Cotton Kills

Looks like today we’ll have a break from them! Course, the past two days looked like that too, but then the gray clouds moved in faster than a bullet and let loose their onslaught. That is to say that the ditches were flooded and the streets resembled creeks. This meant that traction was difficult to maintain, and while we were driving along a highway there was a semi-truck laying on its side in the ditch. Reminds me of Alaska’s winter, except that lasts four to six months and is a hell of a lot colder. Headed back to Alaska soon, though, as planned!

Flew to Tucson, Arizona, today to enjoy some warmth and have a look around!
The flight was pleasant, albeit I sat next to a not-so-chatty person during the connection-flight to Seattle, Washington. He looked to have some German in his lineage (not that that matters, I just find demographics interesting), and a business man of some sort. I asked him if he’s headed on a business trip, or if Washington is his home. In response he turned sharply toward me and gave me such an intimidating stare I was at a loss for words. Then, as if replying to my apparently insulting question disgusted him, he spat out the word “Home” before immediately turning his attention back to the newspaper he held in his hand and seemed to only be casually reading prior to my query. He never spoke for the entire four hour flight, and I didn’t try to make him.
After that I sat next to a nice woman - Irish with a little English (which she confirmed, though also added she has a little Scottish) - who was much more conversational, although mostly small-talk.
Anyway, made it safe and sound an enjoyed temperatures of about 90*F (~30*C). Of course, back in Alaska it get’s sunny and nice when I leave. Pretty sure that’s one of the Laws of Spontaneity.

Now, onward, to adventure!

Had an awesome night tonight! Went bowling with some friends and got to shine as bright as a star - literally speaking; our shirts glowed from the neon lighting.
I decided to bowl with my left hand today. I’m right-hand dominant, but I’m always looking for ways to improve dexterity with my left hand. First game I did so bad I don’t think a blindfold could have made it any worse (well, I suppose I could accidentally throw the ball at someone). In spite of my terrible playing I continued with my left hand with the dim hope that I could become skilled with it…
At game two I started getting spares on occasion and - count them - one strike. I attribute this to the fact that I started focusing less on accuracy and more on making my throws look impressive. It’s a thing I often do in bowling; I dance toward the throw-point before tossing the ball toward the pins. I’m not sure how that works (considering it distracts me from the throw), but somehow it does.

An amusing thing occurred during game two. After half-a-dozen ‘dance-throws’ the volume for the music got turned down. Confused, I turned away from the Bowling Lane and looked directly behind me. A pretty lass was making her way down the steps from the main-hall (Bowling Check-in/Cafe) and into the ‘Bowling Hall’ (for lack of better term). I regarded her rather indifferently until I thought I saw some sort of Employee-card on her belt loop. I stared at that for a moment as I tried to understand whether this was standard issue for these employees (they’re usually behind a table or something so their waist is typically obscured). One of my friends saw me staring and assumed I was ‘checking her out’, immediately declaring that the “fox is in the house” and I should go talk to her - loud enough to briefly catch her attention. I attempted to explain to my friend what I was really doing, but he didn’t believe me and continued to tell me I should talk to her. I told him that he’s clearly an experienced “Ladies’-Man” and that he should go talk to her. He agreed in his typical macho way, started toward her when we all noticed that she was now sitting in the lap of who we presume to be her boyfriend. An awkward retraction of his statement ensued and then we continued bowling.

At the third and final round the originally “dim light” become as bright as the sun when Strikes started ‘rolling’ my way. I had since become good at incorporating dance moves with my bowling-throws and had all manner of interesting ways of doing so - including some Napoleon Dynamite moves.
While doing these dances without care for the thoughts of others, I started catching the previously mentioned girl staring at me. I’d hear some odd cheering or conversation from her group, look over, and sometimes she would stare at me before turning away… I found that odd. A bit later, though, she walked over to our table (I should note there are tables and chairs backed a few feet from the slippery Bowling floor), looked at me directly with a smile and asked me for 50 cents so she could refill her soda. Seeing as it wasn’t very much I pulled out the wallet and started sifting through… And just as I was about to pull out the change a friend immediately handed her the needed quarters. Her expression was priceless as she was completely caught off guard and gave him a rather confused - perhaps disappointed, but I’m not sure - look before extending her gratitude and walking away.
Funtastic night! Definitely need to have more of these funtastic nights.