Still laughing

I’m late again today, but I was still thinking about habits but also humor.

I love the way a funny event or joke can stay with you forever. I also love the way a joke can lighten a moment that’s too tense and people that have the habit (gift) of being able to do that.

Eons ago, my friend Julie and I played college field hockey. Julie was All American level athlete and is in the Lacrosse Hall of Fame. I was a benchwarmer. One January, lazy and out of shape after the holidays, she signed us up for the Esskay Chilli Dog 10k Race.  It promised unlimited beer and hotdogs at the end of the race.

We carb loaded with beer the night before, so the 7am race start felt a bit too early. Do you remember the giant Walkmans-5”x4”x1.5”?  Mine was bright yellow. Our goal was to finish before our 45 minute cassettes finished.  

As we ran, a man dressed up as a squeeze bottle of mustard passed us. Then the guy in a felt hot dog costume with a kid on his shoulders. We were mortified. We had to ketchup. 😊

At 7:43 we crossed the finish line and headed for water, feeling pretty ghastly.

The guy at the beer tap grinned from ear to ear.

“LADIES! Did you work all night on that hair?”

After a moment of wide eyed shock, we laughed and laughed. We immediately felt better.

I still use that line when I opt for extra sleep instead of a morning shower. It still makes me smile every time.  

I assumed Julie wouldn’t remember. When I asked recently, she screamed with delight. “I just told someone that story last week”.   

Was it the joke, or the 13 pounds of bacon she won that led to 3 months of BLTs afterwards? The joke she assured me.