Sure, you might think of it as a kid’s game – but dismiss it at your own peril.

Sure, you may think of it as luck – but don’t we all make our own luck?

Sure, it has it’s pitfalls.  It has not only near disasters, but also real disasters.

But it has rewards. 

The thrill of victory far outweighs the agony of defeat.

But through it all, I have learned one valuable lesson.

If you take nothing else from this post – you’d be wise to heed this one piece of advise.

Never – and I will repeat – NEVER – let them see you sweat.

If there is one thing I learned through my decade plus of racing – you never let your opponent know you are hurting.  You never let them think they have the advantage. 

I was known for my finishing kick.

My finish was my signature move.

No matter how much pain I was in.  No matter how tired and hurt I was.  No matter how much I was struggling – NEVER – let your opponent know it.

If I know/knew you were struggling – you were mine.

See, deep down inside I think I wanted it more.

No, scratch that

Deep down inside, I KNOW I wanted it more.

I hated losing.

In fact, I hated losing more than I liked winning, and I did like to win.

But this…… this is different.

This is not a simple athletic event where you can train and work and see your progress.

No – this is a battle. 

But it’s more than just a battle, this is an epic test of wills.

It’s me against them.

And make no mistake, I will prevail.

In this contest, you might think that experience gives me the edge.

I saddens me to say – it does not.

My wisdom, my experience, my willingness to push my body to the limit seems to not help me gain any advantage.

Luck?

No.

Beginner’s Luck?

I scoff at you, and I again say no.

An emphatic NO.

Though my experience seems to not gain me any advantage, I still have that knack to drive myself to succeed.

For I will not be defeated.

This contest might take place at the living room table, or even the kitchen table, as it does in households all across the nation.

Mine is not the only struggle you see.

No.

I stand with all dads shoulder to shoulder who must prevail in this task.

See, I am the man of the household.

I am the king of this, my castle.

I did not ask to be in this battle.

I was summoned.

The gauntlet was cast, and I answered the call.

Yes, I stepped up.

               *Side Note 1 – much like Joey in “Friends”.

A lesser man might not have answered, but the weaker ones will never experience the sweet sweet taste of victory.

What am I to do when battling a far, far younger opponent?

AM I to simply bow out and allow myself to be defeated.

I think not.

Life is hard.

And in a life, lessons must be learned.

Skills are acquired and these valuable lessons must be acquired.

No. I will not just roll over and accept defeat.

In my house I don’t raise softies.

I will overcome,

I will adapt.

In this quest for domination, I can sense victory.

It is in my grasp.

My opponents are in my rear view mirror.

Yes – I am about to conquer this this epic battle.

Victory shall soon be mine.

All hail Big Jimmy – for I entered this but a mere participant, standing at the starting line, equal to that of my fellow opponents.

But no – I have taken charge and I’ve taken over this valiant quest.

I can sense victory.  It is within my reach. 

Only one move left and all will be mine.

EAT MY PROVERBIAL DUST !!!

Today my living room, tomorrow world domination.

HOLD ON NOW

WHAT ???

DAMMIT – that stupid gingerbread man card

UGH…….

…… back to the beginning

• Ramblings