YouNgbLooD rUles ThE dAy

As another Thanksgiving drew near we all knew the day would be filled with joy, fellowship, food, food, food, and there was the possibility of food. This year we were to travel to Mountain Home AR, to have a family thanksgiving. This was both exciting and dreadful because it is very scary to be in a competition with competitors that you are unfamiliar with. Once you get a feel for the abilities of those you are at war with, you have a much easier time achieving victory.

This year we had thanksgiving with grandparents, parents, cousins, second cousins, wives, and sisters. I have learned the needed effort to beat the known competitor, however, this year with the mass of opposition it was far more concerning - especially when I found out that there would be a young blood in the competition. As you all know, they come in with tremendous amount to prove, and have the will power to pull it off.

You may wonder what this competition thing is that I am talking about. If that is the case than you should read the previous Blog about the Thanksgiving of 2006. If you are indeed in the know, than you will be waiting with baited breath in wonder as to the results that would rise from this year's war in the big AR.

The beginning...


It's 8:36am. It's hotter in this house than I remember. The day starts with some unexpected surprises, yet we have come to the time...we need to weigh in for the day.

The Weigh in...
I am unfamiliar with this scale, will it be true to me?...I have great concern for the accuracy of this piece of machinery - although all have to use it so I realize that this will work because however off it may be they all will share the same fate.

The Day...
Today did not go as planned for most of the day, I was called upon for far more physical activity than desired or good for this competition. However, as it is a day for the family I participate wondering how this will effect my results...

Half hour before weigh in...
The big push starts...everyone realizes that this is go time, there is a push to put anything that seems to resemble something eatable and cram it in our mouths hoping that it will result in the victory we each covet.


Weigh in...

I am panicked...I don't think this is going to go as well as last year. Ben has eaten while I played outside. Jeremy seems calm....Far too calm. Steve is very unsure (as any rookie would be).
The weigh in now begins...Little Chris is the first. He came in at 64 in the morning and gets the numbers come back 6 then a 5. Chris has gained 1 pound for the day. Next comes Zach...He weighed in at 55 in the morning and so now the numbers come...5... then he hears the sad number to follow...5. Zach has not gained a pound for the day. Jeremy comes up. He now seems far more arrogant than he had about a half hour ago. This does not seem to be the same Jeremy I have beat in years past. So he steps on the scale and waits for the numbers to come back - 1 followed then followed by 8. We now wait to see the final number... it's a 2 Jeremy has weighed in and gained 7 pounds. Now Steve comes and as a rookie is still very nervous about this whole thing. He steps on the scale and the numbers come back... 1 followed by a 5 (he has a chance!) The 5 is now followed by a number that takes him out of the running all together. It's a zero. Steve has only gained 4 pounds. Ben (the young blood) steps up with a confident smile upon his young face (there was however the sign of some hidden pain) the numbers come in 1 followed by 3 - things are looking up for this young one...then the last 6...Ben has gained an amazing 8 pounds! This puts him in the front of the competition. There is only one left to weigh in but it is the reigning champ! Nathan steps on the scale and begins to wonder if the effort he has put forth will be enough. The numbers start to come back... 1 followed by 9 he has a strong possibility of taking this year for a third in a row, all he needs to know is the last number. If it's a 1 he ties for first. It's gotta be a 2. The final number comes - in it's a zero!!!! the reigning champ has fallen! Ben is now the champion! However, the news comes in that Ben has eaten 20 roles and 4 glasses of water in the final minutes of the competition. He is now lying on the floor and paying for his victory.

Please see pictures to com for illustration of the day.