nicksiders
GOLD MEMBER
3978 posts
Dec 25, 2009
11:26 AM
|
There was a time when I was happier with my life and with my pigeons than I am now. The “now” started when I first entered the world of competition after decades of being absent form that world. After working in the business world of 70 - 80 hour weeks and then retiring I found myself with additional free time, but I still possessed that need or desire to compete. In my business life I had that need fulfilled in the work, so I used my pigeons to relax me and take me away from that competitive world of business.
Winning is the motivator in competition and competition in its purest form is not harmful; in fact it is down right fun. It starts to become harmful and not so fun when the competition drags you into the politics of competing. When the move is towards establishing a hierarchy of competitors and the real competition is in becoming a part of the hierarchy instead of simply flying pigeons in competition is when the happiness begins its decent.
If you desire to stop the decent and reverse it you are faced with decisions that will require some sole searching and the insertion of a time table. The time table is a requirement so that you can remove yourself from some of the obligations you have signed up for as not to disrupt the organization you have volunteered your service to.
My goal is to remove and excuse myself from competing for a position in the hierarchy to a position of simply enjoying my pigeons; no more and no less. I can stop my competition for a position in the hierarchy right now and I can say that it is done.
I will continue to fulfill my obligations for two years in a national club. I do love what I am doing for a local club and I hope to remain in any capacity the membership wants me to be in either it be the president or a member. When the two year obligation is completed with the national club I will not seek or accept any position within it there forth.
Much of it is more than likely due to my age. I will be 68 years old when my current obligation of two years is fulfilled to the national club. It would not be the right thing for the club to involve me any further. I also do not need to be driving 3500 miles to position judges underneath kits throughout the region either. Age is always truthful to you.
I also want to change my persona from one of being a critical butt-wipe to one who is a helper and a person you can get sound advise from; a source to be used by the many.
It is near the New Year and I am attempting to re-evaluate my personal worth to the hobby in relationship to how I feel physically and mentally. For the first time in my life I feel tired and old.
Thanks for listening.
Nick
----------
Just My Take On Things
Nick Siders
|
gotspin7
2613 posts
Dec 25, 2009
11:51 AM
|
Nick,
To me this statement below is were I keep it at.
Winning is the motivator in competition and competition in its purest form is not harmful; in fact it is down right fun.
I bit into the politics bull shit once, I will not do it again. I try and just keep my lip shut and just look up.... Smile...
I appreciate what you have done for our region the time you have been the RD and I always enjoy sitting and talking pigeon with you. I think you just need to sip on some Applecider Vinegar and you should be strutting your hen again...
Hope you had a blessed holiday, call me when you have some time. I have a couple of questions for you...lol
Your Naturally tanned friend....lol
----------
Salvador Ortiz
|
donnie james
850 posts
Dec 25, 2009
1:25 PM
|
hay nick it sounds like that you have a new look on the hobbie and sending out good information my advice to is keep a good out look on things and you will go far.................
----------
Donny James
"Fly The Best And Cull The Rest"
"Saying One Thing;Doing Its Another"
"Keep Your Head Planted In The Sky And Wings Spanned Wide"
1996 Piedmont Roller Club Lifetime Achievement Recipient
Portsmouth Roller Club Participation Award System Recipient 1994 '96 '97 And 2000
2001 Limestone,Ohio Sportsman's Club Lifetime Member Recipient
2002Portsmouth Roller Club Certified Judge
2004Portsmouth Roller Club Lifetime Member Recipient
"Miss Portsmouth"NBRC/90/J311 Rusty Dun Check Self Hen First Bird To Get Certified In Portsmouth Roller Club History With A Score Of 53 Judge By Joe Roe The 1993 World Cup Winner And John Bender The 1994 World Cup Winner
|
donnie james
851 posts
Dec 25, 2009
1:25 PM
|
hay nick it sounds like that you have a new look on the hobbie and sending out good information my advice to is keep a good out look on things and you will go far.................
----------
Donny James
"Fly The Best And Cull The Rest"
"Saying One Thing;Doing Its Another"
"Keep Your Head Planted In The Sky And Wings Spanned Wide"
1996 Piedmont Roller Club Lifetime Achievement Recipient
Portsmouth Roller Club Participation Award System Recipient 1994 '96 '97 And 2000
2001 Limestone,Ohio Sportsman's Club Lifetime Member Recipient
2002Portsmouth Roller Club Certified Judge
2004Portsmouth Roller Club Lifetime Member Recipient
"Miss Portsmouth"NBRC/90/J311 Rusty Dun Check Self Hen First Bird To Get Certified In Portsmouth Roller Club History With A Score Of 53 Judge By Joe Roe The 1993 World Cup Winner And John Bender The 1994 World Cup Winner
|
Canspinners
312 posts
Dec 25, 2009
1:44 PM
|
Nikki Siders well said after 28 years in the corporate competative world
I finally burnt out and at the end who was there for me.
