We were away for the weekend in Somers, CT for the Chili For Life cook off. It benefitted an assistant fire chief, and a five-year-old girl, both of whom are battling cancer. As a survivor myself, I was very happy to serve as scorekeeper for this event. And it was fun. A good group of cooks and judges, and the crowd looked pretty good whenever I went out to the cooks’ area. The organizers of this one are old hands at this, and they always run a good show, and make sure our job is easy.
One of the best things this year was that it was not as frigidly cold as last year’s event. We were in a real cold snap then, and we are set up for the judging in what is the garage where the golf course stores the tractors and other equipment they need. So it is not really heated well (only enough to keep the engines from freezing), and it is a big, open space with a concrete floor. It was much better in there this year. I did bring a space heater, and that helped, also. I don’t like to be cold!
After the cook off on Saturday, we went back to our hotel. We debated what to do for dinner. There is a Longhorn right next to the hotel, but we were there on Friday with a group of cooks. We looked at a few other places, but nothing jumped out. In the end, the BaldMan went to Five Guys and brought back burgers. It was nice to just relax after a long day.
And then, there was football. Holy heck, that Packers game was something. Not happy with the final result, but it was a great game to watch. Two Hail Mary passes- the first worked, the second set up the tying score in the last seconds of regulation play. On to overtime, where the first coin toss resulted in the coin going up and falling straight down without flipping. Toss it over, and this time it did flip. And just so many other things throughout the game. I gotta agree with Cris Collinsworth who, at the end of the game said: “Now I’ve seen it all!” Sheesh.
I do wish the Packers had won, but to be honest, they missed some good opportunities and failed to convert too many times. I don’t like the overtime rules, though. And I don’t say that just because my team lost. I have thought that for a few years now. I think the team that wins the coin toss has a big advantage. Sure, they have to get the ball downfield and score, but that’s what these teams do all the time. Yes, it doesn’t always result in a score, but I just think it’s skewed that way. Both teams should get at least one possession, regardless of scoring. Or they should play out the fifteen minute overtime, like in basketball. If it’s still tied after that, then sudden death.
Oh, well. It is what it is. I have no big stake in the Superbowl this year, but will enjoy the game. Can’t wait for this year’s commercials!
(Image from recipehubs.com)
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