#15 It's okay to lose every once in a while

It's strange to even get that down on paper [i.e., on Ivan], coming from me, it is never okay to lose. There must be a spectacle made out of everything. I must always be grand and great and be fantastic. But every so often, it is okay not to be remarkable, every so often ordinary is allowed without that little bit of extra. I spent a solid three hours playing Cranium tonight. One once, was forced to forfeit the second time, and lost the third. There were some incredible moves and moments-- including my guessing which of the 2 names were not head coaches of the Maple Leafs (a legit guess, I had no idea who any of the options were) and tying the game, and then Rana's spectacular guessing skills at charades. She's fantastic! I spent a large part of each round telling the opposing teams not to get angry and yell at one another-- that game gets heated, seriously! So losing pissed me off, of course. But there was an incredible comeback each time, [shit, listen to me, sounds like I'm talking about the Olympics or something]. Anyway, my point is this-- that amongst all the spectacle, it is okay to lose. You do not have to be perfect at everything, you do not always need the medal or the honour or the gift or the title. Sometimes it's the process that counts. The hours of laughter and jokes and pants-peeing trumps the victory. Ask me tomorrow, and I wont remember who won, but ask me how Rana guessed baptism when I cradled a baby and did the sign of a cross and I will tell you how hard I laughed! So remember that the process is good times, and the result is just the ending. That's all-- there are no life altering experiences here. So when your partner screws you over and thinks that razor is a hammer, or when you land on go to jail or get called on your bluff, it really is okay. Honest. There will be more games, more rounds, more opponents. Just have fun for the time being.



...Because you can kick their ass next time.