" Certainly not the people i helped put on the top of the hill"
i got burnt out because i worked 7 days a week working to implement programs which i developed with teams as a motivator leader and coach . At the end of it all when the rewards were being reaped individuals selfishness and greed took over.
The amount of self centred people in our society today amazes me ,youre luckey if you find a handful of ones that appreciate what you are doing for them.
Any ways I took ayear off work to pull myself out of the deperssion caused by my realization that not all people are motivated by helping others and that enven though you help people their are those who do not posses the ability to give any heart felt thanks because they are poltically motivated and selfish.
Went back to work with a diff focus that being I only do what i want to do when iwant to do it and for who i want to do it for . I work from 7:30 -5:00 Mon to Friday the oddd weekend if I want too
I to regretfully hate the competitive politics of this hobby
|
Longroller
GOLD MEMBER
242 posts
Dec 25, 2009
2:13 PM
|
Amen Nick...Some years ago I purchased this small farm away from everybody..put, as needed, many small buildings for my many different families of rollers and whatever else I had...folks come visit.."What in the world....?" and I just say.."I am retired and enjoy"..My bride says "I know where to find him when I need him"...birds are a hobby...life is as competitive as I want it..been there and done that all over the world..for the first 50+ years. I like to wear holes in my jeans and even bend a few nails trying to build an fly-pen.I compete with birds when I want, show when I want..if I don't want to...I don't. Welcome to a happy retired life. Bruce
----------
De Oppresso Liber
|
Canspinners
313 posts
Dec 25, 2009
3:02 PM
|
Had to leave for a bit So it boils down to this ...the amount of good people I have met in the pigeon hobby has beed significant
"There are many pigeon men and the there are pigeon gentilemen"
Its the birds and hobby that have helped me to really enjoy and cherish the quit moments with the birds in flight, the frendships, and the rush of aquiring some newly found birds.
I think Rock and roll paul expressed it best this site has helped me through the tough time for me a couple of years ago as well
Nick relax do what you like to do and don't give attention to what others think and say ...let the whinners whine
Hats off to old fart , donny james , rolldown, kelly from bc , sidlove ,dominic carlton , tony for this site,I miss some of the uk guys ,what ever happened to andrew ?
Nick sees to me you don't need to evaluate your self worth to the hobby you a are valued contributor. Sounds to me that you are just tired and need a good rest a break and you need to talk to the people that appreciate you nd not give the time of day to the miserable sobs that are out there to make a good persons day go bad
Listen to John Lennons song Working Class Hero "if you want to make it to the top of the hill you must smile as you kill" there are many people like that in the corporateworld and also unfortanateley in the pigeon hobby ....but you know nick once you go through something like this it is easy to see who they are" the winnersand complaners and the negitive ones
thats it get some rest ,pick yourself up and don"t quit on the good ones that need you and your help ..focus on the onesthat are positive .Donny james ahas got to be one of the most positive people on this site ..way to go donny
|
Tony Chavarria
Site Publisher
3816 posts
Dec 26, 2009
11:47 AM
|
Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you. -Carl Sandburg
----------
FLY ON!
Tony Chavarria
|
mikea
35 posts
Dec 26, 2009
12:40 PM
|
nick
Me .kenny,sal and the rest of arkansas. will give
you a boost of enegry. when we have are breckfast
in jan. your friend always Mike Allen.
|
rtwilliams
GOLD MEMBER
547 posts
Dec 26, 2009
2:04 PM
|
Nick Said
"I also want to change my persona from one of being a critical butt-wipe to one who is a helper and a person you can get sound advise from; a source to be used by the many."
Nick I hope that you continue to give constructive critism. I know that some of your comments have been of value to me.
I think that you have been a 'helper and a person you can get sound advise from" Thanks for your past comments, and good look luck with your new responsiblities, and most important, enjoy yourself.
---------
RT Williams
|
Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1582 posts
Dec 26, 2009
3:44 PM
|
Hey Nick, I agree with RT Williams, enjoy life but don't change completely! A reality check is good for everyone at different times and you provide balance. I appreciate that your response will be an honest assessment tempered with dry humor. So...lean back, have a mint julep, fly your birds, sleep well knowing you have and will continue to help many new and oldfarts! :)
Thom
Last Edited by on Dec 26, 2009 3:44 PM
|
Ballrollers
GOLD MEMBER
2256 posts
Dec 26, 2009
6:28 PM
|
I understand where youo are coming from, Nick. It is obvious that you have given this a lot of thought and know where your priorities lie. But you know how it goes with New Years Resolutions! LOL! Good luck.
