It was game night last night and with nachos in the belly and glasses of wine in hand, it was first a round of Hues and Cues, which was fun with eight people, and then onto Hitster, a music quiz game. We invited two couples who hadn't met earlier, but we have known each for a very long time, and it was fun just sitting around and shooting the breeze, keeping it casual. They are all interesting people in their own right, but all laid back and easy going too. Also, competitive.
I have never been very competitive.
I don't know why, but I think there are two main groups pf competitive people - those who compete for everything, and those that compete for what they really want. I know a few who are clearly in each category, and the ones that compete for everything, tend to win a lot, but have very little of what they actually want. They have gone for quantity of wins over quality of wins. Those who only compete for what they really want, tend to be very successful in a narrow sense, and pretty relaxed when it comes to other areas of life.
Which are you?
There are also those who aren't competitive at all, but I often get the sense that it is less that they don't care, and more that they care too much about what others think, or of their own failure, that they don't want to take the risk of losing. Choosing not to compete due to fear of loss, tends not to end up getting much of what is wanted either.
Next week is the Superbowl between the Philadelphia Eagles and the KC Chiefs, and I was watching a clip of Jordan Mailata, one of the few Australians in the NFL that aren't a kicker. He is an offensive tackle for Philly, and since the team I support is already out, I am just hoping he makes an impact on the game. Mailata was miked up for the game against Washington (my team) and listening to him trash talk and just chuckle and giggle like a kid the whole game, was uplifting. He genuinely enjoys what he is doing, and he does it well.
I don't think I have ever sounded as happy as that guy.
It is the sound of joy of someone who is competing for something they really want, at the highest level. The pressure is high, it is incredibly physical, the crowds are screaming for and against - and that competitive spirit welcomes it.
I'd like to feel that.
But, I am not really interested in anything enough to want to compete at it in any meaningful way. I am not even interested enough to passively support a team or topic. I don't know why I am so not interested, because so many of my friends seem to always have something that they are into, even if it changes relatively regularly. It is like most people are geared to find something to be a fan of, no matter what it is. Maybe it is because it creates some sense of belonging and meaning?
I think being a "fan" of something helps set up some of that useful competitive spirit, because it creates a position to defend, a position to fight for, something to argue over. It doesn't really matter the subject matter, it creates the conditions of for and against.
It was fun during the music game, as people were getting into it, and there was nostalgia with many songs, and the frustrations of them being familiar, but not being able to grasp the artist, or just missing the title. When playing games like we were last night, I have to feign competitiveness, because it makes the game more interesting for those who are looking to win. For me, it is about creating an atmosphere that is enjoyable, especially since I was hosting.
I don't follow the NFL during the season, but I sometimes watch the Superbowl if it fits in with my schedule, but I don't think it is going to be available in Finland this year, though I will ask around in case I have missed something. I am definitely not going to get another streaming service for it though, and I only have one friend who has access and would be keen to watch, and he is travelling at that time.
I will catch a replay, or the highlights.
Even consumerism is a sport to compete at these days.
I don't need to be first.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
