I know, I know: I had the The Great 2009 Super Bowl Backgammon Tournament And No Close Huddle Chili Punt party on Saturday, but the Super Bowl was Sunday. I didn't want anyone, including myself, to get distracted from the game by the backgammon activity. We didn't. And a good thing because of all the trash talk, and yelling going on.

It was a great time, but a wild time. I started cooking at 3:00 p.m. because I wanted the chili to have plenty of time to simmer. I made a marvelous lightly spiced habanero, pimento, and chili pepper three bean ranch hand chili with trail biscuits. One of my best chili efforts yet.

Both the chili and I had time to simmer. It on the stove, and me with the Merlot. Thus the "wild time" comment. Yes, I had such a great time. Awesome. Just a whole lot of fun, as you will see from some of the pictures.

The games were good, and so was the friendship. And the movie of the night, Casino Royale - to my mind the best of the James Bond series to date (I didn't really care that much for Quantum of Solace - was a great end to the evening.

Sunday was pretty tame as a result. I spent about 10 hours editing, had some left overs for dinner, and then closed things up with a really cute romantic comedy, Serendipity.

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Linda thinking as Tim watches from the background, waiting his turn... at her.

Tim and Rick just can't seem to behave. Ever...

Jim and Linda, and Rick and Tim going at it.

The chef kibitzes as Jim charges makes his move.

Every 12 to 15 minutes, whether it needed it or not, we have to stir the chili.

Tim and Ric. I don't know how many games these guys ended up playing, but it was quite a few.

Rick, probably between throws rinsing off the spoon after stirring the chili.

Linda and Tim at it again.

Jim just can't believe the game - or was it the trash talk - between Linda and Tim. It appears Linda can't believe it either. Tim must have used the Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique on her...

Tim can't believe it either. Actually, he can and is just being polite. Naw... he put the Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique on her and wiped her off the board for sure.

Tim throws as Rick watches the magic.

Did somebody put the Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique on Rick? He looks in pretty tough shape here.

Ahhhh... Jim puts up a totem "Loser" sign to ward off a pending Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique. Yuh think?

Well, here's the consenses of the group as to their vote on the chili.

A close up of the meal. My best chili effort yet, I believe.

It's a wonderful time to have everyone together, sharing a good meal, some fine backgammon, and a lot of laughs.

Of course, then there are those who persist in aggrivating folks, prodding them on to get another game going...

As you can see, Jim is not phased by Tim's trash talking.

Rick pitches in to help with clean up.

Calming down before we get the movie going.

Jim is all set for the movie.

But Rick just can't let it go with Linda. He just had to irritate the crap out of her, and now he cringes at the coming retribution...