high school varsity letter#21. When I graduated from high school I no longer had any desire to compete athletically.
When I wrote my 100 List (any other SPT’ers wishing they had taken a little more time to write a list of more substance?), this WAS a true statement. I had lots of opportunities to compete in high school, but the drive to do battle subsided when I graduated. I should have noticed it waning at one state volleyball tournament. We were in a final game and I was serving—my strong point. I quickly found the opponent’s weak link. She was in the back row, middle position. Again and again I kept serving to her, just above her chest but below her neck. Though they were strong serves, at this point of the competition she should have been able to return them, but she couldn’t. Points kept racking up. At first she was just frustrated but then she got flustered. Finally she started crying. I felt terrible. I felt awful. I wanted to pick on someone new and give her a break; however our coach was a strong presence. Finally, the other team’s coach mercifully called a time out and I trotted to our huddle. Our coach got in my face and wagged her finger and said, “So help me, if you quit serving to her, and I can see you’re going to because you feel badly for her, but so help me if you do, I’ll yank you and you won’t play again.”
We won the state tournament.
The will to compete athletically was gone until a few weeks ago when I was introduced to the Wii. Ignite the fire. There was still an ember in that little Wii tennis ball when it was my turn to serve. Calvin was my opponent. The more I served, the more frustrated he got. The more frustrated he got, the harder I laughed. There was no intimidating coach, there was no crying; it was just me and the Wii and Calvin cursing.
Does anyone know of a tennis Wii competition? ;0)
Are you still competitive?
Are you still competitive?
19 comments:
That is so funny! I too love the wii tennis. The wii has allowed me to feel like I have a chance to win when I play some of the games with my husband.
Seriously, this post made me laugh out loud. Picturing you dish it to Calvin and enjoying every blissful winning moment is too funny. Sam and I get a little too competitive playing card games. We've decided it's not such a great idea for date night as we both get a little too competitive, and it ends in grumbles, glares, and grumpiness.
Wow. I don't have that kind of control to serve at the exact same spot time after time. I can picture it all perfectly.
I fear the Wii competitiveness also wears off. I was a machine shortly after Christmas, particularly in tennis, but haven't played in months.
Although...if I were playing against you....
We should get our Wii out for some more playing time. With Chris's work and school, it's a little bit neglected. I can beat Chris in Wii tennis, where he always eeks a win in real tennis. I think it's not having to really chase down cross-court shots.
Too funny, too funny! If I could find a computer game (xbox, wii, etc.) that I could beat my husband at, that would be great! He always dominates on games, dangit! And I'm soooo competitive!
Is it possible to cringe and laugh at the same time? I am feeling a tug on my heartstrings for both you and that poor girl you were serving at...but--the image of you relishing your win at Wii tennis is highly amusing.
I just played on a Wii for the first time this weekend and loved it!
I love volleyball, but I can't say that I have the control to serve the ball where I'm supposed to. I love the wii story! Sounds like fun and I bet Calvin loves it ;)
We keep talking about buying a Wii. It seems like we are the last ones to own a wii, how many times can I use we, wii? Maybe Santa will bring us one? Did I write that in October?
So funny. I lost the will after high school as well. I just didn't want to do all the work, when I had so much work at college all ready- I was a double major at the time. I never had that killer instinct though. You go girl. I keep thinking about a wii for the "kids!"
I love the way you wrote this. And love imagining you reveling as Calving curses. Too funny. I'm competitive, but it's never been at sports because I pretty much have no skills.
Go Jane! We don't have a wii but I DO play a mean guitar hero! I discovered I have far more rhythm than Steve. Be careful, Calvin will start practicing while you aren't watching!
I love it! What a great post. So funny!
ah, i am so competetive, it is sometimes painful!! notice, i said *competetive,* not necessarily *athletic.* that's a frustrating combo!! (please, don't ever ask me to go bowling. it requires much therapy for me afterwards...)
i haven't tried the wii yet. it's probably best that way!
This was hilarious, Jane. I was never athletic in any way, the only thing I ever did was cheerleading. I'm still not athletic. I do get a little competitive about American Idol on the Wii, though...
And for the record, no, I don't with I had taken a little more time to write a list of more substance for my 100 list. I like the combination of idiosyncratic details mixed in with some of the weightier stuff! (besides, how else would we have known this about you?)
Ohhhh, the Wii has just been further proof that, in our house, competition abounds. I mean, really, who cares who can fake ski-jump the farthest? In the grand scheme of things, it's so inconsequential. In the moment, though, it's EVERYTHING!! Great post. Great memories.
What a moment!
Glad to see that ember is still there inside you!
Oh wii tennis. I love me the power serve. We like to invite unsuspecting friends over for a doubles matches. So much fun.
I love the mental picture I have right now!
I understand how one can get carried away in competition because I am one of them! It doesn't matter if it's a game we play in seminary or just a card game, I am in it to win it! It's nice to hear that I'm not the only one :)
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