Pepper eating contest

Nick and Brian (Marcus' friends) challenged me to join them in a pepper eating contest. Nick likes spicy food. So does Marcus. In years past they have done this contest with crackers and cheese. Ritz on the ready we began. . .

Brian (on the left) is not into spicy food, but even he joined in. I began with a swift attack. 10.

Nick was surprised by my speed. Brian cheered him on and even began to injest some himself! (We were very proud of his new-found bravery.) Marcus of course was right there with us. (Spicy guy that he is!)

20. 30. 40. 50. Nick began to panic.

Nick had no idea I was such a pepper-eating machine! Slowly, with much cheering from Brian and Marcus, Nick caught up to me. I tried to teach the young ones the 'better way' of eating. Eat them 2 at a time. Take a cracker every 10 or 20 or so. Nick was a masochist. No crackers or cheese would dilute his misery/carnage. What made it worse for him was that he kept walking around, flapping his arms and breathing in. Ah, the ignorance of youth. :)

60. 70. Waiting for Nick to catch up. Marcus stopped at 52. Brian at 11. (Double-digits were an all-time record for him!)

Finally Nick caught up and passed by one. Victory! Oh wait! Mrs. Friend downs 8 more! Nick, with the cheering and chanting of the crowd makes his final play. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8....9!

He was in so much pain. I had to stop. He couldn't let me beat him, and I was afraid how far he would go, and what shape we (me) would be in later.

Nick, you are the champion. Well eaten my boy.

Note to self. 78 jalapenos will re-open an ulcer. 2 1/2 days of bleeding and it'll close back up though.

Nick - 8 hours of misery and he was fine. Ah youth.