Bowling, Karaoke, and Ice Hockey - oh my!

These new working hours really are taking a toll. While the days tend to go by really quickly, I'm left wondering as I crawl into my bed at 11PM (boy! things have changed since college!): Where did the time go?? I used to have loads of free time; so much so, that I didn't really make an effort to do anything with it. It was always there! Why try to fill it with stuff when I can just make plans later?

Now? not so much. My free time has become a precious commodity, and after only a month at this new, fast-paced and challenging job, I'm realizing "letting loose" is a down-right necessity! Gretchen isn't the only one who needs to run her little ol' head off for a spell! By Friday night (who are we kidding? by Wednesday morning!), my sanity is on the brink and the only cure is to find fun and interesting ways to entertain myself.

And what better way to do that than to get a little silly?

Last weekend, I tagged along with a group of friends to engage in some of my favorite middle school pasttimes: late-night bowling, drunk karaoke, and bleery-eyed ice hockey! Okay, maybe that's not exactly how those all went down when I was 11, but hey! Being an adult has its perks! I'd wanted to try out the newly revotated Corbin Bowl in Tarzana since I moved to the Valley 2 years ago, and last Saturday night, not only was it "Retro Night", it was also Karaoke Night in the bar.

Score.

Let me just say, I rocked it. At least during the first game where I kicked major ass on the scoreboard (the later games don't count because I was considerably more on the inebriated side.) Not only did my score breach a whoppin' 100 (yay!), I was whipping that 10-lb ball down the lane like my life depended on it. I was mighty proud of myself.

As the night wore on, we dined on the wonder that is bowling alley food (for me? chicken strips and fries) and I downed some of the strongest and cheapest Fuzzy Navels I've ever had the pleasure of tasting. And nothing makes bowling more fun than flashing disco lights, blasting dance music, and a steady flow of liquor.


When the games came to an end, we made our way to the bar to enjoy the epic serenades occuring in the Karaoke lounge. And who are we kidding? It doesn't take all that much to convince me to get up there myself! Derick and I crooned our way through "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum, which suited the country-lovin' crowd pretty well.

Seriously, I don't know why I don't do karaoke more often. It's so scary in such a fun way! But honestly, the highlight of the night was the middle-aged black guy who whipped out one of the most impressive versions of "And I'm Telling You (I'm Not Going)" from Dreamgirls that I have ever seen! Breaking out into FULL falsetto, this guy brought the house down, and I could not have been more wowed! I'd kill for a reaction from a crowd like the one this guy got. Of course, I'd probably have to be brave enough to belt it out and not care like him, too. But Derick and I rocked it, so I can't complain.

And did I mention that I tried DDR for the first time? Like the little boys that they are Ross and Derick stumbled into the arcade, and I couldn't escape without jumping around like a fool. It's probably not a good sign that I got out of breath during the 1st "novice" round, right? I'll just pretend everyone gets that winded.

I need more of these nights. More breaks from the reality of "responsibility" and the like... And I definitely plan to make a habit of it.