Cliff
|
Scott Coe
8 posts
Dec 26, 2009
7:37 PM
|
After a year reading this site i joined, due to people like you. A hard rock does'nt crack over night. THINK BIRDS! Thanks for all your critical and infomitve information. Happy newyear.
|
George R.
241 posts
Dec 26, 2009
8:42 PM
|
Nick said
" When the move is towards establishing a hierarchy of competitors and the real competition is in becoming a part of the hierarchy instead of simply flying pigeons in competition is when the happiness begins its decent".
pigeon politics suck ! I am sorry that you are not enjoying your birds as you should .
Nick there will always be people that take the Fun out of everything they are involved in . Dont let them ruin you enjoyment with your Birds , Dont give them that pleasure.
Those people that try to take the Fun out of 'just flying Birds' take pleasure in contaminating other people's pleasures.
Last Edited by on Dec 26, 2009 8:54 PM
|
wishiwon2
262 posts
Dec 31, 2009
12:21 PM
|
Hang in there Nick. You have worked hard in behalf of your hobby and your region. You deserve to have a break. It is good to re-evaluate ourselve from time to time, during that evaluation we need to also recognize the good things we have done, the freinds we have made and the things we have learned. I suspect the recent loss of some of your birds contributes to your feeling of tiredness. Like a sucker punch to the gut, it takes the wind out of anyone who cares and has put in the effort and attention to something and had it taken away.
Just so you know, spending the week with you, Ferrell and youre girlfreind has been one of the highlights of my roller experience. You have much to share and we can each benefit from having you involved.
Besides, 68 isnt that old .. well ok .. maybe it is, lol. I know you're still passionate about rollers, just change your focus a little.
----------
Jon
If it were easy, everybody would do it
|
scrimpscrampi
74 posts
Dec 31, 2009
2:26 PM
|
Nick,
I thought about what you had to say quite a while before I even attempted to write. First and foremost, you have NEVER been a butt-wipe to me. You were always ready to listen and advise or correct as needed. Watching and listening to you every chance I have gotten has been a great help to me and a reminder that there are STILL good, genuine people out there! But more than anything, you always acknowledged me, said 'hi', was honest when you asked 'how are things?', and you always extended your hand in friendship, not out of duty.
You said "It would not be the right thing for the club to involve me any further." It would be a travesty if they even considered not involving you (and I don't believe that they would consider that option either). No, maybe not as an officer, but more as the experienced, 'roller elder' that you are (that is politically correct, right?) I don't want to see you in the 'hierarchy'. Not that I don't believe you couldn't do it, but more because you know that you wouldn't enjoy it. You love your birds, that is the paramount issue here and that should be your focus! Just know that I respect you and value your friendship.
Tommy
----------
scrimpscrampi
Tulsa, OK
|
Ballrollers
GOLD MEMBER
2294 posts
Dec 31, 2009
5:02 PM
|
Nick,
I think you made a lot of positive and constructive changes in the way that you represent yourself and participate on internet roller lists, in 2009. It is duly noted and appreciated. Keep up the good work in 2010!
Cliff
|
PR_rollers
GOLD MEMBER
3501 posts
Dec 31, 2009
5:19 PM
|
Nick 68 ain't old you still got 78, 88, 98 and if you eat right to 108 yrs old to live.. you just tire take some time off and take some naps in between .you be alright..Happy New year..
----------
Ralph.
Pigeons are not our whole life, but they damn sure make our lives whole!" ~
|
rolleronnie
61 posts
Jan 15, 2010
7:33 PM
|
"Winning is the motivator in competition and competition in its purest form is not harmful; in fact it is down right fun. It starts to become harmful and not so fun when the competition drags you into the politics of competing. When the move is towards establishing a hierarchy of competitors and the real competition is in becoming a part of the hierarchy instead of simply flying pigeons in competition is when the happiness begins its decent".
Well said Nick! I hope you don't mind that I am stealing this quote and publishing it in my next club Bulletin?
Good luck for the future!
Ronnie Sultana
Sydney Performing Roller Club.
----------
Promoting The Birmingham Roller
The Greatest Aerial Acrobat!
Come Fly With Us!
|
nicksiders
GOLD MEMBER
4057 posts
Jan 15, 2010
8:38 PM
|
No problem, Ronnie
----------
Just My Take On Things
Nick Siders
|
Missouri-Flyer
1673 posts
Jan 16, 2010
10:45 AM
|
Well said Nick,
I know that we here north of you have enjoyed getting to know ya, some more than others....Your a good man, and an asset to those around you..Your friend.
----------
Jerry
Home of "Whispering Wings Loft"
|