Now that a certain Detroit rapper is done filming his damn movie in my neighborhood, I can now collect my thoughts and look back at the year that was, 2001. Man, what a year that was -- 2001 will be one that I personaly will never forget. The whole year was like a rollercoaster ride of emotions from start to finish. I should have known that this was going to be an interesting year as soon as the ball dropped.

At midnight 1/1/01, I found myself not only getting pissed off at the Palace of Auburn Hills because Ted Nugent's Whiplash Bash only lasted until12:15a.m., but also helping my cousin Bear at the Motor Lounge in Hamtramck play superhero trying to save some stupid Gen-X female who took one too many hits of GHB given to her by her horny boyfriend. STUPID!!!!

Of course, the story of the year in bowling is the purchase of PBA Tour by Chris Peters and his Microsoft buddies with the deep pockets. Hopefully this will be the last time I talk about this purchase. Don't get me wrong. I'm grateful that these guys rescued the PBA Tour. I bowled in three of their Pro-Am events and covered two tournaments. I have much love for the PBA Tour. But, can we please put this big money purchase to bed. Hey, WWF owner Vince MacMahon finally bought World Championship Wrestling from longtime rival Ted Turner. That's a big story, too. (Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot. This is a bowling publication, not Dave Meltzer's WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER. God forbid I get both of them confused. Works for Pete Weber).

I would be a complete moron if I didn't take a moment to mourn the passing of two great bowling icons. One was a friend, the other, somebody that I had watched win title after title for years. In 2001, we lost Detroit's own Joe Norris and the great Earl Anthony. I had heard stories of Mr. Norris for years. But, I never met him until he made an appearance at the Greater Detroit Bowling Hall of Fame dinner back in 2000. It wasn't until after the ceremonies that I introduced myself to Mr Norris and handed him my business card. After we shook hands, a picture was taken of the both of us. I really didn't think much of it. A week later, Mr. Norris was bowling in the Old Timers tournament. I was about four pairs away from him, so I never had another chance to talk to him. It wasn't until February of 2001 that Mr. Norris' name popped up again. His nephew, Phil Walters called me long distance from San Diego at the News and told me of Mr. Norris' passing. The reason him called me, Mr. Walters had found that business card that I gave his uncle. At the Old Timers tournament this past year, my good friend, George Prybyla, gave me something that he had been holding for some time. That picture of Joe Norris and myself taken at the Hall of Fame ceremonies. That photo that I didn't care about back in 2000 is now framed and sitting on my desk.

Then in the sixth, Bowker chopped the 6-pin off a 6-10 spare attempt. "That was the heartbreaker," he said. "I never got it off my thumb cleanly. But the bad part was, I had to turn right around and make a great shot on the lane I wasn’t sure of (left lane)." On that lane, on the very next shot he left a solid 8-10 split and suffered consecutive open frames.

I was definitely blessed bowling wise this past year. I was asked to bowl in three prestigious local tournaments, the Gavie Tournament, the Old Timers Tournament and the Crouchon Tournament. I really hate saying this, BUT, I took a knife to a gun fight and got my brains blew out. Met a bunch of cool people at every tournament. Hey, at least I beat a Detroit Bowling Hall of Famer at the Gavie Tournament. Looks like bowling in a summer league paid off.

Even though my social life is on life-support, I got to hang out with some beautiful, talented lady bowlers when the Professional Women Bowlers Association held an event at Shore Lanes in St. Clair Shores this past summer. I bowled in their Pro-am, covered their tournament, hung out with friends Cheryl Daniels, Aleta Sill, Michelle Mullen and survived listening to Carolyn Dorin-Ballard and Cathy Dorin-Lizzi doing kareoke. Who would have thunk that weeks after covering a PWBA Tour event that I would be offered a job as media director by them. I didn't get the job. But hey, this was a still breakthrough year for Big Dee as a credible bowling journalist. Here's hoping that the PWBA Tour finds somebody with deep pockets so that they can compete with the PBA Tour. I think Vinnie Mac is looking for another business venture. YEAH, BABY!!!!

As I'm writing this piece, I'm waiting to hear word from the American Bowling Congress. I entered four stories that I wrote last year in the ABC's writing competition, two in the features catagory, two in the news catagory. My attitude regarding this is the same as usual. If I win, great. If I don't, oh well, maybe next year. No biggie. I was also asked to join the Bowling Writers Associationof American. COOL. Gotta get that done before I have another brain fart.

I'm starting 2002 busier that a one-legged man in a kicking contest. I'm so busy that I'm only bowling part-time in a league this season with my boys TJ and Ray Ray on the Sunday afternoon Royal Flush mixed league at Royal Lanes. My website, Motor City Bowling News is going gangbusters. (http://www.motorcitybowling.com) My partners and myself finally got our incorporation papers from the state of Michigan. I now schoozing advertiser to buy ad space on our site. Webspace cost money. If you guys get a chance, check out my site and sign our guestbook. Also, all of my previous columns and stories from both the Bowler's Digest and the Detroit News are archived on our site.

I'm also working with Comcast and the guys putting together the new bowling show, "Greater Detroit Bowling Bonanza". If you have any questions regarding this show, ask your local bowling center proprietors. Or just drop me an email. I'll do what I can to help you out.

Darrin Hill is Publisher/Editor-in-chief of Motor City Bowling News and a freelance writer. You can contact him at: motorcitybowling@hotmail.com