Barb, you have it exactly........Competition DOES change your reality and that is what makes it so addictive and a burning need for some people. When you say it changed your perception, I would ask how? If you mean that on the one hand, the win made you feel like, "Hey! Damn straight! And it's about time!!!".....and the loss made you feel, "What a load! We're still the best and to hell with them!"...............Well, that's about what it does and my point above about good losers and gracious winners comes through. Again though, I detest judged competitions because there is so much room for error based on personal opinion.

On the bass player............how did he feel and how did you feel towards him? would you expect him to do less than his best with the other group? If so, time to own up to it......You got the competitive juices going just where they tend to go. If you hate the feeling, avoid competition. If it fires you up...............

BTW, your lack of getting acknowledged also ssays something about your comp spirit. I have noticed though that in many of the fiddlin' and pickin' contests, nary a word is said (or very few anyway) about the guitar player. I've often thought that to be a major sleight myself as it can make or break the contestant and some of the accompanying pickers are absolutely unreal!!! Sorry you didn't get a nod but Frank's win was also partly yours. Congratulations!

Spaw