Yes, that’s right… I don’t always try to win.  Why?  I have a competitive spirit, but also some common sense.  If the prize for winning a contest is a field trip to an undisclosed location planned by the most disorganized person in the school… then I’m pretty much going to do the minimum to avoid winning.  If there is a pizza party or something fun involved (and impossible for someone to screw up)… then we’re going all out!

There are other highly competitive teachers, too… but they always do their best.  They’re always nervous, too.  I purposely wait and make mine the last one up just to generate a little fear.  Like this week, for example…  we were asked to create a display about our assigned country for Hispanic Heritage Month.  I waited until the last minute to do mine (traditional Snarky style).  In the meantime, one teacher in particular was very nervous about this.  I took advantage of the situation and had a co-worker plant some information at lunch time.  “I can’t figure out what Snarky is up to… she’s been very secretive about her project!”  Mission accomplished… everyone was all worked up by the afternoon.

Then my plan backfired.  I started to feel like the display should have a little something extra just to warrant all the hype.  Not enough to win, but enough to keep my reputation in tact.  So I decided to add a LITTLE flair to our display.  Apparently it was too much flair… everyone was buzzing about how cute it turned out.  (Obviously, I have no idea how powerful my flair truly is.  LOL)  Now I’m the one who is super nervous… we just might win this thing.  And even worse… the prize hasn’t been announced… the great unknown!  Serves me right for stirring up trouble.