 season, Vogelsong signed a 1-year contract in 2016 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 2017, he failed to earn a roster spot with the Minnesota Twins and made the decision to retire.

This past week, the San Francisco Giants signed Ryan to a 1-day contract so he could officially retire with the team that drafted him in 1998 as a 5th round draft choice.

In a season that has had a lot more lows than highs, it was a very nice distraction to see Ryan back in a Giants uniform wearing his familiar #32. He threw 3 warmup pitches, waved to the cheering crowd with a couple of pats to his chest acknowledging his heartfelt appreciation.

I'll close with a YouTube video I shared on my June 5, 2016 blog entry:



Yes, Ryan, you are forever a Giant.

Woeful Weekend Without Wins

Oklahoma defeats Ohio State, 31-16
9-9-17

It was a big fat goose egg for all my sports teams this weekend.

NCAA - Ohio State, ranked #2 at gametime, lost to #5 Oklahoma, 31-16. The game was close (3-3 at the half) until the 4th quarter. Then Oklahoma took over.

PBA - US lost to Europe for the 5th consecutive year in Weber Cup, 18-12. As a big fan of Team Europe's captain Dom Barrett, the loss didn't sting so much. Of course, it helps to have the entire team return from last year (Martin Larsen, Jesper Svensson and Stu Williams).

There's a lot to be said about having bowled previously in Weber Cup. US newcomer/2017 PBA Player of the Year EJ Tackett was manhandled in a singles match versus Stu Williams.

MLB - In what has been the worst season in 32 years, the San Francisco Giants lost to the Chicago White Sox 13-1, and today, 8-1.

NFL - Kyle Shanahan's coaching debut with the San Francisco 49ers results in a 23-3 loss.

It was an 0-for-4 weekend. Ugh.

Tomorrow's another day. And a new bowling season of Monday night league. You can't win if you haven't experience loss.

Dexter's Bowling Shoes - The HT 9 Black/Grey

source: dexterbowling.com

A new bowling season begins for both my Monday and Wednesday leagues after Labor Day.

Like school supplies, bowlers are in the process of ordering new equipment (shoes, balls, wrist guards, towels, grip sacks) or maintenance on existing equipment (ball resurfacing, shoe sole and finger grip replacements).

Me - I ordered new soles (sliding and braking) for my Storm SP2 603's. This will be my 3rd season with these shoes.

I'd replace my Storm shoes with the Dexter HT 9 (pictured above) in cool Ohio State Buckeye colors in a heartbeat.

But I won't. Why? They don't make them in women's sizes.

I could probably wear the smallest men's size available, 6.5, but my last experience with men's bowling shoes the fit was too wide.

And this is my biggest gripe with women's bowling shoes, especially the higher performance kind.

The color selection of Dexter's The 9 men's sizes come in 4 other colors: 

• Black and silver 
• Black and orange 
• Black and red 
• White and black

Guess how many color selections are available for the women? 

ONE. In white, silver and girly lilac. 

I DON'T DO WHITE SHOES.

On Dexter Bowling's Facebook page a few weeks ago, they asked women their thoughts on what other combinations they want. I prefer black, but would really like the accent color to be something other than pink or purple.

If Dexter is reluctant to carry more than 2 color combinations for women in The 9, then at least offer a selection of colors to choose. A semi-custom option with Linds shoes are available at bowlerstore.com.

I'll likely retire the Storm shoes after this season. I hope by then there'll be more color choices available in Dexter's SST and The 9 line for women.

Run Flat Tires No More

source: TireRack.com
Pirelli Cinturato P7 Run Flat Tire

My right rear tire went flat yesterday.

When I had my 2004 325i, all I had to do was call AAA, a technician would arrive within 30 to 60 minutes, remove my flat tire and replace it with my full tire spare in the trunk.

Not so with my current 2012 BMW 328i. The OEM tires are run flats with no spare.

One of the arguments for run flats: a full tire spare adds to the car's weight and ultimately the performance.

I drove my 2004 325i for 12 years. I never noticed the lack of performance with the full tire spare. Then again, I don't drive like Dom Toretto.

The best reason for run flats is that when the tire goes flat, you can still drive on them for up to 50 miles at 50 mph to the nearest place to get the tire situation addressed.

So what.

Dealerships and tire centers won't repair run flat tires because the integrity of the structure cannot be guaranteed. They advise you replace the tire. Based on most of the BMW car talk forums I've read, you can repair run flat tires, but you're on your own.

Many have also commented that run flats drive rough, wear out sooner, are harder to find and more expensive to replace. They end up replacing with standard (non-run flats) tires. Which is what I've decided to do.

As my 328i now has over 52,000 miles on it, the tires on my car were due to be replaced anyway. I ordered 4 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ from Costco this morning. I'll also order a tire repair kit or 2 to keep in the car as a 'spare'. If I replace with the same Pirellis I have now, I have to spend at least $100 more than the Michelins, and pay 3 to 5 days for a rental car.

Hopefully, the Michelins will be in tomorrow and my out-of-pocket costs for the rental won't be more than 2 days. I'm already out almost a grand for the tires. It's an expense some aren't willing to make. I am.

Steel Toe Boots - First Pair

source: Amazon.com
Avenger Women's Steel Toe Hikng Boot

Since I began my new position in June, many of my work duties are no longer exclusively 8 to 5 sitting in a cushy, air conditioned office.

On customer visits I make 1 to 3 times a week, I wear 1 of 3 women's polo shirts (2 black, 1 royal blue) with our company logo. For those visits to car dealerships, I wear slip resistant clogs (see July 9, 2017 blog entry).

Next month, I'll be handed off another account. Not a dealership, but one of the industrial kind. The visit will require me to wear a hard helmet, safety goggles, safety vest, and for the first time, steel toe boots.

I spent most of Friday night perusing the work clothing/shoes brands (Red Wing, Wolverine, CAT, Timberland, Skechers). Like premium quality bowling shoes, women's choices in steel toe boots are limited. I won't need to wear them too often, but would like them to be comfortable yet durable.

Boots should come in next week. Let's hope my choice 'works' out.

4th Consecutive PWBA US Open title - Liz Johnson

source: PWBA.com
Liz Johnson, 2013, (no US Open in 2014) 2015, 2016, 2017
PWBA US Open Champion

To win a professional bowling tournament is difficult. To win the same tournament 4 consecutive times is tremendously difficult. Liz Johnson did exactly that, winning her 4th PWBA US Open. This is Liz's 10th major title.

For you clueless league hacks that think you can do this, read on.
Here's what Liz was up against for 2017's US Open:

1. 114 bowlers (not including herself) bowl 4 rounds, 8 games each (32 games) in the qualifying round.
2. Top 24 bowl 3 rounds, 8 games each (24 games) in match play.
3. Top 5 bowlers go to the televised stepladder final.
4.  Liz makes it in as the 5th seed, averaging 225.38 for 56 games.

Liz climbs her way up the stepladder, defeating Nicole Trudell, Valerie Bercier, Erin McCarthy and top seed Daria Pajak. The oldest of the 4 bowlers Liz defeated is 27 (Erin McCarthy). Liz is 43.

Let that sink in for a moment.

• 32 games in 4 days. 
• Bowl with a 218.34 average - this year's cut line to make it to match play.
• Bowl another 24 games in 3 days.
• Defeat 4 bowlers on TV to win the championship.

The most I've ever bowled in a tournament is 12 games in one day. With a fat handicap.

Tell me now you still think bowling isn't an athletic activity.

Singer/Guitarist Michael Johnson, 1944-2017

source: mjblue.com
Michael Johnson

I found out this past week one of my all-time favorite singers, Michael Johnson, passed away after a long illness at his Minneapolis home on July 25. He was 72.

To most that knew anything about Michael, it was his pop ballad, "Bluer Than Blue", released in April 1978, the same year I graduated high school.

Randy Goodrum wrote the song. Mr. Goodrum also wrote Anne Murray's "You Needed Me" and co-wrote Toto's "I'll Be Over You".

"Bluer Than Blue" was one of those songs that made me stop, turn up the volume and listen. It was sad, soulful, and sung with restraint in a powerful way. It became, and remains one of the most impactful songs in my life.

The song was on his first of his 5 albums (Michael Johnson Album) with EMI America. I bought all 5. After EMI America, Michael shifted his focus to country music.

To find out more about Michael's music history, go to his website, http://www.mjblue.com

Team Malaysia - 2 PWBA Titles in 2017

source: PWBA
Sin Li Jane

Congratulations to Malaysian bowler Sin Li Jane (also known as Jane Sin) for winning the Pepsi Lincoln Open, her first PWBA title.

It was Jane's second attempt at her first PWBA title in as many weeks. She lost to her teammate Siti Rahman in the PWBA Wichita Open.

Malaysia's presence this summer is very much like Team Singapore's was last summer.(see blog entry July 3, 2016 - Jane was a stepladder finalist).

