San-Dee Lanes

San-Dee Lanes
342 Hempstead Avenue
Malverne, New York 11565
(516) 599-1134

Yeah - I had been cynical about bowling my entire life. It is funny that not until I was about 30 years old that I reveled in the simple pleasures that encompass bowling. Originally, I had "sports rage." Being an avid hockey player and fan, I laughed at the idea of a "sport" where you were allowed to drink and smoke while playing. I was being an elitist and thought that going bowling would jeopardize my integrity.

The allure recently has been the addition of a great deal. Ironically, I began bowling after a recommendation from my cousin. There is a funeral home directly across from the bowling alley. My grandmother had passed away and my cousin said, "Hey, why don't we go bowling after the wake?" At first, I felt a rush of guilt - my grandmother was dead...how could I go bowling? But then I realized that there must be some value to this - it would be the ultimate in mindless fun, a means of uniting a large group of people who were mourning to try to get their minds off what was going on. And it worked...we had a blast, even though we sucked. We drank pitchers of beer, bowled a few games, and realized that with the help of family and friends, we would be able to continue on with our lives.

We continued to bowl throughout the summer, usually being the only ones there while Jim kept the alley open while we drank and hit pins. I attended the alley recently and the weekend format had changed. For a little under $20, you could bowl unlimited from 10 pm to 2 am with shoes included. There was also a prize of a free game if you got a strike when the orange pin was in the first position. And, there was an hourly raffle (a lane and bowler # was pulled. Then a card from a deck of cards. If you bowled the same number of pins as the cards pulled, you won the money). For most people in both situations it was an epic failure because they folded under the intense pressure and scrutiny of the alley staff and other bowlers. Although I mock, I kind of was hoping that I was not involved so I would not pull a Carlos Beltran.

It is pure, unadulterated, good fun. I have had a lot of good times here in the last year and I think that it has a lot to do with age. I am at the age now where it is hard to find a place to hang out with friends outside of an apartment/home without spending a tremendous amount of money or having food involved. Bowling provides the perfect activity to accompany time to catch up and "b.s." about recent events without stressing any of the over-competitive people. In addition, according to the website at one point, they have the latest in draft beer (Bud and Coors Light) and laser bowling which is "all the rage." Its a good time - get there if you can. Remember: San-Dee = VEL-OC-IT-Y!

Notes:
- Check the website for more information.
- The photo at the top of the post is from the San Dee website. The rest are exclusive in-action photos taken by Dan.