Yes, I'm Competitive

Anyone who spends any time with me will tell you that I'm competitive. 


I remember telling a soccer team that I was coaching, "I wouldn't let my Grandma beat me at tiddly-winks." (I'm not even sure what this is or if it's a game, but you get the idea).  My wife wants to play this or that game "just for fun" and not keep score;  I don't understand that mindset.  I hate bowling "for fun."  What's the point?


Again, I will blame my Dad for this problem, if you will.  You see, this is not something that I'm proud of - I recognize that's just who I am and how I tick.  My dad would routinely pummel my brother and I at all kinds of sports/activities growing up.  I remember desparately trying to beat him at ping-pong, but to no avail.  I still recall after each whipping he would say in a joking (yet partially serious voice), "What do you need? A different ball? Change paddles? Change sides? Dim the lights?"  Boy did that eat at me,  while fueling my competitive drive.


I'm now 40, and my Dad's planning his retirement.  Last month we were playing badminton  when I was home for the holidays, a sport he taught in college (He had a rule that anyone who beat him received an A--it never happened) and I was winning game after game. And he kept playing and playing.  He played until he finally beat me, a few handicaps allowed, and you know I didn't let him win. 


That said, whether playing Scrabble, throwing cornhole, or kicking it out on the pitch, I play fair.  I lend a hand if I knock 'em down and veer on calling that tennis serve "in" when it's too close to call.  


I recently saw the movie, Moneyball and a quote from Billy Beane, played by Brad Pitt resonated with me.  He said, "I hate to lose more than I love to win."  I agree.

Playing to win, Scrabble tournament, Fivemile Lookout