I used to play competitive Scrabble at our city's club. I stopped going because it is so unpleasant. I hate losing. I'm a sore loser. It's really disorganized since the director quit and there's all this waiting around before and between games. Others chat but i just pace the hallway because i have nothing to say. They all have heavy careers and families and their lives are just generally much more robust than mine.

There's a bad attitude to mental illness there, with one player saying her 'wacky' relative must be bipolar. I'm not 'out' to them. I can't explain my circumstances [i'm on disability benefits] and it's been awkward when they ask me where i work.

The location of the club changed recently and you basically have to have a car to get there and i am on the bus. Bunch of elitist pricks! I have to move mountains to get there and back.

I won the trophy last season. That's the highest honor i can aspire to because i'm not healthy enough to go in tournaments. They all travel to weekend tournaments around North America. Maybe i should end my competitive playing career on a high note?

But it does give me some exposure to a bunch of exceptionally smart people and put some color in my rather tame life.

I don't know. I don't enjoy myself. My life is rather empty but filling it with an activity i dislike is no answer.

I want new hobbies: cooking for example! I've made a few things recently and i really enjoyed them and home cooking is so worthwhile, really a pleasure to create and eat. I just found out tonight my church is starting a commuity kitchen where a chef who is supposed to be a lot of fun will teach new skills and we get to take home three meals for $5.

I've also signed up for a Women's 45+ meetup. My first event is this Thursday. We are going to an art gallery and for coffee after. Wish me luck!

It would take a lot of studying to get back up to speed on Scrabble and even more to improve at it. The though of it makes me feel lousy.

What do you think?

[wildflowerchild25]

I don't know why you'd want to do something if the thought of it makes you feel lousy. I think you should try some new hobbies. Follow up on the cooking!

Hm. You sound like an awesome Scrabble player, but you said it yourself: you don't enjoy it anymore because of the circumstances.

While I do think everyone should chase after their hobbies, I think it's more important that you enjoy yourself.

On the other hand, I think cooking sounds like a great hobby for you! Cooking is fun, and it's even more rewarding when you can cook your own healthy, tasty dishes. That's what I like to do! Herb-crusted chicken w/ fresh herbs, roasted potatoes w/ olive oil, homemade rice pilaf, steamed edamame with a dash of kosher salt, etc. etc.. All of those things are healthier AND taste better than most processed foods.

Personally, I would LOVE to learn new cooking techniques!

Good luck with your women's meetup! I was going to do a similar one on Sept 3 in Boston meant for women in their 20s and 30s. I think it'll be a lot of fun.

[bizi]

You have done scrabble....
onward to new meet ups and coffee!
home cooking saves money and you know exactly what is in it!
So important when dieting and on a budget. Do you have a friend that you could ask over to try a new recipe on?
I think you are doing great jane!
bizi

[Travelinglady]

I suggest Internet Scrabble. You can play against the computer or take on other players. Live without Scrabble? Not me!

Originally Posted by Travelinglady

I suggest Internet Scrabble. You can play against the computer or take on other players. Live without Scrabble? Not me!

Yes, i've played online Scrabble for ten years. But it's part of my efforts to improve as an IRL player. Either i do both or neither.

[bizi]

you sound very competitive! sounds like you miss it.
bizi

[Wild Coyote]

At first, it sounds like you've had your fill. Later on in the thread it does seem you miss the competition. I can see you feel conflicted.

Will joining in competitive Scrabble at the club interfere with new ventures?

You are very bright, so it's difficult to think of a strategy you haven't considered, like writing down the pros and cons.

Are you hoping to make some new contacts, find new relationships?

What are your goals?

Which activities help most with your goals?

As for explaining your disability/income, if you are not comfortable sharing the truth, then hedge a bit. Some people work at home writing small articles for various magazines/publications, for instance.


WC

[Daonnachd]

Apfei, it sounds like Scrabble, under the conditions in which you would be forced to play, causes an awful lot of tension. Go back to your original post here and read your own description. I think you will see that you don't really want to continue with it, you're just having a hard time making the break.

Look at the decision this way: How will my life improve when I trade Scrabble for cooking?

((Long, strong hug)) It's a big decision. I understand.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Honestly it sounds like scrabble makes you kind of miserable and the new things in your life are exciting. So maybe you could try to focus really hard on trying new things to fill that gap for a year (or whatever the Scrabble season(?) lasts) and then decide next year what you really feel is right for you.

You are so brave for taking on new interests. I hope they go well for you!

[Unrigged64072835]

The competitiveness might give you a boost, but it doesn't sound like the rest of it would make it worthwhile. I'd go for trying the new things where you might find more enjoyment.