Dana and I both enjoy bowling. For me, it started with Monday night bowling at college. I guess the idea of spending 8 dollars on three hours of bowling and a pitcher of beer was just too good to pass up. I go pretty good, too. I’m not talking really good, but I had an average in the 160’s, which isn’t bad for me. How good could I get when I was bowling half drunk?

Fast forward to today, and we really don’t have time to go bowling. Plus, we just don’t have the same people around us that made Monday night bowling so enjoyable. Add to that the fact that some bowling alleys are definitely not kid-friendly, and it becomes very hard for us to get out. Let’s put it this way: I believe the last time Dana and I went bowling was 3 years ago. However, we have found a savior: High Velocity Bowling.

The download-able PS3 game is the best $10 game I’ve ever purchased. While there is not a ton of content, it’s sufficient to keep you interested. Each lane has it’s own feel, accomplished with different oil patterns over the lanes. There is a challenge mode which allows you to unlock characters, character outfits, and balls. But, the reason it’s so fun is that the game runs on the motion sensors in the PS3 Sixaxis controller.

Much like the Wii, this game requires you to swing your arm in a simulated bowling swing in order to toss the ball down the lane. Spin is accomplished by using the pressure-sensitive trigger buttons. Swing too hard or squeeze the trigger too tight and you risk your aim being thrown way off. Let’s put it this way, I’ve broken 200 once in about 40 games, so it’s definitely difficult.

The best part about this game is that even Dana likes it, which means when I stay up until 10 pm playing the game, she’s usually right there next to me.

The Christmas storm, that is. This weekend is our last weekend of no commitments before Christmas. That, in and of itself, is crazy. With Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, and a Pens game (on the 23rd, no less), we will be quite busy over the next two weeks. So this weekend we’re taking our time and relaxing.

Yesterday was Uncle D’s birthday, so we went to D’s Six Pax and Dogz (because it’s the only place we go out anymore) for some wings and sandwiches. Afterwards we went to Grandma and Grandpa A’s for cake and to let Uncle D open his presents. We gave him his ticket to the Pens game on the 23rd, so it will be the four of us at the game versus the Bruins. Hopefully I won’t be too hung over, as we are headed up to Meadville on the 22nd to party with some friends from Allegheny.

Dana went shopping with Grandma A, so Deuce and I are home alone. He looks like he’s ready for a nap pretty soon, maybe I’ll get in some Call of Duty 4 on the PS3.

Dana and I were both sort of woken up last night when our power went out. We obviously had no idea what time it was, since all of our clocks were out. So we went back to sleep.

We woke up at 7 am to find our power still out. At about 7:30, the power came back on, but we still had no internet. Given that I was scheduled to work from home today, I had to come up with a plan. Luckily, Panera has free wi-fi, decent breakfast and decent Iced tea. I spend the morning there, fixing bugs.

I had to get my driver’s license renewed, so I went to the photo center and got my picture taken. I stopped at home to see if the internet was restored. Luckily, it was, so I spent the afternoon working from home.

Just in case you’re wondering, it’s snowing here, but it’s supposed to be in the 50’s next week. This weather is crazy.