There's just no way around it: The 16th birthday is the first of many rites of passage. It's a banner year. It's a real red-letter day. And woe to those who don't put the world on hold in anticipation and exuberant observance of this, the 16th birthday.
It's always best to get your game straight in preparation of this milestone, so pull out all the stops and use some keen strategy and festivity-savvy to get through the pomp and circumstance that comes along with the parade that is the 16th birthday.
Let's just face it: In our society, 16th birthday gift ideas are often over-commercialized, over-indulgent, over our budgets, and even saccharine. The birthday industry czars know they can make a lot of money out of this occasion in your life, and they aren't ashamed of it. So, avoid the marketing claws of the 16th birthday party event planners, hawking cruises, a brand-new sports car with a bow on top, or a grand soiree at the best country club in town.
How do you beat the overblown, financially strained hoopla of all this? Well, for starters, sometimes the most unusual ideas can produce the most extraordinary gifts, especially to those celebrating their 16th birthday - they may think they already know what to expect, so employing an element of surprise here is always a good angle to try when thinking of that perfect gift.
Today, nearly everything can be computerized or integrated into an electronic format, and you don't have to look very far to find companies that can customize certain features of high-performance electronic communications media, thereby turning your otherwise "generic" 16th birthday gifts into truly distinctive gifts. The key here is to move away from the tried-and-true (translate: outrageously expensive) to well-thought-out, strategic plans (translate: tricks) that will leave the lucky 16th birthday guy or gal just short of confused, but nonetheless enraptured. In other words, send your messages with meaning: exclaim, clasp your hands, smile broadly at everyone in on it, and say things like, 'We spent the whole year thinking this up!" "Oh, you don't KNOW what we went through to keep this a secret from you!" or "You know all those nights Daddy worked late over the last year? Guess what? He was in the basement the whole time, putting this together for you!"
Let your exuberance become contagious, but don't overdo it; otherwise, this 16th birthday party will fall flat on its face. Remember, you're now dealing with the shrewd minds of those who have made the wide turn into their 16th birthday year, so be believable. Don't let them see through your smokescreen. Practice in front of mirrors, rehearse with your co-conspirators, test your jumping-up-and-down skills - whatever you have to do to make this run as smoothly as possible.
You can create a new screensaver for their computer monitors, flashing their names in neon and sparkle, or generate huge "pop-ups" declaring "Happy 16th birthday!" on all their favorite websites. Or, hire a designer to turn that screensaver into the artist's rendering of their own face. (However, steer clear of caricaturists; self-deprecating humor doesn't quite develop until at least age 25. Or at all.)
The key is to show your appreciation and celebration on this, their 16th birthday, with as much aplomb as you can muster while also presenting them with a gift that expresses their best qualities. Showing them just how much they excel at simply who they are will really shine through - and keep you from jumping through financial and mentally unstrung hoops.
How to Throw a 16th Birthday Celebration Without Losing Your Sanity - Or Your Purse Strings
3 Bowling Tips and Techniques You Can Use Today
I am going to share some bowling tips and techniques with you that you can use immediately to improve your game. There are so many ways that you can improve your bowling game, and I am going to share a few of those with you. These are three tips that should help you bowl better if you take them seriously.
The first thing that I want to share with you is that when bowling, you need to use your lower body leverage during delivery. On your last step, bend your knee to get closer to the lane and slide your foot making sure that it stays straight. You can think of it like sliding into a deep knee bend. Then, with the leg that is not sliding, move it over across from the arm you are throwing with. This will counter balance your body. You want to make sure that you keep your upper body straight when doing this. It may take a while to get down, but if practiced, you can drastically improve your game.
The next tip that I want to share with you is all about the release. Make sure that you are not squeezing the ball with your grip. Relax your thumb and come through cleanly during the release. If you don’t, you can cause your swing to veer off and you will not be able to get consistent delivery. For the best release you need to use your lower body leverage and make sure that you are close to the foul line when your release the ball. If you find that you are too far behind the foul line when you release, adjust your starting point to make up the difference. Getting close to the foul line will allow the ball to strike the lane later and conserve some energy for the pins.
The third tip and technique that I want to share is that you need to develop your own bowling style. There is no set way to do things when it comes to bowling. The important thing is to be able to develop a style that you can do over and over and get good results. If you can do that, you will be a successful bowler. Don’t let anyone tell you that you are doing something wrong when you are comfortable with your style. Let them whine when you beat them.
