Winning, Losing and Controversy

Growing up, one of the things I enjoyed was playing games.  I especially like games played with cards or, dominoes.  I think games are important for youngsters as part of preparation for life.  In the adult world of tactics and strategy -- especially in business -- there is a strong similarity to playing games.

One of the things necessary in a game that is not strictly one of chance, is to not reveal your cards or, dominoes to your opponent.  Simultaneously, you are attempting to discern what cards, or dominoes your opponent is holding based on the way they play.  Knowledge of the strength and weaknesses of your opponents hand is often the difference between winning and losing.

Games of strategy and tactics are often most played by those who do not excel at games of physical prowess.  Rarely do you see exceptional athletes who are great at chess and just as rarely are great chess players good athletes.  In athletics, physical talent, strength and quickness are requisite for winning although positions of leadership -- such as quarterback in American football -- often require strong intellectual faculties as well as athletic ability.

Our military is filled with individuals whose strengths were in the physical endeavors of sports as youth.  Business is filled with those who were strong at less physical games such as cards.  There are exceptions to both, of course, but it seems that our proclivity to games is a natural inclination to participate in activities that prepare us for broader pursuits in the realm of adulthood.

Winning and losing are a part of playing games.  How one responds to both occurrences is important.  Attitude is extremely important in every endeavor.  Winning with grace affects relationships and therefore the outcome of future events.  Overcoming loss with the will to "try again" is required to continue on the path of improvement.

Sometimes events conspire to rob one of a win, or at other times, to steal the joy of the win.  The controversial call in yesterday's running of the Kentucky Derby will be discussed for many years.  The question of whether the interference was deliberate or, inadvertent will be the subject of conversation for days of those who were highly interested in the race.

I have to admit that I didn't watch the race, but the interference call makes it interesting to me.  There have been a number of calls in the last year or, so that affected the outcome of sporting events.  They include a couple of football games, a tennis match and I don't recall what else, but I'm certain there were more.

Any time human judgment comes into determining the outcome, there will be controversy.  Sometimes it is honest mistake and at others there may be something less honorable involved.  Either way, each interested person will respond with approbation or, condemnation or, perhaps in rare instance, neutrality.  When the stakes are high, neutrality is unlikely.

I suspect, in the case of yesterday's race, the best athlete was disqualified.  We will never know.

Just for Fun: What Board Game Are You?

You Are Boggle

You are an incredibly creative and resourceful person. You're able to dig deep and think outside the box to get things done. You are a non linear thinker. You don't like following directions You draw your inspiration from the strangest places sometimes. You're constantly inspired.

What Board Game Are You?

Somewhat Rare

Your Personality is Somewhat Rare (ISTP)

Your personality type is reserved, methodical, spirited, and intense. Only about 6% of all people have your personality, including 3% of all women and 8% of all men You are Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, and Perceiving.

How Rare Is Your Personality?

Yankee or Dixie?

I found this over on Finding Direction:

Yankee or Dixie?

It told me I was 89% Dixie and then asked if there were Confederates in my ancestry -- imagine that y'all. Try it out and comment with your scores.

Typing Challenge

A challenge for you:

65 words Speedtest

Not too bad for an old man.

What's in a Name...

I found this over on Born Again Redneck Yogi.

What Christopher Means

You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily. You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind. A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable. You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out. Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia. Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong. You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know. You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do. You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life. You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home. You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble. You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life. You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you. At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself. You are influential and persuasive. You tend to have a lot of power over people. Generally, you use your powers for good. You excel at solving other people's problems. Occasionally, you do get a little selfish and persuade people to do things that are only in your interest. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

At least part of it is probably on target...

A Rather Lengthy Meme!

Janie at Sounding Forth has tagged me for a meme.


A) Four jobs that I've held --

1) General Manager
2) Salesman
3) Regional Manager
4) Division Manager
5) Loan Officer

B) Four films I could watch over and over

1) Lord of the Rings (all)
2) Star Wars (all)
3) McClintock
4) Indiana Jones (all)
5) Independence Day

C) Four TV shows I watch

1) Stargate SG1 (occasionally)
2) Eureka (occasionally)
3) NCIS (occasionally)
4) College football if A&M or Texas Tech are playing
5) Dallas Cowboys -- until I fall asleep in my chair

D) Four places I've lived

1) Olton, Texas
2) Muleshoe, Texas
3) Minneola, Kansas
4) Red Cloud, Nebraska
5) Justin, Texas

E) Four favorite foods

1) Chicken fried steak
2) Brisket
3) Ribeye steak
4) Any kind of beef
5) Blue Bell ice cream -- you can tell I'm a healthy eater.

F) Four websites I visit daily

1) NOAA
2) Fox News
3) Drudge Report
4) Yahoo
5) iGoogle

G) Four favorite colors

1) Blue
2) Green
3) Red
4) Khaki
5) Maroon

H) Four places I would love to be right now

U.S. Other
1) Red River, New Mexico 1a) Dublin, Ireland
2) Portland, Oregon 2a) Adelaide, Australia
3) Nashville, Tennessee 3a) Fiji
4) Washington, DC 4a) Buenos Aires
5) New York, New York 5a) Jamaica

I) Four names I love but could/would not use for my children

1) Constantinople -- beats me why
2) Luke Skywalker -- it sounds so forceful
3) Obiwan Kenobi -- it really rolls off the tongu
4) Snickerdoodle -- 'cause I like the cookies
5) Jesus -- It is a name I love to hear...

Now I'm supposed to tag four bloggers. I will pass on that, however, if any of you who read this would like to participate, leave a comment and have at it.

Idealism

Hat Tip to My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy.

I found this quiz over at My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy. I am a Faith-Based Fighter.

My Conservative Identity:

You are a Faith-Based Fighter, also known as a religious conservative. You believe in Judeo-Christian values, restoring God’s rightful place in the public square, and in showing all the unwashed and unsaved liberal sinners the path to salvation, or at least to the GOP.

Take the quiz at http://www.fightliberals.com/Inside-the-Book/What-Breed-of-Conservative-Are-You.html

Somehow I'm not too surprised at the results.

How Dumb Are You?

I found this on Hillbilly White Trash.




I don't know. I guess I'm a sucker for these games.

7 and 7 at Life in America

CDO over at Life in America has posted his response to my seven and seven tag from a few days ago. I was impressed with his poetic effort. Y'all go visit him.

Seven and Seven

Janie at Sounding Forth tagged me. I am to tell seven random things about myself and then tag seven people. I've not been tagged before so I'm game to give it a try. She seemed to hint that I should make this rhyme...

I once dreamed of becoming a star
From singing and playing guitar

I was once a Republican County Chair
Way back when I still had hair

My favorite color is blue
Which is the color of my eyes too

If you'll look closely at my little rhyme, you'll see that there are seven things listed. So, now I have to list seven victims -- I mean individuals to tag.

1) CDO at Life in America -- I'm anxious to see what he'll come up with!
2) Strawberry at Middle Age Ramblings -- She's pretty creative.
3) Ranando at The Ranando Report -- What have you got out there on the west coast?
4) Patrick at Born Again Redneck Yogi -- We need a South African transplants input.
5) Incognito at A Closet Republican in the Arts -- Our actress.
6) Blazing Cat Fur -- for his interesting sense of humor.
7) Neal at The Odom's in Wellington -- I'm just curious what he'll put.

Now, I'd better go let all of these folks know they've been tagged!