Have I mentioned that I like winning?

Patrick and I got this game for Christmas:

I am always a bit skeptical about new games, never sure if I will like them. I like sticking to what I know, which is why I love Christmas 'just so' and, I think, have never been able to get into Mad Men. But getting games for Christmas is a great way to overcome that, because you can test it out immediately with the whole family. After playing once or twice, I still wasn't sure (and the rules didn't help either, making it really unclear as to how to actually play). We left for home, taking the game with us in it's nifty bag and played a few times just the two of us. I started to love it. Then, after a conversation with the In-Laws, we understood the rules better and then really started to play for reals.

As it is with all games we play, Patrick lures me in by losing at the beginning, making me think that the playing field is even. And by even I mean I get to win. And then, all of a sudden, I never win. Ever. It's so depressing. But I still play, because every once in a blue moon I will win and that keeps me going. Patrick knows that this gets frustrating for me (all the losing, not the winning every once in a while) but seems to get some kind of enjoyment out of my desperation to win. (Seriously, this one game, Manhattan, we have played so many times I cannot even guess but I know that I have won maybe 10 times. If that. So. Depressing. Why do I still even play with him?! [I was just reading this out to Patrick, got to this part and he screamed "What?! What?!" I thought he was going to tell me off for over-exaggerating my losing and that I had won more than that, but instead he helpfully pointed out that I have "won twice if that". Thanks, honey])

So, now you know the backdrop we can get on to the other day. We haven't been playing very much recently because I have been crocheting a blanket for my soon-to-see-the-light-of-day nephew (I actually just spelt that nefew. I like it.) Last Friday I was in the mood to try and win Qwirkle so we played. I lost. I got annoyed. Then I just sensed that I was going to win if I stuck with it and didn't mope around like the 12 year old Sarah used to (or cry because Matt and Grandma Bowles accused me of cheating when I didn't or cause I lost. For some reason that always happened at Grandma Bowles' house). So I challenged Patrick to the next game, confident in my victory, and maybe boasting just a wee bit. And I was really good! I was getting 6, 7, 8 point when he was only getting half that, I was getting Qwirkle after Qwirkle! It was awesome. But then, the inevitable happened. Patrick won. What the heck?! How does he do that?! And by like something stupid like 3 points or something (and to make matters worse I would have lost by more if he hadn't put his piece down in a way that I could get a sympathy Qwirkle in the end).

So... I got angry. And mopey. And maybe I threw a pen at him twice. He just wouldn't stop chuckling! "Ach, Schatz" he says in a loving, don't be stilly voice. "Ich bin so genervt, weil ich schon wieder verloren habe! (I'm so annoyed cause I lost AGAIN)" I said in my mopey annoyed voice. There was a pause where Patrick considered me and I waited for him to say something encouraging. And then came this, with a crooked smile - "Aber schon mit dir selber, ja? (Annoyed with yourself right)" I was gobsmacked. Let out a stunned 'Huf' and then shook my head in amazement at my husband's inability to know when NOT to say the truth, or remind me of the truth. I had expected some kind of "You'll win at some point" or "You're always a winner to me" but for some reason he always chooses the opportunity to make sure my feelings are what they should be and remind me that I have no one but myself to blame for sucking at Qwirkle and therefore can only be annoyed at my own self. Thank you, Patrick.

Boy oh boy. I think it must be something to do with me, though, cause when I told my mom a few weeks ago that I keep losing at the game she bought me for Christmas she responded with "Well, it is a strategy game..."



Crocheting and Qwirkle.

Oh. Earlier this same day: My loving husband poured water on my head while I was trying to relax on the floor by cuddling (after I asked him not to) because he "had made a commitment". It's a good thing he's pretty.