[Mike McCarty]

I love competition, it's in my nature. I have, and will compete at anything. It seems that all that I have ever done has had a competitive component, or maybe I just see it that way.

I was quarterback of the football team, third base on the baseball team. I have played on the pro billiards tour and shot competitive skeet (tied for seventh in the world). And I won $3 for first in portraits at the Tulsa state fair. It came down to me and a joint effort from sisters at the nearby nursing home. Since they collaborated I won on a technicality. I will pitch pennies against the wall and race my dog across the backyard. Ok, I tie her back legs together, but that still gives her one more leg than me.

I am also frighteningly cynical and naively optimistic. I am always amazed when I don't win the powerball lottery (which I view as a competition).

My only complaint is that there are not enough opportunities to compete. If I lose because the judges are incompetent, biased, short, I don't care. I say let's gather up again next week and do it again.