Category Archives: Bowling

Tom Reid: The Best Guy Ever, Part I

By Ruby Dienstag

If you haven’t been to the Oberlin College Lanes by now, I would strongly suggest reviewing your life priorities. It’s not just the colorful bowling balls, the quirky carpet, or even the evil pins that make the College Lanes a great place to bowl, it’s the people that keep the place on it’s feet. There is one individual in particular who takes the cake. Tom Reid ‘80 is a wonderful boss at the College Lanes as well as the Cat in the Cream. He is also the Associate Director of the Student Union. When I sat down with Tom I was both nervous and excited, because it’s not every day that you get a window of time to ask a great person any questions you want. The result was an hour and a half of pure gold. I have decided to share this interview in parts, not only because it would be too long, but because I love the idea of a Tom Reid episode to look forward to every blog post. Behold, Tom Reid: The Best Guy Ever Part 1. Continue reading →

Makes You Wanna Bowl

By Ruby Dienstag

  1. Dancing On My Own, by Robyn. For those of you loyal to the bowling blog, you may recall that I have some fond memories of jamming and bowling to Robyn, and I think once you’ve joined me, you will understand that something magical happens when you mix those bumpin’ beats with a few rounds of bowling.
  2. Ignition Remix, by R. Kelly. This song just gets you moving, it makes you want to ferociously hump the ball rack next to the speakers, or maybe that’s just me…either way R. Kelly will have you warmed up and ready to really put your best thrust forward into that swing.
  3. Are You Gonna Be My Girl, by Jet. I love the highs and lows of this song, and I have an image of myself walking up to the approach in slow motion as the song begins. Close up on my pointer finger tapping the bowling ball as I focus on the pins. A floor level shot of my feet as I make my first step, second step, and third step. Then, as I move into my slide and swing my arm to release the ball “GO!!” screams Jet and the song continues as I make a perfect strike. Continue reading →

An Interview with B.B.

By Ruby Dienstag

B.B. and Friends
–See B.B., the maroon ball third from the right

F+L: Hey B.B. thanks for agreeing to be interviewed! So, what is it like to be a bowling ball?

BB: Oh, anytime! Well I think it’s a lot like being a dog. If you have good people taking care of you, and you are in a good place, then life is great, but I’ve heard some horror stories. I mean some bowling alleys just don’t appreciate the work we do. Personally, my experience as a bowling ball has been exceptional. Here at the College Lanes, if we’ve been scuffed up we are cleaned up, and if we get stuck in the ball return, we don’t need to worry about being forgotten. There are some excellent individuals here at the Lanes that make our lives as great as can be. Another thing I love about being a bowling ball is being a vital part of a wonderful sport. Bowling gives me a sense of purpose. It doesn’t just allow you to practice your hand-foot coordination and concentration, but it allows you to practice your life skills. Bowling teaches you much more than how to knock down some evil pins. Continue reading →