Here is Jane's championship match:


And here is Siti and Jane battling it out in the PWBA Lincoln Open:

Throw It Like A Girl

source: PWBA
2017 PWBA Orlando finalists
L to R: Birgit Poppler, Danielle McEwan, Liz Johnson, Stefanie Johnson

Earlier this month, finalists for PWBA's Orlando Open were announced. The stepladder finals will air on CBS Sports Network Tuesday, August 15, 5:30 pm Eastern Time (8:30 pm Pacific Time).

Like basketball, tennis, volleyball and swimming, it's great to see women competing at the college and professional levels get recognition for athletic skills and abilities once given exclusively to men.

A recent example is University of Oklahoma softball pitcher Paige Parker. Last month, a video that went viral demonstrated how much respect she got from Kansas City Royals catcher Drew Butera when she threw a few warmup pitches to him.



While not quite the power Paige had in her pitches, professional women bowlers can throw it fast too. Below is the PWBA Orlando Open group stepladder finals. The slowest speed was 14 mph. Most ball speeds were in the high 15 mph range, some as high as 17 mph.

Keep in mind the women shown bowling likely weigh no more than 150 pounds and throw a 15-pound ball - same as the men. The heaviest allowable weight for a bowling ball is 16 pounds.

Slip Resistant Shoes For Work

Klogs Women's Naples

Shortly before I took off for Europe in mid-May, I got promoted to a new position. I'll still work from the same office, but will spend more time in the field making visits to customers in San Francisco, Peninsula and a few in the South Bay.

A lot of those visits will include frequent but short visits to the parts departments of auto dealerships. As I'll be walking around slick service areas, it was time to invest in a new pair of sturdy, comfortable and slip resistant shoes with a little style. (No Doc Martens or SAS)

Another must have for the shoe: flexible upper sole to retain control and feel when I'm driving (stickshift with clutch).

I first considered dressier walking shoes but found they looked too much like running shoes. I then shifted my focus to the kind of shoes nurses and restaurant workers choose: the almighty, utilitarian, slip resistant rubber soled shoe.

The winner: Klogs USA Naples in Black Oiled Leather.

First time I put on the shoes - cushion, comfort, support and traction at the same time. Much more comfortable and secure than the Dansko clogs I thought about bringing out of retirement. The Klogs insoles are removable but I wouldn't dare remove them. There would be no cushy feel and forgive me for the pun, no soul.

Transition phase from old to new job officially ended Friday. New shoes will get the real test on Wednesday, when I go on another round of car dealership visits.

New Bowling Ball - Storm Match Up Solid

Storm Match Up Solid  - released June 16, 2017

With the fat payouts I got from 2 first place finishes from my Monday and Wednesday night leagues, it was time to give myself a birthday present.

I picked up yesterday a new bowling ball, a Storm Match Up Solid.

It replaces as my 'strike' ball the Storm Wipe Out (very similar colors) I bought for my birthday in 2015. The Wipe Out will still be used, but has been demoted to spare ball status.

Storm Wipe Out, June 2015

My first Storm bowling ball was the Tropical Heat, purchased in December 2012. It became my spare ball when I got the Wipe Out. As my bag carries only 2 balls and is stored in a car with limited trunk space, I retired the Tropical Heat when I got the Match Up Solid. Now scarred and scratched, the Tropical Heat sits in my study until I'm ready to part with it permanently.

Storm Tropical Heat, December 2012

All 3 balls - Tropical Heat, Wipe Out and Match Up Solid are from Storm's Hot Line, a lower mid performance ball line.

For me, the more expensive high performance balls are too aggressive for my controlled and straight bowling style. I need the control as converting spares and a few splits are very important parts of my game.

My shoes (also Storm, partially showing in the Match Up Solid picture), on the other hand, are in the premium line. I find them to be good value because the soles and heels if/when worn out can be replaced.

Admittedly, I am partial to Storm because most of my favorite professional bowlers are Storm staffers (Danielle McEwan, her boyfriend and recent 2017 PBA Oklahoma Open champion Marshall Kent, Liz Johnson, Sandra Gongora, Shayna Ng and Jazreel Tan - to name a few).

The coolest part about Storm bowling balls are the fragrant scents. Tropical Heat was orange creamsicle. Wipe Out - spearmint, and my latest and greatest, Match Up Solid - bourbon pistachio. Individual results vary on how long the scents last. Mine wear off pretty quickly. Probably because I bowl so many more practice games than the average league bowler.

Fragrant scents and fancy ball colors may not improve your game, but they sure do look and smell pretty on the ball return.