Sunday, November 20, 2011

Contestant #2

And now the contest is over.  The new Mr. DC Eagle is Kevin Jordan from Onyx.  Great guy and I know he'll do well.  Looking forward to working with him in the coming year.

All I can say is WOW!  What an experience.  I've been involved in contests before, having filled every position except contestant.  And all that was really only a slight preparation for this ride.

Besides me, there were three other contestants: Kevin, Tim and Omar.  All of them great guys and it was a pleasure and honor to be up there alongside of them.  WOOF!!!!

I was a bit nervous going into the weekend (probably normal), and the energy levels ran high all through it (and beyond).  Began to relax as it progressed, especially after the interview.  That part was daunting right up until the questions started.  In hindsight, I think I did okay in that part.

The stage parts were absolutely fun.  It was an experience I can't fully describe going through it with these guys.  All of us looking out for each other, pep talks, and rooting each other on.

Didn't win.  Yeah, wee bit of a disappointment.  We all would have like to have taken home the title. But I know I have nothing to be ashamed of, that I did my best, and thoroughly enjoyed the ride.   Nothing is going to change as far as the things I already do out there in the community, and I actually have a new ally.

And right now I can think of at least 14 friggin dwarf names!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

But Why?

Now that it's a little more than 2 weeks away, I can now say here that I will be competing this year in the Mr. DC Eagle contest.  I won't yet go into why I'm only now competing for a title, as those are things best left until the contest itself.  The reasons are clear in my head at this point, and I'll share them here in the very near future.

But there is a question related to this that's been burning in my mind.  One I can't answer other than my own thoughts and feelings, as well as my own decision as it relates to me.

Why is that some feel a boy or pup competing for a title shouldn't where his or her collar?  I've heard that some feel it shouldn't be done.  Others feel it's only proper.

To me, the collar represents part of who I am.  If I'm to put myself forward as a potential titleholder, it seems to me honesty and integrity on my part are abolute musts.  If I were to go into this misrepresenting myself or holding back in any way, then by what right should I even be competing?

I am in no way ashamed of being collared as my Mister's pup tripp.  If I were...well, I wouldn't be collared in the first place!  More importantly though, that pride and confidence are not only a core part of my identity, but also a strong aspect of what I bring to the community.

Mister and I both know that there are responsibilities that go with a title.  I'm doing this with both His support and encouragement as well as (and equally important) Ken's blessing.  My obligations to them need not conflict with additional obligations were I to receive the title.

I did ask Mary Elizabeth, and she was in favor of the collar being worn.  Those closest to me have been o like mind. That meant alot to me.  Not that I needed their encouragement.  I told Mister at Rehoboth how I felt about it, that I was determined to wear my collar.

I can only wonder why some think it shouldn't be.