Monday, May 7, 2012

Recess

I remember not being that thrilled to go out to recess while in elementary school. I would much rather have sat inside and continued doing school work. And I was, most likely, the only kid in my school who felt that way. I may have been the only kid in the state who felt that way.

It wasn't so much because I loved school- even though I did. It was more related to the organized games we had to play during recess. And I kind of sucked at organized games. I wanted to be really good at them. But I wasn't.

So, when it was time to play dodge ball or softball or kick ball, my face did not don an expression of total delight. Which is odd when you know that I loved these games in the neighborhood with the other kids and my cousins. The same people I went to school with. Except that a lot of them were older and I never seemed to be in any of the same classes as those in my grade. OK, so, the kids were different.

I believe that my competitive nature might have been the reason behind my less than enthusiastic attitude about organized games at recess. I was (am) highly competitive and did (do) not like to lose. At anything. And I was not good at these games. I didn't suck to the point that I was the last one picked for a team- it there were 15 kids on each team, I was probably around the 8th one picked. I was not one of the best. But I wanted to be.

Since I couldn't be the best, I didn't enjoy playing. Which made me that much worse at the game. I even let this stop me from trying out for organized sports as I got older. Luckily, I didn't pass this on to the lovelies. They've all played on a team of some sort at some point and did just fine.

I still don't enjoy playing organized games (though cards and board games I totally enjoy...as long as I win). But I do LOVELOVELOVE watching football on the weekends during the season! And college basketball! And soccer! And not being good at playing them doesn't stop me from spouting my opinion during the games. If the neighbors ever hear me they must think I'm trying to kill the husband. I sort of get into it. And yell. A lot.

So, I sucked at playing organized sports during recess in elementary school which deterred me from trying to play in high school and college (even intramural). But it did not stop me from loving sports and games. Thankfully. I'd hate to think who'd be the recipient of my venting if I didn't at least have weekend football!  




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This post is part of the NaBloPoMo for May. The theme is PLAY and this post was inspired by the prompt: "Write about a strong memory from recess."  


17 comments:

  1. Ah yes, those recess games. I became convinced I was no good at sports because of them. Now I wonder if that was true? I've found my own niche in walking, thank goodness.

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  2. Pam I think we have tons in common but on this...not so much... I lived for recess. Playing outside was my favorite thing to do in school and out.... Not that a good Giants game didn't have the ability to get me on the couch :)

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  3. Oh that is so sad. I would have picked you for my team first. :)
    I have always loved sports so much. I wonder why I married a guitar player who wasn't the least bit interested in sports. :)
    I like all of the interesting things you come up to blog about. It is really nice to get to know you better.
    Have a lovely Monday.

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  4. ...you enjoy playing board/card games [as long as you win]. Sounds like Bud.

    Recess for me was okay, but again, I was more a loner, so I'd be off by myself with a book in my hand, reading while others played.

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  5. Betty- I think that I was really not good at them. I hated being watched and judged. I've found my niche in the walking/running too. And I'm aware that it's solitary. LOL

    jen- Oh I LOVED being outside and playing. But I did not love the organized games at recess. Giants? Ew. LOL

    Kim- Thanks! Are you kidding me?! My husband plays the guitar and was not much of a sports person until years after we married---he finally caught on and watches football with me every weekend! Too funny!

    Anni-I can't help it. I try not to care who wins. But I do. :) We didn't have a choice- everyone had to play. Like it or not.

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  6. Betty- I think that I was really not good at them. I hated being watched and judged. I've found my niche in the walking/running too. And I'm aware that it's solitary. LOL

    jen- Oh I LOVED being outside and playing. But I did not love the organized games at recess. Giants? Ew. LOL

    Kim- Thanks! Are you kidding me?! My husband plays the guitar and was not much of a sports person until years after we married---he finally caught on and watches football with me every weekend! Too funny!

    Anni-I can't help it. I try not to care who wins. But I do. :) We didn't have a choice- everyone had to play. Like it or not.

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  7. Maybe you were alone in your state but not on the whole continent. I would rather have stayed in at recess, too. Sometimes you got to do cool stuff like help the teacher with...whatever. I could read - I was good at that. I wouldn't be outside trying to escape the dodge ball. Oh, I hated dodgeball. Unless of course I managed to hit someone - not often but sweet :)

    I loved to play outside. Playing is such a natural thing for kids. It's amazing how grownups can make it torture.

    And don't get me started on competitive, my friend. See, I even have to win at this LOL

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  8. oh i hated gym and recess time--unless it was the year my teacher let me use the time to practice with my singing group haha--

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  9. Stephanie- Haha! Nice to know that I'm not the only ridiculously competitive person out there. :) It IS amazing how adults can ruin fun for kids. My teachers worked hard at doing that and were, for the most part, successful.

    LP- Haha- lucky you! Ninth grade PE was horrid and we even staged a sit out...in? LOL Either way, we did it and the teacher was horrified.

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  10. Oh baby, am I ever competitive and will go to great lengths to win. We had recess games and unorganized softball and basketball. Back then that was not an option for 'girl' sports.

    I so understand, I'm an all or nothin' type gal myself!

    God bless and enjoy your week sweetie!!! :o)

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  11. Nezzy- Hey! There are more of us out there. LOL Thanks!

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  12. Gosh, that takes me back, Pam. I also used to HATE organized games when I was a child. Simply because I was pretty hopeless at them! Mind you, at that time, we had to run around in navy blue serge knickers. Enough to put anyone off for life!! I'm pretty competitive playing board games, and the odd game of Monopoly has been known to end up being thrown in the air!!! (I'm ashamed to say, of course!!).

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  13. Recess was fun for getting outside but I hated it because I wasn't too popular and was often made to feel "not wanted" on a team or a game. But, that only lasted until I discovered boys!!!

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  14. Diane- Well at least we didn't have to wear uniforms. But the girls did have to wear skirts or dresses...one more thing that I hated. I have always been a jeans gal. I might or might not have been known to throw a game board in the air. LOL

    Barb- Yeah, those boys = big trouble. LOL

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  15. Oh that competitive streak! :-) I grew up with two older brothers who played for blood, so I am TOTALLY uncompetitive. No matter whose side I was on, I got blamed for their loss, so competition was never something I enjoyed, unless it's competition with myself. I don't beat myself to a bloody pulp (which is what my brothers threatened). :-D

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  16. Judy- I have three brothers but I was an only child for the first 12 years of my life. My parents adopted the boys. I was, and still am, more competitive than they. And they so take advantage of this. To this very day. Aren't brothers...wonderful? LOL

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  17. Interesting that your competitive nature kept you from playing the sports! Although, I think my competitiveness is keeping me from doing some things in my adult life (risks with jobs, moving, etc).

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