Bowling scores as a casual, fun date

Fun, easy and cheap - that's how we all like it.

Whether it's your first, third or 30th date-bowling is the pinnacle of a classic date. It's a good way to spend some quality time together and have some fun.

When settling in for the bowling experience, you never have to look too far from home since every city and suburb has at least one local bowling alley. That, my friend, is only one of the many pros associated with the date/bowling experience!

If it happened to be your first date, bowling alleys are great places for conversation. You can talk about anything at any volume. The atmosphere is light and jokes are always plentiful. Think about it - how are you going to get to know your date at a movie?

Flirting gets a BIG green light at the very public bowling center. Picture it in your head - your date leans over and grabs the ball, he/she then bends over in tight pants. Just keep the imagination going.

There is nothing on the menu at a bowling alley that you cannot pronounce, have never consumed or is going to break your bank. Nachos, soft pretzels, mediocre pizza, and a pitcher of light beer - nothing screams bowling alley quite like that combination. Although it may not be a gourmet French meal, your date will love tossing it down in between frames and light conversation.

Don't forget that a little fun and friendly competition always gets the blood running hot. Make a friendly wager with your date: the winner of the current game gets to pick the next date spot; the loser has to pick up the next round; or if things are going really well, the next one to pick up a spare gets a kiss -

Now that everything under the sun has moved into the tech age, computerized scoring keeps it simple.

No more pencil and paper means that you can spend more time exchanging witty banter and lighthearted insults.

Plus, think about all the exercise you'll be getting! OK, well maybe not, but bowling is considered a sport, so if you are not a super-sporty person here is your chance to show off your athletic skill!

For a nice little twist on the night, check out Brunswick Zone for their Brunswick Cosmic Bowling. Brunswick turns down the lights, cranks up the black light, hooks up the dancing beams of light, and blasts new music mixed with some rocking '80s.

The glow-in-the-dark bowling lanes, pins and bowling balls set the stage for some interesting happenings. (Their Mount Prospect location on Rand Road also has billiards, a little arcade and a bar with karaoke.)

This is the perfect time to let loose, belt out Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar on Me" at the top of your lungs, and let your date catch a glimpse of your fun (dorky) side.

If you want to go bowling, but also want to avoid the more commercialized and corporate venues, just try a local Yahoo! Search for: bowling alley.

You will find little alleys and lanes in places near you that you didn't even know existed. River Rand Bowl in Des Plaines is open until 3 a.m. on Saturdays - for those of you on dates that are going really well.

A few reminders to make sure you bowl a 300 with your date: wear socks without holes in them and, if you have a wacky sense of humor, wear some really funky socks while you're at it; and if you are a good bowler, dial it down for the night - no one wants to hear "in your face" on a date.

Where to go

River Rand Bowl: 191 S River Road, Des Plaines; (847) 299-1001

Brunswick Zone: http://bowlbrunswick.com/

AMFLanes: http://amf.com/corporate/index.htm

Cost varies from alley to alley, approximately $3 for shoe rental and $1.50 to $2.50 per game (sometimes per person)