I hope that these bowling tips and techniques have helped you with your bowling game. Remember to always have good lower body leverage, a relaxed grip on the ball, and to develop your own style. Sure you can watch other good bowlers and see how they bowl, but every bowler will have a style that fits them best.
Did you know that all bowlers face 4 troublesome problems? Find out what they are and how easy it is to solve them right here. |
Why Everyone Loves Bowling
Bowling is a recreational “hangout” many people - it is loved because it is enjoyable and fun. A person can go to the bowling alley to relieve his stress from a long hard week of work. Bowling is a good time for bonding and relaxing with friend and family.
It is the perfect recreation for families as they can spend quality time together at the bowling alley. Modernized venues provide their players everything that they need if they want to spend the entire day playing bowling. There are always snacks and other amenities available inside the bowling alley. Some venues also have specific areas designated for those people who wish to smoke.
Aside from the complete facilities and service they provide, they also charge an affordable price for each game. Many alleys also “rent by the hour” for groups or families who want to have more time available for playing. Durable plastic seats and benches will give a person a comfortable seat while waiting for his turn to bowl.
Many bowling alleys now also provide computer scoring for a much easier and convenient tabulation of the scores. It is an easy task for the scorer to list every strike or spare and a person to be aware of his score because of the rapid calculation of the computer. Computer scoring eliminates the paper work.
When going out with friends, you may select either the ten-pin or five-pin bowling game. The five-pin game can be more fun because there is no special technique required to roll the ball down the lane to knock down the pins.
Ten-pin bowling is popular, especially among teens, as it is very exciting and fun to play. It gives a person three attempts in case there are pins left standing after the first shot. Ten pins are set in the target area in a triangular shape. There is a good chance to score a strike, or to at least leave fewer pins standing in the target area, if the shot hits the center pin with a good spin on ball.
Everyone loves to play this sport because it can be adapted to anyone’s lifestyle. It is recognized as one of the most popular indoor sports of all times. It does not matter whether a person is a good player or not, what is important is it is enjoyed and loved by all who play.
Why Bowling is a Popular Fun Sport
Throughout the years, since the introduction of bowling, it has become more and more popular and an exciting indoor sport for many people. It has attracted people from all over the world gaining its reputation as a sport that is fun played and enjoy. Its existence probably began during the time of the ancient Egyptians, as equipment resembling that used in bowling was found in some Egyptian tombs.
These discoveries (that could date back as far as the 1700’s) signify the popularity of a game similar to bowling. The game probably was played by rolling at stone at other objects. Historians also record that evidence of a similar game was found in the eastern part of Polynesia.
The modern sport of bowling is believed to have originated in Germany during the third century. It was known as a religious ritual where peasants brought their own “Kegel” - a tool that served as their defense against rebels and oppressors. To test their faith, priests challenged these people to knock down their “Kegel” by rolling a stone at it. When this was attempted, many believed that they would be forgiven of their sins.
As time evolved, bowling has developed as a sport. The Italians have their own modern version of the sport where the stones used to knock down the “Kegel” were replaced by a true ball. It all started in the thirteenth century and at that time they called the sport “bowls”. England and the Netherlands modernized the game in the 1300’s and it became known as “ninepins” and was enjoyed by the royalty.
It was during the middle of the 18th century that the game’s popularity expanded. The royalties eventually banned the game because it was used for gambling and revolutionaries were using it to gather in the bowling alley to plot their actions.
In New York City, there were about 400 bowling alleys established in the 1850s. The popularity grew because of gambling and mafia activities held in the alleys. In the 1880’s the city brought back its attraction to the populace by organizing leagues and tournaments for employees who worked for the large companies in the city.
Today it is still one of the most popular indoor sports in the country. It is a sport where a person can have fun with his friends and family. Because of the popularity of this game, it is being considered as a standard sport in the upcoming Olympics.
The Best Places to Play Bowling
Bowling competition between two people not only brings about the determination of a person to win, but to show good sportsmanship when losing. The game has evolved to a level where different types of people can play the game. Social status, at one time, was a hindrance but this is no longer true. No matter what one’s life status (professional or otherwise) all participate together when bowling.
