| We woke up to a
blanket of snow Wednesday morning on the way to the practice
session. I was caught off guard, I wasn't prepared for the mess.
I should have listened to the weather report. I got to the bowl
and found out the inventory trailer that has been in the shop
wasn't there like we were told it was going to be. Apparently
there was a miss-understanding. It is now going to be two more
weeks before we get the trailer back. Great, I had a ball order
come in the night before and it was left at one end of the
trailer, ready to load on the shelves when the trailer showed
up. I was really looking forward to getting out of the rented
trailer with no shelves. Case boxes are stacked on top of case
boxes and I have no way to organize them to avoid the
frustration of finding the ball you want. I will have to adapt
again. We had a staff photo shoot the day before (Tuesday) and
it too required a lot of adaptability. It is Thanksgiving week,
and this year we will be bowling on Thanksgiving day, I guess we
will just have to adapt to that as well. All of this should have
warned me of what was going to happen on Thursday. There were
two practice sessions and the TQR on Wednesday. One practice
session at 8AM and another at 10PM. The TQR (Tour Qualifying
Round was at noon). I was at the bowl for all three I really
felt prepared for the qualifying rounds. Every bowler on staff
was comfortable with their look. Guess what...
You got it...they were different. Man what a frustrating week
this has been so far. Everything I try and prepare for has been
a waste of time. Adaptability has been the required skill this
week and after today's qualifying rounds I better expect more of
it as well. Without a doubt versatility and adaptability are
required skills of a professional bowler. Just as soon as you
think you are prepared for the day Mother Nature throws a
blanket of snow on top of you or the lane man struggles with
consistency.
Nothing against Mother Nature or the lane man, it is the way
of life out here. The best adapt, while others just wait for
weather to change. Sometimes we get caught off guard...other
times we are handed a gift. It just doesn't seem fair.
Lesson two on tour is that Fair is not possible. It is what
it is and recognition, versatility and adaptability are required
skills.
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