I judge your chili harshly!!!

I realized today that there are very few things in this world that I am more judgmental about than Chili. Let me explain...

Casie and I went to a chili cook off. The even started at 11:00 in the morning and there were about 30-40 participants. Both the top and bottom levels of the local expo center were filled with booths serving out all sorts of Chili, two live bands, and lots of places to get some beer.

While tasting the various chili, I found myself passing very harsh judgment on a lot of the different chili. Some were too thin and soup-like while others lacked essential spices that give that quintessential chili flavor. I walked away from this even with a few pearls of wisdom:

1. The investigative reporting team at KY3 couldn't manage to investigate themselves up a descent chili recipe and instead served chili-esque soup.

2. The chemistry department actually makes some pretty good food...as disturbing as that is.

3. Signing a waver to eat some food is just too troublesome for me.

4. Stripper chili is just inheritly off-putting.

5. "Chili cook off" is code for "an excuse to start drinking at 11:15"

You Learn Something New Every Day

After living in Springfield for over two years, I have discovered something new and exciting. Springfield, MO is home to an amazing landmark. Behold! The world's largest fork!

And, of course, you cannot forget your fork etiquette.

My Hatred Burns with the Fire of 10,000 Suns

The Missouri Department of Revenue handles vehicle registration here in Missouri and I hate them. Yes, hate. Hate, hate, hate, hate, hate them. Before, living in California, I had always been told of horrible DMV experiences that involved waiting for hours on end. That is nothing compared with the horrors that is the Department of Revenue Licensing office here in Springfield.

Never once have been able to go there on my first try and get something done. A trip into the licensing office inevitablly results in several rounds of incomplete instructions from the clerks that lead to multiple trips around town to collect the appropriate documentation.

Yesterday was especially bad. Due to a previous frustrating day trying to register the Hyundai last year, I knew that they were going to send me to the county clerk's office for a property tax waiver/receipt. So, to streamline the process I went straight to the county clerk. I obtained said property tax waiver and left the county clerk's office feeling successful because I had only had to visit with two different offices (on two floors) in stead of four, like my last trip there.

Confidently, I drove across town to the Licensing Office with a folder full of all the documentation I needed. I had everything to transfer the car to Joe and I (as its title had previously been in my Mom's name) and to register it. I had the title signed over to Joe and I, the bill of sales stating that we had purchase the car for five dollars from my mom, the state safety inspection, proof of insurance, and I even had a sheet of paper with Joe's and my mother's social security numbers written down just in case. I felt prepared as I walked through their double doors.

After a short wait, I was called up by one of the employees. Before her I spread my paperwork proudly, anticipating a quick transaction. After mulling over my offerings she looked up at me and asked, "do you have the release of lien from the original lender?"

Crestfallen, I answered that I did not. Away I was sent to frantically search through my files for the release of lien. Miraculously, I had it, notarized as it needed to be. So, once again I made my way to the Licensing Office, more cautiously this time. After another short wait in line a different employee called me up to her window. Again, I lay all my papers out before her. This second employee looks everything over and explains that Jefferson City (the state capital) will not except the sale of a vehicle for less than $100.00. Therefore, I needed to get a gift affidavit signed by my mother.

Nearly in tears, I explained that my mother lives in California and asked how she was supposed to sign aforementioned affidavit. The answer came back, "she can fax it to you, we don't need this one notarized." Fabulous. Neither my mother nor I have a fax machine. I left the office demoralized once again.

After several phone calls to my Mom, a trip to Kinko's for her, a drive out to CSS for me, and yet another trip to the Licensing Office, the Hyundai finally got registered.

I hate them.

Rock Climbing

These photos are super blurry because we had to use the night time function on the camera and we were all a little shaky and tired, but here is proof that we did it:

No More Bass Pro

As of today, I never need to have this conversation again:

Me: "Good fishing and hunting, Bass Pro Shops."

Caller: "Do what?"

M: "This is Bass Pro what can I do for you"

C: "What time y'all close up thar?"

M: "Ten o'clock sir"

C: "Seven?"

M: "No, ten."

C: "What? seven?"

M: "No, ten, one zero. Ten."

C: "One zero...you mean one oh, tin?"

M: "Yes sir, ten o'clock"

Rejoice with a glad heart

I know that this has no immediate importance to anyone else, but today I watched my last Nascar race EVER (somewhere a redneck just shed a single solitary tear). Hallelujah!

Winter in Missouri

This winter I experienced my first ice storm, a phenomenon that until this point in my life I had never even contemplated. During the storm I learned many lessons, including but not limited to the following:

1. When you hear on the radio that an ice storm is coming, just maybe
you should pay attention and prepare.
2. An electric water heater really sucks.
3. It is possible to sleep in 5 layers of clothes.
4. Nobody that shops at Wal-Mart likes organic soup.

All in all, we did just fine and out of it I got some amazing photos.