Bowling alleys, in different places, are usually busy because of the massive popularity of this sport. There was a decline in its popularity in the early 1970’s, when more people concentrated on other interesting activities. This was the start of the loss social interaction between the high society class and the middle and lower class people.
Nevertheless, it is still one of the most popular indoor sports played today. Many people consider it a fun sport where they enjoy spending time with their families and friends.
There are many bowling alleys that provide quality bowling lanes and equipment where people can get together to spend quality time bowling. Bowling alleys found in many places seem to have similar designs that were inspired by the old bowling alleys of the 1950’s.
Today bowling alleys still have the same features even though they contain the latest equipment. The modernized designs of today’s bowling alleys provide their players with new bowling lanes, durable plastic seats, and benches that are architecturally designed. There are also alleys that now use computer scoring.
The newer bowling alleys attract many who play the game. The modernized look and high quality facilities also host many leagues and tournaments, especially in the cities. They are a place where those who play the game can relax and enjoy the sport.
Bowling Tutorials Teach a Person How to Deliver a Bowling Ball
A person must knock down the pins to score points in bowling. Some people find it difficult to roll the bowling ball and hit the pins. Many times if the balls are “railed”, they get frustrated and eventually lose a game. It is important to learn the basics of bowling from the footwork to the release of the ball.
Tutorials may help a person be more precise and exact with striking the pins. The delivery of the ball is important in this game. If a person is able to execute the ball as he did to achieve the previous strike then the following deliveries will result in similar strikes. Consistency must be practiced in this sport - that is why they call bowling a game of repetition.
There are lessons to teach intermediate bowling techniques that will help a person learn how to strike consistently and leave no pins standing. Here are steps on learning the basics:
1. A player may pick up the ball and walk straight towards the foul line. This will be his starting position; or he may turn with his back to the pins before turning to face the pins.
2. It is not advisable to position the ball in the center of the body; it is better if the ball is held at his side so that it will be easier for him to execute a straight arm swing.
3. Before he turns to face the pins and aiming before the delivery, he must relax and take a deep breath to take away the tension and pressure in the body that affects the way a player will deliver the ball.
4. If the person is right handed, he must use his right foot as his first step position and left handed bowler would use his left foot. These positions are to favor the strong side of the body so that he can deliver the ball comfortably.
5. He must hold the ball away from his body, make a consistent out, and down movement with the ball. When the ball is positioned for the back swing he may take his third step, and then swing the ball for the release as his final step.
Movements and executions are important in the delivery of the ball. The way he releases the ball and knows the basic movements will allow a player to make strikes on the pins. He must remember to keep the motion smooth and precise for a better performance when bowling.
Bowling Tips and Etiquette
Bowling is a very interesting sport. It does not require that you be a professional to be able to play this game. However, there are etiquettes that should be considered when playing bowling so that bowlers will learn how to properly play the game and enjoy it at the same time.
Here are a few bowling tips that need to be observed all times:
1. The bowler should aware of who bowls first on the lanes. The general rule is that whoever is up first is the first bowler who should play but the players can negotiate on who well bowl first.
2. The bowler should always be ready to bowl. Be prepared to take your turn – no unnecessary delays - the player will need to throw down the ball to the lanes and hit the pins just as soon as he is comfortable.
3. It is important to show respect to other bowlers whether they are your teammates, opponents or even those who are playing in the lanes on either side of you. They should demonstrate sportsmanship at all times and they need to be considerate of the other players.
4. The bowlers should also learn to observe the rules and guidelines set of the game and the bowling alley. Rules are there to keep bowlers safe and create healthy relationship with other bowlers. It is important that these rules be observed at all times.
5. One guideline that should be observed is choosing and using the same ball throughout the game. This is one way of showing respect to other bowlers. It is not appropriate to pick a ball that is already being used by another bowler.
6. Bowlers should allow a healthy competition among players by learning to compete with other players in a friendly way. They should cooperate with teammates by not wasting time during the game and participating eagerly in the game.
7. Cleanliness and neatness is extremely important. Know where to throw the used drinking bottles or other food waste they accumulate. It is not proper to scatter all the leftovers in the lanes – use the trash receptacle. Towels should always be placed in/on their bags if not in use as a courtesy gesture to other players.
These tips are very helpful in observing etiquette in every bowling alley. Bowling should be a venue for enjoyment and fun and observing these tips will allow every bowler to enjoy every game in every bowling alley.
