Avid Readers and Bowlers:
I told an old friend a while ago I was working on a story for The Baffler about my recent bowling excursions. He asked whether this work might be a “prelude to the big bowling book America is clamoring for?” The obvious joke there is that even bowlers aren’t “clamoring” for a book about their sport. It’s hard to imagine Americans clamoring for any books these days.
The better question is whether I should be making TikTok videos. In fact, someone recently tweeted that “I follow this old guy on TikTok whose whole account is just him bowling. . .” And that “old guy” posted a “tonally perfect” tribute to David Lynch in which he bowls a strike in honor of the departed filmmaker. Watch it here if you want to see the future of creative bowling content.
Still . . . I’ve been asked more than once about whether I harbor ambitions to write a book about bowling. Probably because there was a time many years ago when I was working on a book proposal, which went nowhere. I couldn’t convince agents, editors, or myself that there was an audience for such a book. Also, I didn’t quite know how to write it.
These days I have a better feel for what the story is, or could be. I still have no idea whether it could find readers. But now I have another qualm: We seem to be in a period of great political peril in this country. Wouldn’t it be sort of ridiculous to go out on a bowling odyssey in the current emergency—at the very time when something much more important—like, um, the dream of true democracy—is in danger of withering away?
I’ve heard two different responses when I’ve asked this question of friends. One response is: “Yeah, you’re right.” The other is: “But people need a break from Trumpism. They need something else to read about that isn’t dark and depressing!”
Anyway, my Baffler story (“Changing Lanes”) is now out and available online. I think it does say something about the way things change in this country—how technologists and big business moguls are always poised to ruin things. The story starts out with a long-running tournament in Rutland, Vermont, and then discusses the economic juggernaut that is the Bowlero Corp, and the specter of stringpins, and the success of the hip-but-traditional Bayside Bowl in Portland, Maine. With art by Em Aull:
I don’t want to spoil the ending, but this bowling story took a twist that even the author didn’t see coming. I had my first experience bowling at a duckpins center—and I liked it. The proprietor of the North Chelmsford establishment even gave me an up-close look at the pinsetting machines, which date from 1959. This is one of only two remaining duckpin alleys in Massachusetts. You can find some in Rhode Island and Connecticut, but this variant of bowling retains its strongest hold in the state of Maryland. We’ve still got a fair amount of candlepin lanes in New England, but I’d rather bowl duckpins.
I suspect this sardonic commentary on my story’s thesis by “Gentle Mischief” on BlueSky was not necessarily meant to be a compliment, but I thought it was funny:
I mean, I guess whether you are writing or bowling, it’s better to be wired than tired.
The Indiana Pacers keep winning games in the final seconds. Here’s the call in three languages—Portuguese, Korean, and Spanish—of Tyrese Haliburton’s winning shot against OKC in Game One of the Finals. Even disgruntled fans of the Celtics or the Knicks (you know who you are) ought to enjoy this. I think the one in Spanish is the best—the thrill of the trill! Sound up!
Write that book! The political voices from all angles are loud and relentless. But who will speak for bowling?
Love the basketball video! You always find the most interesting clips online. Note: this is not a vote for you to become a TikToker. If you ever do that, then Change has won. 😊