There's a First Time for Everything

Recently I re-acquainted with a college friend of mine, Huma. We would hang out by the smoking deck (never on the smoking deck as Huma is a voracious non-smoker) and chit-chat about life and how she would have "talk sex" with the instructors.

Well, recently after hanging out it came to light that Huma had never gone bowling. Ever. In her life. After getting over the initial shock I decided I had to immediately rectify the situation. As my home town of West Seattle has one of Seattle's last awesome bowling alleys (aptly named West Seattle Bowl) I had no other choice than to invite Huma out for an awesome round of bowling.

I arrived at our designated meeting spot, the Tulley's on 4th and Union. A few minutes later Huma showed up and we were off. But, shortly before our bus arrived Huma realized that she had forgotten her socks. If there is one thing one does not want to forget when bowling it is socks.

After a quick parley we decided to catch the next bus and go to the most depressing store on the planet for some much needed sock. Ross Dress for Less is where everyone would go if the Nazis had won the war.

Huma quickly spotted a sweet pair of Liz Claybourne socks for a whopping $1.99. Then it was a waiting game. While in line we played a little game of "name everything ridiculous in the store" where we spotted such items as a polka dotted suitcase, Legally Blonde 2, and atrocious hair (the saddest nappiest white guy dreadlocks I have ever seen), along with bumble bees (in store security) and depressing people.

Then it was time to go bowling.


After renting our lane at and picking up our shoes I gave Huma a brief explanation of the game and it was time to play. I had not been bowling in a long time, and it showed. I still had the essential idea of bowling, but lacked my previous "mad skills" from when I was in a bowling league.

We started our first game, and Huma seemed to get the basic hang of the ancient art of bowling. Shortly after we started our game we were joined by a group of wee baby children who were also enjoying their first game of bowling. After seeing the bumpers Huma commented "We should have gotten those."

Part of me agreed as my first game I bowled an 85 (Huma bowled a 48, which is good for a first timer). I know, I know, for someone who is such a fan of bowling I should have done better. If it were Wii bowling my rank would have dropped. But, Huma seemed to be having a good time and the wee children, while causing us to censor ourselves, added a great deal of humor and cuteness to the ordeal.

I had some amazing bowling moments such as falling on my ass and getting a spare at the same time. While my knee was injured my pride was not. . . mostly.

The thing that was really amusing and mocking was the video monitor that would remind you of what you bowled. A kitty would run into a set of pins and knock half of them and a mocking "Open Frame" would appear. If you got a gutter ball a hot lady would give you a condescending look.

After slightly reclaiming my masculinity in the second game (scoring a cool 95) we decided to grab some food over at West 5, a slightly swank restaurant and bar, located in the Alaska Junction.
We chatted more about school, music, past relationship, and as Huma caught the 54 back to Wallingford I took a deep breath (and deeper drag of my Marb) and was glad to have reconnected with an old friend.

What next "first" will I share with someone? Today I will eat bone marrow and see Bourdain with Drew of OMSTV!