For the first time in the history of Surfin' Chili, dating back to the pre-internet days of 1990, we came in the Top 10 in Judges' Choice Chili with an 8th place showing. Combined with our first-ever back-to-back First Place in Showmanship, it was arguably the best team ever. Well, except for the loss in Space Trivia.
As usual, we brought our A-game, bribing the judges and customers with our famous Jello-shot Dispenser System and Jell-O Shot Twister game, our Mardi Gras beads, and even our amateurishly misspelled Burma-shave signs.
This year we tried to go green (not counting the beads and lime Jell-O shots), and set up our Jello-shot Dispenser System (JDS) coolant water pump to run partially off solar power. Another secret weapon: Congressman Nick Lampson (D-Houston), who represents the JSC area in Congress. Click to enlarge the picture.
Our skit: Things Yet to Come, a look at the future development of the Crew Exploration Vehicle starring the Chili Pepper Dude as The Great Surfin' Chili Kahuna, featuring Facebook, Diet Coke & Mentos, Stephen Hawking on a dolly, William Shatner, Mike Griffin, and Mike Coats.
The best of times: first place in Showmanship, our fourth #1 and our eleventh trophy in 17 seasons, to go along with our first Top 10 finish in Judges' Choice. A third place in grapefruit pass (10th overall), second consecutive first in pyramid (6th #1, 10th overall), and third in spoons (8 medals). But sadly, we failed to place in Space Trivia this year.
The worst of times: a couple people might have snuck one too many cherry bombs. Lessons Learned: 300 jello shots is more than enough and maybe we shouldn't be making them with tequila.
See you in 2008!