In the grand scheme of my life, of anyone’s life, this is meaningless.
In the grand scheme of the past two months of my life, it is a very, very bright spot.
Tonight, after driving back to Hell (read Key West) from the upper Keys, after securing what I hope is a job in the upper Keys that will pay my rent in a cute new place in the upper Keys, after three mojitos and a shared dinner in Hell because we cannot afford even that, except that we won big money last night at a Wii bowling tournament we entered on a whim four months ago in the upper Keys (which is one reason to move back, right?), and after we went out for said shared dinner and decided the place we were sharing dinner was one place that escaped the boundaries of Hell, and one we might–MIGHT–revisit IF we ever go back to Key West, that it happened. Big.
I bowled a perfect game. The big 300. On the Wii.
When no one was watching. When I was alone in my closet-sized living room because my great guy, who knew he was losing another in a long string of games, was puttering in the kitchen.
When I was in a zone that I am sure I will never find myself again.
Twelve consecutive strikes in one game, but it was actually my 17th strike in a row, or was it 19, given how many games we had been bowling. Given how damn good I was. Because when my life was good and simple and I lived it at face value, I figured out how to loft a Wii bowling ball from behind a bar while working, make a strike, and never look back.
These are the days to remember…these are the days.
Because perfection comes almost never in almost no one’s life. It has been a joke of a goal in mine. I mean, really, who actually strives for perfection? Ever? Certainly not I. Well, mostly.
Until tonight. And it wasn’t a goal. It was simply an ironic conclusion to one of the most twisted, ironic times of my life. Yet, there it was–a 300 score blinking on the TV screen as TV confetti streamed down on the screen. And no one was around to see this except a half-asleep Rouletta, who, in her way, got it, I am sure. At least after I woke her up.
And as I smoked a celebratory cigarette on a tiny porch I will thankfully inhabit for only one more week, I wanted to shout and dance and sing to all the tourists who walked by, stuffed as they were from a great meal from the restaurant three doors down, “I bowled a perfect game! Hey you–I’m P.E.R.F.E.C.T!!!!”
I didn’t. But my great guy did tell a mutual friend who called on the phone, “Yeah, she just kicked my ass on the Wii, and yeah, we’re moving back in a week, so if you can help us unload the truck…”
Sure. Downplay it. It’s just perfection. 😉
But I know it’s a sign. Good things come to those who wait. Who focus. Who say to themselves, “I am not f—ing beaten down after all that would beat anyone down.”
Yeah, yeah. It means nothing. But sometimes, nothing kick starts a little something. And after that?
Wanna bowl?
Comments
10 responses to “Perfect”
Well, how cool is that – a perfect game! My brother-in-law bowled a 300 in real life, and his wife asked me to make a shadow box with the copy of the scoresheet and some other souvenirs from the night. We even sawed the top off one of his (many) old bowling trophies and put it in the bottom of the frame. We would have tried cutting a bowling pin in half if we’d had a way to do so.
Congrats on your new job and move. It’s good to see a post from you. God bless Twitter. 🙂
Your life is full of twists and turns, but I only dream of your adventures! Congratulations on getting a new job, and best wishes that it works out for you. Looking forward to your next post!
I can’t believe you are moving again! I know you know it is for the best, but I feel for you. Good luck! Hope you get the job.
I give you an “A+” …..so glad to hear you are moving on and it is sweet victory.
300!!! Wow. Hope the trip north works out.
RG, home is where you feel at home. I am sure that many people would not think living in the Keys is hell, but grass is always greener. Enjoy the blog. I read this while I live in China and it has been a nice slice of home
I am sorry you feel that way about my adopted home city. I have lived and worked here in the restaurant biz for the last 15 yrs and am not without responsibility, sense nor am I wealthy. Never the less, good luck in your next endeavor – Key West is not for everyone.
Ber Fish–I appreciate the comment. Wondered when I’d hear from someone who lived here. And please know I mean no disrespect toward you personally when I say this, and I hope it doesn’t keep you from reading RG in the future, but there are two phrases I never want to hear again in my life: “I don’t know how long you’ve lived in Key West, but…” and “Key West is not for everyone.” I’ll be writing about why very soon. In the meantime, I’m glad KW has worked out for you. Who knows? I’ve probably hung out in your establishment ,and you’re one of a handful of hard-working, nice local folks I will truly miss.
Sorry it didn’t work out. I’ve enjoyed your commentary on KW. I keep thinking that some day I’ll be able to retire there — seems doubtful. About retiring ANYwhere, but that’s another story — so I just visit annually, and always have a lot of fun. I know: that’s a long way away from living there,
Good Luck! 🙂