I remember how to throw darts…

To celebrate Leap Day, Deena and I went to throw darts.

I can already hear you saying, “So what?” Well, the sad truth is we haven’t done that in, like, 10 years or so. Not since we left Indiana, that’s for sure. And, not much since we left Illinois.

Putting aside the fact that it took us half an hour to find a place to throw, and then another half an hour to get to the one board we found, it wasn’t too bad. She won the first game, and I took the second. Neither was league quality, and the margin of victory for both games was two darts. (We play cricket, for those who know darts.)

I first took up darts in 1984. My friend Andy got me hooked, and I taught a number of people to play, including Deena. My first set of darts was an unknown maker, 27g set shaped like a torpedo. I still have them, though I am not sure I want to try to throw them anymore. Then I got a set of 24g Accudart 501’s. After throwing darts while in the Navy (and getting better every game), I came home from the Navy in 1987 and bought a set of 23g Accudart 301’s at Big 5. My game continued improving, as all my friends had to work while I was throwing all afternoon. (The joys of being unemployed for six months...) Then I went off to Seminary, and while there in Deerfield bought a set of 14g Accudart Sunburst soft-tips. I had to—all I could find were electronic dartboards for the longest time. This was 1993. In 1996, I got a set of 23 g Accudart Proline 95’s. 95% tungsten, and the good news is they throw true. The bad news is they throw true…!

Which brings me back to our throwing Friday night.

It was great fun, brought back some pleasant memories, and we want to do some more. So, we will be seeking a regular place to throw, and I’ll let you know how those go as we progress. I’ll warn you now—we aren’t dangerous, but until we regain some of the skills we had (hey—10 years is a long time, and muscle memory is only so good, okay?), you might just want to stand off to the side.

Far off to the side. For your own safety. We don't miss often, but....

Enough for now.

(posted 3/1/08)