21 Comments

A childhood chum always used to say "Win some, lose a bunch!" That pretty much sums up life; you're going to lose way more times than you win. And that makes the times you win all the more sweet.

It's like baseball...it's not about success, it's about acceptable rates of failure....

Expand full comment

There's a saying that we have in the Navy which your friends little saying reminded me of.

"No one dips out, some people just dip in more than others."

Do you think some people win in life more than others? I think a lot of people are winners depending on a lot of things. Where you're born. Born to good parents. I say they're little wins (even though we have no control over them.)

Expand full comment

I bet the people we think as "winners" still view themselves as not "winning" most of the time. That's just the human condition. "The Sunset Limited" by Cormack McCarthy deals with this ; how those who have everything often seem to be miserable while those who have nothing are often happy.

I do agree with your Navy saying; I don't think most Americans realize how much your circumstances (socio-economic, predominantly) determine outcomes. In the words of Everlast; "You know it ends; it usually depends on where you start."

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1510938/

Expand full comment

I’m most competitive at “make it work”. Whatever that is 😅

Expand full comment

HGG HGH (human growth hormone) and Testosterone injections go a long way towards extending and easing our cartilage suspension mobility systems …

(Like knees, ya know)

Expand full comment

I suffered a tibial plateau.

https://www.renoortho.com/specialties/center-for-fracture-trauma/tibial-plateau-fracture/#:~:text=What%20is%20a%20Tibial%20Plateau,and%20skin%20around%20the%20knee.

I'm in pain pretty much 24/7 as I though I had recovered and then the RN sent me onto the air craft carrier. The ladder chains have put me right back at step one.

Expand full comment

Here’s where thiz stuff helps-especially HGH. It’s not macho it’s less Oucho

“, ligaments, muscles, tendons and skin around the knee. All of these structures must be taken into account”

Expand full comment

Ouch- sorry. But honestly both test and HGH help with pain and the support tissue.

It’s not machismo - but less Ouch-ismo

Expand full comment

I tried to post some of the vids I took of us for a club we were trying to get it, but I can’t get them to post with audio. Then we just look stupid.

Expand full comment

Come down to Daytona. I got in an ad this week, just by luck.

Expand full comment

I’m the uk or I would!!

Expand full comment

Btw, I’m in agreement with ms. Williams. I tried to fit in. Older brother super athlete. Younger brother pga pro. Two things. Not competitive, and happen to be a passable musician. And as long as people like my playing,I’m perfectly happy just playing, not practicing at all except at gigs, learning new songs along the way. As far as being a mechanic, there aren’t too many that can do what I do. Compete? Nah. Win? Daily.

Expand full comment

You should post a video or two on Notes of you playing music!!

Expand full comment

But participation trophy’s protect everybody!

Expand full comment

😂😂😂

Expand full comment

Quite agree Vulkan. The whole ‘prizes for all’ culture is immensely destructive. Especially for you people. If Syndrome in the Incredibles taught us anything it’s ’if everyone is Super, then no one is’.

Expand full comment

I'd forgotten that Syndrome quote!!!

Just winning in general propels the best which is a good thing.

As shit as it sounds, some of us are only around to prop up the best so that they might discover something which furthers human knowledge.

Expand full comment

Ha ha. That’s me. Very much a trestle to the table of human achievement!

Expand full comment

Vulkan, probably your only commenter on here who....detests competition. I am not remotely competitive. I did a brief foray in elementary school on track and field, was a sprinter...(50 yard dash) but did not like the "jock" atmosphere and did not fit in. I was a good sprinter in 6th or 7th grade (50 yd dash, 6.8 seconds) but again, I did not fit into the athelete template. I am more an intellectual, for good or bad. I admire some athletes...but will never be one. The obsession with winning...has its dark side.

Expand full comment

Even though you detest competition, do you think humans as a whole thrive on competition?

Expand full comment

Vulkan, from my perspective, no, I do not think humans as a whole, thrive on competition. Seeing the pressure put on kids in school and the negative repercussions, I do not support pushing competition on all. Let kids pursue what they have an aptitude and gift for. One size does not fit all. I can admire some competitive types, what I call "type A", but I am the polar opposite to that and I know many others are the same. "Winning at all costs" is not the way. Learn, grow, expand, yes but push others, no!

Expand full comment