Doing the AZ 3 step (2 forward, 1 back)

I chose red for today's entry because its so pretty..........(inside joke)!

This past week has been interesting as we prepare mentally and physically
for the many changes that are expected to occur within a year.........selling, buying, moving, bowling, traveling, enjoying life etc. The first offer on the house in Forest Hills fell through, but we are optimistic that its a desired commodity in a less than desirous economy......we'll find out soon. Yes, the house not selling does tie up our plans on buying our "dream house" in AZ, but once again, my optimism totally outweighs any past pessimism!

Back to a more soothing color for those of our readers getting headaches from reading red (man past pessimism, reading red........welcome to the world of aliteration.......see, I do remember something from 9th grade poetry). My bowling practice this week consisted of repetition, using a non-reactive ball(plastic) as a reactive strike ball, changing angles......and going through my arsenal, deciding what I am sending out to Nationals next week. It looks like a Cell(lightly polished), Radical Inferno (500 abralon rough buff shine), a plastic spare ball, and............? Its a toss up between 2 entirely different ball reactions.....smooth strong hooking (Mega Friction) or angular sharp hooking (Cell Pearl).........I have a few more days to decide or drill up something else. For the casual bowler, this has got to be confusing, considering it can be confusing for a professional.......lol. SORRY!

I discovered in my league session this week that when I commit to a ball change for a change in reaction, I have to commit 100%. First game thursday, I had a strike, ringing 10, strike, 2 week 10s.......knew that I needed stronger midlane reaction......switched to a Cell.....7-10 in the pocket....double, spinning 8 pin, 5 strikes to finish at 215. Began game 2 with 9 strikes in a row, weak 10, solid 7 for 278, followed by a 238......all pocket hits, 3 10 pins. What I am saying is that I cannot be stubborn when it comes to changing balls during a game, league session, tournament block, certain pairs during tournaments.......and for the first time in quite a while, I WASN"T A MULE!

I discovered Twitter this week......for someone as verbose as I tend to be, being limited to 140 characters is an exercise in being succinct.......a discipline that I am not exactly good at. But if you wish to be one of my followers, Twitter.com.....my name.....etc.

I will be missing the first 4 tournaments on the senior tour, as it starts up next week when we will be going west. I am looking forward to seeing all my friends on the senior tour.......really missed it last year. Hopefully, this is the last season I will be traveling alone.......my happiest times on tour (although I was dealing with chemo and uncertainty as to whether I would be around for the next season) was the year that my sweetheart/best friend was on the road with me. The guys and fans used to get a kick when I used to go back and give/get a kiss with each strike.....and yes,there were quite a few strikes then! Ah..........those were the days.......5 years can sometimes seem like an eternity, other times , a blink of an eye!

Be well, my friends........Happy Passover, Happy Easter. Enjoy the day......its all we have till tomorrow.

Gary

Fear of winning+ Fear of Losing = I am no longer afraid!

I have spent the past 5 years bowling in fear. Fear of success is sometimes a stronger emotion than failure. I have basically paralyzed myself for the past 2 years......watching others succeed where I once experienced that very same feeling.........sitting at home, watching ESPN, realizing, finally, that I have allowed myself to wish and hope, without doing anything about it. Poor Poor Gary.....instead of pushing myself to where I should be, its a Pity Party at Gary's..........LOL

NO MORE PITY PARTY! Time to get my ass off the couch, get in shape, and make a run at the last 7 stops on the Senior Tour this season. US Senior Open and USBC Senior Masters in Las Vegas from May 30 - June 13, and 5 tournaments including the PBA Senior World Open in August 1 - September7. I am really getting tired of wishing without doing!

As my friend Jeff Morin says, "....Enjoy the Moment......its the only way to fly." Well,I've been grounded for a while......time to get back on the road. I am mad at myself for letting this happen.....but its not to late to remedy the situation.

And, the most wonderful thing in the world.......my beautiful wife BELIEVES IN ME AND KNOWS THAT I CAN DO IT. I WILL NOT LET US DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Confessions of a Senior Tour Wannabe who was a Usedtobe

Its April 3, 2009. My wife and I will be arriving in Phoenix on the 22nd. Our trip is three-fold....house hunting for the home of our dreams in the Valley of the Sun and the DBacks, the Cardinals, the Suns and the Coyotes.; Bowling the USBC Nationals at the Cashman Center in Vegas from the 29th to May 2, a night in Laughlin, a return to Phoenix and, unfortunately, a return to NY on my wife's and London daughter's birthdays.And , saving the best for last, hanging out with Lora.......and devising a plan to get Viacom and Cablevision to transfer Jeanine and Craig to Cox Telecommunications, Local 802 in NY transfering Marisa to Phoenix musicians union and Best Buy placing Liz and Scott in charge of sales for the southwest.......centering in Phoenix (as I sit here sinisterly twirling my mustache and diabolicaly laughing at my master plan)

My dearest Martha just called me sick........well......you gotta have a plan, along with hopes and dreams.

I have been bowling inconsistently; sometimes excellent, sometimes as if the round thing in my hand was a marble not a 15 lb. orb of destruction. More often than not, my scores have been good........at the nationals this year, I have the good fortune of both of my squads being on fresh oiled lanes........before anyone else messes up the shot that the tournament lane management created for the tournament. I expect that to be a real help, especially on Saturday May 2 at
7 AM for singles and doubles. The pattern will breakdown to our team plan......at least thats what we plan to do.

We will be looking at homes in Gilbert, Chandler, Ahwatukie and Fountain Hills. Prices are excellently affordable: tremendous value for the prices. You are all invited to comment on our plans, as we send links to the properties that interest us the most........with pictures, you'll all be able to see "your room" when you come and stay with us.

Getting tired as its almost 3 AM ........but I do my best thinking and writing after midnight.

We will follow up weekly with our adventures in the beautiful southwest.......that is until my diabolical, sinister plan brings you all here.....FOREVER..........hahahahahahahahahahahahhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa