I had heard varying reviews about free bowling at Luray Lanes. I had heard reviews from the kids that were too cool for anything the school sponsored. I heard reviews from members of CAB who host the event. But I had never gone myself so my roommate and I decided to give it a chance.

It was a lot like walking into Convo. Everybody was in the exact same groups, everybody stayed in the exact same cliques, there was no difference.  It was so bizarre seeing all of the different pieces operate independently of the others. Everyone was there for the exact same purpose but blind to the other people doing the same exact thing right next to them. I even tried to join some of the groups but with no luck. The football players, basketball players, and baseball players were all in their pre-established groups.  The fraternities were as far away from each other as the available space would allow. You could point out the cliques at Luray Lanes just as easily as you can in Convo. I approached a few of the groups and asked if there were any extra bowling balls and got responses from only a few individuals. I got a few disgruntled replies but what really made left the strongest impression on me was just how quickly people would turn their backs to me. Frequently it was even faster than they had turned to face me. Even the people that I knew didn’t seem to want to be bothered. I found that I had as much luck making friends at bowling as I do making friends at Convo. And if you’ve never tried it just let me say that you’re going to need some luck.

After wandering around for a while I finally was able to slip into a lane with an opening. It wasn’t easy but once I got a conversation going it was fun. The same problem had occurred to my roommate, Jeff Burgei. Once we had left he said “Since I don’t know anybody there it was really difficult. Everyone seemed to already be in set groups and set lanes”

On top of the overall cliqueiness it felt a little bit like a bar. The turned down lights, trash cans full of beer, and girls crying in the corner. There was indeed a group of girls in the back that seemed to cry the whole time. 

In the future if I attend free bowling again I will certainly go with a group big enough to occupy an entire lane. I will know not to attempt to brake any molds or expect people to open up their groups. Although I really hope that the group of criers was a one-time deal.