I went bowling yesterday. It was probably the first time in 3 or 4 years. That’s about how often I go bowling anymore. I usually start pretty strong but then fade as my arm gets tired. Yesterday was no exception. Additionally, I was having trouble with my ankle yesterday, which also got worse as I rolled more balls. It’s funny to think that bowling is a sport that requires a certain amount of stamina but you are, after all, trying to throw a heavy ball in a repeatable way.
I like to be good at things. I’m not very happy just doing things for the “fun” of it. I expect that I’m going to have a level of competence in anything I do. Everyone has to do things for the first time and can’t be good from the very beginning, but I always expect that I will pick it up fast and be respectable very quickly. If it’s something important to me, I will go by myself and practice until I’m good enough to do it in public. I really hate have other people see me suck at something.
I’m pretty happy to go bowling these days because I’m still good enough that I don’t have to be embarrassed, at least not too embarrassed. I was once a very good bowler. I never bowled a 300, but I used to break 200 pretty regularly. I worked at a bowling alley when I was in college. (the 2nd time) I was the mechanic and it was a great job. I sat around in the back of the bowling alley and did my homework while I waited for things to break. When something malfunctioned, I would go and correct it. If something complicated actually broke, I left it for the serious mechanic who worked during the day. It was a pretty easy job. I spent a lot of time bowling in those days. My job is much harder now, and my bowling has suffered. I’m still a confident bowler though and confidence is the key to being competent at things. Take my word for it.
I’m pretty happy to go bowling these days because I’m still good enough that I don’t have to be embarrassed, at least not too embarrassed. I was once a very good bowler. I never bowled a 300, but I used to break 200 pretty regularly. I worked at a bowling alley when I was in college. (the 2nd time) I was the mechanic and it was a great job. I sat around in the back of the bowling alley and did my homework while I waited for things to break. When something malfunctioned, I would go and correct it. If something complicated actually broke, I left it for the serious mechanic who worked during the day. It was a pretty easy job. I spent a lot of time bowling in those days. My job is much harder now, and my bowling has suffered. I’m still a confident bowler though and confidence is the key to being competent at things. Take my word for it.
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