The Bowler's Bulletin: 2009

New this year, is a hosting event held during the Thanksgiving weekend. The Olympic team flew down to Auburn, Alabama to visit and score the visitation of James (Jimmy) and his roommate David. As an added feature, the two previous winners, Nathan and the Schlossers, were invited to tag along and participate in the event.

Now, let's meet the contestants.

Jimmy Bowler (left) is another Bowler athlete competing in this hosting event, purely coincidental. He is in his senior year at Auburn (for information on this college, just Google "orange") and is looking to to get into vet school next year, his dad became a vet through 20 years of service. His roommate, David, (right) is on active reserve and works with the ROTCs at Auburn.

The following is a narration submitted by the Bowler's guest.

Our trip started out with a breathtaking (literally) take off out of the Manchester airport. At the same time we left the ground there was a flapping noise from the right side of the aircraft. Not long after, passengers in the back were reporting that the engine was on fire. My first thought was "what a day not to be wearing my depends ". But, we kept ascending, the flight crew finally reported that everything was okay and that we were going back to the airport. Once back on the ground we were pleasantly surprised to be just on time to witness the airport emergency vehicle parade. Shortly after getting to the gate, they put us on the next plane and we were back in the air in less than an hour. Of course our luggage, who only paid $20 for it's ticket, didn't quite make the change the same time we did.

Once we made it to the Atlanta airport, we must have walked 10 miles to the baggage claim. We could have taken the airport tram, but where's the adventure in that. Just as we were meeting up with Jimmy and David, we noticed that there was a line of military troops who were also arriving, only they each were arm and arm with an Atlanta Falcon Cheerleader. Jimmy could have started the event off with a few points if he could have gotten me in to line. We reported to the lost luggage office that our luggage was on a later flight and once it made it in, where to deliver it. We were off to their house, but made a food stop at a pizza place in Atlanta. I was introduced to the helpful use of a GPS system, as it gave Jimmy and I the tourist route of Atlanta. It even plays games with you as it told us the pizza stop was on the left side of the street when it was really on the right. Ha, Ha, so much fun in heavy traffic.

Jimmy gained a few points by letting me ride in my future car, 2003 Toyota Spyder.

Jimmy's house.

Not long after getting a tour of the house, a list of needed items was made for the Thanksgiving feast the next day, Jimmy and I went to 15 stores (very little exaggeration on that number) while David, Mom, and Beth took off to the same side of town. Between the two groups, I think we boosted the national economy ourselves. Back home, we began to bake, fry, and prepare for both Thanksgiving, but also for the after game tailgating on Friday.

David in the kitchen

The next day, Joe, Angie, Peanut, and Nathan showed up.

Soon it was time to begin frying the turkey, as with most of these Olympic events, this turned out to be very controversial. Joe had brought up his frying kit, which included a thermometer which helps us to maintain the required 350 degree temperature. What we didn't know was that it wasn't working, that was the first error. Once the fire was started, Jimmy and I went to get a full tank of propane, while Joe was in charge of watching the temperature. We got back in 20 minutes and the oil temp was only 100, we didn't see a problem, second error. We took turns adjusting the gas and air flow trying to get the flame hotter, still only 100 after a good hour, third error. Not long after we all agreed that the thermometer was not working, what confirmed that idea was when I took the cover off of the pot of oil it caught on fire. Next decision, do we buy more oil and start over or do we go ahead and put the turkey in this pot and just cut down the cooking time? David was sent out to buy new oil and a thermometer. After a high number of stores, remember it is Thanksgiving day, he came back with 5 gallons of oil in quart containers and a candy thermometer. The Olympic Scoring committee has decided that points will not be lost due to the fact that the thermometer wasn't Jimmy's, but that points could be lost in future visits with the owner of the thermometer. In a related issue, Joe and Ang have applied for a second visitation event, only this time in the family category.

An hour later the turkey was finally lowered into the pot of oil at 350 degrees.

It took three of us.

The new thermometer.

Looks good.

Of course, once removed, I get to take the traditional first bite.

This was followed by a great feast with all of the fixings. Any points lost for being two hours late was made up by the entertaining calls from David looking for oil. A great meal was had with a perimeter of equally valued great dinner guest, using math lingo.

Soon after we ate, there wasn't a lot of time to sit around, we have a tailgating party to get ready. We loaded up two vehicles, then drove down to near the Auburn stadium to set up a tent, new bar-b-que, and tables.

The next morning was game day, no I don't mean the football game, but Black Friday shopping. We got up at 5 am, set up a game plan, with options and audibles, then left to go shopping. We hit the stores, along with many others, and bought various gifts for others and ourselves. We would have gone into Best Buy, but the line just to get into the store prevented us from even trying. After a couple of hours, we stopped in at a Waffle House (good points stop) for a much needed breakfast.

We got home, but no time to rest, we headed out to the big game - Auburn verses Alabama. We set out just outside the gates in order to get decent seats in the student's section once they opened up.

There is a pic worth some points.

Before the game, the Auburn players gather in the center of the field, knowing if they're victorious today it would guarantee a gold medal to Jimmy and David, they go over last minute plays to help one of their own.

Next are pics inside the stadium taken during the game.

WAR EAGLE

Although Auburn had a 14 - 0 lead, Alabama came back. It was a very close and exciting game to the end with Alabama winning 27 to 21, even though Auburn lost, the Olympic contestants scored some points also

The next day on our way out and on the road to Atlanta, we took a tour of the Coca Cola company. The highlight of the tour was in the sample room where you can taste the various Coke flavors from around the world.

Waiting to get inside.

We almost tried them all, some were good, some not so good. Then, it was on the Atlanta airport for a relatively smooth trip back home.

It's up the judges now, but we feel good about the trip. The two problems we encountered (the take off out of Manchester and the thermometer) should not play a role in the judge's scoring. I am concerned, though, with the Alabama judge since they were expecting the game with Auburn to be a blowout, Auburn held their own. Good luck.

Scroll down for the scores and results