The Adventures of LitBoy: Bill Brent's Blog

Buy Vintage Bowling And Music Gear

Hi, everyone --

Just a quick note to let you know that I'm retooling the LitBoy blog for the new decade ahead! Or at least the next ten months, ha ha. We are all quick-change artists of Life in the Fast Lane of the Internet. Last year, I never thought I'd succumb to Facebook fever, either.

So, since I am in the process of getting rid of my unused stuff in preparation of a likely move in the less than distant future, I am re-inventing this blog to express the theme of "small footprint": Take what you need and leave the rest. Or, if you want to get all Net-jargony about it, you can say that I am re-branding LitBoy.com as a blog for the "small footprint, frugality mentality" niche. Or maybe as a "save my money and simplify life" blog. (Let's see -- what other likely search engine keyword phrases can I cram into one post before this gets tedious, not to mention painfully obvious?) :-P

Anyway, I'm sure you get the idea. Likewise, I'm sure there will still be some Hawaii-specific content to enjoy, which has been the other major theme here.

Really, though, this transition is just an extension of some of the posting I've been doing online, both to this blog and elsewhere, over the past five years. We're just getting more focused now on simply living the simple life, that's all. Hey, I've always been a trendsetter -- so naturally, I was broke before it was a national condition, right? [cue rim shot]

Stay tuned, then, and you might even pick up some ways to save on the cost of living and have fun while doing it.

Meanwhile, as you may have noticed, there is new sidebar content here. Click to the left, if you like, and see if you like any of my stuff for sale at either Amazon (books, CDs, DVDs) or Etsy, which is a great site for handcrafted goods, crafting supplies, and cool vintage items over 20 years old. On Etsy, I have started to sell vintage bowling gear and home music studio gear in both analog and digital flavors. In fact, some kind soul just blogged this here retro piece of music-making home décor I put up for sale, within 24 hours of my listing it! Like I said, we're Livin' La Vida Internet here. VRUUUMZ!

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Wishing you a beautiful day,

Bill Brent

[this page last updated: 2009.07.13, 2:30 a.m. Hawaii time]

LitBoy.com is the brainchild of writer Bill Brent. If you enjoy this blog, please consider a donation in support of my work. You can send money via PayPal to info [AT] litboy [DOT] com, or better still, use Revolution Money Exchange. Unlike PayPal, RME pays me 100% of your donation. It's quick and easy!


Here's the button for that:

A Memoir of Sexual Self-Discovery, and a History of Religious Bowling

Probably I should break this entry into two or three separate posts, but lately it's tough enough for me to prod myself into doing even a monthly post to this blog. So today you get three for the price of one.

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FIRST, I want to pass along a link to an online excerpt from ENTANGLED LIVES, the erotic memoir anthology that features my true story along with six other erotic memoirs, including MARILYN JAYE LEWIS, IAN PHILIPS / GREG WHARTON, and "Adam Greenaway" (the pseudonym for a well-known gay author who chose anonymity for his self-disclosure), BILL BRENT (moi -- just including the name for the search engines), AMIE M. EVANS, ROB STEPHENSON, and RACHEL KRAMER BUSSEL.

This piece, excerpted from Rob Stephenson's "Exuvia (1977-1980), is featured on the VELVET MAFIA website:

CLICK FOR "EXUVIA" (NOTE: for mature readers only.)

This excerpt contains depictions of gay male S/M sexual activity. What I love about it is how Rob describes the rush of discovery and sexual power from an activity that is not genitally focused.

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SECOND, here is a plug for a new book from editor Russ Kick and the great folks at THE DISINFORMATION COMPANY, who publish a series of encyclopedic books that challenge our cultural assumptions. This one is provocatively titled EVERYTHING YOU KNOW ABOUT GOD IS WRONG, and it contains my article, "Martin Luther Goes Bowling," all about the little-known connection between bowling and religion. For instance, there is substantial evidence that bowling, as we know it today, originated in part as a ritual in German churches several centuries after the death of Christ. The original bowling pins may have been some combination of walking stick and club that the parishioners used to defend themselves against "heathens" (robbers) enroute to Church.

Want to know more? HERE'S A LINK TO THE BOOK.

The book contains a plethora of articles by well-known authors, most if not all of which explore little-known facts concerning religion, religious fallacies, or other meditations on the topic, including one of my favorites, "Comforting Thoughts About Death That Have Nothing to Do With God," by my blogging pal GRETA CHRISTINA. That one's a freebie, in fact, because you can read it on her blog, RIGHT HERE.

A few other articles of the dozens in this anthology: Richard Dawkins shows us the strange, scary properties of religion; Neil Gaiman turns a biblical atrocity story into a comic (that almost sent a publisher to prison); Erik Davis looks at what happens when religion and California collide; Mike Dash eyes stigmatics; Douglas Rushkoff exposes the trouble with Judaism; Paul Krassner reveals his "Confessions of an Atheist"; and best-selling lexicographer Jonathon Green interprets the language of religious prejudice.

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LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I've been putting up new items for sale in my online bookstore, BooksFromHawaii. Browse, if you wish, and see if there's something you like!

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Thanks for tuning in, and in case I don't post again before the Solstice, Christmas, or whatever your celebration of choice may be, have a wonderful and life-enriching holiday.

Wishing you a beautiful day,

Bill Brent

[this page last updated: 2007.12.08, 11:05 a.m. Hawaii time]

LitBoy.com is a professional blog. Keeping it online costs me $200 per year. That's before paying me for my writing, photography, or anything else I do here. If you enjoy this blog, please use the Tip Jar at the top of this page. Your two-dollar minimum donation helps keep this banner-free site alive. It's quick and easy!

