A joke is a very serious thing

My part time job is tending bar a private club.  Mostly everyone who hangs out there knows each other pretty well.  There's a lot of playful banter and the more than occasional practical joke.

There are three televisions mounted strategically throughout the room so that no matter where you’re sitting in the bar you should have a view of at least one of them.  the remote controls are available so that the patrons can select whatever channel they want to watch. 

There is an ongoing prank between two of the regulars where one of the guys changes the channel on the television that the other guys is watching.

Its all harmless goofiness . . . just a couple of all growed up men acting like little kids.  It’s what they do and they do it quite well, actually . . . acting like kids.

On one occasion it got ugly.  An innocent bystander accidentally got caught in the crossfire.

This unsuspecting innocent was simply enjoying a NASCAR race while sipping his beer.

It was the final lap.  The lead cars were neck and neck . . . or bumper to bumper, as it were.  It was an intense moment . . . it was anyone’s race.  When all of a sudden . . . **click** . . . weather channel.

This generally calm, low key guy freaked the *&#% out! 

By the time the prankster got the channel back to the race it was all over.  The final moment of the race was passed.  Of course there was instant replay after instant replay displayed from every possible angle . . . but it didn’t matter.  The damage was done. 

Needless to say the innocent victim was not happy in the slightest. . . he started cussing and slinging insults.    For weeks . . . nay months after the incident he was not happy.  His ire remained intact and focused.

The prankster made sure that the innocent had a nice cold beer waiting for him when he came in and still he was Sir Grumps-a-lot.

Everybody was like . . . dude, let it go. 

He finally has . . . calm has been restored.  And the channel changing tricks continue. 

  

Baked Chili Macaroni And Cheese

1 Lb Macaroni Pasta 
2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
2 Cans Hormel Chili
½ Cup Bread Crumbs
½ Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese


Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9x13 baking dish.


Fill a small saucepan with water, and bring to a boil. Stir in the macaroni; boil until cooked but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain well, and reserve.


In the same saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Stir the shredded cheese into the cooked macaroni. Then stir in the chili.  Finally, stir in the sour cream.  Spoon the macaroni and cheese into the prepared dish. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and 1/2 tablespoon cheddar cheese.


Bake, uncovered, until the cheese is melted and the macaroni is heated through, about 20 minutes.

A joke is a very serious thing. 

Winston Churchill