Pre judging

So last night was pre-judging and it didn't go so well for me. I didn't mess up and I looked my best ever. It just wasn't going to be good enough. The show started at 3pm. I did not go on till 7:15pm. That is ridiculous. That screws up meal times, what your hair looks like, plus your feet hurt and you are tired. I remember being back stage about to go on and thinking this..."Am I having fun?" No this is not fun. I'm tired, my feet hurt, and these girls are not overly friendly. They hang out in there groups and don't try to meet anyone. By groups I mean like the "Bombshells". Smaller shows you can usually meet more people that you will stay in touch with. I did meet one girl at the airport who was very sweet and who I will likely keep in contact with, but no one at the show.

They escorted us on the stage one at a time. You had 10 seconds to do your thing and then exit off. You were then brought back on 10 or so at a time. They had us turn around once and that was it. You exited off the stage again. They brought everyone back on stage and started callouts. There was only 4 in the first callouts. That is very strange. Usually its five. Some classes there was 3 called out or 6. This is confusing. I noticed the head judge talking to some man sitting beside her. I kept thinking, they are not really judging this group.

I was unfortunately in the last call outs, which was probably the back half of the group. We had 22 in class B.  I was probably so far back I won't even be scored. So I exit off the stage, strip off those 5 inch heels and head back to the dressing room. I feel defeated, but not really too upset. If I deserve to be in the back then that's that. I didn't know what my competition looked like so I couldn't really complain. Fast forward an hour or so when I have had time to look at the pictures. I could see why 3 of the 4 were in first call outs. After that, it's anyone's game. I do believe I looked better than some that were called out before me. Now I'm a little pissed. All this time and effort for what? I feel a little politics being involved.

I had the opportunity to talk to someone who knows this industry quite well, actually judges. Learned a lot. When you have certain trainers who girls always do well you take notice. Never mind they have been in town with their limos taking the judges out and partying (many times I hear) with them. These groups bring in tons of money to the NPC/IFBB. If you require your girls to purchase so much in NPC products, do so many shows a year, don't you think the organization would want your girls to win? You are a commodity to them. Overheard as well is that the NPC really does not want to let in any more trainers. What does that mean? Well, only so many girls can win and when you have several groups swooning you, you eventually max out on these top fives or wins. What a dilemma. I call bullshit on all of it. I saw several girls in the taller classes that should have been in the first callouts that didnt even make second callouts. I can at least understand some of  the reasoning behind some of the callouts in my class.

The sad part is to see the disappointment on these girls faces. They are women like me who went in actually thinking they had a chance. I always believe, and still do, that God is in control. Things can only happen if God allows them to happen. It is not his will that I win or place in this show. In fact, I don't think it was an accident that that person was sitting beside my husband and friend and shared his own frustration as a judge. Maybe my competing days are over, or maybe doing small local shows just to stay in shape is what I am supposed to do. Either way, I am at peace this morning. I will get dressed, eat my grits, tan, do my hair, put on my makeup, and bring the swagger tonight just as if I still had a chance to WIN. Why bother you ask? Because I am a COMPETITOR!