Ya know what, a few of these posts are right on.
I really, really suck nowadays. In the past few years I had my peaks and slumps. On good nights I'd be shelling out 'good fight' every so often when I smiled at a good fight that I lost or when I knew the other player messed up on that small quirk I was trying to avoid. When I lost I knew I had something to improve on. Eventually I wouldn't lose and I beat that into my head that this was the way to fly. If I lost, it was my fault, and the more it happened, the more angry I'd be at myself. Losing is my fault - and when that happens it's a game against yourself, and that ain't fun all the time.
Fast forward a few years with large breaks in between with rust increasing at an exponential rate, I found it very tough to get back to where I felt comfortable.
Without the time to dedicate like I did in the past, I'm usually just pissed at myself every time I lose. I've played the game, I know how to win and lose, but when I don't execute, I blame myself... hblair said (a long time ago and he was one of the unstoppable aces of the past) that when that happened, it was time for a break. It made sense. He burned himself out (hopefully Commander Rialbh can muster something...!). Well burning out isn't true nature of the game. When someone doesn't screw up in a fight and survives long enough to get the kill, they know it... and that is the only congrats they should expect, the "whew", feeling, the "I'm not good, but I didn't F-up!" But the something extra that comes from a good fight really makes games like this special - they should see the 'hey, good fight' from their opponent even when the other guy lost - that is a great feeling, regardless of who you are. That, to me, is what this game is all about.
I will also just fly for the hell of it... because I enjoy it. So yes, I'll let you know if ya did good more often than I do now. And if you see me pissed, slap me, cause I shouldn't be playing if I reach that stage again.
Fly, lose, learn, win. Then have fun.
