You Just Might Be a Chili Head

Tonight is our church's annual Chili Cookoff. One of our friends, Ann Sanford, heads up the competition each year. She has been involved in the Terlingua International Chili Cookoff for several years. She always brings a fun, festive atmosphere to this event. This year's event (as well as last year's) have been used to raise funds for Missy's liver transplant, so we have an extra level of appreciation.

Last night, Missy, Joy, and I were preparing our entries into the contest. As I was working on my chili, I thought of some of the following indications of "chili headedness".

If your chili sets off smoke alarms...in your neighbor's house, you might be a chili head.
If your spouse has shed a tear from the aroma of your seasonings, you might be a chili head.
If your recipe is different every time you make chili, you might be a chili head.
If you believe that there is no such thing as too many peppers, you might be a chili head.
If you include ingredients just because they have a cool Mexican name and there are flames on the label, you might be a chili head.
If you include any ingredient just because it has "hot" or "extra spicy" on the label, you might be a chili head.
If you have at least three ingredients that you have no clue about, you might be a chili head.
If others have to sign a waiver to test your chili, you might be a chili head.
If your chili wears through the pot you are using, you might be a chili head.
If you can still taste the heat from your chili three hours later, you might be a chili head.
If you know exactly where each bite is in your digestive system, you might be a chili head.

I won't say how many of these apply to this year's version of my chili, but let me put it this way: I just might be a chili head.