Film Project

Wind and rain, this morning wasn’t exactly the best, but no one was willing to let that affect their weekend festivities.  Today the employees seem to be missing, but that could just be because it’s the morning, nearing twelve, and not the evening when it gets busy.  There is no one at the shoe counter, and only one employee is manning the food kiosk, she spent most of her time in the kitchen.

There are only three groups here today, one is a group of kids on their own of mixed ethnicities, the eldest two (a boy and a girl) look to be no older than twelve, followed by them (in age) there was one other boy, then two more girls, as the eldest girl went up to bowl, the boy began to hit her, she responded by putting down the ball and kicking him, the spat continued with the two throwing kicks, then finally with the boy spanking the girl as she tried unsuccessfully to cover her behind. The boy finally left her alone as she bowled her ball as the others followed suit.  The kids continued to horse around while carrying the bowling balls unafraid of accidentally dropping one on one another’s foot. 

This behavior continued for about what seemed to be about 15 minutes when an older couple, who appeared to be in their early 50’s, arrived and sat at the table nearest them.  The kids seemed to calm down as they began to take turns without shoving, hitting, and swinging balls around as weapons.  Shortly after they returned to the table a voice came over the intercom announcing someone’s order was ready.  The woman, whom I am assuming is the grandmother of the wild bunch of kids, motioned for the older boy and he went to the counter to retrieve their order.  He took multiple trips as he brought a pitcher of coke to the table and then Styrofoam cups. 

The children continued to bowl, behaving, but talking.  They kept eyeing the adults as if they were afraid that they could hear their jokes.

Another group there is a group celebrating a birthday.  They are behind the shoe counter, and their territory is marked in purple and light pink, almost white balloons.   They are on the lanes behind the shoe counter like the last party, and are enjoying a platter of store bought sandwiches.  On the counter, next to the sandwiches, there are pink gift bags of various sizes that say “happy birthday” across the front.  One of the girls in the group is wearing a paper crown with gold foil, I believe that she is the birthday girl, because she is the only one in head gear.  The majority of children are toddlers. 

The children took turns rolling the heavy ball as they try tossing it down their lane.  One child, a little boy in a striped shirt about 5 years of age watched as his ball slowly rolled down the lane and broke into a happy dance as he shouted with joy to see his ball slide into one pin before going in the gutter.  The children took turns, each in their respective lane and every now and then they called for a parent, a man and a woman to take their turns when it was time.  The adults hung out at the table and watched the kids, who were much calmer than the other group, as they rolled balls down the lanes.   

One final group was there in the bowling alley today, a group of students from the local university, they had the side door propped open (the same one Grease Stains used to take out the trash a few weeks ago), and parked next to it is a rental van.  They were unpacking it, taking out a professional camera tripod, a mount to wear a film camera, lighting rigs and mounts, blankets used in packing, and various plastic cases with brand names molded into their faces. 

The kids have conquered the last four lanes, on one table there is a group having a heated discussion, another kid is on his own at a table with pages from a script or directions and an inventory laid out and disorganized, their pages intertwined.  Another girl is running around with a clip board. 

When I was there I was asked by one of the pupils if I was sent over by their professor,  This is one of only two times where I have spoken with someone I was observing, in both cases they began the conversation.  I told him that I was there for another class, doing another project. We spoke, and he told me that they would be filming for the entire day for a film project as part of their class, I in turn, told him that I was taking filed notes for an anthropology class.