What’s up, people?
What’s this? Back to back Vegas themed entries? Perhaps, but then again you can double down practically anywhere.
You see, today we’re talking about risk and the different types of risks there are for creative people like yourself. There’s a lot of gray area between a conservative bet and a leap of faith, and that area is constantly in flux. But first some Blackjack card game history via Wikipedia:
Double Down: The player is allowed to increase the initial bet by up to 100% in exchange for committing to stand after receiving exactly one more card. The additional bet is placed in the betting box next to the original bet.
I could remember the first time I doubled down when playing a round of blackjack. Double the money for double for the payoff but you only got one chance to do so. It was a thrill (at the time). I don’t even remember the result, but since then any major life decisions I’ve made that requires more risk than it’s potential reward has been tagged in my brain as a “Double Down.”
The past couple of months I had become a bit jaded by the competition circuit. On some days I felt I wasn’t good enough to compete and on others (usually the day the announce the winners) I feel as if I had as good as chance as any to at least be “honorably mentioned.” Now, whatever art you decide to participate in, you should know that you shouldn’t be in simply for the recognition. That’s the wrong reason to do anything, let alone something that you want to do as a profession. However as humans we are naturally competitive and tribal, survival of the fittest and birds of a feather and all that.
Ever so often, even though I feel as if I had no chance, I go for a contest anyway. Since these contests usually come with registration fees, it’s a (nominal) financial risk. I won’t get selected and I’ll keep working on things for the next opportunity, just so the cycle can continue. Who knows, one time I might actually hit paydirt.
And that’s why I double down.
Followed by a KFC Double Down. Mmmmmmm.
–Flobo
Flobo Boyce 