I was in the building representing TGI at the Big Brothers Big Sisters Kauai Bowl For Kids’ Sake fundraiser last week at Kauai Bowl.
I had previously attended the event in 2014 when I had moved to Kauai. For one reason or another, I wasn’t able to go again until this year, so I was excited to be there again.
Mahalos to my co-workers back at the newsroom for helping me finish up so I could attend. Much
appreciated.
Toward the end, it was announced on the loudspeaker that the fundraiser had reached its goal. As I’m writing this, I Google-searched the event and found its website.
It said $29,197 was raised, surpassing the goal of $28K. I scroll down, and the website says 100 percent of the proceeds will go toward mentoring programs on-island.
I hope the money raised will help those in need.
As I arrive and find my way to TGI’s lane, to my surprise I come across a friend I haven’t seen in a while. His team’s lane was right next to ours. (It was good seeing you, Aaron. Thanks for taking this picture of us.)
I started well, as I hit a strike in my first frame. Overall, I end up doing pretty well.
In both games, I scored in the 160s, which is an awesome score for me as I usually average in the 120-130s. Some days are so bad, I’m lucky if I score over 100.
So, I’m feeling good. Until I found out about the cheat code — knocking down nine pins counts as a strike.
I thought it was a mistake at first, maybe some faulty sensor or something like that. But then a teammate tells me it’s not a mistake and that’s how they count it.
“Really? Aw, man,” I thought when I discovered the advantage.
I felt as if I was playing FIFA on Playstation against a really skilled gamer, and I beat them because secretly they’re on the hardest level and I’m on easy mode. It doesn’t count.
Every strike I hit afterward, I walk back saying, “It doesn’t count.” One of my teammates gives me props on a faux strike, but I’d hesitate to take the compliment.
“But it looks good up there,” he said pointing to the monitor displaying our scores. We laughed.
Well, he had a point. It wasn’t like this was some big-money professional bowling tournament. This was a charity event, and this was just for fun — just like every other time I’ve been to the bowling alley.
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Nick Celario can be reached at ncelario@thegardenisland.com.