80.99 / $199.90 (40.5%)

This meter displays this year's contributions to date in U.S. dollars (after the funds processor takes its cut). Make a donation, watch the meter rise! Usually I post your contribution on my next blog post.

All original materials here on LitBoy.com (writing, photos, drawings, graphics, etc.) belong to Bill Brent. If you want to re-use something here, please ask. Higher resolution images are available.

SOLD: two bowling bags, vintage 1970s, Brunswick, blue Windjammer style

See all my pictures HERE. NOTE: As of June 2008, THESE ITEMS ARE NOW SOLD. I am leaving this blog post up for historical and reference purposes. THE BAGS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

Two gently used Brunswick bowling bags, with original name tags still attached, identical in style. I rate each of these an eight out of ten for condition. (See my ratings page at  www.BowlingBay.com for details.)

Total cost of $60 includes shipping from Hawaii to anywhere in the USA (usually about a $25 value). This price is for BOTH bags pictured. For just one bag, the price is $40 total. Due to shipping cost, no returns on this item.

To summarize, PRICE:
$60 for both bags, or $40 each, includes safe double-packaging, insurance, and tracking.
Postage is included in the price on all my FOR SALE items.

Of course, I will combine shipping to save you money when you purchase RELATED ITEMS, such as:
Two form-fitting Colonial bowling ball bags.

See all my pictures HERE. $50 each, or both for $90 postpaid.

I also have:
-    matching authentic vintage bowling shirts, 1960s and 1970s.
-    shoe bags for carrying bowling shoes, similar vintage.

Any questions? Please click HERE to learn why I am doing this. Otherwise, please post a comment with any requests, and I will get back to you ASAP.

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Wishing you a beautiful day,

Bill Brent

FOR SALE: bowling ball, AMF Strikeline, black and teal swirl, vintage 1976

See all my pictures HERE.

An AMF Strikeline bowling ball, 1976 vintage (the last two digits in the serial number [pictured] are "76"), black and teal blue swirl, 12 pounds, extremely rare! New and undrilled, in perfect condition; no blemishes, a ten on a ten scale. (See my ratings page at  www.BowlingBay.com for details.)

Total cost of $90 includes shipping from Hawaii to anywhere in the USA (usually about $35), plus the ball holder you see pictured — great for display, or take it to the lanes to hold your spare ball in place on the floor.

Makes a gorgeous display piece, as is; otherwise, here is a rare chance to bowl with a classic Strikeline. Twelve pounds is a good weight for a woman or an older child; if you plan to drill this, please check with your local pro shop to see if this is the right weight for you. No returns on this item.

PRICE:
$90, includes display cup, safe double-boxing, insurance, and tracking.
Postage is included in the price on all my FOR SALE items.

Of course, I will combine shipping to save you money when you purchase RELATED ITEMS, such as:
Two form-fitting Colonial bowling ball bags.

See all my pictures HERE. $50 each, or both for $90 postpaid.

I also have:
-    matching authentic vintage bowling shirts, 1960s and 1970s.
-    shoe bags for carrying bowling shoes, similar vintage.

Any questions? Please click HERE to learn why I am doing this. Otherwise, please post a comment with any requests, and I will get back to you ASAP.

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Wishing you a beautiful day,

Bill Brent

FOR SALE: Two Colonial bowling ball bags, blue, vintage 1975

See all my pictures HERE.

Two matching vintage bowling ball shaped bowling bags, aqua blue, extremely rare style! Made by Colonial; I am guessing on the date, and I believe this bag was model #3007. Both are in great vintage condition; I would rate each about an eight on a ten scale. (See my ratings page at  www.BowlingBay.com for details.)

One bag still has its nametag holder attached. One has two small imperfections: a 1/4'' black ink dot, and a small slit on the bottom of bag (also about 1/4"). The ink can probably be removed, but I didn't want to harm the bag. The slit could be sealed from inside the bag. Each bag has dual zipper pulls to meet in the middle or open up wide enough to insert or remove a bowling ball. It would make an awesome purse!

These come up on eBay from time to time, but I have never seen two matching ones appear at the same time, and my price is reasonable compared to other auctions I've seen for this item.

PRICE:
$50 each, postpaid.
Or buy both for $90, postpaid.

UPDATE: I now have three of these round blue bags in stock. Should you want all three, the price is $120 postpaid. To order, or for further details, please see The LitBoy Store, in the sidebar of this LitBoy.com blog.

Of course, I will combine shipping to save you money when you purchase RELATED ITEMS:

pictured: bowling ball, AMF Strikeline, blue and black swirl, vintage 1976, new and undrilled (NOS), also available. 13 lbs., $90 postpaid. I also have:
-    matching authentic vintage bowling shirts, 1960s and 1970s.
-    shoe bags for carrying bowling shoes, similar vintage. Please check my store, or post me a comment with any requests, such as pictures and further info, and I will get back to you ASAP.

Wishing you a beautiful day,

Bill Brent

[this page last updated: 2007.12.19, 12:15 p.m. Hawaii time]

LitBoy.com is a professional blog. Keeping it online costs me $200 per year. That's before paying me for my writing, photography, or anything else I do here. If you enjoy this blog, please use the Tip Jar at the top of this page. Your two-dollar minimum donation helps keep this banner-free site alive. It's quick and easy!

80.99 / $199.90 (40.5%)

This meter displays this year's contributions to date in U.S. dollars (after the funds processor takes its cut). Make a donation, watch the meter rise! Usually I post your contribution on my next blog post.

All original materials here on LitBoy.com (writing, photos, drawings, graphics, etc.) belong to Bill Brent. If you want to re-use something here, please ask. Higher resolution images are available.